Page 152 of Queen of Legends and Lies
Movement in the distance catches my eye, and I squint against the dawn.
There, standing proud and regal on the barren ground, is Dame.
At least I’m pretty sure it’s her. My eyes are still dazzled. But I feel the connection. Reddish-brown scales glint against the daylight, her pale yellow underwings folded neatly at her sides. Even from this distance, I can sense powerful emotions emanating from her. Pride, relief, and a fierce protectiveness that washes over me like a warm embrace.
She knows.
Though I’m not sure how, she understands what I’ve been through, even if I don’t fully comprehend it myself yet. Was she able to follow what happened to me through our empathic bond? What about the others?
Dame inclines her head, her golden eyes gleaming with an ancient wisdom.
A sense of calm settles over me. For a moment, the confusion and disorientation fade away. I’m alive, surrounded by those I love, and somehow, I know that everything will be all right.
I try to walk, wanting to cross the distance between my dragon and me. I take a wobbly step, and my legs collapse.
Sterling catches me before I hit the ground, hauling me against his chest. “Easy there. You’re still weak.”
I’m not weak. I’m so strong I can taste colors. Wait. That doesn’t make any sense.
Who cares. Better naked than dead.
Slowly, more awareness blooms. Several people surround me. With more effort than I think it should take, my eyes start to focus on their faces. Leesa, Bastian, Agnar, Elijah, Rafe, and Helene.
They stand in a cluster, watching as Sterling strips off his tunic and pulls it over my head. The shirt all but swallows me whole, draping over my frame down to my mid-thighs.
Up until now, I was completely naked, my skin smudged with soot and grime.
I cringe and lick my dry lips. “Let’s all pretend I wasn’t just flashing everyone.”
The fact that not even Agnar quips a reply shows just how shaken this battle has left us.
Leesa reaches over to clutch Bastian’s hand.
That’s when I notice the ash.
The smoldering embers are everywhere. The vast expanse of gray twinkles and stretches to form a perfect circle around Sterling and me. Geometric patterns of swirling dust seem to pulse with hidden meaning.
And I’m at the center of it all.
Sterling scoops me up effortlessly, cradling me against his chest as he carries me toward a nearby fire. The flickering flames cast a gorgeous glow over my friends’ faces as they form a semicircle opposite us, their expressions a mix of relief and concern.
Agnar is the first to speak, mumbling something about me fighting so hard my clothes fell off.
Sterling shoots him a warning glare, which earns him a soft laugh.
Lowering to the ground, Sterling situates me in his lap. A comfortable silence settles over us all as we relax into the crackling sounds of the fire and the distant cries of birds.
My face warms.
Sheer exhaustion threatens to lull me to sleep. I’m so thirsty I could drink a whole pot of Fusion Root tea, my limbs are like overcooked carrots, and my head spins every time I move.
Is this what happens when I use phoenix fire? Does it drain my body this badly? Or are these just the side effects of the merge? If it’s just the merge, then how is everyone else able to stand?
Another sudden thought hits me.
Rose.
A burst of adrenaline chases away the fatigue.
