It makes me grateful for her, as I feel protective energy come from her now, like a sister. Once at-odds with me, Lærke has become a strange ally over the past week.
A woman I’m grateful for, as I nod to her now.
“We’ll be fine. Maybe we should all rest. Tackle this fresh in the morning.”
Lærke nods, though I feel her deep regard as she peruses me, Ström, then Bjorn, asleep in the bed. As Mikkel moves towards their suite, she goes, satisfied I’ll be fine.
“I’m just a suite away,” Lærke says as she opens the door.
“We’rejust a suite away, sister.” Mikkel chuckles as he glances at me, though a searing darkness of desire is in his eyes now.
“Rikyava heard me.” Lærke stares me down and I get what she’s saying. Mikkel’s not included in our girl’s club; I’m suddenly beyond grateful for her, as she nods and moves out the door.
Mikkel remains behind one last moment, his dark eyes pinning me.
Then he’s out the door, as well.
As Ström and I heave deep, relieved breaths.
5
NEED
Ström and I are left alone in our rooms as Mikkel and Lærke leave. We’re not alone, but we might as well be; in the big bed, Bjorn is out cold, snoring to beat the band. He’s not waking for anything right now; as Ström comes to me, corralling me in his arms, Bjorn doesn’t move a muscle. In the relative quiet of it being just us now, Ström and I take a moment to kiss, slow and deep. It finally relaxes me. As he at last pulls away, I heave a deep sigh.
He holds me to his chest, letting me plunk my chin on his shoulder as he strokes my hair.
“Crazy day, huh?” Ström murmurs. As our dragons move through each other from our touch, it sways us in a slow dance, which calms me further.
“You can say that again, Mr. Garrison.” I quote South Park, and Ström chuckles, but then we get serious again.
“It may not be life or death just yet, but it’s still a lot.” Ström pulls back now. Cupping my cheek in his hand, he gazes deep into my eyes, his grass-green ones vibrant. “Are you okay?”
“No.” I answer truthfully, because for some reason, Ström is the one person I’m always truthful with in our group. But then, he’s always been a friend; I feel him step into that role easily now, as both friend and lover, as he holds me and lets me process.
“I feel crazy inside right now. Having Mikkel bonded to us…” I shake my head, even as Aesa’s stone hums on my chest, reminding me that Mikkel needs to be with us. “It’s a lot.”
“Beyond a lot.” Ström nods, still watching me as he cradles me close. “I’m not immune to Mikkel’s energy either, you know. I feel him like a thousand megawatts jolting through my Bone Magic at all hours. It’s way more than just being a friendly acquaintance. I’m not sure I would have encouraged you bonding him if I had known what was coming…”
“How are we ever going to find a Blood Mage strong enough to counter Mikkel’s power in our bond?” I glance at the out-cold Bjorn. “If we can’t find someone soon, Bjorn’s going to pay the price…”
“He’s okay for now.” Turning my chin back, Ström gently kisses my lips. “Bjorn is made of stronger stuff than any of us know. He beat his own father, Jarl Oggi Magnussen, in a duel when he was only eighteen. Bjorn’s got some piss and vinegar in him yet. I feel it.”
“I know.” I sigh hard now, even though I know Ström’s right. Still, I can’t help but worry about Bjorn, seeing him this way.
Ström’s right, though. Bjorn’s far from an invalid, and he’s not even lost a whit of muscle mass yet. Unbalanced metaphysics have a way of draining the body and the energy, making a person waste away like they have a cancer. Bjorn is still far from that, yet.
But it’s only a matter of time before he does. And it’s time we don’t have, as wretchedness grips my heart. I don’t know what I’ll do if I lose my First Drake. I don’t even know if I’d survive it, as I bury my face in Ström’s chest and growl to shove back tears.
It works, barely. Ström strokes my unbound hair as I hitch deep breaths until I can manage everything again. He holds me, kissing my temple.
Until a soft chime from a lightning-stone sphere on the table startles us.
I glance over, watching the flickering lightning within the milky agate stone whirl and lance. It’s an alarm the Storm Healers gave me to tell me when they have another healing session ready for me.
The healings they’ve done have been fucking painful, involving more than a few jolts of pure lightning blasted right into my system. Along with all the horrible beverages they’ve had me consume, and strange chants I’ve repeated for hours, it really hasn’t done me any good. I watch the alarm and set my jaw.
Ström watches me, stroking my hair.
