“Wh-what? Is that even possible?”

Miralise nodded.

“It's rare. And there's been nothing like it among our people for millennia, but it can happen.”

“So, it's different from normal bonding?”

“If a dragon-bonded dies, the dragon simply gets their power back. However, if you die, that piece of the dragon's soul will be destroyed. A dragon can also retrieve their power, if they deem the bonded unworthy. But Dhíanvhúr can't ever get that fragment within you back.”

Saelina's eyes widened.

“Why would any dragon do this?”

Miralise put a hand on the back of her neck and looked away.

“It's only in very rare cases. But whomever receives the soul fragment must have a strong bond with the dragon. The two will be bonded for life. It may be for the dragon to offer protection to someone they deem...precious.”

Precious. The word reverberated through Saelina; she felt its implications echo within her heart.

Tahlisa...why would you ever?

Saelina started pacing trying to wrap her head around the new information. The other two women stared at her with concern but their gazes felt like needles under her skin.

“I need to be alone,” she said, while heading out the door.

The spacious corridors suddenly seemed to close on her and she broke into a run, Without thinking much of it, she ended up in the garden, its soft glow opening the world around her. She fell to her knees as she felt the tears pressing behind her eyes.

Dhíanvhúr...I'm so sorry! I didn't-...no. I'm so so sorry!

You finally know, then.

Tahlisa...you loved her.

I do.

So, the reason my power's been so slow and unstable?

My bond with you is a mere pale imitation.

And it can't be undone?

I know of no method.

Why would Tahlisa do this? Do you know?

If she had died, we would have been parted, forever. By saving her life, you allowed her the chance to ascend and for us to meet again, one day.

Saelina could not wrap her mind around the implications of the information.

They won't let me go, once they learn. If they even let me live.

Then do so for yourself.

Will you help me?

Come to me.

Saelina felt herself sink to the ground as her soul was pulled in front of the mighty, beautiful and heart-broken dragon. His enormous blue eyes seemed gentle as the looked down at her from above.

“I understand why you didn't tell me. I might have told them and if they had killed me...”

Dhíanvhúr bowed his head, blinking slowly.

“I can't stay. I have to protect the piece of you, within me.”

His head lowered, until it was at her height. He angled his snout down, and Saelina reached out, connecting with him as a sense of rightness and affection flooded her.

“I won't beg your forgiveness, but I will try to make amends.”

“Tahlisa made this choice for both of us. I'm beginning to understand why.”

“So, you'll help me?”

“Yes, Red One.”

A strange sensation spread from the point where her soul touched Dhíanvhúr and filled her with something she could not describe. She opened her eyes and sat up, looking around the garden of glowing plants. She felt different, as if her body was filled with liquid light. She looked at her hand, expecting it to emanate the same glow but it looked as it always did. She stood, wondering how much time had passed; it could not be long, considering no one had come to look for her.

Flee.

She set off, not knowing where to go and aware the nyx would hunt her down as soon as they discovered her flight but it all seemed insignificant.

Saelina noticed something had changed about her view of the world. Everything looked the same, but her eyes sought out the best spots to hide, the darkest shadows, the most deserted streets, as if it was second nature to her. Her movements were casual and passing people gave her only the barest glance, if they registered her presence at all. Yet, she moved swiftly through the streets, following a pull from deep within.

Her heart was beating but not with fear. A subtle hum was vibrating through her blood and a confidence she could not recognize from herself had taken root. When she reached the outskirts of the town, she ran down the nearest tunnel, feeling a certainty about which turns to take and which direction to move towards.

It was hard to keep track of time as she moved; she felt no hunger or tiredness, just a need to continue. She could have been moving for hours or days, it made little difference. Nothing stayed hidden from her sight, nothing was covered by the darkness. She could hear the subterranean creatures, scurrying in the tunnels, and avoid them.

The slightest change in the air was felt on her skin, guiding her towards the surface. She emerged in the pale moonlight, the fresh scent of the outside overwhelming her senses for a moment, before it cleared.

What is this power?

It is mine and now yours. Our souls have finally connected. It allows me to share my being with you.

What else can I do?

For now? Very little. The bond still puts a strain on us both. You'll need to rest.

She looked around, desperate to hide from the world as she recuperated.

He'll come for me...and soon.

You will need to face him.

That may be true, but could I at least rest, first?

That won't always be an option.

Well, until it's not.

She moved along the cliff side, watching her surroundings carefully. The darkened sky above often overwhelmed her with its massive size and she even felt she could end up being sucked up among the stars. Was this how it felt for the nyxis when they first came top-side?

Finally, she saw it: a shadow in the mountain side. There was no doubt in her mind as she sought it out; it was a natural cave, the perfect place to hide.

She made her way inside and looked around. Despite the darkness, she could make out every crevice and dent in the walls and floor, making it easy not to stumble. It was closed off, so there was no draft and plenty of room for her to make herself comfortable.

Will I be sore, tomorrow?

I have no experience with what a mortal feels after sharing souls with a dragon.

That's a good point.

She looked for a suitable corner and curled up, hoping her newfound power would cushion her muscles from the worst of the jagged rock surface.

As her body and mind wound down, she started taking stock of the last few hours. Her escape had been a snap decision, borne out of a desperate wish to protect the precious piece of Dhíanvhúr from being destroyed. Yet, she could not help but wonder why that desire had outweighed her own sense of self-preservation. She had always been in danger, whether in Islasa or back in Mahlein, her very existence had been an inconvenience in some way or another.

Why had she been reluctant to leave?

The answer was obvious: Ezeas. She was too old to pretend not to know her own feelings and she was too battered by love to think there had ever been any hope for the two of them. Still, there was nothing wrong with wishing, was there? If maybe she was born as a nyx and he had been any other nyx than the grandson of the nation's leader, whose talent was decisive in determining the future of his people...

Saelina chuckled to herself. If only the sun didn't rise and the moon was always full. If only bad people did not exist and wars were never fought. Did she really still possess such naivete? Perhaps it was the dragon's influence, or maybe she was just overly tired, but the idea was not as dismal as it was hopeful.

In that quiet cave, on a clear night, she could finally admit her innermost thoughts and feelings with no one but the shadows to hear her confession.

She could not recall closing her eyes and dozing off, but when she looked up, a curtain of rain was falling outside the cave entrance. A heavy rumble sounded and something within her stirred. She stood and went closer, observing the outside as a subtle restlessness took hold within her.

Lightning flashed and instantly the cave felt too small and restrictive. Her breathing hastened and her pulse raced as she kept her eyes on the surroundings, waiting. Her mind buzzed and thrummed, drowning out any clear thoughts. The thunder roared again and Saelina's blood rose as if to meet the challenge.

Before her mind could catch up her feet took her out of the cave and into the storm. She ran, not knowing where. The rain beat down, every drop pounding its rhythm into her and a quiet frenzy. The dragon's power made her body stronger and she used it fully as she sprinted down the mountainside, her agile body finding the most secure steps by instinct. There was no fear, no apprehension, just an overwhelming desire to play among the lightning and feel the power which filled the air along her skin.

She knew where the lightning would strike and as the sky lit up she laughed, loudly. The thunder rumbled, shortly after. She was getting close to the center and it thrilled her. There were no thoughts or concern in her mind just a blinding excitement and a need to push herself further, get closer to the massive cracks of light and fire, tearing through the air with devastating power.

She finally reached the crest of the cliff and stopped, staring at the person waiting for her in the darkness. Even without light, she could see the dark eyes stare at her as she came face to face with him.