For the Love of Tia: Dragon Lords of Valdier Book 4.1 Read Online Free Page B

pulled Tia closer to his body and
strode for the entrance. He looked up at the door as he climbed the
steps. His mother stood looking down at him with tears of
compassion glimmering in her eyes. He felt her hand brush over his
arm gently as he passed her.
    “ She will live if that is
your decision,” his mother said quietly.
    “ It is,” Jett said
striding down the long corridor toward the entrance to the healing
chambers buried deep under the palace.
    *.*.*
    Tia drifted in and out of
consciousness as her tiny heart struggled. Jett’s tender touch
soothed her fears and a sense of peace settled over her. She would
not be alone when she died. That had been one of her greatest fears. She heard
voices in the background. At times they rose in anger before a
gentle voice spoke.
    “ You understand what this
means,” Roan said heavily as he looked at his son.
    “ Jett?” His mother reached
out and touched his arm in fear and worry.
    Jett turned his head to look at his
mother and shook his head. “You do not understand. I knew the
moment I saw her she was for me.”
    Tamblin stepped forward; helpless rage
twisted his features as he stared at the pale face of his beloved
sister. “What do you mean she was for you? You did not even know
her until today!” He bit out angrily. “Why did you take her? The
excitement of being taken from her home is too much for her. Return
her to me and let me take her home. At least she will die among her
people!”
    “ No,” Jett said rising
angrily and pulling his sword. “She is mine and will remain by my
side!”
    “ What can you do?” Tamblin yelled as he
took a step closer to Jett. “What can you do that we haven’t? There
is nothing we can do to save her,” he said, anger and grief choking
him as he stared at the tall male who stood protectively over
Tia.
    Jett’s jaw clenched and he looked at
the glowing waters of their healing pool. As with all things in
life, there had to be a balance with death. There could not be one
without the other. The healing pools demanded such balance. The
healing waters would not work if the balance was not maintained.
Jett could not ask another to give their life in exchange for Tia.
The only way the pools could save one as sick as her was if another
life was sacrificed so that its power was replenished, keeping the
balance between life and death.
    Jett looked at Tamblin
before turning to gaze tenderly down at Tia’s still form. “I
would give anything to save
her,” he responded quietly before letting his sword drop to the
floor of the chamber. “I would give anything…. including my
life.”
    Tamblin fell backwards in confusion at
the sudden change in the male in front of him. Jett didn’t give
Tia’s brother a chance to protest. He gently scooped Tia up into
his arms, smiling down at her still, pale face. He bent his head
closer to her and brushed a soft kiss over her lips.
    “ I love you, Tia,” he
murmured quietly, forgetting everyone else in the large chamber. “I
give to you my heart, so that it may beat strongly for you. I give
to you my strength so you never feel weak, and I give to you my
love, so you will know the joy you have given me by just
existing.”
    Jett walked down the steps and into
the swirling blue and silver waters of the pool, moving slowly
until it covered Tia up to her chin. Taking a deep breath, he
pressed his lips against hers one last time and slowly sank down
under the shimmering surface.

Chapter 5
    Tia felt waves of warmth flowing
through her body. At first, she thought it was strange as she had
been so cold before. Her heartbeat grew stronger as the warmth
encircled her. She could feel Jett surrounding her with his love as
well as his arms. Shimmering lights danced behind her eyelids as
images of them together formed. It was as if she could see their
life together. His eyes turning with laughter to her as he held one
of their children in his strong arms as another clung to his leg.
She could feel his