Holding Tigra close, afraid to let her go, just in case I was overwhelmed by emotions I could not control, it was almost like her love for me balanced out the guilt and pain of losing them. It was hard to keep in mind that Lin had survived, I saved her.

The door to the room opened, and Tigra quickly moved away from me, blushing and bashful we looked at the doorway to see Queen Daz, Brendan, carrying a golden box and my mum.

I was expecting to have something said, but Queen Daz, walked straight over, taking hold of her daughter’s hand, and then grabbed mine. To both Tigra and my surprise she put our hands together and held them tightly.

“Do not be ashamed of the love you two share,” she was smiling at us. “You have finally found one another, a connection that can never be broken.”

“Mum,” Tigra was just as surprised as I was.

“Alex has always been your eternal soul mate; you’ve always been destined to be together.” I looked at Tigra as she said those words. “Make each other stronger.”

“So not angry I was kissing your daughter,” I grinned.

“I give you both my blessing,” she responded.

“Thank you, mother,” smiled Tigra, but I was still unsure what was happening. Queen Daz glanced behind her at Brendan who had placed the box on the table.

Mum smiled at me, she was happy I was finally able to tell Tigra about how I felt, and she felt the same way as I did, this feeling was amazing.

“I did my best to heal what I could.” Mum went over to the box, opening it she gently pulled out items and placed them on the table. “But they need your power to finish healing.”

“My power,” I moved to get up, but stumbled forward. Both Tigra and Brendan were there to catch me.

“Careful,” said Tigra alarmed.

“I’m okay,” I responded by pushing away from them and making it over to the table.

This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.

I looked down to see my talismans. They were heavily damaged; they had been injured just as bad as I had been. Mila and Larana were covered in cracks. Raziel and Arata had chunks out of their blades missing.

“What happened to them?” I asked confused how a talisman could become injured.

“They protected you from most of the attacks, during the ambush. Lin told me how they protected you,” mentioned Queen Daz.

“Lin, how is she?” I glanced around at all of them.

“She is doing far better than you,” answered mum.

“Good,” I nodded, now I needed to get back on track before Dumah tried anything, but during the ambush, we had wounded two of his unit members, perhaps he wouldn’t try anything until after they were healed. I hovered my hands over my talismans.

“Not now.” Mum shook her head. “You are not strong enough.”

“I cannot leave them in this state,” I said. “When they are strong, so am I.” I continued to do what I needed to do. Transferring my power into my hands and then into the talismans. I had so little, but it would be enough to heal them.

Each one glowed with my power and began to heal. The cracks all fading and the broken chunks repairing themselves.

One by one as they completely healed, they appeared. Larana flew around. Mila stared at me concerned, then Raziel shaking his head and Arata just sat there disapproving as always.

I gasped as I finished and fell backwards panting. It had taken a lot more power than I thought to heal their damaged forms.

“Alex.” Tigra grabbed hold of me, quickly guiding me as I fell to sit me down in a chair.

“You idiot!” snapped Arata.

“Master!” cried Larana landing on my shoulder, gently rubbing my cheek.

“I’ll heal you as soon as you’ve recovered some more of your energy, sorry.” Mila was next to me, feeling guilty she could not heal my wounds, but she and the others had done enough for me, they’d saved me.

“That was dangerous, one at a time would have been more advisable,” commented Raziel.

“Sorry, but I couldn’t leave you like that.” I looked at each of them. “Thank you for saving me.” I knew it was only because of them I was alive. They had defended me from most of those attack including that last one.

“It is our honour to protect you master,” bowed Raziel.

“Back into bed.” Brendan came over and picked me up.

“Whoa!” I let out a cry as he took me back over to the bed and put me down. “Seriously I can walk you know.”

“I know you, Alex. Now rest.” Brendan gave me such a stare down. I realised he had also been just as worried as Tigra, glancing at all of them, had they all shed tears for me?

“Fine.” I laid down and pulled the covers over my head. I knew they all cared, but I hated being this weak in front of all of them. I was meant to be strong.