Page 73 of Blood and Bone

“Ari…baby,” Eoghan whispered, cupping the undamaged side of his face. “Wake up, my love.”

“Please, let me.”

Eoghan looked up, noting Severin standing before him, stark naked. He held out his hands, pleading for something that Eoghan couldn’t understand. Tears slid down his face as he held his dying partner for the second time in only a few days, unable to comprehend what Severin could possibly want.

“I can help him. Please let me help him before it’s too late.”

Eoghan nodded absently. He’d trusted Gael, somehow knowing that the merman was a safe bet and now here he was, being asked to trust a near total stranger once again.

“You can help him?” he croaked, feeling tears closing his throat.

“Yes, but you must let me do it right now, Eoghan,” Severin replied, dropping to his knees beside him.

“Okay,” Eoghan said. “Please help him.”

Severin nodded and reached out, placing his hand on the burned spot on Ari’s face. As Eoghan looked on, he was shocked to see dragon scales appear on Severin’s human arm. They flashed a blindingly bright orange for just a second before he lifted his hand and moved it to another burned area. Eoghan stared in shock at the place where Ari’s beautiful, silky beard had been burned away, only to realize that every, gorgeous hair had grown back. The blistering and missing skin which revealed his all too red flesh beneath, was back as if nothing had ever happened. Whatever magic the dragonpossessed had healed each place he touched and a minute or so later, Ari’s burned body was completely restored. As his beautiful hazel eyes fluttered open and he looked up at Eoghan, he smiled.

“What happened?”

Eoghan opened his mouth to answer when Invictus suddenly appeared, landing on the road twenty feet away. He was still in dragon form but he was battered. One wing looked as though it had been nearly torn off, his leg and side were bloodied, and he had a massive, ugly slice across his dragon muzzle. Severin stood and walked over to him, saying something to the dragon Eoghan couldn’t hear. When Ari sat up, he dragged his attention away from the two shifters and reached out, cupping the side of his face.

“I thought I lost you, Ari.” Tears sprang to his eyes again.

“I’m okay, honey. I really am.” Ari shook his head. “Don’t cry, Eoghan. I’m okay.” He pulled him into a hug and Eoghan pressed his face into Ari’s neck as he held him tightly. Just the solid feel of his warm body in his arms, made him forget everything. He was so damned thankful for Severin. He let Ari go and turned to look at the dragons.

Invictus was human again and Severin was talking to him. Seconds later, Invictus shifted to his dragon form. Eoghan noted that his wing looked nearly healed. Once again, a man stood where the dragon had been and then he was a dragon again. Eoghan watched in awe as the shifter changed three more times rapidly, healing himself with each shift. When he finally changed to a human for the last time, he smiled broadly at him. Severin patted him on the back and the two dragons turned and walked toward them.

Eoghan did his best to keep his eyes focused on the naked dragon’s faces but it wasn’t the easiest task. The men were simply stunning and he wasn’t accomplished at ignoringmagnificent attributes on a man. Toned bodies and—well, it just wasn’t easy. The dragons smiled as they walked up.

“I’m sorry I dropped you,” Invictus said, holding out a hand toward Ari as he and Eoghan got to their feet. Ari took it and shook. “If I hadn’t, my enemy would have set you on fire. I knew Severin would catch you.”

Eoghan shivered at the very thought of it.

“To be honest, I don’t remember anything after first seeing that thing come toward us. I hate to say it but—” He paused, looking at the ground and shuffling his feet before looking up again. “Awhell, I have a little fear of flying and I guess…well, I guess I kind of…fainted.”

Eoghan chuckled right along with the dragons as they all shook hands.

“All is forgiven then?” Severin asked.

“Yes,” Eoghan replied. “Of course. The fact is, you saved Ari’s life.” He turned toward him. “I’ll tell you about that later.” He hesitated for a second. “Think about how Gael healed your neck. It was similar magic.” Eoghan turned back to the dragons. “Who was that?”

“The dragon who attacked?” Invictus asked.

Eoghan nodded. “Yes.”

“One of the enemies I told you about. Fortunately, he was alone. If he hadn’t been, things wouldn’t have gone as well as they did,” Invictus said.

Eoghan looked around. “Is he dead? I didn’t see him fall to earth.”

“Unfortunately, no. I injured him quite badly. He has no doubt flown back to his lair. Meanwhile, we need to get you two out of here and then get back home for—” Invictus looked down and waved a hand over his body.

“Clothes,” Eoghan said.

“Yes,” Severin said.

The dragon glanced up and Eoghan did as well. The clouds had parted, and the sun was shining brightly. When Eoghan checked his watch, he noted it was nearly three. He exchanged a knowing glance with Ari before looking back at the dragons.

“Is there a chance your enemies will come back before dark?” Eoghan asked. “I don’t think we should be flying now. It’s going to be hard to hide.”