Page 92 of Charming the Dragon
“No!”
She kneeled next to him and touched his cheek. For a beat, she thought he wasn’t breathing. But then she noticed the faint rise and fall of his chest.
Kai said gently, “He’s still alive. But we need to get him to Sid and Gregor as soon as possible. Stay with Diana, and I can do that. Okay?”
She wanted to go with Kai, to say she’d risk it.
But then she remembered their child, who might be the only piece of Nathan she had left.
No.She refused to think like that.
She kissed his cheek and whispered, “Don’t you dare die on me, Nathan.”
Nothing.
Kai said, “I need to go. Sorry, Hayley. You need to move.”
In a daze, she scooted backward and watched as Kai hefted Nathan on his back. Before he dashed off, he said to Diana, “The place is secure now. Take the females downstairs to Nikki.” He looked at Hayley again. “Diana will let you know when you can see Nathan again.”
And before she could do more than blink, Kai was running down the hall and descended the stairs.
For a few beats, Hayley merely stared at where Nathan had been. He’d been so pale and still and the scent of something horrible filled the air.
Something she didn’t want to think about.
Diana touched her shoulder. “Come on, Hayley. We need to get you and Grace to safety. I know it’s not easy to wait for news about a loved one, but Dr. Sid is the best. She’ll help him.”
“I know that, rationally. But…”
“Come on, Hayley. Dr. Sid and Gregor will want to check you and the baby out as well.”
At the mention of her child, Hayley shook her head to clear her maudlin thoughts. She’d worried about the drugs they’d given her. “They drugged us, Diana. Me and Grace need to be checked out. Grace first, as she’s due soon.”
The other human finally spoke. “I was due a week ago.” Her voice fell to a whisper. “I didn’t want him or her born here, though, regardless of their bastard father. I’m glad my wishing worked.”
There was such sadness in Grace’s voice. Hayley walked over and opened her arms. “Can I hug you?”
She nodded, and Hayley engulfed the woman in a hug. She was younger than Hayley, although not by much. And she hated to think that some dragon-shifter had hurt her.
Well, if nothing else, Hayley would ensure Grace stayed with her child, if she wished to.
That’s right, think of work. It’ll distract you. For now.
Diana motioned for them to follow. “Come on. We need to get you two out of here.”
And so she went, helping Grace—who had trouble with the stairs—and somehow went through the motions of leaving and being taken back to Stonefire.
Images of Nathan still on the ground kept creeping into her mind, though. And while Nikki said no news was good news, her stomach twisted in knots the entire way back to Stonefire.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Nathan groaned as something on his side burned, more than anything he’d felt in his life.
He expected his dragon to say something, but nothing came. Nathan tried calling for him, but there was only silence.
Then something was placed on his burning side and he screamed as his eyes popped open.
Dr. Sid’s firm voice filled his ears. “I’m nearly done. Hold still.”
