“Hello, Serene.” His head cocks to the side, glancing down towards the arrow in my chest. “Stand down, or more will be shot.”
I take a fierce step forward even though my eyes are flashing to dark. I am losing too much blood.
“I will never stand down!” My fingers stretch wide, but no sparks ignite.
My eyes trace down my body, staring at my palms that won’t wield the magic from the God of Fire. I glance towards my horse, who patiently waits for my call, and shake my head,no.
I will not have the people I love die because of me.
I will not haveher die. The last fire horse, because of me.
“Dixyn!” I hear Klayra cry out, noticing her stumbling to her knees as she sees him next to Skydance.
He glances her way, his crimson eyes glistening from the flames of my fire horse. His white hair is twisted in a few small braids that reach down to his waist. Him and Theon, they could almost be twins.
Yet darkness consumes him. His eyes are lifeless.
Her voice breaks as she cries out to him. “Please come back to us!”
“Silence!” Skydance screeches, snapping his fingers, and I notice movement in the high cliffside mountain.Archers.
“Klayra, enough!” I snap, eyes flickering from her and the archers who are ready to leash their arrows at her.
Tears stream down her face as she hunches over to weep.
“I need you all to go,” I whisper towards Koen.
“I’m not leaving you.” He strides towards me.
“I am dying. I can feel it.” I swallow the knot inside my throat, eyes burning with tears that I force to stay in. “But you all can live. Go.”
His head shakes, ash falling from his chestnut-brown curls.
My lip tugs into a gentle smile, allowing the back of my hand to glide his hair away from his eyes.My favorite thing about him.
“I want to look at you one last time,” I breathe out.
“No.” He takes my hand, placing it on his chest. “I won’t allow this.”
“Please, go.” I push on his chest. “Now!”
“Serene, I can’t leave you.” His voice cracks, eyes glistening as they still flicker a red hue.
“I need you far away from here.” My palm reaches up to his cheek, holding his face one last time. “Please take them to safety. Listen to Death, and go to the sea.”
“I’ll be back.” His eyes flicker between mine. “I’ll take them to safety, and I will come for you.”
I nod, tears streaming down my cheeks. “Okay,” I say, but I know he won’t make it back in time for me to see him again.
He pulls me in gently by the face, letting his lips meet mine one more time, and with eyes still shut, he turns away.
With the back of my hands, I wipe the tears that won’t stop falling from my eyes and shift my body back towards the swarm of men who stand to fight for Tilly.
“Let them go.” I choke on my words.
Skydance nods, hand lowering for the archers to stand their ground. “We don’t want them anyway.”
The sounds of wings beat in the air, and Tilly soars on the back of her dragon towards the darkness in the distance. She glances over towards me one last time before flying off into the dark clouds that begin to block the sun.
