You Bled Your Only Savior Dry

Elysia's city was destroyed by the black tide twelve years ago, and her parents died with it. She pulled Aldric's four sons out of the fire. Aldric, the Dragon Regent, took her into the keep and swore that whoever she chose would protect her.

Then Lyra arrived.

Lyra is the Illusionist Dragon Saintess, and her claim as their savior rests on a stolen scale. The brothers' loyalty turned. Elysia became the scarred stray they left behind.

Lyra fell from a tower. The brothers accused Elysia of pushing her; Elysia said Lyra threw herself off. Lyra was dying, and the brothers demanded Elysia's silver dragon blood.

Gideon ordered her to bleed for Lyra every day until Lyra was whole. Elysia refused. Her blood had kept them alive for twelve years, and her life had been draining to keep them alive. She had one day left. Only her dragon soul awakening at her coming-of-age ceremony could save her.

At the ceremony, Elysia announced she would marry Emperor Valerius. The brothers threatened her, and Aldric threatened exile. She formally rejected Gideon, Caelum, Thorne, and Lucius as her mates. Valerius arrived and claimed her as his wife and queen.

When she was crowned, the truth came out: her life had been draining to keep them alive. The brothers stabbed themselves and begged in blood. Elysia gave them one line: “Rot in your despair.”