Auric and Jasin were careful to fly high in the clouds, and cautious when they came down to land beside the cave entrance, which was covered in frost. They shifted as soon as we were off their backs, and only then did Parin emerge from the shadows.
“I’m not sure it will ever get any less terrifying seeing two dragons flying toward me, even if I know they’re my allies,” Parin said, shaking his head. “But I’m glad you made it.”
“Thank you for meeting us here,” I said. Parin was putting his own life in danger by guiding us through these tunnels, but he’d insisted on coming with us, even though it meant leaving his people to fight without him. Faya would be leading the battle at Salt Creek Tower, and I knew he must be worried about her, just as I worried about my mates.
“Are your troops in position?” Jasin asked.
“They are,” Parin said. “Everything is ready. They’re simply waiting for you to join them.”
“Then this is where we go our separate ways,” Auric said, turning to me. He drew me in for a tight hug, then kissed me softly on the lips. “Be careful, Kira.”
“You too.” My heart clenched, knowing I was sending two of my mates into danger, and that I wouldn’t be there to protect them. They probably felt the same about leaving me.
Jasin grabbed me in his warm embrace next, kissing me hard. “I’ll look after Auric. Don’t worry.”
“Thank you. I know he’ll look out for you too.” I reached out and grabbed both their hands, connecting us again and feeling the bond surge between the three of us. “I love you both.”
My two mates replied that they loved me too, and after more kisses they finally stepped back. I hugged Brin next, making her promise to stay safe, and overheard Slade talking to his sister in a low voice.
“You don’t have to fight,” he said. “It’s not too late to back out.”
“I want to fight,” Leni said, standing taller.
He hugged her tight and seemed reluctant to let her go. Then he turned back to Jasin and Auric. “Take care of my sister for me.”
“We will, I promise,” Jasin said.
“As if she were our own blood,” Auric promised.
As the goodbyes finished, I retreated to stand between Slade and Reven. Slade’s hand rested on my lower back as worry made me bite my lower lip, and together we watched as Jasin and Auric returned to their glorious dragon forms. With a few flaps of their wings they were in the air again, and then they were gone.
“They’ll be fine,” Reven said. We’d avoided each other since last night, and I still felt a pang of sadness when I remembered what had happened, but I had to get past that now.
“I hope so.” With a sigh, I turned toward the cave. According to Parin we had a long hike ahead of us through the icy tunnels, and standing here worrying about the others wouldn’t accomplish anything.
“Follow me,” Parin said, as he led us into the darkness.
26
Auric
After hours of flying we reached the rendezvous point, a cave near Salt Creek Tower where the Resistance had gathered. Brin and Leni hopped off and removed the supplies from our backs, and then we shifted into our human forms again. I popped my shoulders, which were always a bit stiff after using my wings, while the others checked their weapons. Even though I was likely to remain a dragon for much of the battle, I strapped on my own long, curved daggers, a gift from my father that had been in our family for centuries, passed down from the brother of the first Golden Dragon.
A somber mood had settled over all of us, both from leaving Kira and the others behind, along with the upcoming battle we were about to face. Brin and Leni laced their hands together and spoke in quiet voices, though I had no doubt they’d be ready to fight. Brin was an excellent warrior, and I’d heard she’d been helping Leni train too. If Leni was half as dangerous as her brother, she’d be a formidable force.
“The Earth Realm sure likes its caves,” Jasin muttered, as he strode toward the entrance. Brin and Leni followed a few steps behind him.
I kept pace with him. “Perhaps that’s why the Resistance has the largest presence here. Easier to hide from the Dragons.”
Jasin shrugged, and we stepped inside the damp, dark cave. As my eyes adjusted to the dim light, I took in the sight of dozens of warriors gathered, with more stretching back into tunnels and out of view. Parin had promised us a hundred men and women, armed with bows, axes, swords, and more.
Faya pushed her way to the front of the crowd. Last time I’d seen her she’d worn slim, simple dresses, but now she was geared for combat in silver armor with a large sword strapped to her back. After visiting the quiet town she’d grown up in, I could see why she had felt stifled there.
“We’re ready to begin moving out,” she said. “At your command, we’ll begin the attack.”
We quickly went over the plan again, clarifying a few things, while Jasin and I chugged water and shoved food into our mouths for energy. Once we were ready, we moved outside of the cave, while the fighters began to head toward the fort.
I turned toward Jasin and clasped his hand in my own. “Good luck today, my friend.”
“You too.” He drew me in for a quick embrace, and we gave each other a tight squeeze. “I’ve got your back out there.”
“And I’ve got yours.”
As we pulled apart, I keenly felt the connection between us, even without Kira here. And from the way he met my eyes, I knew he felt it too.
I turned to Brin next, then wrapped her in a close hug. My oldest friend, my former fiancé, and now my close companion on this strange journey. I had no idea if this thing with her and Leni would work out, but I was happy she’d found someone who made her smile. “Take care of yourself, okay?”
“I always do,” she said with a wry grin. “Don’t get yourself killed either.”
I chuckled softly. “I’ll do my best.”
I gave Leni a nod, and then the two women joined the ranks of the other warriors. I’d be watching for them from above, trying to keep them safe, and I knew Jasin would be doing the same.
I became a dragon once more, feeling my body shift and grow, along with the rush of power that came from the transformation. My skin became scales, my hands became talons, and my teeth became fangs. Great, golden wings spread from my body, and with a mighty roar I launched into the air, with Jasin at my side.
Together we flew toward Salt Creek Tower to begin the assault, while the Resistance’s fighters surged forward. According to Faya, she’d already sent a few men and women to sneak into the fort itself, and they would open the gate for us. If they failed, Jasin and I would have to get it down somehow.
The fort came into view, consisting of a few stone buildings with a large wall around it surrounded by a narrow moat. Onyx Army soldiers in their black armor lined the top of the wall, and they let out a shout when they saw us coming. Our fighters spread out in front of the wall, while the soldiers inside the fort prepared for battle.
Jasin gave me a nod, smoke already coming from his nostrils, and then flew forward. I hung back and circled low over the Resistance fighters. We’d decided Jasin would lead the offensive, focusing on taking out as many of the soldiers in the fort as possible, while I’d help defend our own people. Partly because his magic was better suited for an attack, and partly because I’d never been in a battle like this before, while Jasin had seen plenty of them. I was no stranger to combat, but warfare was an entirely new experience for me.
Jasin glided over the fort and let out a loud, terrifying roar that hit me all the way in my bones. I opened my mouth and released one of my own in response, signaling the attack was to begin—and hopefully sending fear into our enemies.
The heavy metal gate at the front of the fort opened, and our fighters surged forward into the keep with a loud cry. At the same time, Jasin unleashed a stream of red hot fire, taking out a line of soldiers on the wall. The ones he missed launched arrows at our people, but with a blast of air I sent them flying back t
o the archers.
Below us, people met in battle with a clash of swords and the spilling of blood. I caught sight of Brin and Leni fighting back to back, cutting down their opponents with ease. When a man leveled a spear at them, I dove down and caught it in my talons, then drove it through his chest. My tail whipped around, knocking two other soldiers down, and I began slashing with talons and teeth, while blasting out air strong enough to knock others back.
I don’t know how long this continued, or how many we killed or lost in combat. My scales and claws grew slick with blood, but I kept fighting while Jasin continued to set the fort on fire all around us. And then I heard a terrible screech overhead that stopped me in my tracks.
I glanced up to see two dragons swooping down to oppose us, one with blood-red scales and the other’s the deepest green. Just as I’d expected—Sark, the Crimson Dragon, and Heldor, the Jade Dragon. The ones who’d destroyed Kira’s town with lava, earthquakes, and fire. And now we had to hold them off as long as possible so Kira and Slade could finish the bonding.
As I flew up to meet the other dragons in combat, I opened myself to my bond with Kira and sent her a single, frantic feeling: Go!
27
Kira
I pulled my fur cloak tighter around myself, wishing I’d brought even warmer clothes. Only the flame rising from my palm emitted any warmth—or light—inside the dark, frosty cave.
We’d been going uphill in the tunnel for what seemed like hours, although it was impossible to tell. The walls were unnaturally smooth, like in the Resistance base, but there were few other signs that anyone had been this way before and no way to tell if we were going in the right direction. Parin led us forward and claimed to know where he was going, and Slade pressed his hand to the rock and then nodded, but it was still eerie facing step after step of nothing but cold, dark stone.
“We’re almost there,” Parin said, an eternity later. “We should stop here until we get the signal.”
I sank against the wall, my body eager to take a break. There was nothing to do now but wait and pray our plan worked. I closed my eyes and reached for Jasin and Auric to reassure myself they were all right, but I found a wild mix of emotions that threatened to overwhelm me. They were still alive, and I had to accept that that was enough for now.
“How much farther to the temple?” Reven asked.
“Not far now.” Parin leaned against the side of the tunnel opposite me, his face grim. “I forgot to mention…we received a report that the Water Temple has been destroyed by the Dragons too. There’s nothing left. I’m sorry.”
I drew in a deep breath and nodded. The news made my heart sink, but I couldn’t focus on that now. I’d known getting to the Water Temple would be difficult and it had just become even more impossible, but we had to face one challenge at a time. Besides, I couldn’t even think about bonding with Reven at the moment. I was still too bruised after last night. “Thanks for letting me know.”
We sipped water and ate some of the food we’d brought with us while we waited. Slade paced back and forth, while Reven became so still I almost wondered if he was asleep. I tried not to fret over how the others were faring in their battle, but it was difficult.
Suddenly Auric’s presence filled my mind and I felt him urging me to move, to go, to hurry. I scrambled to my feet. “I got the signal!”
We jumped back into action, our bodies recovered after the break, and continued forward with Parin at the lead. The plan had worked, but we had to hurry since we didn’t know how long the Resistance could keep the Dragons away. Eventually they would realize this was a distraction and come back to stop us. We needed to be finished by then.
Parin stopped in front of a spot in the wall that looked like it had caved in at some point. Water flowed through the cracks in the rocks in a steady trickle, pooling around our feet. “The temple is through here, but I’ve never seen this water before.”
“I can move the rocks,” Slade said, stepping forward.
“Wait.” Reven crouched down, dipped his finger into the water, and stared at the cracks where it was coming from. When he straightened up, he said, “The room on the other side has been flooded. When you open it up, I’ll divert the water away.”
“The Azure Dragon must have done this to keep us out,” Parin mumbled.
“Most likely,” Slade said.
Reven instructed us to stand to the side with our backs against the stone, and then nodded at Slade. The rocks began to slide away from the wall, slowly at first, allowing larger bursts of water to break through. Soon they began to tumble down much faster, and a huge wall of water rushed out. Reven raised his hands and stopped the water from hitting us, then sent it flowing through the tunnel where we’d already been. It filled the entire passage, a great torrent racing down the mountain like it was desperate to escape. Slade formed the rocks into a small dam, helping Reven block the water from hitting us as it roared by.
Eventually the flood slowed to a mere trickle, and it was safe enough through the gap Slade had made. It opened to a large cavern with shining wet stone and rocks that dripped cold water in a steady pattern. I raised the flames I’d summoned and gaped as the light caught on hundreds of sparkling crystals built into the walls, which shimmered all around us in every color of the rainbow. A large jade green dragon statue had toppled over in the middle of the room, it’s head cracked and one of the wings shattered.
“This is the Earth Temple,” Parin said, bowing his head. “Or it was.”
“It’s beautiful,” I whispered, as I stepped forward and touched one of the glittering jewels. Even with evidence of the Dragons’ destruction here and the missing priests, I could feel the magic of the temple all around me.
“This is where they killed my mother, along with her priests.” Parin ran his hand along the wing of the dragon statue as we took it all in.
“Including your father?” I asked softly.
“No, he died a few years ago. Perhaps that is a blessing.”
“We’ll honor their sacrifice by completing our duty to the Earth God,” Slade said.
Parin nodded and led us forward. Our boots squished and splashed in the leftover puddles as we walked around the rubble and debris. He took us through another tunnel, leading to a splintered, soaked door. “The bonding chamber is through here. I’m sorry it’s not in better condition.”
I peered through the crack in the door at the room inside. “It’s not the most romantic place, but it’ll do.”
“We’ll wait outside and stand guard,” Reven said.
While they retreated back to the main part of the temple, Slade opened the broken door with a loud creak. My heart probably should have sank at the sight of the remains of the bed, which had been completely torn apart and turned to splinters, or the knowledge that we had to rush through this. But I was finally going to bond with Slade, and I couldn’t help the small smile on my lips as I turned toward him. “Are you ready?”
He reached out and took my hand. “I am.”
We stepped inside together and surveyed the destruction. It was hard to tell what furniture had once been in the room since all that remained was wreckage. The only thing that still stood was a gray marble table against one wall. Slade led me to it, while his magic slammed the door shut behind us.
Anticipation made my desire and excitement even stronger, and when he took me in his arms and kissed me, my heart leaped. He nudged me back until my behind hit the edge of the table, and then he eased me up onto the edge of the cool stone. The position lifted me up higher, allowing me to kiss him easier while my arms circled his neck. My knees spread wide and he moved between them, his hard, muscular length pressed against me.
“I wish we didn’t have to rush,” he said, as his hands slid down to my breasts, slowly rubbing my nipples through the fabric of my dress. “I wanted to go slow and take all night learning your body and what makes you sigh. This will be the first time I’ve made love to a woman in many years and I’d hoped to savor
it, especially since it’s you.”
His words sent a rush of warmth to my core as I imagined all the things we would do together. “Next time we’ll take as long as you want, I promise.”
“Yes,” he said, with hunger in his eyes. “Next time.”
His mouth descended on mine again and I pressed against him, my body throbbing with desire. Soft lips trailed over my earlobe and down my neck to my collarbone, nuzzling and tasting, and I closed my eyes with a sigh. But then I felt Auric and Jasin reaching for each other’s magic through the bond, their emotions a mix of frenzy, fear, and determination, and I knew we had to hurry. Slade’s seductive touch made me want to take my time too, but we couldn’t forget that others were fighting and dying for us to have this moment.
I reached for Slade’s shirt and lifted it over his head, revealing his dark, muscular chest. I drank in the sight of the sculpted lines of his body, all the smooth planes and hard ridges just begging for my touch. When I reached out and lightly ran my hand along those muscles he let out a ragged breath, and then claimed my mouth again. While we kissed, his fingers caressed down my hips and gripped the fabric of my dress, then inched it up my legs. My breath hitched with excitement, but then he pulled back and met my eyes.
“There’s something I need to say first.” His hands slid along my bare thighs as he spoke, his deep, sensual voice wrapping around me like a blanket. “I gave away my heart once and had it broken. I never thought I would ever love again, and didn’t want to even try. And then I met you…” He drew in a breath, his fingers tightening on my skin. “I didn’t want to love you either. I tried to resist you for so long. But there was no use. I fell for you anyway.” His head bent, his brow pressing against mine. “I love you, Kira.”
I brushed my fingers against his jaw, while my heart felt like it would burst out of my chest. “I love you too, Slade.”
Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series Page 44