Serena's arms went around Dex automatically. His scent hit her all at once, grounding and familiar, and relief flooded her senses so hard it almost hurt.
Dex lifted her and moved her against the wall. His hands were everywhere at once, checking her forehead, her bruises, her ribs.
His lips moved, forming words lost beneath the ringing in her ears.
She could feel his emotions and he was tight with worry.
"I'm okay, Dex," she whispered. "Don't worry."
His head turned as he spoke to someone nearby, but Serena still couldn't process the sounds.
The worry surged again. He didn't want to leave her.
She didn't want him to stress over her. He needed to lead and defend Drakenfell. She pushed calm to him through their matebond so he could think clearly.
She squeezed his hand and his head snapped back to her. She repeated the words he had given her hours ago, when she had been the one worried for him.
"I've got this."
Through the chaos around them, his lips twitched.
