I pulled back on the Eye, drawing its magic back into me. Instead of blasting Aras with the full force, I shared it with him. We were thrown apart. Time returned to normal for me, and I was welcomed back with the sound of screams—Aras's and mine. Then there were shouts from the two Dragon kings.
“Zix!” Vaxarion cried and gathered me in his arms. “Damn you! What have you done?”
“Aras wasn't my target,” I gasped.
Vax snarled and glared at Aras. The Captain was severely burned, injured far worse than I, but he was alive. Sure, his fur was gone and his skin charred, weeping blood and otherfluids, and he whimpered pathetically, but it was better than the alternative. As I said, I fared better. The Eye had sucked back most of its power. But like a petulant child, it had struck out at me for denying it. My arm was charred and bloody up to the elbow.
“I'm all right, Vax,” I said. “Don't take it out on Aras. He was just trying to protect his lover.”
Meanwhile, that lover wept.
“Aras,” Lyrandir moaned as he cradled the Hulfrin carefully. “Oh, my love. Why? Why did you do that? I'm immune to fire.”
“Not that fire,” Aras said in a gurgling voice. “It would have killed you.”
“No, it wouldn't have. You beautiful fool.”
“Uh, yes, it would have,” I said as Vax helped me to my feet. “It would have incinerated you, and you know it. That's why you want the damn thing. Not even Dragons are immune to its fire.”
“Then how did he survive?” Lyrandir growled at me.
“My mate pulled back the magic!” Vax shouted. “You fucking moron! You pathetic asshole! My beautiful, kind, generous mate protected your barbaric lover, and your only response is to snarl about it. He risked himself for the man who once tortured him.”
“Then who is the fool?” Lyrandir demanded.
I snorted. “He's got you there.”
Aras wheezed a laugh, shocking us all.
“My love?” Lyrandir looked down at the Captain.
“You are a fucking moron,” Aras said.
“Healers!” Lyrandir shouted. “Bring me healers now!” He looked back at Aras to say, “Shh, now. You're delirious. It's the pain, but don't fret. Help is coming.”
Aras snorted and, as we watched, his skin turned pink, wounds healing, and his fur regrew.
“Dear Gods,” Lyrandir whispered.
“It looked worse than it was,” Aras said and sat up. “He truly did pull back his strike. Unfortunately, fur burns faster than skin.”
“No. Don't move.” Lyrandir pulled Aras back onto his lap. “Move slowly. Just relax here for now.”
“Ly, I'm fine.” He pushed the Dragon King's hands away and stood up. “And I'm leaving.”
“What?” Lyrandir gaped up at him.
“No one's leaving,” Vax growled. “Not before I fucking slaughter them. Then they can be carried out.”
“Shh!” I hissed at Vax. “I wanna hear this.”
“What?” Vax scowled at me, then followed my stare to the drama unfolding between the land king and his lover. “Oh. Huh.”
“Shh!” I hissed again.
Vax rolled his eyes, then took my hand, using the motion to take Ensarena's Eye from me. I grimaced at him, so heknew he wasn't fooling me. But then I was drawn back into the turbulent romance between the Hulfrin Captain and the Dragon King.
“—don't respect me,” Aras was saying. “You're not as invested in our relationship as I am. And I deserve better. I fucking demand it. So, I'm leaving. Get one of your pretty courtiers to fuck you. Just know that no one is going to drill that ass like I do.”
