Fea could barely keep her nerves in check as she strode to her throne. The air was thick with tension and fear. Before her stood her advisors and the leaders from the elves, dwarves, and gnomes. Together, today, they would have to make a decision.

They would have to make a plan…

She came to a stop before her throne and slowly scanned the crowd. There was only one person missing from this important meeting.

"Thank you all for gathering here on such short notice," Fea began. "I know that you all are aware of the latest, troubling news. So, with that in mind, I shall skip to the most important question: What will we do now?"

She paused, gathering her own thoughts. "We have all those who call the Wildlands home safely within the protected walls of the Citadel. However, the humans– The Holy Triumphant –have a spell that can destroy mana. It does not affect only the ambient kind, either. No, it consumes the mana within enchantments as well as ourselves.

"The truth is, we and the elves," Fea gestured to the elven court members, "have known of a spell like this for some time. The issue is casting it. It requires a powerful ritual and a great sacrifice. But once it is cast, the affected area is wiped clean of all mana. In fact, it saps any mana that enters it.

"The Holy Triumphant has, apparently, figured it out. When they come here– and they will come –what will happen if they manage to cast that spell again? Would we be able to discover and stop it in time? Our original plan was simple, to use the defences of the Citadel to hold back their armies and force them to break themselves upon our walls.

"That may no longer be feasible. We cannot go and ride out to meet them, either. My mate has shown me what they are capable of. We do not stand a chance on the attack but, now, we might not stand a chance at defence."

Fea took a breath and quickly peered through her bond with Felix. He was starting to stir, a sign that he would hopefully be awake soon. She desperately wanted to be there when he did. But first I must finish this…

"So, I brought you all here to ask, what will we do now? What can we do?" She fell silent as murmurs began within the crowd until, finally, one person spoke up above the others.

"Is there nowhere else we can go? What about to the South, to the deserts down there?"

Grimacing, Fea shook her head. "The Southern Desert is inhospitable to most. Its ambient mana alone is too weak to support our races."

That led to more whispers before Yarnel floated up above the crowd. "Your Highness, perhaps we should look further afield…"

"What do you mean?" she asked, sitting down on her throne.

"A mass teleportation spell, Your Highness."

That got everyone's attention. "Ignoring the costs for something like that, where would we go?" one of her advisors asked dismissively.

With a wave of Yarnel's hand, a map appeared above them. It focused on a region of ocean with a single island. Untamed Lands, it read.

"This is where we would go," he said. "A few centuries ago, an expedition was sent to the island and what they found was astonishing. The ambient mana was the thickest anyone had ever seen, so much so that it affected the local flora and fauna."

He went on. "It is, unfortunately, rather dangerous as well. The expedition barely made it back, losing nearly two thirds of its explorers and crew. However, I believe we can do better. In fact, I might have a plan for that already…"

"And, pray tell, how do we get there?" a familiar shrill voice challenged. It was one of the members of the elven court who had been so dismissive of her mate.

"As I said, a mass teleport–"

"But how are we supposed to accomplish that? Not only are we talking about moving thousands– No, tens of thousands of people. We are talking about teleporting every single one across an ocean!"

Yarnel gave the shrill elf an annoyed look and Fea decided to intervene before it turned ugly. "I believe that won't be as much of an issue as you might think. At least, Yarnel has been working on a project that might just work."

Her expression grew serious. "And if that isn't enough, or it doesn't work, I could cast such a ritual myself."

The entire room was now staring at her, dumbfounded. Even Yarnel looked surprised. "Your Highness… While I have no doubts you could do it, doing so…" he trailed off, not wanting to finish his sentence.

"I am…aware. There would be a massive cost, but I am more than just a Queen. I am the Dragon Queen."

Fea…

The scene repeated constantly in Felix's mind, like a horrific nightmare. Yet, no matter what he did, he found himself within the clutches of the High Prophet. He witnessed his death a thousand times. He screamed in agony a hundred thousand more.

He begged.

He pleaded.

He lied.

He died.

But, for him, it was never about himself. It was all for her, for his still budding love. He would do anything if it meant he could make it back to her.

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But, for him, it was to no avail. It was all for naught, for he could not escape. He gave up.

I'm so sorry…

The coldness ate away at him, corrupting his soul and destroying his mind. And yet, it could not consume him fully. A small part was fighting back but it wasn't him.

In the darkness of his dwindling light, where he had sunk to his lowest, a warm, reassuring, hand grasped him. It comforted him. It gave him the tiniest, faintest, hope.

Like a soothing lullaby in among a stormy sea, a whisper reached his deaf ears. I love you.

The words were short and sweet, and the warmth fought back against the cold. He could weather the storm. He could defeat the numbing cold. He could… Survive.

No longer begging, he stood.

No longer pleading, he fought.

No longer lying, he spoke.

No longer dying…

Felix pushed the cold away, forcing it to retreat. He took the hand in his own and pulled it close. A new presence entered his mind, this one invited. This one, he brought close.

They kissed.

They became one.

Their dwindling light brightened, the darkness banished. They soared to the top, to the highest peaks of euphoria. Burning away, the coldness never stood a chance. They were together. They burned brightly. They could survive– No, thrive together.

In a bright flash, the damage done was reversed. The two separated but still clung close to one another.

The words he spoke echoed throughout his mind, her mind, and the world. They were short and sweet, and uttered countless times throughout time. Yet, it was those short, simple words that pushed men and women to continue on, even when faced with the impossible.

It spurred them into action. It kept them warm when it was cold. It gave them strength when they were weak. It gave them hope where there was none. It gave them a sense of purpose. It gave them a place to belong. It gave them… A smile.

I love you.

***

Felix opened his eyes and stared up to see a beautiful woman leaning over him. She was shedding tears, yet smiling. He smiled back.

"I love you," he said, echoing the pure and raw emotions that were flooding their bond.

Their minds embraced once again as they shared a kiss. "I love you too," she responded, slowly pulling away.

A moment later, the beautiful woman, his mate, curled up next to him. He pulled her into a physical hug.

"Fea?"

"Hmm?"

"Without your love, I would have been lost forever. Thank you… Thank you for loving me."

Fea rested her head onto his chest. "And without you, I wouldn't have known what true romance was, what true love means. Thank you."

Both fell silent after that, there were no more words to describe their love, their devotion. They only had their emotions left for that, and they let them play for each other.

No matter what happens, we will always be together. Neither were sure who thought the words, but both could only agree. They made a silent pact then, one that would transcend time.

And, they did not know it yet, but it would transcend death too.

Pulled so close together, both Felix and Fea fell asleep in each other's arms. Their two minds becoming one…

***

"Ovidius!" Felix called out, happy to see the man alive. In truth, he didn't know what happened to his Sergeant after the High Prophet had made his appearance. He was back near his men's barracks, just outside the training field.

"Sir!" Ovidius tried to give him a salute but he was having none of that. Instead, he pulled the Sergeant into a bear hug.

"It's good to see you survived," he said, releasing the poor man.

"That's my line, sir… Me and the others feared the worst. I did my best to keep morale high, but–"

Felix gave him a pat on the shoulder. "It's okay. Just remember, if anything happens to me you are in charge. Do what you need to. Besides, they're really your men. I just pretend to be in charge."

The Sergeant's expression suddenly became serious. "No sir, that's not true at all. Sure, I might be the one in direct command, but I answer to you. They answer to you."

Letting out a sigh, Felix decided it wasn't worth arguing and moved on to the more pressing topic. "Anyway, what were the casualties? How bad did it get?"

"For us? A few minor injuries and one serious. But for the dwarves? Bad, real bad." Ovidius averted his eyes. "We could only rescue about a hundred or so…"

Felix gave him an understanding nod. "You managed to save Aldar, I'm told. That alone is a victory. A small one, but still a victory. And me, apparently. Hells, you did more there then I did…"

The Sergeant looked as if he was going to speak but Felix cut him off with a head shake. Instead, Felix gestured towards the imposing spire. "Come, we've wasted enough time. We have to go and meet with Lorenzen. He's being put in charge of the Citadel's defenses."

The two of them began their trek, eventually making their way inside and through the various halls. They continued until they came to an imposing looking door. Felix wasted no time and knocked.

The door immediately swung open and revealed a war room. "Come in," Lorenzen said in his dwarven form.

Stepping inside, Felix quickly took the place in. The focal point of the large room was the table at its center. On it, illusory magic was being used to display the Citadel in all its glory. And, surrounding the table, were several other dragons in various forms, including one peculiar human-shaped dragon.

"Nevrim! How are you feeling?" Felix asked.

The dragon looked up and gave him a smile. "Better, but I don't ever want to do that again."

"Neither do I," he responded, coming to stand next to the dragon. His Sergeant came to an awkward stop on his other side.

Lorenzen cleared his throat. "Now that we have everyone here… We can begin." He waved his hand and the scenery changed to that of the main gates and the surrounding area beyond.

"First, we'll start here." Multiple insignia appeared. "I have spoken with both the elves and dwarves. We have come to a mutual agreement on this plan. The elves will make up the bulk of our forces and will be in charge of keeping the human forces at bay.

"The main gate is the most obvious place they will attack. There are other areas to consider, but they can be defended with fewer soldiers. The dwarves, and even a few gnomes, will be in charge of those."

The map changed to show the areas he was referring to before expanding back out to show the entire Citadel again. "As for us dragons, we will be a reactionary force. We'll fly out long enough to beat the enemy back and buy time for reinforcements to arrive."

Lorenzen paused and looked squarely at Felix. "Now, for you humans…" The scenery on the map fell away, leaving only the central spire.

"Your job is simple, protect the spire…"

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