Page 89 of Marked Dragon

Hydra smiled sadly. “If it’s what our son wants, we won’t stop him.”

“What do we do?” Sol crossed his arms.

A quick look around confirmed there was no seating like back at the barn. Instead, Thorn stepped in front of Sol. “I need to touch you. Remember, I’ll have to take the dragon away first, and you’ll feel the loss.”

Sol nodded.

Thorn released me and placed his hands on the younger man’s shoulders. He inhaled deeply, and the flutter in our bond started.

He was nervous, and having Theron and Hydra watching wasn’t helping matters. But I doubted they’d be willing to leave.You’ve got this. I believe in you.

I hope you’re right,he replied as he closed his eyes.Remember not to get too close.

A long moment passed, and nothing happened.

Theron and Hydra glanced at each other, and Sol shuffled his feet.

Panic swirled through our bond as Thorn struggled with his magic.

Remember what it felt like when the warriors attacked you at the chateau?I almost reached out to him but stopped short.Take your time.

Thorn inhaled again, and after another moment, his hands glowed. Hydra’s, Theron’s, and Vlad’s eyes widened.

None of them had seen Thorn use his magic before.

The same strange feeling soared through our bond, the vibrations warm and consuming. As soon as it started, the sensation vanished.

“It’s gone.” Sol sounded startled.

“I warned you.” Thorn closed his eyes tighter. “Now, I’ll give it back to you.” His face twisted in agony for a moment before his hands sparked and the thrumming filled our connection. His magic tugged at our bond, and his hands glowed brighter.

Hydra gasped.

When Thorn’s hands dimmed, Sol gasped as well.

“Did it work?” Theron asked as he rushed to his son.

Sol nodded. “I feel my dragon, and like he said, it feels different.”

“All you need to do is fly, and you’ll settle into each other.” I smiled, seeing the joy light up Sol’s face. “That’s what helped Tyson.”

“Thank you so much.” Theron scratched the back of his neck. “I know I was cynical, but this—”

Vlad lifted a hand. “Don’t. You’ve already helped us more than we can ever repay.”

A branch snapped several yards away, and the six of us tensed.

Someone was spying on us.

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

Thorn turnedtoward the noise and stepped in front of me, partially blocking me from view.

I wanted to yank him behind me, especially if the threat was a warrior, but I understood he was acting on the same instinct to protect me.

My lungs seized. If it was a warrior, they would’ve already notified the others that we were here.

Theron hurried toward the noise, racing between a yellow poplar and an oak tree, and disappeared from view.

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