Guilt

Kael

The moment Ryn's knees hit the ground, and he began coughing up blood, something inside Kael snapped. He didn't even remember moving. In one blink, the fight had ended, and in the next, he was at Ryn's side, his hands trembling as he lifted his limp form.

Staring at the blood-stained Ryn's lips, Kael's heart lurched."What the hell have you done to yourself?" His voice came out too harsh, but he didn't care. The omega in his arms had been too foolish, too reckless to use such powerful magic. He yelled at him, not out of anger, but out of fear.

Ryn blinked at him through dazed eyes, then let out a low groan, coughing more blood.

"You reckless little—" Kael bit the words off.

Now wasn't the time to argue. He had no idea what had just happened to Ryn.

"How could he have summoned Ansuz?" Veyr shouted, rushing to his side. "It took me years before I could even attempt that—and it's still not perfect!"

Sylas groaned. "None of us stopped him, did we? It's our fault he's like this!"

"I—" Kael started, but froze when he noticed Ryn's breathing growing shallow and his fingers gripping Kael's arm weakly."This is because of you!" he snapped, pointing at Sylas.

"Don't act like you didn't start the fight," Sylas snapped back.

"Only because you provoked—"

"Both of you shut the fuck up," Veyr cut in, dropping to one knee beside Kael. He pointed at the faint light pulsing on Ryn's chest. "Look at him. We need to get him to Master Lysander—he's bleeding internally. This happened to one of the mages back in the Clan. He was unconscious for days… and eventually died."He turned a fierce glare on both of them. "Instead of fighting like children, help me get him out of here."

A pulse of possessiveness throbbed through Kael as he looked at Ryn. He stood and carefully lifted him in a bridal carry.

"I'll take him to the Master. Both of you can—"

"Stop acting like he isn't also our mate!" Sylas barked. "Your possessive attitude is exactly what got him like this!"

"Sylas is right," Veyr added. "We're all bonded to him. Remember? We go together."

Kael growled. "Then why the hell didn't you stop the fight and let him handle it instead?"

Veyr opened his mouth, then shut it. "Let's just get to Master Lysander."

"His sanctuary is far from the main hall," Sylas said. "And he banned dragons from entering it. How are we supposed to get there?"

"We don't have to trek to that ugly mountain," Veyr muttered. He pulled back his sleeve to reveal glowing marks inked into his skin.

Kael narrowed his eyes. He already knew what was coming. "You're not planning to use that, are you?"

Veyr didn't respond. He was already tracing an angular symbol in the air. The lines glowed bright, silver-blue, and then cracked open with a low hum, revealing a swirling path of light.

"To Master Lynsander's sanctuary," Veyr said, pointing to the portal with a smirk. "Unless you'd rather hike through ten miles of spirit-infested woods."

Kael grunted but stepped through first, clutching Ryn tightly. The others followed.

He hated that he was doing this with them, but this was about Ryn, not them.

The portal opened into a mountain glade, surrounded by towering pillars etched with runes. A waterfall roared in the distance, and a heavy mist cloaked the sanctuary, making everything beyond its lighted borders impossible to see.

At the center of it all, floating above a raised circle of stone, was he.

Master Lysander.

The Rune Master sat cross-legged in midair, his robes fluttering even without wind and eyes closed in meditation.

Kael rushed out of the portal, followed by the others. Suddenly, Lynsander opened his eyes—and, in a blink, summoned a glowing shard and hurled it at them.

"Master!" Veyr called, but it was too late.

Sylas moved faster than sight and caught the shard in midair. It burned into his palm, but he didn't even flinch.

"Master Lyn! Are you trying to kill us?" Sylas shouted.

Lysander scoffed, a brow twitching. "If I wanted you dead, I wouldn't have missed," he said coldly. He descended slowly, and when he landed, his gaze swept over each of them until it froze on Ryn.

"What happened to him?" He touched Ryn's forehead. "He's burning up!"

"He used Ansuz," Veyr replied quickly.

Lysander gasped. "How could he even invoke the chant? He's not powerful enough. That was stupid of him," he muttered, then turned. "Bring him in."

Kael followed him into the sanctuary, into an inner chamber where a glowing rune circle enclosed a stone bed.

"Put him down," Lynsander ordered.

Kael laid Ryn gently onto the stone. Ryn groaned but didn't open his eyes.

"His aura is unstable," Lysander said, moving quickly. He traced runes into the air, each symbol illuminating with a silver-blue light. "He should be dead. Not even the most powerful Rune Bearers can summon Ansuz unscathed."

"But you can heal him, right?" Sylas asked.

Lysander sighed. "This was his awakening. He's lucky to be alive. Since none of you have acknowledged the bond yet, it's a miracle you're not feeling his pain. Next time—control your omega!"

Kael bristled. "Don't act like we don't care! We were having dinner when he suddenly—" He paused, dragging a hand through his hair. What was the point in explaining? This was their fault.

"What pushed him to summon something this powerful?"

Kael opened his mouth to answer—then hesitated.

"Are you all going to keep quiet?" Lysander roared. "This is a dangerous situation!"

They exchanged guilty looks. Then Veyr stepped forward and explained what had happened.

"You've all failed him," Lynsander snapped. "His instincts responded—and the rune answered. You pushed him to this."

"But we haven't! We even invited him to dinner to talk about his heat and—"

"I don't need to hear your excuses," Lynsander growled. "You caused this. And if you'd arrived even minutes later, he'd be dead."

Kael lowered his head, hands clenched. This was his fault. He started it all because of his possessive need to claim Ryn. And it had nearly cost his mate's life.

Just like when he'd lost his first dragon, Serene, because of his reckless pride.

He looked down at Ryn, his heart twisting. "I'm sorry," he whispered, taking Ryn's hand. "What do we need to do to save him?"

Lysander finished his rune and made a sharp gesture, sending the glowing symbols into Ryn's chest.

"That should stabilize the rune's effects," he said, placing a hand over Ryn's chest.

"So… he'll be okay?" Veyr asked.

Lysander nodded. "He needs rest. He'll wake up soon. But if you trigger him again—if he casts a high-level rune without proper training—you will lose him. And not even I can save him." He turned and began walking away. "Now, once you're done gawking, leave my sanctuary."

The three alphas exchanged looks. No one spoke. The weight of guilt was heaviest on Kael's shoulders.

His possessiveness had almost killed Ryn.

After a long silence, Veyr finally said, "I'll open the portal again. Just in case anyone wants to leave."

No one answered him. But they turned to leave the room, their hearts heavy with remorse.