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I thrash back and forth, trying to dislodge her, but I can’t break free.
Or maybe, deep down, I don’t really want to.
“I can’t exist in the world without you,” Liz says. “I know that Hyperion will find me. Bonding you again is cruel, because it’ll just hurt you later. I should leave you here and go to find him alone, but seeing you, I can’t do it.” A tear rolls down her cheek, and her voice breaks. “I can’t, Axel. Please don’t hate me for needing you so much.”
I could never hate her.
Never.
From the moment I saw her, all I’ve wanted was to restore the bond between us. A small part of me even hopes that, once we’re bonded again, the part of me that the ice spears sundered will return. Could restoring our bond heal me? Could it return me to my former glory? Could Liz be the key to Azar’s return?
One tiny second of weakness, and my shields drop, and the blazing light of our bond, the shining strength of it, snaps back into place. Both of us bow backward, writhing, but not from agony. From the blinding brilliance of that connection screaming back to life.
I’m stronger.
I’m smarter.
I’m faster, more resilient, and more powerful. The bond strengthens me in every single way. I should have known it would happen, that the renewal of our bond would be glorious. But as the earth dragons nearby gasp, and as Plumeria groans, and as more earth dragons draw near with exclamations and questions. . .
I realize that no one could have missed our bond settling back into place—Liz and I just went from nothing straight to entwined. Of course the re-forging of that bond would resonate, and no matter how much better it makes me, it’s not going to be enough. But even if they didn’t feel it, the visible change of her hair from brown to gold is enough evidence.
Every blessed here knows.
When Hyperion wheels overhead, trumpeting, I want to grab Liz and burrow deep and fast into the ground. My earth dragons would leap into his path and slow him down, sacrificing themselves for me willingly, but their attempts would be futile. Nothing I do will be enough to keep her safe.
Not from him.
Not from the power of the flame, a power I used to command myself. Not from the brother who used to protect me above all others.
The brother who doesn’t even know me anymore.
Elizabeth Chadwick. Hyperion lands with a loud thunk, the earth around us trembling as he settles his enormous bulk into place. I’ve been hoping and wishing that you might yet be alive, and now, here you are, like a gift-wrapped offering the humans sent just for me.
“Here I am,” she says, her chin thrusting upward. “Take me, and release my siblings.”
Oh, I don’t think so, he says. You already cost me my favorite brother, you know, so don’t be angry with me if I kill yours in front of you, just to even the score.
Don’t do that, I say. It won’t help anyone.
You. Hyperion’s eyes flash and smoke pours from his partially open snout. You, my brother’s self-proclaimed best friend, who was nowhere to be found on the battlefield, or even for hours after. You’re a coward. Hyperion snorts, blowing half flame, half smoke against me and shrouding me in black. You have the audacity to rebond her, when I ordered all of you to bring her to me the moment you find her? She killed him!
“He only did it so he could drag me to you,” Liz says. “I have these swords yet. I may be small, but I’m feisty.”
And will you, Axel? Hyperion asks. Will you drag her to the volcano for me?
Why would she say that? She must know that the moment we reach that horrible place, he’s going to fling her into the lava. She may have cheated death once, but it’s not likely to happen again. She’s not Gullveig, I say. She won’t be reborn. You’ll just be murdering her for no reason.
Hyperion stalks toward me, and I scramble backward, watching to make sure that Liz isn’t anywhere near his tail or flank as he pursues me. How do you know about Gullveig? What else did my brother tell you and why?
For the first time in my life, I fear something else more than I fear my own secret being revealed. Everyone knows that Hyperion has been kind and understanding to exactly one creature in all of history. One blessed.
Only one, ever.
He didn’t tell me, I say. I was there all along. I straighten and stand my ground. I’m Azar—I always have been both Axel and Azar. That’s why I wasn’t at the battle. It’s why I was never seen with Azar, not once, in spite of everyone knowing that we’re best friends. We’re the same, and when the humans speared me, it destroyed my flame blessed half—but I’m still me.
Hyperion arches one eyebrow at me.
I’m still your little brother. And now I have to pray that divulging my secret is enough to save her.
