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Chapter Eighteen

C inaed:

T he shock of the Great Ward’s collapse ripped through my newly completed bond with Rod.

A cry of anguish accompanied demons walking the earth for the first time in twelve centuries.

The echoes of desecration trembled underfoot, and the rocks seemed to shudder in horror at the memory of what once happened.

My inner fire flickered with grief as the reality sank in.

We were too late. All the fighting, the sacrifices, the rush to find Grandfather, it hadn’t been enough.

In the silence that followed the initial shock, I felt the weight of our failure pressing down on me like a physical force.

The life we’d waited to have for decades had just vanished.

The taste of joy was cruelly snatched from my grasp.

Rod’s emotions mirrored mine. Through our bond his devastation gave way to grim resignation.

The reality of what we needed to do next crushed me like a mountain landing on my head.

Rod said the spell to create the Great Ward was surprisingly simple.

Banishing the demons was slightly harder, but not impossible.

The wrinkle was the latter required a sacrifice. Our sacrifice.

The irony wasn’t lost on me. After decades of forced separation, we’d finally completed our bond and had a chance at true happiness.

Having achieved that joy, we learned it would last only minutes.

Fate had a cruel sense of humor. Still, I didn’t regret our bond.

The completeness of Rod’s soul joined to mine, even if for just a few minutes, was worth the price.

“We need to keep going,” Rod said, his hand tightened around mine. His voice was steady, but only I felt the fear he tried to conceal from the others. “Every second we wait, more demons are summoned.”

“No.” Bart stepped forward, his face pale but resolute. “There must be another way.” His voice cracked with emotion as he looked between Rod and me. “The combined power of all the guardians—old and new?—”

“Won’t be enough,” Rod said gently. “You know that, Bart.”

I watched the struggle play across Bart’s face. He was the greatest mage in centuries, a being of logic and reason. Bart had wielded incredible magic, and made it look easy. In that moment, however, he was powerless and desperate.

Through our bond, I felt Rod’s heart break.

The bond between brothers was strong. Every one of them would give their lives for their family.

Bart’s protective instincts came from a lifetime of protecting his younger brothers and his enormous talent.

He’d never been this powerless before, and Rod knew it would haunt him forever.

“I refuse to accept that, Rod.” Bart’s usual calm demeanor crumbled and his voice bordered on hysterical. “We can find a way to?—”

“Bart.” Rod’s voice was kind but firm. “We both know you searched for the last two years, and I love you for that. But even if there was a way, it’s too late. We need to do this now, not a week, a day, or even an hour from now.”

“Rod—” Bart’s voice broke and tears rolled down his cheek.

Cael tried to comfort his mate, but he barely controlled his own grief. “Thank you, Bart,” I said. “Knowing you tried to help us means the world to both of us.”

“You all need to go,” Rod said, his gaze swept over Eldwin, Hro, my dad, and everyone else. “The energy will kill everyone in the room.”

My heart ached at the pain Rod tried to keep from his voice.

It was a lie. Bart and Eldwin could protect themselves.

Throughout our long separation, he’d been the strong one, never allowing himself to break.

Faced with the ultimate sacrifice, he couldn’t bear to have his family witness his end.

I squeezed his hand, sending reassurance through our bond.

At least at the end we’d be together, and that was enough. It had to be.

“Tell everyone thank you for all the love and support,” Rod said, calmer than he was inside. “Cinaed and I appreciated it more than they knew.”

I struggled to keep my own emotions in check, my skin warming with the effort of containing my fire.

This wasn’t how it was supposed to end. We’d just completed our bond—the connection we’d fought for across decades.

The feeling of wholeness, of finally being truly united with my mate, was so profound that the thought of losing it after just minutes was almost unbearable.

“This isn’t over,” Bart said fiercely, even as tears streaked down his face. “There has to be?—”

“Go,” I said, my voice barely above a whisper. “Please. Make sure our sacrifice isn’t wasted.”

Our deaths needed to have meaning. Our families would grieve, but hopefully they’d find comfort knowing we prevented the unimaginable suffering a world overrun by demons would cause.

Bart looked at me, then back at Rod. For a moment, I thought he would refuse again, but Cael whispered something in his ear. With visible reluctance, Bart stepped forward to embrace Rod. He held on as if he could somehow keep Rod from leaving through force of will.

“I love you,” Bart managed through his tears. “I looked up to you more than anyone else. You were the best of us.”

“No, Bart,” Rod’s composure wavered. “You’re the best of us. The world needs you more now than ever.”

When they finally separated, Cael hugged Rod as well, then me. “Thank you,” he said softly. “For everything.”

Even Eldwin and Hro, typically so stoic, appeared shaken. Eldwin clasped Rod’s shoulder, his pink diamond pulsing with emotion he couldn’t express aloud. Hro bowed deeply to both of us—the highest respect in dragon culture.

The weight of their goodbyes settled on my shoulders. I’d never imagined my end would come like this, surrounded by grieving family. The Hollens had welcomed me without hesitation, just as my family accepted Rod. They treated us like mates despite the difficulties our connection caused.

The four took a moment to compose themselves before heading to the fight above ground. Bart looked back, his eyes already plagued by doubt. Eldwin put his arm around his nephew and led him back the way we’d come.

I turned toward my father, ready to say goodbye, but he shook his head.

“No!” Father’s voice cut through the heavy silence as the others prepared to leave. “I’m not leaving.”

Father’s royal demeanor had fallen away, leaving only a father desperate to save his child. My throat tightened at the way his jaw clenched in stubborn love. He’d always been my champion, even when it put him at odds with Grandfather.

“Father—” He cut me off with a sharp wave of his hand.

“I won’t leave you, Cinaed.” His eyes burned with fierce determination. “If someone must die today, let it be me.”

The offer shocked the others, but not me. This wasn’t the crown prince offering himself in my place. This was the father who loved his children more than his life. My heart swelled with love even as I shook my head in refusal.

“That’s not possible,” Rod said the words I couldn’t speak. “The spell requires?—”

“I don’t care what the spell requires!” Father’s voice rose with desperation. “I’m older and more powerful. Use my energy so my son can live.”

The pain in his voice tore at my heart. I reached for him, clasping his hands in mine. They were warm, nearly as hot as my own. Father’s phoenix fire burned as hot as his emotions.

“The spell doesn’t work that way.” I tried to sound grateful for the offer. “But even if it could, your sacrifice wouldn’t save me. I couldn’t live without Rod.”

Father struggled to come up with something else. He’d told me back in the garden he’d die for me, but learning he couldn’t save me wasn’t something he could accept.

“Malachy,” Rod said, placing a hand on my father’s arm. “The energy has to come through our bond. It’s the only path strong enough to channel that much power. I wouldn’t be able to shape the power if it came from you.”

Father’s face fell, and I saw the moment when his hope died. It nearly broke me. I’d spent so many years drawing strength from his unwavering support. Now, when he needed me to be strong, I found myself at a loss.

“There must be a way,” he insisted, his voice breaking. “I won’t lose you like this.”

I looked at Rod, our eyes meeting in silent communication. The time for debate was over. Every moment we delayed, more demons entered our world. We had to act now, regardless of my father’s protests.

“There isn’t.” I took his hands in mine, and his grip was like a vice. “We need to begin. You need to leave.”

“I’m not leaving.” Father pulled himself up to his full height and released my hands. “The energy might kill me, but I’ll regenerate. Your sister, myself, and the guards will stand witness so the world never forgets.”

Rod nodded, his expression solemn. Through our bond, I felt his regret, his love, and beneath it all, a steady determination. He twined his fingers around mine, and together, we stepped toward the center of the chamber.

I closed my eyes, drawing deep on my inner fire.

The flames inside me responded eagerly, rising to meet my call.

Through our bond, I felt Rod’s diamond pulse with answering power.

We’d never practiced this, but I knew what to do as if I’d done it countless times.

The Earth was guiding us, making the process simpler than we’d envisioned.

The magic built between us, white mage energy and golden phoenix fire intertwining in beautiful, deadly harmony.

I felt myself opening, becoming a vessel for Rod’s spell.

The connection was exhilarating and terrifying.

Since our birth, the Earth had meant for us to be a pair.

Together we could save the world. The Earth chose us first, so we’d have decades as mates.

Grandfather’s spell had denied us those years, but our destiny remained. Only we could save the world.