Page 131 of Heir of Broken Souls

Golden tendrils wrap around my claws and stream past my face, pulling me forward. Narrowing my eyes, I beg the water around me to move with me and the ocean seemingly answers my call. Something that isn’t my tail or my magic pushes me forward, giving me that last little boost.

It seems the ocean isn’t ready to let go of Naia either.

I’m propelled forward so much so when I open my mouth and snap my jaws closed I’m shocked to feel blood spurt into my dragon mouth, one that is thick and slimy and so revolting I gag.

The dragon stops its pursuit of Harlow and Naia abruptly to snap its jaws at me, but at the sight of the golden tendrils encased in my jaws and claws, its eyes widen before it takes off in the other direction.

Aiming directly for the ship.

Now that Harlow and Naia aren’t in front of it, I launch golden balls of power for its hind, its tail. It dodges every throw I send it. A low grumbling growl reverberates from my chest as I push myself to my limits.

I double the attack, until I’m lucky enough that one nicks its tail. It thrashes in pain, arching to the side out of instinct, but it’s already too close to the ship. Its sharp talons claw out at the wood, and right before it can sink our sanctuary, I let out a battle roar, whipping a wave made entirely of golden power at the dragon.

It’s sucked into the tumbling wave, screaming in agony with nowhere to go. The endless spiral strips it down to muscle and scale until its very bones melt.

I stop to catch my breath beneath the ship, taking this moment to bask in the glory of the dragon’s death. I tuck in deep lungfuls of air as I mold back into my Fae body, prepping myself for the end that no one—including Naia—saw but myself.

Because although I defeated the water dragon, there is a bigger monster to slay.

Chapter48

Knox

Delilah disappears from view beneath the ship, but by the golden light shining through the blue, I know she’s still alive. She won’t stop her assault until the final water dragon is dead.

Delilah can handle herself; she’s proven so time and time again and it’s now my turn to show her the respect she deserves and trust her abilities. Who really needs me right now is Harlow. Her magic has spat her back into her true form as her body continues to bleed out, and I land unceremoniously beside her in the water, startling Naia.

My eyes are wild and frantic as Naia appears to be just as moved by the sight.

“She saved my life,” Naia whispers, repeating the phrase over and over again. “She saved my life.”

I don’t know why she’s so stunned, but that will be my concern for later. Not when Harlow lies here, a large chunk missing from her stomach.

I’ve seen some gruesome things, but even I get nauseous seeing my dear friend so injured. “I need all the help I can get!” I call out. “Naia, please,” I beg, craning my neck to look for Axel. I find him utterly frozen hovering above the pod. I notice why a second later.

There in the water, surrounded by her crying pod, bobs a pink mermaid, clutching the remains of another pink tail as she wails hysterically. Elysia flies beside Axel, shaking his shoulders and trying to snap him out of the trance, but nothing is getting through to him. Not as tears roll down his cheeks and he clutches his chest.

I tear my gaze back to Harlow and take a stuttering breath in.

“We’re not losing any more,” I declare, my voice thick with emotion.

That seems to get Naia’s attention. She places her hand on Harlow and grits her teeth, pushing power out of her palm that’s so blinding, I have to squint. “No, we aren’t,” she insists with such spite I give her a sidelong glance.

And despite Harlow clutching her stomach, her skin ashen and her eyes begging to roll back, I also notice how the golden glow has suddenly disappeared.

“Where is Delilah?”

Chapter49

Delilah

Lenox shakes his head as I teleport myself to the top deck of the ship.

“Gods, that was a close one. For a moment there I thought they were going to sink the ship.”

I nod slowly. “They almost did.”

“But you saved the day.”