Embrace The Dark (Her Elemental Dragons Book 5)

by Elizabeth Briggs

  I stepped back, shaking my head. “I’m not ready.”

  “Yes, you are,” Reven said, as he stroked my hair. “We’ve trained you for this since the moment you were born.”

  "I'm not, though," I said. "I have so much to learn still. What if I make a mistake?”

  “You did a wonderful job dealing with the cult,” Auric said, as he squeezed my hand. “And it's not like we're going to disappear. We'll always be here to guide you and advise you."

  “True.” I smoothed my dress, gathering my confidence, but it only returned when Slade wrapped me in one of his big bear hugs.

  “We’re very proud of you,” he said.

  Tears pricked my eyes as I pulled back and looked at my four fathers. Things might have been awkward with them and my mates at times, especially at first, but I could never have asked for four better men to raise me. Each one of them had given me the best parts of themselves and loved me unconditionally. I owed them everything—along with my mother, of course.

  We stepped out of the palace and into the courtyard, which was filled with people as far as the eye could see, along with elementals. Kira stood in a silver gown of her own on a podium, with her sword in her hand, the one Slade had made her that was imbued with all the elements. My fathers moved to fan out behind her, and then my mates and I stood to the side.

  Mom flashed me a warm smile, as the sunlight glinted off her beautiful red hair. Then she turned to the crowd.

  “For thousands of years the Dragons have acted as guardians, protectors, and sometimes overlords of the world, but our time has come to an end. My daughter, the Rainbow Dragon, shall be the last of the Ascendants, and shall oversee the beginning of a new era. She has brought balance to the world, and has made a great sacrifice to ensure that equality shall flourish among all mortals.”

  The crowd watched with rapt attention, and my heart warmed at the sight of so many familiar faces. Erroh and Parin’s parents, Faya and Cadock, along with their sister and her family. Carth’s parents, Brin and Leni. All of the High Priestesses from every temple, including Calla. Even a few former members of the Quickblades, who had joined the Silver Guard at Varek’s request.

  Kira lifted up her sword and turned toward me. "Sora, you and your mates have proven yourselves ready to take on the peaceful oversight of our world. My mates and I formally step aside, and we charge you with keeping the harmony between humans and elementals, and maintaining balance in the four Realms.”

  I took the sword from her and bowed my head as I held its weight. "I take on this duty with pride and honor, with my mates by my side."

  The audience erupted into cheers as I sheathed the sword, and my mother and I faced the crowd, our men behind us. Mom rested a hand on my back and gave me a proud smile that brought tears back to my eyes. Kira and her men were not only heroes, but amazing parents too. I could only hope to live up to the example they’d set.

  The ceremony ended, and a banquet began. A small orchestra began to play music, and food and refreshments were served to the guests. The night quickly passed in a whirlwind of drinking, dancing, and delicious food. Everyone wanted to congratulate me and my mates, and ask us about the new school we’d found just outside Soulspire, the Elemental Dragon Academy.

  Ever since the night we summoned the Gods, humans across the four Realms had woken up to new powers. Most of the champions were young, below twenty, but a few of them were older. We sent out word that anyone with magic should come to Soulspire for training, and for weeks we flew around the world, looking for our new students and transporting them to their new home. My family built it from scratch using magic, and it would house hundreds of people. We asked the High Priestesses, both former and current, to help us with the training, along with my parents. So far, it was going well. The new dragons were smaller and less powerful than we were, but they gave the people hope. That was what mattered.

  Our purpose now was to train the next generation of elemental dragons and to create a school that would continue after we had moved on. Especially since our own children would need to be trained there too.

  I found my mates in my mother’s garden, my favorite place at the palace. They all turned toward me and smiled as I approached, and I decided now was the time to tell them the good news.

  “What are you doing out here?” I asked.

  “Getting away from all the stuffy guests with a million questions,” Carth said with a smirk.

  “Yes, it’s much quieter out here,” Parin said.

  “Wine?” Varek offered me, with a knowing gleam. “I noticed your glass has been empty all night.”

  “No, thank you,” I said, as I sat on a bench. “There’s something I need to tell you all.”

  Erroh’s face lit up. “We already know.”

  “You do?” I asked.

  “It’s obvious from the way you’ve been acting,” Zain said. “You’re pregnant.”

  I laughed and placed a hand over my belly. “How could you tell? I wasn’t even sure myself until Mom examined me this morning.”

  “No wine or ale was the obvious one, of course,” Carth said.

  “Additionally, you refused eggs for breakfast, and we know you love eggs,” Parin added.

  “And you kept complaining of being tired,” Zain said.

  Carth smirked. “I suppose that means we don’t need to have a competition over who will be the father. This time, anyway.”

  “Do you know who it is?” Erroh asked.

  I bit my lip, but then nodded, and my gaze landed on Varek. His eyes widened in shock, and then he let out a laugh. Next thing I knew, he was sweeping me up into his arms and giving me a passionate kiss.

  “It’s mine? Truly?” he asked.

  “Yes, Mom confirmed it with her magic,” I said. “A boy too. The first boy ever born to any Ascendant.”

  He pressed his forehead against mine and laughed again. “I can’t believe it. We’re going to have a son.”

  The other men patted him on the back and congratulated him, but I wanted to make sure they understood something important. I turned to my mates and said, “Even though Varek is the biological father, this child shall be son to all of you. As will any other children we have. Just like my parents raised me.”

  “I claim the next one,” Erroh said, and everyone laughed. I rolled my eyes, knowing he wasn’t serious. Probably.

  We hugged and kissed and laughed until the party disbanded, and then we returned to our wing of the palace together. Tomorrow we’d head back to the academy to work with the students, but tonight we would relax. Satisfaction and happiness settled upon me as I climbed into my large bed with my five men. The four Realms were at peace again, and I was starting a family with the men I loved.

  Though the time of the Dragons would soon be over, our legacy would live on. Forever.

  Thank you for reading Sora’s story, Embrace The Dark, the final book in the Her Elemental Dragons saga. I hope you enjoyed it! If you love my books, make sure you join my reader group to stay up to date on my upcoming releases!

  If you want more of this world, you might also be interested in Light The Fire, a standalone story about Calla the High Priestess, set 20 years before Stroke The Flame, and 50 years before Embrace The Dark.

  If you’d like to read more reverse harem from me, check out Seraphim Academy, a complete series with angels and demons! Turn the page to read the first chapter, plus, info on how to join my newsletter and get free books.

  For a limited time only, sign up for Elizabeth's newsletter to get three FREE books - two of which are only available to subscribers and not published anywhere else! Whether you love reverse harem, fantasy romance, or contemporary romance, there’s a story for you here!

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  Seraphim Academy - Excerpt

  Three angel princes want to intimidate her. One sexy professor knows her secret. But to find her brother, this succubus will tempt angels to fall…

  Chapter
One: Olivia

  Seduction is a dangerous game, but one I have no choice but to play. And, as I’ve learned from my mother, seduction and deception often go hand in hand.

  They do tonight, anyway.

  I move through the party and try to ignore the growing hunger inside me. It’s hard at times like this, when music is pulsing, drinks are flowing, and bodies are dancing a little too close. Inhibitions are down, temptation is in the air, and boy does it smell sweet. To me, at least.

  I find a corner where I can survey the crowd, trying not to get too close to anyone. College kids at various levels of drunkenness dance, play beer pong, and try to talk over the loud beat of the music. A guy standing off to the side catches my eye and gives me a warm smile. He’s got the face and shoulders of a small-town college football hero, and for a second I’m tempted. I picture digging my nails into those broad shoulders as I ride him hard, but I quickly glance away. He looks like a nice guy. The kind who brings you flowers on your first date and wants to take it slow. The kind I avoid.

  Trust me, I’m doing him a favor.

  A guy with sleeve tats and a dark goatee walks into the room with a “don’t-fuck-with-me” vibe. I bet these rich snobs invite him to parties for one reason alone: he sells drugs. He’s exactly the kind of man I need tonight.

  Chester’s hand clasps my elbow possessively. “There you are.”

  “I was waiting for you.” I flash him a fake smile. He’s one of those kids who only got into USC because his parents bribed someone. Sandy blond hair with a perfect curl over his eye, dark green polo shirt, expensive smile—you know the type. His confidence makes him more attractive than he really is, as does his money. This is his house—bought by his parents so he wouldn’t have to live in a dorm with the common folk—and his party. It’s St Patrick’s Day, he’s wearing an “I’m Not Irish, Kiss Me Anyway” pin that lights up, and his breath smells like whiskey. It takes a good bit of acting not to cringe away from his touch, but Mother taught me well.

  We met in the bar where I work, where he flirted with every girl he could before I took him home. Now he only has eyes for me. What can I say? I have that effect on people.

  Chester pulls me up against him. “I missed you. Let’s go back to my bedroom.”

  I play with the buttons on his shirt. “Only if I get a drink first. I’m dying for one of those green beers everyone’s got.”

  He nuzzles the side of my neck like a ravenous bear. “Can’t it wait? I need you now.”

  I might have gone a little too far with him last night. I swat his chest playfully and put on a cute pout. “Everyone’s had a drink but me. Please?”

  He has no idea I’m doing him a favor. If we sleep together again, he won’t survive it. Humans can only handle one night with a succubus—or even a half succubus, like me.

  “Fine,” he says, but he tightens his fingers around my arm. “One drink and then you’re mine for the rest of the night.”

  His mouth crushes against mine, and I can’t help but take a little of what he’s offering. His lust for me is delicious, but every second our lips touch puts him in more danger. The guy is a possessive, snobbish jerk, but I don’t want him dead.

  I push him away before I can do any real damage. “Go find me that green beer, and then we’ll continue this.”

  His eyes are glazed and unfocused, his face a little paler than it was before, and at first I think he won’t let go. Did I take too much? But after a second the daze passes, and he stumbles off to go get me a drink.

  I blow out a long breath and search the room for that tattooed guy I spotted earlier. He’s easy to find, with a group of entitled students passing him money in the corner in exchange for something in a little baggie. I use a tiny bit of my powers to catch his attention, and his gaze locks on me. Others in the room turn too—both men and women—and I know I can have any one of them if I want. Desire is powerful, and succubi are hard for humans to resist when we put on the charm. The only people immune are those in true love, and they’re few and far between, especially in places like this.

  He pushes through the crowd and makes his way over to me. “You alone, baby?”

  “Not anymore.” I rest my hand on his arm and tug a little with my magic, making his emotions flare.

  He suddenly grabs me around the waist and plants his lips on mine, kissing me hard. Oops, I tugged a little too hard. Mother would chide me, but I’m still getting used to these powers and the thirst that comes with them. I hear it now, the little voice in my head that tells me to yank open his jeans and climb him like a tree. That voice is getting harder to ignore with every passing day.

  I end the kiss slowly. “I could use some fresh air. Let’s go onto the balcony so we can continue this.”

  He grunts and leads me outside, his hand on my ass. Subtle, he is not. I lean against the balcony and he leans against me. From below, the sound of people laughing and splashing in the pool filters up. It’s a perfectly clear blue Los Angeles day and the sun hits my bare shoulders, filling me with warmth. I’m wearing a little red dress that shows off all my curves, and my new friend is definitely enjoying the view.

  His hands circle my waist. “I’m Trey. What’s your name?”

  “Olivia.” I toss my hair back. “But everyone calls me Liv.”

  Chester comes barreling outside at that moment and yanks the guy off me. “What the fuck, man? You think you can come into my house and touch my girl?”

  “We were just talking,” I say.

  “Looked like a lot more than that,” Chester snaps. He shoves a green beer at my chest, and a little of it foams over. “Here, take your damn drink while I kick this guy’s ass.”

  I grab the beer from Chester. As I do, I brush against his hand and unleash a little more of my power, heightening his emotions.

  “I’d like to see you try,” Trey scoffs as I take a sip of the green beer. It’s disgusting, but I gulp a bit down anyway.

  Chester gets right up in Trey’s business and he’s so angry now his face is bright red. “Stay away from my girl.”

  Trey takes a step closer and actually lets out a growl. “What are you going to do if I don’t?”

  Chester throws the first punch at Trey’s face, unable to contain himself between his overwhelming lust and anger. Fighting breaks out between them, and I rush in a little late to try to break it up. As I do, I’m shoved backward, hard. My beer falls to the ground with a loud crack and my back hits the side of the balcony—and then I’m over it.

  Falling.

  Falling.

  Falling.

  Wings unfurl from my back with a loud snap, breaking up my screams. For a second I hover over the pool, black feathers flashing through the air, while everyone down below and on the balcony stares at me. Then I plummet toward the water again. The second I hit it, everything goes black.

  Exactly as I planned.

  Start reading Seraphim Academy now - a complete series!

  About the Author

  New York Times Bestselling Author Elizabeth Briggs writes unputdownable romance across genres with bold heroines and fearless heroes. She graduated from UCLA with a degree in Sociology and has worked for an international law firm, mentored teens in writing, and volunteered with dog rescue groups. Now she's a full-time geek who lives in Los Angeles with her family and a pack of fluffy dogs.

  Visit Elizabeth’s website: www.elizabethbriggs.net

  For all the children trying to make their parents proud

  Copyright © 2020 by Elizabeth Briggs

  EMBRACE THE DARK, Her Elemental Dragons Book Five

  All rights reserved. This book or any portion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actu
al persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  Cover Designed by Amalia Chitulescu

  ISBN (paperback) 9798665381084

  ISBN (ebook) 9781948456050

  www.elizabethbriggs.net