Chapter 23
In the dragon ward, breakfast had been eaten and everyone was sat talking. Mateo and Atticus were on each side of Puff’s bed, holding a hand each.
Paris, Ash and Nick were sitting with Peyton, Grayson and Chase.
Henry floated back in and went and stood beside Nick, putting his arm around his shoulders.
“Where did you go, sweetheart?” Nick asked.
“I went and sat with Tudor. Alex and Bubo are up there with him as well.”
“I would say I can’t imagine how Alex feels at the moment, but yes, I can,” Ash said softly.
Paris picked his hand up. “Sorry.”
“Not your fault babe. You had to save Silver.”
Just then Grayson woke up and stretched.
“Welcome back,” Nick said to him.
“Hey.” Grayson sat up and looked around just as Chase awoke.
“Morning,” Chase said, sitting up.
“There’s food waiting under the covers. Oz assured us it would stay hot,” Atticus told them.
“Thank goodness, I’m starving,” Grayson said, lifting the lid and sighing happily.
“Me too,” Chase said, “and coffee, really need a coffee.”
“In the travel mug,” Paris said to him.
“Yay,” Chase said, flicking the lid and taking a sip.
“So, what did we miss?” Grayson asked.
“No idea, we’ve been focused on you guys,” Ash replied. “I’ll catch up on all the news later.”
“We can pretend this is a nice family gathering,” Henry said, as the door opened and Jason and Alex walked in.
“Howdy campers,” Jason said, grinning.
“Campers?” Mateo queried with a laugh.
“I would say sleepers, but that sounds weird,” Jason admitted.
“Or you could have just said, Morning,” Ash pointed out.
“Boring.”
“How are you coping, Alex?” Atticus asked him.
“Missing my Tudor. Thankfully, he’s fully resting and has no idea what’s been happening.”
“I think we’re all pleased about that,” Cade said.
“How did you and Donovan get on with your search yesterday?” Ash asked him.
“Search?” Atticus asked.
“Donovan and I went to see if we could find any clues for where this rogue island is. We went to a biker bar I know; they know pretty much everything that’s going on,” Alex said, flashing a quick grin. “I lost count of the number of times Donovan got invited into the back.”
Cade laughed. “Well, he is good looking.”
“True,” Alex replied.
“Did you find the location?” Ash asked.
“Only that it was somewhere in the Pacific.”
“Hopefully Padraic can tell us where when they get here. Puff emailed him yesterday,” Paris said.
“We can check when Puff wakes up,’ Mateo said.
“Please tell me there’s coffee,” Peyton asked, without opening his eyes.
Cade jumped up and leaned over him. “You can only have coffee if you open your eyes.”
“So picky,” Peyton replied with a smile and opened his eyes. “Hey.”
“Welcome back,” Cade said, leaning down and kissing him.
“Now we just need Puff to wake up,” Mateo said, kissing the back of Puff’s hand.
“Puff’s still asleep?” Peyton asked, quickly sitting up.
“He is,” Paris said. “There is food and coffee there for you,” he pointed to the bedside table.
“Thank goodness.”
Just then, Demi and the children appeared, with Demi carrying Brook.
Demi and the children had finished breakfast and were chatting when they felt a shimmer in the air, and Silver retreated, leaving Brook there still sleeping.
“That’s a good sign, right?” Willow asked.
“It is indeed,” Demi said. “Let’s move Brook into the hospital ward. He’ll be more comfortable in a bed.”
Demi picked Brook up and, taking the children with him, vanished, reappearing in the hospital ward.
“Brook is back,” Jason said, walking to Demi’s side and touching Brook’s arm.
“Silver shifted a few minutes ago. I thought Brook would be better resting in a bed.”
Ajax came bustling over. “Let me just change this bed; the general rested in it.”
“No need, I can do it,” Paris said. The next moment the bed was freshly made.
“Thanks, Paris,” Demi said, laying Brook down.
“Are you all okay?” Tobin asked, looking at the others.
“We are, Tobin. We’re just waiting for your brother and Puff to wake up now,” Atticus said.
“Then we’ll wait with you,” Forrest said, sitting on the side of Brook’s bed and getting comfortable.