My body quakes as my strength begins to wane. “I. Can’t. Hold. It.”
The fire burns red hot as the structure begins to collapse all around us. The glowing blue light of the protective barrier begins the crack. Panic and fear beat at my chest as I fight to hold on, summoning every ounce of my strength to keep it intact.
I close my eyes as I focus on my powers. A warm hand alights on my shoulder. The warmth spreads from the contact and throughout my entire body, lending me strength.
I look up and see Cael standing beside me, his teal eyes locked on my own. “You can do this, my queen.” He clenches his jaw and I know it is taking everything inside him to help me. “Think of home, Kyra.”
An image of our castle forms in my mind. Air whips around me, and everything stills as a low buzzing hum grows louder in my ears. It quickly turns into a roaring rush of wind and then we’re tumbling through a void.
Unable to stay awake any longer, I fall away into the darkness.
Chapter 38
Cael
When I open my eyes, we’re back in our bedroom in the palace. Lynx and Astra are still unconscious beside me but breathing. I look across the room and find Kyra lying on the floor, with an unnatural stillness that stops my heart.
I rush toward her and drop to my knees, gathering her in my arms. “Kyra?”
Panic fills me when she doesn’t answer. But I breathe a heavy sigh of relief when I notice the shallow rise and fall of her chest, telling me that she still lives.
My gaze travels over her body and rests on her burned hand and forearm, the orange fire gemstone is clasped tightly in her palm. A tear slips down my cheek as I study her many injuries. Gently, I reach down and brush the hair back from her face.
“My brave and beautiful queen,” I whisper. “Please, Kyra. Open your eyes, my love.”
My heart clenches as her eyelids flutter and open, her face twisting in a mask of pain.
“It burns, Cael,” she whimpers softly. “It hurts so bad.”
A thought occurs to me, and I turn to find Astra still asleep. I gently pull her toward us, then place her on Kyra’s chest, hoping and praying it works.
Sure enough the small cat disappears, fading away. I know she is joined with Kyra when her eyes glow and swirl briefly with green, then return to their normal blue. I stare down at her hand and watch in wonder as the burned tissue and the fang marks on her arm begin to heal.
“Thank god,” I whisper as I lean down and press a soft kiss to her forehead.
Lynx limps up beside me and places his paw on my forearm. His eyes meet mine a moment before he disappears, and the connection is made between us. I can feel him repairing my injuries, a warm, soothing balm over my entire form as he heals me. I look down at my arm and watch as the punctured tissue from the serpent’s fangs begins to close.
Kyra looks over at me, and I’m glad her features appear relaxed as Astra helps her heal. She snuggles close, then closes her eyes.
I lift her into my arms and carry her to the bed, laying her down gently beneath the blankets. Crawling under the comforter beside her, I pull her into my arms and allow myself to drift away as well.
Chapter 39
Kyra
Awareness slowly trickles back into my mind as I awaken. I shift slightly, and something solid and warm tightens around my waist. I look down to find Cael’s strong arms around me. He pulls me back into his chest, and I snuggle against him. When I turn in his arms to face him, his teal eyes meet mine, and he gives me a sleepy smile.
“I’m glad you’re awake.” He tucks a stray tendril of hair behind my ear. “How do you feel?”
I test my limbs, but nothing hurts. “I feel fine. You?”
“The same,” he replies.
Movement behind him catches my eye, and I laugh when I notice a pair of sharp blue eyes and a cute fluffy white face peeking over his shoulder.
“Lynx.” I smile.
He dips his head in a subtle nod. “I’m glad you are both feeling well.”
“Me, too,” Astra adds. “You both slept for a very long time.” Her gaze shifts to the door. “You have a visitor. One of the light mages. She wishes to speak with you now that you’ve returned.”
I look at Cael. “Tell her we will be down shortly.”
Astra and Lynx go to relay our message, leaving Cael and me alone. I look at the bedside table and see the red-orange gem of the firestone on the surface next to the crown.
I meet Cael’s eyes evenly. “I won’t let anyone harm you.”
He drops his forehead to mine and then gives me a tender kiss. “Nor I you.”
I look to the foot of the bed and notice fresh, clean clothing has already been laid out for us both. I’ll have to thank Lynx and Astra for this later, because it had to have been left by them.
We quickly dress and then leave to speak with the light mage. I twine my arm around Cael’s. We walk down the stairs, the fire gem clasped firmly in my free hand as we approach the mage.
Anger flares through me when I realize it is Loryn—the High Mage who tried to kill Cael only a few days ago.
“Why are you here?” I ask, not bothering to hide my contempt for this woman.
“I have discovered something important, something you both must see.” Her gaze goes to my hand, and her eyes widen slightly. “You found it.”
“Yes.”
“Word has traveled from Argeron that you destroyed the serpent trapped in the castle. Already the land begins to heal. The rains have returned, and it is believed the forest will soon overtake the desert
