Soon after Torrent had saved her and subsequently lost consciousness, a small group of dragons had arrived. There was a big guy amongst them, he had ash-blond hair and the same pale blue eyes as Torrent. It was easy to see that he was in command. His chest markings were golden with green streaks. He barked orders and saw to Torrent himself, carrying him back to the water castle. She later learned that his name was Tide and that he was Torrent’s younger brother. Only one year his junior. Aside from their hair color being slightly different, they were carbon copies of one another. The news came as no surprise. He was polite to her but didn’t speak much with her either.

She was taken to her original room. The one she’d stayed in her first few days there, before moving in with Torrent. Sky came to see her. She’d filled Candy in on the events that had taken place.

Candy was torn. On the one hand she was still very upset with Torrent and had still wanted nothing more to do with him, yet on the other, she needed to make sure that he pulled through okay. Sky assured her over and over again that he would be fine but she needed to see it with her own eyes. The thing she needed the most though was to thank him for rescuing her.

Her eyes filled with tears and she blinked them away. Bad things had happened in her past, she was uncertain about her future but she was sure that she would rise above it. If nothing else, she was strong and resilient.

Torrent sighed, he pulled her closer. Flush against him. His chest was against her back. Her butt cradled against his abs. Even his legs were curled up around hers. So safe. So warm. He wasn’t well. She needed to stay with him until he recuperated. Just a couple more hours and then she could be on her way.

No biggie.

She must’ve fallen asleep, because when she woke up, it was to Torrent’s pale stare. His eyes locked with hers and he gave her the ghost of a smile. “You’re awake,” he said unnecessarily. He touched her cheek with just the tip of his finger. He was looking at her with such intensity, such… emotion that it threatened to take her breath away.

“I almost lost you.” He clenched his jaw and his throat worked. “I’m an idiot. You were right to call me all of those things. Asshole being on the top of the list.” He sucked in a deep breath.

One of his arms was around her waist. She was lying on her back. Torrent was on his side “Um…” She didn’t know what to say. How did she respond?