Aiden's POVZarin had handed me Xavier's letter this morning. He said he had information on where the girl was, but something about that letter felt off, because Xavier never sent letters. He always came with news himself.I picked the letter up again, flipping it through my fingers. He'd rightly said Dravon hadn't let him off, because Dravon was preparing to raid my kingdom soon. I'd already taken care of that, securing my fortresses with poisoned arrows that would drop him and his troop dead the moment they thought of it."Your Majesty, you sent for me?" Zarin's voice caught my attention. I hadn't known when he'd arrived."Are the troops ready?" I asked."Yes, my lord. All alliances have been secured, thoroughly except Voidfang. Lamiel has refused any sort of alliance with you," Zarin said.My hand balled into a fist. "Lamiel, that brat. I'll deal with him when I get back. Tomorrow," I said."Alright, go add finishing touches to everything. We storm those walls of Aldridge tomorrow.

NATHAN'S POVMy breath caught in my throat the moment I reached the fortress wall."No..."The scream tore from my throat before I could stop it, but it was already too late.My heart clenched as I watched Dravon shift into his human form midair before crashing hard against the ground.In the blink of an eye, Hazel was beside him.My heart stopped.The world seemed to fall out from beneath me.Even though the battle raged on around us, every sound faded into nothing.A roar split the sky.I turned to see Sylthara in her dragon form, tearing through every dragon in her path as she fought desperately toward him.My hands trembled around the gem.I had failed her.I had failed everyone.The gem began to glow in my hands.Then another roar echoed across the battlefield.Not Sylthara.Aiden.I growled, my hands tightening around the gem as rage surged through every part of me.I would bring that dragon down, even if it cost me my life.Even if it took my very last breath.I ran toward the