Chapter 43: Last Court of Valentin

"Why did he do that?"

Breeard kneeled beside me., "His father's blood gives him tolerance to dragon's fire."

I recalled the dragon rider in the painting, and understood.

"This time, however, the fire took its toll on him."

I noticed sad looks and worried eyes resting on Talon, and I realized few were tending to him. As I lay watching, two Fae came in and started to move him.

"Wait," I cried out. "Where are you taking him?"

"My dear lady, he is fading," one told me heavily. "We will take him away to pass quietly."

I sat up, ignoring my rasping breathing and burning throat, "No! No, leave him. Care for him!"

Poe ran in to calm me and took my hand, but I continued begging them to leave Talon be. Flashbacks to the day I became a widow crashed through my mind, and I just couldn't bare to go through those days of darkness again.