Northern Wilderness

Bedelth's lungs heaved. Each breath seared. He strained, ignoring the black pinpricks spreading across his vision. He had stopped feeling his shoulder joints hours ago, even though he knew his forearms were still in the same position, still cradling the beloved body within them. He'd wrapped her in her cloak to keep her warm.

A sharp pain splintered down his wing joint and he cried out, forced to drop in altitude.

No. Just a little longer. He could see the trees on the horizon. See the sea of green stretched across his vision. Five more wing beats, he told himself. Then he would stop.

Five beats later, he promised himself five more. And so on. And so forth.

His thoughts were fragmented. A mix of guilt and pain and fear. Fear so immense he couldn't think straight.

He'd gotten to her wound in time, using magic to keep the poison from spreading. Still, a good part of the skin surrounding it was already blackened. The sight brought too much pain to the surface. Reminded him of how Cyrus had suffered. How he'd died.

Just five more beats.

Another cramp seized his wings. Oh, gods. For a moment, they stopped beating all together. Then he was plummeting towards the earth below. A new panic took hold.

Ignoring the searing scream of his muscles, he forced his wings to flare out at the last moment, catching the wind before they gave out entirely. It was enough to slow him, but not enough to save them.

A roar burst from his maw. He curled his body around his beloved mate, striking the ground. He rolled, keeping Saffra protected within the cocoon of him. The earth shook with the impact, dirt and debris flying up as he carved a crater into the land. Then he just lay there, his giant draconic chest heaving.

He blinked once. Twice. Feeling the clear inner membrane beneath his eyelids stick to his dry eyes. Then, he scrambled into motion, unfurling his body to check on his love. Safe. She was unscathed. Her eyes darted frantically beneath her lids. She didn't wake. Hadn't for over a full day.

When he'd departed the ancient hatching grounds, leaving the foreboding mountains behind, he'd kept her cradled to his body. She'd drifted in and out of consciousness, remaining mostly unconscious for long spans, but never this long. Setting her gently onto the dirt, he lifted on his hinde legs and stretched.

Spasms wracked his body, seizing control. His muscles gave out and he immediately plopped down. He considered transforming, carrying her in his arms, and walking, but he didn't even have the energy for that. When was his last break? He hadn't slept in three days.

His vision darkened.

Sleep took him.

***

A pained scream tore his eyes open. He surged up onto a standing position, talons digging furrows into the dirt. Saffra was writhing on the ground. He dropped his snout to her, brushing his forked tongue gently over her cheek. Her cries turned to pained whimpers. Just a little longer, he wanted to say. He almost transformed, just so that he could speak out loud to her, but resisted the urge. It would waste too much energy. No, he had to keep going.

"Bedelth..." she managed, her eyes still squeezed tight. She knew he was there. Could sense him. That would have to be enough.

The moment he reached for her, she gave another cry. He pressed his snout to her cheek and was immediately engulfed in her mind. The pain seized his breath. He didn't breathe for several long seconds.

Then, he did what he'd done before. He took her pain and funneled it into himself as best he could. Her whimpering stopped. He was careful to keep contact as he picked her up, cradling her body against him, keeping her face pressed to his scales. It was the only way. He couldn't bear it otherwise. Couldn't bear her suffering when all of this was his fault.

He deserved all the pain.

She was his mate and he'd failed to protect her. His hind legs sprang from the dirt. His muscles, tight and sore, protested as he stretched his wings. The pain only mixed with what he already felt. Moments later, he was airborne.

Hours passed in a haze. The forest grew larger, closer. Until the tree-line rose up like a wall. He was already descending, prepared to trek blindly into its depths, knowing the risk, when he spotted it, right where it ought to be.

Riltar Outpost.

He'd drawn the map in his mind. All those hours spent racing south. Hoping beyond hope that he judged his direction correctly.

He plummeted towards the forested outpost, letting out a roar. Several sprites emerged from the cabins. He set his mate gently on the ground before transforming.

"Drengr, what brings you..." Their eyes darted towards the figure on the ground.

"Your mate?" One of them asked.

There were three. Two females and a male.

"I need...I need to get her to Esterpine." The sprites exchanged a look—one he couldn't read. "Please. She's been poisoned. I need a guide."

"What is your name, Drengr."

"Bedelth. I am—"

"Ah. Yes. A shield." They exchanged another look and then, "You may fly her there yourself."

He blinked, then blinked again. "We only tell you this because of who you are. The forest is unprotected. You may fly over it, directly south-west from here. You ought to see the sky-gazing platforms in the canopy. From there, you may descend into the city."

He didn't question the how of it. He merely nodded, thanked them, and transformed. A few minutes later, he was gathering Saffra into his arms. She'd fallen unconscious long ago, thank the gods. It was better that way, so that she didn't feel the pain, so that he didn't have to take it from her.

He sprang into the air and took off over the trees.

There was supposed to be magic, intended to keep dragons from flying over its midst. It acted like a wall, stopping all those who might pass. Only, it didn't stop him.

He followed the sprites' instructions, keeping his eyes peeled for the sight of the sky-platforms. Hours passed. The sea of trees beneath him felt endless. Every second, Saffra was closer to death. Every second, he risked losing her forever.

Gods. He never should have taken this mission with her. It had been for naught. And all that had come of it was this. He'd only just gotten her, only just earned her love, and now he was going to lose her.

His chest caved in, the thought crippling.

No. He wouldn't lose her. Just a little further.

He spied the platforms, letting out a joyous roar as he descended. He draped Saffra's body gently onto the surface, then back-winged to get some height before transforming. Sweat beaded his brow. His muscles strained as he picked her up again, finding the stairs, carefully navigating them.

His heel slipped on one and he cursed, slowing down.

As he went around and around, they sank deeper into the forests depths, until the city materialized below him. He spied the crystal palace in the distance, through the trees, gleaming like an ice sculpture.

"Help!" he shouted as soon as his feet hit the ground. He took off running in the direction of the palace. "Help! Someone, please! We need help!" He was not above begging.

His cries brought the sprites, as they came rushing from houses, emerging from the undergrowth. They wore confused expressions, though surely they recognized him. This wasn't his first time here.

A male stepped into his path, halting him. "What is the matter?"

"She needs healing. She's been injured, poison. The vodar." As he was explaining, a murmur swept through the gathering crowd. Then it parted.

What he saw next made him fall to his knees with relief; he held Saffra against him.

"Bedelth?" Taylynn's gentle voice was filled with concern. Her eyes darted to the form he curled protectively around. Then another body stepped from behind her.

"Koldis?!" he gasped.

Koldis glanced between him and Saffra, then his face paled and he rushed forward at the same time as Taylynn.

"Save her," he begged of the sprite princess. "Save her, please. I'll do anything."

"Come, bring her to me," Taylynn said, her expression stoic and unreadable. Koldis grabbed his elbow and lifted him to his feet. Together, they rushed through the city.

***

Bedelth watched as Saffra's eyes fluttered and then opened. Her hand was cradled in his. It tensed, clenching him, then relaxed.

"Bedelth?" Her eyes locked onto him. Emotions flashed through her gaze. First, confusion, then relief.

"I'm here," he murmured, leaning in, brushing her cheek with the backs of his fingers.

"Water," she croaked.

He reached for the cup at her bedside, helping position her so she might drink. She took a few tentative sips, then drained the entire thing, sighing before falling back against the pillows.

"Where...where am I?" Her eyes darted around their surroundings.

"In Esterpine."

His mate's lips parted. "This is Esterpine?" Her keen gaze took everything in anew. They were in a glass house, one of the guest houses. The same that Claire had stayed in during her first visit to the city. Ironic, that she recovered from her wound in the same place Saffra now did.

He hummed, then brushed his fingertips over her face, feeling her wonder beneath his skin. "How do you feel?" he asked, glancing down at her bare arm. The sight of it made him flinch anew.

She noticed his reaction and frowned, looking down. "Oh."

His reaction had nothing to do with how awful the scar and surrounding tissue looked, and everything to do with the reminder it posed. "Forgive me, my love. I...I failed you."

"Bedelth, no—"

There came an impatient knock. They both froze. Before he could speak, the door behind him swung open. Koldis rushed in, eyes wide, face pale.

Bedelth surged to his feet.

Somehow he kenw. "No."

Koldis's throat bobbed. "The news just arrived."

"No," he said again. A finality in his voice. As if that could change what had happened.

"What's...what's going on?"

Koldis's gaze finally snapped to Saffra. She was sitting, now, pushing the blankets away from her legs. "Don't stand up," Bedleth barked, sounding more firm than intended. His heart raced, beating a loud rhythm in his ears.

"Someone needs to tell me what's going on right now, or I'm going to lose it," she said. "You both look as if someone died."

"Reyr?" Bedelth asked. "Dallin? Verath?"

"We...we don't know yet." Koldis looked dazed. "But...I don't think...we would know, wouldn't we?"

Bedelth gave a jerk of a nod. Yes. They would feel it. Surely.

"Enough!" Saffra snapped.

"Forgive me," Bedelth said again, rubbing his hand over his face. His nose tingled. Was he going to cry? Good, gods. If ever there was a time, this would be it.

"The capital has fallen," Koldis said.

"What?" Saffra's breathless utterance filled the silence. She sank back onto the bed. "No it can't...the stones. He still needs the other two."

"He got them," Bedelth managed. He sank back onto the chair just before his legs gave out. "We...you were sleeping, but Koldis and Taylynn, they..."

"We failed." Koldis lifted his chin, squaring his shoulders. "We got to them, and let them slip right through our fingers. I don't think either of us expected Kane to show up like he did, and to use her weakness against her. The sentenals..." Koldis shook his head, like he couldn't say another word.

Bedelth already knew the whole story. Saffra had been unconscious for two days. It was plenty of time to learn the story while he waited for her to wake. The sprites had done everything they could. He wasn't as good as Koldis, when it came to healing. Hence, the blackened flesh around her arm. They'd almost considered removing the arm entirely, but her hand was still usable, even if a good part of her bicep was now completely dead flesh.

They'd enchanted it, turning it into a hard, almost bark like substance. No blood flowed in that area, thought it did still flow through a portion down to her forearm and hand. She would feel nothing if cut there again, but it would allow her to keep her arm, the shape of it, and she could wear long sleeves to cover it, so that no one would know of its existence.

He hoped she would cover it. If only to avoid the reminder of how he'd failed to protect his mate. Of how this was all his fault. Would she blame him? If she did, he deserved it.

"So, it's over then?" Saffra's voice was weak. "That's...that's it?"

"It's not over," Koldis growled. "I'll fly there myself and end him for—"

Saffra's burst of laughter was deranged. "You? End him? Please, Koldis!"

"I will not just sit here and—"

"The only person who has any chance of ending him is Claire," she cried. "And if she can't, we're all doomed. Except, she's gone! All because I fell for Kane's stupid ploy—"

"Enough!" Bedelth roared. Gods, he was so tired of her blaming herself. Not that he was in any position to judge. He certainly took the lion's share of the blame now. "Where is Taylynn?" he barked.

"If you're counting on her to come up with some miraculous solution, think again," Koldis said. "My mate isn't everyone's problem solver."

Bedelth recognized the defensiveness in Koldis's voice, and hot shame coated the inside of his throat. He slumped back. "Forgive me. I didn't mean...I only wished to know if she had any recommendations on how we might proceed. I certainly doubt she condones you sweeping in and confronting the sorcerer who now holds all our lives in the balance."

Koldis stalked across the room and plopped down on the nearby sofa. "She doesn't," he growled. "When I told her my intentions, she told me that she had more important things to do than listen to my stupidity and stalked off, adding that I could come and find her when I pull my head out of my rear end."

Saffra's laugh was genuine this time. "Sage advice."

Koldis huffed, and a small smile tugged at the corner of his lips, before his expression turned grim once more.

"What do we do, then?" Bedelth voiced the question they were all struggling with.

"If Claire is the only one who can fix this, then we are probably stuck waiting for her."

"I'm tired of assuming our queen is responsible for fixing all our problems. She has enough on her shoulders as it is," Koldis growled, irritated.

"She chose this," Saffra said, reminding them. "She made the promise. Irresponsible or not, she spoke the words that made her fate our reality. Like it or not, she's the one who must end him, or the promise might end her in return. Our job is to make it as easy as possible for her."

"She's not even here," Bedelth huffed.

Koldis sat up straiter. "But she will be, won't she? When Talon and Jovari bring her back? I was with Jovari the first time. He knows where the gate is, nearest to Claire's home. I assume that's the one he will use. Which means..."

"They'll return through the Kengr Gate," Bedelth and Saffra said in unison, before looking at each other. "And that means," Bedelth added, "that by being here in Esterpine, we'll be directly in their path home."

"Then, let's make sure we have a plan once they reach us." Koldis stood. He walked over to the bed and bent, kissing Saffra on the forehead. Bedelth blinked. Were it any other male outside of their circle, he would have seen red. But this was his brother. So instead, all he felt was warm affection for Koldis's kind gesture.

"I'm glad you're feeling better, Saffra," Koldis said. "And don't worry about the arm. I think it looks wicked." Then he offered her a wicked grin of his own, and left, quietly closing the door behind him.  

💕❤️💕Don't forget to heart this chapter!❤️💕❤️

Hello Bookdragons!

Sigh. I am so glad they made it in time! You didn't think I'd be evil enough to kill Saffra did you? Gosh, I don't know if I would have had the courage to do it. I like to make these mostly happy books, after all.

Next week's chapter is from Jeanine's POV. We haven't yet had her POV in this book. So we'll get to see what is happening now that Kane has taken over. Yikes.

See you then!

--Mel