We left her behind and stepped into the room, where a man sat behind a plain wooden desk with his hands folded upon it. His skin was dark like Slade’s and Faya’s, as was common in the Earth Realm, but his head was smooth and hairless, while his deep brown eyes took us in with a discerning look. He was probably in his mid-to-late thirties and attractive in a way that was both commanding and approachable. There was no doubt in my mind this was Parin, the Resistance leader.
“Slade, it’s good to see you again,” Parin said, although there was an edge to his voice that made me doubt his sincerity. Faya had moved to stand just behind his shoulder, and watched the exchange with interest.
“Parin,” Slade replied, crossing his arms and setting his jaw.
“Who are your companions? I’m told they wish to speak with me?”
I stepped forward and introduced myself and the others before adding, “We’ve come to ask for your help.”
Parin leaned back in his chair and his eyes took me in with curiosity. “And why should we help you?”
“We share a common goal—to overthrow the Dragons and free the people of their rule. We’d like to form an alliance with you.”
He arched an eyebrow. “The five of you, and who else? Do you have an army? A spy network? What exactly can you offer?”
Anger threatened to rise up inside me, anger that had been all too close to the surface ever since I’d discovered Stoneham, but I clenched my fists and reminded myself that I had to be diplomatic if I wanted to win this man over. “No, we don’t have any of those things. But we have something more powerful—the Gods’ favor.”
“The Gods?” Parin laughed. “The Gods sleep while the rest of the world spins into chaos.”
“They sleep no longer,” Slade said.
“How do you know that?” Faya asked.
“Because we’ve met them,” Auric replied.
Both Faya and Parin appeared doubtful, and it was clear that words alone wouldn’t convince them. “The Gods have chosen us as their new Dragons,” I said, as I summoned balls of swirling fire and air into my palms. “I’m going to be the next Black Dragon, and these are my mates. We’re planning to defeat the current Dragons and bring balance to the world—but we could use your help.”
I expected shock or disbelief, since those were the normal reactions when I told people who we were or showed them my magic, but Parin’s expression didn’t change. Faya didn’t react either, for that matter. I let the magic in my palms sputter and die out.
“Yes, we’ve heard about you,” Parin said.
“You knew about us already?” Reven asked.
Parin nodded. “I’ve heard reports of the Dragons searching for five people matching your description, along with rumors of people who rescued Resistance members using the elements and strange Dragons flying the skies. I had a feeling you’d come see me at some point.”
“Then you’ll help us?” I asked.
“That I haven’t decided.” He drummed his fingers on the table as he scrutinized us. “Yes, we both share a common goal—for now. But what happens if you do overthrow the Dragons and take their place? How do we know we aren’t trading one dictatorship for another?”
“We have no interest in ruling,” I said. “The Gods told us that the Dragons originally had another role—to keep the world in balance and to protect both humans and elementals. The individual Realms ruled themselves, and the Dragons traveled the world to assist where they could. Nysa and her Dragons took their role too far and somehow found a way to defy the Gods, attain immortality, and become rulers of this land. We plan to return the power to the leaders of the Realms and to the people, while we’ll act only as peacekeepers and guardians. And when the time comes, we’ll step down so other Dragons can take out place.”
“A lofty plan, but forgive me if I find it hard to believe people could throw away all that power and control so easily. Especially the likes of you.” His eyes swept over us, becoming hard. “Slade, who turned his back on the Resistance long ago. Jasin, a member of the Onyx Army who used to hunt down my own people. Auric, a prince whose father serves the Dragons. Reven, who was once the infamous assassin known as the Black Hood, if I’m not mistaken. And you, Kira. Once a bandit, and still little more than a child. And you truly think you can save us all?”
My back stiffened. Everything he’d said was true, and he’d mentioned things even I hadn’t known, like Reven’s assassin name…but he was wrong about us. “That’s not who we are anymore. Where we began does not define what we will become. What matters now are the actions we take in the future.”
“I’ve done terrible things in the past, as have many of us here,” Jasin said, all the cockiness gone from his voice for once. “I can tell you that I’ve changed and that I wish to make things right now, but I understand if you don’t believe me. I’m willing to take whatever justice you demand for my crimes, but please don’t let my actions color your opinion of Kira, or stop you from helping her. My crimes are my own, as should be my punishment.”
“None of us asked for this,” Slade said, stepping forward until he stood at my side. “We all had lives we were forced to leave when the Gods chose us.” He glanced at Faya. “But you know me. I wanted to spend the rest of my days as a simple blacksmith and had no plans to leave my village. But the Earth God sent me to find Kira, and we all became committed to her cause. None of us is doing this for the power or the glory.”
“I believe you, Slade,” Faya said, before turning to Parin. “And if Slade trusts these people, perhaps we should trust them as well.”
“Perhaps.” Parin studied me closer. “What exactly do you need help with?”
“We need to reach the Earth Temple and the Water Temple, but the Dragons know we’ll be going to both,” I said. “We assume they’ll be waiting for us at each one, and we’re not yet strong enough to defeat them. Any information or help you could provide would be greatly appreciated.”
Parin and Faya exchanged a look that spoke volumes, though I wasn’t sure what exactly passed between them. Eventually Parin stood and moved to the back wall, where he picked up a small green statue in the shape of a dragon. Made from jade, I assumed.
“My mother made this for me,” Parin said, as he turned and offered it to me.
I took the tiny statue carefully and studied it. The craftsmanship was exquisite, from the talons and the fangs to the delicate scales. “She carved it?”
He smiled as I handed it back to him. “In a sense. She was the High Priestess of the Earth God.”
“Did she make this cave too?” Auric asked.
“She did.” He set the tiny dragon back down and faced us again. “Many years ago, when I was a young man of seventeen years, she met with the Fire God’s High Priestess and was told that new Dragons would arise to defeat the current ones. My mother was skeptical, but she tasked me and my sister with the duty of preparing for an upcoming battle anyway. My sister trained to become the next High Priestess, while I joined the Resistance. Back then it was small and lacked firm leadership. I rose through the ranks and eventually was voted in as leader.” He spread his hands. “And now here we are, at the moment I’ve spent my life preparing for, and I only wish my mother could have lived to see this moment herself.”
“I’m sorry,” I said, my stomach sinking. “Can I ask what happened to her?”
His hands slowly formed into fists. “The Dragons recently paid a visit to the Earth Temple and left no one alive.”
I bowed my head and swallowed back my fury. “They did the same thing at the Air Temple. I’m so sorry. Is your sister…?”
He shook his head. “Thankfully my mother had already sent her away. She’s in hiding now, but she’s ready to take on the role of High Priestess when it’s safe again.”
“It won’t be safe until the Dragons are gone,” Jasin said. “They’ve become the enemies of the Gods and those who serve them.”
“So it seems.” Parin paused and then offered me his hand. “Yes,
Kira, we will help you.”
I clasped his hand briefly as relief flowed through me, taking away some of the tension in my limbs. “Thank you.”
He gave a sharp nod. “I can get you inside the Temple without a problem—there are many secret tunnels, thanks to my mother, and even though it’s been destroyed we should be able to gain access. But you’re right that there are Dragons waiting for you. I received a report this morning that the Jade Dragon and the Crimson Dragon were both there and seemed to have no plans to leave. Even if we do get you inside, they’ll never let you complete the bonding.”
“We need a distraction,” Reven said. “Can your people provide that?”
“They can, though it’ll be dangerous. I hesitate to send my people into battle against an opponent they can’t possibly win against.”
“All we need is some time,” I said. “And we can help. We have two Dragons of our own.”
He nodded. “That does make the odds better. But we can discuss strategy in greater detail tomorrow. For now, you must be exhausted from your travels. My wife will show you to rooms where you can rest for the night, and I’ll have some food sent up too.”
“Thank you,” I said, although I didn’t miss the way he’d addressed Faya. Slade hadn’t either, from the way his shoulders stiffened. This alliance could prove to be difficult for both of us, but it would be worth it if it meant defeating the Dragons. With the Resistance by our side, we might actually have a chance.
13
Slade
An hour after we’d retreated to our guest rooms, a knock sounded on my door. I’d been preparing for bed and wore only my trousers, but I assumed it was Kira knocking and went to let her in. Instead I found Faya at my door.
She wore a thin gray dress that hugged her curves, her sword was gone, and her face was as lovely as I remembered, though her thick hair had been cut short and she looked like a mature woman now, instead of the fresh-faced girl I’d known. We’d both gained several years since we’d last seen each other.
My jaw clenched and I checked the hallway behind her to make sure we were alone. “You have some nerve coming here at this hour. And alone, too.”
“I simply came to talk, nothing more,” Faya said.
“We have nothing to talk about.”
“Maybe you don’t, but I do.” She stepped forward, her voice low but genuine. “Slade, I’m sorry for what I did all those years ago. I know I hurt you terribly, and that was never my intention. I made so many mistakes back then.”
I’d waited years to hear this apology, but now it was a little too late. I crossed my arms and leaned against the doorway. “Yes, you did.”
“I understand if you can never forgive me, but I wanted to apologize anyway since we’ll be working together. Parin said it was foolish, but I had to try to make this situation less awkward. There are bigger things at stake here than our feelings.”
“That’s the only reason I’m here,” I said, my voice gruff. Everything about this encounter made me uncomfortable, but for Kira’s sake I should try to get along with Faya and Parin. I forced myself to uncross my arms and loosen my shoulders. “When did you and Parin wed?”
“Six years ago.”
“Are you happy?”
“I am. This is my place—at Parin’s side.” She gave me a slight smile. “And you? I can’t imagine you were pleased about being chosen as one of Kira’s mates.”
“I wasn’t at first, but I’ve come to accept my destiny.”
Her smile widened as amusement danced in her eyes. “I always knew you were destined for greatness.”
I snorted. “I never wanted greatness. I wanted a home, a family, and a warm meal on the table. Nothing more.”
“So you say, but it was obvious to me that neither of us was meant for a quiet life in Clayridge. We weren’t meant for each other either.“ She paused as she studied my face. “Are you fond of her, at least?
“I am.”
“Good. I hope one day you get your home and family with her, even if you’ll never have a simple life.” She reached up and touched my cheek, her fingers soft. “I want you to be happy too, Slade. Even if it’s not with me.”
A sense of peace settled over me. I touched her hand gently as it pressed against my cheek. “Thank you. And I’m sorry for everything I did too. I wasn’t the perfect fiancé either.”
A soft noise in the hallway caught my attention. I pulled away from Faya and peered around her to see if someone was there, but didn’t spot anyone lurking about. I shook my head and stepped back, meeting Faya’s eyes. “I appreciate your apology. Working together won’t be a problem.”
She inclined her head. “I’m glad to hear it. Have a good night, Slade.”
“And you, Faya.”
I shut the door and retreated back inside my room. It was small, little more than a bed with a table beside it, and the walls were rough, unfinished wood. The entire building housed traveling Resistance members when they stopped into Slateden, so it made sense there was nothing fancy about it, although the state of the wood did irritate me. Based on the construction of the building and most of the rest of the town, I guessed it had all been erected quickly and with the least amount of work or supplies.
Back when I’d helped the Resistance they’d had small camps that moved constantly to avoid detection, with other members hiding in different towns. I’d housed a few of them myself many times due to Faya’s involvement with them.
Looking back, I should have seen that Faya would leave me for this life, and knew I should have cut her loose long ago. She’d never wanted to stay in Clayridge and be the wife of a blacksmith—she’d always had a need to fight. She’d broken my heart, betrayed my trust, and made me question whether I could love again—but seeing her today only made me realize it had all been for the best. She’d been my first love and an important part of my past, but she wasn’t my future. Kira was—and I knew what I felt for her surpassed anything I’d once felt for Faya.
14
Kira
She’s touching his face.
Pain lanced through me at the sight, especially when he didn’t pull away. They spoke in low voices in his doorway and then he laid his hand over hers on his cheek. He wore no shirt, she wore a dress that left little to the imagination, and it was far too late for a social call. He should have sent her away, but instead he looked at her tenderly—and my heart broke.
I quickly rushed away, unable to stand the sight of them together for another second. Faya must have gone to Slade’s room to rekindle their old romance and he hadn’t sent her away. If I stayed longer would I watch him invite her inside? I couldn’t bear the thought.
I’d visited the washroom and had decided to check on Slade to see how he was doing after seeing Faya again, but then I’d caught the two of them together. The anguish was so strong it was hard to see straight, and I reached for anger to steady me, like I’d done after Tash’s death. How could Slade do this to me? Did he feel nothing for me at all? I was his mate. He was mine. Mine.
I found myself stumbling through the hallway away from the scene, but I didn’t stop at my room. Instead I sharply banged on the one next to it.
Jasin opened the door with a grin. Like Slade, he wore only his trousers, and the sight of his naked chest ignited a fire inside me. His grin faded when he saw my face. “Kira, are you all right?”
“I want…I need…” I shook my head, unable to find the words to describe the turmoil inside me. I wanted to tear something apart with my bare hands. I wanted to lose myself for the rest of the night. I wanted someone to desire me as much as I desired them.
Somehow Jasin knew exactly what I needed, because he dragged me against him and slanted his mouth across mine. He kicked the door shut and I heard it bang behind us as I met his kiss with equal force, sliding my tongue against his. His hands were rough and demanding as they moved down my body, following my curves. I clutched his bare shoulders and pressed against him, craving his passion, his strength, his
fire.
Warmth poured through me at his touch and I forgot everything but the heat of his lips and the feel of him against me. I ran my hands down his sculpted chest as my entire body sang with need for him. Through our bond I felt his lust rising too, along with his desire to claim me, please me, love me.
He pushed me back against the hard wall and his dark eyes met mine. I stared back at him, licking my lips, and he let out a low groan before taking my mouth again in a searing kiss. His hands moved down to yank my dress up to my thighs, baring me to him. I reached for the fall of his trousers at the same time and yanked them open. I was desperate to feel every hard inch of him inside me. There was no holding back, not tonight.
His fingers slipped between my legs, where he found my pulsing hot core already wet for him. My nipples tightened as he dipped between my folds, and I took hold of his cock in response. It strained toward me, hard, hot, and throbbing. His fingers plunged deep inside me, but I needed more. I needed all of him.
“Jasin,” I gasped, as I lifted a leg to wrap around his hips, trying to bring him closer.
In response, he lifted me up and pinned me against the wall, aligning our bodies together. My back arched as he filled me completely, all the way to the hilt. We both groaned and clung to one another as we were joined, and I realized it was just the two of us for the first time since the Fire Temple. No Auric tonight, just me and my Crimson Dragon becoming one.
He planted a hand on the wall by my head while the other curved around my bottom, holding me in place as he began to thrust into me. My legs tightened around him and I moaned as his mouth moved to my neck. He took me with pure, unleashed need, and I couldn’t get enough.
“Mine,” I whispered, as I dug my nails into his behind, pulling him deeper into me. Jasin had been my first mate and he’d never wavered in his devotion to me. He’d loved me from the beginning…and he knew exactly how to drive me wild.
Shake The Earth: Her Elemental Dragons Book Three Page 6