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“You’re a Dragon,” a Dwarf breathes out beside us, all the color drained from his face. “What are you—”
“Silence, Dwarf!” Lightning fast, Aurdyn wraps a hand around his throat, baring his fangs. “If you so much as breathe another word, I’ll end you. Do you understand?”
The Dwarf quickly nods, sweat already beading across his brow as he trembles in the grasp of my fierce Dragon protector.
“There you are,” a voice whispers urgently behind us, and I spin to find Olmar. “Let Alfie go. He’s not going to rat you out.”
Aurdyn gives a low warning growl to the Dwarf in his grasp before releasing him.
“This way.” Olmar gestures down the hall. “Follow me. Hurry.”
We move quickly down the corridor after Olmar. It’s still dark outside and the only light in the hallway is from the small l’sair stones on the far end behind us. I hold tightly to Aurdyn’s hand, trusting him to guide me since I can hardly see anything.
When we come to an abrupt halt, I recognize the hurried sound of bolts sliding open followed by the loud creak of a heavy door swinging on rusted hinges. Faint light spills into the darkness and as we step out into the snow, the rising dawn is a thin line of soft orange and red over the mountains in the distance.
Olmar turns to face us, gesturing to the left. “This way to the mountain pass.” He darts a glance around us. “Go! Before they find you!”
Lightning fast, Aurdyn scoops me up into his arms and breaks into a run, racing toward the mountain pass with inhuman speed. The buildings and trees are a blur all around us, and I close my eyes, swallowing against the bile threatening to rise in my throat.
Something hits Aurdyn’s back with a heavy thud, and my eyes snap open as he stumbles forward and drops to his knees in the snow. “Aurdyn, what—”
The words die in my throat as a bolt of red magic races toward us. A deafening roar rips from his throat as it slams into his back in a powerful burst. Still holding me to his chest, he falls forward, twisting at the last moment to land on his back so he doesn’t crush me beneath him.
“Aurdyn!” I cry out, but his eyes are closed. Only the slight rise and fall of his chest tells me he’s still alive.
“There you are,” a voice calls darkly, and I scramble to my feet as the Mage stalks toward us. “I had a feeling you were here, and I was right.” He sneers.
Fear tightens my chest, but I force it back down, mustering all of my courage as I face the Mage. “Leave us alone!”
“The Order has sentenced you both to death, and now I will carry it out.”
I dart a glance at Aurdyn, still lying on the ground, his eyelids fluttering open. “Leave him be! I’m the one you want!”
“I’m afraid I cannot do that, Princess.” The Mage raises his hands as the other six men gather around him, unsheathing their swords.
There is nowhere to run, and we cannot hide. A glowing red orb of magic gathers between the Mages palms as he glares at me. Stealing myself, I push down my fear and place myself directly between him and Aurdyn.
“Freyja, run,” Aurdyn groans out the words as he struggles to stand. “Now.”
“No,” I state firmly. “We will either live or we will go to the gods together this day, but Iwill notleave you.”
The Mage flings his arms, and everything slows as his destructive magic rushes toward us.
Desperate, I raise my arms as if that will somehow stop it from reaching us. Intense heat sears my palms and a ball of flame shoots out from my hands arcing in front of us like a shield.
The red orb slams against it, disintegrating as soon as it touches the flames.
My heart hammers as I stare at my hands in shock, unsure how I’m doing this, and afraid that I will not be able to keep it up as the Mages send another volley of destructive magic.
I stumble back at the impact, but my fire shield holds steady, protecting us.
Panic floods my veins as my arms begin to tremble. Sweat beads across my brow as I force myself to concentrate on holding my position as the Mage launches another attack. Gritting my teeth, I muster the last of my strength. If I fall, he will kill us both.
A rush of wind behind me whips through my hair, followed by a thunderous roar. A stream of flame arcs over my head toward the Mage, but he throws up a glowing shield of magic at the last minute, halting his assault just as my powers fail.
He releases a feral cry of pain as his power wanes and his shield gives way. Fire and flame lick over his skin, completely engulfing him while his men stare in shock at their leader.
Struggling to remain conscious, I’m vaguely aware of all the Dwarves now gathered around, watching with gaping expressions.
