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The others file out, Elena squeezing my hand before releasing it. “I’ll be right outside,” she promises.

As the door closes, I take Talon’s hand in mine. His skin is cool, no pulse beneath my fingertips.

“Don’t you dare die,” I whisper fiercely. “Not now. Not when I’ve just found you.”

Juno works in silence, her hands moving with precise grace over Talon’s broken body. Phoenix fire flows from her fingertips, golden light that sinks beneath his skin, seeking injuries, mending them from the inside out.

And then it happens: he sucks in a gasping breath. His back arches as the magic takes hold, a groan escaping through clenched teeth.

“Hold him,” Juno instructs, her voice strained with effort. “He needs your connection.”

I hold his head in my lap, one hand pressed against his chest, where his heart suddenly beats erratically beneath my palm. The Shard pulses in rhythm with my own heartbeat, its crimson light mingling with Juno’s golden fire.

“Fight,” I tell him. “Stay with me, Talon.”

His eyes flutter open, finding mine through a haze of pain. “Lila,” he whispers, my name broken on his lips.

“I’m here.” Tears trickle down my face, falling onto his.

Juno works steadily, sweat beading on her forehead as phoenix fire continues to flow from her hands into Talon’s body. Minutes stretch into what feels like hours. His breathing gradually steadies, his skin warming beneath my touch.

Finally, Juno sits back on her heels. “I’ve done what I can,” she says, exhaustion evident in her voice. “The rest is up to him.”

“Will he live?” I can barely force the question out.

She nods. “Dragons are resilient. And he has something to live for.” Her eyes meet mine, knowing and sympathetic. “Stay with him. Your connection is part of the healing.”

As Juno leaves, I stretch out beside Talon, careful not to disturb his wounds. His breathing is deeper now, more regular. Color returns slowly to his face.

“I love you,” he murmurs, voice stronger than before.

“I love you, too,” I say, and though I still don’t understand how, I mean it with every fiber of my being.

He drifts into healing sleep, his hand still clasped in mine. I watch the steady rise and fall of his chest, relief washing through me in waves. The Shard’s light dims to a soft glow against my skin, as if it, too, can finally rest.

A soft knock at the door draws my attention. Elena peers in, her face tense with worry. “Is he…?”

“He’ll live,” I assure her.

She enters, approaching the bed cautiously. “Juno says he’s stable.”

The sight of her standing there hits me anew. So many years lost. So much time I can never reclaim.

“Come here,” I say, extending my free hand to her.

She sits on the edge of the bed, taking my offered hand. Her eyes study Talon’s sleeping face, assessing him in that direct way that reminds me so much of myself.

“I’m glad we could save him,” Elena says simply, squeezing my hand.

Caleb appears in the doorway, his expression a storm of relief and lingering annoyance.

“Elena,” he says, his voice tight with control. “A word.”

She sighs, releasing my hand. “Here it comes,” she murmurs to me.

In the doorway, Caleb’s composure finally breaks. “What were you thinking?” he demands, keeping his voice low but intense.“Running off without waiting for backup? You could have been killed!”

“I had a vision,” Elena responds, chin lifting in defiance. “I saw her there. Felt her, Caleb. My mother. After all this time, I couldn’t wait.”

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