A small smile crept on my face, and I wrapped my arms around Ryllae, pulling her tight against my chest.
“You saved us,” I whispered.
She trembled against me, and my heart broke even more than it did when she had screamed.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
Ryllae drew in a shuddering breath. “When I… the last time… my magic has never done this before. I haven’t…”
“There is beauty even in death,” I murmured, tightening my grip around her. “Especially when it’s in defense of yourself, Princess. They attacked us first. There is no shame in protecting yourself, Ryllae. Never.” Turning her in my arms, I placed a finger beneath her chin and raised her face. Her crimson aura pulsed as those blue eyes met mine. “Promise me that no matter what, if it comes to you and someone else, you will always pick yourself.”
She frowned. “But—”
“No buts,” I said fiercely. “Promise me, Ryllae. You’ll save yourself.”
A long moment passed as my words sank into her.
I needed this promise. More than anything else, I needed to know that Ryllae would keep herself safe. She was my heart. My soul. My everything.
“I promise,” she whispered.
Thank the gods. I held her until the trembling ceased. It didn’t matter that the others were standing around, waiting. It didn’t matter that we hadn’t yet said the words that would link us. Nor did it matter that Ryllae had to move at her own pace. I would move with her. Wait with her.
For Ryllae, I would wait forever.
Powerful Magic and Family Problems
XANDER
The moment the first flash of bright red magic flooded from the Death Elf’s palms, the bitter taste of fear pounded through the bond. Aileana had turned, her green eyes meeting mine even as her face paled. In those few moments before the crimson threads washed over everything, terror ran through my mate. A lesser being would have fled at the sight of the magic that had plagued them for years, but Aileana was not a coward.
She stood her ground.
Intense pride ran through me when I thought of how my warrior mate stood up for herself against the memories of her past. Between her magic and her daggers, Aileana had single-handedly taken down a quarter of the pack before Ryllae’s power had decimated the rest of them.
Now, Aileana and I were side-by-side, staring at the skeletal remains of the wolves. The sinister sight sent chills down my spine. Black blood tainted the snow, and the flowers that had sprouted only added to the strangeness of the situation.
My Earth Elf was silent beside me as I reached over, taking her hand in mine.
That was not normal Death Elf power,the dragon remarked within me. He sounded curious, and I could feel him watching through my eyes.
I know, I replied.
It means something,the beast said.This elf is not just a princess.
Again, I know.
I would watch her carefully, now. I had seen many Death Elves in my time. None had ever wielded their powers like Ryllae had. To use so much energy in such a short period was impressive. The only other elf I’d ever seen work magic in such a manner was my mate.
Sliding my sword into its sheath, I turned towards Aileana. Her emerald eyes were wide as she took in the destruction all around us. Kysha and Maiela were locked in each other’s arms nearby, their bows discarded at their feet as they whispered.
“Aileana?” I placed my hand on her shoulder, and she looked up at me, her expression dazed. “Are you alright, love?”
“She killed them all,” she murmured. “There was so much red… and she killed them.”
As if she were in a trance, Aileana moved. Stepping over a skeleton, she opened her palms and released her magic. Green leaf-like threads slipped out of her, wrapping around her arms like bands.
Armor, I realized.