Page 118 of Only Flames Remain

We will protect her, Sorin. The bond is sacred, whether it has been accepted or not, Valerian assured from leagues behind.

I only pushed harder.

Faster.

I reached my physical limit when the rain began to pour down, sliding off my scales and pelting me as I traversed the tempestuous winds of the storm.

I needed to ensure everyone I loved was safe.

Do you? Emrys asked. Love her?

Godsdammit. I hadn’t meant to send that down the bond, either.

I don’t know.

How could I separate the feelings of the mating bond from how I felt about her? Was that even possible? I shook my head, clearing it. I didn’t have time for this. I needed to stay focused on pushing myself harder. Flying faster.

Dragons didn’t sweat, but as soon as we approached Gothryn and I turned into my Vireth form, I was coated in it. My breath was coming in short and rapid pants, never filling my lungs enough to offer relief as they burned endlessly. I landed on the balcony of the south wing and was already off running down the corridor.

I could hear Emrys land behind me, knowing Valerian would be along at some point. I sprinted straight for her room in the dormitory wing. I burst through only to find that she wasn’t there, and neither was her little fox. Her things were still strewn about.

I took that as a good sign.

I tried Enora’s room next, but I found that empty, too.

“Any luck?” Emrys called as he caught up to me.

I tore back down the corridor. “No,” I ground out as I passed him.

He followed quickly on my heels. I spread my wings, dropping off the balcony and landing on my feet in the main hall—which incidentally was buzzing with those who lingered at court after the masquerade ball.

“Sorin! Sorin!” It was Rensford calling out my name, but I didn’t have time for anything else right now.

I needed to locate Aveline.

The library—she could be with Enora. I tore down the corridor. Rensford was standing beside Enora, her face paler than I had ever seen. Her white hair was disheveled as if she had been running her hands through it mercilessly.

Voirel stood at Rensford’s side, too. Her hands were clasped before her, head bowed. My eyes were wild as I skidded to a stop before them. I could read their faces, but I didn’t want to hear it. I couldn’t—

“She’s gone.” It was Voirel’s soft voice that spoke first, a tear tracking down her pale cheek.

My mouth opened to speak, but nothing came forth. I was frozen in shock beneath the weight of the realization that I was too late.

“She saw him take her, Sorin. Kallias was here,” Rensford said.

I shook my head, disbelieving. “What—”

“I saw him,” Voirel said. “He put a cloth over her mouth, and she sank to the ground. He picked her up, and two other men joined him. He took her. She did not go willingly.”

I shook my head, already making for the front entrance of the main hall.

“Sorin, wait—” Rensford called at my back.

He managed to grip my arm and hold me back. I attempted to shake him off, but Emrys grabbed my other arm, holding me firmly in place.

Rensford was out of breath from anchoring me where I stood. “We already scoured the coast, Sorin. They’re gone.”

“No,” I replied through my teeth. “I will find her—”