She should know that I would have never left her alone in a situation like that. I grab the chains connected to her wrists and concentrate. A jolt of pain makes me nauseous, but I keep calling out for my fire magic.
It slowly begins flowing through me, buzzing on the surface of my skin. The energy creates fire along each of my fingertips, causing my heart to vibrate. The chain heats up and Emilia shuts her eyes just before they break. Only now, standing so close to her do I notice that she looks vulnerable. Her skin is pale—almost translucent and her usual inner strength is gone.
"Oh Astri, I'm so glad that you weren't captured, because I was beginning to lose hope. They were planning to send me to the labour camp today," she tells me, massaging her heavily bruised wrists. Moments later, Lenin flies inside the cave.
"We have to get out of here quickly. Edvard’s having trouble and more trolls are flooding inside the cave," he says. I nod and push Emilia through the tunnels. I soon realise that Zishan's army is charging from all around, and the gas is slowly losing its magical power.
"Kill them all. The tall one and the girl. They entered our territory!" Zishan screams, scrambling back to his feet. It seems that Edvard wasn't able to keep him disabled for long.
My heart stops when I notice that we’re surrounded, and the only other way out is filled with armed trolls. My inner dragon swirls inside me, demanding to be unleashed, but now isn't the time. Emilia panics, squeezing my hand, and at the same time, Edvard throws another magical bomb towards the charging trolls before I can stop him.
The sudden explosion causes more destruction and panic—trolls are scattering around and the ground quakes again. I lose Zishan from my sight when more gas spreads around the cavern. We start running towards our right as fast as we can, as heavy rocks fall from every direction.
We manage to get inside the tunnels when the walls around us begin collapsing, and soon the entrance is closed off. I shout at everyone to keep going—the ground is shaking and we need to move quickly.
"My bombs must have triggered some weak spots in the cave, and if we don't hurry we’ll be buried inside," Edvard shouts as we charge through the narrow tunnels that never seem to end. Lenin’s screaming, and my heart thunders loudly in my chest.
Moments later, we’re out of the claustrophobic tunnels and run through the wide, dark cave, finally seeing lights from the outside. We crash onto the ground just as the rocks from the mountains block the entrance.
"Astri, Dad. We’re surrounded by wild shifters—they’re everywhere. We have to get out of there. Jetli used her magic to push them away from the cave for a few minutes," Aria says, suddenly appearing next to me, helping me up. Emilia doesn't look too good and we still have to get back to the human part of the city. Blood keeps pouring from my wound.
I feel so weak all of a sudden.
"Astri, you're bleeding badly. Are you hurt?" Emilia asks. I quickly cover the wound with my jacket.
"It's nothing. Come on, let's move. We have a fair distance to cover," I lie, but Edvard grabs my wrists, checking my right side. It seems that my shirt is soaked with blood. Crap this is bad.
"Here, eat this right away. The snake skin filled with my added magic should stop the bleeding. It will give you some strength too," my uncle tells me shoving something in my hands. Emilia grabs me, telling me that I should worry more about myself, that she isn't hurt, just tired. I chew the runny paste that makes me feel sick, and force myself to swallow it after a while. My strength instantly starts coming back and I know we have to keep moving.
Soon we enter the forest, and something bad is going on with me. Aria, Emilia and Lenin are all talking to me, but their voices are muffled. They all sound like they’re speaking through a broken radio. Sweat runs down my face, and I’m losing my vision. I'm shaking, losing touch with reality, telling them that they’re shining like the stars in the sky. I'm talking nonsense. I have no idea what’s going on with me, but I know this isn’t normal.
At some point, I fall to the ground, unable to keep going.
"She's lost way too much blood. The herb won't work as well as it should when the body is damaged. We won't be able to make it back to town. We might have to stop soon," says the voice that must belong to my uncle. He sounds so much like my father, but that's impossible.
I'm not supposed to remember my Dad.
"Astri, hey Astri, you cannot go into the darkness. Your dragon is strong," another voice whispers in my ear. I want to stand up, open my eyes, but everything seems so heavy.
My limbs, I can't seem to move and the pain is excruciating. Someone is touching me, trying to lift me, and I scream. I have to gain some strength. Emilia and Jorgen, they all need me.
"Whatever that troll stabbed her with must have been poisoned, because she's hallucinating. We need to heal her with magic."
Straight after that I must truly pass out, because the muffled voices seem far in the distance until complete oblivion swallows me down.
Am I swimming or drowning?
I keep asking myself the same question over and over, feeling like I'm falling deeper and further into blackness.
My breathing is shallow, and I don't know where I am. Then I wake up, disoriented, and open my eyes. I don't recognise the space around me; the room is dark and smells of blood.
All my clothes are soaked, and pain erupts all over my body. Then everything slowly starts coming back to me—the cave and the trolls. We were rescuing Emilia and then Edvard was forced to used his magical bombs. For a split second, I have a feeling that I'm back at cottage in the middle of the mountains where Jorgen and I mated, until Edvard leans over me. Lenin and Jetli are right behind him.
"How are you feeling, Astri?" Edvard asks, and his blue eyes flicker with magic. My inner dragon senses other shifters around.
"I’ve been better," I mumble, trying to lift myself up but Edvard’s already shaking his head, pushing me down.
"We only just cleaned your wound and applied some experimental stitches, hoping they will stop the bleeding. The General’s blade must have been coated in some sort of poison because you started hallucinating, and screaming at the top of your lungs. We had to restrain you. We couldn't keep going, so we stopped in this old cottage," he explains.
"What? We can't be here. There are shifters around and Emilia. What happened to her?" I ask, wanting to run, but I feel weak—like someone dragged me across several continents and back. I don’t have the energy to move and my muscles have no strength at all.
"I'm here, Astri. I'm here, calm down," she says, approaching me with a smile, Edvard leaves and I slowly begin to figure out that I'm lying in some old bed filled with straw. The entire cabin is dark, and all the shutters are closed off. The place stinks of mould and old wine.
"Emilia, for Hommis. I'm so glad that we got you out of there alive. We should have come sooner, but we had no idea what happened to you. Your flat and shop has been destroyed. The wild shifters stole all of your stock, and I couldn't bare it," I say, knowing that I have to thank Edvard. Whatever he used to heal my wound is working, because I no longer feel as lightheaded. And I can finally talk normally.
"Ruscal and his warlock wizard caught me by surprise. I was just getting ready to go out when they showed up. They must have used some sort of intrusion spell to meddle with my mind. I was hallucinating and the next thing I know, I was in chains. Then Ruscal's people took me to that wild shifter, and he stole all my magic, then they sold me to the rolls. I should have known that he was coming for me," Emilia explains with tears in her eyes, and my own heart can’t take it. I think about Jorgen too. If I don’t do something, he’ll be executed sooner rather than later. I can’t let this happen. Rivenna has been my home ever since my parents decided to move here when I was a child.
"I'm sorry, but we shouldn't have left in the first place, but things went terribly wrong in the Asian World. Ruscal found out that we were away, and that's why he attacked the city," I explain, knowing that eventually I have to tell
her about the cutting of the mage ritual—about the fact that Jorgen is my mate. I regret that I haven't been honest with her from the very beginning. In fact, I regret a lot of things. I should have been honest with everyone straight away and maybe we wouldn’t be in this mess. But I can’t allow myself to think about what I should have done, I can only focus on the here and now—I’ve learned a very hard lesson and one I hope to make amends for. I only hope they can forgive me.
Then she grabs my hand and leans over, and there’s more tears. I want to get up, but everyone’s watching me. Edvard worked hard to heal me, and this wound can really cause me a lot of discomfort if I’m not careful.
"No, Astri, you don't need to be sorry. You're the future of Rivenna and you're the only one who can defeat that mage. Jorgen might be captured, but you will save him. The Wyverns are powerful and you have proven this too many times before. I believe in you, Astri," Emilia tells me and I widen my eyes, trying to process what she’s saying. I want to cry. Her words give me the inner strength I need to carry on. She’s my rock when things seem impossible.
Then I glance at Lenin and Jetli, and they’re both nodding their heads.
"She's right cousin, you're strong enough. Even Father says so," Aria mutters, with her wide gleaming eyes.
"The last pure-blooded Wyvern born in the clan. Yes Astri, you're the future of the city and maybe other nations, too."
Chapter Four
The bleak future.
They’re all staring at me, convinced that I can save them from Ruscal. My heart swells in my chest. This is all very flattering, but I'm only a dragon shifter. I'm no one special and the sooner they all understand that, the better.
I can't believe that Bratlav took away Emilia's magic—Jorgen's lost his because of me and he's waiting to be executed.
All of this sounds so surreal.
"I'll find a way if it’s the last thing I do," I say, knowing that this is exactly what they all need to hear, even if I don't believe in myself. I’d almost given up when Jorgen refused my help, but now none of that matters anymore. I must be strong for my friends. I will be strong for them, even if it means I have to constantly remind myself that I’m powerful. I can’t allow my broken heart to stop me from doing what’s right.
Then I remember that I have my mother's necklace back, and the warm, fuzzy feelings rise inside my heart. When no one’s paying attention I look at it, seeing her beautiful face.
Edvard asks me to eat some more herbs, and after that I drift to sleep. My body’s tired and needs some time to recover. I dream about Jorgen and we’re together, standing on the terrace outside, looking down at the people of Rivenna.
When I wake up again it's morning, and I feel the stinging pain where I was stabbed. I should have roasted that damn troll with my fire magic the first time I met him after he stole my mother’s necklace and tried to kill me. It's seems that Edvard's herbs and magic have rid the poison from my body. Right now, I still feel weak and drained.
"Astri, I'm starving, there’s only some stale bread in this old house," Lenin complains once I get off the bed and start walking around the cottage. Edvard’s showing Aria what a map of Rivenna looks like and Emilia’s pottering around. She looks so much better and even the colour on her face has returned, but I know that she must be missing her magic.
"No one’s lived in here for years, but we can't stay for long. We need to return to the city and figure out our next step," I say, putting my leather jacket back on. My movements are limited, but we can't stay in the cottage for another day. Wild shifters could find us, and then we won't be able to help anyone.
I miss the castle, miss going to breakfast and sleeping in my chamber. I wonder what happened to Thayer. I hope that he’s all right, but it's hard to tell. Not knowing is the hardest part. Me and Jorgen were away for quite some time, and many shifters lost their lives trying to protect Rivenna.
The old nostalgic feelings wash over me, and I shake my head, reminding myself that I don't have time to get emotional.
"Aria brought in some berries from the forest, but Lenin refuses to touch them. You spoiled him, Astri," Edvard tells me and I know exactly what he’s talking about.
"I’ve always had delicate taste buds, and berries ain't food Wyvern uncle. We don't want to starve here," the Pixie states, nodding toward his sister to agree with him.
"We should start moving. It's day time and there should be less shifters around now. Ruscal must have already heard that Emilia escaped. We just need to be careful," I add, picking up my knives.
I'm still in pain, but my body just needs a little more time to recover. I use my invisibility spell and walk around the cottage to make sure it's safe for the rest of the group to leave. We reach the city in no time, using the back allies and less populated streets. Emilia's face is known throughout the city, and I'm anxious being exposed like that. Thankfully, we managed to return to the old mill without being spotted. Edvard was able to get some food from the market, and that lifts Lenin's spirit.
"Emilia, do you need me to bring you anything from your shop? Any herbs or ingredients?" I ask my her. She looks at me with heaviness in her heart, and I instantly feel bad that I said anything.
"No Astri, there’s nothing that you can do for me. Bratlv took everything away. I don't think I would be able to brew anything right now. I’ve never come across that kind of spell," she explains, but then smiles, placing her hands on my shoulder. "Don't worry about me. I'm fine. Jorgen’s going to be executed and we have to stop it. Edvard mentioned it last night and I want to help."
I nod, and my stomach tightens. Emilia’s always been so good to me and I have to be straight with her. I start telling her about that day in the old mill, right before the contest started and about the failed spell. Emilia widens her eyes with shock when I reveal that I can become invisible any time I want.
I’ve been keeping too many secrets from her for far too long, and even now my Pixies know that me and Jorgen have mated. Aria must have told them and they just accept it, and luckily Lenin hasn't bombarded me with awkward questions yet.
I tell her about the real reason that I took part in the contest for Jorgen's assistant, and that terrible night in the forest.
It's hard to talk about it—hard to admit that I was filled with so much hatred in the past. I stood, hiding in the forest and watched him suffer. When I think about it now, my stomach ties itself in knots. Emilia remains silent the entire time, listening to my story, now knowing the real reason why I decided to leave with Jorgen.
"Yes, so we’re mated, but he hates me. I sacrificed everything to bring his beast back, to fix this, but he refused to go with me," I say, hiding my face in my hands. I feel ashamed and hurt.
Jorgen preferred to stay in that stinky cell rather than go with me. I understand he didn’t want to leave his father, but the sting of his rejection is what hurts the most.
"For Hommis Astri, come here. You need a real hug. Now everything is finally making sense," the witch says, bringing me to her chest. Tears are forcing their way to my eyes and I want the pain to ease, if only for a moment. "Eventually, Jorgen’s going to come around. It sounds like you’ve done everything that you could to fix your mistake. The man's pride has been hurt. He trusted you, but maybe he overreacted. Surely, he must realise that his people need him, so he can't give up. Bratlav has the dragon venom and no matter what, I know that you can steal it back from him. I wish I could have foreseen the future."
I smile, telling myself that she’s right. I have to keep fighting, and once Jorgen realises that this isn't the end, he’ll be back to normal.
"And I'm so glad that you two mated. I’ve been secretly hoping that you would become a couple at some point. I know he is much older and more experienced, but the two of you are made for each other," she adds, finally letting me breathe.
"We are, but it seems he’s given up on us. Ruscal took everything away from him, and he can’t defeat him without his beast," I say.
 
; The Pixies are flying around, arguing with each other. Jetli may be mute, but she knows how to stand her ground. We can't stay in the old mill for too long. Jorgen has many allies in other cities. I have to reach out and I know that Ruscal's enemies would like to see him dead.
"Astri, you're full of life and he truly loves you, but he refuses to see it. He’s going to change his mind. Love conquers all," Emilia assures me and I nod, trying to stay positive.
When we join the others in the main room I know instantly that something is wrong. Aria and Edvard are silent, and their faces are growing with concern.
"What's going on?" I ask, as my stomach fills with dread. Edvard scratches his head and glances at his daughter. Jetli’s hiding behind Lenin, who doesn't seem to want to talk. Emilia’s standing behind me, placing her hands on her hips.
"Someone tell us what is going on." she says.
"We heard the announcement. Jorgen is going to be executed in two days’ time," Edvard says and Emilia gasps.
I keep on breathing, telling myself to keep it together for the sake of others. It's not a shock, I knew that this was going to happen eventually, but I never expected that Ruscal would make a decision so soon. My heart shudders inside my chest. We haven't got enough time to plan anything—Ruscal’s rushing this for a reason.
Everyone’s staring at me in silence and I don't know what to say. The trolls weakened us, and Emilia doesn't have her abilities. I have no idea how we’re going to get Jorgen out of this mess.
"We have to start thinking about a plan now. Shifters and mages on the square will know the truth. We don't have time to reach out for allies," I say, already clenching my fists. Getting Emilia back has given me the confidence that I needed—not everything is lost yet. Ruscal must be setting a trap.
He knows that I will act, and he wants me dead.
"Astri, we are outnumbered and that's the sad truth of it. I'll help you as much as I can, but at this point I have no idea what to do," Edvard says and Aria looks away. I know that she must be scared. This wasn't what she signed up for when we rescued her from the temple.