by Imogen Sera
“Thank you,” Annie said then, and embraced her, and they stayed that way for a long time.
And then they were back, and Augustus was there, scooping up his son and embracing his mate, and Caelian was immediately at Margaret’s side, inspecting her for signs of improvement, and Tarquin was alone, looking inconvenienced, and then finally Helias was there, lifting Ingrid, holding her.
He kissed her hair and whispered how sorry he was, and then Ingrid’s shoulders sank and great breathtaking sobs shook her all over.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
The rest of the day was a time of waiting, watching and hope, and Ingrid had shrugged off Helias’s repeated suggestions for her to rest until she was sure that the patients were improving. John had rode ahead to procure the entire inn for their group, and before long the patients had all been safely moved. By mid afternoon some were rousing from their sleep, and by the time it was dark several were on their feet already. Ingrid had spent the evening talking quietly to Caelian who was standing watch over Margaret’s still sleeping form, while Helias had been engaged in conversation with his youngest brother. Tarquin was adamant that Ingrid needed to remain here until things were more secure at home; Helias wasn’t so sure.
He thought of his strong, willful little mate. She had sacrificed her home with no question of herself or her future. Even now, through her grief and exhaustion, she was comforting his distraught brother. She was desperately afraid of being abandoned and alone, and he knew that was why she had made herself indispensable to those around her, even if she hadn’t realized it. It was also why it had taken her so long to accept her own feelings and his love for her. He wanted to keep her safe, but he didn’t think that leaving her now, however briefly, would be the right way to start their new lives.
He watched her cross the room to where the bedrooms were, and she knocked quietly on the first door. Augustus opened the door and gestured for her to come in, she disappeared and reemerged a few minutes later, looking pleased. She caught his eye, smiled, and rushed over before slipping into place beside him.
“He’s much better,” she grinned, leaning into him. “He looks perfect.”
He shut his eyes in relief and pulled her head to his chest.
“I’m worried about Margaret, though,” she continued, eyeing the unconscious woman across the room.
“She’s looking better,” Helias assured her.
“I just won’t be able to relax until she’s awake,” Ingrid said, and kissed his palm gently as she returned to Caelian’s side. He watched as she placed her hand on his arm, and murmured softly to him.
“You’ve chosen well,” Tarquin said from beside him, also watching Ingrid. “She’ll be a good queen.”
Helias nodded his agreement. “That’s why I need her with me,” he said, looking his somber brother over. “The time of loss is over. This is a time for new life.”
Tarquin glanced over at the group of residents sitting around a large table. “Maybe so,” he said thoughtfully, surprising Helias.
Margaret woke soon after, slowly, confused, and he had never seen Caelian so pleased. Augustus had joined everyone in the tavern; Annie and his son were safely asleep in the next room. There was a palpable air of relief in the room, but when Helias looked at Ingrid all he could see was the grief that had been on her face in her bedroom for the last time. He pulled her against him then and whispered in her ear of sleep, and he was surprised when she nodded and pulled him behind her to the very room that he had occupied before he met her, all those months ago. Ingrid stripped quickly and fell into bed, and was asleep before he was even shirtless. She would remain with him, if that was what she wished, and together they would face whatever awaited them in Arnes.
He kissed her gently and covered her up to her shoulders, then shut her in the room and proceeded to the tavern. He caught Lily’s attention and asked her to tell Ingrid he would be back shortly, if she woke, and left into the night.
. . . . .
Ingrid awoke to late morning sunlight streaming through the small window onto the small bed. Poor Helias didn’t quite fit on it, but he clutched her to him all the same, and she turned in his arms to look at his handsome face. She brushed his hair back from his brow and placed a soft kiss there, before sighing contentedly. She was surprised that she didn’t feel more distraught over the loss of Dragongrove, but she found herself looking forward to whatever came next with Helias. She frowned then for a minute; she had seen his face when he learned of the unrest in his homeland, and she wasn’t sure how much she would have to argue to go with him. She would win any argument, she knew, but she wasn’t feeling quite up to the task of arguing after the whirlwind of the last few days.
He stirred at her kiss, and soon she found herself looking into his bright eyes.
“Good morning,” he murmured, holding her tightly and kissing her nose.
“You’re taking me with you to Arnes,” she announced.
“Yes, if you want to come,” he said, slowly and looking confused.
“I thought you would say it isn’t safe. I thought it would be a fight I would have to win,” she said then.
He laughed. “You almost sound disappointed.”
She shrugged.
“I’m worried about your safety, certainly,” he said, “but we will be cautious, and I want you by my side. You’re my mate. If you wish to come I will not keep you away.”
She kissed him hard then, and when she pulled away her chin was quivering. “I wish to be with you always.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
Ingrid’s breathing was ragged and heart was pounding as she walked toward her former home. The trees were gone and all the land was pitch black with ash. She trailed behind Helias, clutching his hand, and she wasn’t sure why he wore such a big smile. He paused as they came closer and he turned to her.
“I came here last night and worked on something.”
She eyed him curiously, but allowed him to lead her forward again, and as she walked she could see what he had done. The house was gone, of course, but in it’s place there was a field of a million small wildflowers, just opening to the morning sun. She looked up at him, confused, and he shrugged.
“We were able to purify the land with fire. New growth can take hold here now.”
“This quickly though?” she asked, looking around to see that the black ground was covered in a soft layer of green, and surrounding them where the trees had been were a thousand tiny saplings.
“That’s why I was here, I helped it along a bit.”
She grinned, tears in her eyes, and threw herself at him. He held her like that, face to face with her legs wrapped around him. She kissed him passionately, and he kissed her back, and she shuddered with pleasure knowing that her mate would be here to kiss her like this every day of her life.
“We’ll come back when things at home are stable, and I’ll build you a house,” he said, and she couldn’t stop tears from falling. “And in a thousand years some skeptical little descendant of ours who lives in the house I built will insist to anyone who will listen that dragons are mythical nonsense and she’s far too practical to believe in such things.”
Ingrid laughed and wept and clung to him. “I love you,” she said, kissing all over his face. “I love you, I love you, I love you.”
He set her down after a moment, and she leaned on him looking out over Dragongrove. It would always be her home. She imagined her children running through the meadow, playing in the stream, and goosebumps covered her arms. Helias pulled her close to him and rubbed her arms.
“Are you ready to go?” he murmured, and she nodded.
He held her hand, and together they walked out of the ashes and into their new lives.
. . . . .