Embrace The Dark (Her Elemental Dragons Book 5)

by Elizabeth Briggs

  “All of the other Gods have representatives in the world. Is it not fair that I should have one of my own?”

  “I suppose it is,” I said. I’d never considered it that way before. “But why did you give Wrill your powers too? No God has two champions.”

  “I made Wrill my new High Priestess. Harga is only a decoy.”

  “Why?” Varek asked.

  The Death Goddess swished her tail, which made a horrible clacking sound. “You both serve a purpose. Wrill’s is to sow chaos and spread death, while also bringing to light the problems of this world that the other Gods have caused. Your duty is to bring balance to that chaos and continue my legacy.”

  Her words made no sense to me. She wanted chaos and death, but she also wanted us to stop Wrill? My parents had told me the Gods were enigmatic, but I had no idea how true that was until now.

  “Even now, you think me the villain,” the bone dragon said with a sneer. “Yet while the other Gods have abandoned this world, I am here.”

  She made a fair point, even as my heart sank. My suspicious about the other Gods were proving to be true. They could have come to give us their blessings, they simply chose not to do so.

  “We will serve you as best we can,” Varek said.

  “See that you do.” She bared her fangs. “Give my regards to my sister.”

  With that, the bones of her body collapsed into a heap, and then they turned to dust before our eyes. She was gone.

  Chapter Twenty-Two

  We spent the rest of the night alternating between sleep and sex, but in the morning, I was ready to get going. I couldn’t sleep well in the temple, even if death didn’t bother me as much now that I could control it—not that I planned to test that out anytime soon. More importantly, now that I’d mated with all five of my men, I could head to the Life Temple and become a dragon myself. Assuming the Life Goddess would give me her blessing.

  Varek’s dragon form was huge and his scales were shiny and black, like a dark lake under a moonless night. He practiced flying over the barren field around the Death Temple for a short while, before feeling confident he could fly us back the short distance to the palace.

  As we approached Soulspire, we noticed other dragons flying over the city, both my parents and my mates. "A show of force?" I asked. Varek growled his agreement.

  When we landed, we found the palace on lockdown, a safety measure put in place by the Silver Guard after the attacks on the city and the assassination attempt last night. My mother rushed out of the palace and glanced between me and Varek, who had already resumed his human form.

  “Is it done?” she asked.

  “Yes, I’ve bonded with all five mates,” I said.

  Kira then reached out her hands to Varek. “Welcome to the family. I know we got off to a rocky start, but you are one of us now.”

  Varek took her hands, though he looked uncertain. “Thank you.”

  “We want to go to the Life Temple immediately,” I said.

  Mom nodded. “I think that is a wise idea.”

  “Do you know what I should expect?”

  “No. I’m sorry. Things were completely different for me. Hopefully your meeting with the Life Goddess is a lot easier.”

  My parents had gone to the Spirit Temple and fought my grandmother and her mates, while a huge battle was waged outside. When they’d defeated her, they’d released the Spirit Goddess and separated her into the twin Life and Death Goddesses. After banishing the Death Goddess back to her world, the Life Goddess gave Mom her blessing. I was grateful I didn’t have to go through all that.

  Kira wrapped me in a hug. “When you get back, we will celebrate. We’re all very proud of you.”

  “Thanks, Mom.” I gave her a squeeze and then stepped back. She nodded at us both, and then went to speak to some of the guard.

  My other mates swooped down into the courtyard, returning from their patrols of the city. I embraced them all, and felt through our bond how relieved they were that I had returned.

  “How did it go?” Erroh asked.

  I exchanged a glance with Varek with a secretive smile. “It went well.”

  “Better than well, judging by her moans,” Varek said with a smirk.

  My cheeks heated and I cringed a little, worried the other guys would get upset. But Carth only chuckled and said, “She does get pretty loud sometimes.”

  The other guys grinned and I scowled at them all. “I do not!”

  That only amused them more.

  “You seem different,” Parin told Varek. "Lighter, somehow.”

  "A night with the princess will do that to a man," Varek said.

  "No more of that nickname,” I said, but then paused. “Unless we’re in bed, anyway.”

  They all laughed, and I couldn't help but be amazed at the change in the group from only a week before. Even with the threat of the Unseen looming over our heads, we’d become a team. Maybe even something more.

  We all freshened up and had a quick bite to eat before leaving for the Life Temple. I rode on Varek’s back, surrounded by my four other dragons like an honor guard. As we flew, I thought about how this would be one of the last times I would ride on the back of a dragon—soon I would be one myself.

  It was a short flight heading south of Soulspire, and soon the Life Temple came into view. The temple had been rebuilt after it had been destroyed in the battle against the Black Dragon, and unlike the Death Temple nearby, this one was surrounded by vibrant plants and animals. The temple itself sat at the top of a hill overlooking the plains, and was nestled against the side of a mountain with a waterfall running down it, which turned into a river that ran through the valley and nourished life there. The building was made of gleaming white stone, with dark green ivy wrapped around its large pillars.

  The High Priestess was outside when we arrived, tending to a garden of beautiful flowers with a rabbit watching her. Nelsa was in her fifties, with very long blond hair, sun-kissed skin, and kind blue eyes. She wore a simple white gown with no sleeves and her feet were bare.

  Nelsa gave me a low bow and a warm smile. "Hello, Sora. We’ve been expecting you. We got word you were at the Death Temple this morning."

  Her priests stood at the arched doorway and gestured for us to enter. They bowed as we passed through it into an open-air courtyard with a bubbling fountain in the center topped with a dragon figure made entirely from plants. A black and white dog ran up to us and wagged its tail, while brightly colored birds perched along different spots in the courtyard and squawked loudly.

  “Do you care for some refreshments?” Nelsa asked, as she led us further into the temple, the dog happily trotting beside her.

  “No, thank you,” I said, as I drew in a deep breath of fragrant air. Being here felt so right to me, more so than any of the other temples. I’d grown up with the Life Goddess’s magic, and this place was like home.

  Nelsa led us to a door on the other side of the courtyard. “The Life Goddess awaits you.”

  We stepped through it and were outside again in a large garden full of flowers and plants, with butterflies flitting through the air. The waterfall could be seen above us, and a stream of water gurgled nearby. A small fire pit had been set up and danced with flames, while large, smooth rocks provided seating. All of the elements were represented in this place, and it resonated deep inside me. The only one missing was death—probably because no one had planned for this fifth element to become involved.

  My mates fanned out behind me, glancing around. Parin touched one of the smooth rocks. “Impressive.”

  Varek scowled. “I shouldn’t be here.”

  “Nonsense,” I replied, while holding out a hand. A bright blue butterfly landed on my fingertips. “You’re as much my mate as any of the others.”

  “We’re here, now what do we do?” Carth asked.

  “The Life Goddess needs to be summoned,” Zain said.

  Erroh’s face brightened. “Oh, I researched this the other week. Auric gave
me some old texts. Sora needs to prove that she has all the elements, and then the Goddess shall appear and give her blessing.”

  “I can do that.” I sucked in a breath, then took a step forward. The elemental power inside me was still fresh and new, but it was easy for me to reach. First air, from my oldest friend, Erroh. I made it swirl around me, the wind rustling my hair and dress. Next, water, from my flirtatious lover, Carth. I gathered it from the stream and made a ball of it in my palm. Third was fire, from my devoted protector, Zain. I pulled it from the fire pit and made the flames dance in my other hand. Then it was earth, from my solemn mate, Parin. I made the ground under me rumble and thrust up, lifting me above everyone else on a piece of jutting rock.

  That might have done it, but I couldn’t forget my final mate, Varek, even if no one had expected him. I let out a burst of death magic, making the grass under my feet shrivel up and turn brown in a circle around me.

  The sun overhead seemed to brighten until it was blinding, and we all had to throw up our arms to shield our eyes. When the light dimmed, a huge, shimmering dragon stood before us, seemingly made of light. Flowers bloomed at her feet and butterflies perched on her wings. She gazed down at me with a kind smile that filled me with warmth.

  “Hello, my child,” she said. “You have bonded with all of your mates and control all the elements. You are ready to become my champion.”

  I bowed my head, feeling breathless but also relaxed. It made no sense. “Thank you.”

  “I realize my sister threw in a complication, but you handled it well. I cannot fault her for wanting to be represented and worshipped as the other Gods are.”

  I hesitated, but then asked, “Forgive me, but where are the other Gods? We expected to meet them at their temples.”

  “Once your mother became the Silver Dragon, we decided to retreat from the world and let mortals control their own fates. We had so easily been corrupted and nearly led the world to ruin, we thought it would be better for our champions to guide humans and elementals into the future.”

  “There are many who no longer want the Dragons to lead,” I said with a sigh.

  “I’m certain you will find a solution to the troubles you face.” She bent her head, touching my forehead with her snout like a kiss. “You have my blessing.”

  As soon as she touched me, she vanished. At the same time, shimmering scales rippled across my skin, while my body expanded and shifted into something much bigger. I grew claws, fangs, and a tail, then spread my sparkling wings wide. As I did, dozens of colors moved along my scales, refracting the light and forming rainbows. Pride and exultation filled my chest. I’d prepared for this moment every day of my life, and now I’d done it.

  I was a Dragon, like my mother.

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  Flying was even better than I’d imagined all these years. Riding on the backs of other dragons was already incredible, but this topped even that. Feeling the air against my face, the strength in my body, and the power in my wings made me never want to turn human again.

  I did flips and turns over the Life Temple, and my mates cheered me on while hovering beside me in their own dragon forms, while giving me a few pointers now and then. We danced in the air, chased each other around, and roared into the sky, before finally heading back to Soulspire. I couldn't wait to show my mother my new form, and to fly with my entire family.

  When we arrived at the palace, I instantly knew something was wrong. Smoke filled the air, and the gate in front had been twisted and bent by someone who could control earth magic. Even worse, the bodies of slain guards were scattered across the courtyard, some blackened by fire. Other guards rushed around, shouting to one another, while palace staff tried to tend to the injured.

  I shifted back to human form and grabbed the nearest guard I saw, shaking him a little. “What happened here?”

  “They took them!” he sputtered, his eyes panicked.

  “Who?”

  “Your parents!”

  Cold terror washed through me. “How? Where?”

  The guard drew in a ragged breath and tried to compose himself. “Someone in the palace was working for the Unseen and poisoned your parents’ meal. It knocked them out, and the Unseen attacked the palace gates and kidnapped them. We tried to stop them, but they had powers. I’m sorry.”

  “Where did they take them?” I nearly shouted, my heart hammering in my chest.

  “I don’t know!”

  I turned to my mates, who had landed behind me. “We have to find them!”

  “I’m the fastest,” Erroh said. “I’ll patrol the city while you help these people.”

  “I’ll go too,” Carth added. “I’m nearly as fast as you are, and we can cover more ground that way.”

  Parin nodded. “The rest of us will stay here and protect the palace and help however we can.”

  I wanted to protest that we should all go searching, but then I heard the moans of people in the courtyard and nodded, while choking back my fear and rage. I would be of most use here, and I trusted my mates to do the best they could to find my parents.

  By the time Erroh and Carth returned, I’d managed to lose myself in the healing and block out everything else, and had done everything I could. I rushed toward my mates, eager for news of my parents.

  “They’re in the stadium across town,” Erroh said, his voice panicked. “The Unseen are gathering a huge crowd there and they’re going to drain your parents in front of everyone for all the humans to see, as soon as the sun sets. They have some elementals too. We need to go, now.”

  “They have those pillars up that are preventing your parents from shifting,” Carth added. “Those need to be our first targets.”

  Gods, it was even worse than I’d thought. Especially since the sun was nearing the edge of the horizon now. I summoned water to wash the blood off my hands and then shifted back into my dragon form, enjoying the rush of power it gave me. “Let’s rescue my parents and put an end to this.”

  “Is Wrill leading the Unseen?” Varek asked.

  “Yes, she is,” Carth said.

  I swung my large head toward Varek. “Is this going to be a problem?”

  His jaw clenched. “Not at all.”

  We devised a rough plan and then the five of us took off, soaring into the air as quickly as we could. This was not the time for stealth. We were going to show them that the Dragons were chosen to lead for a reason, and we would not be bullied by humans with stolen powers.

  It was a short flight to the stadium on the other side of Soulspire, and we arrived just as the sun dipped below the horizon, turning the sky a deep indigo. As the six of us circled over the packed stadium, I released a loud, primal roar, laced with my anger and fear. My mates all chimed in and added their thunderous voices too, until we filled the night with the sound. Some people in the stadium screamed and began to run. Good.

  The stadium was packed with onlookers, probably curious humans the Unseen had gathered to watch the event. We had to try to avoid hurting any of them. The Unseen stood in the center of the stadium, surrounding cages that held elementals and my parents, who were chained up and in their human forms. Those black pillars were set up in a circle around the cages, preventing them from shifting. Wrill stood beside one of them with her hands on her hips, gazing up at us with her face behind her black mask. I could practically feel her hatred for me even from afar.

  We descended as a group, swooping down low over the crowd, sending terror throughout more people who bolted for the exit. Then we circled the center of the stadium, beating our wings rapidly. The Unseen began shooting fire, ice, and rocks up at us, while others tried to control the air around us to prevent us from flying, but we’d expected that and we fought back their attacks. Carth blasted away the fire, Zain melted through the ice, Parin defected the rocks, and Erroh soothed the wind. I helped as I could, using my elemental magic to catch anything they missed, while Varek summoned shades on the ground and ordered them to attack. We’d tr
ained to work as a team, and even though we weren’t as experienced as my parents, we were a force to be reckoned with as long as we stuck together.

  While my four elemental dragons continued flying around and deflecting attacks, keeping the Unseen busy, Varek and I charged forward with our own mission. We each landed beside a pillar and placed our talons on the inky black stuff covering them, then drew out the death magic within them. The pillars collapsed, and we moved to the next ones.

  “Sora!” my mother called out from inside a cage, which was also covered in that inky black stuff, probably to prevent her from using magic. My fathers were in identical cages beside her, with elementals in others behind them.

  “We’re going to get you out of there as soon as we can!” I roared to her, swishing my tail, then went to work on another pillar.

  A huge blast of fire made me dart back. Wrill flew toward me, using air to propel herself through the sky. She attacked me with a combination of swirling air, rocks, and water, creating a hurricane that surrounded me. I threw up a shield of water and air to block it, then unleashed a massive column of fire at her. She threw out an arm and deflected the magic away from her, where it hit one of our shades and made it vanish.

  She laughed as she summoned shards of ice, laced with darkness and death. "Is that all you've got?"

  I let out a roar and slashed at her with my tail, but she dodged. I was about to charge her and tear her apart with my talons, but then I saw Varek behind her, back in his human form.

  "I'm sorry," Varek said. "I love you, sister."

  A shadowy bolt stretched out from his hand and hit her in the back, sinking into her chest. Her arms spread wide and her mask fell off as she screamed. It was just like when she’d taken the power from the elementals, but in reverse. Varek pulled out the elemental magic she’d stolen from the others with his death magic, a glowing ball of swirling colors laced with black, which dissolved into thin air before us.