I knew he could truly see me, so I offered a sad smile as I moved my face closer to him and whispered, “Don’t worry, Rasha’s safe. I promise she’s okay.”
He closed his eyes and blew out a relieved breath. I’d known that would be his first concern.
I kissed his cheek. “You’re going to be okay, dimples.”
That earned me a small scowl and a reluctant grin at the same time.
“I can see you smiling.” I chuckled and kissed the tip of his nose, even as I pushed more magic into him. I knew he couldn’t speak yet, so obviously it was the perfect time to tease him since he couldn’t retaliate. “I think I might like you like this. Silent and sexy. Totally the way to go.”
He tried to shake his head, but winced in pain.
“Don’t move, dimples. You’re not even halfway healed yet.” I brushed back his sweaty hair again with my free hand. “As soon as I get you stable, I’ll take you to Rasha, and we’ll heal you up.”
He winced, and I didn’t realize why until I saw his hand open in my direction. I blinked at it before he wiggled his fingers as much as he could, and I finally understood what he wanted. I slid my hand into his, and he closed his eyes, sighing in relief. It may not be the declaration of love I’d always hoped for from my viramore, but it sure as hell felt like it. Only a few months ago, if I would’ve tried holding his hand, I would’ve received a punch to the face for the effort.
Hiro’s lips quirked up as if he’d read my mind, and hell, maybe he had.
I moved around until I could rest his head in my lap, then I stayed there, rubbing his cheek with one hand and holding his fingers with the other. His eyes kept drifting closed, but when they opened, he stared up at me, and while I kept trying to heal him, he still couldn’t speak.
My family cleaned up everything, and some BCA agents came to check it out since warlocks were bad news, but I didn’t pay them even an ounce of attention. My sole focus was on Hiro. My Hiro.
When I finally pulled back my magic, knowing it would do no more good until we got him home on a healing bed, Hiro’s raspy voice caught my attention, saying, “You came for me.”
“Of course I did. I’ll always come for you.”
“You took care of Rasha.”
“I’ll always come for her, too.”
“I’ll come for you, too, love.” A smile reached his eyes, and I was pleased to know my healing magic along with the tonics were helping him so much.
My chest warmed with content, and I leaned down to him with a smile. “I’m bringing you home. Alec is letting us borrow one of the SUVs. Do you think you’ll be okay?”
“Yeah, baby, I’ll be okay.”
On a shaky breath, I gave him a nod and kissed his forehead before gently moving him and standing, motioning Jorah over. My little brother took one look at me, and his eyes widened as he asked, “If I help you with him, you’re gonna bite my head off.”
I shook my head. “No, I won’t, but if anyone else touches him, I can’t make the same promise.”
He nodded, and the two of us hauled Hiro off the ground with his arms around our shoulders. He tried to help walk a little, but we mostly dragged him to the SUV. And he was heavy as fuck. He was a big man, but I didn’t truly appreciate just how big he was until we had to carry all of that muscle.
Since I was pretty spent from healing Hiro, Jorah called on a little wind magic to help us get him in the back seat. I went to shut the door, but Jor stopped me, saying, “I’ll drive you two home.”
“Don’t you have to stay here and help?”
He waved that away. “I don’t care about the BCA shit right now, you need me. Get in the back seat with your viramore. I’ll drive.”
A shuddered breath left my lips as I nodded. “Thanks, Jor.”
“Anytime.”
I climbed in and moved Hiro until his head was on my lap again, and Jor shut the door and got into the driver’s seat. Now that I was touching Hiro again, the tremble in my hands slowed. Driving home and not being able to touch him would’ve killed me. Obviously, my brother had seen that.
Hiro’s