Her wings had flapped as she cut through the air, gaining enough altitude to support her body, and she rode the air currents home. All through it, she sensed him.
His presence was pure intent, so unselfish it brought tears to her eyes. So strong she knew she could lean on him.
He would protect her, cherish her. He'd never let any harm come to her. His psychic strength, a bright blue cobalt flame that entwined with her spirit, pushed her on.
With grim determination, Hope winged her way back to Mauritania. She had to make it back before her strength ran out. Before his power ran out. Whatever Aaron was doing, wherever the source of the power he was tapping into, she knew he couldn't keep channeling it for much longer. She had to reach home before time ran out, for both of them.
When the scent of green and brown, of trees and salt, all laced with the deeper fiery embers that indicated her dragon clan, brushed her nostrils, she couldn't stop the cry of delight that burst forth. A rush of energy had her gathering speed, just as the white sands of her home came into view.
Touching down, she folded her wings.
After Mira guided Aaron off her back and to the beach, she allowed her muscles to relax, permitting the shift to take shape.
Piercing pain and joy, and the regret of leaving her natural animal self, poured through her. Her flesh shrank, her cells transforming into that of a woman.
The blood still flowed from the gash in her side, splattering onto the sand, but it could have been a lot worse. If not for Aaron, she would be dead. Turning her head, she saw Aaron's body next to her.
Hope reached out, gripping Aaron's hand.
His skin was cold, as if he'd poured his very life into her. He was immortal; she knew that. But he was so still…so lifeless.
Fear jerked through her, joining the pain from the wound still throbbing at her side.
As the darkness clouded the edge of her vision, she didn't dare let go of him. "Stay with me, Aaron."
Part III
25
Aaron
"Aaron, where are you?" Zayn's voice cut through the scent of pine that hung heavy in the air.
Aaron knew he was dreaming, yet he couldn't help but let himself be pulled into his childhood memory. He ran up the slope of the Himalayan range, heart racing, laughter bubbling up as he tried to hide from his twin brother.
Aaron bit down on his lower lip to stifle his chuckle.
Diving into the undergrowth, he came to a stop just by the water's edge.
Scrambling upright, he hid himself behind the flowering hibiscus tree.
Parting the white and pink flowers, he could just make out Zayn rushing into the clearing at full tilt.
Zayn leaped over the flowering hibiscus tree.
He sailed past Aaron, hitting the ground in a roll. Only, he'd grabbed hold of Aaron's shirt.
With a shout, Aaron found himself rolling with his twin. They went over the side and hit the water.
Bubbles floated up from Aaron's nose.
He looked down to find Zayn struggling to free himself from where his leg had become entwined with a creeper.
Aaron turned around, swam down, and tried to free his brother. His heart hammered against his ribs as he tried to tear Zayn's leg free. His hands grew tired, yet he didn't stop. Adrenaline fueled a final burst of energy into his veins, and the creeper came away in his hands.
Holding his brother's shoulders, Aaron kicked out, taking them all the way to the top. He gasped in the cool air, and it rushed through his starved lungs.
"You could have died. When will you learn not to be impulsive?" Aaron sputtered.
Zayn gripped Aaron's arms, a small smile playing on his lips. "I'll always be with you."
Aaron's eyes flew open.
His twin would always be with him. They'd been together before birth, and death would never separate them.
The realization of that truth had him swallowing hard. Flinging his arm over his eyes, Aaron didn't stop the tears that trickled.
It felt good to acknowledge that he was ready to let go of Zayn. For he'd never be alone again.
As he sank into himself, he felt Hope's dragon brush up against his senses. Its energy was faint and shadowy. The dragon was back behind the shields Hope had thrown down on it.
Yet he was aware of the dragon. On a psychic level, he still felt connected to Hope.
Perhaps it was the pureness of her energy that had resonated with him.
The spirit of her dragon had flown out to meet his, drawing from him to feed her own depleting energy reserves.
Perhaps a part of him had reached out and fused with her dragon, then.
Her dragon had welcomed him, twining with his energy.
There on the psychic plane, he sensed the emerging bond that tied them together. It shimmered silver and blue from their intertwined psychic energy. It was evolving, growing stronger.
The woman she was still rejected him, but her dragon had recognized him.
Seeing her wounded and weak had torn through any defenses he had.
The guilt at having found his mate while Zayn wouldn't have a chance to know what it was to meet the other half of his soul…all of that was wiped aside.
Hope had put herself in danger. She'd gone into enemy territory and almost got herself killed. He knew he couldn't stand by and just let it happen again.
"Welcome back. How do you feel?"
He lowered his arm to find Caleb at the door.
Aaron swallowed, wincing when it felt like he was drawing in breath through cut glass. "Like I've crashed into the side of a mountain."
Caleb crossed the floor. Picking up the bottle of water from the side table he offered it to Aaron.
Aaron sipped from the straw in the bottle. The water soothed his gritty throat.
As the images of the flight to Mauritania with Hope rose in his mind, he sat up.
"Hope," he croaked. "How is she?"
"In better shape than you." Caleb put down the bottle. "What you did was either very brave or very stupid."
"What did I do?" Aaron's eyebrows snapped together.
"You don't remember?" Caleb's features arranged themselves into a look of careful blandness.
All Aaron had done was reach into himself and channel energy into Hope. The last he remembered, the energy had been sucked out from him in a rush, and he had let it go.
He'd known she needed it more than him, so she could keep flying. He remembered the first glimpse of the beaches of Mauritania coming into view. Then…darkness. Aaron swung his feet over the bed and stood, only to find his legs buckle under him.
Moving fast for a man his size, Caleb grabbed Aaron's upper arm, helping him to stay upright. "Whoa! You may be an immortal, but even you need more time to recover your strength."
"Take me to her." Sweat broke out over Aaron's forehead with the effort of standing.
He knew he had to go to Hope. He had to see that she was okay for himself.
"Stubborn bastard." Caleb picked up a shirt and pants by the bed. "I had them delivered from your room."
Nodding his thanks, Aaron slid into the pants. His muscles twanged in protest as he pulled on the shirt. With a last ounce of strength, Aaron pushed himself to his feet, following Caleb out of the room.
They walked down the corridor.
When he drew closer to the room at the far end, he knew she was there. The scent of vanilla and spice curled around him, hastening his steps.