Contents
Chapter 37
Overview
In midair, Viktor rallies and tears Nyxaris’s throat with poisoned fangs, but Florence lands the wounded dragon and fights to save him. Guided by Neville, she discovers emberfern and staunches the bleeding. As Nyxaris’s breaths falter, Neville erupts in radiant power, leaving Nyxaris shuddering and the outcome uncertain.
Summary
Florence believes Viktor is defeated, but Viktor rockets back and bites into Nyxaris’s throat. Florence feels Nyxaris’s pain through their bond and lands him outside the city as blood pours from a foul, poisoned wound.
Nyxaris, calling Florence “fireheart,” explains he once knew what Viktor was and had hunted him through blood-warded tunnels, avoiding mass casualties at the school. He admits forcing Florence’s engagement as a protective gambit and reveals Viktor’s near-indestructibility in dragon form.
Determined to save Nyxaris, Florence searches for help as Neville begins to glow. Neville coughs up a wad of emberfern, prompting Florence to spot the plant in the field. Despite Nyxaris’s insistence the poison is ancient and lethal, she grinds emberfern and packs it into the wound, which begins knitting and slowing the bleeding.
As Nyxaris’s breathing grows shallow, Neville climbs onto the dragon and sings. Then Neville blazes with golden light in Florence’s arms. Nyxaris’s vast body shudders, his wings tremble, and a blinding radiance engulfs them, leaving Nyxaris’s fate unresolved.
Who Appears
- FlorencePOV; lands wounded Nyxaris, improvises treatment with emberfern, refuses to abandon him, anchors the emotional core.
- NyxarisWounded by Viktor’s poisoned bite; reveals past knowledge of Viktor; accepts Florence’s aid as his breaths fade.
- NevilleFluffin companion; reveals emberfern remedy and unleashes a golden, purifying light as Nyxaris falters.
- ViktorInferni antagonist; counterattacks midair, poisons Nyxaris, then falls cityward, wounded and on fire.