Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series

We summoned Jasin and Slade, while Auric asked for a meeting with his parents. A short time later we were led to a small parlor decorated in purple and gold, with small flaky pastries and tea already waiting for us.

“This is a bad idea,” Jasin muttered, as we sat down.

“My gut tells me this is the right thing to do,” I said. One thing I’d learned from a life on the run was to trust my gut, even when it was full of nervous energy, like now.

“I agree with Kira,” Slade said. “No more secrets.”

Reven leaned against the wall instead of joining us on the sofas. “There are always more secrets.”

The King stormed into the room with his tall, commanding presence, followed by his wife and Auric. King Terel swept his gaze across the room and asked, “What is this about? My son says you have something to tell me?”

Reven stepped forward and swept into a low, graceful bow. “Your majesty, I’m a member of the Assassin’s Guild. Today I met with a local contact to gather news and check in, but once there, I was offered a job: to end your life.”

King Terel’s eyes narrowed at Reven. “Why are you telling me this?”

“Because the one who ordered the assassination was none other than the Golden Dragon.”

The King’s hands clenched into fists. “That snake.”

“Would Isen really do such a thing?” Queen Hala asked.

“It seems so,” Reven said.

“Why would the Dragons want you dead?” Auric asked.

“Isen has been pushing me to conduct regular raids and public executions on the Resistance members, but I refuse,” King Terel said. “I won’t have my people living in fear all the time, or turn death into a spectacle.”

“That’s what they do in the Fire Realm,” Jasin said.

The King nodded. “So I’ve heard. But here in the Air Realm we value freedom and peace.”

“Do you support the Resistance?” I asked.

The King turned his intimidating gaze on me. “No, but we have ordered our guards and the Onyx Army here to look the other way on their activities sometimes. Still, I can’t imagine the Dragons wanting me dead over that. What will my death accomplish?”

“The Dragons probably believe your heir would be easier to manipulate,” Slade said.

King Terel rubbed his chin. “If so, they’re right. Niyal’s wife is pregnant with their first child. He’d do anything to protect them.”

“What are we going to do?” Queen Hala asked with a sigh. “We can’t give in to Isen’s demands.”

“Once the Assassin’s Guild realizes I’ve failed in my assignment, they’ll send someone else,” Reven said. “You might want to leave the city and go somewhere safer for now.”

King Terel snorted. “I won’t hide. This is my kingdom and my home. Let them try to take me down.”

“And I’m staying with you,” Queen Hala said, as she took his hand.

He looked into her eyes and his face softened. “My love, it isn’t safe. You should join Niyal at the palace in Mistvale.”

She shook her head. “You’re the one they want dead. I’m not leaving your side. But how can we end this? We can’t openly defy the Dragons.”

“Not yet, but that might change soon,” Auric said.

King Terel turned toward him. “How so?”

Auric drew in a breath and straightened up. “Mother, father, there is no easy way to say this, but new Dragons have been chosen by the Gods. The five of us.”

“New Dragons?” King Terel asked with a frown. “Is that possible?”

“It was surprising to us too, but it’s true,” Auric continued. “That’s why I had to leave suddenly, to find Kira, who will one day be the Black Dragon. And it’s why we must leave again in a few days to head to the Air Temple so that I can become the Golden Dragon.”

Queen Hala blinked at her son. “I’m sorry, I don’t quite understand. How can you be a Dragon?”

“I’m not a Dragon yet,” Auric explained patiently. “That’s why I need to head to the Air Temple.”

“But how did this happen?” she asked, sounding completely baffled.

“The Air God came to me and chose me. I don’t really know why.”

King Terel crossed his arms. “Son, this all sounds very far-fetched. I’m not sure what game you’re playing at, but I don’t think it’s helping the situation.”

“We need to show them,” Jasin said.

“Here?” I asked. “Now?”

“When else?” He opened his hand and a bright flame flickered into life, making the royals gasp.

Slade lifted a wooden table three feet in the air, while Reven grumbled but conjured water in front of us. Finally, Auric created a strong wind that lifted all the papers off the table and made them fly around the room before landing again in a pile in front of the King, whose mouth hung open.

“I know this is hard to believe, but it’s the truth,” Auric said. “We’re going to be the next Dragons, and Kira here is the future Black Dragon.”

“This is incredible,” King Terel said. “I didn’t realize the Dragons could be replaced. I thought they were eternal.”

“Everyone does,” I said. “But we recently learned that the Dragons were only supposed to rule for a short while before being replaced, to make sure they never became too powerful. The current Dragons somehow found a way around that and have wiped out any trace of the previous Dragons’ existence.”

“You said the Air God came to you?” Queen Hala asked her son. “And gave you these powers?”

Auric nodded. “Yes, outside in the courtyard one morning. He chose me, though I’m still not sure why.”

She rested her hand on his shoulder. “You should have told us this from the beginning instead of running off without a word. We were all so worried about you.”

“The Air God instructed me not to tell anyone. Besides, would you have believed me?”

She sighed. “No. I hardly believe it now.”

He patted his mother’s hand. “And now you see why I had to end my engagement with Brin. My destiny is with Kira and her other mates. We need to visit each of the temples to unlock our powers, and then we’ll be able to challenge the Dragons. Do we have your support?”

“I’ll do whatever I can to help,” King Terel said.

“But what will we do about this assassination?” the Queen asked.

“Spread word that an attack was made but the assassin was defeated,” Reven said. “That will buy you some time, at least.”

“You may have to pretend to go along with the Golden Dragon’s demands for a while,” Auric said. “Until we can be sure the family is safe.”

The King nodded. “It pains me to do such a thing, but I suppose I can have my guards do a few harmless searches for Resistance members. I’m putting my foot down on public executions though.”

“When do you need to leave for the Air Temple?” Queen Hala asked.

“As soon as possible,” I said.

She nodded. “We’ll begin preparations immediately for your departure, but you must stay for the ball. I insist.”

Auric bowed his head. “We’ll attend the ball, but then we’re leaving the next morning.”

“It’s settled then,” the King said, rising to his full height. “Thank you for informing us of the assassination plot, and for telling us the truth about why you left. Now if you’ll excuse us, we have some plans to set in motion.” He moved toward the door with his wife at his side, but then he paused. “Auric, would you join us?”

Auric nodded and left the room with one glance back at me. I swallowed the anxiety brimming inside me, hoping we’d done the right thing by telling his parents who we truly were.