Cassarah #3
The faces of everyone I loved and who I would be leaving behind if I didn’t do as Vasin demanded flashed before my eyes.
The devastation on their faces was something I never wanted to inflict on them.
Digging deep, I latched onto my bond with Vasin and pulled, screaming all my rage and agony out as I dragged myself out of whatever version of hell this was.
“Cassarah,” Izel yelled. “Pax, it’s not working. Nothing is working.”
“Vasin’s out in the garden, and he looks fucking pissed,” Zan called from somewhere in the room. “He keeps trying to climb up the stairs like he’s going to fit in here.”
The bed moved under me, and I was lifted.
A groan escaped my lips as my body burned with pain.
“We need to bring her to him. He has to know what’s going on.
Their connection is stronger than anything I’ve seen before,” Izel said as he jogged, doing his best not to jostle me too much.
“I knew there was something wrong, but I didn’t know how to fix it or figure out what was happening. ”
“It’s not your fault. I can’t even break through whatever’s holding her,” Pax stated. “Right now, she feels closer to the surface than before, but it’s like she could slip back under any second.”
Vasin’s roar rattled the windows as they brought me outside, the cool evening breeze brushing along my skin that felt so hot.
“She’s burning up,” Izel muttered.
“Quick, place her on the ground and let Vasin do whatever he thinks will help,” Cole ordered.
It seemed all of them were here now, but no matter what, I still couldn’t open my eyes. My hearing was sharp, and I could feel most things if I blocked out the pain. Izel settled me on the soft grass and soon a familiar scaly head was butting at my hand.
“Cass, you need to fight the spell. We dragons blessed you with life, magic, and wisdom, which this curse seeks to take from you. You are more powerful than you know. Fight, use what we have given you to break free from its clutches. If you don’t do it soon, your children will die.”
I could feel tears streaming down my face. “How, how do I fight when everything is gone?”
“What is gone? Everyone is here… your men, your friends, and as always, I’m here right beside you. Everything you need to keep living is right in front of you. All you need to do is look.”
I just need to look. How can all my other senses be fine, but I can’t see?
“Is there something on my face? Over my eyes? Why can’t I see?”
“There is nothing but the lie holding you back. Open your eyes, dear Cass. Follow my voice and see the truth before you.”
See the truth…
What is the truth?
The truth is that I’m not alone. I have so many people who love me and have cheered me on since day one.
Ballard helped me to believe I was worth it.
Helena showed me I could be strong as a woman and still have a soft heart.
Sal showed me how knowledge is power but also something that should be held with great respect.
Person after person came to mind, helping me in big and small ways to get me where I am today.
I’m in this fight for them—this world deserves to be free.
Those who have fought for me have given me the chance to fight for them in return.
The truth is, all you need is love and hope.
Two things that I had massive amounts of these days. Turning inward, I dove into the well of magic I discovered when I was plummeting through the air toward almost certain death. Hope and love are what grew those wings for me because I was not alone.
Crashing into the well of blue magic, I coated myself in it and wrapped it tightly around my body like a blanket on a cold night.
This power was mine—it had been entrusted to me by those who knew the world needed to see change.
What is the first thing to bring about change?
To see what’s wrong with the world and do something about it.
The magic that encased me thrust itself into me, breaking whatever hold the curse had tried to use.
It shattered into a million pieces, and I emerged like a butterfly out of the cocoon.
This time, when I opened my eyes, I found everyone I loved standing there watching me with awe.
Everything was lit up by an ethereal blue cast of light from the dragon wings on my back.
The second the shock wore off, everyone surged toward me, but I held up a hand.
“Now is not the time. Now is when we end this,” I declared.
Reaching out, I woke all the dragons and had them find their partners. The dragons that belonged to my people were already on their way, feeling Vasin’s call. Ezzu darted over to me and perched on my shoulder, rubbing her small, scaled head against my cheek.
“Ezzu,” I cooed, stroking her back. “Now, I need you to take the very best care of our man, all right?” She chirped her agreement back to me and flitted off to take up her station on his shoulder, wrapping her tail around his neck.
“Everyone is coming, and this battle will be finished tonight. His power is at its peak, but it’s no match for what we have, and we’re gonna damn well show him.
Tonight will be the final battle for our people, and we will be victorious,” I cried, thrusting my fist in the air, and everyone roared their agreement, dragons included.