Stefan
Stefan’s muscles burned with exertion.
Exhaustion tore at him, sending pain shooting through every tendon, every sinew in his body. Erik was larger, more powerful, and weighed far more than he did – and he clearly intended to press every advantage to its fullest extent.
It had become clear to Stefan early in the fight that Erik would use his superior weight to tire him out. He wasn’t looking for a fast, clean fight. He was happy to draw things out, to slowly wear Stefan down – and then, when he could fight no longer, to finish him off. He knew that Stefan had already fought Castel today, and had flown a long way to find Holly. Erik, by comparison, was fresh and rested, ready for a fight.
But every time he felt himself slipping, Stefan remembered what he was fighting for.
For Holly. For Darklis. This isn’t about me. This is about them.
There was only one thought for him now: to protect his mate. He had to beat Erik, or she would be lost.
But even as he knew this, Stefan felt fatigue tearing at his body. He couldn’t keep on fighting like this for much longer. He had to try to finish things quickly – but Erik was simply far too seasoned a fighter for that. He dodged every blast of flame, wrestled his way out of every grip Stefan tried to confine him with. Stefan had landed some devastating blows and managed to wound Erik with his claws and teeth – but that had often come at the cost of being wounded himself.
He could feel himself growing weaker. But Erik still seemed just as strong as he had been at the beginning of the fight.
But I’m fighting for my mate, Stefan reminded himself. My mate, and my clan. And that gives me strength.
Just as he thought it, he felt a sudden warm surge of renewed power wash over him. The pain in his muscles eased. His aching wings felt light once more.
It’s Holly, he realized with a jolt. She’s sending me strength through our bond.
He and Darklis were shielded from each other, so Holly was the only possible source. The strength of her belief in him bolstered his resolve, his blood pumping in his veins. He knew he could keep going.
Holly’s own strength supported him. If she had been a weaker person or had wavered in her resolve, he would have felt it – and then, he would have been lost. But there was no doubt, no hesitation here. Like a golden ribbon stretching between them, the mated bond surged with power and strength.
It was what it was for. Mates could draw strength from one another, help one another, and protect one another.
He could protect her in this fight – but she could protect him, too. The strength of mind and determination required to send him her power was extraordinary, especially for a human. To dragons it came somewhat naturally, though it was still difficult. But for Holly, who hadn’t even known dragons existed until yesterday, it was incredible.
She believes in me. I can’t let her down.
He promised her – and himself – that he never would.
New power surging in his veins, Stefan roared, spreading his wings wide and propelling himself forward.
He must have caught Erik off his guard, because the larger dragon twisted awkwardly in the air, exposing his soft belly to Stefan’s claws. Stefan wasted no time in slashing at him, making Erik roar in pain and fury. But then Erik collected himself, raking Stefan’s side and opening up a long wound in his flank.
But Stefan didn’t loosen his grip. His claws still buried in Erik’s belly, he ducked his head before directing a blast of dragonfire at Erik’s wings. Erik had enough foresight to fold them away before they could catch the full blast, but his movement sent them both plummeting toward the stone driveway below.
It was a gambit to try to make Stefan let go of him – if he didn’t, they would fall together, and falling from this height would grievously injure even dragons.
Flapping his wings furiously, Stefan tried to keep them airborne, but it was no good.
I’ll have to let go. I can’t keep us both in the air…
He knew he was panicking. His mind was clouded by desperation and fear, and the knowledge that the ground was rushing toward him…
Stefan, twist your body! Turn yourself so that he’s beneath you!
The message from Holly was loud and clear, and all at once, Stefan knew what he had to do. He had very little time to execute the move, but Holly’s willpower gave him the determination he needed.
Grunting with effort, he curled his wings, wrenching his body around so that Erik was positioned beneath him, his claws still lashing Stefan’s side.
In the moment before impact, Stefan saw Erik’s eyes widen, as he suddenly realized what was happening. But it was too late – together, they collided with the ground with a sickening thud, Erik’s large body taking the brunt of the impact. Stone shattered beneath them, and the manor house shook on its foundations. Stefan heard one of the windows shatter, and parts of the front entrance shook loose, crashing to the ground. Erik’s men, standing on the front steps, were forced to leap out of the way as part of the house fell down around them.
Holly…!
I’m okay – don’t worry about me. Focus on Erik!
Pain pulsed through Stefan’s side as he rolled away from Erik’s supine form. Despite the fact the larger dragon had absorbed most of the impact, Stefan had still felt his teeth rattling in his head as they landed. He felt slightly dazed, his joints jarred and aching.
But however bad he felt, it was clear that Erik had come off far worse. The huge dragon lay in the crater that had been created on impact, eyes blinking, one wing trapped below his body and twisted at a strange angle.
A broken wing, Stefan thought as he crouched, panting, trying to figure out if he had any broken bones himself.
For a moment, he felt elation rising in his chest.
Maybe he won’t get up. Maybe he’ll concede…
But then, clearly drawing on the last of his strength, Erik began hauling himself to his feet, and Stefan’s hope died as quickly as it had risen.
Don’t give up, Stefan – he’s badly injured. Please! Just hold on a little longer. He’s almost beaten…
Lowering his head, Stefan drew sustenance from the bond once more. Holly’s strength was his strength. He could keep going.
Erik Lukich was slowly and painfully getting to his feet. His left wing sagged by his side, clearly broken. But his red eyes still glowed with anger, fire still curling at his lips.
Erik, give up, Stefan transmitted to him. I don’t want to kill you. Even despite everything you did to my clan, I’d rather we both walked away from this.
Erik’s returning growl was furious.
Never, he snarled. Only one of us is leaving this fight. I will have my vengeance.
Stefan felt regret clawing at his belly. He knew he would win the fight – both his wings were intact, and he had the mated bond to support and help him.
But he didn’t want to kill Erik. He hadn’t known that a member of the Novak Clan had killed his daughter – though he had trouble thinking of any member of his clan who would do such a despicable thing, especially when they must have known it could only lead to a blood feud.
But he had given Erik his chance. He had tried to end this without the need for killing. And both times, he had been rejected.
He had no choice.
To protect his mate, he had to see this through to the bitter end.
Lowering his head, Stefan let dragonfire build in his belly. Heaving himself forward, he opened his jaws, readying himself for his final attack…
STOP!! Please, please stop this!
A desperate cry from an unfamiliar voice above halted Stefan in his tracks, his dragonfire cut off just as it was about to leave his mouth.
Pausing, Stefan looked upward, knowing it was foolish to take his eyes off Erik even for a moment. He didn’t recognize the voice from above at all, and, confused, he stared up at the two dragons circling overhead, one green and one red…
Fool!
Stefan felt the wind knocked out of him as Erik crashed into his side, teeth closing around his neck.
Stefan struggled, but Erik’s jaws held him tight, crushing his windpipe. His bulk bore down on him, making movement impossible. His claws scrabbled against the stone, but he couldn’t twist his body far enough around to sink them into Erik’s flesh.
He was helpless.
No!
He heard Holly’s cry, but there was nothing he could do. He struggled feebly, but he could feel his strength ebbing away, his vision slowly fading to black…
Father, stop this!! Now!!
The voice was the last thing Stefan heard before the pressure from his throat finally released. It was clear and strong…
… And it was female.
Dazed, Stefan rolled over. His head felt fuzzy, and he couldn’t quite figure out what had happened.
… “Father”? But… it was a woman’s voice, and Castel isn’t…
Realization hit him like a blow.
She said “father”. And Erik had a daughter. A daughter he said had been killed by a member of the Novak Clan…
The dragons circling above had been red and green.
One male, one female.
One Novak, and one Lukich.
But still, Stefan couldn’t quite let himself think it.
My clan was wiped out… because of a lie?
Panting, he rolled away from Erik just as the two dragons landed by the front of the house. Erik’s men were either staring incredulously, or looking between themselves with unease.
Erik himself was crouched low, fury burning in his eyes.
Stefan, too bewildered to move, watched as the red and green dragons began to shift, shrinking into their human forms. The green female became a tall woman with long blonde hair that fell over her shoulders, her eyes the same dark red-brown as Castel’s… and Erik’s.
The red male became a man with the same tousled black hair as Stefan’s, his eyes the same shade of green, and his face…
Marko?
Stefan recognized him instantly.
His cousin, Marko – the son of his uncle, who had once been the leader of the Novak Clan.
Stefan shook his head, unable to understand what was happening.
Shift. Please. We can’t let this go on, the woman pleaded.
In the next moment, everything was a jumble of voices – mainly Erik’s men, their voices rising in confusion and anger.
What’s happening, Erik? What is this?
That’s Landra – but you told us she was dead!
How can this be?
The blood feud – we fought the blood feud because you told us –
Stefan shook his head. His body had taken as much as it could stand – and now, at last, this was too much for him.
There was nothing he could do to resist the darkness that welled up to claim him.