Page 57 of The Infirmary for Dragon Burns and Midair Mishaps

“How did I get here, though?”

“I pulled you from the lake.”

“You came for me?”

Eden looked at me, then away just as quickly. “Of course.”

Her cheeks pinked in the candlelight, and as I stared at her, one memory, something coated in gold, surfaced above all the others. My pulse galloped in my chest.

“Did you kiss me?” I asked, my gaze flicking up to meet those brown eyes. Soft. Warm. Open. Like newly turned earth. I wanted to sink into that stare.

Eden jerked back, blond eyelashes fluttering. “What?”

I pressed up on my elbows, ignoring the flash of pain across my chest. “Did you kiss me, woman?” I remembered her leaning over me, the press of lips against my knuckles. And then the smell of honey and lavender as she kissed my lips. The thought was overwhelming. Soothing. Positively delightful considering the circumstances.

“Perhaps you were dreaming,” she whispered, shaking her head.

“It wasn’t a dream,” I insisted. Of that I was sure.

She caught her lip between her teeth for a beat. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

But she did. I could tell from the look in her eyes—desperate, a little cautious—that she knew exactly what I was referring to.

So I did the only thing I could. I reached for her, taking hold of the front of her blouse, dragging her close enough. She tipped toward me without a fight. “Let me refresh your memory,” I said, and then I captured her lips with my own, sensation exploding inside me.

The feelings surged through my blood, the thrill of it eating away at the lingering pain. I sucked in a sharp breath, curling my hand into her hair as I held her close, as I tilted my head to explore her mouth and memorize the taste of her on my tongue.

“It was something like this,” I murmured.

She groaned, the sound sending my blood pulsing even harder. I touched her cheek with my palm, reveling in the softness of her skin.

“I don’t want to let you go, Eden,” I whispered into her mouth. “Ever.”

She pulled back slightly, those brown eyes holding me steady. “Sleep,” she said. “You need to rest.”

And with a tiny, knowing smile, I sank back onto the pillow and dreamed.

19

VAELA

When I next woke, daylight filtered into the infirmary and Eden was gone.

I blinked for a few moments and took stock of the room, assuring myself that I wasn’t dreaming.

No, I’d kissed her here by my bedside.

I’d kissed her and everything had felt right with the world.

I turned to the window, studying the white light of pre-dawn. It was far too early to be awake, but I didn’t think I could sleep another moment. In fact, I didn’t think I’d sleep now for days.

Instead I stared at dust particles that floated above me while I took stock of my body. My side ached along my ribs, but thankfully the intense burn had faded, leaving behind a bruise-like pang. It felt as if I’d been knocked off my feet by the swipe of a dragon tail.

My shoulders were sore, as was my lower back, and I longed to stretch. I raised my arms above my head, almost winding myself in the process. A weakness clearly persisted in my muscles, which I assumed was the remains of the venom in my blood. I had to get up and start moving to work the rest of it out of my system. That was the only way to truly rid myself of it.

Fever dreams could only do so much.

With a great heave, I sat up on the edge of the bed. My vision swam momentarily, my thoughts drifting in a wave of unease.