Page 9 of Burned

NICO: Do we need to come over?

LORD: No. I’m better now, but I’ve made a mess and I’ll be cleaning up.

More dots appear, lagging for several seconds until the next response pops up.

ARSON: Something’s off. We know it. Tell us you’re safe and we’ll drop it.

Am I? There’s a dragon hunter in my home. The only saving grace is that he’s unarmed, which means he’s no match for me. The thought of having to defend myself against him makes my stomach churn and my dragon thrash. Could I hurt him if it meant protecting myself? I shudder.

LORD: I’m absolutely safe. If that changes, I’ll let you know.

TINO: You know you can always talk to us.

HEMINGWAY: No matter what.

The familial bond between us vibrates, overriding all my concerns, at least for a few seconds.

LORD: I know. I appreciate the concern, but I assure you, all is well.

Gods of fire, I hope I’m right.

I set my phone down and return to the research I was doing before I heard Alrick stirring. The centuries-old book on my desk, with its fragile, yellowed pages, is my only conceivable hope for now. As long as I’ve been alive, I’ve never heard of voluntarily breaking a bond.

My phone vibrates again, startling me.

DAHLIA: You okay?

Blowing out a breath, I consider my response. She didn’t pry when I asked for her strongest healing potion, nor did she ask why I wouldn’t let her fully enter the house.

LORD: Very well. The potion worked beautifully.

DAHLIA: Good. I am…

The text trails off as dots appear for far longer than the one word that comes through next should require.

DAHLIA: Concerned.

She’s an intuitive one.

LORD: Thank you, but I’m fine.

DAHLIA: Then open the front door and prove it.

I cringe at her response but resolve myself to deal with it. Rising slowly, I glance up at the ceiling, hoping Alrick takes his time before making an appearance.

When I open the door, Dahlia is there, along with all my brothers and their mates. Fantastic. Dahlia gives me an apologetic look. They all look past me, but I block the doorway. My dragon wouldn’t allow entry right now even from my family, not while my mate is still vulnerable.

“See? I’m alive and well.”

Nico sniffs the air before narrowing his eyes, but he remains silent.

“I’m very busy though, so can I check in later?”

Arson reaches out and grabs my wrist. “Look me in the eyes and tell me we really don’t have anything to worry about.”

Dammit. The man in me isn’t sure that’s a promise I can make, but my dragon is so oddly sure, I allow that confidence to answer.

“You don’t have anything to worry about.”

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