Recalling Bryce’s advice, I shaped my thoughts with silent words.If we lose, Fairfax will kill Azeron. Please, Myth, don’t let him die.
Myth surged forward. In my bones, I felt him pushing, tearing for the finish line like it was his own life on the line. My emotions swirled like a snowstorm inside me, but Myth’s fierce determination crowded them out until all I felt was a pulsing throb that ricocheted between fear and fury. The beating of my dragon’s heart became my own, and somehow, I knew there was more to our bond than I’d realized. He was afraid, and he was mad. He’d always been trying to cheer me up, but not this time. This time, he was letting me in, showing me something about him I’d never known. Tears streamed from my eyes from the biting wind.
My dragon’s fury won out, and in a lurch that stole my breath, Myth cut under Azeron, then banked up, cutting him off.
A howl tore from Rush’s throat. “Ari!”
The bridge sailed below us as we crossed the finish line just ahead of Rush.
Relieved sobs broke from my mouth and I crashed against Myth, wanting to remember this feeling forever.
But as he slowed, catching a breeze and banking up over the buildings, I heard a gunshot. Ice formed in my gut as I whipped my head around. The crowd had scattered, fleeing into side streets. Two more gunshots rent the night.
On the bridge that marked the finish line, Azeron lay sprawled, neck splayed at the wrong angle over the railing. The blue dragon was breathing, but he was clearly in pain. Rush,however, lay on the ground beside him, still. Blood was pooling on the stones.
My scream was swallowed by Myth’s low growl. The remaining crowd scattered as he slammed to the ground. I tore at the straps on my legs, but my hands were shaking so badly I couldn’t undo the knots.
“No. No…” I muttered as I ripped at the leather straps, eyes darting over Azeron and Rush.
No one moved.
Finally, agonizingly, the saddle released me and I crashed to the bridge, ankles jarring from the impact. Scrambling, half-stumbling, I moved toward Rush.
There was so much blood.
The duke stepped forward and eyed his son. A man behind him held the long barrel of a rifle over one arm.
“You!” I shouted. “You killed him!”
The duke held my stare without an ounce of pity or sorrow. “I told him I would if he lost.” He turned on his heel and marched away.
“No!” I shrieked, falling to my knees beside Rush. Rush had lied. He’d lied and he was dead and I hadn’t known what winning would do. It was my fault.
Myth snuffled along Rush’s shirt.
My breaths came violently, and I could feel the darkness creeping in, my vision starting to fade at the edges. I braced my hands against Rush’s chest.
“Myth!” I called, reaching for him. I tugged his face down over Rush. “Save him. I know you can.” I didn’t care if Myth showed his flame; if it would save Rush, it was worth it.
Myth let a single spark fly from his mouth. Small enough that I wasn’t certain who saw it. It landed on Rush’s chest, settling over the bullet wound, and, to my surprise, dissolved into his flesh with a smallhiss.
Vanya loweredherself slowly beside me. Prescott took a knee, a hand cupped to his mouth, his eyes red and watery. Clarence, fingers linked on top of his head, stood behind him. They hadn’t fled, and for that I loved them. I fell against Rush’s chest, and I sensed the faintest thump beneath my ear.
Rush’s eyes peeled open.
“Wait,” Prescott said, reaching forward. “He’s alive!”
I gasped and looked down at Rush. Then I squeezed my eyes shut. If he didn’t stop bleeding, he wouldn’t be alive long.
The duke turned around.
Saints.
Everyone’s attention turned to the duke as he stormed toward us. Merlon Fairfax also stepped onto the bridge from the opposite side, glaring at the duke.
“Tell the people to leave,” the duke’s deep voice said. His men raised their long-barreled rifles and shooed the crowd away. It took less than a minute for the crowd to disperse.
“You too,” one of the duke’s men said to Vanya, Prescott, and Clarence, who hopped up from beside Rush and hurried reluctantly away. “Not you.” The man’s rifle smacked me in the stomach as I got to my feet. Within seconds, I was alone with the duke and his men.
