The balance changed. The bond between Sylvia and Rick didn't take away Rick's power.
Instead, it became what it was meant to be, which was a merger of equals, or as equal as a mortal and a Dragon Queen could be. Rick's mind reached out and met Sylvia's halfway, with the help of his other connections.
And all of a sudden, he could feel her. Not just her strength, but also her whole body and soul.
A thousand years of being alone, losing things, and being determined to keep going even though it hurts. He could tell she loved Therion and was sad that he was gone.
He could sense her fear of opening her heart again and her desperate hope that Rick might be worth the risk. He felt everything that made Sylvia who she was, and it was beautiful instead of hurting him.
Sylvia also felt for Rick at the same time. His death in his last life was shameful, and he is determined to do better in this one.
