Page 117 of Secrets of Avalon

Beneath us, Cyrus rears up. The air crackles with energy. Blue light dances from his horn like living lightning, searching for a target. Kellan's grip tightens, anchoring me as the unicorn comes down hard with a resounding stomp.

The crack that follows is deafening, like thunder contained within the arena walls. A wave of blue lightning arcs across the ground, striking each person still on the arena floor. The wolf, Wraith, Hawke, and a half dozen others convulse as the energy courses through them.

"Let me down!" I scream and dig my nails into Kellan’s flesh. But he doesn't flinch, doesn't loosen his hold. "Hawke!"

I strain against Kellan's grip, desperate to see Hawke. Through the chaos, I spot him sprawled on the arena floor. Hawke's eyes are closed, his body unnaturally still. My heart stops.

I reach for him through our bond, frantic for any response. Hawke? The silence that follows chills me to my core, more terrifying than any snarling beast.

Kellan dismounts, his movements fluid despite my struggles. He gives Cyrus a grateful pat before turning away, still holding me against his chest. His arm is locked around my ribcage, the pressure just shy of painful. My feet dangle uselessly above the ground as he carries me towards where Hawke lies motionless next to the wolf–to Fen.

"Did you know?" The words come out flat, emotionless. I hardly recognize my own voice. "Did you know what Cyrus was going to do?"

"Yes, Domina." Kellan's reply is soft, tinged with regret. "But only for a moment before it happened. Cyrus warned me, and I acted to keep you safe."

"You can put me down. I'll stay with you."

Kellan sees right through me. "That is a lie, Domina."

A growl of frustration escapes me, primal and raw. My eyes are fixed on Hawke's still form, willing him to move, to breathe, to give me any sign that he's alive.

The wolf's body shudders instead. My heart leaps into my throat, choking me. No. No. No. Is he waking up? Will he attack again?

Panic chokes me. My vision narrows, the edges blurring as I struggle to breathe. "No, no, no," I chant, the words barely more than a whisper. I reach for our bond again, throwing every ounce of my being into it. Hawke! Please!

The entire arena seems to hold its breath. The wolf's form begins to shimmer and shift. Fur recedes like a retreating tide, limbs elongate and reshape. Within moments, Fen lies where the wolf had been, naked and groaning but undeniably human.

My heart pounds so hard I fear it might burst. I barely register Fen's transformation, my eyes fixed on Hawke's motionless form. Every second of silence from our bond is an eternity.

I tap frantically at Kellan's arm and he finally releases me.

I rush to Hawke's side, my knees hitting the ground hard enough to bruise. My hands hover over him, afraid to touch, afraid of what I might find. "Hawke? Please, please be okay."

All that matters is the man before me, the steady rise and fall of his chest, and the flicker of life that finally stirs through our bond. With trembling hands, I reach out to cup Hawke's face, willing him back to consciousness. "Come back to me," I whisper, my words a prayer and a command. "We're not done yet, Hawke Stormblood. Not by a long shot."

CHAPTER 45

Fen Has A Really Bad Day

Hawke Stormblood

I wake to the taste of honey on my tongue. Ambrosia. My eyes flutter open to find Ares kneeling beside me, an empty flask in his hand.

"Welcome back, brother." His gruff voice is tinged with relief.

I sit up slowly, taking stock of my body. The pain is already fading, replaced by a tingling warmth that spreads to my fingertips. Melinda's face swims into focus, her eyes wide with worry. She's kneeling beside me, her hands hovering uncertainly over my chest.

My heart clenches at the sight of her, a mixture of relief and guilt washing through me like a flash flood. The fear etched across her delicate features makes me ache to pull her close, to reassure her that I'm okay. But there's something else too–a fierce pride in her strength, in the way she's holding herself together despite the terror she must have felt.

"Hawke." The fear in her tone hurts worse than being bitten by Fen. "You're awake. I thought... I felt you through the bond, but you weren't responding and–"

I reach out, cupping her cheek gently. "I'm alright." I glance around the arena. "Wraith? Is he–"

“He's fine," Melinda assures me quickly. "Ares got him ambrosia first."

Relief settles through me. I brush away a tear with my thumb from her cheek. "I’m good. I promise. It takes more than Fen having a bad day to keep me down."

Melinda lets out a shaky laugh, leaning into my touch. Her relief flood into me, warm and soothing. "Don't joke. That was more than a bad day." She's trying to scold me, but there's no heat in her words. "You were so still. I've never been so scared."

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