Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series

by Elizabeth Briggs

  Reven stepped forward. “I’ll go. He’ll never know I’m there.”

  “Fine.” I wanted to argue, but knew it was useless. This was the best compromise I would get from my domineering mates.

  I grabbed my sword and my bow, just in case, and then headed into the woods with Reven falling into step at my side. He moved with the easy, predatory grace that came from a life as an assassin, and I managed to get one last look at his dark, deadly beauty before he slipped into the shadows. With his raven black hair, ice blue eyes, and sculpted face, he was the most striking of my mates. Being near him always made my heart race, and while I should have been afraid of him, I’d always known he would never hurt me. Instead, a calm steadiness settled over me as I walked through the woods, knowing his keen eyes were watching over me.

  I squared my shoulders and set off to meet the bandit I’d once loved.

  4

  Kira

  I found Cadock near the lake, waiting alone. His face split into an easy grin at the sight of me. “So glad you decided to join me for a chat. I thought your companions would never leave you alone.”

  I hoped I wasn't making a mistake by trusting Cadock. Though I didn't think he or his people would harm me, it had been a few years since I'd seen them and things had obviously changed quite a bit. My hand was ready near my sword, though I tried to look relaxed. “It wasn’t easy to convince them you wouldn’t escape with me in the night, but I managed.”

  Cadock laughed. “If you run off with me, it will be of your own free will, I promise.”

  I moved to the edge of the black water, which reflected the stars back up at the sky. “How have you been?”

  “Busy,” he said. “Things were hard after my father passed, and only got worse over the years as the Onyx Army increased its patrols and food became harder to come by in all the Realms. I realized to survive we had to change our ways and join together with other gangs to become more than simple bandits. I convinced others to merge with us and we formed a sort of tribe. We now have camps across the four Realms and more people joining us every month.”

  “Impressive,” I said. Cadock had truly stepped up as a leader over the years. “Your father would be proud.”

  “I hope so. But what are you doing on the road? And who are your companions?” He stepped closer, lowering his voice. “Has one of them replaced me as your man?”

  “It’s…complicated.” I avoided meeting his eyes and then added, “I’m actually in a relationship with all four of them.”

  Cadock let out a deep belly laugh. “All four? Gods, you really have changed. Who would have thought little prudish Kira would take four lovers?”

  “Just because I wouldn't sleep with you didn't make me prudish.” I'd cared a lot for Cadock and had been tempted many times by him. We'd gotten close, but I'd always held back. Maybe a part of me had always known, deep down, that he wasn't the one for me and that I should wait for the right man—or in my case, men—to come into my life. When I'd slept with Jasin and Auric I hadn't felt any of that hesitation, it had simply been right, as if we were destined to be together. I'd never had that with Cadock, no matter how fond I'd been of him, or how much I'd desired his body. He might have been my first love, but he’d never truly had my heart.

  “I apologize,” Cadock said, holding up his hands in surrender. “It's simply hard for me to believe.”

  I had to confess the rest if I wanted to ask for his help, but it never got easier to say the words out loud. Especially to someone like him. “There's a reason for it. I'm the next Black Dragon.”

  Cadock scratched his chin. “I'm afraid I don't follow.”

  “The Gods chose us to overthrow the current Dragons and take their place. That's why we're traveling across the Realms.”

  He crossed his arms and gave me a skeptical look. “If this is some sort of con, it's the strangest one I've heard.”

  “It's not a con,” I said, trying not to let my exasperation show. This happened every time I told someone who I was. I knew the blame was with the current Black Dragon for hiding the truth and spreading misinformation, and I’d once been just as skeptical, but sometimes it felt tedious having to convince people again and again.

  “Then it's a dangerous delusion.” Cadock shook his head. “I don't know what you're thinking, but you're going to get yourself killed if you go around talking like that.”

  Enough of this. I conjured a large flame in my hand, and he let out a short gasp. “I know it's hard to believe, but I am the next Black Dragon, and the others are my mates.”

  Cadock took a step back at the sight of the fire. “I caught a glimpse of you holding fire earlier but I thought it was sleight of hand or a trick of the light. It can’t be possible…”

  “It’s real.” I let the flames burn brighter as they danced across my fingertips. “We're going to overthrow the Dragons or die trying, and we’re on our way to the Earth Temple now. But we need allies.”

  His eyes widened. “Allies? To fight the Dragons? No one is that suicidal.”

  Frustration settled over me as I closed my hand around the flame and let it die out. “I suppose that means you won’t be joining our cause.”

  He let out a sharp laugh. “We're bandits, not soldiers. We don't fight for causes. We fight for survival and for riches.”

  “But you just said you wanted to be more than bandits, and we could use strong fighters who know how to survive in the wild.”

  “Maybe what you're saying is true, but what's in it for us?”

  “The chance to live free of tyranny and oppression. Is that not enough?”

  Cadock shrugged. “So we exchange one ruler for another. What difference does that make? We live outside the law anyway.”

  “But what if you didn’t have to?” I asked, taking a step toward him and softening my voice. “I know you, Cadock. You're a good man with honor. We could offer your people a life where they won't have to run or hide anymore.”

  He reached up to touch a piece of my red hair. “I’m sorry, Kira. I still care for you a lot, but I have to think about my people, and I can’t lead them into an unbeatable war.”

  “I understand.” I bowed my head. Getting Cadock’s help had been unlikely all along, but I’d still hoped I could convince him, especially once I’d learned how he’d changed over the years. As disappointing as it was, I couldn’t blame him for wanting to keep his people safe, even if the fate of the world was at stake. “Perhaps you could help me with some information instead.”

  “Now that I can probably do. What kind of information?”

  “We’re looking for the Resistance.”

  He smirked. “Of course. The only fools who might be willing to fight by your side. Lucky for you, I know where their main base is located. Bring me a map and I’ll mark it for you.”

  “Thank you,” I said. “I really appreciate it, and we can pay you for the information.”

  He waved his hand. “No need. Consider this a favor for an old…friend.”

  We walked back into camp, where the others waited with suspicious eyes and tense shoulders. Auric brought out our worn, crinkled map and Cadock marked a spot at the edge of the mountains in the north, not far from the Earth Temple, and told us to look for a boulder shaped like ‘two perky tits’—his words, not mine. As I scanned the map I noticed my old village Stoneham was directly on the path to it. Perhaps we’d have time to stop there, at least for a short while. We did need supplies, after all.

  When Cadock was finished, I walked him to the edge of our camp and prepared to say our goodbyes. His eyes lingered on me with something like longing or regret, and he reached out to touch me again before stopping himself. “Kira, if you ever feel like giving up this mad quest, you’re always welcome by my side.”

  A month ago his offer might have tempted me, but now I could shake my head with certainty. “Thank you, but this is my path.”

  5

  Slade

  While the others packed up their things I sto
od under the trees near the lake, needing some space. It was the morning after our encounter with the bandits, and we were about to head out. I checked the map again, noting the supposed location of the Resistance base, and frowned. I'd never heard of a base there, but it had been years since I'd been a part of that world. Still, I didn't like it. We were trusting a bandit who likely would have tried to slit our throats and steal our things if he hadn’t recognized Kira. Who was to say he wasn’t sending us to our deaths?

  “Almost ready to go?” Kira asked, as she moved to my side. Being so near her instantly made my body awaken in a primal way, reminding me of all the ways that I was male and she was female. Her shining red hair was tied back today, and a memory of brushing those long strands came to me, along with a desire to see her hair down about her naked shoulders, preferably spread out on a pillow below me.

  “Just about.” I shook off the thought and folded up the map. Jasin and Auric had shifted into their dragon forms and were stretching their wings and preparing for a long flight, while Brin and Reven were loading our supplies onto their backs. I couldn’t believe they were all going along with this madness too.

  Kira gave me a smile that brought back indecent thoughts again. Gods, she was beautiful. “We're going to stop at my old village to get supplies and rest for the night. We should make it to the base tomorrow.”

  I scowled. “Assuming there really is a base there. For all we know your ‘friend’ is leading us into some kind of trap.”

  “Why would he lead us into a trap?”

  “I don't know. But I don't have any reason to trust a bandit either.” Maybe he’d do it to make it easier to kill us and rob our corpses. Or maybe he’d do it to steal Kira away from us. Or maybe he just wanted to mess with our heads. How should I know?

  She rested her hand on my arm and some of my tension faded. “You trust me though.”

  “Of course I do. But were you ever going to tell us you were a bandit?”

  Her face fell. “I was going to tell you eventually. It's not exactly something you bring up in everyday conversation, and I was worried what you all might think.” She looked up at me with hazel eyes that were tinged with worry. “Do you judge me harshly for what I've done?”

  I sighed and pulled her into my arms, holding her close to my chest. The revelation about her being a bandit had come as a shock, even though I understood why she’d done it. I just didn’t like the thought that she was hiding things from us. “No, we've all done some things we regret. I simply would have liked to know about your past before it came back and surrounded us with weapons.”

  Her fingers gripped my shirt as she gazed up at me. “I understand, but I’m not the only one whose past is haunting us. You mentioned there was something you needed to tell me, and you haven't explained how you got involved with the Resistance, but I’m not going to push you. We all have things we'd rather not talk about.”

  She was right, it wasn’t fair of me to judge her for keeping secrets when I’d kept a few of my own. Secrets that would soon be uncovered once we arrived at the Resistance base. Better to reveal them now, no matter how much I hated talking about this part of my past.

  “I’m ready to tell you now.” I took a deep breath, and then I released her and stepped back. “I mentioned before that when I was younger I was close to a girl in my village.”

  “Yes, I remember.”

  I swallowed hard. Once the past came out, it couldn’t be ignored or forgotten or avoided any longer. I’d have to finally face it. “Her name was Faya and we grew up together. There weren't a lot of other people our age in the village and it seemed inevitable we'd be married. But that never happened.”

  “Thank the Gods,” Kira said with a tight smile. “Otherwise you wouldn’t be my mate.”

  “Indeed.” I rubbed the back of my neck, trying to figure out the best way to tell this story. “Faya had a strong rebellious spirit and wanted change and progress. When she was a child her father was killed by the Crimson Dragon for speaking out against the tax hike, and that moment clouded everything she did, as I’m sure you can understand. She tried to fix all the problems in our village and as she grew older she wanted to fight against injustice. I was the one who balanced her out and steadied her, especially when her passion made her act without thinking. But eventually I wasn't enough.”

  “What happened?” Kira asked.

  “Faya became involved with the Resistance, who had a small camp near our village, and it was like she’d finally found her true calling. She encouraged me to get involved too, but I was hesitant because of the danger involved. I agreed to make them weapons and armor, but no more, and only because I loved her and could tell this was important to her. We were engaged to be married by that time, and I suppose I thought she would settle down once we were wed.” I shook my head, disgusted at my younger self. “I was a fool. She began to spend more and more time with the Resistance, and especially their leader, Parin. I grew jealous and worried about her safety, and we fought a lot. She planned to become more active in the fight against the Dragons, and I longed for a quiet life without trouble. I wanted to be a husband, a father, and a blacksmith. She wanted to be a revolutionary.” I turned away from Kira, unable to look at the pity in her eyes as I got out this next part. “On the eve of our wedding, Faya confessed she'd been sleeping with Parin and had fallen in love with him. She wanted to join the Resistance permanently and she asked me to come too. She said she still loved me and wanted to be with both of us. Parin had already agreed to share her…but I couldn’t do it.”

  “Oh, Slade, I'm so sorry.” Kira slid her arms around me from behind, resting her head on my back.

  “After that night, I cancelled our wedding and cut all ties with the Resistance. I never saw her again.” I turned toward Kira and returned her embrace, cradling her in my arms. “But that was many years ago. I've moved on with my life, and I see now that it was all for the best. I wasn’t blameless either—I never should have tried to tame her spirit or prevent her from doing what she felt was right. And if I had stayed with her, I wouldn’t be with you now.”

  Her brow wrinkled. “Are you sure you’re happy with that? We’ll likely never have a quiet life. Being with me goes against everything you wanted before.”

  “What I want has changed over the last few weeks with you.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead. “I simply wanted you to know about Faya before we arrived at the Resistance base, as there might be some...awkwardness if she and Parin are there.”

  “Thank you for telling me.” She rested her head against my shoulder. “That must have been horrible for you. She cheated on you and betrayed your trust. No wonder you've been so resistant to this relationship.”

  I stroked her hair as I held her close. “This path the Gods have sent us on has been unexpected and difficult to accept sometimes, but I'm committed to you and to our duty. Never doubt that.”

  “I know.” Her eyes fixed on the collar of my shirt, and her voice came out hesitant. “Although I hope you’ll come to care for me as well.”

  “I already do.” Now that I’d revealed my past, speaking the words came easier. I slid my hand along the soft skin of her face, before tangling my fingers in the hair at the base of her neck. “Kira, I've always cared for you.”

  Her eyes flickered back up to my face, searching for the truth in it. “Always? I find that hard to believe.”

  “Always.” I drew her close and caught her mouth with mine, giving her a firm kiss. Her hands slid around my neck and her body pressed close, waking up parts of me that had been long neglected. I'd been celibate since Faya had left me eight years ago, but soon that would change. I couldn't deny I was looking forward to it, especially because it was Kira. She was the first woman I'd wanted after Faya broke my heart, and I wasn't going to let her go. Even if it meant sharing her with the other men. I'd find a way to accept it somehow...because I had to. Kira was my destiny, and that meant the other men were my destiny too.

  And she w
as worth it.

  6

  Kira

  As we flew across the sky, I thought about what Slade had revealed this morning. I understood now why he had such a problem with the idea of sharing me with the other men. Not only had he grown up in the Earth Realm, but he'd been betrayed by the woman he’d loved. Faya had tried to cover up for her mistake by claiming she still loved Slade and wanted to be with both men, but if she'd known Slade for so many years then she must have known that would never work. Slade was the most loyal, dependable man I knew—and he expected the same from the ones he loved. When she’d cheated on him she’d broken his trust along with his heart, and there would be no return from that.

  Our situation was completely different, and though he may understand that on an intellectual level, his heart was still wary. Underneath his tough exterior he worried he would be hurt again. I had to show him that would never happen with me. But even if I did somehow, could Slade ever really love someone again? Or had his past relationship with Faya robbed him of that forever?

  We stopped for a quick lunch, where we ate most of our reserves of bread, cheese, dried fruit, and preserved meat. I sat apart from the men with Brin, who couldn't believe she'd slept through the entire bandit encounter and had me repeat the story for her three times, before asking a hundred questions about my past.

  “They lived in the Air Realm back then,” I said, before biting off a piece of beef jerky. “Cadock rescued me. That's how I met him.”

  “Rescued you from what?” she asked, as she brushed a bug off her trousers.

  “I stopped in a small village looking for work. By then I'd been on the road for a year by myself and coin wasn't easy for me to come by. I didn't have a lot of useful skills, and I'd become pretty desperate for some food and shelter. Two men caught me and tried to kidnap me. I think they wanted to sell me.” I shuddered at the memory. “Cadock killed the men and saved my life. His father's gang took me in and taught me much of what I know now. If it weren't for them, I'd probably be dead by now. Or worse.”