Page 114 of The Dragon Queen

Malik'shothandsarewaterandice,soothingthewounds.Jianyuholdsmetotheearth,groundingme,whileRafepullsthefireupandoutofmylungs,sendingitoffintotheair.

Andthenit'sjustmeinhere.Justus.TheonlymagicIhaveremainingisthepowerIwasbornwith--thepowerIwasmeanttohave--andI'mlaughingandcrying.

It'ssomuchmorethanenough.

Mymates'magictwineswithmine,andtogether,wecreateaclosedloopofloveandlight.Theconnectionstotherestofdragonkindslowlyclose,andIdrawinafullbreathofair,untaintedbydarkpowerandsmoke.

Mymatescollapseintome,andIletmyselfbeheldbythem,sinkingtotheground.Asmyasshitsthecold,blackrockofthealtar,there'sahollow,clatteringsound.

IlookuptofindtheCrownOfCinderslyingthere,itslightextinguished,thedarkglowingpowerwithinitgonesilent.

Atleastfornow.

There'sstilladeepaurahiddenwithintheblackmetal,butit'slockedaway,andIexhaleasighofrelief.

"Everybodystillhere?"Iask.

Rafenods. "Barely."

Stormpatsmyheadwordlessly,andJianyuexhalesarough, "Yes."

Awellofemotionroughenshisvoice.Myconnectionstoeachmanarestrongandsteady,buttheexhaustionofbattlehumsthroughallofus.

Malikputshishandonmycheek.

Ilookintohisceruleaneyes,andthesoftnesstheredisarmsmecompletely.Hismouthwaversforamomentbeforehespeaks. "IthoughtI'dlostyou."

Ihiccup,andanechoofasobfightsitswaypastmythroat.Thememoryofthefourofthemlyingdashedagainsttherock,helddownbyblackropesofShadowmagicissearedintomybrain.

"Ditto,"Ibreathe,placingmypalmoverhis.

Heleansin,andourmouthsmeetinasoft,wetkissthatbreatheslifebackintomysoul.Adimflickerofdesireawakensinthepitofmybelly,madeevenstrongerwhenRaferunshishanddownmyspine.

Iglancetotheside,andmygazemeetsJianyu's.Bankedfirelivesinhiseyes,andIflexinside.Storm'sbreathisawarmwashagainstmyear,butIforcemyselftoshakeofftheneedunfurlingwithinme.

Thisreally,reallyisn'tthetime.

Asiftounderscorethepoint,Amyclearsherthroat.

Itearmygazefrommymates,forcingmyselftositupstraighter.

"So,uh..."Amytoestheground. "Youguysokay?"

Ilaugh,freelythistime. "Yeah.Ithinkweare."

Morethanokay.

Warmthbloomsintheverycenterofmychest,theglowinglinesofconnectiontomymatesbrighterthanever.

Weweresayingourgoodbyeslastnight,wellawarethatgoingupagainsttheShadowKingwasprobablysuicide.Butwesurvived.

Wegettolive.Together.

Myvisionblurs,butIblinkhard,notwantingtowasteanothermomentcrying,evenifthey'rehappytears.

Iglancearound,takinginthewayGraceisholdingAmyup.JettandFreyahavelimpedonover,andHighPriestessFangislookingon,aknowingtilttohersmile.

"Whataboutyouall?"Iask.Mystomachdoesanervousflip.Ididjustaccidentallystealtheirmagicforahotsecondthere.

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