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27
Gage
Gage held Naomi’s hand in his, waiting as patiently as he could.
Athena lay in a hospital cell in front of them, her fur rippling softly in the warm, healing gel of the cell-bed with each deep, even breath.
Other than some bad bruising and sprains, she was going to be fine. A few nights in the gel would have her back to herself in no time.
The hardworking hound was a hero all over again. Several staff members had been by to check on her already, not to mention all the hospital caregivers who had stopped in ostensibly to look at her chart, but really just wanting a glimpse of her and a chance to say a few words to Gage.
“Alright,” Dr. Angoshla said, tucking her holo-board under one furry arm. “We’re ready to release you, Gage.”
“Thank you,” he said, shooting out of his chair.
“A word of advice,” she said, her eyes twinkling. “Try to take it easy, at least a little. And if you start to feel bad, don’t be afraid to rest. Those nerve nets take a lot out of you. You’re probably running on adrenaline.”
“Yes, sure,” he said, his eyes fixed on Naomi, who had risen to join him. “Adrenaline.”
“I’ll make sure he gets some rest,” Naomi assured the Bergalian doctor.
Dr. Angoshla snorted, but she gave them a smile.
“I’ll see you in a few days,” she said. “And if anything changes with Athena’s condition between now and then, you’ll hear from me.”
“Thank you, doctor,” Gage said. “I’m grateful that you’re willing to care for her.”
“She’s a hero,” Dr. Angoshla said simply. “It’s my privilege.”
“Your suite is ready,” Oberon said.
Naomi squeezed his hand, and it was all he could do not to grab her and sprint with her in whatever direction Oberon indicated.
But he didn’t want to embarrass her, and he definitely didn’t want Dr. Angoshla insisting that he stay in the hospital to rest.
“Thank you,” he said as calmly as he could. “Want to show us the way?”
“It would be my pleasure,” Oberon said.
One of the floor tiles lit up just outside the room.
Naomi gave Dr. Angoshla a little wave and then dragged Gage toward it.
He smiled at the clear sign that his mate was eager to be alone with him.
“It’s essentially a very nice hotel suite,” Oberon warned them as they chased the lit tiles down the hospital hallway toward a side door. “You were supposed to spend the night in the castle and there wasn’t time for something new. This is a place where we house visiting VIPs.”
Naomi pushed open the door and they stepped out into the night. A blanket of stars twinkled above.
Ahead of them, a lamppost pulsed more brightly than the others.
“Any place is fine, Oberon,” Gage told him. “Really.”
“As long as it’s close,” Naomi amended, pulling him toward the lamppost.
The next one began to pulse, and he gave up and jogged along with her, laughing. Her legs were so much shorter than his that it was no burden to keep up.
And he was pretty sure Dr. Angoshla was just covering her bases telling him to take it easy. He felt fine. The nerve net had only been active for a few minutes.
