Page 27 of Ashborne: Defiance

‘Voski—no!’

Both shoulders wrenched as I lunged forward and my hands were caught. I fisted my hands, bellowing frustration, fear, and sheer terror. And my body and mind were once more at war.

I fell, twisting, pulling, hands numb as I did everything in my power to tear myself loose—and instead that space in my chest began to tear free from my soul.

‘Voski—’ Kham was frantic.

‘Leave me!’

‘I will free you—’

‘NO! You can’t. Kham, give me your word. Do not remove them.’

‘You’re hurting yourself!’

‘I’ll hurt her more—I can’t give in to this, Kham. I can’t. I can’t lose control. I can’t take her—and I won’t give myself.’

I didn’t need to show him. He knew. He knew what I saw in my mind. Knew what dark corners lay in my heart. He was the only one.

‘This isn’t what should be—’

‘Promise me.’

My dragon rumbled and roared, his great voice echoing across the woods, loud enough to make leaves quiver.

I felt the vibration of it in the earth under my knees as I pitched forward. But the leather held—and loosened a hair when I stopped pulling.

I wouldn’t lose blood flow in my hands.

I had to stop fighting. Had to accept it. Had to keep myself here. In check.

She’d thank me for it eventually. But even if she didn’t…

‘Voski…’ My dragon rumbled my name with pain in his tone.

I shook my head. ‘A true leader is willing to sacrifice self. You told me that.’

He didn’t reply, but grief painted the bond, a rush of love, and yearning that shocked me with its intensity.

My dragon felt like he was losing me?

‘You aren’t losing me. This is to—’

‘You deny the Creator’s plan. You choose your fear over your bond!’

‘I choose not to bring more darkness into this world!’ I snarled. ‘Don’t judge me. Help me!’

A new wave of grief flooded my chest, but there was healing in it, as well. ‘I will always help you. Always. You know that.’

And I did. I nodded, panting, forcing myself to stop fighting the restraints so I wouldn’t numb my hands.

But the truth was, I wished he was there. Wanted to curl up under his wing like a child in his father’s lap.

He could free me. He’d do it if I asked. And then I could—

Spitting a curse, I folded forward, over my own thighs, and dropped my head almost to the dirt. I squeezed my eyes closed, gritted my teeth against the aching drive to go to her, and reminded myself of everything that would result if I gave in.

Loss of innocence.