“Thank the Gods.” A smile lit up his face and he offered me his hand. “There’s somewhere I’d like to show you. Will you come with me?”
I took his hand and he led me out of my room, down the great staircase, and along a hallway, where we reached two double doors. As he threw one open, I gasped. Inside was the giant library I’d glimpsed in my dreams when I’d first seen Auric. Every wall was covered in shelves that were packed tight with books of all shapes and colors. I’d never seen so many books before in my life, as they were rare treasures in most of the places I’d lived before.
One wall held gigantic windows that looked out at the ocean in the distance, and Auric led me to a small sitting area in front of them.
“This room is gorgeous,” I said, as I sat on one of the plush couches.
Auric sat beside me on the same couch, our knees touching as he turned toward me. “It’s my favorite place in the palace, and where I usually spend most of my days.”
“I know. This is where I saw you in my dreams, though I only caught a few glimpses.” I gazed in awe at all the tall shelves. “I’m glad I got to see it in person.”
“Me too. I was nervous about coming to the palace, but I’m actually happy you met my family and saw my home, even if the circumstances could have been better. That’s my fault, I know.”
“I’m pleased I got to meet them too, although I doubt they will ever like me or accept me. And I’m still upset with you.”
“I know, and I’m sorry. I should have told you long ago so that you knew what awaited us when we arrived in Stormhaven, and so you knew that the betrothal was not important to me.” He took my hands in his and gazed into my eyes. “You’re the one I love, Kira. From the moment we met I knew there would never be anyone else. I only hope you can forgive me for my mistakes. I never meant to lie to you or hurt you.”
My heart thumped faster in my chest at his words. “I know you didn’t, but it will still take some time for me to trust you again.”
“I can live with that, as long as you still want me to be your Golden Dragon?”
“I do, although I can’t help but question why you want the role. We come from such different lives. I’d managed to forget that while we were traveling, but being at the palace and meeting your family and Brin only showed me that maybe we don’t belong together.”
His brow furrowed. “Kira, you know I don’t care about any of that.”
I remembered the way the King and Queen had looked at me when Auric had said he wanted to be with me instead of Brin, and a hard pit formed in my stomach. “I’m a commoner. I’ve been poor and on the run most of my life. You’re a prince. Your family will never accept me.”
He squeezed my hands. “You may have started life as a commoner, but you’re going to be the Black Dragon. Someday you’ll be more powerful than any King or Queen.”
I yanked my hands away, my stomach twisting. “Is that why you want to be the Golden Dragon? For the power?”
“No, not at all.” He raked a hand through his shining blond hair. “Gods, I’m really messing up this apology. I want to be the Golden Dragon because I love you and can’t imagine not being by your side. But also because I’ve seen what the Dragons have done to the world, especially these past few weeks we’ve been traveling. I’ve watched my parents try to subtly resist them for years, but they’re unable to do much to defy the Dragons. For years I was the odd prince who had no real importance or role in the kingdom, and for the first time ever I have a purpose. With you, I can do my part to make the world better. That’s what I want.”
“But you could stay here as a prince, living a safe, calm life as a scholar and a husband to your friend. If you go with us, you’ll be in danger every day.”
He touched my cheek lightly. “I would rather be in danger and be by your side, trying to make the world better, than stay here in safety. All I want is to be your Golden Dragon, if you’ll still have me.”
I couldn’t help but lean into his touch. “You’re still one of my mates, Auric. And though I forgive you, I need some time before I trust you again.”
“I understand, and I swear I’m not hiding anything else. This is it.” He spread his arms wide. “And for what it’s worth, I think you’ll like Brin too, if you give her a chance.”
“Maybe. If I can get over the urge to stake my claim on you every time she’s around.”
“Well, I won’t argue if you want to do that.” He leaned close, his eyes turning stormy. “In fact, maybe you should do that now, in case she’s watching.”
The hint of a smile touched my lips, and I couldn’t deny the desire that flickered inside me when he was this close. “You’re impossible.”
“Jasin might be rubbing off on me.”
“He told me to forgive you earlier, when we were training.”
“Did he? Maybe I’m rubbing off on him.” Auric brushed his thumb along my lips, his eyes searching mine. I parted my lips for him, taking his thumb into my mouth, and sucked gently. He let out a groan and then cupped my face in his hands and pressed his mouth to mine. I kissed him back roughly, our tongues dancing together, my hands sliding around his neck to pull him closer. I poured all my anger, doubts, and fears into this kiss, and he held me tight, like he was scared to let go.
“I worried I’d never kiss you again,” he said, pressing his forehead against mine.
The doors flew open, making us both jump and pull apart. Reven stormed inside, his black hooded cloak trailing behind him. “I had a feeling you’d be in here. We need to talk.”
I smoothed my dress, my cheeks warm. “Is something wrong?”
“Yes. The Golden Dragon has ordered the assassination of the King and Queen.”
Auric’s eyes widened. “How do you know?”
“Because I just took the job.” Reven held up a hand. “Don’t worry, I’m not going to do it.”
“Then why did you take it?” I asked.
Reven crossed his arms. “Because if I didn’t, someone else would.”
“But what will happen if you don’t do it?”
“They’ll probably send someone to kill me too. Either way, I’ll never be able to find work with the Assassin’s Guild again.” He gave a casual shrug. “I was ready to get out of the business anyway.”
“Thank you,” Auric said. “I appreciate you doing this for us.”
Reven’s face darkened. “The Dragons destroyed my family. They murdered Kira's family too. I can’t let them do this anymore. Not to you. Not to anyone.”
I jumped up and threw my arms around Reven. “I knew you were one of us.”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” Reven muttered, though he reluctantly draped his arms around me.
“We need to speak with my parents immediately,” Auric said.
I nodded, but then I had an idea. It was risky, but if the current Dragons wanted Auric’s parents dead, perhaps they could be allies to us. Besides, I was tired of all the secrets and lies. “I think it’s time we told them the truth about why you left.”
19
Kira
We summoned Jasin and Slade, while Auric asked for a meeting with his parents. A short time later we were led to a small parlor decorated in purple and gold, with small flaky pastries and tea already waiting for us.
“This is a bad idea,” Jasin muttered, as we sat down.
“My gut tells me this is the right thing to do,” I said. One thing I’d learned from a life on the run was to trust my gut, even when it was full of nervous energy, like now.
“I agree with Kira,” Slade said. “No more secrets.”
Reven leaned against the wall instead of joining us on the sofas. “There are always more secrets.”
The King stormed into the room with his tall, commanding presence, followed by his wife and Auric. King Terel swept his gaze across the room and asked, “What is this about? My son says you have something to tell me?”
Reven stepped forward and swept into a low, graceful bow. “Your majesty
, I’m a member of the Assassin’s Guild. Today I met with a local contact to gather news and check in, but once there, I was offered a job: to end your life.”
King Terel’s eyes narrowed at Reven. “Why are you telling me this?”
“Because the one who ordered the assassination was none other than the Golden Dragon.”
The King’s hands clenched into fists. “That snake.”
“Would Isen really do such a thing?” Queen Hala asked.
“It seems so,” Reven said.
“Why would the Dragons want you dead?” Auric asked.
“Isen has been pushing me to conduct regular raids and public executions on the Resistance members, but I refuse,” King Terel said. “I won’t have my people living in fear all the time, or turn death into a spectacle.”
“That’s what they do in the Fire Realm,” Jasin said.
The King nodded. “So I’ve heard. But here in the Air Realm we value freedom and peace.”
“Do you support the Resistance?” I asked.
The King turned his intimidating gaze on me. “No, but we have ordered our guards and the Onyx Army here to look the other way on their activities sometimes. Still, I can’t imagine the Dragons wanting me dead over that. What will my death accomplish?”
“The Dragons probably believe your heir would be easier to manipulate,” Slade said.
King Terel rubbed his chin. “If so, they’re right. Niyal’s wife is pregnant with their first child. He’d do anything to protect them.”
“What are we going to do?” Queen Hala asked with a sigh. “We can’t give in to Isen’s demands.”
“Once the Assassin’s Guild realizes I’ve failed in my assignment, they’ll send someone else,” Reven said. “You might want to leave the city and go somewhere safer for now.”
King Terel snorted. “I won’t hide. This is my kingdom and my home. Let them try to take me down.”
“And I’m staying with you,” Queen Hala said, as she took his hand.
He looked into her eyes and his face softened. “My love, it isn’t safe. You should join Niyal at the palace in Mistvale.”
She shook her head. “You’re the one they want dead. I’m not leaving your side. But how can we end this? We can’t openly defy the Dragons.”
“Not yet, but that might change soon,” Auric said.
King Terel turned toward him. “How so?”
Auric drew in a breath and straightened up. “Mother, father, there is no easy way to say this, but new Dragons have been chosen by the Gods. The five of us.”
“New Dragons?” King Terel asked with a frown. “Is that possible?”
“It was surprising to us too, but it’s true,” Auric continued. “That’s why I had to leave suddenly, to find Kira, who will one day be the Black Dragon. And it’s why we must leave again in a few days to head to the Air Temple so that I can become the Golden Dragon.”
Queen Hala blinked at her son. “I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand. How can you be a Dragon?”
“I’m not a Dragon yet,” Auric explained patiently. “That’s why I need to head to the Air Temple.”
“But how did this happen?” she asked, sounding completely baffled.
“The Air God came to me and chose me. I don’t really know why.”
King Terel crossed his arms. “Son, this all sounds very far-fetched. I’m not sure what game you’re playing at, but I don’t think it’s helping the situation.”
“We need to show them,” Jasin said.
“Here?” I asked. “Now?”
“When else?” He opened his hand and a bright flame flickered into life, making the royals gasp.
Slade lifted a wooden table three feet in the air, while Reven grumbled but conjured water in front of us. Finally, Auric created a strong wind that lifted all the papers off the table and made them fly around the room before landing again in a pile in front of the King, whose mouth hung open.
“I know this is hard to believe, but it’s the truth,” Auric said. “We’re going to be the next Dragons, and Kira here is the future Black Dragon.”
“This is incredible,” King Terel said. “I didn’t realize the Dragons could be replaced. I thought they were eternal.”
“Everyone does,” I said. “But we recently learned that the Dragons were only supposed to rule for a short while before being replaced, to make sure they never became too powerful. The current Dragons somehow found a way around that and have wiped out any trace of the previous Dragons’ existence.”
“You said the Air God came to you?” Queen Hala asked her son. “And gave you these powers?”
Auric nodded. “Yes, outside in the courtyard one morning. He chose me, though I’m still not sure why.”
She rested her hand on his shoulder. “You should have told us this from the beginning instead of running off without a word. We were all so worried about you.”
“The Air God instructed me not to tell anyone. Besides, would you have believed me?”
She sighed. “No. I hardly believe it now.”
He patted his mother’s hand. “And now you see why I had to end my engagement with Brin. My destiny is with Kira and her other mates. We need to visit each of the temples to unlock our powers, and then we’ll be able to challenge the Dragons. Do we have your support?”
“I’ll do whatever I can to help,” King Terel said.
“But what will we do about this assassination?” the Queen asked.
“Spread word that an attack was made but the assassin was defeated,” Reven said. “That will buy you some time, at least.”
“You may have to pretend to go along with the Golden Dragon’s demands for a while,” Auric said. “Until we can be sure the family is safe.”
The King nodded. “It pains me to do such a thing, but I suppose I can have my guards do a few harmless searches for Resistance members. I’m putting my foot down on public executions though.”
“When do you need to leave for the Air Temple?” Queen Hala asked.
“As soon as possible,” I said.
She nodded. “We’ll begin preparations immediately for your departure, but you must stay for the ball. I insist.”
Auric bowed his head. “We’ll attend the ball, but then we’re leaving the next morning.”
“It’s settled then,” the King said, rising to his full height. “Thank you for informing us of the assassination plot, and for telling us the truth about why you left. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have some plans to set in motion.” He moved toward the door with his wife at his side, but then he paused. “Auric, would you join us?”
Auric nodded and left the room with one glance back at me. I swallowed the anxiety brimming inside me, hoping we’d done the right thing by telling his parents who we truly were.
20
Jasin
As we returned to our rooms that night, Kira touched my arm. “Jasin, are you all right?”
I glanced away. “Yes, why?”
“You were quiet during dinner. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you get through a meal without making a joke or saying something a little inappropriate.”
I lifted a shoulder. “Wasn’t in the mood.”
She took my hand and pulled me into her room, then shut the door. “Tell me the truth. What’s bothering you?”
I sighed and sank onto the edge of her bed. “Auric’s parents.”
“What about them? You don’t trust them?”
“No, nothing like that.” I dropped my head, feeling foolish. “They’re being so supportive and understanding even after Auric ran away, broke his engagement, and told them what he truly is.”
She sat on the bed beside me and rubbed my back. “And you’re remembering how your father turned us in to the Onyx Army.”
“Something like that,” I muttered. “Trust me, it would have been even worse if they’d known our goal was to overthrow the Dragons.”
“I’m sorry. This must be difficult for you.”
“I�
�m happy for Auric, but it’s a bitter reminder that I’ll never have a family like that. My parents always tried to mold me into something I’m not. They never supported what I wanted, and then they betrayed me. Now I’m not sure I’ll ever see my parents again. If I’m honest, I’m not sure I want to either.”
She wrapped her arms around me and rested her head on my shoulder. “You’re right. Auric is a lucky man. My parents are gone, as are Reven’s. Yours turned against you. And Slade’s…” She paused. “I have no idea about his parents. But either way, you’re wrong about the rest of it. You do have a family. You, me, and the other men—we’re in this together for the rest of our lives.”
I snorted. “The other guys? We barely get along.”
“Isn’t that common in all families?” She pressed her lips to my cheek. “One day maybe your parents will come around. But if not, please know that you’ll always have us.”
“All I need is you,” I said, sliding my hand into her hair. I lowered my head and covered her mouth with mine, tasting her sweet, soft lips. My tongue slid across hers as her breasts pressed against my chest, her fingers digging into my arms. Through our bond I felt her desire flare bright, and I wondered if she sensed how much I wanted her too. No, not wanted. Needed. Ever since being chosen by the Fire God I’d been burning up inside, and Kira’s touch was the one thing that sated me.
I tilted her head back and left a trail of kisses from her jaw to her neck to her collar. She wore that tempting green gown she’d gotten from Brin, and I slid the straps off her shoulder one at a time. The silken fabric slipped down her skin and pooled at her waist, revealing full breasts and nipples already hard for me. I cupped them in my hand while kissing along her shoulder, enjoying the way they filled up my palm, her skin cool against mine.
A knock sounded on the door and Kira lazily lifted her head. “Who is it?”
“It’s me,” Auric said.
“Come in,” she called out.
Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series Page 26