When I could see again, I gasped.
One second, we had been sitting in the middle of the road, and the next, we were in a small cavern.
Xander was lying on the ground, his eyes shut. His chest was still moving, and his ragged breathing was proof he was still alive. Nonna’s bundle was on the ground next to Xander. I reached over and placed my hand on his skin. He was pale and still bleeding, but there was a touch more color in his cheeks than before.
“How did you do that?” I asked the witch as I looked around at our rocky surroundings.
Nonna smiled softly, bending to crouch before Xander. She placed her hands on his chest, humming to herself.
A blue light came from her hands, wrapping around him as she replied, “It’s a simple translocation spell, my dear.”
I blinked at her. “Trans-lo-what?”
“Translocation. I can’t move multiple people very far. We are just on the other side of the woods, but at least now we are off the road. Xander will need to rest for a few hours before he’s better.”
“A few hours?” I repeated. Incredulity tainted my words as I stared at her. “He has a hole in his chest!”
She tilted her head, her eyes glimmering with amusement as she chuckled. “Does he?”
“Yes, I saw it with my own eyes.” I pointed at Xander’s torso, where the wound had been only minutes ago. “It was right… here.” I stared, my jaw falling open in disbelief. Xander’s skin had knitted itself back together under Nonna’s hands, as though the injury had never taken place.
Not only that but all the traces of blood were gone. I gaped. “What? How?”
Xander coughed, his eyes fluttering open as he winced. “Nonna’s a witch.”
I raised a brow, crossing my arms. “I’m aware of that. But you were… dead.”
“It would take more than some stray red magic to kill me.” He winked at me, a wry grin on his face.
I wanted to scream at him. Remington had thrown everything at Xander while I’d been forced to stand by, watching. How dare Xander smile when he was bleeding out mere moments ago?
Xander seemed ignorant of my inner turmoil as he lifted the bundle of clothes that lay beside him. “Do you ladies mind turning around so I can get dressed?”
Blood rushed to my cheeks as I nodded. Crossing my arms, I pivoted and stared at the vines crawling up the rocky wall as the rustle of fabric filled the air. While Xander changed, Nonna’s magic swept over me. When I looked down, I gasped. My dress and hair were clean, and my skin looked better than it had in days.
Xander cleared his throat. “Your modesty is safe, Aileana. You can turn around.” Once I did, he continued, “Almost dead is not the same as dead. I was just… resting while my body’s natural healing kicked in.”
“Natural healing? Does this have something to do with the fact that YOU ARE A DRAGON?” I yelled the last part, unable to contain the anger that was slipping into my voice.
On the other side of Xander, Nonna’s gaze darted back and forth between the two of us.
“Aileana, I was goin—” Xander began, but Nonna cut him off.
The elderly witch clucked her tongue. “I think I’m going to take this as my cue to leave.” She bent over, kissing Xander on the cheek. “Come see me when the two of you have worked things out. I think we will have lots to discuss in the future.”
Then she leaned in close, putting the necklace back in my hands. “Put this back on, dearest. Your blood will work the spell just as much as Xander’s. Don’t hesitate to call me. I have a feeling I’ll be seeing you again soon.”
Nonna pecked me on the cheek before standing and clasping her hands together in front of her.
“Oh, and young ones?” We both looked at her. “I see your auras are more intertwined than ever.” She winked at us, a wide grin on her face. “I know you don’t need my approval, but you have it.”
Before we could reply, she muttered another incantation. A puff of blue magic erupted, and when it dissipated, Nonna was gone.
A long moment passed as Xander and I just looked at each other. We were alone, and we had so much to talk about.
“We keep ending up in caverns,” Xander chuckled awkwardly. He pushed himself up, adjusting his position until he was leaning against the rocky wall.
I shifted, coming to rest on the wall beside him. Neither of us touched the other, but I was acutely aware of exactly how much room there was between our bodies.