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“We’re gonna bring her to the meeting barn,” Jermon said. “Everyone has gathered there, including the Hayes pack and the True Alpha. We want to see if the boost of power can awaken her.”
Valdis sat up straight. “You think that could save her?”
Jermon shook his head. “She’s dying, Valdis. Nothing we do will change that. But we do hope she’ll wake so we can say our goodbyes. And maybe we can somehow send a signal to Erwan.”
A quiet sob escaped from Valdis’s lips. “If she could see him before she passes, that would mean the world to her. He’s her favorite.”
Funny how once upon a time, that statement would’ve angered Jermon, but now he only felt gratitude someone had been there for Erwan. “We’ll do what we can, but he’s on the other side of the world, so I don’t know if he’ll be able to make it in time.”
They wrapped his mom in blankets, lifted her, and carried her to the truck. The ride back was much slower to keep her as comfortable as possible.
“You carry her in,” Nadiv said to Jermon. “You’re the second oldest.”
So Jermon did, cradling her as gently as he’d done his kids. She weighed so little, probably not even ninety pounds. The barn grew silent when they walked to the center, where a cot had been placed. Jermon carefully lowered her and made sure she was all tucked in. She looked peaceful, her face pale and sunken, but a hint of a smile played on her lips.
Jermon knelt next to her, and so did Nadiv and Valdis. People were coming forward and forming a circle around them. Fallon and Emma, with Finlay and Ross behind them as boosters. Frick and Jorah, both healers. Ian and Gael, to send energy into her. And Oliver, probably to detect if what they were doing was working and, if not, what they should change.
On the other end of the circle stood the wolves: Lidon and his three mates, plus Grayson, who was their storyteller, and Sivney. Lidon held his oldest, Hakon, who was watching with quiet eyes that mirrored his dad’s.
“We have gathered to honor Queen Grian and ease her passage into the eternal realms,” Emma said. “We’re grateful all of you have shown up, and we are here as one pack, one clan, one unity. This would have pleased our forefathers, King Laoch the Great and Høfding Olaf, who formed the pact that forever linked our destinies.”
“The wolves are honored to stand by your side once again, as we have done so many times in the past,” Grayson said. “And we humbly beseech the earth and moon to bestow her blessing upon us.”
A ripple of energy wove through the barn, and a few people gasped.
“Glaoch suas an tine,” Emma said softly. Call up the fire.
All the dragons whispered their spells except for Fallon, who stood tall as if he sucked it all in. Seconds later, Jermon felt the pull on his magic, and he released it freely, sending it to whoever needed it.
Fallon didn’t move for a good twenty seconds, not even his lips, and only then did he close his eyes and stretch out his hands over Jermon’s mom. “Dúisigh,” he said with a powerful voice. Wake up.
Almost instantly, his mom stirred.
“Mom,” Jermon said with a sob. “Mom, it’s me, Jermon. And Valdis and Nadiv are here as well.”
She blinked and opened her eyes. Her eyes were slow to focus, but when they did, a smile spread across her lips. “Oh, my boys… My sweet boys…”
They took turns leaning in for a kiss and a careful embrace. To feel his mom’s arms around him meant more than Jermon could say.
“You’re with us now, Mom. You’re safe,” Nadiv said, tears streaming down his face.
“Aye, I am.” She took a deep breath. “I don’t have long.”
She knew herself, then. Thank the gods, Jermon wouldn’t have to break the news to her. “We had to use magic to wake you.”
“I felt it call to me. And I sense…” She turned her head, searching. “Aye, the True Alpha.”
Lidon took a step closer and knelt next to her with his son by his side. “It’s an honor to meet you, Queen Grian.” He took the trembling hand she reached out.
“The honor is mine, alpha. To see the dragons and wolves are once again united… Aye, that will comfort me as I depart this earth.”
“Your sons are a credit to you and a blessing to our packs,” Lidon said.
“Thank you.” She nodded at Hakon. “The future True Alpha.”
A gasp traveled through the barn.
“My name is Hakon,” Hakon said in his bright little voice.
