Caspian stayed kneeling there for a long time, his large thumbs lightly stroking the back of her hand as his breathing gradually returned to normal.
The oppressive, burning heat that usually radiated from his dragon core had mellowed into a soothing, protective warmth, enveloping her legs like a heavy blanket.
"Thank you, Hana," he murmured against her skin, his voice still thick with a rare vulnerability. "I will... I will double our patrols. If Zane saw the vaults, it means the boundary lines near the lower ridges of Sun Peak are thinning. I won't let any rogue scout get close to the valley."
"Good," Hana said, leaning her head back against the stacked pillows.
Now that the immediate panic had passed, her mind was already working in the background. The fact that the final two Aegis bunkers were located at Sun Peak changed everything.
