Chapter 28 The Mating Bond
Elara's POV
"Kill us both?" Drakon's voice rose. "What do you mean?"
Faye wrung her hands together. Her face was pale as snow. "The true mate bond is the most powerful magic that exists. When it forms, it connects two souls completely. But that connection requires absolute truth."
"I don't understand," Drakon said, his eyes flickering to me with the first hint of suspicion.
"Sit down," Faye said quietly. "Both of you. This is complicated."
We sat at the library table. My heart hammered so hard I thought it might burst through my chest.
Faye pulled out an old book with dragon symbols on the cover. She flipped through pages until she found what she wanted.
"True mate bonds have only happened forty-three times in recorded dragon history," she began. "They're ancient magic. When two souls connect this way, they share everything; emotions, thoughts, even life force."
"That sounds beautiful," Drakon said softly, taking my hand.
"It is beautiful," Faye agreed. "When it's built on honesty. But the bond acts like a living thing. It can sense deception. It knows when one person is hiding major secrets from the other."
My throat went dry. "What happens then?"
Faye looked at me with such sadness. "At first, nothing. The bond forms normally. You feel the connection, the golden light, all of it. But underneath, the bond becomes unstable. Like a crack in glass that grows bigger every day."
"And when the secret comes out?" I whispered.
"The bond shatters." Faye's voice dropped. "Violently. All that magical energy explodes. It's called the Breaking, and it's incredibly painful. Some people survive it. Many don't."
Drakon squeezed my hand. "But we don't have any major secrets between us. Right, Elara?"
I couldn't speak. Couldn't breathe.
"Small lies don't hurt the bond," Faye continued. "But major deceptions? Things that change everything about who you are? Those make the bond deadly."
"How deadly?" Drakon asked.
"There's a story about true mates from three hundred years ago." Faye pointed at the book. "The woman was actually a spy sent to kill the dragon king. She fell in love with him for real, and they formed a true mate bond. But when her mission was discovered, the bond shattered. The magical explosion killed them both instantly. It also destroyed half the castle and everyone nearby."
My hands started shaking. That story sounded exactly like my situation.
"That's horrible," Drakon said. "But surely there's a way to prevent it? To strengthen the bond?"
"Only one way." Faye closed the book. "Complete honesty. If someone is hiding a major secret, they need to confess it immediately. Before the bond grows stronger. The longer you wait, the more dangerous the Breaking becomes."
Drakon turned to me. His golden eyes studied my face. "Elara? Is there something you need to tell me?"
Yes, I wanted to scream. I'm being forced to spy on you! I'm gathering information to help destroy your kingdom!
But I couldn't say it. If I told the truth, Sir Marcus would know. And Lily would suffer.
"No," I lied. The word tasted like poison. "No major secrets."
Faye's eyes filled with tears. She knew I was lying.
"Good," Drakon said, relaxing. "Then we have nothing to worry about."
"There's more," Faye said quickly. "The bond will grow stronger every day. Soon you'll start feeling each other's emotions all the time. Eventually, you'll sense when the other person is lying."
My stomach dropped. "How long before that happens?"
"Usually about two weeks." Faye stared at me meaningfully. "Two weeks until the bond is strong enough to sense deception automatically. If you're hiding something major, the bond will know. It will start causing pain, headaches, chest pain, difficulty breathing. That's your warning that something is wrong."
"But we're fine," Drakon insisted. "We're honest with each other."
I had less than two weeks. Two weeks before the bond would expose all my lies. Two weeks before everything exploded and potentially killed us both.
"I should go," I said suddenly, standing. "I'm very tired. Tonight was overwhelming."
"Of course." Drakon stood too. "I'll walk you to your chambers."
"Actually," Faye interrupted, "I need to speak with Elara privately. About women's matters related to the mating bond."
Drakon blushed. "Oh. Right. Of course." He kissed my forehead. "Sleep well. Tomorrow, I want to take you flying in my dragon form. Now that we're true mates, sharing flight will be even more special."
He left the library, practically floating with happiness.
The moment he was gone, I collapsed into the chair. "Faye, I"
"I know." She grabbed my hands. "I know you're hiding something huge. I can see it written all over your face."
"I can't tell you," I sobbed. "People will die if I talk."
"People will die if you don't!" Faye's voice rose. "If your secret comes out after the bond gets stronger, it could kill both of you! And everyone nearby!"
"I know! But I don't have a choice!"
"There's always a choice." Faye knelt in front of me. "Tell me what's happening. Please. Let me help you."
I wanted to tell her everything. But Sir Marcus's warning echoed: We have spies everywhere. One wrong word, and we'll know.
"I can't," I whispered. "I'm sorry. I just can't."
Faye stood up slowly. Disappointment filled her eyes. "Then stay away from Drakon. Stop the bond from growing stronger. It's the only way to keep you both safe."
"How can I do that? He wants to spend every moment together now."
"I don't know." Faye walked to the door. "But figure something out. Because in two weeks, when the bond can sense your lies, it will destroy everyone you care about."
She left me alone.
I sat there for hours, trying to think of a solution. Every path led to disaster.
If I told the truth, Lily died.
If I kept lying, the bond would kill me and Drakon.
If I stayed away from Drakon, he'd get suspicious.
There was no winning.
Finally, I dragged myself back to my chambers. Sleep wouldn't come.
Just as dawn light started creeping through my window, someone knocked on my door.
I opened it to find Drakon standing there, smiling.
"I couldn't sleep," he said. "I kept thinking about our bond, about you." He took my hands. "Come flying with me right now. Before the sun rises fully. I want to show you how beautiful the kingdom looks from the sky."
"Drakon, I'm tired."
"Please?" His golden eyes sparkled. "Just a short flight. Our first real flight as true mates."
I couldn't say no without making him suspicious. "Okay. A short flight."
Twenty minutes later, I sat on Drakon's massive back as he launched into the sky. The sunrise painted everything gold and pink.
It was beautiful.
We flew over forests and villages. Drakon dipped and soared, making me laugh despite everything.
Then we passed over a thick forest far from the castle.
I glanced down and my heart stopped.
In a clearing hidden by trees, I saw them.
Sir Marcus stood with at least twenty armed men. They wore traveling cloaks, but I could see weapons underneath. More soldiers. Being smuggled into Drakenmoor secretly.
Sir Marcus looked up. Even from this distance, I felt his cold smile.
He waved at me.
A message. A reminder.
I'm here. I'm watching. Don't forget what you owe me.
"Did you see something?" Drakon asked, his deep dragon voice rumbling beneath me.
"No," I lied. "Nothing. Just enjoying the view."
But my hands shook as I gripped his scales.
Sir Marcus was bringing an army into the kingdom. Right under Drakon's nose.
And I was supposed to help them.