Chapter Thirty-Two

“Vax,” Zixin moaned.

“Mate!” King Vaxarion had his mate cradled in his lap as he openly wept. “What's happening? What's wrong with you?”

“I'm burning inside,” Zixin gasped. “Fire.”

“This is why only Dragons should use Ensarena's Eye. Land Dragons,” I said, staring grimly down at the foolish Neraky. “It was made for us.”

“What does that mean?” the Sea King snarled. “What's happening to him?”

“He's paying the price for the magic he stole.” I looked at my mate and felt a clenching in my chest. I had just gone through what the Sea King was experiencing for the second time. Possibly the last. And if Zixin died, King Vaxarion would likely follow. There went my alliance. I know. That's not what I should have been thinking about. I did have great sympathy for Zixin and Vaxarion, but those were my concerns.

“Vax, I'm so sorry,” Zixin panted.

I saw the knowledge in the Neraky's eyes. He had just realized that his risk had been his mate's as well.

“No, Mate,” King Vaxarion said. “There's nothing for you to be sorry about. Just stay with me.”

“I don't think I can.” Zixin sucked in a breath and then moaned, “I want to.”

“No! You're not doing that shit to me again. Do you hear me, Zixin? Don't you leave me! I will fucking follow your soul into the beyond. I'll hunt you down and pull you back into your body!”

“I love you so much,” Zixin said as he weakly lifted his hand to touch the Sea King's face. “Don't tear apart the palace again. We loved a lot in the time we had. That's a gift. But don't let the gift become a curse. Let me go. Move on, Vax. Know that I want you to.”

“Shut up!” Vax roared. “You're not dying!”

I hated to be the bearer of bad news, but King Vaxarion had only one chance to say goodbye to his mate. I wanted him to have that at least. So I said, “Uh, he is.”

“Shut up!” the Sea King shouted at me.

“Is there nothing you can do?” Aras asked me.

“Me?” I gaped at him. “What could . . . ?” then I thought of something. Something that would risk all of us. But it just might work. I cleared my throat and said, “Maybe.”

“What?” King Vaxarion's tone went desperate. “You can help him? If you can, do it!”

“I don't know if this will work,” I said, fear lancing through me—not for myself, but for my mate.

“Ly, you have to try,” Aras said firmly.

Great Gods, why did I have to be paired with such an honorable man? He would never forgive me if I didn't at least attempt to save the Neraky. Staring at him, I sent what I felt down our connection. Aras scowled, feeling my fear but still not knowing why. If I did this, he might never know. Maybe that was better for him. Finally, I said, “There's great risk involved. For me. I could burn with him.”

“Great risk involved in what?” Aras asked. “What would you have to do?”

“I'd have to coerce the Fire out of him and back into the stone. But it will need to go through me.”

“Name your price!” King Vaxarion said. “I'll pay it. Whatever it is. I beg you! He's my mate!”

“Vax,” Zixin whispered. “It's all right.” But then he screamed.

“Help him!” Aras and Vaxarion shouted together.

“Fine. Just know that I'm doing this for you, Aras,” I grumbled. “And I'll need the Eye.”

That was what upset me the most. I'd have to handle Ensarena's Eye. And I knew she'd be more powerful when I held her—she'd have more power over me. Fuck, I had only just freed myself from her grasp.

Surprisingly, King Vaxarion didn't balk or even hesitate about giving me the Eye. He handed it to me immediately.

And there it was. That fiery red stone I'd seen in my mind so many times. It was before me at last but, ironically, I didn't want it anymore. Not until I touched it.

Instantly, the power of the Goddess roared through me. I shuddered, my fist clenching around the stone, and fought to hold on to the barriers I'd erected between myself and the consciousness of the Eye. She bashed at my mind. I heard her shouting, but it was faint, as if she were far away. I had to work quickly.

I knelt beside Zixin, everything else fading away, and placed my right palm on his chest. In my left hand, I held Ensarena's Eye, and I clutched it to my heart. As the stone began to glow, flames licked over my fingers. And yet, it didn't burn either of us. I had complete control over Ensarena's Fire. Or at least a small piece of it. Feeling that rush was enough to distract me, and for a moment, I saw the potential of this relic. I saw my triumph. I would incinerate my enemies in a second. All would kneel before my immense power. No one would ever challenge me again. I could remake the world.

I shook off the allure of the Eye and locked stares with Zixin. Already, the stone was seeking to sway me. I had to save this man before it accomplished its goals. This meant that I didn't have time to be gentle. Instead of succumbing to the magic, I pushed it into Zixin. He shuddered, mouth gaping open, without sound emerging. It was the last thing I saw before I followed the magic into the Neraky.

A brilliant light exploded before me, blocking my way. I recognized it immediately—the mating bond. King Vaxarion was protecting his mate.

“Ease back,” I growled, my voice straining to get out while my focus was inside another man. “I can't help him if I have to fight you.”

The light dulled, then went red. At first, I thought Zixin and I were engulfed in flames. But then I realized that we were inside Ensarena's Eye, floating toward each other from one point to the other. She had us. Not the jewel, but the Goddess. The eye was a conduit, a link to her sight. Crossing through the relic, even spiritually, or perhaps especially spiritually, meant traveling across her gaze. Her attention locked on me, then shivered through my soul.

Ensarena loved me. The knowledge shocked me. I don't know why. I suppose all those stories about her had influenced me. And then there was the consciousness of her relic. I thought my Goddess would be as manipulating as her jewel. And maybe she was. But she was also a loving mother. And this mother valued strength above all. She didn't agree with the nobles who opposed me. She was angry with them. And in her anger, she gave me vicious support. It warmed my chest and stiffened my resolve. I had to win this war. Not just for the throne or my people. Not just for my mate or the kingdom. Now, I also had to win it for Ensarena. By her command.

“For you, my Goddess, anything,” I vowed.

My words pleased her. And this was fortunate because the man floating steadily toward me did not.

I felt Ensarena's fury with the Neraky. Zixin had dared to use her stone—her magic. And he was no kind of Dragon. If a Sea Dragon had attempted it, that would have been terrible. She would have been upset. But Zixin was from another race entirely. A man born of the water. Everything about him infuriated her.

“He is the key,” I called to Ensarena in my mind. “I need him to keep the alliance I made with his mate. And I need his mate to help me win the war.” Maybe I could win without the Sea Dragons, but they would certainly make a difference. Although I believed King Vaxarion was honorable, I wasn't sure he'd honor our alliance if I called on him mere weeks, or maybe even days, after it was forged. But if I saved the life of his mate, he wouldn't be able to refuse me. The Sea King would be in my debt and his army would be at my disposal.

“Vaxarion wouldn't be able to refuse you anything,” the Goddess said. “You could demand my stone as payment.”

Her voice was rapture. A religious revelation. I felt her connection to me and all of her children. She could be cruel, yes, but couldn't we all? And within that cruelty was the strength to love profoundly. To simply feel Ensarena's approval was enough to inspire me to fight for her. Whatever she demanded of me, I would give.

But could I succumb to the Eye for her?

“Goddess, I am strong, but I will never be a match for even a sliver of your magic,” I said. “You gave us an incredible gift when you made the Eye, but you may have underestimated your own power. Your relic is too much for any man to wield without losing himself to it.”

“Lyrandir, I would accuse you of flattery if I didn't feel the truth in your words. I understand now. The man who can control the Eye has not been born yet. But he will be.”

That frightened me, but I pushed the fear away. I had only seconds to save Zixin. “Please, Great Goddess, forgive this foolish boy. He can help me accomplish the mission you've given me.”

Ensarena didn't speak again, but I felt her approval. I felt her delight in my determination, strength, and loyalty. Especially the last. She had lost a lot of devotion from Dragons since the Dragon God was freed. Feeling my faith was enough to appease her.

As if she'd been holding him back, I suddenly moved toward Zixin. I reached for him. Zixin hesitated a moment, his stare wide, and then he extended his hand. I snatched it, my spiritual grip going through him, through his soul. Inside the Neraky was an ember left there by Ensarena's Eye. A little goodbye gift. Great Gods, that consciousness was a bitch. I summoned the ember out of Zixin, through our soul-link, and into my body.

Zixin's stare softened, and I knew I had succeeded. The trace of divine power left inside him was now inside me. Hopefully, the Goddess would help me through—

Pain! Never had fire burned me before. The feeling was new. And excruciating. I did not like this. I bared my teeth. We were still in the Eye. Zixin was holding my hand now, not the other way around. Our momentum slowed as we came abreast of each other and our bodies shifted to align.

“Lyrandir,” Zixin said.

“No!” I growled and let go of him. “You need to leave. Now!” I had to get him out of the Goddess's sight. It was my only chance at surviving this. So, I punched Zixin in his soul-chest and sent him shooting out of the Eye.

With the Neraky's exodus, the Eye brightened. The glow blinded me and when it faded, I was back in my body. I was back! My instincts had been right. Letting go of Zixin had been the key to releasing us both. I stood up, but then a rush of weakness overcame me, and I swayed.

“Ly!” Aras steadied me.

“I'm all right,” I said and swung my stare to Zixin.

He stared back at me.

“Thank you.” Zixin sat up with King Vaxarion's help. “I don't know what that was, but I saw you in there. You pulled the fire out of me.”

I grunted. It was all I could manage.

The Sea King helped his mate to his feet and then turned to face me. “I'm in your debt. What price do you demand?”

The Goddess said I wasn't the man meant to control the Eye. And yet, holding it, staring down at it, all I could think was how easy it would be to rule with a piece of the Goddess backing me.

Ensarena's Eye glowed and its magic swirled into my mind.

You are the man meant to hold me, the Eye said. You are my chosen king. The Goddess was just testing you—your dedication. Prove yourself to her by claiming me and having the strength to direct my magic to your will.

“Ly,” Aras said in a warning tone.

“I could rule Serai,” I whispered. Then I looked up and met King Vaxarion's stare. “You told me you'd pay anything.”

The Sea King stiffened. “I did. And I'm a man of my word. Is it the Eye you demand?”

“Lyrandir!” Aras shoved me.

I stumbled, but my grip didn't loosen. Instead, it tightened on the Eye.

Claim me! the Eye shouted. I will win the war for you. I will win every war for you.

And just like that, she had me. My mating bond didn't have the strength to protect me after my dive into the Eye. The consciousness had followed me back and dug her claws into my mind. Nothing mattered now but keeping her. She was mine. In my hands at last. And I wouldn't let go of her for anyone, not even my mate.

I growled and spun to face Aras.

“Oh, fuck,” Zixin whispered. “It's got him.”

“Stay back, Mate.” King Vaxarion said as he drew his mate away from me.

“Let it go, Ly,” Aras said.

The love I bore him drowned under a tidal wave of fury. He would take this from me—the only thing that could save us? I bared my teeth.

Aras dove. He collided with my stomach, and we rolled across the floor, snarling and snapping at each other. A part of me screamed, my mind breaking again. Not because of the magic, but because I was fighting my mate. I should have protected him, but my hands seemed to work independently from my will. They punched and clawed, drawing precious blood. And not in the way my mate enjoyed.

“Vax, help him,” someone said.

“I cannot, love. This must be settled between them.”

“The Eye is influencing him!”

“I know that. And the might of another Dragon won't help. Only love can save him now. Love and the mercy of the Goddess.”

The conversations around me faded. My focus became a pinpoint upon the Eye. Keeping it. I had claimed it. Or had I? I would. It was in my possession and that's all that mattered. I punched Aras, keeping his hands away from the Eye. He kept reaching for it, clawing at me to get it. The bastard! The traitor! Hulfrin blood flew in shining arcs, but Aras only growled and punched me in the face.

Pain bloomed in my nose, and I shook my head to clear it.

“Ly, fight it!” Aras said.

Fight him! the Eye said.

I knocked my mate's legs out from under him. Then I leapt atop him and bashed his head onto the floor.

“Stop!” someone shouted.

I barely heard it. Kept punching.

“Aras, you have to stop,” the voice said. “Only love will reach the King now. Show him love, not violence!”

Whoever it was, they distracted my opponent. Aras glanced to the left, and I took the opportunity to punch him in the face again.

Aras shook his head and locked stares with me. “I love you, Ly.”

What did that mean? I didn't know anymore. Love? It was an emotion. A foolish one. Yes, that's what it was. Foolishness. For fools and failures. I snarled and clutched the stone tighter. Blood seeped from between my fingers. It shivered over the stone, magic vibrating through my skin. The Eye. What was I doing wasting my time fighting this man when I could simply incinerate him?

“Kiss him!” someone cried.

Aras shot forward, grabbed my face with both hands, and kissed me.

I fought his hold, clawing at Aras's arms as I shook my head. But he held tight and followed my every movement, keeping our lips together even when I snarled at him. Blood poured down his arms. I smelled it. My mate's blood.

My mate!

I shuddered as our bond bloomed within the flames that possessed me. Like an alien flower, it withstood the heat, its petals becoming shields. Then the magic recognized itself. These opposing forces had been born of the same goddess. Like siblings, they fought, but blood was blood. Or, rather, magic was magic. They saw the source within each other and paused. There would have been an impasse if not for Aras.

My mate barreled down our bond without knowing it existed. A natural, he sought me through the madness and pain. He clawed his way through the lies the Eye spouted and found my soul waiting for him. His strength gave me what I needed to fight her. His kiss woke me from my nightmare. His love latched onto mine and they became one. At last!

I saw the truth then. Saw the future the Eye wanted. It would grant me my win, but it wouldn't be enough. That kind of power is never satisfied with a single victory. And once I used it in battle, Ensarena's Eye would have its hooks in me. Not just the consciousness, but also the Eye itself. The magic. It would form an instant addiction in me. I would crave that burn. The sound of screams. The blood. The Sea King was right—if I used the Eye, even once, I would end up burning all of Serai.

But there was something more precious than power, more alluring than victory, and more uplifting than any magic. I held it in my arms. I had fought it because of the Eye, and that made me furious. My fury gave me even more resilience, and I finally shoved that wicked consciousness out of my mind forever.

With a groan, I let go of Ensarena's Eye and embraced Aras with both arms. The stone clattered to the floor, and Aras kicked it away. His hands clutched at me and his love poured through me. How could I have floundered with this to bolster me? My love for Aras was great, but it felt minuscule compared to what he bore me. Regret ate at me. The Eye had tricked me. Nearly drove me mad. But the worst was what it made me do to Aras. My mate. My incredible mate.

Never again.

With that vow set inside my mind and heart, I drew out of our kiss and met my mate's stare. “Aras, I'm so sorry, my love.” Then I saw the blood on his arms. “Oh, Gods. Did I do that? Fuck. Aras, I'm—”

“Look at me.” Aras grabbed my face again. “It's nothing. You're a fucking hero, Ly. You saved Zixin for me. You risked yourself because I asked you to.”

I stared at my mate. “I risked the entire world for you, Aras. Not just me. If the Eye had taken control of me, I would have burned Serai until it was mine. And it nearly did take me. But you were stronger than the magic.”

“Not stronger. Just more determined. I wasn't going to stop until I had you back.”

“That is strength, Aras. You conquered the Eye for me.” I smirked, joy overwhelming me. “You truly love me. And for your love, I would do it all again. Anything you want, you will have. Even if your whims destroy the whole fucking planet. I will get you the moon if you desire it.”

I meant it. Every word.

Aras chuckled. “I don't want the moon, Ly. I want something much harder to get—you.”

I stared at him, so fucking grateful. He wanted me? Just me? My idiotic, amazing mate. It was about time he learned the truth.

“You have me until that unwanted moon falls from the sky.” I took Aras's hand and headed for an exit. But then I remembered my guests and what I needed from them. I wouldn't announce it today. They deserved some time to bask in their love before that. But I would call upon the Sea King soon. I paused at the side door and looked back at them. “Don't think I've forgotten that you owe me, King Vaxarion. One day, I'll collect.”

King Vaxarion nodded, and I grinned at him before leaving the room, my King's Guard following.