*Saoirse*
The cold wind lashed against my face. I tightened my grip around Rhys, whose head lay heavy against my chest. His breaths were shallow, and his once vibrant eyes were now dull and clouded with pain. Below us, Auxreon's wings beat with powerful strokes, the mighty dragon's form cutting through the sky as we neared the Egoren palace. Saphira followed close behind, her majestic form burdened with the limp figures of Rhys' men.
"Stay with me, Rhys," I murmured into his ear, though I didn’t know if he could hear me. The warmth of his body was the only proof I had that he was still with me. The fiery spirit that had first drawn me to him was gone. There was no fire now, only icy fear as I clung to the hope that he would pull through.
I needed him to pull through.
