The Prince of Night

by L J Andrews

  Amber met his eye, but then her head whipped toward the back rim of our small campsite. “Do you feel that?”

  The hairs on my arms stood on end. “Feel what?” I asked, glancing in the same direction.

  “There was a shock in the air. It felt like…it reminded me of something,” she whispered.

  “What?” I asked, kneeling at her side. “I didn’t feel anything.”

  Amber shook her head, running a hand over the bridge of her nose as she focused. “Such a strange thought. I haven’t thought of it in years.” Amber’s fierce eyes locked with mine. “King Nag never took the amber stone,” she said softly.

  My eyes narrowed. “He didn’t? I never even thought to ask you, I suppose I just assumed…what are you thinking, Amber?”

  She smiled widely. “I just had the strongest thought to get my bloodline stone. I know where it’s hidden. Rochelle told me.”

  Ced perked up, his dark eyes shimmering as though stars were embedded in the blackness. “An elemental stone?”

  Amber nodded. My chest tightened, and I looked to where Amber’s eyes had drifted in the distance.

  “I agree,” I said. “Amber, that’s wonderful news. You don’t think your mage took it?”

  Amber shrugged, her face falling slightly. “I suppose it’s possible she went for the stone after we separated.”

  “Well, it’s a good start,” Ced interjected. “We can’t just assume she took it. We should go see for ourselves. You’re rather brilliant,” he said toward Amber with a bow of his head.

  Amber seemed pleased. For the first time since fleeing from Nag, a peace settled between us. Sleep even came for a few blissful hours. But with a jolt, I woke to a loud scuffle about our camp.

  Ced was already in his true form and leaning over a dark, slumped shape in the dark. Amber groaned and raised her head, startling slightly when I shifted forms and rushed to Ced’s side. In another two breaths, Amber’s wings brushed along my scales when she stomped to my side.

  Magnus, Ced’s voice opened to all of us. Were you victorious?

  Magnus’s body was injured. I marveled at the size of the lindworm warrior. Like Ced, he had two powerful back haunches, though his body was longer, and swirled in a loop along the earth. Magnus’s wings were tall ebony shields across his thick back, but the skin across his bones was thinner than Ced’s. I saw the way his wing bent at a strange direction from a break, but his breaths were rapid with a thrill, not injury. Many were lost. I’m here to report four of your evil brothers are nothing but ash.

  Ced blew out a stream of smoke and nudged Magnus’s enormous form into sitting. Then Nag only has two loyal sons, and one who will stop at nothing to end him.

  Magnus nodded his large head in agreement. Many mates were lost, though Prince Olc’s mother Laina has come with us. There are nearly thirty warriors left to your command, Prince Ced. We will follow you.

  Ced’s jaws allowed a soft blast of blue flames to ignite the ground briefly before fading into the darkness. And you will have my loyalty, Magnus. You will not have a reason to fear the mistreatment and brutality many of our people have suffered at the hands of my father.

  Magnus released a raspy chortle that sounded strange coming from such an enormous wyvern. His yellow eyes locked with mine in the night. What are your thoughts, Queen of Elementals?

  Stepping next to Magnus, I lowered next to the lindworm. We have a hint of an elemental stone, I said with conviction. We plan to reunite with our warriors and mages. Then we will bring an end to Nag and the dark High Priest.

  Magnus narrowed his glowing eyes. How are you certain your mages can stand against the dark High Priest? He has mastered the power of the night and still maintains some elemental strength.

  Amber stepped next to me, her voice rumbling with urgency in my mind. Magnus, our warriors have joined with the High Priestess of the elemental wyverns. Queen Jade’s mage has risen as the new elemental High Priest. We have more power than the dark High Priest. With the added energy from the stones of the elements, we will be victorious.

  Ced chuckled through our mental connection. I told you, Magnus, aren’t you glad you joined our cause?

  Magnus scoffed and tossed his strong head about. I would have joined with a fraction of the power you’ve described. When daylight comes, we will go where you say. Be forewarned, the dark High Priest is searching for us all. We must move swiftly when the light is brightest and the night energy is weakest. His eyes fell to Amber, then back to me. We will fight no matter the time of day, but you must understand, we place much of our power with you and your elemental energy.

  I shook my head, puffing out the molten breath I loved so much. We are joined now. Allies, Magnus. I will fight for your lives as I hope you’ll fight for any mage and any elemental wyvern.

  On my honor, Magnus grunted.

  Wyverns didn’t smile in true form, but the energy surging through my heart told me each royal, each hidden warrior in the trees beamed with a new hope.

  We traveled through the following day, resting at sunset and encasing the small army of lindworms in night energy and my manipulation before taking flight when the moon was high in the sky. It weakened me as we traveled to keep my protection energy wrapping around each wyvern in the sky. I tried to manipulate any unwanted attention away from our flight—there were ripples of energy in the sky. I knew Bron was searching for us; Nag was certainly murderous in our departure. But no threat, wherever it may have been hiding in the shadows, came close.

  The sun was daring to peek over the horizon when Amber bellowed loudly in the gray sky. Her breath shot a stream of fire before she plummeted toward the earth. We’re close. It’s here, somewhere. I feel it. Her voice screamed through each of us.

  I darted after Amber, feeling the breeze cascade like a cool waterfall over my scales until I watched Amber fold from her wyvern form before she met the ground. Amber landed smoothly on her two legs and darted around the area. The land had less trees, and the air was warmer. Not hot by any means, but certainly warmer. We were atop a mountain coated in sage and juniper trees, and the earth smelled fresh, like a cold rain had just fallen.

  I shifted and enjoyed the way the air felt against my skin when the light gown coated my body. Ced shifted at my side, followed my numerous lindworms. Magnus towered over everyone. The lead warrior had a long, black beard that struck him in the center of the chest. His eyes were like midnight, but had the same starry gleam as Prince Ced’s. The man was a mammoth, even rivaling Raffi, I thought. Laina was surprisingly beautiful. A black cloak draped her shoulders, and her dark eyes had rings of gold around her irises. Her hair was long, striking her hips when it fell loose over her shoulders. Her face was stern, but she nodded at me when she met my eye and followed Amber and Ced as they scanned the area for the stone’s energy.

  After hours of searching, and exhausting protective energy spent, Amber plopped to the ground, covering her face with her palms. “I feel it,” she muttered. “I know the stone is here, but I can’t find it.”

  Ced lowered to his haunches and whispered gently. “Let’s rest,” he offered. “Then we’ll start again.”

  Amber nodded. I linked arms with my fellow royal and smiled softly. “Come with me? There is a stream just down there. I don’t know about you, but my body is in desperate need to cool.”

  Amber sighed and smiled. She seemed relieved at the thought since all of us were coated in dirt, sweat, and the stench of sleeping outdoors for days.

  “May I join you?” Laina asked. “I may be part of the warriors now, but I certainly don’t have to smell like them.”

  I laughed and nodded.

  “Don’t go far, my energy is weak in the day,” Ced commanded. “Jade, I can count on your manipulation to protect them?”

  “Yes,” I stated, though I could feel my own strength weakening. The shock of icy water would help.

  Laina dipped her long ebony hair into the stream and was quiet. I sensed she was uneasy around tw
o elemental royals.

  “You are Olc’s mother?”

  Laina nodded. “Though that is not what I am to be known as,” Laina muttered bitterly. “I am Nag’s mate. That was all I was good for. I know my child was corrupted—Olc has no love for me. And I have no love for the king. But I confess, a part of my heart was pleased to know my son was not killed. Magnus tells me such sympathies are treacherous.”

  Amber huffed. “Is Magnus a father?”

  “He was,” Laina said softly. “Before Nag killed his mate and children when Magnus was imprisoned. Olc would do the same, I’m certain. I know Magnus means well and wants me to understand my own son would kill me without a thought, but I can’t change my mother’s heart, I suppose.”

  I nodded, feeling a wave of sympathy crash over me for the lindworm. It was such a strange, unsettling sort of feeling to have sympathy for a serpent. My entire life was spent despising the lindworm wyverns, yet now I was feeling an odd friendship budding with the warriors and Laina.

  “We won’t fault you for having a soul, Laina,” Amber said, washing tracks of dirt from her arms.

  “I’m loyal to you,” Laina quickly offered. “I believe in Ced’s plan. Just know, I will face my son with a broken heart should the time come.”

  We settled into peaceful silence. The water did strengthen my energy. My hair was damp around my shoulders, dripping frosty water down my spine and adding to my invigorating energy. I let my gown fall back around my legs and moved toward the slope of the stream when my stomach plummeted to my feet. Amber and Laina jolted to life at my side.

  It was Ced’s shout that sent my pulse racing.

  I couldn’t see him, but the way the prince called my name sent me bolting through the trees. Though I had seen nothing, I knew in the folds of my mind—we were under attack.

  Chapter 8

  The Mage

  We flew in the opposite direction from where the signal came. The further we went, the more my stomach rolled in sick waves. It seemed wrong. Thane and the warriors flew swift and direct, but each moment that passed was time that Jade could be in harm’s way.

  No one slept, though we soared through the night. When the sun brightened the new day, I felt a noticeable shift in the temperature. The air was dry, still wintry, but warmer than the warrior’s cave. Thane led the warriors above the clouds when cities littered the mountain ranges below and we were at greater risk for the unsuspecting humans glancing up and seeing an entire army of dragons.

  My grip tightened around the hilt of one blade. The tension was so heavy on my chest, it was as if I were buried beneath piles of heavy stones. Gaia must have sensed my frustration. She glanced over her shoulder, and with great ease, she switched positions on the back of Thane’s neck so she was facing me. It would seem she wasn’t a stranger to riding on the backs of dragons.

  Her hands wrapped around mine. When Gaia released her loving, warmth directly into my skin it was nearly impossible to remain clenched and tight.

  “This is the right thing to do before facing King Nag. Teagan, Nag and the lindworms can harness massive amounts of night energy. I’ve battled them, and though I never speak it out loud, their power frightens even me. We need as much elemental strength as we can.”

  I smirked and shouted next to her ear so she might hear over the whipping wind. “For a second, I thought you were going to tell me not to worry about Jade.”

  Gaia chuckled and shouted in return. “You forget son, I have a seal on my back. What a pointless thing to tell you not to worry about the one you love. I know you want to go to Nag now, but showing our faces around lindworms will reignite an ancient war. We need to be as prepared as possible, or none of us, including Ariana, will be leaving alive.”

  I smiled and clasped her hands tighter. “You called her by her real name,” I muttered.

  Gaia nodded and shrugged. “I never got used to using the nicknames for the bloodlines. It seems she has accepted it, so I suppose I should call her as she wishes.” Gaia met my eyes with ferocity. “We’ll get her back, Teagan. I promise.”

  Clearing my throat, I squeezed her palm and held on until she was safely turned back around and clasping Thane’s neck.

  The sun was high in the sky when Dash blazed next to Thane, drawing Rochelle right next to us. She cupped her hands over her mouth and screamed across at Gaia and me. “We’re here,” she shouted. “I feel it near.”

  Thane released a fierce roar into the sky, and in one beautiful unit, the warriors dove toward the earth. I closed my eyes, embracing the rush of wind that only energized the power bursting in my veins. We would find the stone, then we would find Jade. Sheathing the blades, I inched toward the edge of Thane’s back, and when the ground was drawing near, I leapt off, rolling when I struck the dusty mountainside. Gaia waited until Thane landed before she slid to the ground, and the moment her feet touched the dirt, Thane shifted to human form. Gaia handed him a long sleeved black shirt, as did most of the mages to the warriors after they shifted, since their chests were bare and the cold air was still there. Thane tethered his sword to his waist and moved quickly toward Rochelle.

  She smiled and nodded her greeting when Thane came near.

  “Good to see you once more,” Thane said.

  “And you,” she said with a trembling respect in her voice.

  Thane glanced around at the sage and brush coated mountainside. “I recognize the place, but you have the connection with the stone. I do not. Do you remember exactly where you placed it?”

  “I thought you hid the stones?” Raffi asked Thane once he tugged on a tight, brown tunic over his head.

  “When I met Rochelle,” Thane explained. “I thought it better for her to do the honor.”

  Rochelle placed her hands on the ground, her fingertips digging deep into the sandy soil. When she closed her eyes, the pale markings on her arms shimmered beneath the sunlight. I’d come to recognize the energy surges, and though Rochelle was speaking to the earth, I was engulfed in the power of the place.

  “It’s down the hillside,” Rochelle breathed, a smile breaking over her lips. “I can feel it close, but I must say, I warded it well.”

  “What does that mean?” I mumbled when everyone quickly followed after Rochelle.

  “It means it can take some time to find it.” I jumped when Athika was at my side. Mitch followed behind her, his curly hair standing on end from the long night ride on Sapphire’s back.

  “This is the coolest thing ever. Everyone always talks about these stones, but actually seeing one—do you think it can do things, like make me a mage?” Mitch breathed at my side.

  Athika chuckled darkly. “Mitch, you wish you could be so lucky. You must be elite to be born a mage.”

  He glared at her but smiled. “I do wish I could be lucky, thanks for rubbing it in.”

  “Rochelle most likely warded the stone from even elemental mages and wyverns,” Athika said. “She can feel it, but I would still wager it will take some time until we find its exact location.”

  “We don’t have time,” I grumbled.

  Athika touched my arm, but I didn’t feel her same desire as I once had in touch. I admitted now all I sensed was friendship in Athika’s energy. “Hey,” she said. “This is what we need to do to get Jade and Amber back safely. Teagan, I was young during the divide, but I remember the darkness that filled the castle the night Nag attacked. He is dangerously strong, and with the dark High Priest—I can’t imagine what horrors lie in his house.”

  “Hey, Athika,” Mitch muttered. “I don’t think that’s helping Teagan feel better, telling him how terrible the place where his girl is being held prisoner might be.”

  Athika flushed and bit her bottom lip, offering me a sympathetic glance. “Sorry, I was trying to reassure you that finding the amber stone will help more than you might think.”

  “I get it, I just…I’m suffocating,” I admitted. “I need to get her out of there. I feel it so strongly that Bron—maybe it’s Nag—
but there is a dark energy close by.”

  Athika nodded. “I feel it too. We’ll move as quickly as we can. You will be the most help to Rochelle. As the jade mage, you sense all the elements.”

  Sheathing my blades, I rushed after Rochelle as she jogged toward a lower point on the mountain. The sand was damp from melting snow, but the air smelled fresh. The further along the mountain we went, the stranger the energy became. Shrugging away any thoughts that Nag or Bron could be close by, I followed Gaia’s advice and focused. It was difficult to single out one element when the entire area reached a piece of my power. I felt the air still heavy with water, the wind brushed against my face, and the earth was screaming countless voices.

  Most of the warriors had shifted to human form, but a few of the larger dragons encircled us in their true forms. Thane commanded stealth, and the dragons crept with remarkable agility through the terrain, hardly making any noise.

  Rochelle took her time. Every so often she would kneel on the ground, digging her fingers through the grass, sand, or shrubs. Gaia drifted deeper into the trees when the junipers and desert willows grew thicker. I took the opposite side. Mages filtered through the rows of warriors and helped find any glimmer of the amber stone.

  “This is familiar,” Thane whispered. “But there’s something else here. Do you sense anything?”

  I stood at his shoulder and scanned the area. In the distance, I could hear water from a stream. Energy came and went, as though it were filtering through a window opening and closing. There was a burst then it would be gone. The energy was familiar and different in one breath. “I feel something,” I admitted after a pause, “but it’s different than elemental energy. I don’t like this.” My voice was low and directed at Thane only.

  Thane glanced at me. I knew he valued me as his son, but when he supported my emotions as an equal in this fight, I knew he trusted me as a leader too. “We move carefully. Keep your eyes open.”