My heart plummeted to my stomach, and shock spread through my veins like icy tendrils turning my blood to sludge. "What do you mean? What happened?"
"They were fighting a dragon, and his entire party was wiped out besides him, along with another party and party leader. The dragon got away, and I think it thought he was dead because I honestly don't know how he survived it." Her voice cracked.
"How is he?"
"He's going to pull through, but it was the closest call I think we've ever had with him."
My pulse echoed in my skull as worry knotted my guts. Declan had been such a good constant friend to me for so many years. I might not have had any romantic feelings for him, but I cared about him.
"Shay's party has officially moved up to top party of the guild by default," Ash informed me. "Master Fawn, we need new members. I understand why you cut off new applicants, but we are drowning in scrolls. Now, we're down another party, and we are risking the lives of our adventurers by making them work so hard."
I took a deep breath and shook my head. "What happened with Declan's party? How did that happen?"
Ash frowned. "Declan saved a family. A mother and father with triplet newborn babies, and he distracted the dragon long enough for them to get away. It's what ended up getting his party killed, though. He suffered many wounds. I don't think he will ever be able to fight again...and Master Fawn, he's asking for you."
"I will go see him as soon as I can, but I'll make sure to call him in the morning." I shut my eyes and took another deep breath before shifting into a different mindset and opening my eyes again. "Go ahead and allow new members again, but with being accepted into the guild, they need to sign a magical contract never to betray us. That's such a simple thing that I should've done before, but I didn't."
"Don't worry. I understand why you didn't do that, but I also understand why we need it now. I will start requesting new members, and I will take care of everything."
"Thank you, Ash, and please,be careful."
"You as well." She shot me a sorrowful smile. "Spirits of Hexarium bless."
"Spirits of Hexarium bless."
The call faded out.
Jasper pulled me down against his side, and Bastian snuggled closer to me on my other side. Both of them kissed my head while the rest of the guys moved in closer.
"What was your relationship with Declan, honestly?" Silas asked.
"I care for him deeply, and I always have. He was always there for me, and I confided in him with many things. He would do anything for me. I had hoped that he didn't have romantic feelings for me, but obviously, he did. Now, I'm filled with guilt because I don't feel for him the way he feels for me."
"You should never feel required to have feelings for someone just because they have feelings for you." Silas's voice was uncharacteristically soft. "You have to follow your own heart, and you clearly have."
"We got you, love," Bastian murmured.
"Close your eyes, goddess." Jas's breath fanned against my neck.
"Get some sleep, sunshine," Cas mumbled.
"We'll handle everything in the morning, bug," Aimon assured me.
"I'll make sure we have everything we need for the mission tomorrow. Just rest," Silas said.
"Thank you, guys. I can't tell you how much that means to me..." My body's exhaustion levels hit a dead end--emotionally, physically, and magically.
I fell asleep surrounded by my five bonded mages, and I couldn't help but feel like this was why I was cursed to begin with. So I could live long enough to meet them.
9
FAWN
Emperor Lloyd'sexpression reminded me of a constipated lava lizard. His brows sloped downward, adding wrinkles to his face as he scowled.
His brown eyes blazed with irritation. "We cannot leave him there. Youheardhis distress call."
"We also can't leave the monsters afflicted with this potion rampaging the world if we can stop it," I snapped at the emperor.
