The Dokhalls taste almost as bitter as the Voildi, but I crunch down anyway. I instantly have more energy, and I immediately turn it to flame, burning my way through the Dokhalls.
But I get too close.
And I have forgotten.
Forgotten that I am still mortal now. That I have not spent enough time in this form to undo the damage that has been done.
Their weapons burn, hotter than any flame, as they hit my wings. I roar, and I could swear I hear Charlie’s answering scream.
I go down, crushing them as I fall. They’re savage, advancing on me in a horde, weapons pointed toward me.
I may be grounded, but I’m not helpless. My wings burn, coldness spreading up them and into my back. It’s as if I’ve been poisoned.
Whatever makes their weapons spit blue light is the antithesis of my flames.
The purple two-legs soon stop advancing, choosing instead to wait, just out of reach of my flames.
“Dragix!”
I turn my head, roaring at the sight of Charlie sprinting toward me.
“What are you doing? Get back behind the hill.”
She ignores that, a sword in her hand, and I tremble at the sight of her running straight into danger.
Then the purple two-legs are dying, attempting to flee as they’re attacked from all sides. Several of them back up, coming within my range, and I spit flames at them, watching in satisfaction as they have to run toward the other purple two-legs who are still attempting to escape from Arix and his warriors.
It’s suddenly quiet.
The remaining purple two-legs have either fled or have been cut down, the battlefield scattered with their weapons.
My eyes slide closed as my legs are no longer able to hold my weight.
The battle is over.
Charlie
I’m screaming wordlessly as I slump to my knees next to Dragix. His bright gold eyes are closed, but he seems to rouse at my howling, cracking them open slightly, although they’re glassy and unfocused.
“Shift back,” I demand, and he closes his eyes again. “Damn you, Dragix, shift back so we can help you!”
He lets out a long, breathy sigh, but he complies.
It takes a long time.
Gold sparks are rising around us, and I sob as his body seems to shift inch by inch. His snout gets smaller, his teeth disappearing, and I have to close my eyes briefly at the gruesome sight.
The fact that his shift is taking so long is not a good sign.
Distantly, I’m aware that we’re surrounded. Arix is standing in front of us, staring down at Dragix, his sword in his hand as if he’s contemplating taking his head while he’s vulnerable. I bare my teeth at him, and the ghost of a smile crosses his face as he meets my eyes.
“Why isn’t he healing?” I ask, my voice high and thready. “Dragix, why aren’t you healing?”
Moni is suddenly next to me, her expression mournful.
“Don’t look at him like that,” I snap. “He’s going to be fine. Dragix, open your eyes.”
He does. His expression is tender as he attempts to raise his hand to my face. His arm falls, and I catch his hand in mine, bringing it to my cheek.
“Why aren’t you healing?” My tears are dripping down his hand, and his eyes are full of sorrow.
“I am…no longer immortal, my little two-leg.”
I stare at him. “What?”
“I spent too much time in my wingless form. It is the way of my people.”
“No. Why would you do this? Why come back here if you can die?”
“Worth it,” he tells me, his voice weak. “Worth it to see you, to hear your voice.”
I lean over, pressing kisses to his face as my tears slide onto his skin. “Please, Dragix. Please don’t leave me.”
This is all my fault. I knew he hadn’t eaten enough. Knew he was weak. And I told him to attack the Dokhalls.
His gaze is steady on my face. “I love you, Charlie. You shook me awake when I was sleeping. You brought me back to life. I tried to go back to the way I was before. To living only in my winged form. But all I could think of was you. Your eyes, your smile, the way you fought me at every turn and then made me want things I had never wanted before.”
I let out a sob. “So stay. Stay with me. We can have a future together, Dragix. I’ll stay here on Agron with you. We’ll go back to our mountain and shut out the world.”
His smile is soft, indulgent, and sad as his eyes slide closed.
I howl, weeping against him. This can’t be the end. He can’t tell me all that and then leave me here alone. Without him.
“Oh my God,” Vivian says, and I glance up, tears hot on my face. She’s clutched in Jozet’s arms. Her pale-blue dress is covered in so much blood that it looks brown, and Arix steps forward, his lips thinning at the sight of her.
“What happened?” he snaps.
“I was…dying. Dragix healed me. Put me down,” Vivian says, and Jozet complies, setting her on the ground next to me. “I’m so sorry, Charlie.”
“He’s not dead,” I snap. “Don’t say it like that.”
Ellie and Zoey are suddenly here too, and next to them, Ivy stands, a large group of human women behind her, murmuring quietly amongst themselves. I can’t even bring myself to be curious. To care.
Nevada steps close and sits down on my other side, a silent support.
I can’t lose him. Not my fierce, gentle dragon.
I should never have made him bring me back here.
“We were happy,” I murmur. “We were happy on his mountain.”
Nevada wraps her arm around me, and Vivian lets out a choked sob next to me.
Arix steps closer at the sound, ignoring my hiss. “I may be able to help,” he says.
My stomach flutters as I stare at him. “Please. Please.”
He ignores that, turning his attention to Vivian.
“You wish for him to live?”
“God, yes.”
He gestures, and a Braxian
