Abisai
I watch her walk away toward the horse.
Damn Higmer.
I stride after her with long, firm steps.
"Zabina!" I shout just as the arrow appears out of nowhere.
She turns toward me, and the arrowhead buries itself in her right shoulder. The impact sends her crashing to the ground with a muffled cry.
The world stops for a second.
Then everything turns red.
I shift in a burst of fury. My body grows, my wings unfurl violently. Humans in my kingdom. This is Thymá's doing, and this time, she was the target. That means he knows too.
I spew fire into the forest until the trees burn and the screams are consumed by my rage. I soar over the area and unleash another flame. I chase down those who managed to escape until my shadow engulfs them. They turn toward me, hands trembling over their bows.
I take my human form and advance. An arrow grazes my face, leaving a burning gash on my cheek.
Damn bastards, can't even aim properly.
Before he can shoot again, I grab the archer by the throat and lift him into the air. He kicks, his face turning purple.
Levin arrives with my men and takes care of the rest.
When he's about to lose consciousness, I drop him. He crashes to the ground, coughing.
I look at him with disdain.
"I truly hope it was worth risking so much. Because I'll feed you to the beasts."
The man trembles like a leaf.
Zymei shackles him and shoves him with the other prisoners.
Zabina…
Her name tears at my soul, and I run to her.
I find her unconscious on the ground, the arrow still lodged in her shoulder. Blood stains her dress.
Shit.
I check her pulse. She's still alive, but weak.
I need to take her to Vacul. He can heal her.
"Hold on," I whisper, lifting her carefully into my arms.
I shift again, holding her gently in my claw, and take flight toward the Amethyst Temple.
When I arrive, Vacul meets me at the entrance with the priests. His face darkens when he sees Zabina, pale and bleeding.
"What happened?" he asks.
"Humans. She was the target."
"Follow me."
I move deeper into the temple with Zabina still in my arms.
"Abisai…" she whispers weakly.
I look at her. Her eyes are half-open, her lips dry.
"Don't you dare die…" I say.
We enter a sacred chamber, and I lay her on the bed. I sit beside her, caressing her face, and lean over her, resting my forehead against hers.
"Don't leave me, pretty… please."
"Stay with me," she whispers, taking my hand. It's cold, and that terrifies me more than anything in this damned world. "Don't leave me."
"I'm here."
Vacul arrives with other healers.
"Let us work, prince."
"Then do it with me here because I'm not moving."
Vacul sighs in resignation.
A healer begins unbuttoning Zabina's dress. Another brings forceps and water.
Zabina squeezes my hand and holds my gaze.
Her breathing becomes ragged, and she winces, stifling a scream as they remove the arrowhead.
I lean over her, seeing the blood soak the sheets.
I kiss her forehead as I stroke her hair.
"Everything will be alright. Trust me," I murmur just for her.
The gem on her chest is dull, lifeless.
"What's happening?" I growl at Vacul.
"The tip was poisoned. Her blood is contaminated."
"Save her."
"She is of royal blood, prince. Her gem is too powerful. Trust that the gem will heal her body. If she were a common white dragon, she would have died instantly."
Vacul injects something into her veins.
"This should help."
The healer finishes bandaging the wound and stands.
"They wanted to expose her," Vacul states. "Your enemies know about your concubine."
"What do you advise to keep her safe?" My voice sounds too vulnerable, and I hate myself for it.
He gestures, and I turn my eyes back to her.
The gem begins to come to life. Her hair turns silver-white, and the colour returns to her skin slowly.
"The ancestors didn't act out of greed. They only wanted to prevent the gem from falling into the wrong hands, and they made the decision to exterminate the white dragons to maintain the balance of the kingdom. If the gates to Galgoth open again… we would all be in danger. Dragons and humans. War would break out again. Let her be presumed dead."
My heart races.
"Leave her here hidden. Capture your enemies. Become emperor. Then claim her. Make her public before the kingdom — after all, she has as much right as you do. That way, her gem will be bound to your will, and it won't matter if they kill her. They won't be able to take her gem. Maybe the prophecy…"
"That prophecy isn't real," I cut him off.
"It is real," he insists.
He moves toward the window, his gaze lost among the clouds.
"It spoke of the union of both races. A bond so powerful it would be enough. Of a blood pact that would bring peace. Of the extermination of the silver demons. That Galgoth would become the kingdom it was before the extermination… That was over half a century ago."
"Lies. The prophecy is a lie," I growl. "My father took that woman, and nothing happened," I mutter.
"Because the gods always marked you."
"Because of listening to you, thousands of innocents have been murdered."
"All for the greater good. When you are emperor, you will understand many things."
I watch him leave the chamber.
I stay alone, my eyes fixed on her, and I remember that woman's words…
Seeing her like this, on the brink of death, confirmed it — yes, I love her. Even if I don't dare say it out loud.
I love her.
I stand without taking my eyes off her.
If I have to let you be presumed dead, I will. I'll arrange everything and reveal you to the world. You won't be my secret anymore.
Wait for me until then, Zabina.
I turn and leave.
I point at Vacul.
"I leave her in your care. Guard my woman with your life."
He bows.
I walk to the exit. The priests bow as I pass. I shift and take flight toward the castle.
I have people to make talk.