The Dragon’s Aide (Charmed Away Temp Agency #2)

Chapter 32

CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

Isaac’s dreams were consumed with that one sentence. I’ll keep you safe. He knew why Maverick had said it. It scared him, what he’d done. It scared them both, honestly. Isaac still wasn’t sure what the hell he’d been thinking. But it bothered him too. Isaac didn't need protection. And for him, it was the other way around. He was determined to protect Maverick, even from himself, and he wasn’t sure the dragon would let him.

It was all too confusing, and he slept poorly because he couldn’t get his head on straight. Still, waking up wrapped in Maverick’s arms was the stuff of fantasies. He had a personal heater wrapped around him, and while Maverick was grumpy and standoffish in his daily life, he was a big cuddler in his sleep. Isaac had to do some fancy maneuvering to get free of the dragon’s grip without hurting or waking him. Maverick’s brows furrowed like he was unhappy with the change, but he didn’t wake, thank the goddess.

His grandmother had spare clothes for him in one of the dressers, so he slipped on a pair of sweats before sneaking out of the room. After using the bathroom and splashing water on his face, he made his way to the kitchen. He was going to start coffee and breakfast, but magic drew him straight out the front door and into the treeline. Right. The forest was a little more demanding for his attention than just re-centering himself at home. He smirked to himself, finding a comfortable spot not too far from the cabin to settle on the ground. Crossing his legs like he did at home, he rested his hands on his knees and closed his eyes.

The wind came first. It always did. They were connected, and it answered his call without him even thinking about it. There wasn’t water or fire around, he’d need to change locations to commune with those, but the earth answered after a moment, sending him energy through the ground. It was nice taking this break. He could probably skip coffee if he got to do this every morning.

It didn’t take long for Maverick to join him. He felt him with magic first before hearing his heavy footsteps approach. He didn’t speak, instead settling himself next to Isaac in the same position. For a few minutes, they were both quiet, but it didn’t take long for Isaac to feel Maverick’s frustration and hear his irritated sighs as he tried to get comfortable enough to focus.

“You hate it, don’t you?” Isaac finally asked, his eyes still closed and a smile pulling at his lips.

“I don’t hate it,” Maverick growled. “I just don’t get it. It’s just breathing. It does nothing but irritate me.”

Chuckling to himself, Isaac unfolded his legs and stood. He wasn’t doing it right if he was getting irritated.

“I didn’t want to interrupt you. Don’t–” Maverick protested, only to fall silent again when Isaac sat in his lap. Isaac took both Maverick’s hands in his, wrapping those big arms around himself so he could settle Maverick’s palms on his chest and stomach.

“Focus here,” he murmured, tapping one finger against the hand on his stomach. “Match your breathing to mine. And here.” He tapped again, this time on the hand over his heart. “Use your heart beat as a guide to breathe. In.” He drew in a breath, smiling to himself as Maverick copied him. “And out.” They both let it out slowly together before repeating the exercise.

For a little while, Maverick was stiff and unhappy, but eventually, he settled more comfortably against Isaac’s back, resting his chin on Isaac’s shoulder as he held him and copied his breathing. The tension slipped away and he almost worried Maverick fell asleep until he felt Maverick’s lips on the side of his neck.

“You’re not focusing,” Maverick accused.

Isaac huffed out a laugh. “You’re a pain in the ass. Are you hungry?”

Maverick hummed his acknowledgement, but didn’t immediately get up. His grip tightened on Isaac for a moment when he tried to stand before he released him. Like he wasn’t ready to let go. It tugged at that tether between them, and Isaac felt his heart squeeze tightly in response. He thought about talking to his grandmother about removing it, but just the thought sent a sharp stabbing pain through his chest that made him stumble. Maverick spun and caught him with his hands on Isaac’s arms, studying him carefully.

“What’s wrong?”

He shook his head slowly. “Nothing.” He rolled his eyes at Maverick’s dubious look. “Nothing I can fully grasp enough to explain yet. Happy?”

Maverick looked suspicious, but relented. He still hovered on the walk back to the cabin, but he didn’t start a fight or even growl. He was making progress. It was Isaac who was going backwards.

How the hell was he going to tell his boss that he’d inadvertently started a mating bond between them? He didn’t even know that could happen without rituals involved. And how the hell was he going to fix it when the thought of removing it hurt so much? Would he even survive the removal?

They took the time to eat and reapply Maverick’s salve. The injuries were looking a lot better than they had the day before. Not good enough for him to be ready to shift yet, but well on the mend. It still made Isaac’s stomach hurt to see just how badly he’d hurt Maverick, but he couldn’t dwell on it. Maverick wouldn’t let him. He herded Isaac back outside to spend more time healing before he could say a word in protest.

They went farther this time to a little creek Isaac remembered from his last trip here. He didn’t want Maverick getting frustrated again, so instead of sitting and meditating, he figured a small ritual would work.

“Do you want to do a little ritual with me?”

Maverick’s brow furrowed. “I thought I wasn’t allowed to participate until I could shift?”

He was shirtless, like the druid suggested, to let the magic work unhindered on his injuries. A shirtless Maverick was a delicious sight, but Isaac didn’t let himself get distracted. He waved a hand dismissively.

“Depends on the ritual. Besides, my grandmother is more traditional than I am. Are you interested, or would you prefer to meditate?”

Maverick’s flat look made Isaac snicker. Okay, the dragon really didn’t like to meditate. This morning went fine, but he doubted it was enough to sway him.

“Alright, alright. Don’t be such a grump. This has a lot of movement to it, sort of like tai chi. Have you ever done that before?” He was expecting Maverick’s head shake and moved on quickly so he wouldn’t get frustrated. “That’s fine. We’ll start the same way we did this morning. Stand behind me, arms against mine, and move with me. Once you’re comfortable with it, we’ll try it with just you following me.”

Maverick seemed amiable enough to this idea, though Isaac could see the dubiousness in his expression as he stood where Isaac pointed. Grouch. They wouldn’t find what would work for him until they tried a bunch of things. Flying seemed to help, but they needed options for when he couldn’t fly, like right now.

Isaac realized his mistake the minute Maverick wrapped himself around him. He melted into the embrace, and it took him a second to remember this wasn’t a relationship. He was only reinforcing the bond by doing things like this. And it killed him a little each time he was reminded that it wasn’t real.

He slapped himself internally to get himself to focus. This wasn’t about him. He was helping Maverick learn to control his temper again so he could return to work. He could handle a little cuddling. Maybe.

Moving slowly, Isaac guided Maverick through his normal routine. While they were practicing, he didn't do more than acknowledge the elements, but when they separated, he let himself focus on his magic. Stepping forward, he pulled the magic of the forest toward him, moving it like a ball of energy as he twisted and followed the steps he’d learned when he was younger. He wasn’t surprised when the wind joined in, ruffling his hair and clothes. A smile pulled at his lips as the wind solidified into something more tangible. Only in the forest would the wind act like this, using the other elements to give it form. It swirled around him, happy for any excuse to play. The wind was the most playful of the elements, always causing mischief. He felt the pulse of the water nearby, the energy of the earth beneath his feet. And the fire–

His eyes snapped open. Fire?

Turning, his eyes landed on Maverick. He moved like Isaac taught him, his eyes closed and his energy centered. And the fire answered. It was beautiful. It escaped his lungs when he exhaled and twisted into the shape of Maverick’s dragon, swooping around his hands with each push and pull. And when Maverick was done, it glided around Isaac for a moment before disappearing into the ether.

“That’s it…” Isaac breathed.

“What’s it?” Maverick’s eyes fluttered open, and he looked confused.

Isaac shook his head, still stunned. “You did it. You not only cleared your mind, but you harnessed your magic. You gave it form. I thought only mages could do that.” His heart beat rapidly, and he reached for Maverick automatically, pausing just before he touched his chest. “What did it feel like? Did it help?”

Maverick took Isaac’s hand and pressed it to his chest, covering it with his own. He never looked away from Isaac, those dark eyes penetrating and beautiful. Isaac sucked in a breath, feeling the tug on that tether again.

“I felt… you.”

Isaac’s face fell, and the excitement turned to ice in his veins. No. That wasn’t what he wanted. Maverick was supposed to get better. He didn't want any progress they made to be ruined because of that stupid tether. He hadn’t meant to do it. He took a step back, shaking his head.

“Isaac?” Maverick’s grip tightened when Isaac pulled his hand away. It only reinforced Isaac’s fear. He still didn't want to let go. And it was Isaac’s fault he felt that way. Maverick never agreed to it. It wasn’t fair.

“You should go. My grandmother’s house is due west. Head there and tell her I said to remove it. It has to be removed. I can’t– I’m sorry.”

With a heavy heart, he turned and fled, blocking out Maverick’s shouts as he tore through the forest. Maverick couldn’t keep up with him. Not with the wind at his back. And no one knew the forest better than he did. Maybe, if he got far enough, he wouldn’t feel it when the tether disappeared and Maverick finally left. Hopefully, anyway.