*Rhys*
I stood there, the ghostly image of Saoirse wavered and faded, leaving behind a lingering ache in my chest. When she fully vanished from my sight, the ache in my chest tightened. There was a knot that refused to loosen. I clenched my fists. She was out there, trapped in her own flesh by Shylah’s dark intentions. Each ti she slipped away from my visions, it felt like losing her all over again.
We would free her. I’d stake my life on it.
I rubbed my hands over my face, spearing my fingers through my hair and tugging at the ends. I wondered if we would ever have the chance to be happy—to just be together without all this ss. I vowed to do whatever it took to make sure the rest of Saoirse’s life was peaceful and happy, even if that ant letting her move on without .
I called for Daxton and Alternate Sasha, instructing them to et in the empty dining hall. I sat at the long table, staring out at the darkened gardens beyond the window as I waited. Footsteps approached. I turned to see them both entering the room.
"Rhys," Sasha said, nodding her head in greeting.
"Sasha, Daxton," I acknowledged them with a slight bow of my head.
"Rhys, mate," Daxton began, taking a seat across from . “Sasha filled in on the way over. This is... It is a ss, but we’ve been discussing our options. We believe we need to act quickly if we want to save Saoirse."
"We can’t let Shylah continue using Saoirse’s powers for her own gain," Sasha said firmly.
I nodded in agreent. This could not continue to go on. Saoirse had been through enough. She had given enough. Our child was at stake now. I couldn’t lose them both.
"Dragons," I said simply, turning to face them.
"Indeed," she replied, nodding. "Our alliance with them is crucial. Without their strength and ancient wisdom, we risk too much."
Daxton crossed his arms, a grin playing on his lips despite the gravity. "Guess it’s ti to play nice with the fire-breathers, again, eh?"
"More than nice," I admitted, the weight of leadership pressing down on . "We need them as allies, true friends in this fight. We’ll need to be careful. There will likely be many who side with Shylah."
"We’ll be careful. Many will side with Saoirse after all she’s done for them. Shylah won’t see this coming," Daxton chid in, his voice holding a hint of mischief. "We’ll have the elent of surprise on our side. And dragons aren’t known for being subtle when they’re angry."
“We must tread cautiously,” Sasha reminded us.
“My mate and child are at stake. Dragon allies are vital to our success if we want no harm to co to Saoirse or the baby—our baby. But you’re right. We need to be cautious. If we make one wrong move, it could cost everything.”
Alternate Sasha stepped closer, her gaze intense. "You have a lunar month, Rhys, one cycle of our moon to prepare, plan, and act."
My heart sank at the thought. A lunar month could feel like a lifeti when every mont counted. Yet, I nodded, acknowledging the tiline. "I hate the idea that it could take so long. For Saoirse, I’ll move heaven and earth. Whatever it takes to ensure she’s safe and the baby."
"Then it’s settled," Sasha said, her voice firm. "We bring the dragons into our fold."
"Ti’s not on our side, but let’s make every second count," Daxton added, clapping a hand on my shoulder.
I looked between them, my resolve hardening. "Let’s get to work."
"Prince Rhys," one of the palace servants called out, breaking through my reverie. "Your father has sent word."
I turned, taking the small scroll the ssenger offered, and unfurled it with hesitant fingers. King Xander’s script, usually stern and commanding, seed almost hurried.
"Axureon has requested a eting," I murmured, the words feeling like stones in my mouth, "in Egoren." I looked up at Daxton, feeling the weight of responsibility settle on again. "But Saoirse stays in the sanctuary."
"We’ll make arrangents for you to attend remotely," Daxton suggested, ever the strategist. "You can’t leave her side, not now."
"Agreed," I said, my voice edged with cold determination. "I won’t leave without her. Saoirse will be free of this curse, and I’ll be damned before I let distance stop from fighting for her."
I sent my father a return ssage informing him of my plans.
***
We settled into a quiet chamber, setting up the computer and cara so we could be part of the eting with Axureon. Part of wished I was there in person to demand answers from the golden dragon. How could he have let this happen to Saoirse after everything she had sacrificed, everything she had given to the dragons to ensure their safety?
I took a deep breath as Daxton entered the eting room. The video opened to reveal my father seated beside a figure of regal bearing—Axureon in his human form.
"Rhys," my father acknowledged with a nod. "We have much to discuss."
"Indeed," Axureon’s voice resonated with centuries of magic and power. "Shylah’s ambitions grow more dangerous by the day. She seeks to ensnare Saoirse’s mind completely and use her against Dragon Lord Pyroth."
"We must act swiftly," I interjected, clenching my fists until my knuckles whitened. "I will not allow her to put Saoirse and our child in jeopardy. What can you do to aid us?"
"Everything within my power," Axureon vowed solemnly. "Saoirse is innocent in this twisted ga. I shall help you recover her safely, and together, we will prevent Shylah from igniting a war that neither of our kinds can afford."
"Tell , Axureon," I started, voice steady despite the anger burning inside , "why now? Why reveal the truth only at this dire hour?"
Axureon bowed his head in a rare display of humility for the dragon. "I was blinded," he confessed, his golden eyes dim with sorrow, "by the promise of my long-lost mate returned. You have been without your mate for such a short ti. I have gone centuries without mine. Having her back... I made mistakes. I refused to see the cruelty, the possessiveness. But now I face the bitter truth."
"And what is that truth?" I pressed, needing to hear the words to grasp their full weight.
"That the body carrying the child, your heir, is not hers. It belongs to Saoirse." Determination lined his ancient face. "I will right this wrong."
"Words are air and promise, Axureon," I reminded him sharply. "It is action that speaks loudly."
"Then I will show you," he avowed.
"Thank you," I breathed out, hope glimring to life in my chest. "We’ll need every ally in this fight. And Saoirse... She needs us all now more than ever."
"Then let us begin," King Xander said firmly, sealing our new alliance with a resolute gaze. "Ti is precious, and we have much to prepare."
"Indeed, we do," I agreed, my heart steadfast. For Saoirse and our future, I would move heaven and earth, no matter the cost.
Sasha explained our options. Shylah would not release Saoirse with all the power she contains. She needed to feed off of it to fulfill her plans. Our only chance was to cut off the power source without harming Saoirse and the baby.
“The binding should be our last resort,” I demanded. “We are hoping there’s a way to drain the dragon staff. Mother, we thought you may have so insight.”
Queen Lena, who had been listening intently, interjected, her tone laced with urgency. "We must focus on weakening Shylah’s hold. The dragon staff is key. Its ancient powers must be removed."
"Removed? How?" I questioned, my mind racing with the implications.
"Soone with rare skill, capable of mystical extraction," she explained. Her gaze t mine, clear and resolute. "Such a person must be found and secretly brought into the sanctuary."
"Rhys," Axureon’s voice, deep and resonant even in his human guise, drew back to the present. "I will go back to Shylah."
"Go back?" I echoed, my gaze snapping to his. "Do you an to return to her?"
"Indeed," he replied, a subtle gleam of determination in his eye.
“And what? Continue allowing my mate to act as her vessel?”
"To her, I will appear the loyal servant, but beneath the ruse, I will work to unravel her sches from within."
"Be careful," I warned, knowing the ancient dragon had more experience in deception than most. "She’s cunning and cruel. My mate’s life, and my child’s life, are at stake here."
"True," Axureon acknowledged with a nod. "But she does not know I have seen through her illusions."
I studied him for a mont, the old dragon’s wisdom shining. If anyone could walk such a dangerous path and erge unscathed, it was Axureon.
"Very well," I said at last. "While you return as a double agent, we must discover how to extract the magic from the dragon staff. Mother, you ntioned soone with rare skills. Do you know of such a person?"
"Only one na cos to mind," Queen Lena interjected before Axureon could respond. Her voice was soft but carried the weight of centuries. "Eva Stormfall."
"Eva Stormfall?" I repeated, testing the na on my tongue.
"Indeed," the queen affird. "Her mastery over the arcane is unmatched. If anyone can siphon the magic from the staff, it is she. She is our best chance for saving Saoirse and your child, Rhys."
"Where can we find her?" I asked, the urgency thrumming in my veins.
"Finding Eva is no simple task," the queen replied, her expression somber. "She is elusive, but I trust you will succeed. You must. I will consult my network and see where she was last seen. Perhaps we can find a pattern in her movents or, at the very least, a starting point."
"I’ll start at dawn," I vowed, my resolve as unyielding as the mountains surrounding us. For Saoirse and our unborn child, I would face any peril.
"Ti is of the essence," Axureon added gravely. "A lunar month may seem ample, but it will pass swifter than you can imagine. Find this Eva Stormfall. When you do, I will find a way to smuggle her into the sanctuary."
"By the next full moon, we will have the staff’s magic in hand and Saoirse back with us," I declared, the words a solemn oath.
"May the stars guide you, Rhys Crimson." Axureon bowed his head slightly, an ancient gesture of respect from a being who had witnessed millennia unfold.
"May they guide us all," I murmured, feeling the enormity of the task ahead.
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