Chapter 21
Blake sighed as his alarm went off early the next morning. He was nice and snug, wrapped in Baylan’s arms. But he had too much to do to stay in bed any longer. He managed to turn the alarm off before it could wake his mate.
He got up without waking his love and dashed into the bathroom to get showered and dressed. He left Baylan still sleeping and blew him a kiss as he closed the bedroom door.
Blake hurried down the stairs and into the kitchen. For once, the room was empty. He made himself a coffee and drank it quickly, before walking out of the kitchen and into the garden.
The sun was just rising, painting the sky in magical colours of pinks and yellows. The rain clouds of the day before long gone.
His first stop was to see Silver and Brook. He wondered if he would be able to get through the dome. He stopped at the edge, took a breath and walked through, sighing with relief when he didn’t end up hitting it and looking like an idiot.
Demi was awake, leaning against Silver, talking quietly to him. The children were asleep, covered with blankets.
Demi looked up when Blake walked in. “Morning, Blake.”
“Demi, how are Silver and Brook?”
“No change, still resting.” He looked at the children. “They wouldn’t go to bed.”
“I’m not surprised. They wouldn’t want to leave their brother or you.”
Demi gave them a gentle smile. “I know. Tobin has slotted into the family as if he has always been here.”
“I noticed that and I am glad for you all.” Blake patted his shoulder. “I’m going to check on the others. I’ll make sure food is sent out for you all.”
“Thanks. Don’t worry, I can sort food out for us.”
Blake nodded. “Okay. If you need anything, just shout.”
“I will, thanks, Blake.”
Blake’s next stop was the hospital. He walked in and saw Puff, Mateo, Atticus, Paris, Peyton, Grayson and Chase still sleeping. Ash was asleep, his head resting on his arm, which was lying on the bed next to Paris.
Nick was asleep in the chair next to his brother. Henry was missing.
Cade was just waking up, as was Oz; the General’s bed was empty, and his son had left.
Oz stood up and stretched. “Morning, Blake,” he said, realising the man was standing at the bottom of Puff’s bed.
“Hey. How is everyone? Did the General already wake up?”
“He did. He awoke in the early hours, and the others are still resting but they should wake up soon.”
“Have you seen Silver?” Ash asked in a just woken up voice.
“I’ve literally just come from seeing him. He’s still resting as well.”
The ward door opened, and Ajax, Gary and the General walked in .
“Morning,” Blake said to them. “General, are you okay?”
“I am, thank you, Alpha Blake. I woke up a few hours ago. The others are together and still resting.”
“Together?” Cade asked. “You mean here?”
The General shook his head. “No, our dragons and we were somewhere together, maybe a dream plane. Our dragons were sleeping. We chatted until Brook woke up, then all went back to sleep again.”
“How come you awoke so early?” Blake asked.
“I’m a lot older than the others here. Only Bob is older than I am, but he used more magic than all of us, which is why he’s still asleep.”
“Bad business, black magic,” Blake said.
The General nodded. “It is, but thankfully Silver was saved, and the threat against him and Brook is over.”
“That’s true,” Blake said, looking at the General. “You can take time off, you know that, right? If you want more rest.”
“Thank you for the offer, but I don’t need any more rest. I’ll catch up with my men and make sure all is well. If you need me, just call.”
“I will, thanks, General.”
The General patted Puff’s leg and then left.
A few moments later, Atticus sighed and opened his eyes.
Blake rushed to his side. “Thank goodness.”
Atticus started to sit up with Blake helping him. “Puff, Mateo and the others?”
“The General is the only one awake so far. Puff is on the bed next to you, with Mateo on the other side of him.”
Ajax walked over. “How are you feeling, Atticus?”
“I’m okay now, fully recharged,” he said, looking to his side. “I need to sit between my mates.”
“You can do that. Let me move their beds closer together for you,” Ajax said.
“I’ll help,” Blake offered.
They moved the bedside table out of the way and pushed the beds close enough that only a chair could fit between them, so it was easier for Atticus to touch them both.
“Thank you,” Atticus said, standing up and walking around to the side of both beds. He leant down and kissed Puff’s head and then Mateo’s before sitting down and holding their hands.
“The General said you were all on a dream plane together,” Cade said.
“We were,” Atticus replied. “I’ve never heard of that happening before. It was strange seeing our dragons like that and being able to sit down next to them.”
“I can imagine. I mean we feel our animal sides and can see them, but being able to touch them must be incredible,” Ash said.
Atticus nodded. “It was indeed.”
“Hey, mate of mine,” they heard Ash say.
They looked over and saw Ash kissing Paris, before pulling back.
“The others?” Paris asked, sitting up and looking around.
“Atticus has just woken up, the General woke up earlier, and the others are still resting,” Ash told him.
Paris moved to sit on the edge of the bed.
“Careful,” Ash cautioned.
Paris smiled and took his hand. “I’m completely fine, sweetheart, but I need to see the others.”
Ash moved so Paris could stand. He walked to Chase and Greyson and touched their legs, then moved to Peyton and patted his leg. Lastly, he moved to Puff and Mateo and touched them as well.
“Welcome back,” Atticus said, smiling at him.
“Thanks.”
“Before you ask, Silver is still recovering in a healing dome,” Blake told him.
Paris nodded. “Thanks.”
“I need to catch up with the others. I’ll come and check on you all later,” Blake said.
“Don’t forget the shaman,” Ash reminded him.
“Gah. Thanks for reminding me,” he replied, not meaning it. “Right, I really am away now. See you all later.”
Blake had just walked out of the ward when Mateo sighed.
Atticus jumped up, so he was the first person Mateo would see and stroked his hair. A moment later Mateo opened his eyes.
“Welcome back,” Atticus said softly.
Mateo lifted his hand and touched Atticus’ cheek. “Puff?”
“Still resting.”
Mateo moved his head and kissed Atticus’ palm and sat up with Atticus’ help.
“Puff is just here,” he said, moving out of the way so Mateo could see him.
“Welcome back,” Paris said.
“Thanks. Have you two been awake long?” Mateo asked.
“The General woke up hours ago. Atticus about twenty minutes ago and me about ten minutes,” Paris told him.
“How do you feel, Mateo?” Gary asked him.
“I’m okay now, thanks, Doc, well rested.”
Gary nodded. “Good.”
“I’ll supply breakfast,” Oz said, and food appeared on each bedside table.
“Thank goodness, Oz. I’m starving,” Paris said.
“Me too,” Mateo and Atticus said at the same time, grinning at each other.
“How are your dragons?” Ajax asked them.
“Morgan is fine. He’s well rested and back to normal now,” Paris said.
“Barden is well rested and grumpy, which will be fixed once I feed him,” Mateo said, picking up the cutlery.
“Salvador is the same, well rested and hungry,” Atticus said.
“Then eat up. I can supply more if you need it,” Oz told them.