Page 59 of Blazing Reactions

Relief crashed through him with physical force. He crushed her against his chest, mindless of the electricity still arcing around them.

“If you ever,” he growled into her hair, “scare me like that again...”

“You’ll what?” Her voice was weak but held a hint of her usual sass. “File a strongly worded complaint with HR?”

“I mean it.” Talon’s voice roughened as he cradled her face. “No more heroic sacrifices in the name of science.”

“Technically, it was sabotage,” Asher corrected, though speaking clearly cost her. “The science was just a delightful bonus- ow!” She winced as Bennett began examining her shoulder. “Could we maybe save the prodding until after I’ve enjoyed my dramatic resurrection?”

“Your dramatic resurrection requires immediate medical attention,” Bennett replied dryly. “The cold iron corruption has receded, but there’s extensive tissue damage. And your shifting abilities...”

She managed a tired smile. “Are thoroughly defunct? Yeah, got that memo when everything dragon-related stopped working.” Her fingers traced the scales still rippling along Talon’s jaw. “Though apparently I kept the best parts. Enhanced senses, mate bond, ridiculously attractive immortal boyfriend...”

“Husband,” he corrected automatically, his wing mantling around her despite Bennett’s annoyed huff.

“Is this really the time for semantic arguments about relationship status?”

“You nearly died. Again.” His arms tightened carefully around her. “I think that earns me some semantic privileges.”

Across the field, Levi emerged from the medical tent, his expression thunderous. “Lori’s stabilized,” he reported, dropping down beside them. “And extremely annoyed that she missed all the ‘fun science experiments’ as she calls them.”

“That’s my girl.” Asher’s smile widened before turning serious. “The data she pulled...”

“Safe. And devastating.” Levi’s eyes hardened. “Dimitri wasn’t working alone. We found connections to-”

“Tomorrow,” Talon cut in, feeling Asher’s exhaustion. “Right now, you’re both getting proper medical care. That’s not a suggestion.”

“So bossy,” Asher murmured, but she was already sagging against his chest. “Must be all that CEO training.”

He gathered her closer as Bennett prepared a portable stretcher. Waves of bone-deep fatigue mixed with lingering pain flowed to him. But underneath ran a current of pure joy – they were alive, together, and absolutely unstoppable.

“I can walk,” she protested weakly as Talon lifted her.

“Barely.”

Her head rested against his shoulder, electricity crackling softly where they touched. “Though I suppose this position does provide optimal data collection opportunities.”

His laugh rumbled through his chest. “Only you would turn near-death experiences into research material.”

“Please. Like you’re not gathering your own data about protective dragon responses to mate injuries.” Her fingers traced patterns on his chest, small sparks following her touch. “I saw those tactical notes you pretend not to keep.”

Around them, cleanup crews moved in to secure the facility’s remains. The night air still crackled with residual energy from the facility’s destruction. But Talon focused only on the miracle in his arms – his mate who had faced down death with science and sarcasm.

“I love you,” he said softly, pressing his forehead to hers. “Even when you’re driving me crazy with your experimental methodologies.”

“Especially then,” she corrected, electricity dancing between them. “Face it, you’re completely gone for my quantum mechanics.”

FIFTY-SIX

The medical wing hummed with controlled chaos as they arrived. Talon felt every spike of pain as Bennett’s team worked on Asher’s shoulder. His dragon paced restlessly, wanting to snatch her away from anything causing discomfort.

“Your scales are showing,” she murmured, reaching for his hand despite the medical team’s protests. “I’m fine. Just slightly perforated.”

“Slightly?” He growled as Bennett revealed the full extent of the wound. “He drove cold iron through your shoulder.”

“And I crashed his evil genetics program. I’d call that a fair trade.” She squeezed his fingers as Bennett began cleaning the injury. “Besides, some of us can’t solve every problem by hitting it really hard.”

“Says the woman who overloaded a quantum device out of spite.”

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