by Chloe Hodge
Ashalea struggled to create words, and through the crackled connection this was what she said. “Water dragon… Need you… Renlock… Fire…”
And he answered, clear as a bell. “Upon beating wings, I come.”
She lost the connection, and Ashalea gasped back to the present, sucking in air as her body shook back to awakening. She lay back on the rooftop; her body shaking.
The faces of her friends leaned in closely and she swatted them away. She grinned. “There is hope still.”
Denavar helped her up and they shuffled to the edge of the tower, peering at the dark before the dawn. The group joined her, and they scanned the horizon, unsure what to search for.
In moments, a gigantic beast erupted from the lake yonder, and a deafening roar escaped the jaws of the water dragon.
Shara glanced at Ashalea with a smirk on her face. “Some friend.”
Ashalea shrugged. “I am royalty. It’d be rude not to come.”
This time both Denavar and Shara rolled their eyes, but their expressions soon turned to awe. Within a few beats of his wings, the water dragon approached the building and circled the ramparts. He hovered next to the tower and everyone except Ashalea and Wezlan shrunk back in fear. It is a rare sight to see a dragon, and you never know what mood they might be in.
He blinked a lazy golden eye at Ashalea, and descended Renlock in swirling arcs, breathing in-exhaustive water onto the fiery fingers clawing at the building. It took a few turns up and down, but the fires sputtered and shrank in defeat.
The roars of the crowds below were comparable to the dragon, such was the elation and joy of the Renlock mages. The building would need restorations, and temporary residence would be required, but Renlock Academy still stood, defiant and regal in its age-old timeliness.
The water dragon soared back up to the tower and this time everyone stared, even bowed humbly, in front of the dragon. He craned his neck towards Ashalea to place his head by her face.
Your wish is my command, Moonglade princess.
Ashalea’s eyes widened, and she raised a brow. “You knew?”
The others gawked in bewilderment, uninvited to the conversation.
The dragon chuckled. I know everything, little elf. Very soon you will call on me again. Until the time comes. He winked at her and allowed Ashalea to stroke his face just once.
“Until the time comes,” she said in awe.
Then, with a giant whoosh of his wings, sweeping an embarrassed and disgruntled Wezlan off his feet, he flew home and plunged gracefully into the Aquafairian Province lake.
Ashalea giggled to herself. What a night.
Shara joined in, then Wezlan guffawed despite himself, and everyone was soon laughing like demented criminals, unsure of the joke but aloof and unhinged from the last twenty-four hours.
As they quietened down, Denavar wrapped his arms around Ashalea’s waist and softly kissed her cheek.
“We did it,” he whispered.
“This time,” she returned. But she smiled and sunk into his embrace.
The sun was starting to rise— pinks, reds and oranges splashing into the sky, a natural work of art. Everyone joined them at the precipice and watched the colours converge in peace.
“So, what’s next? What happens now?” Shara asked.
Ashalea watched the red drip down onto the plains below, still scattered with dead bodies, and the smile crept off her face, replaced with a hard, grim line.
“I don’t know what the new days brings. There is much to do, and we still have more Guardians to find. I expect we’ll travel east to the Diodon Mountains, to find the chief of Kalanor’s Klan. Then, we’ll head to Kinsgareth Mountains to meet with the dwarves.”
She turned around to face the others, her face fierce with determination.
“I know one thing though. Vengeance will be mine.”
Acknowledgements
Ten. That’s the least amount of times that I’ve said to a friend or colleague, “I’ve always wanted to write a book.” I’m sure the final number was much higher.
How many people do you know who have said this and then gone and written the darn thing? Probably not many, right? Well, I guess I finally did it. So, here’s the part where I thank everyone for their advice, for the endless support, and for, well, dealing with me on days where it all seemed too much.
To my fiancé, Jason — you pushed me to do something I never thought possible. Your endless support, countless days of nagging, and ultimately, your love, drove me to succeed and follow my dreams. Thank you.
To my parents, Donna and Toni — your kind words and wisdom are never lost on me. Mum, your enthusiasm, even your somewhat blunt criticism, all played a part in making this book. Dad, your comforting hugs and honest advice is always welcome, and never ignored.
To my brother and sister, Benjamin and Natalie — thanks for always having my back and cheering from the side-lines.
To the people behind the scenes —
Steven Raeburn; my editor,
Erica Timmons; my cover designer,
Emily Johns; my illustrator (and dear friend),
Julia Scott; my formatter,
And my betas!
Your input helped shape this book into what it is today. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.
And finally, dear reader, if you’re still with me then my last acknowledgement is to you. Thanks for believing in me, these characters and the world I’ve created. See you in Book Two!
About the Author
Chloe is a journalist-turned author from Adelaide, South Australia. From radio producing to reporting, then technical writing to creative, she’s no stranger to media. But her true passion lies in fiction, and this book is the first of many to come.
Living with her fiancé and two dogs, Chloe finds joy in life’s simple pleasures: a walk along the beach, a cosy nook to read in, a morsel of chocolate and a good movie to watch.
When she’s not living a thousand other lives in the pages of a book, she’s travelling the world and experiencing other cultures.
Her family and friends mean the world to her. This book is for them, and for you, dearest reader.
The next book in the Guardians of the Grove trilogy is coming soon, so keep an eye out!