Page 27 of Fired Up Love

“Don’t misinterpret,” she murmured, attempting to regain her usual sass. “That was... shock and blood loss... not me falling for a dragon.”

He smiled, the expression transforming his usually stern features. “Of course.”

“Though your... bedside manner... exceeds expectations.” Her eyelids grew heavy, the night’s trauma and healing magic draining her remaining strength.

“Rest now. I’ll stand guard.”

“Not necessary...” she protested even as consciousness slipped away.

“It is to me,” he whispered, but she had already surrendered to exhaustion.

Xai settled into a chair beside her, one hand resting lightly on her wrist to monitor her pulse. Through the night, he maintained his vigil, occasionally pressing his palm to her forehead when fever threatened. Each time, he channeled precise warmth to combat infection.

As midnight deepened, he whispered an ancient draconic oath, the sacred language rarely spoken in modern times.

“Draconis protego. Ignis custodiat. Cor meum vivet in te.”

Dragon protect. Fire guard. My heart lives in you.

The words carried magical weight, making the very air vibrate. Nearby crystals on Zina’s shelves hummed with sympathetic resonance. The oath bound him to her protection in ways modern supernatural society had largely forgotten.

His phone buzzed near dawn, disrupting his meditation. Noven’s name flashed on the screen.

“Where are you?” his security chief demanded without preamble. “You missed our 5:00 AM security briefing, and you’re never late.”

“At Zina Parker’s,” Xai replied, voice low to avoid waking her. “She was attacked.”

A brief silence. “How bad?”

“She’ll recover.”

“And the attackers?”

“Will not, once I find them.” The temperature in the room rose with his words.

“I’m on my way. And I’ll bring breakfast. Even dragons need food.” Noven paused. “Should I alert the rest of our... inner circle?”

Xai considered. “Yes. Discreetly.”

TWENTY-SEVEN

Thirty minutes later, Zina stirred. Finding Xai still seated beside her, his usually immaculate appearance rumpled from his night-long vigil, her eyes widened.

“You stayed.” Wonder colored her voice.

“Did you expect me to leave?”

Before she could answer, a knock interrupted them. Xai opened the door, positioning himself protectively between Zina and any potential threat.

Noven stood there, balancing coffee trays and pastry bags. Behind him, Bryn Maxen clutched a duffel bag presumably containing items for Zina.

“Delivery for one injured lioness and her dragon guardian,” Noven announced, pushing past Xai with familiar ease. “We come bearing caffeine and carbohydrates.”

Bryn followed, her expression shifting from worry to relief upon seeing Zina awake. “Thank the moon you’re okay! When Artair told me what happened?—”

“I’m fine,” Zina insisted, though the effort of sitting upright belied her words. “Just some scratches.”

“Three broken ribs, multiple lacerations, and significant blood loss is notfine,” Xai corrected, closing the door behind their visitors.

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