"Azu...ra— cough, cough..." Aysling whispered, coughing from the dust, her voice laced with worry.

"I'm fine, love. Come on... Aysling, we have one chance—this won't be enough to kill that thing." His golden eyes, slit-pupiled and fierce, stared into hers, filled with urgency and concern.

He retracted his massive, injured wings, nearly useless now, the membranes torn and raw from the blast. His back was raw and seared, but he didn’t care.

Azura helped Aysling to her feet, both of them turning t