“Let’s do this,” Clay announced, grinning. “He loves me!”
“Not really news to any of us,” Baer slurred. “You two have been lovey-dovey for weeks now.”
“What do we need to do?” Dane asked, his hand sweaty in Clay’s.
“Keep your hands together.” Willie approached, taking the scarf off her neck. She paused, holding the delicate fabric in both hands. “This binding is forever. Are you sure you’re ready?”
Dane’s breathing became a little ragged, but then he looked up and a brilliant smile bloomed across his face. Yeah, they wanted this. They wanted their shot at forever.
“Yes, definitely,” Dane said.
Willie wrapped the scarf around their arms. Jo and Flo joined her, and all three grasped hold of their arms, each touching the scarf. Willie began to chant something under her breath, and Jo and Flo joined in. It wasn’t in any language Clay had ever heard. But it was beautiful in a strange, hair-raising sort of way.
A light glowed around them all, and a wonderful warmth seeped into his body from where they’d clasped hands. It flowed through his body until it filled him entirely before rushing over into Dane.
But instead of feeling empty, the power resting permanently behind his chest stirred with its own little hum of contentment. It shifted and followed the flow, reaching out to Dane as well. When it returned to Clay, it felt different. It carried Dane’s love, strength, and devotion. Dane had some of his powers, and now they were both stronger.
He stared at Dane to find those beautiful light-green eyes locked on him, wonder widening them. In that moment, he knew they were doing the right thing. That this man would be his world.
Forever.
He forgot about their audience, forgot about the ritual. He leaned forward, and Dane met him halfway. They touched foreheads, their breaths mingling between them.
“Love you,” Clay whispered.
“Love you,” Dane said in a husky voice.
Their lips met, and warmth flowed from Dane’s mouth into his. Happiness filled him and he threw his head back and laughed.
“It’s done.” Jo unwrapped the scarf and held it out to Clay. “Keep it. It’s a memento of your bond.”
“I’m getting him a ring,” Clay said.
“We’re both getting rings.” Dane winked.
Grey cleared his throat. “Not that this isn’t all wonderful, but he’s looking worse.” He pointed at Baer.
Clay looked down and gasped at the greenish cast to Baer’s skin. The man tried to smile at them, but it was weak. “If this doesn’t work, we’re taking him to the hospital.”
“Only one way to find out.” Dane approached the bed and carefully pulled away the gauze on Baer’s neck. He placed his hand next to the wound and closed his eyes. Clay put his hand on Dane’s back. Even if it didn’t help magically, he wanted Dane to know he was at least there for him physically and emotionally.
Baer stared up at Dane, hope blazing in his pain-filled eyes.
“I don’t know what the fuck I’m supposed to do,” Dane said.
“Imagine him healed. Try to push healing energy into him.” Flo approached the bed. “This is a new power we haven’t seen before, but I have faith it’ll work.”
The wound on Baer’s neck slowly closed. Someone in the room gasped, and he had no idea who because he couldn’t take his eyes away from Baer. Light glowed where Dane touched his skin, and Baer’s color slowly started to return.
“Oh my goodness, it’s working,” Willie said, clapping her hands. Her bracelets jingled in the quiet room.
Grey murmured. “And I can see light flowing from Dane into Baer. What do you feel, Baer?”
“Better. The pain is so much less.” He ripped off the dressing over his belly wound, and they all watched as it slowly closed up.
Dane slouched and Clay grabbed on to him. “You okay?”
“I can feel the pain, and I can’t believe Baer was even coherent. He’s strong as hell.”
“Stubborn is more like it,” Baer said with a grunt. He stared at his stomach, running his hands over the light dusting of red hair over it. “Would you look at that? It’s almost gone.”
Dane started to shake, and worry pinched Clay’s chest. “What is it?”
“It’s taking a lot out of me. The wound was a lot worse than we thought.” Dane slumped onto the side of the bed, but he didn’t take his hand off Baer. In fact, he moved it down to Baer’s stomach. “Any pain left inside?”
Baer shook his head. “Not much. I can’t believe this is happening.”
“You and me both,” Dane said. “This day has been crazy.”
“Not crazy.” Flo smiled at them all. “Magical.”
Dane suddenly fell over Baer and alarm shot through Clay. “What’s happening? Is he okay?”
“I imagine it took all his energy to heal something that bad,” Jo said as she approached the bed. She lifted Dane’s face and peered closely at it. “He’s just tired, but it worked. Baer’s wounds are nearly healed.”