None of us were ready to sleep yet after a fight like that, even though we were all exhausted. Instead we spread out around the fire and ate some of the dried meat, bread, and fruit we had stored in our packs.
“Let’s admit it,” Jasin said, as he leaned back on his bedroll in a way that flaunted his well-developed chest. “Tonight was a disaster. We got lucky, but it could have gone another way easily.”
Auric smoothed back his blond hair, which looked darker since it was still wet. “We simply need more training. Not just on our own, but as a team.”
“You should practice fighting against each other too,” I said. “And then once you’re all masters, you can teach me. Since supposedly I’ll be inheriting these powers soon.” I couldn’t decide if I was excited about the idea or nervous. The guys could barely control their powers with just one element and I was supposed to master all four somehow. Including fire. I shuddered just thinking about it. But until I got those powers, I’d be at a disadvantage too. I was pretty good with my bow, but my fighting skills were a bit rusty otherwise.
“At least you can patch us up when we get injured,” Slade said.
“Hopefully that won’t happen too often, but I suppose I need to practice that also. Or even just figure out how I did it.” I sighed and wiped bread crumbs off my lap. “You each fought well earlier. Maybe you could teach me some tricks too.”
“I’d be happy to teach you lots of things,” Jasin said, with a naughty grin that made me shake my head, even though I was secretly a little bit tempted.
“Training with each other is a good way to pass the time while we’re in camp,” Auric said. “We have many nights ahead of us while we travel to the different temples.”
“I have something we can use to pass the time tonight.” Slade reached inside his bag, then pulled out a large dark bottle.
“What’s that?” I asked.
“Whiskey. Finest in the Earth Realm.” He chuckled softly. “Okay, that’s not true, but it was cheap at least.”
Slade poured us each a bit of whiskey and we all relaxed as we took a sip. After a few minutes, even Reven looked less tense than usual. With the alcohol warming me from the inside out, I felt more comfortable around the guys than I had before. Even though things had gone wrong tonight, we’d fought together, bled together, and all had each other’s backs. That kind of experience created a bond like nothing else could. Or maybe that was just the alcohol talking.
As Slade poured me a refill, he said, “Last night you asked us about where we’re from and what we did before this. I think it’s time you told us more about yourself, Kira.”
My fingers tightened around my cup. “What do you want to know?”
“Everything,” Auric said with a warm smile. “Did you always live in Stoneham?”
My past was not something I liked to talk about. Even Tash knew very little about my life before I showed up in her inn looking for a job. But these men were supposed to be my mates. I had to tell them something, and maybe someday I’d feel comfortable enough to tell them more. “No, I only lived there for the last three years or so. Before that I traveled around a lot.”
“Where were you from originally?” Slade asked, as his fingers ran through his dark beard in a very distracting way. “Somewhere else in the Earth Realm?”
“I grew up in the Water Realm, actually. A small town on the coast called Tidefirth.” Thinking back to those happy years made my throat tighten with emotion. “But I’ve lived in all of the Realms at some point or another, for a short while at least.”
“Sounds like you were on the run from something. Or someone.” Reven gazed at me from under his dark hood with those brooding blue eyes that seemed to peer deep into my soul.
I looked into Jasin’s eager brown eyes next, then Auric’s intelligent gray ones, and Slade’s calm green ones. Each man stared at me, but none of them pressured me to reveal more about my past. But I would have to take a leap at some point. Might as well be now.
I drew in a breath. “My family was killed by the Crimson Dragon when I was thirteen.” My hands wrung together in my lap, while I forced the next words out. “He burned down our entire house with my parents still in it. The memory has haunted me for my entire life.”
Jasin reached over and grabbed my hand. “I’m so sorry.”
“That must have been horrible,” Slade said.
“It was.” I shuddered as I remembered the flames, the smoke, the screams, and worst of all, the smell. “I only survived because my parents made me hide, after warning me that the Dragons would kill me if they ever found me. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I think they were part of the Resistance. They knew the Dragons would come for me too because of that. I’ve been laying low ever since.”
Auric took my other hand and gave it a squeeze. “Could your parents have known what you are?”
“I doubt it,” I said. “How could they have known? Even I didn’t know until the four of you showed up. Did any of you think something like this would happen?”
“Not a chance,” Reven muttered.
Slade shook his head. “I still barely believe it.”
“What did you do after your parents were killed?” Auric asked.
“I was so terrified that I fled my home as soon as I could. Hitched a ride with some traveling merchants at first. I moved around a lot after that until I landed in Stoneham.” There was more, of course, but I’d already mentioned my parents’ deaths. I didn’t need to drag up any other bad memories tonight.
Before they could ask me any more questions, I downed the rest of my whiskey. “I’m exhausted. I think I’ll hit the sack.”
“Need some company?” Jasin asked, sitting up and drawing my eyes back to his naked and very appealing chest.
“Not a chance,” I managed to say.
He shrugged, with a sinful smile on his lips. “The offer is always open in case you’d like to practice before we arrive at the Fire Temple.”
I ignored him as I prepared for bed, although I wondered if practicing wasn’t a bad idea. But the other three men were all watching us, and I knew they’d heard what he’d offered. Would they be jealous when Jasin was the first to bond with me? Or grateful it didn’t have to be one of them?
19
Reven
With my arms crossed, I kept a wary eye on Jasin as he threw streams of fire toward the wall of the cave. I’d already had to put out his flames twice yesterday. I wouldn’t be surprised if I had to do it again now. The man was reckless and out of control, although I had to admit he was a skilled fighter. I wouldn’t want to face him in combat, but I didn’t trust him not to get us all killed either.
Outside the cave, Slade lifted small pebbles and tossed them at Auric, who blasted them away with a strong gust. A blacksmith and a nobleman. I had little in common with either one and no desire to know them better. I got the feeling they were both hiding something too, but then again, who among us wasn’t?
On the other side of the cave, Kira was packing up the last of our camp so we could get back on the road soon. I caught myself staring at her as she straightened up and threw her bag over her shoulder, admiring the curves of her body in that thin dress and the way her hair brushed against her graceful neck. I turned away with a frown. I shouldn’t be looking at her like that. Not when I had no plans to make her mine.
“Are you going to practice your magic too?” she asked, as she walked over to me.
“I’m fine.” I didn’t plan on keeping these powers much longer either.
She tilted her head and examined me. “I suppose you don’t need magic to stay safe anyway. Where did you learn to fight like that?”
I gave her the side-eye. Once again, she was trying to learn about my past. If only she knew how similar our childhoods had been. But I never talked about that. “Here and there.”
She sighed and began to turn away. “I get it. You don’t want to talk to me.”
Something ached in my chest at the disappointme
nt in her voice. No doubt because of this stupid magical connection between us, nothing more. It made me desire her and care for her, even if I didn’t want to. Gods, I couldn’t wait for this spell to be broken.
“My father taught me,” I reluctantly said. “He was a great swordsman.”
She paused and considered me again. “Do you think you could teach me as well? I’d like to be able to fight better at close range.”
“I can do that.” If we were training, I wouldn’t have to talk about my past or think about how much I wanted her. I drew both of my swords and handed one of them to her.
She examined the finely crafted blade, which was black and carved with elaborate designs. “This is beautiful. Your father’s?”
“They were, yes.” I gripped the matching blade in my hand. “How much do you know about sword fighting?”
“I’ve been trained in the basics before and I’m pretty good with a dagger.” She got into position, holding the blade out as if ready for an attack. “Maybe you can give me some tips and help me practice.”
“First of all, you’d be better off holding the sword like this.” I moved close and adjusted her fingers on the hilt. As we touched, the connection between us snapped into place, like when she’d healed me yesterday. I jerked my hand away and stepped back quickly. “See if that’s better.”
She swung the sword and nodded. “I think so.”
“Let’s see what we’re working with.” I lunged toward her, moving slower than I normally did. She raised her blade to meet mine with some hesitation, her movements a bit jerky. I swung again and she managed to dodge, then sliced toward me. I parried her, but with each second, I could tell her confidence was growing as she remembered how to use a sword. She’d clearly had some training before, but she was out of practice and still had a lot to learn.
“Not bad,” I said. “Where did you learn to fight?”
“The merchants taught me a little, and the rest…” Her face paled and she looked away. “I’d rather not say right now. We all have things in our past we’d prefer not to discuss.”
“That we do.” I gestured for her to attack me again.
We did another round, and by the end of it she was breathing quickly, her chest rising and falling in a way that made it hard not to stare at her full breasts. I couldn’t deny she was beautiful, or that I wanted her in my bed. That would be true even without the damn magic tugging me toward her. It simply made it harder to resist her. But I’d lived my entire life exercising control over myself and my surroundings, and I wasn’t about to let a pretty face and alluring body ruin all of that.
As I stared at her, she managed to catch me off guard and almost landed a blow. “Aha!” she said, laughing.
I scowled at her. “I let you get that one to boost your confidence.”
“Of course you did,” she teased.
We were about to go again, when Auric suddenly let out a pained sound, and we both turned toward him. Kira rushed out of the cave, with me right at her heels and Jasin a step behind us. I was instantly alert, worried the bandits had returned. Or worse, that the elementals had found us.
Auric was on the ground, nursing a cut on his cheek. “It’s nothing. Slade nicked me with a rock.”
Slade offered Auric his hand to help him up. “Sorry about that.”
“It was my fault, I missed that one,” Auric said, as he stood up and brushed himself off.
Kira moved close to Auric, inspecting his face. “I suppose it gives me a good excuse to practice healing you.”
She brushed her fingers against the gash on his cheek, while he stared at her with lovesick eyes. Pathetic. Except as she caressed his face, jealousy boiled up in me. I wanted her to touch me like that, not him. Gods, now I was the pathetic one.
She pulled back and smiled at Auric. “All fixed.”
“My thanks.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss to it. “You’re truly amazing, Kira.”
Jasin grinned at her. “Now we’re going to get injured just so you have an excuse to touch us.”
She shook her head with an amused smile. “Please don’t.”
A strange sound came from the east, overhead. A huge gust of wind. The flap of large wings. The rustle of many trees.
I knew that sound.
“Get in the cave!” I grabbed Kira’s arm and dragged her inside before she could protest. “Hurry!”
“What is it?” Slade asked, as the others rushed inside behind us.
“A Dragon,” I said.
“What?” Kira’s eyes went wide, but she didn’t pull away from me, and I didn’t release her arm. I didn’t trust these other guys to protect her the way I could. None of them knew the danger that was coming for us, not the way I did. Kira knew, though. She understood all too well what the Dragons could do.
“Quick, cover the mouth of the cave,” Auric told Slade.
Slade gestured and some of the large rocks moved in front of the cave entrance, though they left a small enough opening for us to peer through. We each crowded around it and watched as the dragon appeared over the forest, his large wings spread wide, casting huge shadows on the trees. Dark blue scales flashed under the sun, and even from this distance his sharp talons were visible, as was his long tail.
The Azure Dragon circled overhead twice, as if looking for something, before finally moving on. The cave was entirely silent while we watched him, as if we were each holding our breath, and only when he disappeared from sight did we all take a collective exhale.
“Was he looking for us?” Kira asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“No way,” Jasin said. “How would he know about us?”
Auric frowned as he gazed at the sky. “Some of the bandits might have gotten away and started spreading rumors about people with magic. Maybe he heard them somehow.”
“Or maybe it was a coincidence and he’s looking for someone else,” Slade said.
I realized I was still holding Kira close even though the danger had passed. I quickly released her. “It doesn’t matter. We need to get moving anyway.”
I glanced back at the sky, at the spot where the Azure Dragon had soared over us. That was supposed to be me one day.
Not if I could help it.
20
Kira
We stayed off the road as much as we could, eager to remain out of sight between the bandit attack and the Azure Dragon flying over us. I mentally shuddered remembering his dark wings soaring through the sky and that long tail stretched behind him.
I’d seen him once before when I was fourteen. He’d come to a village in the Air Realm I’d been visiting with the traveling merchants. I’d wandered off to pet some kittens in the inn’s stables when the Azure Dragon, Doran, swooped down and landed in the center of the town. I’d peered through the wooden slats of the stables as he changed back into a tall man with blond hair that hung past his shoulders. I was terrified he was going to flood the entire village or drown someone, but all he did was talk to one of the merchants briefly before casting his gaze in the direction of the stables. His eyes were cold and piercing, and I had the horrible sense that he would find me and finish the job the Crimson Dragon had started. But then he turned away, shifted back into his dragon form, and flew off without a word.
Just to be safe, I’d left the village that night on my own. The merchant family had treated me well, almost like another daughter, and I hated abandoning them without a word, but the memory of my parents’ deaths convinced me they would be safer without me around. Later I decided I’d been paranoid, that it was a mere coincidence that the Azure Dragon had shown up while we were there. He had no reason to look for me.
Now I wasn’t so sure.
None of us seemed to feel like chatting much throughout the day, and we made good progress toward the Air Realm without encountering any danger. When night began to fall we paused near a larger town, and Auric pulled out his map.
“We should stop there for the evening,” he said. “According to thi
s map it’s a town called Rockworth and should be large enough for us to buy some new clothes.”
Reven frowned. “It would be safer if we avoided towns entirely.”
“The horses need to eat and rest,” Jasin said. “And so do we.”
Slade rubbed his dark beard. “We should stock up on supplies too if we’re going to be avoiding towns in the future. Especially since we didn’t get anything from that village yesterday.”
I gazed at the wooden roofs of the town, barely visible over the stone wall surrounding it with a small moat, likely to protect it from elementals. “Let’s stop for the night, but be especially cautious while we’re there. Auric, maybe you can borrow clothes from Reven or Slade so you don’t stand out as much.”
The men grumbled, but we stopped in the forest so they could change their clothes. I was already wearing one of my ragged dresses with my cloak over it. Jasin kept his black trousers from his uniform but donned a plain gray shirt from his pack. Auric’s fine silk clothes went in his bag, and Slade gave him a pair of brown trousers, while Reven reluctantly let Auric use one of his black shirts. They didn’t fit Auric perfectly, but they were good enough for now.
Once we all looked like any other group of weary travelers, we headed for the town. I rode with Auric, breathing in his clean, fresh scent as I held onto his back. Of all the men, I felt the most comfortable with him so far, which surprised me. On the surface we had little in common, but something about his cool, logical mind put me at ease. I also appreciated that he wanted to learn as much about me as he could, and the way he flattered me with his attention. And unlike Jasin, he seemed to want me for more than just sex.
Auric’s horse led us to the open gates, where the Onyx Army had guards posted to inspect everyone who went in or out. They regarded us suspiciously and I grew nervous they’d stop us. Reven slipped some coins into their palms as if he’d done it a hundred times before, and then they let us go through with barely a second glance.
Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series Page 8