Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series

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.”