The Crown's Fire - Chapter 293

Chapter 293: Save Him
Apollo was stunned. He hadn’t anticipated such a connection, especially with a dragon under a dark spell. He had no bond with other dragons, yet this one seemed to be reaching out to him, desperately seeking an anchor in the storm of its own torment. He felt its anguish and fear as if they were his own, and, for a moment, he almost believed he could break through the darkness that held it captive.

With one final surge of energy, he unleashed the full force of his magic. A blinding light filled the cave, enveloping the dragon as the dark spell shattered into shards of black mist. The beast roared, a sound of both agony and liberation, and in that moment, the magic broke.

But Marla, in her rage, struck at Apollo one last time. He barely had time to react before her energy hit him square in the chest, sending him crashing to the ground. He gasped for breath, the pain overwhelming him.

Atlas, seeing the struggle, launched himself at Marla with fierce determination. With a final blow, he managed to pierce her heart, ending her life. But it was too late for Apollo.

As the dragon, now free from dark magic, Apollo lay on the ground, his body battered and bloodied. He felt himself slipping away, darkness creeping around the edges of his vision.

“Cora…” he whispered, his thoughts turning to her, the warmth of her love giving him a moment of peace. He closed his eyes, surrendering to the darkness, knowing he had succeeded in saving the dragon but at a terrible cost.

“She’ll definitely scold me nonstop for this,” was Apollo’s final thought before darkness closed in completely.

“No! Apollo!” Atlas shouted, his voice cracking with fear as he raced toward his fallen friend.

The dragon, now blinking slowly with clear, uncorrupted eyes, lowered its head beside Apollo, a soft whine escaping it… Atlas knelt beside Apollo, pressing a trembling hand to his friend’s chest, praying to feel even the faintest heartbeat.

A relieved sigh escaped him when he felt a weak pulse, but Apollo’s breathing was shallow, his face pale and lips tinged with blue. The toll of purifying the dragon’s dark magic had been greater than anyone had anticipated.

“Stay with me, Apollo,” Atlas murmured, glancing around at the remaining warriors and healers. “We have to get him back to the palace now!”

The mages quickly scrambled to secure Apollo, casting gentle healing spells to stabilize him just enough for transport. The dragon, as if understanding lifted its massive head and watched with a quiet solemnity, not leaving Apollo’s side.

Meanwhile, back at the manor, Cora waited anxiously for Apollo’s return. The sun had set, and the moon illuminated the night sky, casting a silvery glow over the landscape. She paced back and forth, worry gnawing at her heart. Apollo had promised he would come back, and she believed in him.

Minutes turned into hours, and just as her hope began to wane, she heard footsteps approaching. She rushed to the door, her heart pounding in her chest. But as the door swung open, her face fell. Atlas stood there, his expression grim, bloodied and weary.

“Where’s Apollo?” she asked, her voice trembling.

Atlas’s gaze dropped, a heavy silence filling the air. “Cora… we found Marla, but… it was too late.”

Cora felt her heart shatter, her breath hitching in her throat. “No… no!”

“He… he saved the dragon, but he was gravely injured in the process,” Atlas explained, his voice heavy with sorrow. “I’m so sorry.”

Cora’s legs felt weak beneath her, and she stumbled back, grasping the door frame for support. “He promised me he’d come back,” she whispered, tears streaming down her cheeks.

Atlas stepped closer, his heart aching for her. “He fought bravely, Cora. He succeeded in breaking the spell. But he… he may not make it.” As Cora sank to the floor, the reality of the situation washed over her like a cold wave.

*

Immediately, Cora arrived at the palace, she rushed to the infirmary where Apollo lay, pale and motionless. She knelt by his bedside, reaching for his hand… it was so cold. Her heart ached as she clasped his fingers, bringing them to her lips, willing to give warmth back into them.

“I am so sorry, but we’ve done everything we can. His internal energy was drained beyond repair… he pushed himself too far,” the head royal mage healer explained, his voice gentle but firm. He continued to speak, his words a steady flow, but they barely registered. Cora’s mind was slipping into a haze.

All she could hear was the murmur of voices around her as her tears fell, unbidden, like endless rain. The warmth of his hand was gone; he was slipping away, and with him, all the dreams they had barely begun.

“Apollo, please… don’t do this to me,” she whispered, her voice choked with tears. “You said you’d marry me. You promised. How could you leave me like this?” Her words cracked, and tears slipped down her cheeks as she gently rubbed his hand, desperate for a response.

She’d never cried this way since that day when her sister died. The memory of that painful day when she lost her sister surged through her.

Was she cursed to live this way, to be left behind again and again, to lose everyone she loved and held dear? Her chest tightened as the weight of the loss and the dread of another goodbye washed over her. She and Apollo were just beginning… they had so much life ahead, so many dreams left to share. But now, it all felt as if it were slipping away, cold and final. She knew death was inevitable, but why did it have to be so cruel? How could it keep taking the people she loved so soon?!

Cora’s voice cracked as she pleaded, clutching his hand tightly as if her grip alone could pull him back to consciousness. “Apollo, please, open your eyes,” she begged, her voice thick with desperation. “I’ll marry you today, right here, if you just open your eyes. You told me you wanted a big family, and I’ll give you that. As many children as you dream of… just please, don’t leave me!”

Her words came out in choked sobs, her face pressed to his hand as if the warmth of her own touch could transfer life back into him. “I love you, Apollo,” she whispered fiercely. “Don’t you dare die on me now… fight, please fight.”

Her heart wrenched with each beat, and she couldn’t hold back the tears, spilling freely, uncaring of the roomful of people who watched in silence. Cora could feel the presence of her friends and the healers, murmuring in low voices, but nothing could break her focus. She leaned in, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead, as though the tenderness would reach through whatever darkness was holding him back, urging him back to her.

Cora heard the steady footsteps and the announcement of the King and Queen’s arrival. Her heart leapt, and a surge of hope coursed through her. She recalled how the King had once been on the verge of death and how Queen Katelina had saved him just in time.

Without thinking, Cora turned, and the moment her eyes met the Queen’s, she fell to her knees, her voice trembling with desperation. “Please, Your Majesty… save him. I beg you… Please bring him back to me…”