Amethyst Storms (Primordial Protectors #1)

8. Chapter Seven

Chapter Seven

Ionus

“What in the world were you thinking?” My anxiety was sky high, and my dragon was pissed. I didn’t blame him one bit. “You could’ve died.”

“Nah,” Alexander murmured, nearly unconscious. “My dragon wouldn’t let that happen.”

“Brother, you’ve got to control your rage before you really send him running.” I was in no mood for Caro’s unhelpful words. “Besides, the storm pounding the earth right now is borderline dangerous.”

I placed Alexander’s body atop my bed as Raven pushed me aside. “Let me asses him. Why is he so wet?”

“Because the fool was in the hot springs trying to swim out through the sliver between the rocks.”

“That’s not the wet I’m speaking of, Ionus.”

Blink-blink.

Slick. Our mate is wet for us.

Shit.

The storm outside slowed as I gathered my wits and realized all my brothers were in my bedroom bearing witness to this private moment.

“All right, out with you. Let Raven do her job while I get Alexander out of those wet clothes.” Caro cocked a brow. “No, I’ll not be claiming my nearly unconscious injured mate tonight. Now be gone.”

There’s another book to write, Dragons, and how they’re led by their cocks.

With the vultures gone, though I knew they weren’t far, I undressed Alexander while Raven worked her magic. If he ever allowed us to fully mate, with my dragon blood in his veins he’d heal instantly. For now, we had to work with his human form which always took time to repair and wasn’t always successful.

Our mate is beautiful.

Indeed, he is, chiseled from the gods themselves.

“These other bruises and scrapes aren’t from today?” Raven’s voice pulled me from my thoughts as she pointed the injuries out.

“Likely from his first trip through the caves.”

Ionus, calm yourself or you’ll scare him off for good , Caro spoke through our connection.

I’m doing my best but it’s hard not to feel it when I see the pain he’s inflicted upon himself.

Deep breath, brother. He’s home where he belongs, now is the time for healing.

Healing. Had Caro felt the sadness emanating from his dragon as I had tonight when the realization our mate tried to flee us hit, he’d have felt otherwise. That nearly broke us, and we hadn’t even fully mated yet. Imagine how intense the pain would be then. How had Mother survived as long as she had without Father?

Ionus, we’ll be downstairs waiting. Mattias was the next to speak.

Thank you, brothers.

Raven rubbed a salve mixture of her own creation containing natural herbs over his wounds. “The gash on his head isn’t large enough for stitches. Keep him hydrated and allow him to rest. I’ll be back in the morning to check on him.”

“Thank you, Raven. For everything.”

“Ionus, I love you like a brother. You know that.” That much I did know. “But humans are different than dragons and have to be handled with care.”

“My dragon,” Alexander whispered, and my dragon leapt forward.

Down, Dragon. He’s just acknowledging us which is a very good sign.

Want to hold him again.

We will, my friend. We will.

“He knows, Ionus, and it terrifies him. You must be less you and more comforting and reassuring. Capeesh?”

“Understood.” That word appeared to have become a regular in my vocabulary as of late. But did I truly grasp what was taking place? “He’s…” What? What exactly was Alexander to me? “Important.”

“Then treat him that way and less like an incubator.”

“I’d never.” Had I, though? I don’t recall doing so but her message was received loud and clear.

“Not saying you have, just leaving you with those thoughts. Now, go take care of your mate and call me if anything changes.”

“I will.”

I tucked Alexander in, paying close attention to his wounds and sore limbs then set to work assembling my side of the bed. Pillows propped against the headboard to comfortably perch as I kept a watchful eye on our mate. I went down to the kitchen to get a couple bottles of water then set in for a long night.

But our mate is in our bed.

Our injured mate is in our bed, Dragon.

Same difference.

Where have you learned this language from? What does same difference even mean? It’s an oxymoron.

The brothers. I listen even when you don’t think I do.

That was both a blessing and a curse.

I watched Alexander sleep until my eyes became heavy and I too dozed off. He stirred in the night, waking my dragon.

“Alexander, are you in pain?”

“Just my bladder.”

“Let me help you.” When I got around to his side of the bed, he’d attempted to sit up and immediately dropped back down.

“Ouch.”

“Where does it hurt?”

“Where doesn’t it hurt and why am I naked?”

“Your clothes were soaked therefore I had to remove them. Let me get you a robe.” He was uncomfortable enough without having to worry about the nudity around me.

“Where am I?”

“My bedroom.” I assisted him with the robe then guided him into the bathroom. “Do you need me to help relieve your bladder?”

“I think I’m okay, just, um, just stand nearby incase.”

“I’ll be right here.” He didn’t close the door to the water closet all the way which I appreciated. It would be easier to get to him if he fell. Not that I wouldn’t rip the door straight from its hinges if the need arose. He emerged moments later and held onto my arm as I guided him over to the sink to wash his hands.

“Thank you,” Alexander said as we made our way back to the bed.

“You’re welcome. Drink some water before you lie back down, please.” He drank a hearty amount then handed the bottle back. “How do you feel?”

“Like I battled a mountain and lost.”

Descriptive but unhelpful. “What hurts the most?” Best to narrow it down for him.

“My head. What is that smell? It’s like a mixture of mint and grass.”

“That would be the herbal remedy Raven applied to your wounds. From the looks of it, the salve is doing its job.” No fresh blood had seeped past and the angry red around the wounds had simmered down.

“I much prefer your scent.”

“I have a scent?” Interesting.

“You do,” he yawned. “I smelled it in the cave when I tried to escape.”

“Escape implies imprisonment, and I can assure you that you are completely free. It’s the mate bond that’s holding you here.”

“Yeah, found that out the hard way. Won’t make that mistake a second time. I just, I guess I wanted to test it. I never wanted a mate so to find out I have one and it damn near killed me to leave him, well, it was a harsh blow.”

Be understanding, Ionus. Feel his pain and take it in as our own. Can’t you feel it through the connection?

Aye.

I tucked him back in and sat beside him. “I’m sorry you feel that way, but for me it’s the opposite. I’ve lived for centuries with no hope of having a mate then suddenly you appear, and I can think of nothing else.”

“Guess we’ll just have to learn to navigate this together then. But what about Gramps?”

“What about him?”

“Will I,” he stumbled over his words. “Will I ever get to see him again?”

“Alexander, you are not imprisoned. This is your home now and you can come and go as you please. All I ask is that you let me know first. Fear is a real thing between mates just as we both experienced tonight. Communication will be key and honesty. Honesty I can promise you as I’m nothing but. However, communication will be a challenge but one I will readily work on, for you.”

“So, I can visit Gramps?”

“Of course, you can, and he can come here as well.” May take a bit of finagling with the wards, but I was sure Raven could figure that part out. He yawned again. “I’ll be right here beside you if you require anything.” I kissed his forehead. “Goodnight, Alexander.”

“Goodnight, Dragon.”

Content, our dragon finally was as we once again fell asleep while watching our mate slumber beside us.

Brother, Raven is here to check on Alex.

Mattias’ voice through our connection woke me from a wonderful dream.

Give us a few moments, please.

“Alexander.” I felt his forehead for any sign of fever. No clue why I did that outside of the urge to touch him. “Raven’s here to check on you.”

“Ugh, five more minutes,” he moaned as he opened his eyes and gazed up at me. “Morning.”

“Morning. Need my help with anything before she comes up here?”

“Clothes would be nice.”

I rose and stretched then drew a pair of lounge pants and a t-shirt from my dresser for him. I’d slept in my own and opted to keep them on for now. “They’ll be a bit big on you, but they’ll cover your…parts.”

He blushed. “Um, thanks.”

I went into the restroom and took care of business then realized I probably should’ve helped him dress. By the time I came out, he had the pants on but was struggling with the shirt.

“My shoulder is killing me. Would you mind?”

“Not at all. I apologize for having not asked before.” I slid it over his head, gently moving his arm to maneuver the material over it. “Let me help you to the restroom.”

He still wobbled a bit, but not as much as he had last night. Once again, I stood outside the door and waited for Alexander to reemerge. “Is all well?”

“Yeah. My head is down to a dull throb but it’s my shoulder that hurts the most. I don’t remember hitting it on anything but in the end, I don’t remember much of what happened at all.”

“I’m sure that’s due to your concussion. I’ll let them know you’re ready for Raven.” I helped him get settled while I called out to my brothers. A few moments later, the knock came, and Raven stepped inside.

“Good morning, Alex. How are you feeling?”

“Like I did something really stupid and am paying the price for it.”

Raven laughed. “Yes, I get that. You’ve been through a lot not only physically but emotionally these last couple of days. Let me check your wounds.”

I looked on as she first checked his eyes then his head wound.

“The wound is clean, no sign of infection. Lift your shirt, please.” I helped him lift it over his sore arm. “Everything is healing nicely. Take it easy and no cave diving for a few days.”

“Yes, ma’am. Thank you, by the way.”

“You’re welcome. You’re family and we take care of our own,” Raven assured him. Closely, I watched his face as her words sank in. “Ionus knows how to reach me if you need me for anything.”

Raven left and I realized it was time to feed us both. “Here’s the remote. Watch what you’d like, and I’ll be back in a bit with breakfast.”

“Brothers,” I greeted my siblings as I reached the base of the stairs.

“Raven said Alex is healing well?” Quint asked.

“He is.” Wait for it…

“And he’s accepted he’s your mate?”

And there it was. Leave it to Odem to ask the most invasive question looming overhead.

“He’s working through it in his own way. Made many comments that hinted at being trapped here. I assured him he is not, but that may take some time to sink in. Maybe a trip to town once he’s well would help.” He’d definitely require more clothing come winter. Possibly toiletries of his own. A backpack didn’t hold much more than a night or two worth of things and considering that was all he had with him I’d venture to guess a shopping trip was in order.

“I see those wheels turning,” Caro teased. “We’re here if you need us.” With a nod they left, and I was off to prepare breakfast. My brothers meant well, even if they were the most annoying creatures on earth.

I found myself whistling a catchy tune as I cooked. It wasn’t until I plated the food and loaded the service tray that it hit me what song it was.

“Puff, the Magic Dragon.”

My dragon laughed, having already discovered that.

Shut it, smart-ass.

“Breakfast is served.” I laid the tray in the center of the bed then sat in the same spot I’d slept in and took my own plate from the tray.

“Gods, I’m starving.” Alexander dove in and I cursed myself for having not fed him sooner. Though when that could’ve been I hadn’t the foggiest clue. Possibly a midnight snack?

“If you’re still hungry, I can make more. Would you like something else?” That was the first time he’d finished his food before me.

“No thanks, I’m stuffed.” He moved to get up with the tray, but I beat him to it.

“I’ve got this, you rest.”

“I’m not an invalid, Ionus.”

“I didn’t say you were, but it makes me happy to care for you.” There, I said it.

“If we’re going to be living together, I need to help, too.” Alexander shifted and cringed. “Just not today, I guess.”

“Exactly. There’ll be plenty for you to do later. I was thinking, once you’re up to it, of course, we could head into town and do a bit of shopping?”

“Why do I not picture you as a shopper? I see you more as an online kind of man.”

His wit returned so he must be on the mend. “You would be correct, but I thought it would be nice to show you the town, stock up on a few things. Get your winter clothes and maybe have dinner while we’re there?”

Way to avoid the word date.

Hey, I’m doing my best.

Pfft.

And we’re back to the pfft. Apparently my dragon and my mate were both feeling their oats again.

“Cool. Would I be able to go to town whenever I wanted? Oh shoot, my car.”

“Where is your car?”

“Likely in an impound lot now,” he groaned. “I think I had it parked in Dragon City. Is that the town you’ve talked about?” His eyes widened and he sat bolt upright. “Dragon City. How had I not connected the dots?”

“Well, for one, you never expected to find that dragons exist.”

“True dat.”

It really was time to brush up on modern-day lingo…