And so, despite every single instinct that yelled at me to stop this—whatever this was—I watched as my bonded mate and my sister walked away from the rest of us.
Saena waved her hand and a red bubble appeared around them both. It blocked me from hearing what was being said, but that didn’t mean I would take my eyes off them for a single moment. I was vaguely aware of Daegal dropping to his knees and talking to Maiela and Kysha, but I couldn’t pay them any attention. Not right now.
Through the red shield, I watched as my mate, and my sister talked. At another time, in another place, this would have been a happy moment. But here, in this ashy, bloody field, it was a nightmare.
No matter how much I tried, I couldn’t hear them. Panic rose within me, tasting bitter on my tongue. Even the mating bond was muted, quieted by whatever dark magic pulsed in Saena’s veins.
What’s going on?the dragon demanded gruffly.
I shook my head, dragging my hands through my hair.I don’t know.
If I had a weapon, I would have been turning it over my hands, occupying myself as I waited. But I did not. I’d lost my sword sometime ago. Instead, I paced, my eyes never leaving the two females in front of me.
My heart and my sister.
One used to be my reason for living, and the other held my soul in her hands.
Dread curled in my stomach. Something was wrong. At this point, I didn’t even care about the Gilded Amulet. The only thing on my mind was Aileana.
There were so many things I should have done at that moment. So many ways I could have changed what was coming. I should have shifted and incinerated as many of those damned Winged Soldiers as I could. They flew above us, their black wings blotting out the clear blue sky, waiting for my sister’s command. I should have taken Aileana away from here, listening to that tiny voice in my head telling me to run and grab her. I should have donesomething.
But I didn’t do anything, because I trusted my bonded mate. I trusted in her love for me. I trusted in our partnership. I trusted that she would do what was best for us.
So, I waited.
Every single minute felt like a lifetime, but finally, Saena drew her magic into herself. She… shook Aileana’s hand, before stepping to the side and gesturing to one of her guards. The Winged Soldier flew to the ground and landed, before listening to Saena’s orders. He nodded, shooting up and blowing an air horn.
My brows furrowed as the flock of Winged Soldiers turned and retreated.
What the hell?the dragon said.
Ryllae gasped, and Maiela murmured something, but all my attention was on my bonded mate. She took one step toward me, but she was moving far too slowly. Running, I swept my mate into my arms and held her tight against me.
“What’s going on?” I asked, pressing my lips against her hair. “What did you talk about?”
For a moment, Aileana didn’t say anything. She just pressed her nose against the place where my neck met my collarbone and breathed in deeply. As if she was… scenting me.
I felt for her through our bond, but it was… silent.
Wrong.
This was wrong.
My hackles rose, and within me, the dragon growled.
“What did you do?” I asked, still holding Aileana tightly against me.
She pulled away from me, her brows raised. “What makes you think I did something?”
“I know you. This… What did you do?” A bitter taste coated my tongue as the world around me grew foggy. “Why did the Winged Soldiers leave? Why did Saena shake your hand?”
Green eyes met mine. “I love you.”
“What did you do?” I said again.
Her voice was soft as she said, “I did what had to be done.”
Confusion roiled through me as Aileana’s lips tilted up into a sad smile as she turned and walked toward Daegal. She hugged him, pulling him close and whispering in his ear.