Embers (Scales 'N' Spells 4)

Gunter stared at the charred earth for a long second. He’d dreamed of this day, when the Jaeggi were vanquished. When dragons no longer had to look over their shoulders or worry about mages being kidnapped. He’d expected to feel many emotions in this moment, when his dream became reality.

But really, the only thing he felt was a profound, bone-shaking relief.

Finally, it was over.

Their reign of terror was over. His clan and Nikki were safe.

In the end, that was all that really mattered.

There was a soft giggle and Gunter shifted his head enough to see Nikki’s mischievous grin. “You’re such hot stuff.”

Gunter wanted to say something equally playful, but his gaze was immediately drawn to the ugly bruises forming around Nikki’s throat and the dark smear of blood down their cheek. Teasing later. His mate needed proper care first.

Turning his head, he told Alric, “I want to get Nikki seen to. I’ll rejoin the battle afterward.”

“Assuming anything is left at that point,” Cameron said, cracking his neck to either side like a boxer getting ready to step into the ring. The consort jumped back into the leather harness with surprising ease and thrust one fist into the air. “Alright, sexy, charge!”

“Why am I your noble steed right now?” Alric sassed at him. He did move forward, though.

“You know, it’s funny, you’ve never complained the other times I’ve ridden you.”

Gunter ignored their banter as he turned, scooping Nikki up and quickly carting them out of the battlefield to where Sora was already set up with a mobile hospital. “How bad are you, Liebling?”

“Mostly bruises; it’s worse than it looks,” Nikki assured him, nuzzling against his scales. “I’m more worried about you, my dragon knight. You were so sexy defeating the enemy. I did good too, though, didn’t I?”

“You were fucking amazing. Never do it again, though, my heart can’t take it.”

“One epic battle is enough for me in my lifetime, promise.”

“Thank god.”

“But the explosion was so pretty. Cameron and I did a good job designing that timer.” Nikki’s voice got a dreamy quality to it. “Do you think Cameron would like to do more explosions with me?”

Gunter eyed them suspiciously. That…did not sound promising.

Gunter hadn’t seen such utter destruction in many, many years. Since World War II, in fact. While it did bring up bad memories of the Dragon War, he couldn’t regret a single thing. In fact, looking about him, seeing the leveled buildings, the bodies on the streets, he only felt a grim satisfaction.

Finally, finally, his family was safe.

He sat on the back bumper of the mobile treatment van, watching as Sora finished applying a thick gel salve to Nikki’s ribs. In the short amount of time Nikki had been in Jaeggi hands, the two goons had worked them over good. No broken bones, fortunately, but many a bruise, and his ribs looked like a mottled battleground of purples and blues.

Sora had been distracted numerous times from treating Nikki as other injuries came in. The healer had deemed them a higher priority every time, pausing his treatment of Nikki and switching patients. Gunter had to bite his tongue time and again, reminding himself Nikki’s injuries weren’t life threatening. Just painful.

He still hated it, though. He’d always hate Nikki’s pain.

Nikki had shooed him out several times to go and join the battle, but it only worked the first two times because, after that, there was nothing left. Lina’s family was safe; she’d emailed them, orchestrated getting them out the second the ward was down. Ravi had helped get the other five families to safety, his speed essential in ensuring the side mission’s success. Really, all the wind dragons had helped with that. The kings had chosen to spare the children, as well, as they didn’t care for the taste of genocide in their mouth.

To those who had fought, no mercy had been shown.

And Gunter was fine with that.

Alric came limping up to the van, still in dragon form, with a worried Cameron walking with him. Gunter’s eyes swept over his king, and while it was obvious Alric had been in a fight with the soot clinging to him, it didn’t look like he’d suffered any injury. The limp was the only noticeable thing. And Gunter had a feeling he knew why Alric was limping.

“You overdid it, didn’t you?” Gunter accused him.

“Oh, he was having a ball, this one,” Cameron snarked, rolling his eyes. “Stomping around in there like he was Godzilla. I swear he was cackling at one point.”

“I didn’t cackle,” Alric defended himself mildly.

“Ha fuckity ha. I was on your back, dude. I heard the cackling.” Cameron came around the open van door and poked his head in. “Sora—oh, hey, Nikki, you doing okay?”

“Bruises merely,” Nikki said dismissively. “I’m almost good as new. Sora’s got magic goo.”

“It’s good-smelling magic goo, too,” Sora agreed blandly. There was a twinkle in his dark eyes as he slapped the rest of it onto Nikki and commanded sternly, “That has to dry. Do not put your shirt back on or lean on anything until I tell you to.”