Rowan
Bastian’s solution, as it turned out, was a private jet.
“How?” I trailed off, staring at the plane in shock when we pulled onto the tarmac in my SUV.
“It was the quickest way to get home,” Grey said, as if securing a private freaking jet was something everyone could do.
We hadn’t spoken much on the drive to the airfield. The crushing guilt in my chest weighed on me like an anchor dragged up from the depths of the sea. I kept mentally going through the supplies I’d brought with me, praying it would be enough to stabilize Ma.
It had been a while since I’d treated dragon fire burns, but I knew what to do. And I had to do it fast. Anyone suffering from those kinds of burns was in trouble, but a middle-aged woman? That complicated everything.
“I should have been there,” I murmured as we settled into our seats.
“You were terrified,” Grey said with a shrug, holding my hand tightly, like he was scared I would vanish. “I don’t blame you for running back to where it started, but part of me does wish you’d run to us instead. Why… why didn’t you?”
“I thought about it for a moment. I was all set to run to the den until…” I pinned my stare to a blotch on the carpet, running over it with my eyes.
“He wants you all out of the picture, too. No other Alpha but Bastian. I was sure Cyrus would use me to hurt you, and… I couldn’t go through that pain again.
The dragon fire… The only place I knew for sure I’d be safe was with Kiki.
Considering she’s gone, this was the next best thing. ”
“I’m not going to let him get away with this, Rowan. I swear to you. The days of that asshole thinking he can do whatever he wants are over,” Bastian promised, buckling his seat belt beside me.
“You can’t guarantee that,” I said.
“Fucking watch me,” he insisted with a low growl. “As soon as I get my hands on Cyrus, he’s dead.”
I turned to him in surprise. “But that’s your father. I couldn’t ask you to…”
He leveled me with an unshakable look. “Rowan, the moment I found out what he did, that man was dead to me. He orchestrated my misery all these years. I failed you by not protecting you six years ago. Trust me, I won’t make that mistake again.”
I blinked several times, then leaned back in my chair, trying to absorb his words. Bastian was certain. Anyone could see that. But agreeing with him meant I was too. Was I?
Did I want Cyrus dead? Yes.
Did I want his son to be the one to end him?
That I wasn’t sure of.
Even though he was an unbelievable asshole, I knew Bastian had once respected his father. They’d had a relationship. All these years, he’d been trying to make the man proud. At least, from what I’d heard and understood. All that was just… gone. Regardless of what happened now, that was fucking sad.
“Let’s just make sure Ma is okay first,” I said softly, closing my eyes and leaning back.
“You focus on getting her better. We’ll focus on keeping you safe,” Bastian assured me.
The flight attendant walked through the small cabin, checking we all had our seat belts fastened before takeoff. When she came near me, Bastian let out a low growl. Thankfully, she took it in her stride, simply nodding before walking toward the cockpit.
“What was that?” I asked.
“No one is getting near you. After what happened, I don’t trust anyone with your safety but us.”
Part of me wanted to smack him and wave off his intense concern, but another part of me thought it was best to indulge his behavior. We’d all been through a lot, and even I could tell he was a dragon on edge.
There was also the fact that he had a point.
Our circle of trust was getting smaller and smaller.
“You should get some sleep,” Bastian told me, undoing his seat belt.
“I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep in these chairs. Don’t worry,” I said, shaking my head. “I got some rest before we left. I’ll be all right.”
“There’s a bed in the back,” he informed me, jerking his head toward the rear of the plane, where a door led to a cabin.
I hadn’t even considered what amenities a private jet would have.
It’d all happened so quickly. The two of them had arrived, I had been scrambling and raiding Cormack’s supply, and then we were leaving.
I’d been ruminating for hours about Ma. I had no idea how bad it was, and even on a jet, I wished we could get there faster.
That wasn’t happening, though. Maybe it was a good idea to at least close my eyes and lie down.
“Really?” I asked, craning my neck to look behind me.
He stood, holding out his hand. “Come on.”
“I don’t need to—” I started, but he cut me off.
“You need to be rested so you can help Ma when we arrive at the horde lands.”
I couldn’t argue with that logic. We both knew it was true.
Sighing, I took his hand and accepted his help. It escaped my notice until then that Grey was watching us with a smile plastered on his face. I glared at him. This was not the time. Though I couldn’t blame him for wanting to focus on anything else right now.
Still, I didn’t have the energy to deal with it. I just shook my head and followed Bastian.
For a small plane, the bedroom was surprisingly spacious, with a king-sized bed that nearly filled the space. I kicked off my shoes, I climbed on top and slid beneath the covers. I was exhausted, my body melting into the mattress as soon as I lay down.
When Bastian settled in the armchair beside the bed, I sat up, staring at him in confusion.
“What are you doing?” I asked, raising my brow as I nodded at the chair.
“Watching over you,” he replied simply.
“I don’t need guarding on a plane. We’re in the air, for Christ’s sake.” I rolled my eyes. “Are you afraid of gremlins?”
He shrugged, narrowing his eyes at me. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not leaving your side until the people who hurt you are in the ground.”
I opened my mouth, prepared to argue, but stopped when I saw just how serious his expression was.
I’d never seen him give me that look. While it was a little overzealous, I understood where he was coming from.
In truth, it was nice to know that someone had my back, even if I didn’t feel like I deserved it at the moment.
After all, I was part of the reason Ma was injured.
And there was no use arguing with Bastian, of all people. That dragon was going to fight me every step of the way.
In fact, Bastian kicked up his feet on the tiny ledge that was a glorified table along the side of the cabin. He leaned back in the chair, putting his hands behind his head and shut his eyes, getting comfy while I glared at him.
“Fine, but if you start snoring, I’m throwing something at you,” I grumbled, lying down and turning onto my side so my back was facing him.
“I’m not the one who snores,” he countered, and it took everything in me not to fling a pillow at his head.