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“We are taught that once a meld happens, it’s final. If it’s incomplete, that is the will of the Goddess.”

“What lunacy! It’s a good thing you did crash here, whatever the elders say. A meld like yours can’t go to waste!”

Tears filled my eyes. All the pressure surrounding our meld had nearly broken us. Nyx looked so hopeful as he took in what Emrys was saying.

We had another chance to make it perfect. Many more chances.

For the first time since fire rained down on my village, I had the hope that things might eventually be okay.

FIFTY-FIVE

NYX

“Open your bond and attempt a meld, but Nyx, I want you to let Zaria take control. You be the passenger,” Emrys directed.

“Respectfully, as a dragon, it’s not easy to let anyone take control.”

“Don’t they teach you to release control as part of your magical training?” Jaxus asked.

“No, not at all. Why would they?”

“Because magic is an exchange. If you can’t give over to your partner, you can never fully meld. Of course it’s easier to control than to submit, so you must practice trusting your partners enough for the flow to go both ways,” Jaxus explained, not unkindly. What he said made sense, but that didn’t make it any more fun to have to learn on the spot. “You trust Zaria, yes?”

“I do.”

“Let’s try it,” Emrys said.

Zaria placed her hands over the crystals in mine.

I closed my eyes, opening myself to the power burning my palms, itching to be let in. I opened the channels and power rushed in, eliciting a gasp. I choked and tried to drop the crystals searing into my skin, but they were glued to my palms. I hissed against the pain, trying to mitigate and control the power coming in, but it was too much—like trying to drink from a waterfall.

“Let go,” Jaxus said as he placed his hand over ours.

“I can’t. I’m drowning.” I barely managed to get the words out.

“We will help you control the flow,” Emrys said, placing his hand on our others. “Zaria, take control.”

I instantly felt the threads of our magic light up.

“Let me in,”she demanded.

I nodded, fighting the flow of the magic, trying to open up to her.

“Let go of the control. You’re fighting the magic.” Jaxus’ tone was firm. Commanding.

“It will sweep me away,” I said through my teeth. It wasn’t about giving over control. I was surviving.

“You must flow with the tide to take the power. Let Zaria direct it.”

I gulped air and tried to speak, but wave after wave of power hit me.

I struggled, engulfed on every side by the tidal wave of magic. Even breathing became impossible.

“We have to stop. He’s going to pass out.” Zaria sounded panicked.

“Not yet,” Jaxus said. “Give him a chance. It’s not easy if he’s conditioned to maintain control. Nyx, give over to her magic. Stop fighting it. Stop directing it. Trust Zaria.”

I didn’t know how to let go without being swept away. I’d lose myself to the power and burn out. I’d seen it happen before when mages pushed themselves beyond their limits.