Aiding the Dragon (Stonefire Dragons 7)

The car rolled into the back entrance of the surgery. As soon as the vehicle stopped, she opened the door and slowly inched toward the edge of the seat. Before she could reach it, Arlanna, one of Glenlough’s nurses, frowned at her before the other female’s gaze zeroed in on Teagan’s crudely bandaged thigh and then on her neck. “Don’t even think of standing on that leg or opening the wound on your neck again. You need to take it easy.” She snapped her fingers and a wheelchair appeared. “Come and sit here.”

Since each movement sent a stab of pain racing up her leg, not to mention the constant burning at her throat, Teagan complied. Once she was in the chair, Arlanna pushed her into the surgery. “For security purposes, you and Aaron will be sharing a room.”

Teagan doubted it had anything to do with security, but she wasn’t going to complai

n.

As Arlanna made her way down the corridor, each passing second made Teagan’s heart thump faster. With the main threats to her clan taken care of, she wanted to see Aaron.

And not just because he’d taken a dart for her or risked his life to warn her of the threat. No, she needed to see his rising and falling chest as well as feel his rough hand in hers.

Through all the shit coming her way, her gut told her he would support her, not to mention ensure she didn’t pull her hair out or give herself a heart attack from too much stress.

And selfish as it may be, she yearned for just a few seconds of his touch to ground her. After a few minutes with her male, Teagan would be ready to face anything and everything left to tackle.

Her dragon growled. And to think you chickened out in telling him we love him.

Teagan didn’t hesitate in answering, The second he wakes up, I’m telling him.

Good, because if you go on about him not wanting to fight some more or getting tired of us being in charge, then I may just have to take control and claim him as our mate myself until you see clearly.

No need for dramatics. I love Aaron and want him to stay, no matter the cost.

Good.

Arlanna finally wheeled her into one of the rooms. Her eyes instantly zeroed in on Aaron.

He lay unconscious on a bed.

It was strange to see her male motionless and looking helpless. And all of it was because he had sacrificed himself to protect her. She wasn’t about to say it was purely her fault since Aaron knew full well what he’d been doing, but it was her responsibility to ensure he woke up again.

The nurse stopped at Aaron’s side and said, “Take a moment with him. I’ll fetch the necessary supplies.”

Arlanna left.

Teagan took Aaron’s hand. She traced his knuckles and strong fingers. There was so much she had yet to feel and experience from his hands. So many years of pleasure and closeness.

Even when his digits were gnarled with gray hair on his knuckles because of old age, she wanted the chance to touch them whenever she wanted and remember every memory.

Bloody hell, how she wanted him. No, it was more than that. She loved him more than she’d loved anyone else before.

She finally threaded her fingers through his and gently squeezed. “You’d better wake up so I can punch you for your sacrifice and then kiss you to show how much I love you.” She lowered her voice. “I need you, Aaron. Please don’t leave me. If Killian doesn’t return…” She trailed off to squeeze her eyelids closed. She couldn’t afford to cry. If it were just her and Aaron, she wouldn’t hesitate. But the clan was counting on her.

Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes and raised their clasped hands to her cheek. The warmth of his skin helped her muscles relax a fraction.

She was content to watch Aaron’s breathing and take comfort in his familiar scent and heat. He was alive, after all, and that was the most important factor.

Just as her eyelids kept drooping, Arlanna returned.

She pushed aside her sleepiness. However, Teagan didn’t drop Aaron’s hand and make excuses. She merely looked to Arlanna. The nurse nodded and said, “Any male who is willing to protect you is worth keeping around.”

“I agree.”

Arlanna held up her supplies. “I need to clean you up properly. We can’t risk either wound festering or who knows what else. The doctor is also going to take a look and run some tests. If you’re lucky, whatever grazed you wasn’t covered in some unknown chemical.”

Teagan kissed Aaron’s hand and gently laid it back on the bed. “Let’s hope not. Either way, whoever controlled the drones will now be a target of the Irish government as well.”

“Bastards. But whatever happens, you’ll find a way to keep us safe. I’m sure of it.”