A laugh actually escapes this time and I waste no time going over there to kiss him. “You’re becoming as bad of a suck up as Yri.”
He shrugs, unrepentant. “Figured he might be onto something here. Can’t let my mate’s fragile ego go a day without compliments, after all.”
I flip him off without heat as we head downstairs to the hidden room beneath the basement. My heart rate kicks up a notch as we step inside and once more when we seal the door. I know it is the safest place to lay low and lick our wounds, but fuck, I don’t have to like it.
“Deep breaths, Ren, don’t freak out on me here,” I mutter, patting his arm.
He pulls me onto the mattress on top of him, Cai and Yri climbing in beside us as they finish shoving them together. “Maybe you should stay right here until I calm down then,” he benevolently offers, rubbing his hand soothingly over my back.
I rest my head on his chest, letting his steady heartbeat seep into my bones. “Not a bad idea.”
My eyes flutter shut, relaxing into their touch. Yri and Cai both manage to press some part of their bodies against mine, connecting us all. I may have scoffed at dragon-piles while we were camping, but even if I didn’t have my heat resistance back, I’d still go for one right about now. There’s just a sense of safety and belonging that comes with your flight, one I can’t imagine living without now that I’ve experienced it.
I almost lost this, and still might.
The thought makes me cuddle closer, wanting to soak up as much of the time as I’m able. Tomorrow, when we can think coherently, we’ll make a plan. We can’t wait long or they’ll be dead for sure, but we’ll only have one shot at this; we need to do it right.
Chapter 21
Vyrian
––––––––
“What the hell are youdoing!” Cai shouts, and I bolt up in bed with a snarl.
We’re still in the panic room, and no one else is with us. But Ezra stands on the other side of the room, a dagger in her hand. She slices through her hair, letting the fiery strands fall to the ground before tying it up in a small bun.
“Saving China, obviously,” she says, explaining nothing.
“China? What the hell are you talking about; are you having a mental breakdown? Is that it?” he continues, getting to his feet.
She rolls her eyes. “Honestly, my wit is wasted on you three.”
Cai takes the dagger from her and grumbles, walking across the room and missing the way she pulls another one from her pocket seamlessly. When he turns back around, his eyes narrow on it and then her. A smile fights its way through his annoyance, looking at Ezra with nothing short of love.
And fuck, do we love her.
