But was that even possible?
“How could we be fated mates...we didn’t make it through the Forge....”Fresh tears blurred her vision.“He didn’t make it.”
“Yet he was there in the Forge,”Emily replied, emotion obvious in her inner voice.“You both were, however briefly, and that’s all it took.”
Could it be? Would she at least have him after this life? A surge of hope blew through her at the possibility. It was far from what she wanted, but it was something. More than she dared hope.
Or so she thought until she spied what lay ahead.
Or better yet, what did not.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
“WHERE IS HE?”Raven looked around in panic when she landed in Revna’s cave at the peak of Mt. Galdhøpiggen.“Where’s Tor?”
“His cousins carried him back to the Fortress for a proper burial,”Emily said. She and Sven landed beside Raven.“We will join him soon. After you retrieve what you came for.”
While desperate to be near Tor’s dragon again, Raven understood that his family needed him too. She wasn’t the only one saying goodbye. So sad her heart physically hurt, she made her way down into the circular cave. She knew her offspring had remained unharmed, but it was still a relief to see him.
“Little one,”she whispered into his mind, resting her cheek against the egg. She felt his immense sadness at the loss of his father.“I’m so very sorry. I tried...”
When she broke off, too emotional to go on, Cian rested his hand on her haunch, offering comfort.
“I let him down,”she choked out.“I should have been stronger.”She couldn’t stop the tears.“I shouldn’t have let Tor’s healing light pull me free.”
“You couldn’t have stopped it if you tried, friend,”Cian replied.“Tor loved you too much, and his ability to heal untouchable once he harnessed the power of the Forge.”
“He did harness the Forge, didn’t he?”she murmured, grateful to have it confirmed.“But it won’t matter where he’s going. Nothing will.”
“You will,”Emily said. She and Sven had gathered close as well, letting their grandson know he wasn’t alone. That many loved him.“Your son will.”
“She’s right,”Sven agreed. He was drowning in grief as well but determined to offer her and her child comfort.“Wherever he is now, my son has kept you and your offspring with him. Thoughts of you two will keep him strong.”He shook his head.“It cannot be any other way. You are his life. His greatest loves.”
She could only hope they were right. That Tor was able to find some sense of peace and love where he was now. Because it wasn’t a good place. It was lonely and empty. Not bad or good. Nothing at all. Just horrible and endless. Lacking identity. Not meant for such a good man.
“We should go soon,”Emily said gently, supportive despite her own anguish.“Dragon bodies don’t remain long after their spirits leave them. Tor would want you and your little one there with him when the time comes.”
