I opened my mouth, but nothing came out.
He searched my face. Waiting. But the ringing in my ears and the still bodies around us swallowed any words before they could form.
“I love you,” he said, strained. “But I cannot stand beside you when you treat me like I’m yours to spend. I’d give my life as I am, not live half of one because you chose it for me.”
With a shake of his head, he turned on his heel and walked away.
The cave fell silent aside from my ragged breathing. With a final, disappointed look in my direction, Hoshiko followed Brenton.
I stared at the two hatchlings. At the dulled eggs that carried tiny bodies that would never move again.
My chest felt like it was splitting in two.
Outside the cave, humans shouted, and I followed them out with Everly beside me, a quiet but supportive hand on my back. A young dragon, maybe a hundred years of age, lay thrashing near the mouth of the cave with blood pooling beneath a shattered limb. Her cries ripped through the thick air.
Kassidy raced toward her, dropping to her knees beside Callan.
“We have to put her down, Kass,” he said, his tone gentle and dagger already unsheathed.
Grief washed over her face, and she swept a tear aside before she nodded. She cradled the young dragon’s face in her hands, whispering soothing words as if comfort might hide what came next.
“Wait,” I whispered, voice hoarse. I spoke louder, clearer. “Wait. Let me see if I can help her.”
Sorrow echoed across Willow’s expression, and she shook her head. “Her limb is beyond repair. Killing her is the only mercy we can offer her.”
The small dragon lifted her head weakly. Her pain was unmistakable, but in those bright blue eyes, hope burned. Fierce and wild. I touched her face, trailing my hand across the smooth scales.
“Can I at least try?” I asked Kassidy.
The dragon dug her face against my palm, the same way I’d seen dragons do to their riders. Emotions caught in my throat, and I coughed to clear it.
Kassidy’s jaw tightened. “You can’t regrow limbs,” she bit out. “She isn’t a pet. Dragons are bred and trained for war. She’s a liability.”
I flinched. Not because her words didn’t ring true—they did—but it wasn’t enough.
Before I could reply, Everly’s boots crunched on the stone beside me. She unsheathed her sword in that quiet, dangerous way of hers and stepped in front of me.
“You cannot stop her from trying,” Everly said.
Callan hesitated. Kassidy didn’t. She drew her own blade.
“She’s still breathing,” I said, desperation making my words come out too loud. “She still has a chance.”
Kassidy moved first, and I drew my sword before I realized what I was doing. Our swords clashed in a sharp ring. She was fast and strong, but I was a fae warrior.
I parried, pivoted. Struck, blocked.
She grabbed a fistful of my hair and wrapped it around her arm, locking me in place. Pain erupted in my scalp.
Her breath was sharp at my ear. “You’re wasting your magic.”
I raised my sword with my free hand and sliced through my hair.
The strands fell, and I didn’t hesitate. I twisted and slammed my shoulder into her chest, driving her into the ground. I pressed my blade to the side of her neck.
“I will tend to this dragon,” I said.
Callan and the others moved in, encircling Everly and me, their weapons raised. Their number dwarfed the two of us. Willow’s binding magic hummed behind them, but she didn’t intervene.
