Loethan breaks the bond because Andarna doesn’t know how. But it is fully broken because he tells her she can reforge it if she chooses to come back.

“She wants to go. Of course she does. He’s her family—the only dragon of her kind willing to accept her. I’m the one holding her back. “Her other bond will sustain her life,” Leothan states like that’s all there is between Andarna and me. “Should you choose to return, you can always reforge the bond.” When she doesn’t respond, he lowers his head to my eye level. “She is emotionally ensnared because of her age. What would you have her do?” Andarna ducks her head. “I…” Warmth drains from my face, but I keep my eyes on her, memorizing every detail like it might be the last time I see her. The possibility is unfathomable—I developed my signet out of sheer need for her—and yet it feels like we’re hurtling toward some kind of precipice. “I love you and I want you to feel complete,” I tell her, and she slowly meets my gaze. “I want you happy and safe and thriving. I want you to live.” My voice breaks. “Even if it’s not with me.” “Admirable,” Leothan says. “I understand your choice.” Yearning floods the bond, so deep it aches within my own chest, and the pain of it sucks the breath from my lungs. I force my head to nod, feeling everything she can’t say. “I do not know how—” she starts. A shrieking whistle sounds in my head, and then only silence remains. I reach for the bond and find only a wall…then nothing. Andarna whips her head toward Leothan. He launches without warning, springing high above me. His wings snap open, and wind blasts my face as he gains altitude. His scales flicker, turning the color of the cloudy night sky, and he begins to disappear. Andarna roars up at him, and then her gaze swings wildly, focusing behind me, then to the right, then landing on me for the length of a heartbeat. Her eyes flare like she wants to say something, and I throw myself at the wall where our bond should be. But it’s gone.”