Magoth wrapped an arm around me, pulling me close to his body.
Gabriel gathered himself as if to spring, but I held up a hand to stop him, knowing without any doubt that Magoth would destroy him if he tried to free me. ‘‘Do not, Gabriel. It’s not worth it.’’
He stopped, a stunned look of disbelief nearly bringing me to my knees. Pain unlike anything I’ve ever experienced lashed through me, the last fragments of my heart shattering completely. Did he not understand? Did he not see that this was the only way out for us? Did he not know just how much I was willing to give up in order to have a future together? ‘‘You wish to remain here?’’
I nodded, unable to speak, searching his face for signs that he understood that this was the only way out of a very dangerous situation. I sent a mental plea to him to understand, to not take anything at face value, to know that my heart belonged to him, now and always.
‘‘Tell me,’’ Gabriel said, his lovely velvet voice now hoarse with emotion. ‘‘Say it, May. Say the words so that I may understand.’’
The effort to speak cost me more than I could have imagined. ‘‘I will stay here with Magoth. Take the phylactery. Use it to achieve your goals.’’
The image of him declaring that the phylactery was a treasure to be guarded, not used, was fresh in my memory, and with it, a light flashed in his eyes. I knew that at last, he understood that I had taken the only path available to save him and the dragons from Magoth’s wrath. His eyes were bright with a promise, one that warmed me to the tips of my toes.
Magoth laughed, the sound causing a layer of plaster from the ceiling to crumble to our feet. ‘‘Oh, yes, this promises to be greatly amusing. A consort who was once the mate of a wyvern. Come, sweet May. We have many plans to make. Many, many plans.’’
I stumbled backward out of the room, my eyes on Gabriel as Magoth hauled me off. I wanted desperately to tell Gabriel that I loved him with every bit of my being, that nothing Magoth could do would ever change that, but I didn’t dare. Magoth might suspect my feelings for Gabriel, but he would not act without assurance of them… and I would not give him the ability to destroy Gabriel.
‘‘I will do as you ask, little bird,’’ was all that he said as Magoth dragged me out of the doorway. Gabriel’s eyes, his beautiful expressive eyes, glowed with emotion so brightly, it made my soul weep. ‘‘Just remember that I am a dragon, and I do not give up what is mine.’’
My heartache eased despite the finality of the door closing between us. I had faith in Gabriel. I had faith in us both. My life spent in the shadows was over; now it was time to step out into the light and take my place at Gabriel’s side.
I took a deep breath and followed Magoth into the depths of Abaddon.
Author’s Note
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