Page 163 of Gift from the Source
“It has been my honor to guide you, King of Creatures. Never doubt your ability to teach and lead the beast that lives within your people. You were made fierce but loving for many reasons.”
As they separate, V steps over to Cas.
“Until next time, God of Shadows.”
“I look forward to it, bird.”
Then Tillman.
“I knew a giant once that could move mountains,”V says.
“What was his purpose for doing that?”
“To prove that he could. You do not need to prove anything any longer. You are worthy.”
Then Corentin.
“Don’t question sacrifices that must be made. They were all done in a name. Remember the names.”
“Always.”
I hold my breath as V’s body begins to shrink down in front of me. By the time his transformation finishes, he’s still a much larger version than the one I’ve come to know.
Now, he stands about as tall as my smallest dragon form and his eyes are level with mine.
“We didn’t get the ability to shift our size from you,” I murmur as I don’t exactly understand how it’s possible he does that, but I know there’s a connection.
“No, but it is an ability given to creatures who are both the first and last of their kind. We must be adaptable to help creatures of any kind.”
“Draken was the first. I’m the last,” I breathe. The ability to shift into a dragon won’t pass down from us. “But that would mean the same for you.”
“You are correct, filia.”
He doesn’t expand any more than that and I don’t push. The loneliness in his tone makes my chest ache and I don’t want our last moments tainted by sadness. I just want to focus on the few exciting ones we had.
“What do I do, V?”
“Remember who you are,”he says quietly, then lays a talon to the glass casing around the relic.
It doesn’t combust or explode. It disintegrates slowly in a sparkle of gold light until nothing remains but the Binding itself.
My trembling hands hover over the bronze encasing and my eyes fall into the shadow like smoke floating within the globe.
“Just as he did?” I confirm.
“Yes. Don’t repeat the words he spoke. Don’t call upon the forces of Old but of your own creator. She hears you when you need her. Let your intuition guide your words.”
Tingling spreads throughout my whole body as I shift my index fingers into claws. My mind races, trying to put together the words I want to say, but the only concrete thing that comes to me is his name.
Malvolio Choice.
Blood pools in my palms as I move from one hand to the next, drawing the mark of the Nexus. In all things, it is the strongest symbol I know and I put my faith in the feeling it’s what’s best for now.
My eyes meet those of my men and I soak up the confident nods they all give me. I let the reassurance they’re beating into our bonds fill my chest until I’m close to combusting from it.
Blowing out my breath, I lay my hands to the Gods Binding.
Power.
