Because I remember how to do this. How to be the Dragon King who makes impossible choices and bears the weight of other people’s survival.
I just don’t remember how to stop.
And the bond pulls tighter with every passing second.
Chapter 24
Mara
The room smells like dust and old stone and someone’s ill-advised attempt at air freshener. Bra?ov’s answer to a safe house, apparently. Gray walls. Narrow windows. A radiator that clanks like it’s personally offended by my existence.
I should be grateful.
I’m alive. That’s… that’s more than I had any right to expect after the facility. After watching K turn a man to dust with a touch. After feeling whatever’s been keeping me upright flicker and nearly go out entirely.
But gratitude requires energy I don’t have. It’s been hours since the battle, and pain is sapping me.
I’m sitting on the edge of a narrow bed when the door opens without warning.
K fills the doorway.
Still looking like some kind of avenging angel who forgot to change out of his battle clothes. His eyes find mine immediately, and something in my chest does a painful, traitorous flip.
I knew he was close. Sensed it when the pain in my chest subsided.
“Mara.” My name in his mouth makes my stupid heart melt a little. “I need to speak with you.”
I open my mouth to respond.
“Kael.” Caleb’s voice cuts through from the hallway. Sharp. Commanding. “We need you in the briefing room. Now.”
K doesn’t move. Doesn’t even look away from me.
“In a moment.”
“This cannot wait.” Caleb steps into view behind him. All business. All dragon CEO energy despite the blood streaked on his cheek. “One of the prisoners is talking. We need your input on what he’s saying about the old strongholds. And Viktor wants to discuss extraction protocols for the other facilities—”
“Caleb.” K’s voice drops. Goes flat. “I said in a moment.”
The air between them crackles.
I force myself to stand. My legs protest. Everything protests. But I manage to stay upright through sheer spite.
“It’s fine,” I say. The words come out gruffly. “Go do your king thing.”
K’s jaw tightens. “This is more important.”
“Debatable.” I try to look less like I’m one strong breeze away from collapse. “They need you. I’m not going anywhere.”
That last part tastes like dirt.
Not going anywhere. Because I can’t. Because his fire is the only thing keeping me tethered to the land of the living, and without him close, I’ll—
What? Weaken? Die? Turn into a cautionary tale about getting too attached to ancient dragon kings with memory problems?
All of the above, probably.
K takes a step into the room. Caleb makes a frustrated sound but doesn’t follow.
