He slammed his notebook shut. “You’re bold to come walking through the front door of my pub. I thought you’d be a bit more discreet, princess."
“I'm not a princess, and why should I be discreet? If I take you as a mate, everyone in the four Realms will know."
He steepled his long fingers. “I will admit, I’m surprised you came to me so quickly. I thought you’d debate and dawdle for a few days, before finally realizing this is inevitable.”
I huffed. “I don’t dawdle.”
A slow grin spread across his face. “I do like a woman of action.”
Something about the way he said it made me flush. What was it about this man that had me so out of sorts? I steeled myself and said, “I’ve decided to take you as my mate.”
“Obviously.”
His arrogance only enraged me further. “On one condition.”
He arched a dark eyebrow. “Oh?”
“You have to give up your criminal lifestyle.”
He tilted his head back and let out a laugh that sounded a lot like a roar. Then he cut it off short and asked, “Anything else?”
“You’ll need to move into the palace, of course.”
He waved a dismissive hand. "Thanks for the offer, but I'll pass."
"Excuse me? If you are to be my mate, you'll have to give up..." I gestured vaguely to the room around me. "All this and join me at the palace."
"No, I really don't."
My jaw dropped, even though I wanted to remain cool and collected. Who would turn down living at the palace and becoming a Dragon? "What other choice do you have?"
He stood, giving me a good view of his strong arms covered in black ink. “I’ll be your mate, don’t you fear, but I’m not giving anything up. I’ll remain here in the city, while you stay in the palace with your other men.”
“Do you even want to be my mate?” I asked, completely flabbergasted.
His eyes narrowed. “The Death Goddess chose me and I will serve her however she commands.”
“And she commanded you to be my mate, with everything that involves!” Gods, why was he so damn frustrating?
"Was that all you came for?" He picked up the notebook on his desk and put it on a bookshelf behind him, then turned back to me. "I was hoping you wanted to sample the goods."
“What? No! Why would you possibly think that?”
"Too bad. I made the bed and everything." His eyes moved to something behind me, and I followed his gaze to a bed large enough for two. When I’d entered the room, I’d had nothing but eyes for him, and now I saw that this office also served as a bedchamber, probably a temporary one.
I was suddenly extremely aware that I was alone in a room with a criminal and a bed. I’d eventually need to have sex with this man, but he would not be my first. I'd kill him before that happened, Death Goddess be damned. I was more than capable of doing that.
“Go back to your palace.” He walked around the desk and slowly approached me. I held my ground, unwilling to give him an inch. "You may be the princess of this city, but I'm the king. One day, you'll bow to me too.”
“Never.”
He was so close now I could smell him. Leather, mixed with something faint and spicy. Something dangerous. Our eyes were locked together, and I found myself breathing faster, my heart pounding. Even worse, his body called to mine. Heat from his chest ran across my breasts, making my nipples harden under my leather top. I wanted him to touch me, while at the same time I wanted to push him away.
His head tilted down and he seemed to breathe me in, and for a second I thought he would press his lips to mine. I held my breath, waiting to see what he would do. But then he stepped back and turned away.
“Run home, little princess, before your watchdogs realize you’re slumming it here with us criminals.”
Unbelievable. "If you won't come to the palace, I don't see how we can be mates."
"I'm sure we'll figure something out.” He sat behind his desk again and leaned back in his chair, crossing his tattooed arms behind his head. “Come back when you’re ready to head to the Death Temple for our bonding.”
I grit my teeth, but I had nothing more to say to this awful man. I turned and stomped toward the door, ready to be far away from him.
As soon I touched the knob, he said, “Wait.”
I turned back and saw him stalking toward me, his long black hair flowing behind him, making my breath catch. “Yes?”
He brushed past me and opened the door. “I’ll show you out the back.”
I rolled my eyes and followed him down the hallway. “Why, don’t want me to see more of your illegal activities?”
“I think you’ve seen enough for one night.”
He opened a door at the far end and a cool rush of outdoor air flew inside, along with the sound of many voices. As I started forward, Varek threw a large, inked arm in front of me. “Stop.”
“What is it?” I asked.
“Something you should stay away from.”
“Why?” I craned my head, trying to see out. “What’s happening out there?”
I pushed past him and he sighed and let me go. I stepped outside and saw a large crowd gathered around a person in a featureless black mask standing on a crate beside a statue of my mother in dragon form. Other people in gray masks stood around in support, staring out at the people gathered there.
The person on the crate raised a fist. “For too long, humans have been powerless, while the elementals and the Dragons use their magic to control the world. We all know this peace with the elementals won’t last. There are reports every day of elementals and shades attacking human settlements in the outer reaches, and where are the Dragons? In their lofty tower, lording over us. We can’t rely on them to protect us any longer. They’ve sided with the enemy. We need to defend ourselves and rise up against the oppressors. It’s time to put humans first again!”
My jaw dropped as I stared at the leader, but then Varek grabbed my hood and yanked it down over my head. “It would be best if you weren't seen."
"Why? Trying to protect me from them?" I hadn't expected that from him.
He gave me a dark glare. "I don’t want to lose my mate before claiming her.”
I shook my head at him and moved forward, trying to get a better look. I’d never heard this kind of talk before. The Dragons were the protectors of the Four Realms. Their while purpose was to keep humans safe. Did these people truly believe they were doing such a bad job of it?
“We are the Unseen, but we will not be ignored any longer!” The speaker on the crate spread their arms, and flames burst forth from their fingertips. I gasped and actually stumbled back. That wasn’t possible. I could count on one hand the number of people with fire magic, and none of them would be saying something like this. For a second I wondered if this was some kind of prank and it was Zain up there, or my father, but that didn’t make any sense.
Fists went up in the air with the chant, “Humans first!” I gazed around, shocked by the vehemence in their voices and the anger on their faces, as much as the leader’s fire display. Varek grabbed my arm as the crowd started throwing bottles and rocks at the statue of Kira. He had to drag me out of there, and I was too stunned and horrified to do anything but go along with him.
“That was a trick, right? That person didn’t really use magic?” I asked, as we turned a corner and went out of view of the crowd. I could still hear them in the distance, along with the sound of another bottle smashing. I cringed as I stumbled forward. “Do they really believe all that?”
Varek didn’t answer me, but kept leading me down alleys and dark streets I’d never visited before, until the gates of the palace came into view. Only then did he stop.
He released the grip on my arm, and I absently rubbed the spot where his hand had been. I looked up at him, realizing that he’d gotten me out of a dangerous situation and escorted me home. Maybe he wasn’t as bad as I’d thought.
“You know where to find me,” he said. “Try
to be a little less obvious next time.”
My eyes narrowed. “I don’t need to hide or sneak around. I’m the Ascendant.”
His laugh mocked me. “Did you learn nothing from that rally? The streets of Soulspire are no longer safe for you.”
I could only gape at him as he slipped back into the shadows and left me alone with my dark thoughts.
The guards didn't react as I walked through the gates. Nor did the guards at the door, or the two I passed going up the stairs to my wing of the palace.
When I walked into my chambers, though, my mates blinked several times at me. "Where have you been?" Erroh asked. "We thought you were in bed."
They sat around the living area, drinking what looked like ale. I shrugged off my cloak. "I couldn't sleep, so I went to talk to Varek."
"What?" Zain asked. "Why would you do that alone?"
I strode forward and took Erroh's drink from his hand, gulping it down. I needed it, after what I’d just been through. “To take him as my mate, of course.”
“I thought you were going to make your decision in the morning,” Parin said.
“I didn’t want to delay our trip to the Air Temple, and besides, there was no real decision to make. I have to take him as my mate. Unleashing the Death Goddess upon the world is not an option.”
“But—” Erroh started.
I held up a hand. “It’s not just that. I feel it. The mate-bond. Just like I feel it with all of you. There’s no denying the Gods’ will. I have to do this.”
The men glanced at each other with wary expressions, before Carth finally cracked a grin and said, “Well, the more the merrier, in my opinion. I’m just eager to get started.”
“Is Varek even willing to be your mate?” Zain asked.
“He’s going to be difficult,” I said with a sigh. “He doesn’t want to leave the Quickblades or move into the palace. But there’s something else I need to tell you.”
“What is it?” Parin asked.
“When I left Varek’s pub, I encountered a crowd with all these people wearing gray masks that covered their entire faces. Their leader stood on a crate and gave a speech about how humans were oppressed by the elementals and the Dragons and it was time to put humans first again.”
"Oh." Erroh nodded his head. "I've heard of them. The Unseen. They used to be a small human rights group, very anti-elemental, but otherwise harmless. They’ve recently been growing in numbers in Soulspire though and have become something more like a cult, so Jasin’s had some of the Silver Guard keeping an eye on them.”
“I didn’t see any Silver Guard tonight when they were throwing things at the statue of my mother,” I said, clenching my fists at the memory.
“They did that?” Zain asked.
“Yes, and there’s more too." I sank into the only empty chair. The room had been designed to hold five of us comfortably. We'd have to rethink it if Varek joined us. "I saw the leader controlling fire."
Zain shook his head. "Not possible. Only Kira, Jasin, and I can control fire, along with the High Priestess of the Fire Temple. I strongly doubt any of them would be doing such a thing.”
"He's right,” Parin said. “Humans have never been able to control the elements. The Gods do not favor them that way.”
"It could've been a trick," Erroh suggested. "They could've contrived something to make the crowd think they had magic to get a reaction from them.”
“That’s what I thought too, but it seemed so…real,” I said.
“It can’t be real.” Zain reached over and stroked my arm. “I’m sure the rally was upsetting to witness, but you must put it from your mind and focus on what is important—bonding with us so that you can become a Dragon.”
“He’s right,” Carth said. “Tomorrow you’ll start going to the temples and we’ll put all this from your mind.”
I nodded slowly. Between Varek and the demonstration, my stomach was all twisted up in knots. We had to leave first thing in the morning, and me brooding over Varek or the human wielding fire wouldn't help me bond with my mates.
I said good night to my men and retreated to my bed alone, but no matter how I tried, I couldn't get what I’d seen off my mind. Sleep was a long time coming.
Chapter Eight
After some debate, we decided it would be faster and easier if only Erroh and I went to the Air Temple while everyone else stayed behind. There was nothing in the books that said all my mates had to be there for the bonding, after all. Additionally, the Air Temple was to the east, while the Water Temple—our next destination—was to the west, so we’d have to come back to Soulspire anyway. My other mates weren’t thrilled about it, but the journey would take Auric, the fastest of the Dragons, a full day of flying as it was. He’d volunteered to take me, as the Air Dragon, and none of my other fathers had argued. Slade seemed relieved he wouldn’t have to go, actually.
Just after dawn, we stood out in the courtyard with Auric already in his dragon form, his golden scales gleaming bright under the morning sunlight. I held up a hand to cover a yawn, wishing I’d managed more sleep last night. Or any night since my Ascension.
I was quickly saying goodbye to my other parents and my mates, while Erroh said farewell to his own family. Cadock and Faya took turns hugging him, then stepped back beside Parin.
Faya smiled at them both. “It’s so incredible and…surprising that the Gods chose each of you for Sora’s mates.”
“Yes, it was a shock when we were both chosen.” Parin cleared his throat and turned to his brother. “Good luck at the Air Temple.”
“I’m not sure we need luck, but thanks,” Erroh said, with a slight frown.
“We’re very proud of you two,” Cadock said, clasping a hand on both of his sons’ shoulders. Although Parin was technically his adopted son, Cadock had never treated him any differently from his other children.
I turned away from them and hugged Carth next. “Enjoy yourself,” he whispered, then pressed a kiss to my neck.
“Are you sure we can’t come with you?” Zain asked. “Although I grew up in the Fire Temple, I’ve never visited the others.”
Kira shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I need Sora’s other fathers’ help. We received reports this morning that the elementals on Divine Isle are demanding more land in the four Realms, and we need to travel there to speak with them before any fighting breaks out. Especially with the rumors of elementals going missing fueling their anger.”
“Besides, none of us want to be there when it happens,” Jasin said, wrinkling his nose.
Reven rolled his eyes. “Sora’s a grown woman now. We knew this would happen.”
“Doesn’t mean we have to like it,” Slade muttered.
“She’ll be fine,” Mom said, shaking her head with an amused smile.
I wanted nothing more than to escape this awkward moment where everyone was talking about me having sex without actually saying it out loud. Thank the Gods all of my parents weren’t coming. Having one at the temple would be bad enough.
“Let’s go,” I said, taking Erroh’s hand and practically dragging him toward Auric. We climbed onto my father’s hard, scaly back, and then waved at everyone and shouted our goodbyes, as Auric lifted up into the air with a flap of his great golden wings.
Flying was my favorite thing in the world. My fathers always loved taking me for rides, soaring high above the city with the sunshine soaking into our skin. As a kid, they took me all over the four Realms with them, even to the elementals’ Divine Isle, and I was completely comfortable riding on a dragon for long hours. But whereas I grew up with dragon-riding as my main form of transportation, Erroh and my other mates had not.
Erroh was probably the only one who had ever ridden a dragon before, actually. As kids, we’d sometimes gotten a quick ride from one of my dads, but it had been many years since then.
Erroh seemed to remember though. He wrapped his arms around me and let out a loud whoop as we ascended high into the sky and zoomed over Soulspire. H
is joy was contagious, and I found myself grinning as the wind buffeted my face and tugged at my tied-back hair. His arms squeezed me tight, and I leaned back against him. If it wasn't for the fact that we were sitting on top of Auric, I would've found the experience of finally being able to rest in his arms very alluring.
Since Soulspire was located at the cross point of all four Realms, we entered the Air Realm immediately and soared over forests that changed to rolling hills and then to sharp mountains. We stopped briefly for lunch on a rocky cliff, and while we munched on packed bread, meat, and cheese, Auric told us about what it was like when he traveled to the Air Temple to bond with my mother, from riding on camels to finding the temple destroyed and the priests killed to fighting two of the previous Dragons in the air. I’d heard the story many times before, of course, but Erroh hung onto every word. Then we set off again, flying over the barren desert of Sandstorm Valley while the relentless sun beat down on us.
A few hours later, after the sun had set, the Air Temple came into view—a large sand-colored tower that reached high into the clouds, surrounded by a small lake with palm trees. It was the only thing in sight for miles amid the endless, empty desert. During my parents’ rule, the Air Temple had been rebuilt and a new High Priestess had been chosen. I’d been there a few times with my parents, but things were different now that I was coming here with a new purpose.
“Is that where we’ll meet the Air God?” Erroh asked, shielding his eyes to peer at the temple’s grounds.
“No, it will be on the roof,” Auric’s dragon voice rumbled.
After we bonded and I gained Erroh’s powers, the Air God would come and speak to us. For my parents, they’d answered a few questions and gave some cryptic information, but I had no idea what they would say to me.
Auric landed in front of the Air Temple and kicked up some sand with his wings. High Priestess Blair, a dark-skinned woman in her fifties with gray-streaked black hair, approached us with a kind smile. She wore a loose yellow robe with bare shoulders, while her mates trailed behind her. Like me and my mom, the High Priestesses each got four mates to serve as their priests.
Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series Page 69
