Their respite ended with blood. A scouting party from the Courts found them—this time, led by a half-dragon knight clad in obsidian armor.
"You dare return, Princess Serenya?" the knight thundered. His voice shook the ruins. "The Courts declared you a traitor. And now you bind yourself to a human?"
Serenya's gaze was icy. "I do not answer to you, dog."
The knight's blade gleamed as he charged. Aric intercepted, steel meeting steel. The impact rattled his bones. This was no ordinary foe.
The fight was brutal. Every strike pushed Aric closer to the edge. The bond blazed within him, urging him to surrender, to unleash its full fury.
"Do it!" Serenya cried. "Call the flame!"
Aric roared, fire exploding from his chest. His sword blazed crimson, and with one final strike, he cleaved through the knight's armor.
The knight fell, smoldering. But Aric dropped too, barely conscious.
Serenya caught him, her arms surprisingly gentle. She whispered against his ear, "Good. You are ready for the Oath."