Page 62 of Bound By Honey

Suddenly, a magical barrier appeared around the two princes and Sage, separating them from the rest of the room. Sage stepped back in shock as flames erupted from the crown prince's hands and began to lick around their feet. The dragonling chirped, pressing itself against Sage for protection.

A familiar presence entered her mind telling her not to worry; she wouldn't get burned because of their bond.

The brothers clashed, the air around them crackling with the intensity of their battle.

Flames erupted from Prince Finn's fingers, engulfing both princes in a billowing wall of smoke. Sage breathed in the acrid scent of charred wood as she watched the brothers battle with wild abandon. The dragonling clung to her, its tiny wings flapping frantically against her.

Prince Finn’s fingertips began to shimmer and glow as if summoning flames from within. Gray smoke billowed from his hands, and the smell of more burning wood filled the air.

His grasp on the power seemed to strengthen and grow until sparks began to fly around him as if he had become a bonfire. In an instant, he was engulfed by a sphere of searing flames that burned hotter than any fire she had ever witnessed.

The heat forced his brother back, howling in pain, and leaving Finn standing alone encased in a fireball.

Sage could only watch in horror as Prince Finn's hands turned gray and the fire spread up his arms like wildfire. She screamed as he fell to the ground, his flames extinguishing. She rushed to his side, kneeling, while tears streamed from her eyes.

The dragonling jumped from Sage's arms and nuzzled against Prince Finn's face. It chirped in distress, and moved to his chest. Sage held her breath, wondering if he were still alive.

She reached into her pocket and retrieved one of the bottles Rachel had left for Prince Finn's treatment at the inn. She cradled his head in one hand and helped him drink the more potent dose.

Her tears continued as she prayed this would be enough to reverse the damage.

With a gasp, Prince Finn opened his eyes, alive but weakened from the ordeal. Sage let out a relieved sigh before turning to Prince Owen, who was trying to regain his composure after being bested by his brother's magic.

The king and queen came down the steps leading to their thrones, their faces drawn with worry as they surveyed their sons' conditions. "What did you just give him?" the king asked. Prince Finn’s eyes were gray and wide instead of their usual brown.

Sage offered the bottle to him, which he took and sniffed.

"I've been working on it to avoid Prince Finn becoming a full gargoyle. The last two treatments have made improvements," Sage said, pausing to sniffle back tears, "and we hope he will be cured soon."

The queen's eyes widened, her gaze flickering between Sage and Prince Finn. "This is quite remarkable," she said in a hushed tone. "I had no idea such a cure was even possible."

Sage bowed her head, her cheeks burning at the unexpected praise. She had never been one for attention, but it was hard to ignore the weight of the queen's words.

"My dear, you must be exhausted," she said, her face softening. "We'll have someone take you home so you can rest."

"Allow us," Asher said, moving closer and slightly bowing.

"Is Prince Finn coming with us?" Sawyer asked.

The king looked over Prince Finn, taking in the slowly receding gray on his arms. "If you allow us to send you back in a carriage with a palace physician, I will allow it. It appears you have the only treatment that can help him now."

The king nodded, and Asher and Colby quickly moved to pick up the now unconscious Prince Finn.

"Let's get him back home," Asher said, while they adjusted their grip on the prince's body.

Sage heard the king give orders to have Prince Owen thrown into a cell below to await a full trial as she headed to the throne room’s exit.

The group made their way through the castle and into a large carriage. A royal physician waited for them inside. Though weak and pale, Prince Finn's breathing was steady as he slept. Sage sank into a nearby seat, allowing exhaustion to overtake her.

Her eyes grew heavy as she dozed off, though her mind remained active with worry over the man who had won her heart.

***

Sage smiled when she saw Piper and Will standing in the park from across the path. She had not seen them in so long and was happy to be reunited. She was about to call out to them when she noticed the dragonling wrap itself around her leg.

The dragonling was still small and silver but growing quickly. Sage had enjoyed caring for it since the day it had hatched, and it had become her constant companion and friend.

"Oh my gosh!" Piper said. "Is this your dragonling?"

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