“Saldrea’s dungeons, yes.”
“And she’ll have way more guards down there than usual.”
“I know.”
Vyns sighed. “Okay, I just… I have no clue how we’ll free Myel in time.”
I didn’t know either. But in case Izzy was listening I said,
“We’ll find a way.”
Vyns nodded to that.
By then, we’d reached the administration building and Hana was gleefully talking to the on campus security — more dragons — explaining the situation.
“Can you walk?” I asked Izzy. If not, I’d hand her over to Vyns.
But she nodded, the motion limp and lifeless.
I was about to set her down, when she squirmed and her gaze focused on me.
“Thank you,” she whispered. “I know you want to protect me, I’m sorry I gave up so easily.”
I clamped my jaw so tight it made my cheeks twitch. This wasn’t her fault.
“We all do what we must to survive,” I whispered to her.
She nodded, then sat up a little in my arms, one hand reaching for my face. I shifted her so she could cup mycheek, then she lifted herself and kissed my other cheek softly.
“For everything you’ve done for me,” she whispered, voice weak. “From the moment you left Saldrea, you’ve never failed me. You’ve always been there for me. Thank you.”
I didn’t know what to make of this. Pride swelled and mixed with my fury, along with a deep longing and an aching sadness.
You’ve never failed me.Those were the words I’d waited to hear from the royals for over a hundred years, even though it had seemed impossible. Some part of me let go of a deep and abiding tension I’d been holding all this time.
Yet, Ihadfailed Izzy, by allowing all of this to happen. I should have protected Myel… even if it was impossible to protect two people in different places at the same time. That didn’t stop my self-recrimination.
I couldn’t quite reconcile these words from Izzy. As much as they were everything I wanted to hear, they didn’t make sense here and now.
“I…” I had no clue what to say.
Then, I lost my chance as the other dragons came to take Izzy away.
I set her down and she wobbled, barely able to walk, but she straightened her back, found some deep reserve of strength and followed them. Perhaps she was putting on a show for me, so I wouldn’t worry.
It didn’t work. I was so damn worried.
My hand drifted up to brush my cheek, where she’d kissed me. It had felt a little too… final, a good-bye kiss. My heart tore open at the permanence of it.
I’d failed.
I’d not been able to protect her.
And… I’d lost my chance to be with her. That kiss might be the only affection we ever shared. I’d denied myself up till now, which suddenly felt like the most idiotic thing in the world. At least with Mynrial, I’d had one night with her before I’d lost her, but with Izzy, I’d been so preoccupied with my duty…
And now…
I’d never be able to show her my true feelings.
