Gods, what was wrong with me?
“Get off me,” I said, shoving him aside before I did something stupid. I stood up and brushed the dirt and leaves off myself. “If you’re right, then where are the other three?”
“I’m sure they’ll be here soon. We were given your name and told we would bond with you in the order in which we arrived. Even if the others tried to ignore it, the need to find you became almost overwhelming as more days passed.” He slowly stood as his dark eyes ran up and down my body like a caress. “I’m glad I was the first though.”
I tried to ignore the way his suggestive smile made me as warm as the flame he’d conjured. “If you are the Crimson Dragon, then prove it. Shift into your other form.”
“I can’t. I’ve been chosen to be the next Crimson Dragon, but I won’t become one truly until I bond with you in the Fire Temple. After that, you’ll be able to control fire too and I’ll be able to change into a dragon at will.” He shrugged. “Or at least, that’s what the Fire God told me.”
“How convenient.” I crossed my arms, skeptical of everything he was telling me. Although he had summoned fire from thin air, so he wasn’t completely full of lies. “You’re a soldier in the Onyx Army. Why should I believe anything you say?”
All traces of amusement left his eyes and he looked away with a frown. “I was before, yes. Not anymore. I had to leave my post to find you and I can’t ever return. They won’t look kindly on a deserter.”
No, they wouldn’t. If the Onyx Army found him, they’d assume he was a traitor working with the Resistance and make an example of him. If he was telling the truth, of course. He was still wearing their uniform, after all, though his scaled armor was nowhere in sight.
I sighed as I debated what to do. I was still wary, but something told me to listen to him. Maybe because I already felt like I knew him after seeing him in my dreams for so many nights. Years of being on my own had made it hard for me to trust anyone, but Jasin felt familiar somehow. If nothing else, I should hear more of what he had to say.
“Let’s head back to the inn and talk about this over some food,” I finally said.
“There’s nothing I would enjoy more.” He gestured toward the inn. “Lead the way.”
He kept pace with me easily, and as we walked we kept sneaking glances at each other. It was hard to believe he was real, and I wondered if he felt the same way. Not to mention, he was definitely easy on the eyes. All those muscles and that cocky smile…yeah, he must be popular with the ladies.
As we emerged from the forest, I spotted the stable boy bringing in a fine white horse with a saddle decorated with what looked like real gold. Other people who frequented the tavern were gawking at it, no doubt speculating about the nobleman it must belong to.
“Nice horse,” Jasin said with suspicion, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword. “Wonder who the rider is.”
I remembered my dream of the man in fine clothing reaching for a book. If what Jasin said was true, the nobleman I’d seen was likely the next Golden Dragon. Assuming any of this was real and not some kind of trick or con. I certainly didn’t feel like the Black Dragon, and I had no magic of my own. All I had were strange dreams that had started when I’d been hit by lightning.
I stepped inside the inn with Jasin at my heels. Inside, the beautiful golden-haired man from my dream was chatting with Tash, who hung on his every word. He immediately turned toward me, as did everyone else in the tavern, but when our eyes met it was like we were the only people in the room. His face was perfectly sculpted with sharp cheekbones and intelligent eyes, and he possessed an elegance that set him apart from every other man I’d seen before in my life. My breath hitched and desire rushed through me like a hurricane, threatening to blow me away.
“You,” he said, his voice full of awe.
6
Auric
The woman who must be Kira stood before me clutching a bow in her hand, her eyes wide with surprise, but also something like recognition. She was so beautiful it made all other thoughts vanish from my mind, leaving only an intense curiosity about my future mate. I took a moment to study her, mentally logging everything including her worn boots, dark hunting leathers, wind-swept hair, and flushed cheeks. A single leaf was stuck to her brown cloak and, judging from her state, I guessed she had just come from the forest in a bit of a hurry.
Another man stood beside her wearing the black uniform of the Onyx Army, right down to a sword at his side. His eyes ran over me in a quick, suspicious appraisal. I held my breath, waiting for him to recognize me, but all he did was touch the pommel of his sword as he moved closer to Kira, silently warning me he would protect her with his life. He must be one of the other Dragons. One of the men I would have to share her with. But which one, I wondered?
“Who are you?” Kira asked me.
A tricky question indeed. I gazed around the tavern to take in the townsfolk who were all staring at us, including the cheerful waitress. They were intrigued by me, for sure, but no one gasped or shouted my name or kneeled before me. None of them realized who I truly was.
“Can we speak alone?” I asked Kira, keeping my voice low. I was sure she had a million questions, as did I. Questions that would be better answered without the entire town listening in.
She nodded, then turned to the waitress. “Tash, is the private dining room free?”
Tash’s eyebrows practically shot through the roof as she glanced between me and Kira. “It’s not booked tonight. Go on in and I’ll bring you three something to eat.” She brushed past Kira and said, “And you better tell me everything later.”
“I will,” Kira said.
She led us into a large room off the side of the tavern which was likely used for events, celebrations, or other private gatherings, containing one long wooden table and many chairs. A painting hung on the wall featuring the Black Dragon with her four consorts flying around her, surrounded by their representative element. Each one looked terrifying and powerful, with their scaled bodies, large wings, and long tails. I’d not seen this exact painting before, but the Black Dragon demanded that one like it had to be hung in any place where people gathered. No doubt it was to remind us that the five Dragons were watching over us at all times.
I gazed at the Golden Dragon in the painting and pondered my fate, while Kira closed the door behind us. I never would have believed any of this if the Air God himself hadn’t granted me his powers. I still hardly believed it, even though my draw toward Kira was unmistakable.
She turned toward me, facing me down with uneasy eyes. “I think it’s time you told me who you are and what you’re doing here.”
I hesitated, but I wasn’t quite ready to reveal who I was yet. I wouldn’t lie, but I wouldn’t tell them the whole truth either. Not until I knew these people better. Not until I could trust them.
7
Kira
The golden-haired man stood up straighter, gazing down at me from his towering height. “I’m Auric. I was sent to find you by the Air God.” He gave me a dramatic bow, his movements refined and graceful. “I’m here to serve the next Black Dragon.”
Jasin snorted and muttered, “This guy? Really?”
I glared at him and turned back to Auric, sizing him up. His traveling clothes were simple, yet nevertheless stood out due to their fine quality and expensive fabrics. Auric was definitely not from anywhere around here. A nobleman for sure. He wasn’t as obviously muscular as Jasin, but he was just as handsome in a more refined way, with the most amazing cheekbones I’d ever seen and gray eyes that entranced me immediately. He looked at me as if I was the answer to a problem he’d been trying to solve. I couldn’t help but be intrigued by him, especially after watching him in my dreams for a month.
“You said you had a visit from the Air God?” I asked.
He nodded. “Exactly one month ago.”
“That’s when I met the Fire God,” Jasin said. A flame flickered idly across his fingers. “And when I got these p
owers.”
That was the same day I turned twenty. The same night I’d been hit by lightning.
Gods, maybe it really was all true.
I dropped into a chair as it all finally sank in. If I was the Black Dragon, what did that mean exactly? There was only one Black Dragon, and she ruled our entire world. I somehow doubted she’d be thrilled about my presence. She was a cruel empress, and she definitely wasn’t the type to share power. There was no way I could replace her. This all had to be some kind of mistake.
“Are you all right?” Auric asked, as he sat beside me, his voice concerned.
“Kira?” Jasin hovered behind me, his hands gripping the back of my chair protectively.
I looked into Auric’s eyes, which were the color of storm clouds. “Show me.”
For a second he seemed confused, but then realization dawned across his face. A breeze began to pick up in the room out of nowhere and soon grew into a strong wind that whipped my hair around my face, making me gasp.
The door opened and the magical wind instantly died. Tash stepped inside, balancing three trays of food and drink with such skill it was almost like magic of her own. She set each one down while her eyes roamed over both men, and for a second I felt a flash of possessiveness. Which made me uncomfortable, because neither of these guys were mine, and I had no reason to feel anything but warmth toward Tash. Of course, if what these men said were true, then both of them were my future mates. Would I ever get used to the idea of that?
“Anything else you need?” Tash asked, while searching my face. Her concern for me shone through her warm eyes, and I knew she was asking if I was all right in here with these two strangers.
“We’re all set, thank you,” I told her with a smile that I hoped showed how grateful I was for her help. She was looking out for me, even if she had no idea what was going on.
She nodded and moved to leave the room, but was blocked by a huge, broad-shouldered man with muscular arms the size of tree trunks—the blacksmith I’d seen in my dreams. His eyes were a deep forest green, his skin was the color of tree bark, and his short beard gave him a rugged masculinity that was distinctly opposite Auric’s elegant beauty and less refined than Jasin’s handsome swagger. Yet I felt the same rush of desire, familiarity, and possessiveness when I looked at him as when I did the other two men.
Gods, what was wrong with me? I’d never felt this way about a single man before, yet now I felt it for three of them?
“Well, hello there,” Tash said, staring at the new arrival with interest.
“I’m here to see Kira,” the man said, his voice low and deep, like the rumble of an earthquake.
“Come inside,” I said, with a nod to Tash.
As this new visitor stepped inside, Tash shook her head as if bewildered. She left us alone and shut the door, and suddenly the room seemed a lot smaller with the large mountain of a man inside.
“My name is Slade,” he said, his intense eyes fixed on mine. “I’ve been looking for you, Kira.”
“How do you know my name?” I asked him.
“The Earth God told me.”
“Let me guess. He came to you a month ago, gave you powers, and sent you to find me?” When he nodded, I rubbed the bridge of my nose, so overwhelmed by it all I could hardly think straight. “That was my twentieth birthday. I was struck by lightning that night. After that I began to see all of you in my dreams.”
“You knew we were coming, then?” Auric asked, his eyebrows darting up.
“No. I only caught quick flashes or vague glimpses. I didn’t think any of you were real. Just figments of my imagination. I never expected you to actually turn up here. Or to tell me you’re the next Dragons, whatever that means.”
“We were drawn to you,” Slade said. “We couldn’t stay away. Even if we wanted to.”
Those last words held a touch of sadness or perhaps bitterness, and I knew there had to be a story behind them. All three men had given up their entire lives because the Gods had given them a duty and told them I was the Black Dragon. If it was true, they’d each been chosen to serve me, protect me, and love me—against their will.
I stared down at my food, but I wasn’t hungry. My thoughts made my stomach churn, but I couldn’t deny it any longer. All three of the men had been given powers by the Gods on the same night I’d been struck by lightning, and I’d seen them in my dreams ever since. The men could control the elements, and I was strangely attracted to all of them.
Maybe I really was the next Black Dragon.
8
Slade
I pulled out a chair and sat across from my future mate, taking her in. She was certainly beautiful, with an inner strength in her hazel eyes that made my gaze want to linger on her. That would make this situation easier, at least. I had no intention of ever giving her my heart, but if I was forced to be with her for the rest of my life, it helped I found her pleasing to look at. But was she ready for what we had to do next? Were any of us, for that matter?
“So you’re the future Jade Dragon?” the soldier asked me. “Show us what you can do.”
I leaned back and crossed my arms. “These powers were given to us by the Gods so we can protect people. Not to use idly.”
He scoffed. “What’s the point of having them if you can’t have a little fun now and then?”
“Sorry, but I have to agree with Slade on this one,” the nobleman said. “Our powers should be used wisely, although we need to practice with them too, of course. We can enjoy that part, at least. I’m Auric, by the way.”
“Jasin,” the soldier said.
So these were two of the men I’d be sharing my mate with. I shook my head at their youthful eagerness. They sat closely on either side of Kira, as if already staking their claim on her. The soldier in particular seemed impatient and overly excited, especially the way he was constantly moving, like he was full of energy he couldn’t contain. The nobleman was calmer but had his head in the clouds, as evidenced when he pulled out a journal and began jotting down notes. Kira simply watched us all as though she couldn’t believe her eyes. I didn’t blame her.
I had probably ten years or more on all of the people at this table. It made sense that they were chosen—they were in the prime of their lives and ready to go on adventures, full of idealism and big dreams of saving the world. They likely had nothing tying them down either. Not me though. I’d already tried to help save the world and gave up on that task. Back home I had a good, stable life, one I wasn’t ready to leave behind. Why had the Earth God chosen me instead of someone else? How could he expect me to just abandon everything I’d spent my entire life building up?
After he visited me, I’d struggled with my new destiny. I’d always been devoted to the Gods, and one couldn’t simply turn down new powers and a divine mission. But I’d waited as long as I could to leave my home and travel here, even though it was only a day’s ride away. If not for the nagging feeling in my gut, I might not have left at all.
I didn’t ask for this. I didn’t want this. I still wasn’t sure I was the right person for the role of Jade Dragon. But even with all my doubts, I was here and I was fully committed to our mission. I would do whatever it took to serve the Gods and protect Kira.
It was my duty, after all.
9
Kira
After Tash brought Slade a tray of food, all three men dove in while I studied them. They were each so different, yet I felt a strange connection to all of them. But there was one more man in my dreams, who must be the future Azure Dragon. Where was he now?
I took a long breath. “Okay, assuming this is all true and we are the next Dragons—which I’m not sure I believe yet—what does that mean? Why do the Gods even need another set of Dragons?”
“We’re meant to overthrow the current Dragons and take their place as the protectors of the world,” Auric said, his voice rather matter-of-fact considering he was talking treason.
My jaw fell open and it took a moment for me to speak
. “What?”
“That’s what I was told as well,” Slade said.
“But why?” I asked.
Jasin shrugged casually. “Sounds like the Gods aren’t happy with the way the Black Dragon and her men are ruling the world.” He picked up a grape and popped it in his mouth. “Time for a change in leadership.”
“Maybe they’ve chosen us to set things right,” Slade said.
All of the men were being way too calm about this, considering what they were saying. Then again, they’d had a month to get used to the idea. Even so, I could barely wrap my mind around it. The Gods had been nothing but myth for so long that most people had stopped believing they were real at all. If the men were telling the truth—and I was starting to believe they might be—then perhaps the Gods had finally awoken and were doing something to help their people for a change. We certainly needed it.
But why me? I was a nobody. Definitely not a hero, and certainly not the kind of person who could overthrow the Black Dragon and her men. They’d ruled for thousands of years and were the most powerful beings in the world—how were we supposed to stop them?
“What are we meant to do?” I finally asked.
Auric set his fork down and met my gaze. “We must travel to each of the Gods’ temples, visiting them in the order in which we arrived today. There you will have to bond with one of us, which will unlock our full powers and the dragon form. You will gain our powers as well, and once you’ve bonded with all of us, you’ll visit the Spirit Goddess’s temple to become the Black Dragon. After that, we should be strong enough to face the current Dragons.”
Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series Page 3