Page 36 of Blazing Reactions

“Will have to go through me to get anywhere near you again.” The fierce protectiveness in his voice made her pause.

“Talon.” She reached up to cup his cheek. “I knew the risks when I chose this life. When I chose you.”

His larger hand covered hers. “I watched you fall.” His voice was rough with emotion. “I felt everything through our bond. If you had-” He couldn’t finish the sentence.

“Hey.” She pulled him down until their foreheads touched. “I’m still here. And now we know I heal better with you around, so you have a real excuse to be overprotective.”

A hint of smile touched his lips. “I don’t need an excuse.”

“There’s my dragon.” She kissed him softly, then yawned. “Though right now, your mate needs more sleep.”

“Rest.” He settled beside her, careful of her injuries. “I’ll watch over you.”

She lay contented as she curled into his warmth. The steady beep of monitors confirmed what he could feel - her healing was accelerating with each hour they stayed connected.

Levi appeared in the doorway with another update but stopped at Talon’s warning look. “Yeah, yeah, I know - mate comes first,” he said with understanding, backing out quietly. “Try not to growl at the medical staff while I’m gone.”

The sanctuary, Dimitri, all of it could wait.

Right now, his mate needed him. Everything else was secondary.

THIRTY-THREE

Three days passed in the secure medical wing. Each day brought noticeable improvement as Asher’s strength returned, though the wound site remained tender and scarred - a permanent reminder of the cold iron’s touch.

“The cellular regeneration is remarkable,” Bennett noted on the morning of the fourth day, studying his readings. “Though you’re still not healing at full shifter speed, the mate bond connection has prevented any organ damage.”

“So I can get out of this bed?” Asher was already pushing herself up, ignoring Talon’s protective growl.

“Easy,” he steadied her with a hand at her waist. “You’re not fighting any battles today.”

“No,” she agreed, “but the sanctuary still needs protection. We can’t guard it with dragon power 24/7 forever. And I’ve had an idea about strengthening the wards.”

Before she could elaborate, Levi burst in. “We’ve got movement. Dimitri’s forces are regrouping near the southern perimeter of the sanctuary.”

Talon’s body tensed, torn between his mate and his duty. Asher gripped his hand. “Go. I’ll work with Bennett on the ward modifications from here.”

“I’m not leaving you unprotected.”

“Which is why I’m here,” Harlynn announced from the doorway, looking deadly serious despite her fashionable attire. “No one’s getting past me to my favorite sister-in-law.”

Asher raised an eyebrow. “I’m your only sister-in-law.”

“Details.” Harlynn waved this off, but her eyes were sharp as she took up a guard position.

Talon still hesitated until Asher pulled him down for a fierce kiss. “Go protect our sanctuary. I’ll be right here, plotting ways to science the hell out of those wards.”

His dragon rumbled in satisfaction at her possessive ‘our.’ Her determination and strength filled his mind. She wasn’t fully healed, but she was far from helpless.

“One hour,” he promised. “Then I’m back, whether Dimitri shows his face or not.”

“I’m counting on it.” She smiled. “After all, apparently I heal better with my dragon close by.”

By evening, Asher had progressed from bed to the sanctuary’s main control center, much to Talon’s not-so-hidden anxiety. She’d insisted on being closer to the action, though he noticed how she leaned against the console for support.

“Stop hovering and look at this.” She pulled up a holographic display of the sanctuary’s ward patterns. “The cold iron disrupted the energy matrix here and here.” Her fingers traced glowing lines.

“You should be resting,” he murmured even as his hands settled on her waist from behind.

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