Embers to Flames (Fates Entwined #1)

Chapter Twenty-Six

The roof of the manor explodes in a shower of splintered wood and shattered tiles as Theo, in his massive Dragon form, bursts through with a ferocious roar. His silver scales glimmer in the moonlight, reflecting the fiery certitude burning in his eyes. The once grand estate now bears the marks of his rage, a gaping hole framing his imposing silhouette against the night sky.

With another earth-shaking roar, he challenges anyone who dares to threaten those he has sworn to protect. Inside, the occupants scramble in terror at the sight of the colossal Dragon wreaking havoc on their home. But Theo’s focus remains on Ruvyn, who stands frozen in disbelief as his earlier confidence is replaced with fear.

Ruvyn’s attention is entirely consumed by Theo’s immense Dragon form, leaving me free to slip away unnoticed. With careful steps, I move towards a towering stack of wooden crates and crouch behind them, my heart pounding against my ribcage. I peer through the small gaps between the crates, desperate to remain unseen.

With a powerful flap of his wings, Theo descends upon the courtyard with an intimidating presence that leaves no doubt of his dominance. The ground quakes as he lands, and a fierce gust of wind extinguishes torches and sends guards flying.

“Rosanhi!” His voice booms down my soul in a blend of Elf and Dragon, laced with urgency and concern. “Where are you?” The tension between him and Ruvyn crackles like lightning, setting the stage for an epic showdown.

I emerge from the shadows, my eyes locked onto Theo’s as I speak through our powerful bond, “I am here.” Relief floods through me as I see him, his gaze a mixture of fury and worry. He lands next to me, raising his enormous wings to protect me from any danger that may be lurking. My voice shakes as I try to steady myself, “I’m okay. But Eulee ...” My words falter as I struggle to find the strength to continue.

Theo’s eyes suddenly turn into a mirage of excruciating agony. His face twists as he struggles to stay aloft. Then I see it, an ice spear, pierced through his scaley flesh, just below his right wing. Theo lets out a roar of pain and fury that shakes the very earth as he reels from the blow.

Ferociousness wells up inside me and I turn to face Ruvyn, channeling all of my arcane magic into a powerful attack aimed at reducing him to nothing more than minuscule pieces. But before my blast can reach him, he vanishes in a swirl of black smoke, his taunting words echoing in the air. “This battle may be over, but our feud is far from finished.”

I turn to focus on the spear lodged deeply under Theo’s extended wing, piercing through the armored scales and into the vulnerable flesh of his stomach. The wound is bleeding heavily, and I can feel my heart pounding with fear and worry. “Theo,” I whisper, my voice trembling with anxiety. “I have to remove the spear, Theo.” I reach out, my hands steady despite the turmoil within. “Hold on.” I murmur, grasping the spear with a firmness born of yearning. Theo’s pained gaze meets mine, a silent plea for haste and an indication of the trust between us. With a swift, steadfast pull, I free the spear from his flesh, a rush of dark blood following in its wake. Unable to hold onto his Dragon form any longer, Theo shifts back into his elven body. Yet the blood still pours from his wound.

I need to stop the bleeding…

“I don’t know if this will work or not. Theo, but I need you to hold still.” I recall the power of temporal stasis explained to me by the Raven Witches. I extend my hand towards the oozing wound and will it to stop, begging time to pause for just a moment. A surge of power emanates from my palm, causing Theo’s body to stiffen and become completely immobile.

Lord Phirel finally approaches, his presence commanding and serene. “You’ve done well, Princess,” he says, his voice rich with approval. “Now, let me lend my aid.” He takes a step forward and places both his hands upon Theo’s torn flesh. Calling upon ancient elven magic, he whispers a spell of healing. His hands glowing with a soft, verdant light, the life of the mountains themselves lending their strength to heal Theo’s wound.

As the light begins to envelope Theo, the bleeding slows, and the severed layers of skin and muscle begin to fuse back together until only a faint scar remains. Theo’s muscles slowly unfurl from their frozen state, and he lets out a groan of relief. His eyes meet mine, filled with gratitude and a hint of concern. “Where is Eulee?” He inquires.

I bow my head in defeat, feeling the weight of despair crushing me. Tears blur my vision as I struggle to accept the loss of Eulee. Suddenly, I feel a gentle hand on my shoulder.

“Your wolf is going to be fine, Princess,” Lord Phirel’s voice breaks through the fog of my grief.

I look up at him, my heart pounding in disbelief. “What?” I whisper, my voice trembling.

A look of joy spreads across his face, his eyes shining with hope. “She was not killed by the magical arrow; however, it was laced with poison, rendering her to a lifeless state. I believe I have the antidote, but we must move quickly.”

My breath catches in my throat, a whirlwind of emotions surging through me. Relief, hope, and a fierce determination to save Eulee flood my senses. I clutch Lord Phirel’s arm, my voice choked with emotion. “Thank you,” I manage to say, my tears now flowing freely, but this time, they are tears of hope.

We hurry to Phirel’s chambers. As we enter the grand room, I see Eulee’s still lifeless body sprawled out on the sofa in front of the fireplace. Phirel rushes to a shelf and grabs a small blue vial, uncorking it and pouring the contents into a glass of water.

“This should counteract the poison, but it will spread if we do not act fast.” He moves to Eulee’s side, kneeling beside her. Drawing a measured breath, he gently cradles her jaw, tilting her head back just so, and with the utmost care, guides the mixture past her lips.

Her body twitches slightly, and then slowly begins to stir. Her eyes flutter open and she looks around dazedly, her gaze landing on first me and then Theo.

“She says to tell you, ‘Never apologize for my death, if it should come while protecting you. For I will always put you before me.” Theo’s voice speaks Eulee’s words. I rush to her side, tears of joy streaming down my cheeks. Eulee licks them away as I pet her fur, feeling the warmth of it once more.

Phirel looks at me with a mix of satisfaction and concern, “She will make a full recovery, I assure you, but she needs rest. As do you both.”

“I don’t think it’s safe for us to stay here,” I counter.

Phirel scoffs, “Nonsense. Theo is in no shape to shift, let alone fly. And Eulee can barely walk.”

“I could try using my translocation power,” I suggest.

Phirel waves his hand dismissively, “Don’t be ridiculous. You haven’t even used it for yourself yet, let alone carried others with you. You’ll stay the night and by morning, Theo will be able to fly again.”

I cross my arms stubbornly, “But what if something happens?”

Phirel places a reassuring hand on my shoulder, “Nothing will happen. You’ll be safe here.”

Yeah… that’s what I thought before today’s attack.

I lie in bed unable to fall asleep as cold winter winds blow fiercely outside the balcony doors. Theo is sleeping soundly next to me, understandably exhausted after today’s battle. I can feel his hot breath against my shoulder. But even his presence can’t soothe my restless mind tonight. The past few days have been a whirlwind of events. Yet I haven’t really had a moment to let myself grieve.

I don’t bother fighting the tears as they stream down my cheeks, soaking the silken sheets beneath me. My heart feels like it’s being torn apart, the weight of my existence crushing me. How could I have brought so much pain and suffering to those I love? Meemaw… Why did she have to be dragged into this nightmare, caught in the crossfire of my chaotic life? And Mikyl… Where is he? Panic claws at my chest as I remember the ominous words of the Raven Witches about Mikyl.

He waits for you in a place obscured by spells and silence, a fortress hidden from eyes unseeing.

I can’t shake the feeling that something terrible has happened to him. My mind races, torn between the guilt of Meemaw’s suffering and the fear for Mikyl’s safety. The urgency to find him, to make things right, consumes me, but I feel paralyzed by the overwhelming emotions crashing over me.

What I need is the library. Alyndra would be able to help me with my research. I close my eyes, wondering if she is still awake, sifting through old tomes and scrolls in the dusty racks of the library.

Suddenly, the air around me begins to shimmer, a cascade of ethereal sparkles dances before my eyes as the world I know dissolves into a whirlwind of light and shadow. My body becomes weightless; as if I were a leaf caught in a gentle breeze, and for a heartbeat, time itself seems to pause .

The familiar sounds of my surroundings fade into a tranquil silence, replaced by the soft hum of energy pulsating through the void. Then, with a tingling rush across my skin, reality snaps back into focus, a new landscape materializing around me like a painting being drawn into existence. I stand in the heart of the ancient library, the transition as seamless as stepping through a doorway, leaving me with a lingering sense of wonder and the faint echo of magic in my bones.

Alyndra stands before me, her arms full of books, eyes wide and mouth agape. “Rose? What the fuck?”