Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series

by Elizabeth Briggs

  I arched an eyebrow. "I thought you were supposed to stay virgins until marriage, as was custom for nobility?"

  "She's never been with a man before. I suppose she considers that good enough for tradition."

  "Would her parents ever let her marry a woman?"

  "Perhaps, but they'd want her to marry a man too. They want an heir."

  I sighed. "I like Brin. I didn't want to, but I do."

  He grinned as he spun me around. "She has a way of sneaking up on you like that. At first you think she's another spoiled noblewoman, but then you discover she's so much more. And you haven't even seen her fight yet."

  "She can fight?"

  "All nobles can, to some degree. We're taught to defend ourselves from a young age. But I daresay she might be even better than me."

  "It's kind of her to help us prepare for the journey to the Air Temple."

  Auric nodded, but whatever he might have said next was cut off when a hush went over the crowd. People around us stopped dancing and turned toward the front of the room, then unexpectedly dropped into low bows. Auric’s grip on my arm tightened.

  As the wave of bowing reached us, I was able to see over the crowd at last. Two men gazed across the room with haughty, cruel expressions. One of them was Isen, the Golden Dragon, wearing black and gold silk. He had some nerve showing up here after he'd just ordered an assassination on the King.

  But then I noticed the other man standing beside him. Tall, broad shouldered, with short blond hair so pale it was nearly white, he was the man who’d haunted my nightmares for years. The last few times I'd seen him were in his dragon form and from a distance, but now he was only a few feet away as a man. A mix of terror and rage battled for dominance inside me. I knew I'd have to face him at some point, but I hadn't expected it to be anytime soon. But here he was, towering over this ball as though he ruled here instead of the King.

  Sark, the Dragon who had killed my parents.

  25

  Reven

  The key to being a good assassin was to remain calm at all times—and I was the best in the four Realms. I’d faced impossible odds and dodged certain death without breaking a sweat. I’d escaped prisons and survived torture. I’d stolen from the best thieves and murdered the most vile men and women. And never once had I lost my calm.

  Until tonight.

  The sight of Sark sent instant, poisonous hatred through my veins and I reached for my hidden weapons without thinking. With a small dagger in each hand, I charged forward—but was held back by a large hand on my shoulder.

  “You don’t want to do that,” Slade said.

  “Trust me, I do.” I pulled away from him with some effort. Damn, the man was strong. It was like fighting against a boulder.

  “Someday, yes. But not here. Not now. Not yet.”

  I gripped my daggers tighter, the rage boiling me from the inside out at the sight of the man standing there while people bowed before him. I wanted nothing more in the world than to stab my blade through his heart. Or better yet, make him suffer the way he’d made me suffer. The way he’d made Kira suffer.

  But Slade had a point, though I was reluctant to admit it. If I stabbed Sark, would he even die? We knew so little about the Dragons since no one had dared oppose them. For all we knew they were immortal. The only way to defeat them was to become Dragons ourselves.

  I sheathed my daggers and muttered, “Fine.”

  That didn’t mean I would stand by doing nothing. I slipped back into the shadows, while Auric’s parents made their way over to the uninvited guests with fake smiles plastered on their faces. I ducked behind statues and tables to get closer, but I wasn’t planning on attacking, only listening. Although if the moment presented itself, I wouldn’t mind attacking either.

  “Sark, Isen, what an unexpected appearance,” the King said.

  “Are we not welcome?” Isen asked, arching a black eyebrow.

  “Of course you are. We’re delighted to have such esteemed guests. I’m simply surprised since you do not often grace our balls with your presence.”

  “Sark and I have business in the city and thought we might stop by.” Isen cast a dismissive gaze across the crowd, which had reluctantly started dancing again, though the mood in the room had changed and become tense. “I heard there’d been an assassination attempt on your life. Is that so?”

  “Yes, there was, but we dealt with it. The assassin is dead.” The King paused. “You wouldn’t know anything about that, would you?”

  “You dare question us?” Sark asked, his voice more like a growl.

  King Terel smiled at them like they were old friends. “Not at all. Simply hoping for some answers. But we’ll uncover who was behind it, I’m certain.”

  Isen sniffed. “And that matter we discussed the other day? Have you had time to think on it?”

  The King hesitated, then bowed his head. “Yes, I have, and I concede to your wishes. Tomorrow we’ll begin searches throughout the city for Resistance members.”

  “See that you do,” Isen said, his voice carrying a subtle threat. “Otherwise I can’t promise there won’t be more trouble in the Air Realm.”

  “We have reason to believe five people in particular are hiding in Stormhaven,” Sark said. “One woman and four men. They might claim to have special powers, but they are tricksters and con artists. If you hear word of them, inform us immediately.”

  “I shall,” King Terel said.

  “Enjoy your party,” Isen said, as he turned away and plucked a tiny pastry off the dessert table and popped it in his mouth. He gestured at Sark, but the Crimson Dragon stared at something behind the King, his brow furrowed.

  I followed his gaze and saw Kira’s pale face looking back at him. Auric held her in his arms, and I couldn’t be sure if he was keeping her from running to attack Sark, like Slade had done with me, or if he was holding her up so her knees wouldn’t give out on her. That burning hatred seethed inside me again as Sark took Kira in, and I reached for my daggers in case he recognized her somehow. But then Sark spun on his heel and followed Isen outside onto the patio, where it had begun raining. They both shifted into their dragon forms and took off, while lightning flashed in the sky and thunder rumbled behind it.

  As soon as they were gone a collective sigh of relief went up around the entire room and the dancing picked up. Even the music seemed livelier and the candles brighter. The Dragons had a tendency to suck the air out of any room they were in. Was it any wonder I had no desire to become one of them?

  But that was before. Now, as I caught sight of Kira’s pained expression and trembling hands, a new purpose and resolve filled me. Sark had taken everything from Kira, just as he’d done to me. Even so, I hadn’t wanted revenge, not at first. I’d made my own way in the world and found a way to survive. After I’d been appointed the next Azure Dragon I’d tried to run from my destiny, but I’d been unable to stay away.

  Everyone I’d ever loved was dead. I refused to love Kira and have her meet the same fate, but for some reason I wasn’t able to walk away from her either. Gods knew I’d tried, yet here I was, drawn by this invisible string to her side no matter how much I tried to fight it or escape it. Maybe, deep down, I’d known this was the only way to avenge my family and take down the beast responsible for their deaths. The best way to fight fire was with water, after all.

  To defeat Sark, I had to become a Dragon myself. And this time, I wouldn’t run or hide from my fate. I would be the next Azure Dragon, no matter what it took.

  I just had to make sure I didn’t lose my heart to Kira in the process.

  26

  Kira

  After Sark’s arrival at the ball and the way he’d looked at me, like he’d recognized me somehow, I hadn’t wanted to dance any longer. Fear and anger had taken hold of my heart, and all I could do was return to my room and take deep breaths to calm myself. I reminded myself if Sark truly had recognized me or realized what I was, I’d be dead now. We were still safe and our identit
ies were unknown, though I knew that wouldn’t last much longer.

  The Dragons were looking for us, that was for sure. Thanks to Calla, they didn’t know who we were or even what we looked like, but it was only a matter of time before we were uncovered. Good thing we were leaving for the Air Temple in the morning.

  A massive storm had begun raging as soon as the Dragons had left, and I stared out my window as dozens of lightning bolts hit the spires across the city, filling the sky with dazzling light. Thunder rumbled all around us, as if the Air God himself was displeased.

  Heavy footsteps sounded outside my door, which was then thrown open. All four of my mates stood in the doorway looking as if they were going to charge in here with their weapons drawn to defend my honor.

  Jasin stood at the front of the group, his dark eyes blazing. “Kira, are you all right?”

  “You disappeared from the ball without a word,” Auric said.

  I gave them a faint smile. “Yes, I’m fine. I was just a bit shaken from seeing Sark and needed to get away from the crowd.”

  “Everyone in the entire room was shaken,” Reven said. “The Dragons do that to people.”

  Auric’s hands clenched into fists. “They had some nerve coming to the ball uninvited and threatening my father in front of everyone.”

  “Your father handled it well,” I said. “Better than I would have.”

  “He’s had many years of practice. And you did well too.”

  “I didn’t. If not for you, I would have done something embarrassing.” I shuddered when I remembered Sark’s terrible gaze. “I thought for sure he recognized me at the end.”

  “He didn’t,” Slade said. “Or we’d all be dead.”

  “I thought the same thing.” I sighed as I sank down onto the bed. “I wish I’d been able to face him without fear, but I was terrified. How am I supposed to actually fight the Dragons someday?”

  Auric sat beside me and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. “You’ll get there. No one expects you to fight them now. Or any of us for that matter. We have to unlock all of our powers first.”

  I leaned against him. “What if the Dragons stop us from getting to the temples?”

  “We’ll find a way somehow.”

  I nodded, but I wasn’t convinced, and I couldn’t get Sark’s harsh voice out of my head. Nor Isen’s cruel one, for that matter. At least the King had gone along with the plan to accede to some of their wishes to keep his family safe. I hoped we could count on his help someday too—we might need it.

  “We have an early start ahead of us,” Slade said. “Best we all get some rest.”

  The men agreed, but the thought of being alone in my room left a hollow pit in my stomach. I looked up at the four of them and asked, “Will you all stay with me tonight?” When they stared at me, I added, “Just sleep, nothing more. I just don’t want to be alone, and I think I’ll feel better if you’re all by my side. But if you don’t want to, that’s fine also. I understand.”

  “You know I’m always happy to share your bed,” Jasin said.

  “Me too,” Auric added.

  Slade frowned and glanced at the bed. “Not sure it’s big enough for all of us.”

  “Sure it is,” Jasin said, as he flopped onto the bed. He patted the spot next to him. “We just have to get nice and cozy.”

  I laughed despite my dark mood and slid onto the bed beside him. He immediately wrapped me in his strong arms and pulled me close, pressing a kiss to my temple. Auric climbed onto the bed on the other side of me and draped his arm over my waist, caging me between the two of them, which was becoming one of my new favorite places to be. Slade reluctantly got onto the bed too beside Jasin, his body stiff as he kept his distance from us as much as possible. He’d likely get a sore neck and I wished he was touching me too, but at least he was here with me instead of pushing me away.

  “I’ll sleep in the chair, thanks,” Reven said.

  I reached for him, my heart aching with longing. “Reven…”

  “That bed is plenty crowded without me joining in. Besides, someone should keep watch.” He settled into a chair and propped his feet up on the table, crossing his arms behind his head.

  I sighed, but I couldn’t force him to want to be with me. He was in the room watching over me and that was enough, especially when he’d left me behind only a few days ago. The fact that he stayed now was a big step up.

  “Thank you,” I murmured, as I buried myself into Jasin and Auric’s warm bodies. I reached over and ran a hand along Slade’s muscular arm too, taking comfort from his nearby presence. I even felt Reven’s closeness and support as I closed my eyes and drifted away.

  When I woke, I found the three of us tangled together, limbs entwined, my hair draped across them, our heartbeats all in sync. Even Slade had come closer during the night as if he couldn’t resist, and now his hand rested on my hip, while my foot rested on his calf. Jasin and Auric were wrapped around me too, and I was blissfully warm and calm for the first time in ages.

  Except I really had to relieve myself.

  I managed to untangle myself from the men without waking them, though Jasin reached for me and mumbled for me to come back. Reven’s eyes popped open as I padded across the floor to the washroom.

  “Sleep well?” he asked, showing no sign he’d been asleep at all.

  “Very.” I rested a hand on his shoulder. “Though I wish you would have joined us too.”

  “I don’t think that’s ever going to happen. Even if I wanted to, the other guys don’t want me there with you. They don’t trust me. For good reason, I admit.”

  “They will. Just give them time.” I bent down and brushed my lips across his dark, stubbled jaw, making his shoulders tense up. I wanted to do more, so much more, but I had to be sure he wanted that too.

  I slipped away to the washroom, and when I returned all the men were stretching and waking up, while morning light filtered through the curtains. Though I would have liked to return to bed with them, and possibly do more than sleep, it was time to get going. The Air Temple awaited us.

  27

  Auric

  We gathered outside the palace, where two carriages were waiting for us with our supplies already loaded onto them. The plan was to take the carriages out of the city and to Windholm, a town on the edge of Sandstorm Valley. There we would switch to camels for the rest of the journey into the barren desert where the Air Temple resided.

  Brin and I had been overseeing preparations over the last two days, and I was grateful for her assistance since I hadn’t been in the desert in many years and had never planned an excursion on my own. It was a shame she wouldn’t be going with us, but it would be hard to hide what we were if she did come, so perhaps it was for the best.

  My former fiancé stood with Kira by the carriages, while stroking the neck of a dappled gray horse. Kira laughed at something Brin said, and my heart warmed at the sight. Against all odds they’d managed to become friends, just as I’d hoped.

  Kira wore her new riding clothes with a dark green cloak that brought out the color in her eyes and made her red hair pop. She had new boots too, and I was pleased to see that her shopping excursion with Brin had gone well and that she’d been able to obtain some suitable clothes, which she’d desperately needed.

  Her mates had been more stubborn and wouldn’t accept my offer to get them new clothing, although they’d allowed me to loan them things to wear while we were at the palace. I’d ceded defeat, but had made up for it by providing all of the supplies we’d need on this journey. It was the least I could do for the trouble I’d put us in by coming here, and for their understanding of my situation with Brin.

  While Kira’s other mates checked our supplies, I turned to the ladies and asked, “Are we all ready to go?”

  “Just about,” Brin said. “We just need to say goodbye to your parents.”

  I arched an eyebrow at her. “We?”

  “I’ve decided to come with you after all.” Brin flashed
a dazzling smile at us. “You’re going to need a guide. And thanks to Kira here, I’m a free woman.”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “Kira convinced me to stand up to my parents and tell them I wouldn’t go through with an arranged marriage to a man. They weren’t thrilled about it, but they said they understood.”

  “I’m so proud of you,” Kira said.

  I wrapped Brin in a quick hug. “That’s wonderful. And they’re allowing you to go on this journey?”

  She tossed back her long black hair with a grin. “The King convinced them it would be good for you to have an escort, though I’m pretty sure they think we’re just going to offer tribute at the Air Temple. Not that I know what we’ll actually be doing, but I have a feeling it’s more than that.”

  “Are you sure about this?” Kira asked. “It’s going to be dangerous. The Dragons are searching for us, and we’ve also been attacked by bandits, elementals, and the Onyx Army.”

  “Sounds like you need someone to help watch your backs,” Brin said with a wink. “Believe me, I’m ready to get out of this boring city and see some adventure. My blades haven’t been put to good use in ages.”

  “All right, but if it gets too dangerous we’re leaving you at the Air Temple,” I said.

  Brin waved her hand breezily. “I’ll be fine. Besides, we all know you’ll need my help so you don’t end up wandering in circles out in the sand dunes.”

  “We appreciate you coming with us,” Kira said. “I’ve never been to the desert before.”

  “It’s beautiful in its own way, but deadly. Although with proper preparations we should be fine.”

  Our conversation died off when my parents walked out of the palace, their guards trailing behind them. The King loomed over everyone as he made his way down the steps while holding my mother’s arm. Both of them wore royal purple and gold along with their crowns as they came to say goodbye to us.