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Hywel was awake.
My hands were vibrating as they landed on his face and he blinked slowly, lips stretching and curving slightly. He purred at my touch, and I gasped at the familiar, smaller version of the sound. His cheekbonesweresharp. My goodness, he was as spiky and beautiful as he had been when huge, except in an entirely new way, and—
"Why are you wearing clothes?" I asked. His shirt was untied at the collar, hanging open, and his breeches were a little loose, but still…
"Because I fell asleep in them, darling," he answered, smiling.
And then Laszlo and Asterion fell down the stairs and into the hoard. Hywel turned us to face them, his arms tightening around me, holding me under my legs and around my back.
"Is she—"
"You.Fools." Hywel's voice carried, not shouting but not leaving room for any other sound in the cavern. "She wasan instantfrom the rocks."
"Hywel," Laszlo started primly.
"You were to keep herin the nestuntil I woke," Hywel answered, dark and stern.
"I was in the nest," I said.
"Notalone," Hywel continued, now rising in volume.
Asterion stepped forward. "Evanthia, are you—"
"She is inmycare now, King of the Labyrinth."
"She isfreeto go where she pleases," Asterion snapped back, but his head bowed as Hywel glared at him.
"Notout the window," Hywel snarled.
"I was dreaming," I said, and the men all quieted. "A nightmare. I was—" I stopped myself, and Hywel looked away from the others to stare down at me.
"I told you," Laszlo said under his breath, and both Asterion and Hywel tensed, so I wasn't sure who the words were meant for.
Hywel growled and then choked on the sound when I shuddered.
"Put me down," I whispered.
"No," the dragon answered me, and I sank into him with a contrary relief. "I want the pair of you to leave. I will keep her here for the night, and we will speak in the morning."
"Evanthia—" Asterion started, but he must've expected Hywel to interrupt him because he stopped short at my name. His shoulders drooped, and then he sank forward into a bow.
Laszlo remained standing as Asterion turned and headed for the stairs. Would he leave the castle? I considered calling out to him, but only watched his back retreating. Laszlo was staring hard at Hywel. "We can't risk her again, Hywel. Are you sure you're…rested?"
"I won't so much as blink for years," Hywel answered. "I should… You could…"
Laszlo's expression softened and he walked forward, reaching out and resting one hand on my back, one on Hywel's shoulder. Hywel bent to hover his face over his lover's, and the anger melted away.
"I've waited centuries, my love. I can stand another night. Take care of her."
They kissed over me, a slow, savoring press of their mouths, a teasing drag of Hywel's teeth on Laszlo's lip. Laszlo drew away first, not hesitating before diving down and pressing a harder, more urgent kiss to my own lips. He pulled away, his eyes wide on mine.
"I'm sorry," I gasped out. They should be together tonight. I struggled against Hywel's hold, but he didn't so much as budge or seem to notice. "I'm sorry, I was—"
"Hush, dear one," Laszlo said, brushing his hand through my hair once, then drawing away. "Don't quiz her, Hywel."
"An instant from the rocks, Laszlo," Hywel answered tartly.
Laszlo stiffened and then gusted out a sigh. "Morning."
