"I've been preparing." The King's six wings spread wider, blocking what little light the lava rivers provided. "Waiting for the moment when the last dragon would have something worth bargaining for."
His pupils dilated, corruption bleeding through ancient irises.
"And now here you stand. Dying and desperate. Exactly where I need—"
The corrupted dragon's gaze snapped toward Cyrus.
Toward the way crimson energy pulsed stronger now, how the torn wing had straightened slightly, and how blood no longer flowed freely from gaping wounds.
"Clever." The King's voice dropped to something cold and vicious. "Stalling for your mate to recover. How noble."
His massive claw twisted beneath Kane's grip—
Then slammed downward with devastating force.
Kane's foxfire blazed instinctively, but corrupted strength overwhelmed the divine-touched flame.
The impact drove Kane into the volcanic stone so hard that the ground cratered beneath him.
Pain exploded through Kane's spine.
