A chill goes down my back. It’s the very first storm I’m witnessing in Ekios. My heart races in my chest.
The dragon in the middle I recognize once it’s closer. It’s Kitajo’s big, beautiful creature. It roars again and circles the sky above us.
Once the monks finish reciting the words in the old tongue, the dragon roars and slowly glides down. When its strong legs land on the platform, the whole mountain shakes. The rest of the dragons follow, landing on the boulders of the mountain behind the platform.
Their intelligent eyes watch the crowd.
I don’t have to use my ability to know that this creature is grieving, more than all of us combined.
Kitajo’s dragon growls and snaps its sharp teeth at the monks. Despite the hostility, they don’t fear the creature. With respectful bows, they retreat and descend down the stairs to join the nobles at the bottom.
The Taaslord lingers for a moment longer. The General’s dragon approaches the altar and brings its snout dangerously close to Noire’s face. It exhales, warm breath tickling even my cheeks.
The Taaslord reaches a hand. My breath hitches. But the dragon doesn’t reject Noire as he places his palm on the dragon’s snout and whispers words I can’t catch.
After, Noire turns and leaves the dragon with the General’s corpse. The Taaslord descends halfway down the staircase before turning back to face the platform.
I have no clue what’s going on. But my heart bleeds when the dragon curls its long, large body around the altar, as if the creature is trying to protect the man lying on top. Head angled towards the cloudy sky, the dragon releases another roar.
The grief-stricken song pierces right through me. Tears spring to my eyes. I’m overwhelmed with grief and sadness I don’t think belongs to me. I swallow, my heart tearing in half.
With one last breath, the dragon rests its large head on top of the altar, protectively over the General’s legs. When the creature’s eyes close, it’s for the last time.
The dragon dies together with the Decarios they’re bonded with.
The dragons perched behind us roar, a symphony honoring one of their kind who has fallen. When the roars die down, the dragons face the altar and torch the General and the dragon resting on it in white flames.
My cheeks heat, eyes burning. But I don’t flinch. Don’t turn away.
I only realize I’m crying when I taste salt on my lips.
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
PHOENIX
The heartache from witnessing the dragon’s life dim next to the General’s still lingers, even as Daegel and I return to his estate after a long day.
Despite the emotional distance, despite not talking much on the way back to Jaakii, Daegel has been kind. He showers me with soft kisses when we get a moment, and holds my hand affectionately in the carriage.
He doesn’t have to say a word. I know he’s there for me.
With a sigh, I enter the reception room and yelp. A fae stands by the fireplace, a glass of whiskey in hand. His face, the eyes… It’s as if I’m looking at Daegel from the future.
“You’re oka—” Daegel’s words die on his lips the moment he enters the room and notices our guest. “Father. What are you doing here?”
Daegel’s father disregards his son.
“So.” He eyes me head to toe, evaluating. “You’re the human woman my son’s been obsessed with.”
What does one say to that?
“Good evening, sir. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you,” I say, as pleasantly as I can.
This is the father of the man I love. Even if I don’t trust him due to his criminal ties, I want him to like me. I hate it, but it’s true.
He hums, as if lost in thought. Then, his coal eyes turn to Daegel. “A word. In private.”
Daegel plants a kiss on my temple and whispers, “I’ll be right back.”
