Mate to the Dragon Prince

Chapter Twenty

WARNING: DARK SE/U/L (X, A) AND GRAPHIC VI/LEN/E (O,C) AHEAD IN THIS CHAPTER!! PLEASE READ WITH CARE!

I gulped, watching Kathlyn sprawl on the ground whimpering in agony. I wished to turn away, to leave the rituals at once. But the deep scars of her body held me in place.

Scars that replaced her wings. Scars that prevented her from soaring high above the skies. Her painful cries brought me closer, just as the lanterns were lifted. My feet moved closer to her body.

Tristan had warned us to stay a good distance away from Kathlyn's tail. Her tail was powerful, strong enough to hit, and throw you off. My heart hammered against my chest as my feet drew closer to the shriveling body.

"Jisoo.." I could hear Tristan's voice but it was faded, unclear in my ears like I was submerged underwater. Clouded by the thoughts of the deep scars before my eyes, I didn't even realise that I was standing right next to her. It was only until I saw the sharp silverness of her eyes did I realise. Grey pools that alone screamed in like a death shroud in the pain she was under.

I shivered as the flames inched closer, ready to release themselves on to the Earth. Only this time, they didn't feel like whips of hot leather, yet a strange soothing sensation that tried to ease the frayed nerves of my body.

Rough fingers wrapped themselves around my forearm, "Jisoo!" Tristan's voice laced with annoyance as he tried to pull me away from her shriveling and arched body.

"Her eyes.." It was the only words that escaped my lips, as I refused to let Tristan drag me away. The greyness in her eyes held me in place, having a tighter pull than Tristan, "Is she blind?" Was the first thing I asked.

Tristan sighed, "No, it's another painful sign, that shows her end is near," He pulled himself away, "Now, come on." He said, gesturing me to follow, but I stood in place, once again watching the way her body shriveled under the deep agony she was under.

Her scars shimmered underneath the bright moonlight, causing me to frown. A strange sense of light that pulled me in to take closer look at the wounds that seemed to be reopening again.

It was only when Tristan called me once again, did I realise I had reached to touch her scars, "Jisoo, don't-"

But his words were cut off as something pulled me away.

Dark.

So dark. My eyes stared in an endless pit of black.

I hissed as my body burned. The darkness was embracing me, letting it run through my veins like poison.. Like liquid fire.

Oh God!

"Tristan?" I called out, "Alec? Austin?"

The darkness gave no response. I could the pounding of my heart in my ears, slowly and slowly growing more louder, and louder until it became a ringing sensation that pained my ears. I screamed, covering my ears as thumping and burns grew louder and stronger.

My legs failed me, and I collapsed on to my knees. I cursed as tears streamed down my face one after another.

Can't move-

Can't breathe-

My chest closed up, blocking out the sweet oxygen my lungs deeply craved for.

I could feel my body shivering, cold bites of the chilly air violating my smooth skin, as goosebumps erupted across my whole body. My teeth clattered. From a burning pain, to the endless crispy frosts that wrapped my body.

I seeked desperately for an escape, clawing against the stone grounds my nails came into contact with.

A searing pain to wash through me.