Sold as the Alpha King's Breeder-Chapter 1477 - 76 : Keep Fighting

*Saoirse*

The ancient spirit of Shylah continued to surge around me, wrapping itself around my consciousness like a relentless vine. I was there, yet not, a silent observer in the prison of my flesh. My heart hammered against the cage of my ribs, each beat a reminder of the life growing inside me—a life that Shylah seemed to care little about.

"Shylah," Axureon’s voice was calm, but it carried an underlying strength that always seemed to command attention. "What is it going to be?"

“What is this girl to you? Has your heart swayed toward her in my absence?" Shylah’s voice, using my lips, harbored a cold edge of jealousy that sliced through the air.

Axureon stood firm, his gaze unwavering. His golden eyes glowed with the power of his dragon. "My heart belongs only to you, Shylah. It has for centuries. But as a being of honor, I cannot neglect the well-being of Saoirse or her unborn. That is the way of our kind—to guard life."

She studied him through my eyes, the tilt of my head not my own, yet I could feel the weight of her scrutiny. Muscles tensed and released as she silently tried to decide whether she believed him or not. "Very well," she said at last. "I believe you, Axureon. But remember, your loyalties lie with me.”

"Always," he replied, the simple word carrying weight. Even as he spoke, his eyes flickered to the growing swell of my stomach—an action not unnoticed by Shylah.

"Then see to it that your actions reflect your words," Shylah warned, her tone softening just enough to hint at understanding. “If I catch even a hint of something between you and this girl, I will not hesitate. Do you understand?"

I wanted to scream, to cry out with the frustration and futility of this entire situation. I had never felt more helpless in my entire life. Even with Axureon’s assurance of help. I felt alone, trapped within my own body and mind. All I had to hold onto was faith in him, Rhys, and Sasha.

All I could do was watch and wait and hope.

"Let us not forget, dear Axureon," Shylah began, her voice a melody of hidden dangers, "that my mystical strength and power remain unmatched by anyone alive." The air around her crackled with the force of her assertion. "Once this wretched war is over, I shall return the body, as I said to Saoirse."

I waited, nerves on end, for Axueron to demand my immediate freedom, but he didn’t. I knew he couldn’t. His love and fear for Shaylah were too much to remain on my side.

I could do nothing but scream silently in the prison of my mind. My heart pounded against my chest. I pushed. I fought. I begged. She couldn’t have my baby. I wouldn’t let her risk the life of my unborn child. But it was useless. I was trapped.

Time passed, and I waited. I watched the shadows dance across the stone walls as the minutes and hours passed. I had to cling to the fragile hope that I would soon regain control, even if just for a moment. I had done it once, and I could do it again.

Finally, we returned to the room Shylah had taken over for the night. As Shylah lay down to rest, her breaths deepened. I felt sleep take over.

I seized the chance, pushing forward with everything I had left. I reminded myself to be careful. If she woke up, I would lose my chance.

Suddenly, the world came back into focus. I was again in control of my own body, if only temporarily.

"Sa... Sasha?" My voice was a hoarse whisper.

"Shh, Saoirse. I’m here," Sasha replied, materializing from the gloom like a wraith. I nearly wept with relief at the sight of her.

"Sasha," I whispered urgently, "I spoke with Axureon. He assured me he would help, but now... now he backed down while speaking to Shaylah. I’m not so sure I can trust him."

"Perhaps he was unable to speak freely with Shylah’s presence looming over him," she suggested, her voice a soothing balm to my fraying nerves.

I shook my head, doubt gnawing at my insides. "I have to know for certain that he’s on our side, Sasha. We can’t afford any uncertainties, not with so much at stake."

Sasha nodded, her eyes shimmering with determination. "I understand, Saoirse. I will summon him to us. We will get the truth, one way or another."

"Please hurry, Sasha. And thank you," I managed, feeling the pull of Shylah’s consciousness trying to tug me back into the dark recesses of my mind. I had to trust that Sasha would succeed. It was the only sliver of hope we had left. 𝐟𝗿𝐞𝚎𝚠𝐞𝚋𝕟𝐨𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝕔𝕠𝚖

I closed my eyes and breathed in and out. I had to keep Shylah under. I had to stay in control. This had to work. I was running out of options, and I would do anything—give anything—to ensure my child was protected.

The stone beneath my palms was cold as I pressed against the wall and waited. My heart hammered in my chest. I willed my ears to catch any sound, any indication that Sasha had reached Axureon with my message.

And then, as if summoned by my desperate thoughts, the air shifted subtly. A warm, golden light spilled into the chamber, casting away the shadows that clung to the corners. It was Axureon.

"Axureon," I breathed, relief washing over me like a gentle wave. "Shylah sleeps," I continued quickly, knowing time was a luxury we did not possess. "But she will awaken soon."

He nodded, the grave expression on his face betraying the gravity of our situation. "Saoirse," he said, his voice a low rumble, "we need a measure drastic enough to compel Shylah to relinquish your body."

"Anything," I whispered, willing to pay any price for my freedom and the safety of my unborn child.

"Your powers," Axureon stated simply, "they are what tether her to this vessel. If we take them away..."

"Then Shylah might abandon it," I finished for him, understanding dawning upon me. But fear gripped me too—fear of losing this powerful part of myself forever.

"Exactly," he affirmed, though a shadow of doubt flickered in his eyes. "But such an act could have consequences we cannot foresee."

"Consequences I am willing to face." My resolve was steel. There was no turning back.

"There is a way," Sasha interjected, her voice barely above a whisper, "but it requires a curse—a binding of your powers."

A shiver ran down my spine at the mention of a curse. "A curse?" I echoed, both intrigued and terrified by the prospect.

"Binding is all I can think of," Sasha admitted, her gaze solemn. "Yet the aftereffects... are uncertain. The magic is old and volatile."

I shared a look with Axureon, seeing my own hesitation mirrored in his eyes. But the resolve that underpinned his concern gave me courage.

"Uncertain or not," I said, finding strength in my decision, "it may be the only chance we have to save my baby and end Shylah’s reign within me."

"Very well," Axureon conceded, though I could tell the weight of this choice burdened his ancient heart. "We must proceed with caution, Saoirse, and quickly."

"Quickly," I agreed, just as a flicker of Shylah’s awareness brushed against my consciousness, a warning of her imminent return. We were running out of time, but I couldn’t make this decision alone.

“I need to speak with Rhys,” I told Sasha.

She nodded, and I felt the tingle of magic as Sasha’s hand took mine. The connection was fragile but solid enough that I felt confident as I reached out to Rhys.

"Rhys," I whispered. "Can you hear me?"

"Clear as the mountain stream, Saoirse," came his steady reply. His voice instantly calmed my nerves. As my vision began to clear, he came into view. I threw myself into his arms. He kissed the top of my head, my brow, and my lips. He then kneeled and kissed the swell of my belly.

"We’re considering a curse to bind my powers," I said quickly, fearing Shylah’s return with every passing second. "But it’s dangerous and unpredictable."

There was a pause. I could see Rhys’s brow furrow. He ran a hand through his tousled hair—a habit when deep in thought—and stood to look me in the eye again.

"No," he finally said, firm yet gentle, like the resolve in his eyes. "A curse is too great a risk to take. Your spirit is strong, but we can’t wager your life or that of the little one on such treacherous, unpredictable magic."

His resistance stung, a mix of relief and frustration. "Then what do we do?" I asked, desperation threading my words. "Shylah won’t relinquish her hold easily."

"Is there a way to strip the powers from the staff?" Rhys questioned, his voice a touch hesitant, as if he tread upon new ground. "Without harming you or the baby?"

His suggestion hung between us. For a heartbeat, I allowed myself to believe there might be another way—one less fraught with darkness.

"Perhaps," I murmured, my thoughts racing with the possibility. "But how?"

“Sasha?”

I felt a gentle nudge in my consciousness. My spirit stirred, reaching out to the familiar warmth.

"Binding is one thing," Sasha’s voice resonated within the hollow space. "But transferring power? That requires abilities beyond what we have."

"Then we must find someone who can." My voice was quiet but held determination. It was all I could muster.

"Who would be capable of such a feat?" Sasha questioned, her own uncertainty a mirror of my concerns.

There was a pause, a long, heavy silence, and then an answer came, not from Sasha but from Rhys.

"My mother," Rhys’ words cut through the fog of my despair, clear and confident. "Queen Lena is the best person to ask. She has delved into ancient magics and possesses knowledge that few others do. She may know of someone."

"Can she help us?" Hope fluttered within me, fragile as a butterfly’s wings. The idea of salvation coming from outside was a sliver of light in the consuming dark.

"I believe she can," Rhys assured, his conviction a solid force. "She has to, for you, Saoirse, and our child."

“We may not have the luxury of time,” Sasha warned. “The binding may be our only choice. I just want you to prepare for that outcome.”

“Then we will hold on to hope but prepare for the worst,” Rhys assured her. He took my face in his hands and pressed a soft kiss to my lips.

"I won’t lose you," Rhys said. "Just keep fighting, Saoirse. Hold on."

"I will," I promised, clinging to his words like a lifeline. “I love you.”

“I love you too, Saoirse. We will get through this, I swear to you. We will get through this, and we will be together. No one can keep me from you and our child.”

The connection started to wane, Sasha’s energy fading until I was again in that room where Shylah slumbered in my body.

"Thank you," I whispered with every ounce of gratitude I had left. It was a promise to keep fighting until Shylah’s grip on my body was no more than a memory.