With Lexi bundled safely in Greyson's arms, they followed Orynn through the corridors once more, leaving Lord Brarthroroz to his grim task.
Ximena walked wordlessly, her conflicting emotions swirling painfully within her. After so long of feeling nothing but despair she was quite honestly overwhelmed with the thoughts and feelings that seemed to bombard her with something new with each second that passed.
She knew full well what Lexi had sacrificed to end Eromaug's life and as much as everyone wanted to believe that Eromaug had been lying about Lexi's status as his Eternal, she knew without a shadow of a doubt that it was the truth.
She was positive that Lexi knew this as well, but she had been forced into making that terrible decision that would forever destroy a part of her that only she would ever know about.
Lexi wouldn't have been unaware of the far reaching consequences of this course of action, after all, the many stories that existed depicting the fate of those who had lost their minds after the death of a mate were well known.
Knowing this, Ximena was privately terrified that Lexi would also succumb to this fate, her mind sinking further and further into madness with each day that passed.
But what could she do as her mother? She had already failed her in the past and desperately wanted to avoid failing her again.
Perhaps she and Brarthroroz could seal her memories once more but she had a feeling that Lexi would never consent to that, despite what her mates would want.
Ximena's heart lurched once more as she was hit with the pain of having to leave her own Eternal behind only moments after reuniting with him. Seeing his face for the first time after what felt like an eternity had completely taken her breath away, but in that moment, there was no time for celebration, no time for the heartfelt reunion that she had dreamed of every day that she was held here.
And now, the debilitating wave of guilt hit her square in the chest.
The guilt of wanting to celebrate her reunion with her Eternal whilst her daughter suffered. What kind of a poor excuse for a mother was she if she allowed herself to celebrate anything in that moment?
Ximena fought back the urge to scream her frustration into the darkness, biting her lip to give her a different sensation to focus on.
"Are you okay?" Allen's voice came hesitantly from next to her, his eyes reflecting a genuine concern for her that warmed her heart slightly.
She nodded, unable to speak as the words caught in her throat and she fought back the urge to weep.
"It's okay," Allen answered, his tone full of compassion as he walked beside her, "You don't need to talk. I just wanted you to know that I understand…at least I think I understand a little. Me and Greyson, well, you know our kind isn't renowned for our emotional acuity, but these past few weeks have been hell for us, so I can only imagine how terrible it's been for you. From this moment forward, you won't be alone. We're family now and no matter what you need, we'll be there to support you as well as Lexi."
Ximena forced a small smile on her face and nodded in acknowledgement just as Orynn trilled happily in front of them and the passageway gave way to stairs that led them deeper underground..
Allen's face crumpled into a frown as they descended further, lifting his nose slightly as he scented the air.
"I wouldn't worry too much about the smell here, Allen, I don't think we're in any danger."
"You can smell that too?"
"Only faintly," Ximena chuckled wearily, "It's a scent I think you and Greyson are going to have to get used to though."
"Why?" Allen asked curiously as they emerged into a cavern that made each and every one of them feel as insignificant as a grain of sand.
"Because that scent belongs to Lexi's soul bound dragon," Ximena smiled wearily, gesturing towards the center of the cavern.
Allen and Greyson froze as their eyes landed on the gargantuan form before them, the head of which was blinking lazily in their direction, with what they assumed was supposed to be a welcoming grin.
"Don't worry," Aoife's cheery voice called from just underneath the head of the dragon, "She's perfectly friendly!"
'Unless you intend to harm my children or my soulbound of course…' she chuckled throatily, 'Because in that case, I am probably going to be the last thing you will ever see again.'
"Bella! You're supposed to be reassuring them!" Aoife whispered in admonishment, "Allen and Greyson probably have never seen a dragon before."
"You're not fucking kidding." Greyson breathed as he took a step forward.
Bella's focus dropped to Lexi, a rumble of displeasure emanating from deep within her.
'Is she hurt?' she demanded, her long neck snaking towards them for a better look, causing Greyson to step back involuntarily.
Bella huffed in annoyance.
'She is bound to me just as I am to her. I will not hurt her, or those she holds dear. Bring her closer to me so that I can see.'
As Greyson approached her cautiously, Aoife hurried across to Ximena.
"I'm going to need your help to break the chains holding her. They're of Eromaug and Narcissa's design, unbreakable by Bella's soul magick, but entirely vulnerable to other schools." Aoife said excitedly as she took Ximena's hand and pulled her towards the enormous manacle that encased Bella's neck.
Ximena peered closely at the metalwork and snorted, shaking her head.
"Narcissa really was a complete amateur. Her wards and reinforcements here are sloppy and could be picked apart by any child with magick in their veins and a little concentration."
"I know," Aoife murmured quietly, "It's quite astonishing that someone like Eromaug ever thought she would be capable of being proficient at anything."
"Oh, he didn't care about proficiency," Ximena sneered, "All he ever cared about was obedience and control. Why would he need them to be powerful if he could just give them the firepower and trust that they would do his bidding?"
Aoife nodded in understanding as she glanced across at Orynn.
"You know, Orynn somehow shares the same magick that I do," Aoife said thoughtfully as Ximena raised an eyebrow, "I wonder if he can help with this."
"A dragon with your branch of magick?" Ximena mused thoughtfully, "Why do I get the feeling that somehow, the gods have intervened in some way here."
"I know, I thought that too." Aoife murmured quietly as she waved Orynn closer, "I mean, he needs a lot of training to master it, but its very receptive to his will. Honestly, I'll be interested to see how this plays out, you know. It's been a long time since they bestowed their gift on anyone outside of the established families."
"Indeed." Ximena smiled softly as Orynn chirruped at them inquisitively, "Come young one, place your hands next to ours and let's free your mother, shall we?"