“Not in as many words,” Braxton admitted. “But his feelings were clear.”
“You were able to connect with him,” I realized while his mentor stepped closer, seeming more interested than anyone else.
Braxton stopped before the window, dragging both hands over his face.
“The connection was not as strong as what I have with the others. It also took most of my energy to even break through to him, but yes, we connected.” His voice vanished for a moment; his gaze seemingly lost in the city that lay beyond. A certain heaviness fell on him. “Azazel showed me the first time he felt me. The day he found my mom by the lake, after hearing my heartbeat…”
Ache spread along my chest at the memory his words created, and I knew I wasn’t the only one feeling that. Imogen, Kingston, Willow, and I exchanged a concerned glance. We all remembered how life-changing it was the first time we connected with our Dragons, the instant we became their soulmates.
Turning around, Braxton faced me, visible pain slicing his being.
“He knew right there who I was, Evie. He recognized the Devenish magic in me and claimed me as his soulmate. And I can’t accurately describe the intensity of the love I felt coming from him in that moment…” He shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest as though it would protect him from experiencing the pain again. “There was so much anguish too, and shame for everything he’s been forced to do. He’s a Zombie. No longer in control of himself.”
“A zombie?” Imogen asked, confused like we were.
“Half dead,” Braxton explained. “He’s emaciated. And I could tell he hasn’t been healthy for a long time. His skin is no longer leathery and thick, instead it is peeling and coming apart. His muscles are gaunt, bones protruding from his body and making him look like a skeleton. Even his energy is dark. I tried to clear it with mine, but Raithian’s reach was strong, and I ran out of magic. It would take far too much to bring him back, and even if I was in full control of my ability, I don’t think it’s possible. Not after all these years under his command.”
It hurt to admit it because I wanted to help him, I wanted to make his hurt disappear, but I couldn’t imagine how he felt right now, and what he was going through. Braxton had a completely different relationship than we all did with those magnificent creatures. They were his family, they shared a bond of blood, and this incident had sliced open a part of him.
“You were right.” My mate’s attention shifted to Imogen’s. “There are some things we can’t come back from. For him, this is it… And he tried. He really tried to break the hold, to come back to me. He fought—” His voice broke, muscles tensing along his jaw and arms while he forced a steeling breath down his throat. “Azazel is his. It’s done.”
“I’m so sorry,” I offered, walking to his side, not truly knowing what else to say that could help him.
“Thank you,” he whispered, pulling me against his chest, and pressing his forehead to mine. “I just couldn’t… I couldn’t help him.”
“It is not you who failed,” Kingston assured, stepping closer. “Raithian is too powerful. The hold he formed over Azazel has had far too much time to strengthen.”
“At this point, I think the only way to break that bond is to remove the magic that imprisons him all together,” Imogen mused.
“Killing the Warlock King,” I concluded, seeing her nod.
“With pleasure,” Braxton growled, and I dragged a soothing hand along his arm, trying to give him comfort.
“You said Azazel fought to connect fully with you, but Raithian’s hold was too strong?” I watched my mate nod, sending worry to swirl in my gut. “If Raithian felt you attempting to break him free, then he knows you tried to take Azazel from him.”
“He’s going to torture him again,” Braxton breathed, his hands fisting at both sides like he wanted to rip the Warlock’s head off with his own two hands.
“Raithian is going to punish Azazel for defying him again… and attack you in the process,” Kingston added, my fear for Braxton capturing his features, and spreading onto both Imogen and Willow.
We all exchanged unnerved glances. I was not ready or willing to experience that again. Braxton had almost died the last time.
“Can you do something to stop him?” I asked, causing Braxton’s gaze to fall to his hand.
A horrified breath escaped me when I followed his gaze. A halo of angry red and burned skin surrounded the Dragon ring, proving how significantly he’d pulled energy from the crystals while trying to help Azazel.
“I’m fine,” he assured, covering the injured finger with his other hand until golden threads engulfed it, yet his light was much duller than normal. It was just enough to cure the burns, but he was drained of magic after what he endured. “It will take a while before Azazel enters the Hollow, when he does, I’ll be ready to intervene.”
“You can’t face Raithian like this or withstand another attack. You need rest,” I insisted, knowing it would be different if he wasn’t so exhausted.
“He’ll be rested,” Imogen assured. “We have at least three hours before Azazel reaches his destination.” Turning, she focused on my best friend. “Willow, please bring us an extra strong dose of your restoring juice.”
“Better make it two doses,” Kingston added, palpably concerned.
“Of course,” she offered, and with a small nod she turned to me. “His bath is ready, and I added a few herbs to the water. They will help with muscle tension.”
“Thank you, Willow,” Braxton replied, beginning to unbuckle his arm shield.
Reaching for his hand, I pulled off the ring. “You need respite from this too.”
