Page 86 of The Dragons' Healing Mate

“Another Nix prank? Or do I have Orsen to thank for that one?” I asked weakly, my mind turning to justhowI’d been distracted from my culinary adventures.

Bastian smirked, a tiny gesture as he narrowed his eyes. “No.”

For a moment, I didn’t understand. My mind was so wrapped up in the present that it didn’t add up, but then it hit me.

Bastian.

He’d been responsible, but more importantly, he wastellingme about it. He was actually speaking to me.

I raised my brows at him. “That’s hard to imagine.”

Rolling his eyes, he licked his lips. “Can’t imagine why. I’ve been nothing but hospitable.”

I snorted out a laugh. “Did you just make a joke?”

With a grin, Bastian wandered over to me, stopping when he was just a few inches from touching me. The weight of his presence settled over my skin, which erupted with goose bumps. I’d always felt a pull toward Bastian—that was part of the mates’ package—but I’d never been close to him like this. For the first time, I could feel genuine intrigue behind the draw of being his mate.

I was curious. I was interested—in Bastian—because he was actually giving me a chance to be.

“I—” Bastian stopped, his hand in midair as he reached for the side of my face. “If I lose you again…”

I sighed, a mournful smile stretching over my face. “I can’t promise anything, Bastian. I don’t control the future. But… I’mwilling. Willing to try, to see what happens. I don’t want to leave. I want to go back to North Oak, back home.”

At last, Bastian’s touch settled on my face; it was like being struck by lightning and settling into a warm bath all at once.

“Home.” His voice was a whisper as he leaned in, his breath skittering over my lips. “That’syou, Rowan.You’rehome. I will never be able to settle until I’m sure you’re safe. I don’t know what that means for us… but there’s no denying that my world revolves around you.”

But I couldn’t say anything in return, couldn’t even get out a full gasp, because in the next moment, Bastian kissed me, and nothing else in the entire world mattered.

Rowan

One minute, Bastian was kissing me, and the next, he was putting space between us, his expression transforming to a strange mask of stoicism. The energy shifted, and I could actually see the switch flip when he realized what he’d done.

He pulled back, and I stood there staring at him as he put up those iron-clad defenses of his. His eyes darkened, and his hands fell away from me as he took a step toward the cabin. What hit me hardest was how he appeared to be actuallynervous.

God, he’s almost… skittish.

“We should get back. It isn’t safe for you here.” He turned on his heel and faced the cabin.

I wanted to argue with him, but he wasn’t wrong. We still didn’t know who had tried to kill me, and going to the cabin hadn’t given me any of my memories back. Though it had given me a chance to see the real Bastian underneath all the layers. I wasn’t going to be quick to forget that. And knowing what I did, it sort of made sense.

The Bastian from before I was taken was gone. That kind of pain didn’t just disappear overnight.

Looking around, I let out a sigh, the world heavier again. “I thought I’d be more terrified being here, but I’m not,” I admitted.

“You should be,” Bastian grumbled, stomping off.

Only, he didn’t go far. It didn’t escape me that, even though he was retreating into his protective shell, he stayed in sight of me, keeping me near. I hesitated to go back to the cabin, standing just outside for a moment.

“He’s got more problems than a math textbook.” Griffin frowned, striding over to me.

“You can say that again.” I sighed, looking at where he stood by a window, just inside, keeping me in his peripheral vision. “I think I get it a bit better, though. There’s some work to be done, but I think we can do it.”

Griff stepped toward me, putting a hand on my shoulder. “Youarethe healer, so…”

We took a minute before going to join the others. As I walked inside, I brushed my fingers over my lips, then dropped my hand and met up with the rest of the group.

I assumed that I would drive back with Griffin. Considering it was how we’d gone to the cabin, it seemed to make sense in my brain, but as we approached the cars, Orsen stepped forward, snatching the keys off my best friend.