What Mercedes feared the most happened in the end. She was too weak to prevent it. She hurt someone she cared about dearly and it was all her fault. Time froze at that instant. The bond between Drakoen and Mercedes snapped like a thread and Mercedes felt herself being released from her restraints. She came back to her senses and reclaimed her body. There was no more in between. She was fully in control of herself and her emotions. Mercedes could now fully absorb the scene in front of her.

The ...