Page 174 of The Bond That Burns

But the fire didn’t touch us.

Nyxaris raised his wings, fanning the flames back towards the golden dragon, shielding the three of us from the inferno. The fire hit his obsidian scales, rolling off them like water against stone.

I can shield you,Nyxaris growled.But that is all I can do. My fire...He gave a roar of frustration.

“Forget the fire for now,” I yelled aloud. “Just keep her from killing us.”

Nyxaris gave a rumble I knew for a laugh.Very well. I shall do my best.

Molindra snarled, her head darting forward.

Nyxaris gave a pained groan that tore at my heart. I knew he didn’t want to have to fight his friend. But this wasn’t Molindra. Not anymore.

He snapped at her throat, trying to put her off, but she was faster. Her teeth sank into the side of his neck and an agonized roar erupted. Blood spilled from the wound, dark and steaming as it slid over his ebony scales.

“No!” I screamed. Everything in me was screaming to go to him, to help him–but I couldn’t leave Florence.

Molindra shook her head, releasing her grip, as Nyxaris stumbled back. He sank down against the stone, his wings trembling as he struggled to regain his footing.

I looked frantically across the courtyard. Kage was still doing his best to distract Molindra—but a distraction was all you could call it. There was no way the wolf could bring the dragon down alone. He’d wounded her. She was bleeding a little from one of her back legs. But not enough to really be impeded.

Meanwhile Blake had found something. He was fitting a bolt into the crossbow he’d scavenged. I could see his lips moving as he cursed under his breath, fumbling to load the weapon. There must have been something wrong with it.

“Take over,” I barked at Theo. “Put your hands here. Keep pressure on her wound.”

Theo was already shrugging off his jacket. He folded it up quickly to make a bandage. “Thought you were never going to ask.”

“Don’t let go,” I said quietly. “No matter what.”

He nodded firmly, his jaw set.

I stood up, wiping the blood on my cloak. Coregon’s dagger lay a little ways away. I swiped it, tossing it back and forth between my hands. I had no other weapon. It would have to be enough.

I wasn’t going to let Nyxaris die. I wasn’t going to let any of them die.

If I fell trying to stop Molindra, so be it. If that was the price of friendship, of love, then I’d pay it willingly.

“Medra!” Blake’s voice rang out across the courtyard. “No! Get back!”

I ignored him, my gaze locking onto Molindra. She was terrifying. A corrupted creature of tarnished gold, black veins pulsing with unnatural energy. When her gaze swept across the courtyard and landed on me, I felt a chill go down my spine.

But my feet carried me forward before I could think better of it. I wasn’t even sure what I was going to do exactly. The knife in my hand felt pitiful against a creature of such might and power—more suitable for slicing apples than slaying dragons.

You are the bravest child I ever bore,my mother’s voice suddenly murmured.Have I ever told you that, my darling?

I’m the only child you ever bore,I pointed out.Unless there’s something you’d like to tell me.

Very true,she said with a sigh.I should have raised more daughters. Warriors to stand by your side.She paused.That girl—she is like a sister to you, is she not?

I didn’t hesitate.She is. I love her with all my heart.

Good. Protect her then.

Adrenaline surged as Molindra’s massive head came swinging down towards me. Her jaws parted and I knew she would snap me in half if she could.

I ducked, diving to the ground and rolling just as her jaws clamped shut where I’d just been standing.

Then I saw it—a patch of skin between the claws of her foot. The spot was exposed, unprotected, nearly devoid of the scales that armored the rest of her body.

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