by Hope Hart
“I am…no longer immortal, my little two-leg.”
I stare at him. “What?”
“I spent too much time in my wingless form. It is the way of my people.”
“No. Why would you do this? Why come back here if you can die?”
“Worth it,” he tells me, his voice weak. “Worth it to see you, to hear your voice.”
I lean over, pressing kisses to his face as my tears slide onto his skin. “Please, Dragix. Please don’t leave me.”
This is all my fault. I knew he hadn’t eaten enough. Knew he was weak. And I told him to attack the Dokhalls.
His gaze is steady on my face. “I love you, Charlie. You shook me awake when I was sleeping. You brought me back to life. I tried to go back to the way I was before. To living only in my winged form. But all I could think of was you. Your eyes, your smile, the way you fought me at every turn and then made me want things I had never wanted before.”
I let out a sob. “So stay. Stay with me. We can have a future together, Dragix. I’ll stay here on Agron with you. We’ll go back to our mountain and shut out the world.”
His smile is soft, indulgent, and sad as his eyes slide closed.
I howl, weeping against him. This can’t be the end. He can’t tell me all that and then leave me here alone. Without him.
“Oh my God,” Vivian says, and I glance up, tears hot on my face. She’s clutched in Jozet’s arms. Her pale-blue dress is covered in so much blood that it looks brown, and Arix steps forward, his lips thinning at the sight of her.
“What happened?” he snaps.
“I was…dying. Dragix healed me. Put me down,” Vivian says, and Jozet complies, setting her on the ground next to me. “I’m so sorry, Charlie.”
“He’s not dead,” I snap. “Don’t say it like that.”
Ellie and Zoey are suddenly here too, and next to them, Ivy stands, a large group of human women behind her, murmuring quietly amongst themselves. I can’t even bring myself to be curious. To care.
Nevada steps close and sits down on my other side, a silent support.
I can’t lose him. Not my fierce, gentle dragon.
I should never have made him bring me back here.
“We were happy,” I murmur. “We were happy on his mountain.”
Nevada wraps her arm around me, and Vivian lets out a choked sob next to me.
Arix steps closer at the sound, ignoring my hiss. “I may be able to help,” he says.
My stomach flutters as I stare at him. “Please. Please.”
He ignores that, turning his attention to Vivian.
“You wish for him to live?”
“God, yes.”
He gestures, and a Braxian woman steps forward, a small wooden container in her hand.
“What is it?” I ask as she kneels next to Dragix, opening the container.
Arix’s eyes are on Vivian’s face as he replies, “Cava berries. They are our most precious resource. They allow healing when it would seem that there is no hope.”
More tears slip down my face at his words. Please, please let them work. Please.
The healer squeezes the bright-blue berries against Dragix’s lips, and I reach forward, helping her open his mouth. She places the berries inside, and we all watch as they stay in his mouth.
She gives me a sympathetic look. “He must swallow,” she says.
I nod. He’ll swallow these goddamned berries if I have to shove them down his throat.
“Dragix,” I try. I switch to our mental pathway. I remember him telling me I was too loud, that I was shouting in his head.
And I scream at him. “Dragix, you giant pain in my ass! You don’t get to leave me, do you hear me? You made me fall in love with you, and it’s not going to end like this. Wake up and swallow, damn it. Now!”
Dragix takes a giant, shuddering breath. He doesn’t open his eyes. He doesn’t even reply.
But he swallows.
Chapter Nineteen
Dragix
I can hear the low murmur of voices, and I frown. My eyes are too heavy to lift, but I can smell the sweet, fresh scent of my little two-leg. I can feel her soft hand stroking my cheek.
“Dragix?”
“I am unable to speak or open my eyes, Charlie. But I am here.”
She lets out a choked sob and nestles closer to me, burying her face in my neck. I wish I could stroke her hair, could give her the slightest comfort, but I am paralyzed.
The thought sends a ripple of fear through my body, and that is enough to allow me to lift one finger.
I rest, exhausted from that slight motion.
“Where the hell did all those women come from?”
I recognize Nevada’s voice. It’s the flame-haired one—Ivy—who answers her.
“They were on the ship. Same story as us. They were abducted by the Grivath and sold to the Dokhalls. It sounds like those poor women were on that ship for weeks. One of them said that the Dokhalls were ordered to come to Agron and search for us before they were allowed to return to their planet.”
“That must have been hell,” Ellie says. “It was bad enough for us, and we were only there for a few hours.”
“Yeah,” Ivy replies. “The healers want to check them over. Actually, I’ll go find them now.”
I manage to crack open my eyes. I’m in the healers’ kradi, and the first person I see is Rakiz, who has Nevada in his lap as he clutches her to him, as if afraid to let go.
He grins at me, flashing white teeth. “Charlie,” he murmurs, “it seems your dragon is awake.”
Charlie jolts, lifting her head and grinning down at me. I raise my arm, and it shakes with the effort it costs me. But I manage to bury my hand in her soft hair and pull her head to mine so I can take her mouth.
She lets out a low laugh against my lips. “Why am I not surprised that this is your first move after you were unconscious for hours?”
I smile as she pulls her head back, staring down at me as if memorizing my face.
“What happened?” I ask.
“The Dokhalls scattered. Most of them are dead, but some of them got away. We won, Dragix. There’s not enough of them to take us away. We even have their ship, although it was damaged when the Dokhalls returned to it and attempted to take it. Vrex and Ivy had a bunch of Braxians guarding it with them, but they managed to set it on fire.”
“I am not sad to know that you can’t leave me,” I tease, and she gives me a look.
“I’m not leaving you,” she says. “You scared the hell out of me, you know.”
I nod, pulling her close again. She looks exhausted, the skin beneath her eyes dark and puffy and her face pale. But she has never been more beautiful to me.
“Rest, little two-leg. We will talk properly when we are alone.”
She nods, snuggling closer to me, and I manage to turn my head. The healers are busy, moving from bed to bed as they help the wounded Braxians. In the bed next to mine, Vivian is somehow managing to sleep through the commotion.
The human females are sitting on small wooden stools, huddled around our beds. Rakiz gets to his feet, places Nevada back on his seat, and kisses her forehead.
“I must meet with Dexar,” he says.
She nods, giving him a small smile.
“Rest,” he says, and Nevada rolls her eyes but nods and then turns to Alexis.
“What’s the deal with the ship?” she asks. “How badly damaged is it?”
“I’ve only had a quick look,” Alexis says. “The good news is that this ship is in much better condition than the hunk of junk we landed here in. But the fuselage is cracked, and one of the thrusters was damaged.”
All the females are silent for a long moment.
Ivy steps inside. “Moni? The women are saying that they can wait. They don’t want to take time and attention away from injured Braxians.”
The healer smiles at her. “Thanks to the king from across the Colossal Water, we have enough healers to see to our wounded. He ha
s brought healers with skills and abilities that we could not have imagined.”
Ivy hesitates but finally nods, flicking her bright hair over her shoulder as she turns, murmuring to someone outside.
Charlie moves her head from my shoulder to my chest, turning it so she can see what’s going on. I stroke her back, more content than I could have imagined in this moment.
The white-haired female steps inside, her eyes immediately surveying the tent suspiciously. And then her eyes land on Vivian.
“Viv?” Her tone is incredulous, and she ignores everyone else in the kradi as she rushes to Vivian’s side, sitting on her bed.
Vivian cracks open her eyes. She scowls, but then her eyes widen as she stares at the female. “Sarissa?”
They laugh, hugging and rocking and paying no attention to anyone else in the kradi. Charlie laughs at the sight, her small body shaking against mine, and I smile at the sound.
They’re talking over each other, and my eyes slide closed as I listen to Vivian introduce the female to the others.
Cousins, she says, and I frown, reaching for my pathway with Charlie.
“What is this word?”
Charlie strokes her hand along my chest, and my body begins to respond. Someone has covered me with a blanket, but Charlie can obviously feel what is happening because her voice is amused.
“Sarissa is Vivian’s mother or father’s sibling’s child.”
I nod. I had these once. Ezra and I would race them through the forest, playing games that centered around attempting to hide our scents from one another.
Charlie seems to sense my sadness because she leans up and places a gentle kiss on my lips. The females are talking, and Charlie pulls away.
“I’m Charlie,” she says. “It’s nice to meet you.”
“You too. We owe you guys a thank-you for finding us. You especially, Ivy.”
“No problem, really.”
Nevada clears her throat. “We’ll get you guys sorted with kradis and clothes and anything else you could need. I’m sorry you were taken, but you’ll be safe here.”
Sarissa is silent for a long moment. “I appreciate that. But while we’d love to enjoy your hospitality temporarily, we’re hoping to fix the ship and leave.”
Silence.
Alexis’s voice is careful. “You know, there’s no guarantee that it can even be fixed. As you’ve probably noticed, this isn’t the most developed planet.”
“I know. But we have to try. We made a deal when we were in that cage. We swore that if we could, we’d hunt down the bastards that took us and make them pay.”
“I’m going too,” Vivian says. “I have to,” she continues over the other females’ protests. “I love you guys, but I don’t belong here. We all know that. And if I have a chance to make the Grivath pay while spending time with Sarissa? I’m going to do it.”
I begin to drift off as the females debate the wisdom of this plan. Cool hands touch my brow, and I tense, but Charlie soothes me.
“It’s just one of the healers,” she says.
I nod and allow it. Then I force open my eyes at Arix’s low voice.
He stands at the entrance of the kradi, his dark gaze examining everyone and everything before landing on Vivian.
“How are you feeling?” he murmurs, ignoring the silence in the kradi as everyone stares at him.
“Much better,” Vivian says, a hint of color creeping up her cheeks. “Thank you.”
I clear my throat and attempt to speak. “You have my deepest gratitude as well,” I tell him, and he glances at me, nods, and then returns his attention to Vivian.
“I had thought I’d be in his debt,” I say to Charlie, who has her eyes narrowed on Arix.
“Same. I don’t trust him. He thought about killing you when you were dying, Dragix.”
I raise my eyebrows at that. “Interesting.”
“Interesting?” Charlie’s tone is outraged, and I can’t help but smile.
“I am the largest predator on this planet. The fact that he thought about killing me tells me that he is a wise ruler.”
Charlie snorts at that.
Arix takes a step closer to Vivian’s bed, and Sarissa glares at him as if he’s a dangerous, poisonous creature.
“I couldn’t help but overhear your plans to leave the planet,” he says, gesturing toward the entrance to the kradi, where he must have been listening. “It is likely that you would find a solution to your problems in my city,” he says softly. “We have many alchemists who tinker with metal and heat.”
Vivian blinks at that. “One thing I’ve learned is that nothing in this universe is without a price. What’s yours?”
He gives her a slow smile. “We can discuss that when you’re feeling better,” he says. “I would not be honorable if I entered negotiations with someone who was still recovering from blood loss.”
Vivian’s eyes flash at that, and Arix’s smile widens.
“I will see you soon,” he promises, and then, with a nod to me and a wink at Charlie, he strolls out of the kradi.
Rakiz enters next, his gaze going straight to Nevada. He narrows his eyes at her, and she throws up her hands.
“I’m going to go take a nap soon, I swear. Things were just getting way too interesting around here to leave.”
The females laugh, and Rakiz steps closer to me. Dexar enters behind him, and I tense.
“I would like to sit up, little two-leg.”
Charlie lifts her head and bites her lip. “Are you sure?”
I nod, and she moves off me, helping me sit. The kradi whirls around me, and I take a deep breath, finally focusing on Dexar and Rakiz.
“We would like to thank you for your help in the battle today,” Dexar says formally, and Rakiz nods.
“I came here for Charlie,” I say, and she elbows me gently in the ribs.
“Play nice.”
I sigh. “You are welcome.”
Rakiz steps closer. “We would also like to take this opportunity to formally apologize for our ancestors. By now, you know that it was not us that slaughtered your people. But we understand why you would hate us for it. In Braxian culture, there are few forms of payment and symbols of apology more powerful than a favor. Each of us would like to give you a favor that you may use for anything that it is in our power to give you. Except for our mates,” he says quickly, and I snort.
I have my Charlie. Why would I be interested in their females?
“You do not have to accept,” he says at my silence. “But know that we will forever be in your debt for the actions of our people. That our people will protect you from those who mean to kill you and take your scales. We are not long-lived like you. We may not remember your people, but for you, what you suffered must feel like it happened yesterday.”
“It does.”
Charlie is quiet next to me, but she takes my hand in a show of support.
I take a deep breath, picturing the faces of my family. My mother, father, sister, friends. All dead. But I alone can choose how I honor their memories.
“My little two-leg has taught me about moving on from a difficult past,” I say after a long moment. “By clinging to the actions of your ancestors, I risked losing the female who holds my heart. I will accept your apology.”
Charlie beams at me as if I alone am responsible for all the stars in the sky.
Charlie
I blink open my eyes as something shifts beneath my chest.
“Dragix?”
He smiles down at me, looking perfectly content and one-hundred-percent alive. “Who were you expecting, my little two-leg?”
I laugh at the absurd nickname, and then I lean up and kiss him.
“I missed you so much,” I murmur, and it’s only when Dragix brushes the tears off my face that I realize I’m crying.
“I missed you too. You left a hole in me, little two-leg.”
“Did you mean what you said?”
He raises an eyebrow, and I blush, suddenly fee
ling ridiculously awkward.
I glance away, and his hand is gentle as he cups my chin, encouraging me to look at him.
“When you said you loved me,” I blurt out. “You were dying, so I won’t hold it against you if you didn’t mean it.”
Dragix suddenly sits up, pulling me up with him. His eyes are blazing gold and very, very serious.
“I meant it more than anything I have said in my life. You are mine, Charlie,” he says. He gives me an indulgent smile when I stiffen. “It’s okay,” he says gently. “I’m yours too. I began mating with you when we were still in my lair. My dragon didn’t care about all the reasons we should not be together. It just knew that you were the one I should be with—whether that was for eternity or just a few days.”
I stare at him, stunned. “What does it mean if you’re my mate?”
“It means that our lives are tied together. Where one goes, the other follows. It means that you are the other half of my soul, and we will never be parted.” He hesitates for a moment, looking slightly unsure. “Is this acceptable to you?”
“Acceptable? I love you, Dragix. I knew I loved you that day when you were so injured and we slept under the stars. But I was scared to admit it…even to myself. I’m honored to be your mate, but…what does it mean if our lives are tied together? I know you’re not immortal any longer.”
Dragix leans down and nuzzles into my neck. My eyes slide closed, and then I force them back open, burying my hands in his hair and pulling his head away.
“You’re trying to distract me,” I say, and he sighs.
“I fear you will be unhappy with me.”
“Uh-oh. Better come clean, buddy.”
“When you take your final sleep, I will take mine with you. We will go into the great beyond together.”
I stare at him. “Dragix, I might only have fifty or sixty years left. Humans don’t age well.”
He smiles at me. “I believe you will benefit from some of the immortality I lost. If not, then we will make the most of the time we have.”
He shrugs as if he couldn’t care less, and I stare at him.
“You’re crazy.”