Page 61 of Heartflame

When Aeron finished, Thaddeus was quiet for a long moment, swirling his brandy thoughtfully.

“Necromancy,” he finally said, his voice carrying the weight of dark history. “I had hoped never to see that particular magic resurface in my lifetime.”

“That’s what Wild said,” I found myself speaking up. “He mentioned it hadn’t been used since the dark ages.”

Thaddeus turned those intense golden eyes toward me, and I had to resist the urge to shrink back into the sofa. “You’re correct, Mr. Aster. Necromancy was expunged from our world deliberately, its practitioners hunted down and eliminated. The fact that someone has managed to resurrect it suggests either incredible power or access to knowledge that should have been destroyed.”

“My mother has always been resourceful,” Wild said quietly from where he stood near the fireplace. “And she’s had centuries to plot. It’s possible she had contingencies in place, but we think someone helped her.”

Thaddeus nodded slowly. “That’s what concerns me most. Wilderain, I need you to contact the other members of the Elder Council. We need to convene an emergency session. This situation has escalated beyond what we initially thought we were dealing with.”

“Already on it,” Wild assured him, pulling out a small crystal orb from his pocket. “I’ll have messages sent immediately.”

As Wild moved away to send his messages, I felt Aeron’s hand find mine between us on the cushions of the sofa. His thumb traced gentle circles across my knuckles, and I was grateful for the anchor. Being in this room with Elder Thaddeus, surrounded by the weight of centuries of power and responsibility, made everything feel suddenly very real. It was beginning to dawn on me just how much I didn’t understand about the world I’d stepped into by being Aeron’s mate. My family were potion makers, and I didn’t wield any incredible magic or have anything truly unique about me at all. Aeron, on the other hand, was one of the most unique and rare creatures in the entire world with a family as well connected as one possibly could be.

I felt ridiculously out of place.

“Quill,” Thaddeus said, and I was startled to hear him use my first name. “Wilderain tells me you were at Widdershins when the breach occurred. That you were instrumental in helping my grandson escape.”

I felt heat rise to my cheeks. “I didn’t do much,” I protested. “I mostly just tried not to get killed.”

“Don’t sell yourself short,” Aeron said, squeezing my hand. “Red was brave. He kept a clear head when everything was falling apart. And he definitely helped save me when that woman was attacking us.”

Thaddeus studied me again, and I had the distinct impression he was seeing far more than I wanted him to. “A witch with a level head and the courage to stand against the undead. Those are valuable qualities, especially in a mate bond.” He paused, taking a deliberate sip of his brandy. “I assume you understand what it means to be bonded to a dragon?”

My mouth went dry. “Aeron mentioned it briefly,” I admitted. “But I’m not entirely sure I understand the full implications.”

“The mate bond is one of the most sacred connections in our world,” Thaddeus explained, his tone taking on an almost professorial quality. “It transcends species, transcends politics and hierarchy. When a dragon recognizes their mate, it’s with the understanding that this person is their other half. Their soulmate, if you will. They will never find another.”

I risked a glance at Aeron and found him watching me intently, his expression open in a way it rarely was.

“For a dragon, the bond means commitment for life,” Thaddeus continued. “It means protection, provision, and an unwavering devotion that supersedes all other relationships. Even if the mate should die, the one left behind remains true to them forever. They will never love another the way they loved their mate.”

“What about for the witch?” I asked quietly, because that seemed like the important question. “What does it mean for me?”

Thaddeus’s expression softened slightly. “That, I suspect, is something you and Aeron will have to discover together. The bond affects each species differently. But I can tell you that you will feel it, a pull toward him that may seem overwhelming at times. A sense that he is where you’re meant to be. You might even be able to share your magic someday.” He smiled. “But that is a long way off. Aeron is still very young and not fully mature yet in his abilities.”

“Grandfather…” Aeron groaned, looking suddenly uncomfortable. “I’m eight-five. I’m an adult.”

I gasped audibly. “Eighty-five?!” I looked up at Aeron, my jaw practically on the ground.

“Yes, barely an adult by dragon standards,” Thaddeus nodded, a smile on his face. “Our kind can live almost indefinitely if we are careful.”

Indefinitely. The word echoed in my mind as the reality sank in. Not only was Aeron old enough to be my grandfather, but he would live for hundreds, if not thousands of years. And I’d be around for what? A hundred if I was lucky?

The weight of that knowledge settled over me like a heavy blanket, suffocating in its implications. Aeron would outlive me by centuries. He would watch me grow old while he remained in his prime. He would mourn me long after I was gone, bound to my memory for eternity.

“Red?” Aeron’s voice pulled me back from the spiral of my thoughts. His hand tightened around mine, and I realized I’d gone rigid beside him. “You okay?”

I wasn’t okay. But I also wasn’t about to have a complete breakdown in front of two members of the Elder Council. I forced myself to take a breath, to plaster on something that resembled composure.

“Just processing,” I managed, though my voice sounded hollow even to my own ears.

Thaddeus watched this exchange with those penetrating golden eyes, and I had the distinct impression that he saw right through my attempt at composure. But to his credit, he didn’t push. Instead, he set down his brandy glass and leaned back in his chair.

“There is much you both have to learn,” he said thoughtfully. “But that is a conversation for another time. Right now, we have more pressing concerns.” He turned his attention to Wild and Atlas, who had positioned themselves near the fireplace. “What news from the Council?”

“They’re gathering now,” Wild reported. “Elias is coordinating with the others to ensure everyone can attend safely. Given the circumstances, they’re willing to convene immediately.”