Chapter 55

FIFTY-FIVE

T he facility collapsed behind them as they emerged into the night air. Levi immediately took off with Lori, heading for the medical teams standing by. But Talon could barely focus on anything except Asher’s fading heartbeat against his chest.

“Don’t you dare,” he snarled, feeling her consciousness slipping further away. “We haven’t even argued about proper scientific methodology for wedding vows yet.”

Her lips curved slightly, but her skin had gone gray, black veins now covering most of her chest. Their connection stuttered like a candle in strong wind.

“Should have...” she managed, each word a battle. “...documented the control group better...”

“Save the criticism for later.” He ran faster, his dragon howling in helpless rage as her pulse grew weaker. “That’s an order, Dr. Andrews.”

“Not... your employee anymore...” Her eyes fluttered closed. “Got promoted... to mate...”

Her heart stopped.

The sound that tore from Talon’s throat wasn’t human. Power exploded outward as his dragon surged forth, wrapping her in desperate energy. He reached for her fading essence with everything he had.

Don’t you dare leave me, he projected fiercely. Not now. Not ever.

Dr. Bennett sprinted toward them, medical kit already open. “Put her down,” he ordered. “The cold iron is reaching her heart. We need to-”

“No.” Talon’s voice resonated with ancient power. “She’s mine.”

He pulled her closer, letting his dragon energy flow freely into her still form. Black veins writhed under her skin as his power fought the magic. Her body arched as electricity suddenly crackled around them both.

“The mate bond,” Bennett breathed, understanding dawning. “It’s acting as a channel for your energy. But the strain could kill you both.”

Talon ignored him, focused entirely on pushing more power through their connection. Fight, he commanded. You magnificent, stubborn, impossible woman. Fight.

For three eternally long heartbeats, nothing happened. Then electricity surged between them in a blinding flash. Asher’s body convulsed as her heart fluttered back to life.

Her eyes snapped open, glowing with borrowed dragon fire. “That,” she gasped, “was a completely uncontrolled experimental procedure.”

Relief crashed through him with physical force. He crushed her against his chest, mindless of the electricity still arcing around them.

“If you ever,” he growled into her hair, “scare me like that again...”

“You’ll what?” Her voice was weak but held a hint of her usual sass. “File a strongly worded complaint with HR?”

“I mean it.” Talon’s voice roughened as he cradled her face. “No more heroic sacrifices in the name of science.”

“Technically, it was sabotage,” Asher corrected, though speaking clearly cost her. “The science was just a delightful bonus- ow!” She winced as Bennett began examining her shoulder. “Could we maybe save the prodding until after I’ve enjoyed my dramatic resurrection?”

“Your dramatic resurrection requires immediate medical attention,” Bennett replied dryly. “The cold iron corruption has receded, but there’s extensive tissue damage. And your shifting abilities...”

She managed a tired smile. “Are thoroughly defunct? Yeah, got that memo when everything dragon-related stopped working.” Her fingers traced the scales still rippling along Talon’s jaw. “Though apparently I kept the best parts. Enhanced senses, mate bond, ridiculously attractive immortal boyfriend...”

“Husband,” he corrected automatically, his wing mantling around her despite Bennett’s annoyed huff.

“Is this really the time for semantic arguments about relationship status?”

“You nearly died. Again.” His arms tightened carefully around her. “I think that earns me some semantic privileges.”

Across the field, Levi emerged from the medical tent, his expression thunderous. “Lori’s stabilized,” he reported, dropping down beside them. “And extremely annoyed that she missed all the ‘fun science experiments’ as she calls them.”

“That’s my girl.” Asher’s smile widened before turning serious. “The data she pulled...”

“Safe. And devastating.” Levi’s eyes hardened. “Dimitri wasn’t working alone. We found connections to-”

“Tomorrow,” Talon cut in, feeling Asher’s exhaustion. “Right now, you’re both getting proper medical care. That’s not a suggestion.”

“So bossy,” Asher murmured, but she was already sagging against his chest. “Must be all that CEO training.”

He gathered her closer as Bennett prepared a portable stretcher. Waves of bone-deep fatigue mixed with lingering pain flowed to him. But underneath ran a current of pure joy – they were alive, together, and absolutely unstoppable.

“I can walk,” she protested weakly as Talon lifted her.

“Barely.”

Her head rested against his shoulder, electricity crackling softly where they touched. “Though I suppose this position does provide optimal data collection opportunities.”

His laugh rumbled through his chest. “Only you would turn near-death experiences into research material.”

“Please. Like you’re not gathering your own data about protective dragon responses to mate injuries.” Her fingers traced patterns on his chest, small sparks following her touch. “I saw those tactical notes you pretend not to keep.”

Around them, cleanup crews moved in to secure the facility’s remains. The night air still crackled with residual energy from the facility’s destruction. But Talon focused only on the miracle in his arms – his mate who had faced down death with science and sarcasm.

“I love you,” he said softly, pressing his forehead to hers. “Even when you’re driving me crazy with your experimental methodologies.”

“Especially then,” she corrected, electricity dancing between them. “Face it, you’re completely gone for my quantum mechanics.”