Page 109 of Dragon Tempted

Sienna’s expression changed. “She is. She wants to go spend some time with her foster mom, Evelyn, for a while to clear her head. But she agreed to stay for the time being and try and help you wake up. She and Megan were going over the research again while you were unconscious. Mia was the one to suggest that Veronica talk to your dragon.”

“What’s with the pensive expression then?” John asked.

“I guess I’m worried about her. Destroying the Templars is everything she’s been working toward, and now that it’s done, I’m not convinced that it gave her the peace she was looking for.”

Mia wasn’t the only one. John’s whole existence had been geared for one thing. Break the curse. And he wasn’t supposed to survive it. But he had. What did that mean? Yes, he was happy that the spell’s tentacles that had wrapped around him to choke anything good in his life were finally gone, but he didn’t necessarily feel lighter.

He actually didn’t know what he felt.

Sienna’s phone dinged and she looked down at it and smiled. “The girls are helping Marilyn make you some soup. They’re excited that you’re awake.”

He nodded. “Sounds good. Why don’t you take a break?”

She frowned slightly. “Are you feeling okay?”

Feelings were in short order right now. “I just think I could use some time to clear my head.”

The frown deepened. “Are you sure?”

He patted her hand to try and soften his words. “Positive. I don’t want you getting sick trying to take care of me. I’ll be better company later.”

She gave him a long look before finally agreeing. She made sure he had the house phone next to his bed in case he needed anything. John blew out a hard breath once the door closed. Hadn’t he wished for more time with her? Time he was convinced he didn’t have. Yet when he got his wish, the first thing he did was push her away.

Except he didn’t know what he could offer her. He was anchorless in the face of surviving the curse. And what if he woke up tomorrow and he’d aged decades overnight? The last thing he wanted to do was set up Sienna for heartbreak yet again.

His brain might still be foggy, but he did remember the agony he saw in her face when the dagger landed in her hand. Could he subject her to constant worry that every day might be his last?

Chapter 37

Sienna pulled a fresh shirt over her head and pushed her damp hair out of her face from the hot and very welcome shower she just finished. After leaving John’s room, she’d gone to her bedroom to freshen up, only to fall asleep for a few hours. Now she was rushing to get dressed and see how John was doing. She tried not to take him wanting to be alone personally. He needed some time to adjust to everything that happened. Now it was time for them to have a conversation.

A knock on her door had her calling out to the person to come in. Ryan poked his head into the room. “Hey. Just wanted to check on you.”

“I fell asleep against my will. I’m heading to see John.”

Ryan looked away from her and her nerves jangled.

“What’s wrong, Ry? Is John okay?”

He held up his hands. “He’s fine.”

“But?”

“But Dr. Murphy came to check on him a while ago and told him he could get out of bed. And then I took John back to his cabin.”

“What? Why did you do that?”

Ryan’s eyes widened. “Because he said he was going to walk back, which I didn’t think was a good idea, so I drove him back instead.”

Sienna pulled her hair into a low ponytail. “What aren’t you telling me?”

“He was in full grumpy John mode like when he first got here. Told me not to wake you up. That you needed your sleep.”

“I shouldn’t have left him alone earlier. He’s shutting down.”

Ryan grabbed her hand. “He’s scared.”

Her chest tightened. “Did he tell you that?”