Kimba’s head tilted slightly. “What do you mean by found and seen?”

  “I was no longer lost,” Rory answered, her voice soft. “To be found also means someone has seen you. Though I’d technically found Aston.” She moved her head from side to side, and her shoulders rose. “He found me, too, and he liked what he saw. There was joy when he looked at me. I’ve never had that before, Kimba.” Rory couldn’t ever remember being regarded with joy by the witches in her coven, especially not Danni. More often than not, the looks they gave her were of annoyance, as if Rory was, at best, an inconvenience. At worst, a burden.

  Kimba shifted slightly, causing the cave floor to rumble. “And at some point, you feel that joy left? He no longer looked at you the same way?”

  “Yes… No…” She paused. “I don’t know.” Leaning her head back against the cave wall, Rory took a deep breath. “I honestly can’t pinpoint a moment and say, ‘There, that’s when things changed.’ I feel like I blinked, and two weeks had passed. And we’d made no progress in our relationship, not even a little. Not only had we not gone forward, but we had somehow gone backward.”

  “Do you think, maybe…” The dragon’s words were slow and measured. “You went a little too fast with the physical side of your relationship?”

  Rory’s eyes widened, and her mouth dropped open. “But … but … you!” She pointed at Kimba. “You told me if the bond was complete, then he wouldn’t be able to leave me. And”—Rory looked around the cave, her head swinging back and forth—“I don’t see him anywhere, Kimba. Do you? If he was my soul bonded, then he shouldn’t have been able to leave. Right?” Perhaps she was being childish, and a bit overly dramatic, but Rory was hurt and angry. She was at a loss about what to do.

  “But I didn’t tell you to bed the male,” Kimba pointed out. “You let your crazy out. To you, it seemed the only way to ensure you weren’t abandoned was to tie yourself to Aston in whatever way possible.” Kimba leaned her head in further and lowered herself to the ground. Her scales grew even darker as she blocked out the light streaming in from behind her. “You didn’t think of anyone but yourself.” Rory opened her mouth to argue, but a wing suddenly flung outward, blowing dirt into her face.

  “Plltthhh. Damn it!” Rory spat out a mouthful of grit and glared at Kimba. “That was unnecessary.”

  “We must agree to disagree.”

  “You’re infuriating sometimes, you know that, right?”

  Kimba did her version of a dragon shrug, which was basically the raising and lowering of a massive scale-covered neck, chest, and shoulders. “One of the many unfortunate byproducts of being best friends with an emotionally stunted witch that only has darkness left in her soul. Sometimes I have to say things to make the witch realize she’s a bitch.” Her lizardy lips turned up in a smile. “See what I did there?”

  Rory rolled her eyes. “Can we please get back to the part where I figure out what I need to do about Aston?” Rory was ready to bang her head against the floor. She knew what Kimba said was true, but that didn’t make it easy to hear. And it didn’t bring Rory closer to anything resembling a plan. “Should I go after him and bring him back?”

  “Oh, you mean, should you abduct him again? Well, that worked so well before, didn’t it?”

  “Kimba, dammit, that wasn’t an abduction,” Rory snapped. “You’re not helping.”

  “Are you sure?” The dragon’s claws clicked against the floor as she tapped them, much like a human drumming their fingers on a table.

  Rory pushed her legs straight out in front of her and folded her arms across her chest. “If I was strong enough, I’d totally kick your big ass off that ledge.”

  “Wings, remember? Kick away, little witch. I would simply float away gracefully.” Kimba waved the beautiful, leathery appendages around, gently this time.

  With another irritated growl, Rory pushed to her feet and dusted off her butt. “So kidnapping him is a no-go. Then we must go with Plan B.”

  “What’s this ‘we’ business?” Kimba asked. “You got a baby dragon egg in your pocket? If you do, you better go on and give it back before you get your witchy butt eaten.”

  Rory ignored her. “Plan B, you ask?”

  “Did not. I did not ask.”

  “Since you’re so insistent, I will tell you.” Rory held up her finger and paced.

  “I would like it noted, for the official record of dragon history, that I did not ask you to tell me about any sort of plan. A, B, or C for that matter.”

  “I will scry Aston’s location and see how he fares.” Rory glanced at Kimba.

  The dragon stopped in mid-shake of her head and narrowed her eyes. “Okay, that seems oddly rational of you. What’s the catch?”

  “If he seems to be doing fine and not suffering in any way, then I will drag his happy ass back here and make him as miserable as I am.”

  “No.” Kimba sat up and tilted her head. “You see, that right there is what I mean when I tell you that you let your crazy show. You cannot just kidnap a being of any race, human or otherwise, and hold them hostage. And you certainly can’t purposely make them miserable. I’m pretty sure that’s a crime, literally everywhere.”

  “I’m just,” Rory started, but then slammed her mouth shut as a wave of pain ran through her body. Her only thoughts were of Aston. “Why the hell does this hurt so freaking bad?”

  “Come here, Rory,” Kimba said, her words gentle enough to catch Rory’s attention despite her pain. Her dragon friend had been anything but comforting for the past hour.

  “Are you going to stomp on me or something?” Rory asked, stumbling over to her. Her body radiated with anguish, causing her to be unsteady on her feet. “I might actually prefer a good stomping to this feeling.”

  “Place your hand on my head and shut up,” Kimba told her. Her voice was still soft, not holding any of the bite of her words.

  Rory did as the dragon asked and then closed her eyes. She felt Kimba’s magic flow into her, rushing into the empty places, through the wounded places and dark places that lived inside. This was the second time Kimba had used her magic on Rory. The first was when Rory arrived in the dragon realm and Kimba had helped Rory fight the compulsion of loyalty she felt to Danni and the witches.

  “Little witch,” Kimba said affectionately, though her voice held a note of sadness, “you have no light within you.”

  “What?” Kimba’s words were a punch to the gut. “None?” She dropped her hand and stepped back. “What does that mean? Am I just a big black hole inside?”

  Kimba laid her head down on the cave floor and stared at Rory. “When you first arrived, you decided you would no longer be a pawn for the witches. Then, I could still sense a light inside of you. It was merely a flicker, a tiny slip of a flame, but it was there.”

  Rory scowled, considering the dragon’s words. “Is it his fault?” It had to be. Rory had light in her before Aston came, and now he was gone and her light with him. The only light left in her soul had disappeared with Aston.

  “Do you hear yourself?” Frustration sounded in Kimba’s voice. If possible, Kimba’s tone was even more gravelly than usual. “You have to fight the darkness, Rory. You cannot let it rule you. Consider your own actions. Pointing fingers at everyone else will only foster bitterness. Allowing negative emotions inside will blind you to the good in people. In your mind, everyone will become your enemy.” Kimba’s eyes softened. “It will be a very lonely existence.”

  “What are you trying to say?” Rory challenged. She raised her chin and stiffened her spine. “Would I lose you, too, Kimba?” Rory heard the words coming out of her mouth. She even understood how ridiculous they sounded, yet she couldn’t get herself to shut up. It was like every negative emotion she’d ever experienced suddenly controlled her thoughts and voice.

  “Take some deep breaths, Rory,” Kimba said. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m your friend. You know I cannot lie. I will be by your side. Understand?”

  Rory’s vision became blurred as she stared at the scales on Kimba’s back. She absently nodded her head while dark, powerful emotions assailed her. The feelings clung to her like thorns grasping her clothes.

  “Say the words.” Kimba’s voice was stern. “Tell me you understand I am not going anywhere. When I said it would be a lonely existence, I didn’t mean you’d literally be alone. But you will reject anyone who might care about you. And you might become so poisoned that you even reject me.” Her friend moved, and the light that had been blocked by her vast form shone into the cave. “Say the words,” Kimba demanded again.

  The movement broke Rory’s concentration, and she pulled her gaze away from the shiny, brown scales and stared at Kimba’s face. “I understand,” she whispered. The words sounded hollow, like the cave she called home.

  Neither of them spoke for several minutes, then Kimba said, “Why don’t you do as you said and scry Aston? It might do you some good to know he is safe. But let’s cut out the part where you drag his happy ass back here.”

  Rory’s hands shook at her sides. The mention of his name magnified the pain that had become constant within her.

  “Rory,” Kimba rumbled. “Think about how you felt when you saw him for the first time. Hold on to that emotion. Ignore any other thoughts you might have flowing through you right now. What did you sense when you first heard his voice? What about when he touched you, his skin against yours? What was that like? You must cling to those memories.” The dragon’s voice was desperate, pleading.

  “What I felt…” Rory pictured Aston on the battlefield in the Devil’s Heart forest. She remembered thinking he looked like a warrior with kind eyes. “His eyes held no judgment.” Her brow furrowed as her mind brought up the first time she stood before him. He hadn’t yelled at her or berated her for taking him from his friends. He’d been tender. Though she’d done nothing to deserve it. He’d been understanding, regardless of the fact that Rory hadn’t considered what it would mean for her to rip him away from his life. “What have I done?” The pain in her gut twisted and writhed. Bile rose in her throat. It was as if something lived inside of her, clawing at her insides and tearing at her soul. He left you. The voice rumbled in her mind. She didn’t recognize it. It wasn’t her own. Was it?

  “Get your scrying bowl, Rory,” Kimba commanded. “Reach for his soul. Despite what you think, your soul knows the truth.”

  Rory moved without conscious thought. She gathered the scrying bowl and placed it on the floor in front of her, along with a pitcher of water. She sat and poured the water into the bowl, then placed her hands over the liquid. Rory closed her eyes and pictured Aston’s face in as much detail as she could. She imagined his dark hair, artfully messy, and the steady gaze of his hazel eyes framed by his glasses. Her lips turned up slightly as she pictured his full mouth and the crooked smile he’d occasionally flashed at her. She loved that smile, and now she realized she’d taken it for granted. Aston’s build was slim but not scrawny. He was taller than her, which she appreciated. He certainly wasn’t a gym rat, but his abdominals were defined, and his chest was broad. Regardless of his nerd-like image, there was a backbone of steel within Aston. She had sensed it through their bond. Why would I think he wasn’t mine?

  “Rory, open your eyes.” Kimba’s voice invaded the surrounding space.

  She did as the dragon instructed and peered into the water of the scrying bowl. Rory’s heart skipped a beat when she saw her soul bonded walking in a forest. “Aston,” she whispered while her eyes filled with tears. The thing within her thrashed like a bug caught in a jar. Rory doubled over and had to swallow down the contents of her stomach before it came flying out. A dagger of pain sliced into her heart, and Rory cried out, but her gaze never left Aston’s form on the surface of the water. She shrieked again. This time it was louder, a terrible sound that was ripped from her body. She saw Aston’s head whip around as if he’d heard her.

  Rory saw dark circles under Aston’s eyes, and his lips were pulled tightly across his face. He looked gaunt and exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept in days, though it had only been hours since he left.

  “Rory?” he said, searching the surrounding forest.

  The sound of his voice soothed the raw wounds inside of her. Rory’s hand reached toward the bowl, though she knew she wouldn’t be able to touch him. Everything within her screamed at her to get to him, somehow. She needed him. But another voice inside screamed equally loud. The darkness within bellowed. “No! He isn’t yours!” There was desperation in that voice.

  “Please,” Rory whispered. Another wave of misery rolled through her. She strained to keep Aston in focus, but no matter how hard she tried, Rory couldn’t keep her eyes open. She knew she needed to fight off the darkness that came with the pain, but it overwhelmed her. The last thing Rory saw before the darkness swallowed her was Aston’s lost eyes. And the last thing she heard was her name on his lips.

  “Rory…”

  Her voice was like a soft caress carried on the wind. It wrapped itself around him, giving him a sliver of relief before it fluttered away. Aston peered at the surrounding forest, hoping Rory would emerge from the trees and sprint into his arms. How have I lived all these years without her? It was a thought Aston had asked himself over and over while wandering around the Devil's Heart forest. Now that Rory was no longer around and Aston was free of the dragon realm, clarity engulfed him. And he didn’t like what it revealed. Aston realized what a fool he’d been.

  But it wasn’t entirely his own doing. Looking back, Aston realized that some dark force had been present. He could sense the way the presence had muddled his mind. It had twisted the situation until Aston could no longer see through the tangled knots of his own selfish emotions.

  “Rory?” His eyes still scanned the forest, desperately hoping to glimpse her. There was no response. She wasn’t there, but somehow Aston could feel her emotions. He sensed her despair. He felt guilt and fear wracking her body. There was nothing he could do. He’d tried to get back, but the portal to the dragon realm had closed, and he had no way of reopening it. He’d tried throwing his power at it, screaming and cursing for it to admit him, but nothing worked. Since then, he’d walked aimlessly while grappling with the pain that seemed to grow in intensity with every minute he was away from his soul bonded.

  “What am I supposed to do?” Aston asked out loud. Perhaps a squirrel will answer me because I’m clueless. “That’s just dumb, dude,” he muttered to himself. “A squirrel? Really?” He was starting to believe that, along with his soul bonded, he had also left some brain cells behind in the dragon realm.

  Aston ran a hand through his hair as his frustration rose. Am I losing my grip on reality? Who the hell thinks a squirrel will answer a question? Or even speak, for that matter? “Elias would say a ‘nutter,’ that’s who,” he answered his unspoken question out loud. Aston was hungry, thirsty, and had no idea what to do. He could leave. He could open a portal and return to the academy and his friends. But then he’d be far from Rory. At least if Aston was here, he was as near to her as he could get in this realm. But trudging through the woods in circles wasn’t accomplishing anything. If he went back to Tempest Academy, then he could get his brothers to help him figure out what he needed to do.

  He walked back to where the portal had been and stared at the empty space. “Dammit,” Aston growled, his hands fisting at his sides. He knew he couldn’t stay here. He had to figure out a way to get her back. Kimba had essentially kicked him out of the realm and didn’t seem inclined to let him back in. But maybe one of the headmasters or elementals would help him. There had to be a way. Ra had gone through hell for his soul bonded, for goodness’ sakes. Surely Aston could get into the damn dragon realm.

  He didn’t feel any better despite having made a decision, but it was all he could do at the moment. Aston turned and held out his hand. A portal opened, and he put one leg through. He glanced over his shoulder one last time. “I’ll be back.” He shoved every ounce of determination he could muster into those words. Then Aston stepped through the portal and onto the lawn of Tempest Academy.

  As soon as the portal closed behind him, a gust of wind hit his stomach like a fist and knocked the air out of him. He hit the ground, landing on his knees and then fell forward onto his hands. Aston dug his fingers into the soil, attempting to gain control of his own power. The force that had struck him was his own magic, literally fighting against him. Then he heard a wailing cry in his mind and realized the sound was his soul, once again crying out for his bonded. He was pretty sure there could be nothing more agonizing than being separated from the one who completed him. Take a limb, rip out his heart, break every bone in his body. All of them sounded more appealing than this relentless barrage of blows to his stomach, daggers through his chest, and what felt like hammers pounding in his brain. He thought the pain had been bad when he’d been in the Devil's Heart forest. That was a cakewalk compared to this.

  “Please,” Aston muttered as his forehead pressed to the ground. He pulled a breeze to himself and sent his words through the air, focusing his power on Elias. Aston had sent messages to his brothers using the wind before but didn’t know if it would work this time. He felt so weak, and his power wasn’t exactly being cooperative. “Elias. Tempest.” It was all he could say because once again the air was knocked from his lungs, and he fell over onto his side. Pulling his knees up to his chest, Aston imagined he looked like a child attempting to hide from a monster in his closet. And perhaps he was trying to hide. But he couldn’t hide from his own soul. He pictured Rory in his mind and wished she was there so he could hold her, so he could take comfort in just having her near. “There should be a support group for soul bonded,” he said to the empty field. “There’s no way we’re going to come out on the other side of this and be sane, rational, functioning elementalists.”

  “If a support meeting is what you need, then we will do that.”