Page 362 of Elemental Becoming

Thane is about to give his orders when Master Orlon clears his throat.

“There’s more.”

Everyone turns to him.

Orlon glances down, his fingers brushing the edge of the glowing map before he lifts his eyes again. The weight in them is unmistakable.

“One of the bonded fell.”

“Who?” Thane asks.

His voice is low and controlled, but there is something dangerous beneath it.

Orlon swallows. “Darragh Byrne.”

Rowena exhales softly, covering her face with her hands. Garrick and Jarek curse under their breath.

I didn’t know him, but the loss lands all the same.

“And his dragon?” Thane asks, though I think he already knows the answer.

Orlon’s expression tightens, and shakes his head.

Thane closes his eyes for the briefest moment before opening them again. When he speaks, his voice carries through the room like a command carved from steel.

“I want the skies filled. No hesitation. No delay.”

His gaze sweeps across the room, settling on each of us in turn. His core. His foundation.

“We fly in thirty minutes.”

Urgency surges through the bond, tangled with grief and something deeper. He didn’t want me to come before, but after hearing that name, Thane’s emotions crash into me like a tidal wave.

I brace myself against the onslaught and meet his eyes across the room. Giving the smallest nod, I silently tell him what he already knows.

I’m ready.

I see the warring thoughts in his eyes. The instinct to protect me, to keep me far from whatever waits. But he doesn’t argue or try to stop me.

The realm needs its Spiritborn, and we both know there is no turning away from that now.

The war room disperses in a blur of motion and urgency. Commands are issued. Maps flare to life. Rian, Jarek, and Garrick sprint from the chamber before the echo of Thane’s final words has even faded.

But I don’t move with the others. I follow him.

He doesn’t speak as we leave the war room, his strides long and purposeful down the corridor. I keep pace beside him. His jaw is set. His eyes are distant.

The halls of the castle are mostly empty, save for the occasional soldier or attendant hurrying to carry out whatever orders just came from the war table. They step aside when they see Thane coming.

When we reach our quarters, he pushes the door open and holds it for me. I step inside, and a moment later the door closes behind us.

He drags a hand through his hair.

“Darragh was just a boy when I took command,” he says softly. “He wanted to be a rider more than anything.”

I take a step toward him. “You trained him yourself.”

Thane nods, but he doesn’t look at me. “And now he’s gone. Just like that.”