Chapter 57

FIFTY-SEVEN

T alon cut her off with a kiss, careful of her injuries but unable to resist any longer.

“Now who’s being dramatic?” she murmured against his mouth. But her fingers curled into his shirt, betraying her own need for contact.

“If you two are quite finished,” Bennett interrupted dryly, “I still need to finish treating these wounds.”

“Party pooper,” Asher muttered, but settled back against the medical bed. Her attempt at bravado cracked as Bennett began stitching the shoulder wound. Her pain tore through Talon.

From the next bay, Lori’s voice carried again. “Hey, science sister, rate your current disaster level on a scale of ‘minor lab accident’ to ‘that time we accidentally magnetized the entire chemistry department.’“

“Somewhere between ‘quantum uncertainty principle’ and ‘that conference where I rewrote someone’s thesis presentation.’“ Asher managed through gritted teeth. “Speaking of disasters, how’s your coding hand?”

“Fully functional. Unlike your dragon bits.”

“Please. Who needs fire-breathing when you have advanced degrees and spite?”

Levi’s laughter mixed with Talon’s growl. Her skin had taken on an alarming gray tinge.

“Enough,” Bennett ordered, preparing some kind of luminescent injection. “Both of you need rest. The cold iron’s effects won’t fully clear for days, possibly weeks.”

“But the research data-”

“Will always be there.” Talon’s tone left no room for argument. “The dragon is two seconds away from carrying you out of here.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” But her eyes were already drooping as Bennett administered the injection. “I have... experiments to document...”

“Sleep,” he murmured, gathering her carefully against his chest as the medication took hold. “For once in your brilliant life, just rest.”

“Mean,” she mumbled, electricity crackling softly between them. “Using chemical interventions... to stop scientific progress...”

Her consciousness faded into sleep, though their bond hummed steady and strong. Talon held her close, his dragon finally settling now that she was safe in his arms.

“The mate bond saved her life,” Bennett said quietly, checking her vitals. “Your energy literally rewrote her cellular structure to fight the corruption. I’ve never seen anything like it.”

“She’s one of a kind.” Talon’s wings curved protectively around them both. “Even without the dragon powers.”

“Especially without them,” Levi added, still holding Lori’s hand as she too succumbed to medication. “Though good luck convincing either of them to slow down.”

“I heard that,” Lori muttered sleepily. “Just wait... till I can feel my fingers again... gonna hack your security so hard...”

Dawn painted the medical wing in soft gold as Talon maintained his vigil. Asher stirred occasionally, electricity sparking between them each time she pressed closer in sleep. The black veins had faded to silvery traces across her skin - permanent reminders of how close he’d come to losing her.

“Your brooding is interrupting my rest cycle,” she mumbled without opening her eyes. “I can feel you cataloging every injury like some overprotective dragon database.”

“Someone has to track your disaster metrics.” He brushed hair from her face, scales rippling at her sleepy smile. “Since you’re determined to break all previous records.”

“Excuse you, I am creating new scientific parameters for disaster classification.” She blinked up at him, her brown eyes still slightly glazed from medication. “Besides, technically this was a successful field test. We eliminated the threat, saved the day, only died a little bit...”

His growl rattled the medical equipment. “That’s not funny.”

“No,” she agreed softly, touching his face. “But I’m here. We both are. And now we have extensive data on cold iron countermeasures.”

“Is everything an experiment to you?”

“Obviously. I’m gathering very important information about dragon mate recovery protocols right now.” Electricity crackled as she tried to sit up. “Speaking of which, we should really document-”

“No.” He pressed her gently back against the pillows.

“But-”

“The dragon is not negotiating on this.”

His wings curved around her protectively as Bennett entered with more medications.

“Your shifting abilities won’t return,” Bennett said quietly, checking her vitals. “The cold iron damage was too extensive. But the mate bond appears to have preserved your other enhanced traits - healing, lifespan, sensory abilities.”

“And the ability to drive dragons crazy with scientific recklessness?” She managed a small smile despite the news.

“That seems to be a natural talent rather than a dragon trait.” Bennett grinned. “Though the electrical manifestation is fascinating. I’d like to run some tests-”

“Tomorrow,” Talon cut in, feeling Asher’s exhaustion. “Right now, she needs rest.”

He gathered her closer as she drifted off, her breath evening out into sleep. His dragon finally settled, accepting that while she might have lost her shifting abilities, they hadn’t lost her.

And really, that was all that mattered. They were alive, together, and still perfectly matched - his ancient power and her brilliant mind, his protective instincts and her fearless heart. Science and magic in perfect harmony.