Mary’s expression was grim. “There you are. You’re free.” She tried to sound cheerful, or at least neutral, but that wasn’t possible after having lost four of her soldiers that night. Because of me.

I flexed my arm and leg, marveling at how there wasn’t even any scarring from the broken bones sticking through.

I felt lighter without all that plaster weighing me down—though it had helped at the right moment, when I’d smashed my arm against Antonio’s face. That had felt good.

Almost as good as…

“This was all because of me, and I’m so sorry,” I whispered, trembling so hard my teeth chattered.

“No, no.” She rubbed my arms with brisk hands, shaking her head. “You didn’t do any of it. And by now, everything’s getting cleaned up, and we’ll all move on. Soon. Before the authorities come looking.”

“I understand.”

Even though I had no idea where I would go. I wrapped my arms around her in an impulsive hug, suddenly so desperately grateful for my life. A life I had been so ready to throw away only a week earlier.

“Thank you so much. For all of this.”

“People like you are the reason we do what we do.” She returned my hug, then cleared her throat. “We should get ourselves together. We’ll move out in the morning.”

I nodded, letting her go, and followed her out into the hall.

The girls were waiting there, and some of the men.

I couldn’t forget having seen all of them in their dragon forms—but at the moment, they were the people I had met while staying there, who had taken care of me. Ainsley and the girls came in for a hug, as did Bonnie, and I thanked them tears in my eyes. We promised to keep in touch, although I wondered how that would be possible. I didn’t even know where I’d go from here.

Miles waited, watching, leaning against the wall. His eyes followed me everywhere, as they had followed me earlier. But they’d looked different now. A dragon’s eyes. He was a beautiful dragon, too, just the way he’d been in my dream. All golden and shiny. But dangerous, too, for the wrong people. People like Antonio.

When I was finished saying goodbyes, he slid an arm around my waist. A welcome arm. “Come on. I’ll take you back to your room.”

I was too tired and too pleased with being so close to him to protest. It would be an early morning for all of us. I sat on the bed, my eyes already half-closed. The adrenaline was wearing off, and I was exhausted.

Would I be able to sleep, though? With the memory of what I had done?

“It needed to be me,” I whispered, more to myself than to Miles. Maybe if I said it enough times, it would feel right.

“You did what you felt you needed to do,” he assured me, rubbing my hands between his.

Free of my casts, I could relish the feel of his touch on both arms. I needed that touch. I needed the connection to something good and real. Otherwise, I might fall to pieces.

“You got the revenge you needed. And I think God will forgive you, if that’s what’s worrying you. I don’t think there’s anything to forgive.”

“What about the people who died because of me?” I stared at him, willing him to look at me if he was going to tell sweet lies to make me feel better. He could at least do that.

“They do the work they do and accept the risk.”

“It’s that simple?”

“It is.”

“I wish I believed it.”

“There’s no reason not to. Phillip and the others were good, decent, honorable. But their lives weren’t as simple as they appeared. This is merely a stopping-off point, close to the place where we conducted a mission only days ago. A dangerous one, at that. We were all on a bit of a vacation. Their jobs involved real danger on a regular basis.”

I didn’t know what to say.

He knelt in front of me, on the floor by my feet while I sat on the bed. “And there’s the matter of nobody having forced that bastard to come back here for you. I’m sorry I gave you away today. He was right—I was too interested. It must’ve shown that I cared so much about you already. But you didn’t make him do it. He walked in here with those gunmen, and they got what was coming to them.”

“Like I said before: I get it up here.” I tapped my head. “But not here.” I placed my hand over my heart.

“You will, in time. When it isn’t so fresh.” He covered the hand on my chest with his. “There are so many other things I want you to feel in this heart of yours. I want you to know you’re always safe. I want you to feel cherished and respected. I want you to know you’re mine, but not because I want to own you or force my will on you. I just want to love you. I need to.”

“Oh, Miles…” I reached out to stroke his cheek.

He was so handsome, with a face I could look at for the rest of my life. He had saved me. He had killed to keep me safe. He loved me. It was all so improbable, but there it was. The plain, hard truth.

And I loved him. It was as natural and necessary as the air I needed to stay alive. I didn’t even have to think about it. I had no choice in the matter—and I couldn’t have been happier about it.

When he leaned in, I whispered, “I love you, too. But I’m so tired.”

He burst out laughing—a little wry, a little frustrated, but understanding.

“There’s plenty of time for that. I’ll stay here with you, then.”

“Please, do.” I worked my way back until I could rest my head on the pillows, lying on my side.

He slid in behind me, curling his body protectively around mine and sliding his arms around me.

I was smiling as I drifted off to sleep, and remembered to thank whoever was in charge of such things for bringing Miles to me. Or vice versa.