But I was different from her. Even if the elementals wouldn’t help us, I wouldn’t stop fighting for peace. As long as I survived what was to come.
26
Slade
Kira should have been back by now.
I stared at the horizon in the direction I imagined she would arrive from on the back of a dark blue dragon. Sometimes I thought I saw something, but it was just a bird. It was always a bird.
Auric clasped a hand over my shoulder. “She’ll be okay. Reven is with her.”
“We don’t know that.”
I’d been the first to arrive in Clayridge after we’d all set out on our different tasks. Jasin had arrived a day later, with Auric showing up two days after that. And then…we’d waited.
“I can sense them both through the bond,” Auric said. “If they were in danger, we’d know it.”
“They should have been here by now.” I couldn’t keep the scowl off my face. I didn’t like being separated from Kira and not being able to see for myself she was safe.
“Come, the hour grows late, and your mother has prepared another feast for us. Staring at the sky isn’t going to bring Kira back any faster.” He gestured toward the house behind us, where I’d grown up. Warm, hearty smells drifted out of the open windows, beckoning us inside.
“Fine,” I grumbled, as I started to turn away. Except from the corner of my eye I spotted something, which made me pause. Another bird, most likely.
Except it was too big for a bird.
“Wait,” I said. “What is that?”
We both watched the black speck in the sky as it grew closer. Definitely not a bird.
“It’s Reven!” Auric said.
“How can you tell it’s him and not Doran?”
“Reven’s scales are a darker blue.”
I grunted in response as we watched the dragon fly closer, growing larger with each second. When I saw the two people on his back, I could finally breathe easier. As soon as Reven landed, Kira leaped off his back and rushed toward us. I caught her in my arms and squeezed her close, while Auric hugged her from behind.
“I’m so happy to see you both,” she said, as we held her between us.
Auric stroked her hair. “It’s been far too long.”
“We were getting worried about you,” I said, pressing my forehead against hers.
“Sorry, it took us longer than expected due to some bad weather, plus we had to go around Soulspire…”
Jasin ran out of the inn and swept Kira up in his arms and spun her around, while she laughed. They shared a few words, while Doran hopped off Reven’s back. The older man gave us all a nod, but his face was tight.
“I’ll be at the inn,” Doran said. “Meet me there tomorrow for breakfast so we can go over everything and begin your next round of training.” He strode off into the dark town after that, without bothering to ask where the inn was.
“What’s his problem?” Jasin asked.
Reven changed into his human form and walked toward us. “He’s been like that ever since we got to Divine Isle, where the elementals live.”
“What happened?” Auric asked.
“It’s a long story,” Kira said. “Is that food I smell? I’m starving.”
I took her arm in mine. “Come inside. My mother has cooked way more food than any of us can eat and would be happy to see you.”
As soon as we stepped inside, Brin and Leni jumped to their feet. “Kira!” Brin said. The three women exchanged hugs, and then Brin patted the seat next to her. “Sit down and eat. We must hear about where you’ve been.”
“Not before saying hello to me.” My mother rushed forward and grabbed Kira in a tight squeeze. “It’s so good to see you again, dear.”
“And you, Yena,” Kira said, placing a kiss on my mother’s cheek. “The food smells wonderful, as usual.”
“Now you can sit,” my mother said, with a laugh. “Leni, help me bring everything out for our guests.”
Leni jumped up and ran to the kitchen, then returned with a giant roasted turkey that Jasin had caught us earlier. I began carving it, while they brought out more food—potatoes, onions, peas, and bread—along with tankards of ale.
While we all dug in, Kira told us about her encounter with the elementals, including the beauty of the island, the grandness of their capital, and the disappointment of their refusal to help.
Jasin clenched his fist tightly around his tankard. “I can’t believe they said no. Don’t they realize that we want to help them too?”
“They want to stay neutral and see what happens,” Auric said. “They probably consider it the safest thing to do for their people.”
“Cowards,” Jasin muttered.
“It’s frustrating, but there’s nothing we can do about it,” I said. “We’ll do the best we can without them.”
We took a few minutes to load our plates and eat, before Jasin asked, “What’s going on with Doran?”
Kira sighed. “He’s been distant and grumpy ever since Reven found us. He’s upset we don’t trust him and thinks he could have done a better job convincing the elementals to join us. Maybe he’s right, I don’t know.”
“He’s not,” Reven said. “The elementals hate the other Dragons. If he’d been with you, they wouldn’t have spoken to you at all.”
“Perhaps.” She drew in a long breath and gazed across the table at me and Auric. “Please tell me the rest of you had better luck.”
“We did,” Auric said. “My father agreed to send troops from the Air Realm’s division of the Onyx Army, along with plenty of supplies. My brother Garet will be leading them.”
“Thank the Gods,” Kira said, closing her eyes briefly. “And what of the others?”
Jasin took a sip of his ale. “Cadock took a lot of convincing, but he finally agreed in exchange for his people being pardoned of all their crimes and given positions in your new government or military.”
Kira raised her eyebrows. “I’m surprised he agreed at all. I’m sure we can figure something out for them.”
“The Assassin’s Guild has agreed to fight with us as well,” Reven told us. “For a fee, naturally.”
“That’s good news,” Auric said.
“The Resistance is willing to help, of course,” I said. “Although they have fewer people than they did before due to the fight at Salt Creek Tower. However, they’re sending messages to their other bases and expect a lot more people to join. Especially now that rumors have become widespread about a second group of Dragons.”
“Is that so?” Kira asked.
“The Resistance have been spreading them,” Leni said. “All thanks to Brin.”
Brin nodded, a slight smile on her lips. “People need something to fight for, a cause to rally behind. Tales of how you’ve fought the Dragons are spreading like wildfire. You’re already becoming legendary. I expect more people are joining the fight against the Dragons every day.”
“Yes, but did you have to go with those names?” Jasin asked, arching a brow. “Ruby Dragon, really?”
Brin laughed. “Trust me, people love them. It sounds regal, like you were meant to rule.”
“It could be worse,” Leni said. “They could call you the Pink Dragon.”
“My scales are not even close to pink!” Jasin said.
“What are they calling me?” Reven asked, as he tore off a piece of bread.
“The Sapphire Dragon,” Auric said. “I’m Citrine, and Slade is Emerald.”
Reven made a face. “I don’t remember agreeing to that.”
Leni grinned, clearly enjoying every second of this. “Too bad. The names have spread now, and you’re stuck with them.”
I began ticking off a list on my fingers. “So we’ll have people from the Resistance, the Air Realm’s army, the bandits, and the Assassin’s Guild. Will it be enough?”
“Oh, and Calla and her priests,” Auric added. “They’re still in Stormhaven under the protection of my father, but they wanted to help us.”<
br />
“Good,” Kira said. “It will be useful to have another magic user there. Especially against the shades. I don’t know if it will be enough, not without the elementals, but it will have to do.”
“There’s one thing that might help,” I said. “While we waited for you, we’ve been working on imbuing our weapons with magic. I think we’ve mastered it now, and we can do your sword tomorrow.”
“Yes, look at this.” Jasin stood up, moved back from the table, and pulled out his sword. The blade lit up on fire, making Kira gasp.
“We did it to all our weapons,” Auric explained.
Reven leaned forward, his eyes intrigued. “Can you do my swords too?”
“Yes, I can,” I said. “And now that you’re here, we can enchant Kira’s sword too, with all four elements. We’ll get started tomorrow.”
“How long do you think you’ll be in town?” my mother asked.
“About a week,” Kira said.
My mother sighed, but nodded. “Well, I wish it were longer, but I know you have important things to do. It’s just so good having all my children back in Clayridge.” She wrapped her arm around Leni and gave her a squeeze, before turning back to us with a smile. “And you too, Kira. All of you, really. It’s been a delight getting to know Auric and Jasin the last few days, and I’m sure you’re just as lovely, Reven. You’re all family now.”
Reven shifted in his seat, looking uncomfortable, while Kira’s cheeks flushed. I reached over to take her hand and gave it a squeeze. I’d once worried my family would never accept our relationship or this situation, but my mother had treated Kira like my betrothed and the other men as if they were my brothers. I knew she worried about us and the upcoming battle, but she believed in us and in our destiny. I couldn’t ask for anything more…except that we make it through the battle alive.
27
Kira
We met with my father in the morning to go over everything the others had learned on their journey and to discuss strategy. After that, my mates and I went to Slade’s old forge, which was now run by his cousin, Noren.
The blacksmith’s shop was open on one side, allowing smoke to billow out. I leaned against a tree as I watched my men work. Slade enchanted Reven’s twin swords first, until they gleamed with a thin coat of sharp, deadly ice.
Slade walked over to me. “We’re ready for your sword now.”
I pulled my blade out of its sheath. Auric had bought it for me early in our adventures, and it was still the nicest thing I owned. It also fit my hand perfectly, the weight and balance exactly suited for my size.
I chewed on my lip as I handed it to him. “You’re sure this will work?”
He nodded. “Trust me. I’ve done this to all of our weapons now.”
“Yes, but you only did one element then.”
“I’m confident it will work. If not, I’ll make you a new sword. I promise.”
He returned to the forge, where he heated up the metal in my blade. I squirmed as it turned red-hot, and that’s when he placed it on a slab between my four mates. They stood in a circle around it, holding hands with each other, their eyes closed. Nothing happened at first, and I worried all of this was for nothing, but then I felt the magic growing. Fire danced across the sword before sinking into it. A gust of air swirled around it, and the blade absorbed that too, followed by a ripple of water that turned to ice, cooling the sword down. The metal hardened and shifted color, becoming lighter and stronger.
When the men stepped back and opened their eyes, my sword emitted a faint silver glow. Slade picked it up and presented it to me.
“A sword fit for the Silver Dragon,” he said.
I wrapped my hand around the hilt and was struck by the powerful magic running through it. All four elements were in there, acting as one. I held the blade up to the sunlight and it flashed bright silver.
Yes, this was a sword that could take down Dragons.
While the men practiced using their enchanted weapons against each other, I sat on an old tree trunk and ate some dried fruit. My sword lay across my lap, but I was hesitant to use it against my mates now for fear of truly hurting them.
Doran leaned against a tree beside me, making me jump. I hadn’t heard him approach. Sometimes he was a little too much like Reven, sneaking about like that.
“Nice sword,” he said. “Can I see it?”
“Of course.” I handed it to him before popping a dried apricot in my mouth.
He held it up, testing the weight, catching the light. When he held it, the silvery glow dimmed, as if it only reacted strongly to my magic. He gave a few practice swipes at the air, and then he grunted. “Not bad. Now the real test.”
He sliced the blade across his forearm, opening a thick cut. Fire danced across his skin, and the edges of the wound blackened. He let out a sharp hiss and staggered back.
I jumped to my feet and ran to him. “What are you doing?”
“Testing it out, since you won’t do it yourself.”
“I didn’t want to hurt anyone!”
He gave me a sharp look as he pressed a hand over his wound. “I hope that mercy won’t hold you back when the time comes.”
I rolled my eyes. “Let me see your wound. Maybe I can do something for it.”
“I doubt it.”
I clasped my hands over the wound, feeling how hot his skin was, while blood slipped through my fingers. “I was able to heal the Fire Priestess.”
“Were you?” His eyebrow arched. “Guess it can’t hurt to try.”
I focused on his wound, trying to stop the bleeding, reaching for the life magic always lingering inside me. It was much harder to send it into my father than it was to heal my mates. He and I didn’t have the bond entwining our lives together, but there was something else instead. A recognition that a part of us was the same.
Slowly the bleeding stopped, and the cut sealed itself up. The burn took the longest to heal, as if the fire magic that caused it was fighting me still. But in the end, I won the battle, and his skin was smooth again.
Doran held up his arm and inspected it. “Impressive. I’m not sure even Nysa could heal someone who wasn’t one of her mates.”
“It only worked because you’re my father. The magic sensed that we were connected.” I took the sword from him and sheathed it. “Well, did it meet your expectations?”
“It did. I wanted to make sure my water magic wouldn’t block it, but that wasn’t a problem. Instead it burned me with fire, while air and earth helped make it stronger. Quite painful and potent. It will be able to take down any of the Dragons, including Nysa once she’s weakened.”
I sank back onto my tree stump, suddenly exhausted from the healing. “Why have you been so distant for the last few days? Ever since we met with the elementals you’ve been acting oddly.”
“I’m sorry. I guess I got upset when Reven arrived and I realized none of you trust me still. I don’t care about what the others think, but I thought you and I had become close.” He ran a hand through his long, sandy hair. “Or as close as we could be, considering the circumstances.”
“I do trust you, but I also knew that Reven was right and we had a better chance of getting the elementals to help us without you there.” I sighed. “Not that it made much difference in the end.”
His hand rested on my shoulder. “You did the best you could. The elementals were never going to help us.”
“I realize that now. I just don’t know how to defeat the Dragons without them.”
“Hmm.” He glanced up at the sky. “It won’t be easy. Especially since the Dragons know we’re here now and have probably guessed our plans.”
I sat up straight, my muscles tensing. “They do?”
“I’ve felt both Sark and Heldor’s presence nearby.”
“Will they attack Clayridge?”
“No, they’d have to be stupid to do that. We outnumber them, and you can control all the elements now. They’re just watching and waiting to see what we do
next.”
I chewed on my lower lip, worrying about the innocent lives in this village. Doran couldn’t know for sure that the Dragons wouldn’t attack. “Maybe we should leave soon.”
“Wherever we go, we’ll put people at risk. That’s why we have to face them soon. Only problem is, they know we’re coming. They’ll be preparing too.”
My fists clenched. “So be it. As you said, this has to end soon. One way or another.”
Doran’s eyes caught mine, mirroring my own. “Just remember, you’re my daughter. Whatever happens, I’m on your side. Always.”
I swallowed the unexpected emotions rising inside me. “I know, father.”
28
Auric
“Today we’re going to work on combining the elements,” Doran said. It was time for yet another training session, and we all stood beside the river and faced him, with the afternoon sun bright in the sky. “I already know you can do lightning, thanks to Kira hitting me with a bolt when I was rescuing her.”
Kira shrugged. “I thought you were taking me to my death.”
Doran snorted. “How did you learn to do that one anyway?”
“Enva told us it was possible and then it was a lot of trial and error,” I said.
“And frustration,” Jasin added. “Mostly frustration.”
Doran scratched at his scraggly beard. “You’ve done well, considering you had no one to train you. What other combinations can you do?”
“That’s it so far,” Kira said. “The bond with Slade and Reven was too new to do any others yet.”
Doran nodded. “Hopefully it’s grown enough by now. The benefit of combining elements is that there’s no immunity to them. Both Sark and Isen can be hurt by lightning, for example.”
“What will we do about Nysa?” Reven asked. “She’s immune to every element.”
“You let me worry about her,” Doran said. “After the other dragons are defeated, she’ll be vulnerable to attack.”
Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series Page 58