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But as I watched the land rush by, another body-wracking coughing fit overtook me. Darkness crept into the corners of my vision, and I cast a final prayer to the Goddess for salvation as my world went black.

FOUR

ZARIA

Dawn was upon us when I stirred awake. Panic immediately took hold when I opened my eyes to find the land far below and rushing by at great speed. It wasn’t a dream.

I shivered from the chill morning air, and he seemed to hold me closer to his body in response.

The world below was showing more signs of life than I had ever seen before. Occasional crops and pastures had become villages, then towns, and as we flew, I grew more and more fearful of our destination. I lifted my head and looked toward the horizon and gasped as my worst fears were confirmed. A city grew in the distance. At least, that was all I could imagine it to be. Though still tiny in the distance, I could see the density of the buildings. I had heard tales of the cities and their sins, but seeing it was more daunting than I ever imagined.

“Thank the Goddess,” he huffed softly into my mind.

I stiffened. The memory of what had occurred flashed through me at the sound of his voice, and the itchy feeling of his thoughts in my head was just as keen. What was he thanking the Goddess for, exactly?

“You’ve been unconscious for hours, Sol.”

Through the night, if the morning light was any sign. My stomach soured at the knowledge that so much time had gone by since he took me. Were my parents safe? Would they be worried?

“Are you well?” he asked.

I spat a laugh. “Well? What does the state of my health matter? A creature I still don’t believe is real has kidnapped me. My home has been destroyed and my family—” I bit back tears. I would not show him my pain. “Where are you taking me?” I tried to sound strong, but I was feeling afraid and alone, and I was weaker than before. I felt the effect of the herbs more than ever. I tried to shake it off. It didn’t matter where he was taking me, he couldn’t keep me. I wouldn’t allow it.

I felt the rumble of a growl through his body. He clearly didn’t agree.

“Well?” I demanded.

“I’m taking you home.”

“You took me from my home,” I thought defiantly, but even the voice in my head wavered and betrayed my uncertainty. Was this another trick of Uriel? Could he make me believe I knew him?

At that thought, a faint connection pulsed between our chests, like we had an invisible string tied between us.It was a feeling that felt familiar. Something I’d long felt if I really thought about it. A strand of myself reaching out beyond the world I knew, searching for something more. Only now, he was at the other end of the strand.

“No,” he corrected, cutting into my thoughts. “They took you from—” he hesitated like he kept something back.

“What was I taken from? What aren’t you saying?”

“Our kind. You know it to be true. I feel your tug on the bond.” He had dropped his voice, keeping it low, almost like a lullaby. Was he trying to hypnotize me? The beat of his wings, the steady rhythm, combined with the reaction from my intolerance, lulled me back toward sleep.

I had to fight this hypnosis he had placed on me. I shook my head, trying to clear the fog. “Take me back.” I hit my fist feebly into iron-hard scales, knowing it was futile. Even if I wasn’t weak from the herbs, what could I do against such a beast?

“Do you want to die?”

“I’d rather die with my fellow fae than be taken to the Valley of the Dead to be your prisoner!” I fought back a sob. Would Luka be there? My siblings? Were they all dead? Would the cellar have given them enough cover? Would they be able to escape into the woods, or would the beasts have set them all ablaze?

“I won’t let that happen. If you die, I could too.”

I could feel his sadness in the words. I felt the same sadness. I gasped. “What have you done to me?” My parents had warned me of this. Uriel’s beasts could attach themselves to your spirit and use it for power. They did it to siphon our energy and soul, stealing our soul so they could prowl the Twelve Kingdoms.

“What are you talking about?”

“You’re stealing my spirit.” I clutched my pendant. That had to be it. My intolerance alone wouldn’t explain it. The pendant seared my hand, burning hot against his evil. I had to resist. I searched my memory for all the ways we were taught to fight against the siphon.

“Goddess bless. The brainwashing they put you through… We have been tied since we were born. I’m a dragon, and you are my ryder. The Goddess willed it. I wouldn’t have picked you either, given a choice.” Annoyance crept into his words. “You will see the true world as soon as we get to the capital. If our bond can’t convince you, that surely will.”

“Stop with your tricks. I won’t believe anything you say.” I tried to fight back against the thread that connected us, to throw him off or push him away, force his voice out of my mind, but the strain made my head ache. The more I fought, the more the herb weakened me. It was like quicksand.

I hissed, rubbing my chest where my pendant sat. My vision narrowed, and my thoughts became slower. I’d inhaled too much of the herb. I’d be sick for days, even without him stealing my spirit. The extra energy it took to fight him was killing me. Maybe that was his design.