Page 83 of Wrath of the Dragons
I suck in a sharp breath.
“Sirseisstar,andveantiaislight. I call you that not only because you love the stars, but because you guided me to a home I didn’t know existed, and shone like a beacon through the darkness that’s plagued me for years. I would relive every moment of my life, all the pain and suffering, knowing it would lead me to you. I don’t belong to death, I’m yours, and I will find you in every life.”
“Don’t you dare say goodbye to me. Don’t you dare break your promise to me.” The pain piercing my heart is unfathomable. If Cayden is taken from me, there is not a ward strong enough that will keep me from getting into Imirath.
He tightens his fingers in my hair. “Being married to you for even a day has brought me more happiness than any bastard like me deserves.”
Tears trail down my cheeks. “I want more.”
“It was worth it, El. All of it. Never forget that.”
I look to the woman again. “What can you do? I’ll give you anything. I’ll do anything.”
“There is a ritual that can be done onlyonce,” the mage says. “But I cannot stress enough the danger of it, and also the pain you will experience.”
“I don’t care.”
“Elowen, no,” Cayden commands, but I ignore him. This is my choice. All I need is a chance. One minuscule shred of faith, and I’ll hang on to it like a lifeline.
“Slice both of your palms open, his as well. We’ll need to tap into the godly magic within the markings. The magic will pull some of the toxins from his blood and put it into yours, and you’ll have to fight through the poison together. He’ll feel better, but you’ll feel…”
I’m already slicing open my palms before she finishes and move on to Cayden’s despite him trying to rip his hand from my grip. The poison has made him too weak to fight me, and he especially can’t escape the hold Ryder has on his shoulders.
“Let me do this. He’s my brother,” Ryder pleads. “Don’t make her take this pain.”
“You may be bound, but your souls are not,” the mage responds. “The only reason a ritual like this can work is because of who they are to each other, but the queen could still die if the poison is too strong for her.”
“Do it.” I ignore her strange wording, just wanting to get this done. She begins muttering prayers in Ravarian to the God of Death, Goddess of Life, and Goddess of Souls.
“Get her away from me,” Cayden demands, his glassy eyes branding Finnian. “If she dies, it’ll be on your conscience.”
“Shut up,” I command, and Cayden turns his attention back on me.
The skin on my palm already burns from his blood as he tries to pull away, but I know this is only the beginning. “Don’t risk yourself for me. Let me go, my love. My body can fight against this.”
My hands start shaking but not from the pain. “Don’t ask me to do something you would never do. You’ve promised to die beside me many times; now I’m promising to do the same.”
“Elowen,” he slurs, his blinks slowing as the mage finishes her prayer, and I lean down to press my lips to his as he murmurs my name one final time before falling unconscious. “My Elowen.” His pulse still beats, but it’s weak.
Golden wisps surround where Cayden and I are joined, creating an unbreakable barrier as I watch his chest rise and fall unevenly. I keep our fingers locked tight just in case, not wanting to take any chances with breaking the connection.
“There’s no taking back your choice once the poison enters your blood, Your Highness. You will be cheating death, and there is always a price to pay,” the mage says. “This is my final warning.”
Whatever the price is won’t compare to losing Cayden. I nod, just once, and pain like I’ve never experienced sinks its claws into me. It’s like walking through fire. Having a thousand knives piercing my skin at once. It’s like my flesh is slowly being peeled off my bones. I clench my teeth and drop my head, not wanting anyone to see the agony this is causing me.
I will not die here.
I will not let Cayden die here.
I choke on the copper taste in my mouth.
My whole body is shaking like there’s an earthquake within me.
Red swirls begin crawling up my arms like the poison is burning me from the inside and trying to force its way out. More red splatters on my arms, running down my cheeks, and I realize I’m crying tears of blood. My chest is heaving, my throat is burning like the air itself ispoison. I throw my head back and scream, no longer able to keep the pain contained.
Finnian wraps an arm around me to keep me upright as I’m burned alive with no fire in sight. Sweat drips down my back and he cuts off my sleeves to help cool me down. My remaining dragons land in the grass around us, Sorin coming close to nudge my leg with his snout, and the other three dip their heads and close their eyes.
Imirath will take nothing more from me.
