Page 59 of To Sway a Prince
Another agonized howl rose, spiraling in the growing darkness of night and storm.
Stepping forward, I removed my pale gold blade, tightened my focus, and snagged that central thread with everything I possessed.
It snapped around my wrist as if it had been waiting for me. Wincing, I gripped my arm, willing myself to hold steady. I had it! The power throbbed in my veins, building and singing as I willed that central knot to come undone.
Ramiel's posture tensed as soon as I connected. The muscles in his jaw and throat pulsed, his gaze hinging back though he barely managed to turn his head as he continued to support the runes and the dragons seized them.
"Astraia, no." I heard his voice in my mind through the pendant. That raw pleading nearly undid me. I heard the strain in his voice. Felt the pain of the curse.
"We can't escape some things, Ramiel," I said, both aloud and in my mind. "Sometimes we do our best, and we just have to let it be what it is. I love you."
With that, I closed my eyes and poured the last of my power into dissolving that core knot. The central thread surged free, and the world spun. It coiled around me, faster and faster. I couldn't even slow it. My arms were pinned to my sides, my legs squeezed together. It wrapped around my chest and my throat. Gasping, I thrust out with my aura and fought to keep the threads from completely choking me.
The ground struck me, knocking the wind from my lungs. Wheezing, I struggled to open my eyes again. My shoulder throbbed, my lungs ached. The cursed thread burned, seeping into my skin. But Ramiel—oh, Ramiel.
His chest expanded as he drew a full, deep breath. The silver-blue of his magic surged forth, radiating from him in powerful waves.
His eyes met mine, sorrow and horror etched into his face. "Hold fast, Astraia. Don't let it take you! You aren't done yet. I will save you." Raw anguish twisted his features before he forced it away, jaw setting with determination. He strengthened the runes in the air above the leviathan, their light intensifying until it hurt to look at them.
With a violent thrust, he sent the magic toward the leviathan. The creature froze mid-thrash, suddenly still. The runes eased into the puckered, ugly wound in his shoulder. The last bit of the spear dropped out, drawn free by the runes. The flesh knitted together, the swollen scales smoothing over.
Ramiel shouted something to the dragons—a command I couldn't hear through the roaring in my ears. Thalorion and Zephyrus responded immediately, adopting a tight formation above the Chasm. The rest of the dragons dropped down as well, reforming their quads and seizing the runes.
The horrible scent of burning metal intensified. That vile cold taste filled my mouth.
No.
Behind Ramiel, darkness gathered. The omenfang materialized, its kangaroo form grotesque and wrong, static crackling around its distorted limbs. Its gaze narrowed on me, pure rage and hate. It hissed, its entire aura pulsing violet and black.
Fear sliced through me, but I met its gaze, glaring back. Even if I was terrified, I wasn't going to let it see. The threads cut deeper, binding around me tighter and tighter. What little resistance I could mount by pushing out with my aura and straining my arms rapidly weakened.
Ramiel spun around, his hand slashing through the air, trailing silver fire. "Do not touch her!" he bellowed. The blow connected with the omenfang's chest. It didn't evaporate this time. It screamed and staggered backward.
Yes!
It was corporeal now.
Murderous rage burned in Ramiel's eyes as he lunged for it. Runic blades shone in the air. "Release her now!" Those blades shot through the air and pierced the omenfang again and again.
A heavy thud shook the ground behind me. Zephyrus loomed over me, his heavy talons biting into the stone. His amber eyes blazed with terror. He howled and snarled, biting at the shadowy threads with the precision of a surgeon's scalpel but they reformed immediately. "No, no," I said, choking. "It's—it's going to be all right. I'm sorry, big guy. I love you too."
His jaws snapped with a sharp click. He nudged me frantically, whimpering.
My focus slipped. His talon clipped my side as he rolled me over and snipped again and again. It wasn't working.
He howled, then dropped his head level to me. Thrusting his snout against my body, he chirred and trilled and growled as he nudged at my ribs and my face. His steamy breath blasted against me, but there was no heat this time. Only damp.
The threads squeezed tighter. My vision dimmed at the edges. Each breath came shorter than the last. It felt like it was pulling me into the ground.
Ramiel skidded in front of me. He leaned over me, his hand pressing against my cheek. "Don't go, Astraia. Hold on. Just give me three more moments. Hold fast. I can save you. Just—just give me a few more breaths."
Zephyrus howled again. Then he spun and raced to the edge of the bridge. The rolling wail of a roar he made echoed in my ears. The other dragons flew closer, making a similar call.
I swallowed hard. Their voices deepened and distanced as a heavy hum filled my ears. Darkness closed in. I couldn't hold out much longer.
"Shh. You can do this. You saved me from my curse, now I'll save you from yours." Ramiel's voice was distant. "Keep breathing. You're holding on. That's right. Just a little longer." He etched the runes into my shoulder. But the scar refused to accept it as easily. It repelled his rune as much as it had fought the full connection of the mating bond. He gritted his teeth and pressed more energy against me, willing it against me. "I won't lose you," he said hoarsely. "I love you."
I gritted my teeth. It hurt in a different way. Like something was trying to connect.
