The surging of the strange presence within Neveah’s veins and her heated skin left her feeling heavy and lightheaded. 𝒻𝑟ℯℯ𝑤𝑒𝑏𝑛𝘰𝓋𝑒𝓁.𝒸𝑜𝘮

Her vision was also dim and so the tall, muscular silhouette that stood before her, shielding her from Lord Conrad appeared more like a shadow in her eyes.

But that voice and that presence that brought along with it a feeling of safety and reassurance was hard to mistake, it was Menarx without a doubt.

Neveah squinted, shaking her head slightly in a bid to clear her vision, but Neveah’s actions only sent her environment spinning and the silhouette before her eyes moved from being a shadow to a blurry shadow.

Neveah opened her mouth to speak but no words would come out, the moment Menarx arrived,

All the strength Neveah had summoned to face Lord Conrad flitted away and all the ravaging pain from before returned in full fold.

"Lord Menarx." Conrad acknowledged in a tone of respect.

"You call me Lord, yet in my absence, you wish to harm what is mine?" Menarx demanded to know directly, completely ignoring Conrad’s greeting.

"And Fiona?" Conrad asked blankly.

A low, deadly growl rumbled out of Menarx.

Menarx was agitated, even if Neveah could hardly make out his form, it showed in his tone of voice.

A deep sense of guilt stirred up in Neveah’s heart, the last thing she wanted at this moment was to have Menarx battle his kin over her own troubles.

In the haze of her anger, Neveah had not considered Lady Fiona also had a Lord dragon who like Menarx could not bear to see her harmed in anyway.

"If you listened for a moment, you would hear Fiona admit to having attempted to restrain my rider from coming to me..."

"I will not tolerate being separated from Neveah and the same goes for her. Given that Fiona was only fulfilling her orders, I do not intend to hold this against her." Menarx replied.

"And if I insist on drawing blood?" Conrad asked again.

Menarx chuckled darkly, stretching an arm out.

"By all means... insist. You only have to draw mine first." Menarx stated easily.

"You have not healed Menarx and taking dragon form has made your wounds bleed out, I can smell your blood. You will not be as formidable as usual and I trust you know I am not so easily overpowered either."

"You stand a risk of worsening your injuries to a severe state if you battle me and considering how powerful of an opponent you are, I will be sure to use your weakness to my advantage." Conrad pointed out.

"As brutally honest as always. I have no disagreements and my condition is my own concern... take whatever advantage you need, though I doubt that would change the results." Menarx agreed.

It sounded to Neveah like both dragons were coming to an agreement on the terms of a battle and Neveah shook her head quickly.

Neveah tried calling out to Menarx, but trying was as far as she could go before her vision blacked out and she fell down to the snow unconscious.

At the thud of Neveah’s fall, Menarx spun around, his eyes widening slightly.

"Veah!" Menarx exclaimed, dropping to his knees and lifting Neveah’s limp upper body into his arms.

"She is burning up! What the hell did you do to her?!" Menarx snarled at Conrad.

"Like I would do anything knowing how you are." Conrad murmured, walking over to crouch down beside Menarx.

"I have heard the wolf princess mentioned one too many times, it was about time I saw for myself."

"Besides, someone really wanted me to come here and took the efforts to identify the wolf girl as the culprit... I do not enjoy being manipulated." Conrad said with a roll of his eyes.

"Someone?" Menarx asked absentmindedly but Conrad ignored his question.

"You come from a lineage of healers but know nothing about health... move over." Conrad added, shoving Menarx to the side and placing a palm over Neveah’s forehead.

Menarx frowned slightly but did not protest knowing Conrad was not completely ignorant as he was.

Neveah’s skin was burning hot, so much so that Conrad raised a brow in surprise.

Perspiration beaded on her forehead, Menarx watched in concern as Conrad inspected Neveah’s condition.

"You really... truly, love this woman." Conrad said while he studied Neveah’s condition.

His words had no question in them, instead they were an established statement.

"Is that not why you could not harm her?" Menarx replied with a question of his own.

"Do not flatter yourself. Family do not take trivialities to heart... I only came to see if truly she was one I would accept as family." Conrad said.

"And?" Menarx asked.

"Does my opinion influence your choice?" Conrad asked instead.

"Not at all." Menarx admitted honestly.

"I do not believe she has left us a choice either... your flame is already within her veins." Conrad finally revealed Neveah’s condition.

Menarx’s eyes widened slightly, staring down at Neveah.

"The merging?! Already?! Does he wish Veah dead?! I will have a word with Lord Skiren!" Menarx snarled.

He made to rise to his feet but Conrad stopped him.

"Lord Skiren has never once judged wrongly, if he allowed the merging, then it is only because he deems her ready."

"She is a strong one, facing me in this condition. We know what pain the merging of fire is... take your rider away, having you in close proximity is the only way to ease her suffering." Conrad advised.

"You should not shift in your condition, I will give you a ride... provided that you never speak of it to anyone." Conrad offered reluctantly as he got up to his feet.

"Thank you... I will have Everon see to Fiona’s injury and ensure it doesn’t leave a scar." Menarx said gratefully.

"Of course you will, I already expected you to do that." Conrad replied with a scoff as he headed away some distance to take his dragon form