Amara lay in her bed, the sea breeze wafting in through an open window somewhere to her right. After her near-death experience Minach, unwilling to take any chances with her health, had insisted that she get some rest. Yes, her Wolf had returned. But he’d wanted to make sure that she hadn’t simply experienced a temporary remission from her suffering.

He sat in an antique wooden chair by the window as he had done all night, his two index fingers forming a triangle shape over his upper lip as he stared at her.

She’d been immersed deep in a peaceful sleep for hours. Occasionally the Dragon shifter had walked over and lain a hand on her cheek to make sure she was still warm. He’d never seen her looking so calm, so content, so bloody perfect. The colour seemed to have returned to her cheeks permanently, a shade of rose more beautiful than anything he’d ever encountered enhancing her features.

They said that when a Dragon shifter mated, his lover received a gift of some of his power. But this was different. Despite every emotional up and down they’d been through, the two of them had not made love. Theirs was a bond purely of blood, of a deep, real affection. Perhaps one day if he was very fortunate, Minach’s wish might come true. His lips might meet hers again, his desire for her touch temporarily sated. But for now, all he cared about was her. He’d finally learned to let go of selfishness and to embrace his love of another being.

After a time, Amara’s eyes opened and she turned slowly towards him. He pulled his hands away from his face and sat up straight, his expression inquiring. She smiled and rubbed her eyes. “What time is it?” she asked.

“Eight or so, by the looks of it,” the Dragon shifter replied, looking out the window.

“Eight? I’d have thought it would be dark by now.”

“Eight in the morning.” Minach’s lips curled up in a crooked smile. “You’ve been asleep for many hours, my little Wolf.”

Amara pushed herself upright, a realization seeming to hit as memories flooded back into her mind. “Oh God…the attack…” she said. “I’d almost forgotten all of it.”

“Don’t think of it. I haven’t seen any more signs of Tryst. I suppose she didn’t want to scrap with half of our Guild. It would seem that we’re safe for now.”

“But we should check on the town’s inhabitants,” Amara said. “Make sure everything is looked after and so on. I’d like to see Caitlin. She’s been through a good deal.”

Minach rose to his feet and strolled over to the bed, pressing a hand to Amara’s forehead. “Sweet woman, worrying about her when you came so close…” He stopped himself from finishing the horrid thought. “All in good time,” he said softly. “Your health is the important thing for now.”

She stared up at him. Beautiful woman was trying to figure out if he was being sincere, and who could blame her? She wasn’t accustomed to this level of care from the shifter known as Minach Grumpyface.

“Do you really mean that?” she asked. “About my health?”

He nodded, slipping to his knees to kneel next to the bed as he took her right hand and kissed it. “Of course I do, you madwoman. You really don’t know what you are to me, do you?”

Amara shook her head. Her eyes were still light, her Wolf still very much alive inside her. Even her scent had changed. It was still wonderful, enticing, sensual as always, but Minach picked up the aroma of her déor as well, musky, feral and untamed. He loved how whole she’d become.

“What am I to you, Minach?” she asked, lowering her chin to look at him almost shyly.

“You’re everything,” he said. “You mean more to me than anyone on this sodding planet. You keep me strong, hopeful. You keep me from falling back into the dark place where I lived for so many years. I’m so glad that you’re safe now, because I’m a selfish bastard, and I don’t know what I would have done if…” He let out a sigh. “If I’d lost you.”

“You didn’t. You fixed me, Dragon.”

Minach smiled. “I suppose we’ll be heading back to London now, returning to our lives. Bertie will find that her employee has changed somewhat since your last meeting, I should think.”

“Yes, I suppose she will,” Amara said laughing. “Changed some, but not enough.”

“No?” Minach rose to seat himself on the edge of the bed, staring into her eyes. “What else would you like to change?”

“A few things,” she replied. “The first involves my lips.”

The Dragon shifter made a tsk sound with his tongue. “Your lips? How could you ever want to alter such perfection?”

Amara smiled. “I don’t want to alter them per se. It’s only that they’re feeling a little lonely at the moment.”

The Dragon shifter edged towards her, his palms flattening on the mattress as he planted his feet on the ground and leaned in close. His heart was dancing, hopeful, excited beyond description. “Lonely, you say?”

She nodded.

“What, pray tell, would you have me do about that?” he asked.

Amara lay her flat palm on his chest, feeling for the heart that pounded inside him like an enormous drum. She slipped forward, pressing herself close to him, and said, “I would have you kiss me, for a start.”