“What… what’s happening?”
“No clue. But it’s working, isn’t it? You’re breathing better now. Keep going, love.”
Sawyer breathed, matching the slow, controlled breaths Andvari took. The earth continued to rumble, but Andvari ignored it. He focused on Sawyer, his mate, his love.
Ravens began to caw above them, so many it was hard for Andvari to focus. His mates had his back. He didn’t have to worry about defending them. Not in this moment. He just had to keep Sawyer grounded and let him do what he needed to do.
“I can feel it,” Sawyer whispered, so softly Andvari wondered if anyone else would even be able to hear it.
“Good,” Andvari responded. “Focus. Breathe.”
One corner of Sawyer’s mouth lifted in a smile that was just for him. “Iknow.”
“I’m glad one of us does,” Andvari said.
Everything changed in the blink of an eye. The earth stopped rumbling, but it didn’t stop power from building. Sawyer’s eyes glowed. “Guardians.”
His voice had a deep command to it, one that sent a shiver down Andvari’s spine. Their mates surrounded them in a second, even yellow eyes, who Saeward had by the neck. They knelt around him, each touching him in some way. Henry by his head, leaning down to press a gentle kiss to Sawyer’s forehead. Draco hovered by his other side, trying not to stare at the wound in Sawyer’s hand. Loch crouched beside Andvari. He felt the fae’s presence, so familiar to him already. Eduard knelt beside Draco, comforting their dragon who couldn’t stand seeing any of them hurt, but especially Sawyer.
Sawyer looked at each of them, his eyes so strange in their new form. He stopped when he reached the newcomer. “What is your name?”
“Dakota,” yellow eyes said.
“Dakota. I like that. What do I do now, Dakota?”
“Your strength lies deep in the earth. Replenish your strength.”
Sawyer closed his eyes. Andvari laid his hand on Sawyer’s chest, feeling his breaths, in, out. Energy crackled around them, through them. Andvari could feel it rising up from the ground. They had it wrong. They’d thought Sawyer and his brother were fighting to be the air god. They’d thought there was only room for one brother at the table.
They were wrong.
Andvari heard a thump, then another.
“What the hell?” Henry gasped.
Sawyer opened his eyes again and raised his hand. He laid one across Andvari’s where it rested on his chest.
It was Andvari’s turn to struggle to breathe. The wound wasn’t there. He glanced to the side. Nothing but the hilt of the dagger was left. The blade… somehow the blade was gone.
“You’re doing great, Sawyer,” Andvari whispered. He couldn’t hide the awe in his voice or the pride he was sure showed on his face.
“This is wild.”
The ground continued to rumble. The ravens screeched, performing an acrobatic dance above them.
“You’re the master of understatement.”
Sawyer squeezed his hand, moving so their palms pressed together. They joined hands and Sawyer held him so tightly the bones in Andvari’s hand began to protest. He breathed, ignoring the pain and focusing on the sounds of Sawyer’s breath and his heartbeat.
“Keep going. You’re doing so well.”
Sawyer nodded. His eyes stayed locked on Andvari’s, their hands in a tight grip. The ground rumbled. Their mates surrounded them. Power built, an expansive, bright hot power that sent tingles down his spine.
Henry’s hand touched Andvari’s back. He leaned closer and Sawyer’s gaze darted to Henry’s. “Slow it down, love. You’re pulling too hard now. Don’t be rough. Coax it to you.”
The magic fumbled a little before the pressure eased then began to smooth.
“Good job. You’ll know when you have enough. Don’t be greedy, okay?” Henry’s hand squeezed Andvari’s shoulder, the only sign that their young mage was anything but calm and in control. Andvari could practically hear Vaughn Jerrick’s doctor tone in his son’s voice, keeping his patients calm and steady, soothing their fear as only a doctor could.
