I laid a hand on my stomach, feeling Myel’s destroyed bowels, and let my healing flow. I sent it into myself, then through the bond to Myel. I expected it to be difficult… but it wasn’t. Lhorine had said our bond ran deep, solid. I felt that true connection now.
Myel’s pain eased as his innards mended.
And so I went, healing Myel’s injuries through our bond.I had no clue how he’d experience this, but it didn’t matter, as long as I could help him.
Izzy? Is that you?
Myel’s voice seemed distant, but I heard his tenuous call.
Yes, Myel, I’m here.
How?The hope and pain in his voice shredded my soul. This wasn’t a physical pain anymore. This was the pain of speaking to his beloved but not being able to be with her. A pain I shared in equal part.
I spent the day learning about bonds. I… I used that to reach out to you, heal you.
Oh Spirits, Izzy, thank you, you are… you’re a miracle!
I smiled softly, the tears I’d shed in pain not that long ago cold on my cheeks.
I… may be able to do more…but I was exhausted, even more so after healing Myel from a distance. I could barely move, every muscle ached with deep fatigue.
“Koar,” I called softly.
“I’m here mistress, what’s wrong?” The dragon’s voice was closer than I’d expected. A large hand took one of mine, lifting it to enfold it in both of his. Koar was already next to me? He must have heard me crying and come to see why.
“I’m with Myel, through our bond, but… I need more. I can do more, but I need your help yet again. I’m so sorry to ask.” I was still floating in a place beyond my body, connected to Myel, my eyes clamped shut. But I knew Koar would help.
“You need energy?”
“Yes, lots… and… I’m sorry, but… this may get… awkward, intimate. Will you… will you stay by me and help me through this?”
He gulped, then sighed. “Yes mistress, whatever you need, as I promised.”
God! I’d never known anyone so willing to do anything and everything for me. Even Vyns had kept some distance between us at the start. But Koar had been one hundred percent devoted from the get-go.
“Thank you.”
We quickly performed the ritual which siphoned his energy into me, for the third time in less than a day. The man was a deep well of energy, always willing to give. That was dragons for you. And when his life force filled me, rejuvenated me, I delved even deeper into my bond with Myel. I had the energy to seek the metaphysical barrier between us, the thinnest of veils in a realm of soul and spirit… then I crashed through it, into Myel’s very essence.
My awareness expanded.
Koar’s hand still enveloped mine, giving energy as I needed it, close and comforting. Yet all of that felt far away, my physical body a memory. It was spirit and raw life essence which dominated this place. Reality shifted, feelings became physical. Myel’s love for me was a heated breath coasting over my skin. Except I didn’t have skin, I was a soul made substantial.
And so was Myel
“Izzy?”
No longer did his voice sound like it came from a great distance. He was right here with me. His spirit shifted and formed into a glowing manifestation of his body, which was somehow even more real than his true physical form. He seemed… taller, back straighter, dark soulful eyes shining brighter. This was Myel as he was meant to be, without an entire life of oppression having ground him down. And God, he was even more gorgeous than usual. He usually kept his hair short, but here his dark locks were long, floating behind him, like some story-book faerie prince, dashing and proud and…
…did I mention clothes didn’t seem to be a thing in this strange place of spirit, so he was stark naked.
And so was I, I realized, as I looked down to see my own spirit form.
Myel looked around with wonder.
“What is this place? How did we get here?” The joyous smile on his face warmed my heart. I couldn’t wait any longer and rushed to him. And as I’d hoped, even though this place wasn’t physical, his presence still soothed me. He wrapped strong arms around me, and his love flowed through me, peace easing the tension in my not-body.
“This is our bond,” I breathed as I held him tight. “Lhorine told me tales of bondmates of old who shared a connection so profound they could meet in a realm of spirit or essence or whatever. So I sought that out and broke through the last of our barriers to find you.”
