An echoing moment of silence as the rubies scanned my mind, memories, and power. They sifted through it all, weighing everything that I was and would be, and I felt it … the moment they let me go.
The stone shimmered around me, and I sucked in a deep breath.
The first I had taken in a long time.
Cool breezes washed over my skin; the first indication that I was no longer a prisoner of the stone.
Your sacrifices are noted, and your strength is admirable. Jacob is a match for you, and we welcome him into our power. He is bonded to the lands. We are bonded to you both.
I took another deep breath, over and over, letting the air fill my lungs. A song drifted on the breeze around me, and as my ears worked, the song grew louder.
My song. The one Jacob sang to me.
It drew me from the darkness, allowed me to return to the world of the living.
“Ouch,” I choked out, trying to move.
My body hurt like a motherfucker, but I was grateful to feel anything at all. Being numb and so close to death was no way to live. It did allow me to understand my family better now, even if I’d only experienced a tiny portion of what they had. It was enough to know that what they’d been through was no small sacrifice.
With each breath, energy flooded into me, the strength of the rubies rejuvenating my broken body.
Thank you,I said, finally finding the strength to open my eyes.
The song was almost deafening now, trailing across the field of rubies and filling my chest with a deep emotion. A dragon was curled protectively around me, and I blinked at the sight of Jacob’s beast. Part of the warmth that filled my body was from him, the heat that had helped me step away from death. When I lifted a heavy hand to place it on my mate, his eyes snapped open, the long neck lifting so his huge face was above mine.
Mate.
Our bond was strong, humming between us, filling me with strength.
Both of our energies were tinted with ruby power … even Jacob’s.
We were the true leaders of this land.
A huge drop landed on my cheek and I saw that the dragon had shed a tear, another running along his scaled snout. It broke my heart to know that I'd almost left him here alone.
"I love you," I said, reaching up to place a hand against his nose. "I'm sorry I scared you."
Warm air hugged across my face, and I was pretty sure that was a dragon reprimand for doing more than scaring me. His tongue flicked out, licking my cheek.
My sweet dragon.
He turned and moved far enough away that he had room to shift back. Clothing wrapped around him as he did, and I blinked at this new change. He hadn’t been able to do that before, right?
It was painful pushing myself up, but as more energy flooded into me, I knew I’d be as good as new in no time. The cuts from the talisman might take longer to heal than from a regular blade, but in the end the rubies would restore me to full health.
"Justice," Jacob rumbled, his arms around me as he helped me into a sitting position. "Baby, you scared the absolute fuck out of me." His voice was hoarse, and my heart hurt again at the pain I'd caused him. If the roles were reversed, I would have lost my mind.
"You got me here," I told him, hugging him tightly. "You did everything to save me, even offering to sacrifice yourself so that I may live."
He pulled away, examining me. "How do you know that?"
The rubies told me. They heard it all. They honor your sacrifices and instead, decided that you are worthy.
Jacob’s relief was palpable. "I can feel them now, in my energy … in the elemental power. The two work very well together."
He kissed me gently, like he couldn't stop himself from touching me any longer, and the pressure that had been building behind my eyes broke free. I'd almost died and lost the chance to ever touch him again.
Thank you! Thank you! Thank you!
