I groaned. “Aileana—”
“Saena is too powerful, Xander. Don’t ask me to stand by and watch everyone we love die. I won’t do it.”
“Why?” It was one word, but right now, it was all I could manage.
My bonded mate smiled at me through her tears. “To make sure you live. Saena wants the Amulet. I told her she needs me for it to work.”
My mind struggled to keep up with this. “You lied?”
A blessing needed for the amulet to work, but it didn’t require Aileana.
“I bent the truth. For you.”
“Come now, my pet,” Saena called out from across the field, her voice filled with glee.
A pained look crossed Aileana’s face. “I have to go.”
“No.” A mangled sob left my lips. How could she do this? How could she give herself up for us? Especially now. How could I let this happen?
The mother of my child bent, brushing her mouth over mine. The kiss was feather-light and sodden with tears. “Stay strong,” she said. “Remember Elyx, I will always love you.”
Aileana pulled her hand away and moved towards my sister. Every step echoed in my heart. She walked away from me like the fierce, stubborn, amazing warrior she was. Confidence filled her steps, and I knew she thought she was doing the right thing.
Ryllae shouted, but Daegal held her back.
I simply stared at them. Inside of me, the dragon roared.
Anguish tainted everything. I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t think.
Pain was all I knew.
A flash of white came from the queen. When it cleared, her sky-blue dragon stood in the bloody valley.
Aileana did not even flinch as she climbed on Saena’s back.
I stared at them until they were nothing but a speck in the clear blue sky. The Winged Soldiers turned, following Saena and leaving me.
Alone.
It was then I learned that a thrice-broken heart could not be mended. There was no way I would ever recover from this, because my heart was no longer whole.
It shattered into a million pieces inside my chest, the individual shards burning up into ash before disappearing on the wind with my bonded mate.
When they were out of sight, I broke.
Epilogue
AILEANA
Three months later
The first rays of the rising sun shone through the tower window. There was no trace of the storm from last night, and the sky was clear. Birds chirped, and my magic sang in my veins as I pulled myself out of bed. My toes curled as they landed on the cold stone, and I placed my palm on the small swell of my belly.
Shutting my eyes, I pictured my silver-haired dragon shifter in my mind. Was he safe? Did they leave Ithenmyr? Running my hand over my stomach, I prayed Thelrena would keep them far away from here.
He was alive—I could feel it through the bond. Using her dark magic, Saena had muted our connection, but I still felt him.
Always, I felt him.