merely enchanted, not sentient. The burst of energy that came from the pearls magic sent me upward.
“ZEPHYROS!!!!!!” I screamed so hard my voice gave out, and I collapsed to the ground of the new protective orb. Then I watched her body sink, her face slowly consumed by liquid fire until she was gone.
Zephyros: “Serving you has been my honor…friend.”
I was not worthy of that word.
“NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!” “Please no!!” “Zephyros!!!!!” I
sobbed psychotically; this was all my fault. The beautiful, unique dragon—my friend—was gone.
All I could do was look down and hope that my friend would resurface. In my heart, I knew she was gone.
I felt the connection we had in my mind go silent and cold.
The anguish, the grief— all I could do was scream and cry.
When I surfaced, Draxxinar swooped low to grab me by his talons, cradling me in his claws so sweetly, as if he already knew. He flew steadily and set me down gently at the base of the mountain before he landed nearby.
Titus fast traveled to me and collected my trembling body in arms that felt like iron.
Frantic, he began to say, “Thank the Guardians you are alive! But how?... my shield!”
“My pearls, they had a onetime protection enchantment on them, I used it, but I couldn’t save her! She’s dead because of me!” I interrupted and sobbed into his chest.
Just then his hand felt the blade sheathed at my hip. “You…you got it?” He asked with noticeable shock.
I pushed against his chest with my palms so he would put me down. He obeyed my nonverbal command and looked at me questionably. I withdrew the dagger and tossed it at his feet.
My hands trembled and my eyes were swollen and puffy. My skin was hot and red from the unforgiving heat, and through clenched teeth, I spoke, "take it, and end this, don’t let her death be for nothing."
CHAPTER 37
Burn
DELILAH
Ihurt all over. My heart was broken. I felt sick to my stomach knowing we had just left her body behind to be forever entombed in Mount Orid until it completely disintegrated into nothing—like she never existed. She deserved better than that. She deserved a proper burial, something with respect and dignity. She had died for me and called it destiny. All I’d wanted was her friendship, and I’d gotten her killed. I would carry this guilt forever. That I knew for sure.
We landed outside the main gates of the castle, and I quickly dismounted with the help of Drax, using his wing like a ramp.
Titus held the dagger, studying it with measured curiosity. He shifted his grip, careless for just a second, and the blade kissed his skin.
A bead of blood surfaced instantly. He hissed softly. “Delilah, you did it! We actually stand a chance now!” He said.
The tone of his voice was too joyous for my sour mood. It rubbed me the wrong way. I ignored him—not entirely on purpose. I think I was still processing everything.
He fast traveled, blocking my path right in front of me. “The dragon died yes, but she may have saved the lives of all the fire dragons in the realm, not to mention hundreds of thousands of Fae.” He explained matter-of-factly, and my fists clenched.
“The dragon had a name, Zephyros, and she wasn’t just a dragon, she wasn’t just a pet or soldier or a means of transportation like you see them, she was my friend, so sorry I don’t feel like celebrating right now.”
“You feel deeply for the dragons, I’m ..sorry,” he uttered.
I blinked. An apology from Titus landed like a foreign object in my chest—awkward, sharp, and too late.
The words were so unfamiliar to him that they didn’t even come out fluidly. “Let’s get some rest, tomorrow we need to figure out where Eloria might be hidden.”
We both mounted Draxxinar and we flew back to Embris. I didn’t speak to him the entirety of the flight.
