“Go away,” Rian whispered. “I can't take any more of your torture, spirit.”
“Spirit? I'm not dead.”
Rian screamed and flung himself upright, his back bowing. Then the scream turned into a roar and his face shifted, muscles bulging. The cell was too small for him to transform fully, but he went part way, then came barreling at me. I jerked back as Rian slammed into the bars, his clawed hands reaching through them for me. A monster. Terrifying. Grotesque. Half covered in scales, with horns sprouting from his head. I'd never seen anything like it. But all my soul saw was the man I loved, and he had never been more beautiful.
“Not dead,” Rian snarled. “No, not dead. Just gone. Gone. Out of reach.” His hand dropped as if to display the fact, and his eyes closed on another sob. “Out of reach forever. Go away. You're just a figment of my imagination. Not real. Stop tormenting me.”
“That's it,” I muttered and slid a key into the lock.
“Galin!” Geris rushed forward.
The key didn't work. It was the wrong one. I pulled it out and tried another. Geris's hand went to the keyring.
“Don't!” I shoved him away.
Vashana got between us and growled at the Dragon.
“I know how to help my mate,” I said. “Now, get out, Geris.”
“The fuck I will!”
“Thank you for fetching me.” I tried another key. No luck. “You're right. I'm an asshole. But I was also ignorant. Focusedon my own shit. Now, I see the truth. I'll help him, I'll do whatever it takes, but you need to let me do it my way.”
“He'll tear you apart and then, when he realizes what he's done, he'll kill himself!”
“He will not hurt me,” I said firmly. “Not even an illusion of me. Now, go.”
Geris crossed his arms and stayed put. Behind him stood Rian's guards.
“Suit yourselves,” I muttered.
The lock clicked.
Everyone went still, especially Rian.
“Stay, Vash,” I said to her as I slipped inside the cell.
Rian spun. His stare found mine. I closed the cell door. Rian's stare went to it, then to me. I undid the clasp of my cloak and let it slide to the floor. Next went my wing scarf. That burning, pale green gaze followed the fall of the scarf. Then it swung back to my face. His shoulders bunched. He scented the air. My wings fluttered nervously.
“It's me,” I said. “I'm here. Geris fetched me from Umelamo.”
“Umelamo,” Rian said. He stepped forward. “My mate is in Umelamo. He left me.”
I couldn't hold back my tears any longer. Geris was right. This was my fault. I had let Rian scare me. Instead of standing up to him, as I knew I could, I had let his dragon bully me, then ran away. So stupid. All I had to do was tell him to stop. Even his dragon would have listened. But no. I allowed him to treat melike that, then blamed him entirely for it. I forgot to trust in Rian. Rian, who always made sure I was all right. Who did everything he could to see to my comfort and needs. Who loved me.
And all it had taken was one word for me to forsake him.
Master.
Just a word. A stupid word that he didn't mean. Seeing him there, haunted and hurt, showed me the truth of my mate. He would sooner torture himself than hurt me in even the smallest way. He never wanted to enslave me. He freed me. He imprisoned himself here, knowing without a doubt that he would never see me again and never rule again. Rian gave up his kingdom for me. Not to have me, but to keep me safe. He gave up his sanity and his health. His whole fucking life. Everything.
“It can't be you,” Rian said. “Can't be. My jewel is gone. Lost.” He lifted his hands, hands I'd always seen as strong, and even though they were bestial now, they trembled. “I cracked my jewel.” His voice dropped into a gut-wrenching lament, “I hurt my mate.”
“No, you didn't.” I rushed to him. “I mean, yes, you hurt me, but it was not entirely your fault.” I laid my hand on his misshapen arm.
Rian went still. His stare locked on my hand. Slowly, he bent his head and nuzzled my wrist. Then he jerked. His stare found mine. “No. Can't be you.” He flung back his head and roared. “Can't be!” Spinning away from me, he slammed into the wall, then pounded his horned head into it.
“Rian!” I ran to him as Vashana barked. “Stop, Vash! Rian! Rian, no!” I grabbed him by his massive shoulders and yanked with all my might. Then I added Air Magic to it.
