Chapter 65

DIMITRI

We’re soaring toward the castle, cutting through the dense forest. The last leaves are shrouded in a blanket of mist and snow. I’m focused on my flight, skimming close to the river that leads to Valkyrie’s favorite lake.

Suddenly, a muffled sound echoes through the mist. I glance around, but the fog obscures everything.

“Did you hear that?” Zar asks.

~“Yeah,”~ I respond, linking with him. ~“Think it’s someone?”~

“Should we check it out?” Zar suggests. I scan the area, but I don’t sense anything. With a soft growl, I veer off course and descend into the mist.

The fog thickens around the trees, making it hard to see anything.

~“There’s nothing here,”~ I tell Zar.

“I swear I heard something. Like a cry for help,” Zar insists.

I agree with him, but there’s no one around. And in this freezing weather, it’s impossible for anyone to be wandering around.

~“We should get going,”~ I suggest, lifting back into the sky. Zar nods, and we resume our flight.

As we speed ahead, Gabriel’s castle comes into view. The golden peak of its highest tower is a dead giveaway. It’s a surefire way to recognize the palace of the infamous king.

“Are you going to do what you said?” Zar asks.

~“Yeah, I’ll drop you off somewhere out of sight, then I’ll create a diversion. You find her,”~ I respond, using my dragon sight to scout the area.

I need to find a spot where the castle guards won’t see him. As we approach the castle, I point out where I’ll drop him off.

Zar leaps off me unnoticed as I dart to the other side of the castle.

~“Stay safe,”~ I growl at him. Zar vanishes in the opposite direction. I let out a loud roar to alert the guards of my presence.

It’s almost time for me to confront Gabriel. I can only hope everything goes according to plan and Valkyrie stays safe.

DAMIAN

We’re making our way down the forest trail. Leo and I split up an hour ago. I was the last to leave the palace with my group.

Using the forest mist as cover, we follow the trail to a secluded part of the forest. It’s a dangerous area, full of traps we’ve set.

Dimitri’s last words echo in my mind. I pull my cloak over my face and focus. Dimitri can’t get hurt. But knowing him, both as a king and my brother, he’ll risk everything.

“Damian, let’s take this turn,” one of my men suggests. I nod and we silently disappear into the mist.

“We’ve been on the move for three hours. Any news from Leo’s side?” I ask one of the men.

“No, they’re doing fine. No signs of intruders,” he replies.

We continue on, making sure to stay unnoticed. Hopefully, we’ll reach Gabriel’s castle in time.

***

After a while, we decide to take a ten-minute break before continuing.

“I’m going to scout the area,” I announce, moving away from the group. I sniff the air for any unusual scents, but nothing stands out.

I make my way down a small hill, heading toward the river. I climb onto a rock and survey the area.

With a sigh, I crouch down to drink some water. The temperature is dropping fast. Soon, it’ll be below freezing.

I’m about to head back up the hill when I spot something in the distance. A figure is hunched over, moving toward me. I let out a soft growl as a warning, but there’s no response.

I try to pick up a scent, but I can’t. Not until I smell blood. The figure is getting closer.

“Who’s there?” I growl, hiding a dagger behind my back.

There’s a thud, and a voice calls my name. I frown.

“Help,” a woman’s voice pleads. Is she in trouble? I don’t recognize the voice. I approach her slowly. The figure stands up again.

“Can you help, please?” the woman asks as I finally reach her. My eyes widen in shock. I drop the dagger and rush toward her.

“VALKYRIE!” I yell, sprinting toward her. A woman is carrying her. “Valkyrie, can you hear me?”

I call out to her, but Valkyrie is pale and injured. Her body is covered in blood, scratches, and dirt.

“What did you do to her?” I demand, laying Valkyrie down and pinning the woman to the ground.

“Fucking let go,” the woman snaps. She doesn’t even flinch; she just stares at me.

“Who are you?” I demand.

“Are you going to let go?” the woman retorts, pushing my hand away. She’s strong. I back off and study her. She’s wearing a long white robe. Her eyes are strange. Who is she?

“Name!” I bark.

“I’m Devika; I found your queen a few miles from here. She’s badly hurt,” Devika explains. “I’m a witch, and I live in King Gabriel’s castle. But your queen managed to escape.”

“Escape?” I ask, confused. “How? And what happened to her?”

“It’s a long story. All I can tell you is that she fought to escape. But Prince Seth followed her, so I left King Gabriel’s castle to follow them both,” Devika explains.

“Seth did this?” I growl at her.

“Yes, but he’s dead,” Devika says, looking down at Valkyrie. “She killed him. He’s a few miles from here. Also, there’s a dragon.”

“What?” I ask, overwhelmed by all this information.

“Just send men. There’s no time to waste. Your queen needs help. She’s losing the babies,” Devika explains.

“Are you not a witch?” I ask, irritation creeping into my voice. I scoop Valkyrie into my arms.

“I am, but my powers have their limits,” Devika admits with a sigh. “Go on, take her back.”

I nod at her and start to walk away, Valkyrie cradled in my arms.

“Hold on,” Devika calls out. I glance back at her. “This is for her.”

I frown at the object she hands me, wrapped in a piece of cloth.

“What’s this diamond for?” I question.

“That’s not for you to know. Now go,” Devika insists, shooing me away. I start walking again. When I glance back, she’s vanished. I stand there, stunned. Where did she go?

Shaking off my surprise, I start running, mind-linking Leo and the rest.

***

“Where is she?” Calandra demands as I dismount from one of the dragons. Valkyrie is unconscious in my arms.

“Let’s get her upstairs. Where’s Michael?” I ask, rushing towards one of the chambers.

“Someone call Michael,” Calandra instructs a man nearby.

I kick the doors open and gently lay Valkyrie down on the bed. She’s in a terrible state.

“Move,” Calandra orders, nudging me aside. “MIA!” she shouts as she starts to undress Valkyrie.

I sigh and step back. Mia and Michael rush in, followed by two other women.

“Damian!” Leo calls out as he bursts into the room. I glance over at the bed.

“Let’s talk outside,” I suggest, pulling Leo with me. “Did they scout the entire forest?”

“Yes, there are signs of a dragon nearby,” Leo confirms. “I’ll go check it out.”

“Wait!” I interrupt, “I need my team to fly to Dimitri immediately. We need to inform him about what happened.”

“Understood. I’ll go personally,” Leo assures me, patting my shoulder. “Stay safe, brother!”

I turn and walk back into the room. Looking towards the bed, I see Valkyrie struggling.

“Valkyrie?” I call out, rushing to her side. Her lips tremble and her eyes, swollen and red, meet mine.

“Calm down!” Michael tries to soothe her, but she swats him away. I stop and stare at her. What’s happening?

“LET GO!” Valkyrie screams, tears streaming down her face.

“Calm down!” Calandra attempts to reason with her. “You’re bleeding too much!”

“I need to find Dimitri!” Valkyrie insists, trying to get up.

“Hey! Calm down!” I command her. Valkyrie just glares at me. Then, climbing onto the bed, I kneel and pull her into a hug. She’s cold, like a winter’s day. I hold her close, rocking her gently.

Once she’s calmer, Valkyrie allows Calandra and Michael to tend to her. She looks even paler and in more pain, and Calandra’s face mirrors her distress.

I hold her in my arms, whispering soothing words. But Valkyrie cries out in pain as Michael and Calandra examine her.

“Goddess,” Calandra murmurs, shaking her head. I look at them, my eyes wide. Michael glances at her and closes his eyes.

Valkyrie is panting and sweating. Her body trembles in my arms. Without a word, I mind-link Michael.

~“Please don’t tell me,”~ I plead. Michael just looks at me, his lips pressed into a thin line, and closes his eyes.

“Valkyrie,” Calandra begins, moving closer. She reaches out to touch her face. “I’m sorry.”

Valkyrie chokes on a sob, letting out a heart-wrenching cry. I hold her tighter as I close my eyes.

I know that everyone in the palace can hear her. I hold her even tighter.

“WHY?” Valkyrie sobs as I grit my teeth in frustration. I can feel my eyes welling up with tears. Taking a deep breath, I kiss her forehead.

***

“How is she?” I ask, crossing my arms. It’s been two hours. Valkyrie cried herself to sleep after a while.

“She lost a lot of blood. It seems she has a serious injury,” Calandra explains, exhaustion evident in her voice. “It’s going to be difficult when she wakes up.”

I glance back at the bed. It’s been hours since Leo left, and there’s still no sign of him.

~“Damian?”~ Jordan’s voice echoes in my mind.

~“Jordan? What’s wrong?”~ I ask.

~“We found a silver dragon,”~ Jordan reports. ~“He’s dead.”~

~“Bring him back. We need to confirm he’s dead. How far are you from the palace?”~ I ask, shaking my head.

~“About ten miles. We’ll be there soon,”~ Jordan assures me, and the mind-link goes silent.

“Something happened?” Calandra asks.

“Yes,” I mumble, feeling drained.

Lost in thought, I’m startled by a sudden noise.

“Michael?” Calandra asks, concern in her voice. I look towards the doors. Michael clutches his chest, a pained expression on his face.

“What’s wrong?” I ask, rushing to his side. I notice tears on his face. “Michael?”

“Irene,” Michael whispers, doubling over. “Something’s happened.”

“Stay here!” I order as I sprint down to the cave. Hearing a distressed whine, I quicken my pace. The men are struggling to restrain a brown dragon. “What’s happening?”

“It’s been in pain for a while. But in the last ten minutes, it’s gotten worse,” one of the men explains as we hear another loud whine.

“IRENE!” Michael yells from the staircase.

“I told you to stay, Michael!” I snap, annoyed.

“I can’t!” Michael insists, a sad smile on his face. “Irene is suffering.”

“From what?” I ask, confused by the unfolding events.

“Mate,” a weak voice says. Leaning against the wall for support is Valkyrie. Her face is pale and her red hair is a mess. She looks at us, and we all stare back in surprise.

Calandra rushes over, saying, “You need to be in bed.” Valkyrie brushes her off, making her way down the stairs. I try to approach, but she raises a hand to stop me.

“Look,” Valkyrie points. “That’s Cian.”

I squint, seeing a group of dragons flying towards us. They’re carrying a silver dragon. The situation clicks, and I glance at Michael.

He’s on his knees, Irene’s roar of pain echoing around us. The mate bond has shattered, and both Michael and Irene are feeling the effects. Irene because of her mate Cian, and Michael because he can feel Irene’s pain.

“Brother…,” Michael’s voice is a whisper, tears streaming down his face. As the dragons reach the entrance, everyone steps back to give them room to land. They drop the lifeless body, and Michael rushes to his brother.

“What happened?” I ask.

“They poisoned him,” Valkyrie says, moving forward with Calandra at her side. “He helped me escape, and they poisoned him because of it. I was poisoned too.”

“He helped you?” Calandra questions.

“Yes, he was in Gabriel’s castle. Somehow, I was able to control him and use him to get away. Seth ambushed us. That bastard is already dead, though,” Valkyrie sighs. “It’s my fault.”

The sound of crying pulls my attention to Michael. Irene is nudging Cian’s head. His body remains still. The more she nudges him with her snout, the louder her cries become.

When a dragon loses their mate, the bond or mark they share vanishes. The pain is unimaginable.

We don’t die, but we can if we choose to let the pain consume us.

Then, we let our beasts take control, losing our human side and becoming animals. We let the pain consume us and turn our bodies to stone.

“Go,” Valkyrie says, her voice heavy with sadness. “I… I need to go back.”

Without another word, she leaves. She’s holding herself as she walks away. I can tell she’s fighting back tears. She must be blaming herself.

“Keep an eye on her, please,” I ask Calandra. She nods and follows Valkyrie.

“What do we do now?” Jordan asks, adjusting his trousers.

“We wait for Michael to decide. He might remove Cian’s heart when his body turns to stone,” I say, heading towards the entrance. “Have the men check for anyone else.”

Jordan nods and leaves. I lower my head and sigh. The day is turning as gloomy as the weather. What other tragedy could be waiting for us?

“Stay safe, brother,” I whisper, as a cold wind sweeps by.