“What exactly were you doing?”
“Oh, Loch did the feather thing and, well, you know how fucking sexy his wings are.”
Sawyer grinned. He did know. “Got it.”
“Anyway, so Loch gave Puteri a feather, right? She took it to the lake, and the lake let her bring some water back to you.”
“He did? I didn’t know that.”
“Yeah. The hot tub thing. I thought you knew. Anyway, you soaked in some lake water and then you felt better.”
Sawyer turned to find Loch watching them from beside the bed. “That was dangerous.”
“A gift freely given,” Loch said. “And worth it since it helped.”
Sawyer wanted to argue, but Henry was vibrating with excitement. “What else?”
“And Draco’s family gave you the armor. Also, freely given.”
“Yes.”
“And it’s dangerous because it can be used against you. Dragons protect their scales just like fae protect their feathers. Because your own magic can be used against you. So that’s why you don’t just spread your magic out all willy-nilly. And it’s especially why you don’t try to take someone’s magic against their will. It’s really bad.”
“I’m not following.”
Henry grinned again, then leaned down so he was inches away from Sawyer’s face. “He messed up, Sawyer.”
“What?”
“Your brother. He messed up. He tried to take my magic. He did take some of it. But it wasn’t freely given so it didn’t do anything for him. Not really. But it did leave a residue. I think that’s why the visions hurt so badly. But it’s there, and that means I can use it against him. We can use the visions to find the eighth guardian.”
“Henry, I don’t—”
“Master Sawyer, the grimoire from Leader Hartwig has arrived for Master Henry. As you recall, Gamayun said it would be what he needed.”
Another significant look.
“Ha!” Henry said. He scrambled off the bed and ran toward Cecil and the book. Still naked.
“Henry,” Sawyer groaned.
“Serendipity, Sawyer! See? This is it. We can fight fire with fire. Except air with air. Kinda.”
“I don’t… it’s not.Henry.”
“It’s perfect. That’s why the visions hurt, Sawyer. Don’t you get it? They’re notnatural. And that’s why he had all the mages hunted down. He was trying to power up. He was trying to figure all this out by using our visions to get the answers. Air power for the air god. But it doesn’t work if it’s notfreely given.”
Henry grabbed the book and bounced back over to the bed. Only Saeward’s quick movement kept Henry from injuring them all. He caught Henry and put him gently down across Sawyer’s stomach again.
“Thanks, Ward,” Henry said. He kissed Ward’s chest before turning back to Sawyer with the book clutched in his arms. “I know you’re worried but I have another air elemental to shield me. With his sexy as fuck wings. His powerful held-off-Puteri’s-really-strong-magic wings. And the others can help too. Hell, you can help. All the help, Sawyer. The book will have the answers. Just wait. I know it will. And then we can get number eight. And then we can tell your stupid brother to kiss our asses.”
Henry leaned over and kissed Sawyer again before dropping the book on Sawyer’s chest. Then he flung himself against Draco, kissing their dragon until he panted for breath. Then Eduard, who he left a disheveled mess. And Andvari, who panted and ended up grabbing Eduard once Henry was done with him. Ward got his attentions next, and then Henry surprised even himself by jumping at Dakota.
The new guardian caught Henry in his arms. “I’d kiss you too, but I don’t know if I like you. But I do know that you’re a lynx and I’m super glad you’re here. I think I’m going to need your help with ward issues. You can’t be held within wards, right?”
“I can’t be held captive at all,” Dakota rumbled.
Sawyer trembled at the power in Dakota’s voice. Alynx. He’d read about them in their books. Elusive and powerful. Dangerous creatures who preferred to be alone, and could never be locked away. Their magic wouldn’t allow it. They had to be free.
