1,010 Years Ago

  The days are long, and people are hungry. They say a curse has befallen the western lands and killed all the crops. I have begged my friend for help, but he told me that it was no curse. Humans created that problem, and he would not have mercy on them and fix it.

  Because of this, the king ordered more lands in the west to be seized. The castle is always full of wounded, starving people, and it’s like all the light has gone out of this place. Once, I dreamed of being queen, but is there a point in being queen of such a place? What if I just got on Maelzar’s back and flew away, just like my mother, the moon used to do? I bet that if I can get high enough, even famine-ravaged lands could look beautiful.

  But I could never leave Sorin, my brother, or Finn, even though they make me so sick with worry that I can barely eat. These days I swear I hate them almost as much as I love them.

  My prince has inherited some of the dragon's strength and abilities. When this was first discovered, it was a cause for celebration. Sorin has the sun’s fury, just like Maelzar does. When it takes over him on the battlefield, he is stronger and a thousand times more reckless. It has been a great asset in these recent wars, or so they would have me believe.

  When Sorin returns, his injuries are always horrific. He keeps going where ordinary men would have stopped, but his body is not a god's body. Nor does he have the benefits of an immortal like Maelzar. He is killing himself, and his sworn shields are not faring much better.

  Xavier and Finn protect his right and left sides when he charges into battle. But that means if he loses control during the fury and goes too deep in the fray, so must they. Finn laughed off my concerns, but Xavier told me the truth later in private. He told me about the chaotic press of bodies. Horses, blood, dust, and metal, and how hard it is to keep himself alive, let alone somebody else.

  No one is left to listen to me: no one but my brother.

  When I first told him my plan, he was horrified. But he will come around eventually. The knight of the sacred flame has always kept my secrets. And he’s always been there for me when it counted. He will not let me attempt this thing alone.

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  All Maelzar does is sleep anyway, he might as well sleep somewhere he can be of use. If I use a binding circle and bind him to the castle, his power would be forced to react and protect the land. According to my calculations, at least. No one has attempted to bind something as big as a guardian deity. But my mother used to bind water elementals when her children experienced a drought.

  A sacrifice was required, but it was usually just a bit of energy. However, to bind Maelzar, I’ll need a sacrifice of the dragon’s own blood to hold him here. Both Finn and Sorin are descendants.

  Finn, you were ready to give your life for Sorin anyway. This way, both your prince and your kingdom will flourish. Do you think me cold-hearted? But it’s me that will have to live without you. Trust me, no one will suffer more than I will.

  I’m going to have to trick Mael to get him here. He has a cave full of treasures. What can you offer a dragon?

  I know. My mother told me once she promised him that one of her descendants would one day give him the most precious of treasures. He told me himself that’s the reason he bothered to speak with me at all instead of eating me.

  Perhaps…everyone will think this was easy to me. But it will break my heart and damn my soul to do it.

  The Day of the Ritual

  Maelzar, you were so quick to listen to me when I offered you something you wanted. How many times have I cried for your help, you lazy, selfish dragon? I hate you, this is all your fault. I’m not sorry for tricking you at all.

  On the night of the full moon Mael can hold a human form without expending magic. This will make him undetectable to the palace guards. We walked down together from the mountain, hand in hand. His skin felt so warm, but not uncomfortably so. It was just like in his dragon form, as if all of the warmth of the sun is inside him and lying down on him makes me feel like a lazy beast on a sun-baked rock.

  You know Mael, I rarely saw your smile. I don’t mean your sneer or your smirk, your actual smile, but as we walked together why did you smile at me like a young boy, your eyes brighter than usual? You really are awful. Every time I look at you, my stomach twists.

  What is it that you’ve been waiting for all this time? Do you even know?

  It doesn’t matter anymore. I’ll fix everything now. Just wait.