Dallin glanced up, relieved to see that Bennett and Sol had moved to frame Tyne.He was surprised to see Tyne leaning against Sol, but also glad that his brother felt he could get support from Dallin’s dragon.They hadn’t been a family before Carlyle took the dragons’ memories, but they were now.They’d be there for one another, no matter what happened.
Meyer screamed, and Tyne reached for him.Sol and Bennett stepped in, stopping him and gently pulling him away.Dallin couldn’t afford to be distracted, so he returned his focus to Meyer.He took the man’s hand and squeezed, knowing he would be more useful doing that than trying to help Penley.
Penley was sweating, and his skin was pale, but his jaw was set, and he was working hard on Meyer’s leg.He didn’t look away, not even to check in on his dragon.His entire being was focused on Meyer.
Dallin wasn’t surprised when Penley wrapped both of his hands around Meyer’s leg.He paused for a moment and glanced up at Dallin, who nodded and pressed his arm against Meyer’s upper body.He used his entire weight to keep Meyer down as Penley put the leg back as it should be.
Meyer’s scream was burned into Dallin’s memory.He would never forget it, no matter how long he lived.It was raw and pained, and it would give Dallin nightmares.
This needed to be done, and Penley did it as quickly as he could.Once the leg was set, Penley healed the bone and tissue.Meyer panted and slumped against the ground, and Dallin pushed himself up, giving him more space.The worst part was over.
“You’ll be fine,” he reassured Meyer.
“It doesn’t feel like it right now.”Meyer’s voice was rough and trembling.Dallin wouldn’t be surprised if he fainted.Hell, he was surprised Meyer hadn’t fainted when Penley had reset his leg.
“Penley’s good at healing spells.Youwillbe fine,” Dallin repeated, hoping Meyer would believe him.
A hand landed on Dallin’s shoulder.He glanced back to find Sol looking down at him, his expression grim.Bennett was still holding Tyne back, but it looked like Tyne had relaxed.Dallin didn’t think he’d leave Meyer’s side any time soon, which hopefully would bring them closer.It was time for Tyne to let Meyer in.
Dallin finally allowed himself to take in the area.Carlyle had created several craters with his explosions, making the area look like a war zone.In a way, it was.They’d won this fight, and it was a relief, but it wasn’t the end.They still had to defeat Carlyle, and while Dallin didn’t want to stop hoping for more peaceful times, part of him couldn’t help but wonder if they’d be able to do that.
* * * *
SOL FELT USELESS.HEwanted to help Meyer, but there was nothing he could do for the dragon.Hell, it looked like there was nothing Dallin could do for him, either.He was holding Meyer’s hand while Penley used magic on Meyer’s leg, but that was it.
Sol didn’t let go of Dallin’s shoulder.He didn’t think he could, not after what had just happened.He needed to reassure himself and his dragon that Dallin was okay, and the easiest way to do that was to keep his hold on him.
Emory appeared in bad shape, but Jarvis and Keylon were helping him.Graham hovered close by, his hands clasped to his chest, seemingly unable to look away.He’d saved Emory’s life.Sol was proud of him in a way he didn’t understand, but he was glad that Graham had shown the mages that he could be trusted.There was no way any of them could think he wasn’t on their side after what had just happened.If Graham had been just a bit slower, Emory would be dead.Hell, if Carlyle hadn’t been surprised by Graham and Tyne, Graham and Emory would both probably be dead.
Sol wasn’t sure how long they stood there, waiting.He breathed easier as time passed because he could see that both Meyer and Emory were getting better.Meyer wasn’t screaming anymore, and while Emory was covered in blood, Jarvis and Keylon looked less stressed by his condition.
Eventually, Jarvis got to his feet.“Emory will be fine,” he said as he turned his attention to Sol’s group.“Meyer?”
“Broken leg,” Dallin explained.“Penley’s almost done, though.”
“He’ll need rest and not to use his leg for a few days, but he’ll be fine,” Penley said.
He looked too exhausted even to get up as he leaned back and sat on his heels.Bennett was there instantly, hauling him up and into his arms.Penley didn’t even argue.He allowed Bennett to cradle him against his chest as if he weighed nothing.
Dallin and Sol helped Meyer into a sitting position first, then to his feet.Meyer grimaced, but he was able to put his foot down, so clearly, Penley had done a great job.Meyer couldn’t use the leg yet, but it definitely wasn’t as bad as it had been earlier.
Sol expected to have to help Meyer to the castle, but Tyne pushed him and Dallin aside.He didn’t pause or hesitate before he wrapped an arm around Meyer’s waist and dragged him closer until their sides were pressed against each other.Meyer blinked in surprise, but Tyne kept his gaze forward as he started moving.Meyer had no choice but to move with him, and Sol watched them walk away.
“I hate that it took Meyer getting hurt for Tyne to stop being an asshole,” Dallin murmured as he leaned against Sol’s side.
Sol hooked his arm around Dallin’s shoulders, needing him close.Dallin hadn’t been hurt, but it had felt too close for comfort.“At least he’s giving him a chance now.”
“Maybe, but how long will it last?I wouldn’t be surprised if Tyne dumped Meyer in his room and left.”
“If he does, we’ll help Meyer.I think they’ll both need time to wrap their minds around what just happened, and maybe the best way for them to do it is apart.”
Sol glanced at Emory to check if he needed help, but Graham was already there with Marlow.Sol hadn’t noticed it earlier, but Ansley and Parker were poking around the area, moving rocks and other objects Simon had thrown at them.There were probably spells that needed to be naturalized by Dallin, but Sol wasn’t ready to let go of him.
“We won this fight,” he murmured.
“But not the war,” Dallin said with a sigh.They had to win the war because if they lost, Carlyle would kill them.He’d steal their magic and use it against them.
When Dallin tilted his face up, Sol leaned down to kiss him.Dallin’s mouth was dry and warm, and he smelled of ozone and sweat, but Sol had never been so happy to be with him.Before, when he hadn’t known about the mages and the other dragons, he’d thought he would die alone.He’d known that he would outlive his human best friend, and he’d tried hard not to think too much about that.Now, he had a family.He had people who would make it so that Pippa lived as long as she wanted.He had a man he was falling in love with and who he hoped would one day love him back.He had so much more to lose and to fight for than he could have ever hoped for, and thinking about it made him want to scream.
