Bound by Blood and Fire
Krispin
Thewitchhadvanishedagain. The clearing, the altar, looked like what the magic users of the old times used, the times of High Garden. I turned around and saw Ben kneeling beside Roarke. I quickly shifted and walked toward them, picking him up in my arms.
"He saved my life. I didn't see Atticus until it was too late. Roarke jumped in front of me and took the blade," he said crying.
I looked at Devin, who pleaded with Roarke to stay awake and live, with tears rolling down his face. I released Ben and knelt beside Roarke.
"Please save him!" Devin cried to me.
"I will do my best. This wound is done with a Marbhtach. It’s specifically used to kill dragons," I explained. Devin looked up, devastated, and I felt his despair.
"The wound may not fully heal by my magic, but perhaps I can heal him enough to stabilize him to heal naturally."
"Please try. He can't die," Devin said. Ben had moved around to him and now knelt beside him with his arm wrapped around his shoulder.
I closed my eyes, summoning the ancient power that stirred within the blood of kings. This dragon had saved my mate’s life, and I would do anything to keep him from dying. My dragon rumbled in agreement—a deep, resonant sound that shook my chest. The one who had defended our mate was no longer merely a guard or a friend—he was our brother.
I opened my eyes, feeling the golden fire burn within them. I lifted my hand, letting it shift into my dragon’s claw before slicing open my palm. Liquid gold—the blood of my line—pooled in my hand. I pressed it against Roarke’s wound, letting our blood mingle as I called upon the power that tied me to the Sacred Flame of High Garden.
“I welcome you, Roarke Dìon Rìoghail, Royal Guardian Protector of High Garden. By blood and flame, I adopt you into my caste and my line. You will forever be Roarke of the Golden Caste, Duke of Ashara, and brother to the King.”
The power surged, answering the vow. I felt the transfer of one, two, three golden scales to Roarke. They sealed the wound like molten sunlight hardening into armor. It was rare for a dragon to give a single scale; to give more was to make another family—bound by blood and flame. From this moment, Roarke would be of the Golden Caste, blessed with its strength and affinities, though only those born pure could bear the power to rule.
The sacred fire ebbed as the wound sealed. Roarke’s breathing steadied, and the light of the Golden Caste shimmered faintly beneath his skin—a mark of his new lineage.
I looked at Devin. “He will be all right. He's just in a healing sleep now. He needs rest and food when he wakes."
"Thank you. You saved my life because without him, I would have no life," he replied.
It took a lot of power to heal this wound. I looked toward Ben, and he got up and came to me, hugging me.
"I love you so much. Thank you for coming for me," he said.
"I love you too, my Cardia. I will always come for you. You are my heart."
I heard noises in the trees, and I turned to see Basil, Cameron, and Jackson coming through the them.
"Where’s Bazer?" I asked. I had shifted and flown ahead when I sensed Ben and left them to handle Bazer.
"We ran into Chieftain Tomlin. Apparently, word has spread to the gargoyle clutches that the Circle of Elders was destroyed. They’re all in disarray. He came down to investigate. We told him about Atticus and what had happened. He took charge of Bazer once we were through the protective wards of this place," Basil explained.
I nodded as I looked around. "This place needs to be cleansed, and that thing needs to be destroyed," I said as I pointed to the Marbhtach Spear.
"Take Roarke and Devin and get them back to the elder compound. Elder Sonod, go with them. I’ll take care of things here. Ben and I will meet you back at the elder compound," I ordered.
Basil and Jackson walked over to Roarke and picked him up, and they all left the area. I went and picked up the spear and brought it over to the altar. I kept thinking, trying to determine who this witch of the old ways was. I needed to be diligent, as she was powerful.
"I’m going to shift, love. Get on my back, then I’ll cleanse this circle," I told Ben. He nodded to me, but before he backed away from me, he came over and hugged me once more.
I love you, he thought.
I didn't speak or think about the words. I just opened my mind and let all my walls down, allowing him to feel my love and joy at having him back in my arms. We stood there for another minute before he backed up and I let my shift take me.
He climbed on my back, and I faced the altar, which had the spear on it. I summoned the power of the Sacred Fire once more, and blue flames shot from my mouth, incinerating the spear and the very stones of the altar. I took to the sky and circled the clearing, letting the fire flow from my mouth, cleansing the area.
My thoughts turned back to the witch. Something was bothering me about her, and I didn't know what. I had never closed off my thoughts to Ben, and he heard them.
