I couldn’t help but grin, my chest bursting with pride. “Nice job.”
“Thanks, Dad.” She did a little bounce and ran over to the target to yank the knives out.
Sora might not be my child by blood, but there was no doubt she was my daughter. I’d never wanted kids or imagined I would have them, but now I couldn’t picture my life without her in it. Naturally I was her favorite dad because I’d taught her all the fun stuff. How to throw knives. How to sneak about without being heard. How to pick locks. Kira joked that I was a bad influence, but I argued these were all things our daughter would need one day. No matter how safe we tried to make the world, there would always be problems the Dragons had to handle, and I wanted Sora to be prepared for anything.
“Take five steps back and try it again,” I told her.
She nodded and did what I asked, with all the seriousness of a very determined ten-year-old. These training sessions were my favorite time of the day. I rotated with the others, each one of us claiming a few hours with the ascendant. Jasin taught her combat and war strategy, Auric taught her diplomacy and history, and Slade taught her how to build things. The rest of the time she spent with her tutors, playing with other kids living at the palace, or with Kira to learn about her future role as a Dragon.
Silver wings spread overhead, drawing our attention to the sky. “Mom’s back!” Sora squealed.
The Silver Dragon circled down and landed beside us, and Sora ran over and wrapped her arms around Kira’s neck. Kira nuzzled her scaled head against her daughter, before transforming into a human again. She’d been visiting the Earth Realm with Slade and Jasin after reports of shades in the area. I looked her over quickly, checking for signs she’d been in combat, but saw none.
“How did it go?” I asked.
She stretched her neck and shoulders. “We didn’t see any shades, but Jasin and Slade are patrolling the area for another few days to make sure. What have you two been doing?”
“Training,” I said.
“Look what Dad taught me,” Sora said. She grabbed the five knives and launched them into the air, juggling them with skill.
Kira arched an eyebrow at me. “Wow. That looks…dangerous.”
“Oh, Mom,” Sora said, rolling her eyes as she caught all five knives. “It’s fine.”
“She’s a natural,” I said. “And besides, if she gets hurt, she’ll heal it quick enough.”
Sora had already come into her healing powers thanks to the Life Goddess, who’d blessed Sora early as a gift for us freeing her. It already looked like Sora would surpass her mother in magic, as she could heal anyone she touched and cause plants to grow. Animals loved her too, naturally. I could only imagine how powerful she would be once she received the magic of her future mates too—although the thought of her with mates was too terrifying to think about just yet.
“Just be careful,” Kira said, while stroking Sora’s hair.
“We always are. Don’t worry.” I wrapped my arms around Kira and kissed her, while Sora squirmed away and said, “ew.” She danced off across the courtyard, finding something else to entertain herself with, while I held her mother in my arms. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” she said, leaning against me. “Come to my room tonight, after she’s asleep.”
“I was already planning on it,” I said, kissing her again.
43
Kira
THIRTY YEARS LATER
Storm clouds rolled over the garden, crackling with the promise of what was to come. Any moment now the rain would begin, lightning would strike, and my daughter would be blessed by the Gods.
“Will it hurt?” Sora asked me, as she had done many times while she was growing up.
“Only for a moment,” I said.
It was her twentieth birthday, and today her mates would be chosen. It had been over thirty years since that day for me, but I still remembered it well. Enva had appeared to me for the first time and then I’d been struck by lightning, doused in rain, whipped by wind, and had fallen in the mud. Now I knew it had been the four Gods blessing me with their elements, but back then I’d been confused, especially when I wasn’t injured afterward. Sora, at least, was a lot better prepared.
“Don’t worry. You can handle it.” I smoothed her dark hair and gazed into her hazel eyes. She was so beautiful, a young woman with so much strength and such a good heart, embodying all the best things of each of my mates. “I’m so proud of you. I know you’re going to do great things.”
She drew in a breath and stood a little taller. “Thanks, Mom. I have a big legacy to live up to, but I’ll do my best.”
“I know you will.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead, and then I moved back to where my mates were waiting off to the side, giving Sora some space. Though we’d all aged by thirty years since we’d first met, they were still just as handsome, and our love had only grown stronger over the years.
Slade paced back and forth relentlessly. “How are we supposed to just stand here and do nothing while our daughter is hit by lightning?”
“The better question is, how are we supposed to stand here and do nothing, knowing her mates are going to be chosen today?” Jasin asked.
“She’ll be fine,” Reven said, though I noticed his face was looking a bit pale and his brows were furrowed.
“Yes, she will,” Auric said, as he nervously ran a hand through his golden hair. “She’s prepared for this her whole life.”
“I’m not worried,” I said. “Most women only have one overprotective father. She has four to watch over her.”
“We’re not overprotective,” Slade said, even though he was the worst of them.
Jasin scowled. “All I know is that these mates of hers had better treat her right, or they’re going to have to deal with me.”
“The Gods did a good job of choosing all of you,” I said. “We have to trust they’ll find the perfect men for Sora too.”
Auric tilted his head with a thoughtful look on his face. “If I recall correctly, none of us were perfect when we first met you, but we grew into the roles. We’ll have to allow her mates to do the same.”
“And if they don’t, I’ll take them out and dispose of the bodies where no one can find them,” Reven said with a dark grin.
I shook my head. “No one is taking them out. Besides, Sora can handle herself. You’ve all made sure of that.”
Sora crossed her arms and called out, “How long am I supposed to wait?”
“I’m sure it will be soon,” I yelled back.
She huffed and gazed up at the sky as rain began to pelt down on her face. It was hard to believe she was all grown up now and ready to become the next Silver Dragon, or whatever color she ended up as. We’d spent the last thirty years trying to bring peace to the four Realms so her transition would be as easy as possible, and I hoped Enva, Doran, and Nysa would be proud of all we’d accomplished. The four Realms governed themselves independently, and we’d prevented many wars from starting between them over the years. The elementals and humans lived in relative harmony, and when shades crept out of the Realm of the Dead, we swiftly dealt with them. The world had changed dramatically, and I had no idea what challenges Sora would face as she took over as its guardian, but I was confident she could handle them.
As for us? My mates and I were ready to step back and begin our retirement. We’d help train Sora and her mates, of course, but our time as peacekeepers, mediators, and warriors was at an end. I had to admit, I was excited for a long, well-deserved break.
Lightning streaked down from the sky and struck Sora, making her entire body go rigid, her arms spread wide as if she was embracing it. Wind wrapped around her, lifting her into the air, while rain soaked through her clothes and mud splashed against her skin. My mates tensed beside me and I felt their anxiety and worry through the bond as we all watched. I’d never admit it out loud to them, but I was worried too. How could I not be? Sora’s life was about to change forever. But I also had faith i
n our daughter and knew she would find her way, just like we did.
It was time for a new set of Dragons to rise.
THE END
* * *
Thank you so much for reading Ride The Wave and the Her Elemental Dragons series! I hope you enjoyed it, and if you did, please consider leaving a review - it really helps!
And now, a short and sappy author note. This series means a lot to me because when I started writing it my husband and I were struggling with infertility and unsure if we’d ever be able to have a child. As I finish this final book, I’m in my 8th month of pregnancy and preparing to welcome my own daughter into this world. Writing this series has brought me a lot of comfort during difficult times, and I’m so grateful to you, my readers, for coming on this journey with me. I hope you will forgive the many epilogues, but I wanted to make sure Kira and her family got the happy ending they so deserved!
If you’re not ready to say goodbye to this world, you might be interested in Light The Fire, a standalone story about Calla the High Priestess of the Fire God, set 20 years before Stroke The Flame. You can turn the page to read the first chapter now, and also learn how to get free books by signing up for my newsletter.
And again, thank you for reading the Her Elemental Dragons series!
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Light The Fire - Excerpt
The Fire God demands I become his Priestess…and take four mates.
Chapter One
The giant brazier flared bright, beckoning me closer. I picked up a scrap of bark and a pointed piece of obsidian from the nearby pile as I considered the flickering flames, along with my future. While a man beside me debated what to write with a frown, I quickly carved my wish on the tiny bit of wood. When I was finished, I read the words once before sending the bark into the fire, where it blackened and curled almost immediately and soon turned to ash and flame. As the Fire God accepted my offering I bowed low and said a small prayer that he’d grant my wish and give me guidance, before I turned back to the celebration. Not that I expected him to answer, of course. But it was tradition.
The center of Sparkport was packed tonight with nearly everyone in the village crammed into its town square. Torches lit up the darkness, adults made wishes at the brazier, and children pranced across the dirt road flying red dragon kites in the air. Fire dancers performed on a stage nearby, their flames leaving trails of light as they twirled in time to the lively music. I moved through the crowd toward one of merchant stalls lining the road, brushing past people in their finest clothes who were dancing together or eating special treats.
The Fire Festival was one of the five celebrations in honor of the Gods and the Dragons, and here in the Fire Realm it was the biggest holiday of the year. My family had been preparing our bakery’s stall for weeks, while my sisters and I had spent months sewing our gowns. Mine was a flame red dress with a black lace trim that hugged my body in a way that turned a few heads. An obsidian pendant that belonged to my mother rested between my full breasts, and my blond hair had been tied up with red and black ribbon, though some wispy hairs had already escaped it.
I approached my family’s stall with its familiar scent of warm bread and baked sugar. My mother stood inside it, offering one of our signature mini volcano cakes to a child and her father. My older sister Krea was putting out more chocolate-coated flame cookies, while our youngest sister Loka was sneaking one of the fried crab cakes into her mouth. I arched an eyebrow at her and she wiped her mouth with an impish grin.
“Welcome back, Calla,” Mom said with a smile. “Did you make a wish?”
“I did. Has it been busy?” I asked, as I stepped behind the stall to join them.
"Very," Mom said. "We're going to run out of those volcano cakes before midnight at this rate."
"All because of Krea’s hard work,” I said.
"Thank you,” my older sister replied, ducking her head so her pale hair partially covered her face. “I had no idea they'd be so popular."
Krea was the one who had come up with the design for the tiny domed chocolate cakes filled with strawberry cream, then topped them with frosting to look like lava. She had true artistic talent, while Loka prided herself on finding the most delicious combinations of food—usually by tasting them herself. Together they would make my mother proud when they took over the bakery. And me? I could bake, certainly, but I didn't have the talent for making pastries beautiful like Krea, and I didn't have the knack for coming up with new recipes like Loka. I'd likely find myself serving customers in the front of the shop my entire life—or I’d be passed off to help my future husband with whatever his trade was.
I wished I had a talent like my sisters, but so far nothing had emerged. I was passably good at many things—sewing, baking, candle making—but an expert in none. Instead I preferred to spend my time reading, but books were in short supply in a small town like Sparkport and scholars were not exactly in demand here either. I had no idea what my future would hold, but now that I was twenty years old I supposed it was time it got started.
As I idly rearranged the boring cheese pastries I'd made—which no one was buying, since they could get them every day in the shop—a loud rumble sounded in the distance from the nearby volcano, Valefire. A moment later the earth trembled under our feet and the crowd murmured and paused until the ground stilled once more. After a few tense seconds, the music started up again and the festival continued on, as if nothing had happened.
"Another earthquake?" I asked, glancing at the tall, flat-topped mountain with its black slopes. Our town was situated in the shadow of Valefire, where the Fire God’s temple stood. We’d always respected the volcano, knowing it could awaken at any time, but none of us truly believed it would. Until last month, when the earthquakes had started to increase in frequency and strength.
"It's simply the Fire God showing his approval for the festival," Mom said.
Loka rolled her eyes. "The Fire God hasn't been seen for hundreds of years."
My mother clucked her tongue. "And this is his way of reminding us he's still watching over us, even if we've forgotten him and abandoned his temple. This is why we must celebrate him on holidays like this."
"And pray the volcano stays dormant," I muttered.
"The volcano hasn't erupted in many lifetimes," Mom said, waving our concerns away. "We’ve always had earthquakes here in Sparkport. There's nothing to be worried about. In fact, you should all go enjoy the festival tonight. I can handle the stall by myself."
"Are you sure?" Krea asked.
"Yes. You’ll make me happy by having fun tonight. The Fire Festival is for the young." She shooed Krea and Loka away with a smile. Loka skipped off immediately with a squeal, while Krea hesitated until her betrothed caught her eye and gestured for her to dance with him.
"I'll stay," I said, as Krea slipped away into the crowd.
Mom patted my arm. "That's kind of you, but you should dance too. Derel looks like he could use a break as well."
I followed her gaze to the stall across from ours, run by the local butcher. Mom waved her hand at Sucy, the wife of the butcher and my mother's best friend. Her son, Derel, stood behind the beef kabobs, lemon shrimp, and meatballs they were selling, which I had to admit looked delicious. Behind him, Derel’s father tended a large pig roasting on a spit, which would be served at the end of the festival to the entire village. We had a giant volcano cake prepared to go with it, filled with strawberries and cream.
Derel’s head turned toward me and he caught me staring at him. I quickly looked away and busied myself in the back of the stall, but the damage was done. It didn’t help that Derel was distractingly handsome either, even if I hated to admit it. He had the r
ich dark skin of his grandparents, who’d moved here from the Earth Realm, with deep brown eyes and gorgeous full lips. Not that I’d spent time much staring at his lips before. Definitely not.
My mother nudged me with her elbow. "Go on, dance with him."
I groaned. "Do I have to?"
"Yes, you do.” She clasped her hands together. “I do wish the two of you would get married already. It's all been planned out for you for years!"
"Yes, that's the problem."
"You’re lucky. When I was younger I thought I’d never find a husband in this tiny village. If your father hadn't moved to town I'd probably still be alone. I tried to make it easier on you and your sisters by promising you to others as children. Krea and Parin will soon be married. Next it should be you and Derel."
I rolled my eyes. "I doubt Loka will want to marry the man you chose for her."
"Well, I had no idea she'd prefer women or I’d have chosen her a nice wife.” She suddenly straightened up. “Oh, here he comes. Be nice." She shuffled away and busied herself at the stall next to ours by offering the chandler some cookies, leaving me to face Derel alone.
As he approached I felt a sense of dread, but also excitement. The Fire Festival made the night feel like anything was possible, even something magical. Like me and Derel getting along for five minutes.
"Care to dance?" he asked in the least convincing voice ever.
I gave him a sickly sweet smile. "With you? Not really."
"Trust me, I’m only here because my mother insisted."
I glanced at my own mother, who gave me a big smile and nodded eagerly. I could practically see visions of dark-skinned grandchildren dancing through her head. "Fine, I’ll dance with you. Only because my mother will never stop pestering me until I do."
Ride The Wave: Her Elemental Dragons Book Four Page 19