“Should I call for Julian?” she asked, her voice edged in panic.
I smiled at her. “No, I just need sleep,” I whispered. She tried to smile, but her concern overpowered her every expression. My eyes closed, and I fell into darkness.
Chapter 39
Zara
The shimmering barrier formed just in time. The castle's stone walls began to tremble and crack, chunks of debris crashing to the ground as Xavier transformed into a giant winged beast.
I could feel the heat emanating from him as raw power radiated outwards.
It was a sight both terrifying and remarkable. Iridescent scales shimmered in the dim light and refracted off the crumbling stone around us. Claws emerged, and his eyes became blazed with an untamed fury. My breath caught in my throat as wings unfurled from his body, their span brushing against the crumbling walls and sending more shards of stone flying.
I pressed closer to Julian, who was now at my side, my mouth open as I took in the towering beast before me. I was speechless; I knew he was a shapeshifter, but…this…this was terrifying and beautiful. I was grateful for the protective shield as the stone fell like rain over our heads.
The others who had been walking in sprinted for cover, casting shields for protection.
Xavier had launched himself into the sky, the powerful beats of his wings sending a gust of wind through the entryway. I watched in fascination as he ascended, a dark silhouette against the sky as a roar escaped him. The sound was deafening, and it shook the very foundations of the castle. I stumbled, but Julian held me upright as we watched him fly away.
Hours had passed, and the thought of Morgana reclaiming power in Nexia—taking control of an entire territory—twisted my gut in disgust.
Commotion in the entryway had drawn my attention from where I had been pacing in the ballroom. Aria’s griffin Agatha had arrived, carrying an unconscious Aria across her back. Blood ran down Aria’s legs, mingled with bright green pus—Daka poison. The griffin's frantic cries filled the air, her screams and whines echoing as Julian and Jaxon rushed down the stairs to help.
Julian and Gunnar were able to stop the poison, and her injuries had thankfully been easy to heal. Jaxon had taken her to his room, shadowing her there when she was healed enough to be moved.
Agatha, her griffin, had stormed into the castle, awkwardly climbing stairs to find her. The love and loyalty her griffin showed her was touching, and I had helped lead her to Jaxon's room. She had glared and tried to snap at me when I approached but realized…finally… that I was trying to help and only huffed, letting me pass and show her the way.
Theo and Dedra had taken off immediately, and Julian had sent owls to alert their villages and armies about what had happened. All I could do was wait for news, and the uncertainty was driving me insane. Two days had passed, and there still were no updates from Xavier or anyone else.
I cursed at the situation. The meeting with Morgana was tomorrow, and I couldn’t help but think this was planned.Morgana set the meeting time and place and had pulled this bullshit days before. But why?
As I paced in Xavier's room, I tried to figure out her next moves and think of ways to help. I had been doing this since he left: pacing and thinking. I felt useless.
It was almost midnight, and a noise in the hallway stopped my racing thoughts. I ran to the door and swung it open, finding Xavier naked and limping down the hallway. He looked like he was about to fall to his knees at the sight of me, and the relief and emotions his eyes held as they met mine shattered my heart.
I looped my arm around him, helping him to the bed.
His body was so hot that my skin, where it touched his, turned red from the heat.
I could feel his emotions. They overwhelmed me as he cupped my face, his eyes barely open as he smiled softly at me.
“Should I call for Julian?” My voice sounded panicked, and I tried to mask it.
“No, just sleep.” His voice was hoarse, and I couldn’t hide my concern, not when he looked and sounded like this.
His eyes shut, his hand falling from my face, and I immediately ran to find Julian.
Julian told me Xavier had been near burnout, which happens when someone uses too much magic for long periods or too quickly without rest. It was what happened to Dedra when she got injured that day in Moonhollow.
Julian assured me he would be fine, but my worry didn’t subside. I barely got any rest and had stayed up most of the night making sure he was still breathing. Julian had given him a tonic to help expedite his recovery and told me he would give him another one tomorrow as well.
I awoke to Xavier shifting beside me. I opened my eyes to see him looking at me, a smile on his lips as he pulled me into his chest. We stayed like that for a long time, not speaking.
“I was afraid,” I whispered, my voice muffled by his chest.
“I know,” he whispered back.
“We have to see her today,” I breathed, and Xavier hugged me tighter against him.
