21. The Truth

***Ikyn***

“Please, Eira,” I beg. *What am I begging for? Her forgiveness?* I think to myself. I hold tightly on to her hand, not wanting her to give in to the wind. However, as she closes her eyes, her grip loosens, and she slips from my grasp. “NO!” I yell to my father more than anything else.

*”Yes, Eira. You’re MINE!”*

“No, she isn’t! She’s MINE!” I yell back, transforming myself into my dragon form to catch her. I barely reach her in time. Her body had already made impact with the ground below, though I made it just in time for no serious injury to come to her. *“Eira,”* I try to mind-link with her, hoping that if she did let my father consume her mind, at least she’ll be able to hear me. Nothing. No response. Her body is as limp as if she were dead. *NO,* I chide myself. *She can’t be. She’s just… lost… WHY DID I BRING HER THERE?!*

*”Because,”* the hideous voice of my father grows as I make my way out of the abyss. *”You needed her to know the truth. And I am showing her the truth. You ARE my heir, Ikyn. Whether you like it or not. Your dragon side will consume you and burn every last bit of your human body and mind to ashes. Just as you will burn the surrounding kingdoms to ashes. You will eradicate the human race and dragons will be strong once more. That is how it must be.”*

“YOU’RE WRONG!” I scream. I can feel tears welling in my eyes as I transform back into my human form, feeling Eira’s seemingly lifeless body, searching for a pulse. I can’t help but smile as I feel her faint heartbeat. Leaning closer to her face, I can feel her soft breath against my skin. Releasing a sigh of relief, I carry Eira back up the stairs from which we came. Past the waterfall we go, out through the cavern tunnels. I carry her all the way home, walking in the heat of the dragon lands, bearing all the weight I should only have carried alone. *Why did I think that would be good for her? For us? Because you’re a stupid man. A stupid, selfish man. But she needed to know so she can make a better decision for herself. No, you wanted to push her away so you wouldn’t be the one to hurt her.*

I carry Eira back to the castle and lay her to rest in our bed. I watch as she tosses and turns, groaning in her sleep. Calling out for her hand maidens to dress her into a lighter wardrobe, I take my leave. Making my way down to the kitchens, I pour some water and imbue it with healing herbs to calm her when she wakes. However, I can’t sit still. I end up pacing in front of the closed door to our room. I can feel the eyes of my servants on me, but I don’t care. All I care about now is Eira’s well-being.

Eira wakes up screaming. I run into the room, finding her hands reaching for her neck. Afraid of what she has seen, what she has been through, I race to comfort her. I need to hold her. I need her to know I am here for her. But she pushes me away the moment my hand touches her shoulder. I have never seen her look so frightened. Her already pale skin look ghostly white as beads of sweat fall down her face, pooling between her bosom. Her hair, clothes, and the covers around her are twisted and soaked with moisture.

Frustration grows within me. Why did I even take her there? Kneeling at the edge of the bed, I rest my head on the edge to give her some kind of space. I refuse to leave her alone again. “Eira?” I ask, hoping she’ll hear me. She needs to know she’s safe now. “My-… Eira?” You don’t deserve to call her your queen. “Eira,” I murmur, resting my head on the edge of the bed, defeat growing within me like the roots of a tree tugging at my heart. Finally, she looks at me. Well, her head faces me, but her eyes show no focus. “Eira, I-,” cutting myself off, I search her eyes for something. Anything. Any kind of sign that will let me know she still cares for me. But there is nothing. No more spark gleams from her eye. Her face is completely blank.

Eira audibly gulps. Water! I quickly call in my servants to tend to Eira. Roberta, Telah, and Minnie rush into the room holding a pitcher of the water I prepared earlier, cold cloths, and the usual basket of dry cloths to clean her off without tossing her in the bath. I stand near the door, watching impatiently. Eira, I am so sorry, I repeat in my head as I find myself locked on to her daze. She blinks a few times as she comes back to reality. She offers the girls a half-hearted smile, still clearly overwhelmed from her dream.

Eventually, Eira manages to scan the room, finding me across from her. I am unable to decipher her thoughts. What could be going through her mind right now? When Roberta, Telah, and Minnie finish their duty, they bow to me as they make their leave. Closing the door behind them, I keep my distance, giving Eira the space she may need right now. However, she surprises me by breaking the silence. “Ik-kyn,” she mumbles, finding her voice. “Is-“ her words catch in her throat as she works herself up into a coughing fit.

I take a step forward, ready to aid her, but she holds her hand up for me to stay in my place. When she finally regains her breath, she continues, “Ikyn, what happened?”

Leaning back against the wall, I ask, “What is the last thing you remember?”

“I remember…” She trails off, furrowing her brows. “I remember a dark, cold room filled with fireflies surrounded by mist. I remember-“

Cutting her off, I say, “No, not your dreams. What do you *remember*?”

Eira looks at me strangely, as if I said something absolutely ridiculous. “What do you mean ‘dreams’? No, Ikyn, that was very much too real to only have been a dream.”

“Please, then, continue,” I offer. How real could that have been?

“The Dragon Lord was holding me captive, keeping me away from you. Then he-“ she cuts herself off again, this time choking back tears. Not knowing if she wants me to comfort her or leave her alone, I kneel on both of my knees, waiting for her to let me know when she is ready. “He killed me and-… And…“ Tears flow freely down her face, pouring down her cheeks and into the palms of her hands as she presses them against her eyes. “*YOU* killed me, Ikyn. You stood there as if I didn’t matter. You let me die.”

Stunned, I know no words to stay that could even try to soothe her. “Eira,” I say, as calmly as I can. “What did you see?”

“There was nothing I could do to stop it!” She screams between sobs. “I couldn’t even save you!” Tiring herself out, she murmurs, “Ikyn, I can’t be your queen. I can’t accept The Change. Nothing I do will be enough to stop you from destroying yourself, destroying my kingdom, my family. No one is safe from you. Nothing is safe from you.” Her words wound me. My heart pangs in my chest. I can feel her hatred and fear in every word. “Ikyn,” she finally looks up at me, her eyes bloodshot and swollen. Her face rosy. “I saw the truth. I know now the severity of this situation. If I have any chance at saving my people, saving humanity, I must go. Please, Ikyn, let me go.”

Her tears come back, gushing out. I have never seen her look so distraught. *If this is what it takes to make her happy, then so be it. I will find another way to break this curse.* Standing, straightening my posture, I take my leave without a word. Once the door closes behind me, I beckon for Roberta. “Pack her things. She leaves tonight.” Before Roberta can question me, I march my way down to the courtyard. Mind-linking Reildrei, I say, “Tell King Aetus Eira is coming home.” Transforming into my dragon form, I call for Zyndeiss. “Take the princess home. Let Reildrei know I will be sending others to join you. One of you must bond with her once she is settled.”

“Settled?” Zyndeiss asks. “Brother, you cannot mean-“

“You are not to return until a bond is formed. Do I make myself clear?”

“Yes, Brother,” he mind-links me back, racing past me to reach Eira.

*I will not hold her prisoner here any longer.*