60. Mare
Mare
Golden blades soared through the air like a hail of arrows, tearing through the flaming phoenix's wings. Holes appeared in the fire, but they quickly reformed.
Reese raised his arm as the phoenix swooped down at him, quicker than I could blink.
Fire consumed them.
A streak of red shot back into the sky as the phoenix retreated. Reese lowered his sword, sweat beading on his brow—the blade still glowed red.
"Don't hurt it!" I called.
Reese spun around, eyes wild.
"It's Brighid!" I shouted.
His mouth twitched, grip wavering on his blade.
Divine plumes spread across the sky as the phoenix reared back and released a mournful cry. The red scales bisecting the black firmament shifted, moving like a slithering serpent. A snake head appeared on the horizon, colossal maw opening.
Saints! What was that thing?
A dreadful wail shook from its mouth and tore down on us. Fire spewed from its jaws and plummeted to the ground.
Reese grabbed me, pulling me to his chest. Grimacing in effort, he reached toward the flaming rain. It shot off course, falling around us, pounding a circle of ash into the ground.
Saints, there was no end to the chaos. I turned my head and saw the ruby dragon scrambling away from Diar to lunge at us.
Reese threw me out of its path. Wounded and crazed, the dragon charged into the crumbling stage and whirled around. Its tail slashed across my back. I stumbled forward, crying out in pain.
Mouth bleeding, the dragon whirled around and prepared to charge me again. It lunged, but snapped back, as though stuck.
The pile of charred bodies lying around the stage rose and latched onto the dragon's legs and tail. I staggered back, watching in horror as the burnt corpses crawled over the dragon like a swarm of ants.
Liam staggered toward me, hand outstretched toward the dragon, eyes covered in pale fog. Tightening my grip on Cierthine, I rushed forward, dancing three quick steps, and raised the blade over my head.
Wind and lightning surged around Cierthine as I brought it down on the dragon's neck. The black blade sliced through the scales and sank deep into its flesh. Thunder boomed from the blade, jarring the half-severed neck apart.
Blood spurted across my dress as I yanked Cierthine free. The dragon slumped, joining the pile of corpses.
Anxiety and worry thrummed in my breast. Reese.
I whirled around, searching for my Paragon. Rain fell from thick clouds above, pounding into the ground and creating a layer of mist.
Radiant light pierced the veil ahead of me—I could see their vague shapes through the mist: The Paragon with wings of light, and the phoenix he battled with.
I heard someone running toward me and spun. Bláth, dress burned and scorched, face covered in embers, flew past me and dove into the mist.
Without a second thought, I gave chase. Heat burned every inch of my body and dove down my throat. I tripped on another body, foot burning where it dragged through melted flesh.
Bláth flew in front of Reese, standing between him and the phoenix. The bird looked like it was about to charge, but it froze.
"For god's sake, you're free," Bláth shouted, voice hoarse. "Stop being petty and go."
The phoenix reared, shaking its head—as though warring with itself.
I reached out without thinking, bare fingers stretching toward the falling embers.
The world changed, as it always did when our skin touched. Darkness swept away the fire, the death, the orange-bloomed tree.
Nothing but shadow wrapped us in its embrace, lit by the cinders falling from the phoenix's wings.
The burning fury in the phoenix's eyes faded. Gentle ruby light peered down on me.
Brighid's eyes, clever and sharp.
"You deserve better than this world gave you," I said quietly.
Pain raged through my fingers, and I pulled my hand back, cursing. The darkness fled, returning us to the scalding courtyard.
Burns covered my hand. Breathing in sharply, I grabbed my wrist and fell to my knees.
The phoenix released one final scream and turned. It streaked through the sky, leaving a trail of fire in its wake.
The world shrieked, too: torn, sundered. My ears screamed with agony at the unbearable noise. A heavy rush of wind ripped past my face.
I breathed in—the scent of fire, of death. And saw the courtyard as it had been, soft grass and oak trees—nothing but ash, now.
Bláth released a strangled, mournful sound and fell to her knees. Rain cascaded over my face, its drops loud against the sudden silence.