4: Darken War

23: Alexander

Chapter Twenty-Three: Alexander

My sister looked at me, tears shimmering in her eyes, clinging to her lashes like dew on a blade of grass. The kind of tears that broke something inside me. I wanted so much to just hold her, to pull her into my arms and tell her everything.

But that time had passed.

"I'm sorry, Alexandria," I said quietly, raising a hand.

And snapped my fingers.

The world around us stilled.

Everything froze—Theo mid-motion, his expression hard with calculation; the crackle of magical lightning frozen mid-arc at Annora's fingertips; Seraphina's hand reaching out, suspended in air. Time itself held its breath.

Only I remained moving.

"The only person whose side I'm on..." I murmured, "is my own."

I turned and walked slowly up the steps toward Theo. Even frozen, his presence radiated danger. The gem glowed at his chest like a malignant heart. Just being near it made my skin crawl.

"Alexander."

I turned at the voice. Seraphina stood there—unfrozen. Her blue eyes sharp, narrowed with suspicion and sorrow.

I wasn't surprised.

"I should've known my powers wouldn't work on you," I said, smiling faintly. "You're more like her than you know."

Her arms crossed. "What the hell is going on? You froze everyone but her. You want Alexandria out of the way. Tell me the truth before I wake her up myself."

I sighed and sat on the edge of the stone steps, suddenly feeling so much older than I looked.

"Once I take that gem," I told her quietly, "I'll die. This time for real. And so will she."

"What?" Seraphina stepped closer, her voice trembling. "Then why the hell take it?"

"Because she'll come back," I said. "She always does. She's the Great Dragon. Rebirth is in her blood. But I... I just can't let her watch me die again. Not like before."

"But why bring her all this way?" she asked, confused, angry. "Why make her fight her way through betrayal and pain just to lose you again?"

"Because I knew she could save the rest of you," I said, smiling softly as I looked at her—this fierce girl who reminded me so much of who Alexandria once was. "Her heart is so big. She never gives up on family. I knew she would find a way to free our siblings... even if it broke her."

"But two died," Seraphina said quietly, gesturing to Sebastian's still body nearby.

I stood and walked to him. Reaching into his pocket, I drew out the two soul gems.

"They didn't truly die," I said. "When Alexandria sealed their bodies in the gems, she preserved their souls too—without even knowing it."

A pulse of magic from my fingertips reversed the time woven into the stones. In seconds, Sebastian and Silas lay on the floor—alive, unconscious, breathing.

Seraphina stared in awe.

"Miracles do run in the family," I said.

"She needs you," Seraphina said suddenly, her voice tight. "I heard what happened before—how you died in your past life. She'd be shattered to lose you again."

"I know," I whispered. "But I need to do this. Theo's connection to the gem is unstable. The longer he holds it, the more it poisons him—and all of us."

"Then let me do it," she said firmly. "Let me take it from him."

"I can't," I said, gently but firmly. "The gem rejects anyone not born of the Great Dragon. You're strong, Seraphina—but you're still too close to mortal. It would tear you apart."

"Then unfreeze Alexandria!" she cried. "Let her take it from Theo!"

"I can't." I looked at her sadly. "My soul is still bound to the gem. If she takes it while I'm alive, it will rip her apart instead."

"You're selfish," she said quietly. "You think you're saving her, but you're just stealing her choice."

A soft voice behind me: "Then let me make that choice."

I turned.

Alexandria stood there.

Unfrozen.

"How long have you been listening?" I asked her, stunned.

"Since you snapped your fingers," she said simply, walking toward me. "I'm your twin, Alexander. Of course I know how your powers work. I shielded myself before you did it."

She stopped a foot from me.

"Why didn't you tell me?" she whispered. "I could have helped."

"Because you would've tried to die for me," I said. "And don't you dare tell me otherwise. You have a family to live for. I don't."

"What about Alana?" she asked, and I flinched.

"She'll move on," I said. "She deserves someone whole. Not me."

"And what about us?" Seraphina said suddenly, stepping forward. "We're your family now too. You promised to protect us—me, Calista, Sebastian, all of us. Are you just going to walk away from that?"

"If I have to—yes," I said. "I trust Alexandria to protect you all. She always has."

"No." Alexandria moved between me and the gem, standing like a wall of iron.

"Alexandria—"

"No." Her voice was steel. "You are not leaving me again. Do you remember your past life?"

"All of it," I said.

"Then you know damned well I will never be whole without you."

She reached out and grabbed both my hands. Her forehead touched mine, warm and trembling.

"We are part of each other," she whispered. "One soul. One dragon."

I felt it—the bond. The old, unbroken, eternal connection. And I knew she was right.

"You're not leaving me again," she said.

"Someone has to take the gem," I argued.

"Then we'll do it together," she said. "We came into this world together, we'll leave it the same way if we must."

"What about James and the kids?" I asked, my voice cracking.

"They'll live," she said. "They already lived most of their lives without me. James will understand."

"Are you sure?"

"I'd miss you," she said with a giggle. Then looked to Seraphina. "After this is done... find a man named James. Hes the prince consort of Drakaria. Tell him Lexie said to protect all of you."

Seraphina nodded slowly. "What about Theo?"

"He'll be nothing without the gem," I said. "And maybe... just maybe, he'll find another path."

She looked at Alexandria and hugged her tightly. "Thank you—for being the big sister we needed. Even if it was just for a little while."

Then she turned to me.

"Screw you. I don't like you."

"Fair enough," I chuckled, smiling through the pain. "Can't say I blame you."

I turned back to my twin.

"Ready?"

"Ready to die again?" She shrugged. "At least this time, I won't be alone."

Side by side, we walked up the steps to the throne.

Our hands reached for the gem together.

And we took it.