Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series

When we returned from shopping, Brin slipped back to her rooms, but I stopped when I saw some familiar horses outside the palace—along with some familiar faces as well. Calla, the High Priestess of the Fire Temple, was dismounting, along with her four handsome mates. I rushed toward them and called out, “You’re here!”

Calla smiled at me as she tucked back her pale blond hair. “Hello, Kira. I’m glad to see you’re doing well.”

“I’m so relieved you’re all safe,” I said. “Thank you for bringing the horses. How did you know we’d be here?”

“We knew you were heading to the Air Temple and assumed you would stop here first. Word spread that the King’s youngest son had returned to the palace, so I thought I would leave the horses here for safe keeping. Although I presumed you would already be on your way to the Temple by now.”

“We’re leaving in two days.” I sighed at the reminder. “I wanted to leave sooner, but there have been some…complications.”

Calla nodded. “When you get to the Air Temple, please say hello to the High Priestess Nabi for me. She and I have corresponded many times, though we’ve never met in person.”

“I will. But what are you all doing here and not at your own Temple?” I remembered Sark flying over the Fire Temple as we left. “Are you fleeing Sark?”

“Not exactly. He questioned us extensively for information on who you are and where you’re going next, but I refused to tell him anything. We decided it wasn’t safe at the Temple anymore after that.”

I shuddered at the thought of facing Sark. “I’m so glad he didn’t hurt you.”

“Oh, he wouldn’t dare. You see, Sark is my grandfather.”

“Your what?” I tried not to cringe back in horror.

She chuckled softly. “That was my reaction too when I found out.”

“I’m sorry,” I said, my head spinning from the news. “I’m just surprised Sark let your relation stop him. He’s always seemed so heartless and cruel.”

“Yes, he is. But he’s never hurt me or my mates, despite his threats over the years. He’s never let the other Dragons harm us either. Perhaps it’s a sign there’s still some humanity left in him after all.”

“I doubt that,” I muttered. “I didn’t even know the Dragons could have children.”

“It seems they can, though I’ve never heard of any others like me, and I don’t believe the Black Dragon can have any herself.”

I’d never even considered children, though I should have when I’d slept with Jasin. The Black Dragon had ruled for hundreds of years with no children born to her, so in the back of my mind I must have known I could not become pregnant. Now that it was confirmed, a heavy sadness settled over me. Having a child wasn’t something I’d thought about much growing up and living on the run, but after meeting my four mates, I couldn’t help but wonder what it would be like to have children with each of them. Not anytime soon, but after we’d completed the momentous tasks ahead of us and our lives had calmed down. Would we never get that chance?

It mattered little, since I had more immediate problems to focus on. Sark knew about our existence, and even if he didn’t know who we were or where we were going, it was only a matter of time before he was able to track us down.

After I bid Calla farewell and told her where she could find their boat, I sought out Auric, who was in the library with his head in a large, ancient-looking book, while a map was spread out beside him.

“Calla has arrived with our horses,” I said.

He let out a relieved sigh. “Thank the Gods she is safe.”

“She didn’t tell Sark anything about us, but it won’t be long before he realizes where we are. Are we still planning to leave for the Air Temple the morning after the ball?”

He tapped his fingers on the book idly. “Yes. I’ve been making preparations, but I think we should ask Brin if she will go with us.”

“Brin?” I shook my head. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea.”

“We can trust her with the truth and we could use her help. No one knows the route to the Air Temple better than Brin.”

“We agreed not to tell anyone after what happened with Jasin’s family.”

“Yes, but then we told my parents.”

“That was different.”

He gestured to the map. “The Air Temple is in the middle of the desert and it’s easy to get lost out there without a guide, even with the best maps. I’ve only been once, but Brin’s family goes every year. If we want to get there as quickly as possible, we need her guidance.”

I stared at the map, then sighed. “All right, but we can’t tell her what we are or why we’re going to the Air Temple.”

We called for Brin to join us, while a servant brought us all some tea and pastries. A few minutes later Brin sauntered into the library like it was her second home and smiled at us as she took a seat. “Hello again, lovelies. I was told you wanted to see me?”

Auric nodded. “We have something we’d like to talk to you about.”

Brin’s eyes sparkled as she leaned forward. “Are you finally going to tell me where you’ve been the last few weeks?”

“Not exactly.” Auric cleared his throat and glanced at me. “I’m sorry. I wish I didn’t have to keep it a secret from you.”

“It’s all right,” she said with a sigh. “What did you want to talk about?”

“We need to go to the Air Temple,” I said. “And get there as quickly as possible.”

Her eyebrows shot up and I could see her trying to put the pieces together. “Is that so? In that case, you’ll need a lot of supplies, along with camels.”

“Camels?” I asked.

“Of course. The Air Temple is surrounded by harsh desert with nothing around it for miles. Horses would have a difficult time there.” She reached for a quill and some paper and began jotting things down. “You’ll need lots of water, for sure, along with shelter capable of surviving the heat and sandstorms…”

“How do you know so much about this?” I asked.

“My family’s ancestral home is on the edge of the desert, so I’m quite familiar with what it’s like traveling there. I’ve also been to the Air Temple once a year for my entire life. My parents are quite devout.” She scribbled across the paper, biting her lip. “Don’t worry. I’ll make sure you have everything you need.”

“Thank you, Brin,” Auric said. “I knew we could count on you.”

“Of course, it’s the least I can do for my dear friends.”

“Would you possibly be interested in coming with us as our guide?” I asked.

She pressed a hand to her chest. “Oh, I would love to, and I’m honored you’ve asked, but I can’t. My parents want me to stay in Stormhaven to meet with potential suitors in the next few weeks. But don’t worry, I’ll make you an excellent map with the quickest route. I’ve done the trip in four days once, though much depends on the weather.”

“That would be most appreciated,” Auric said. “Thank you.”

They began going over everything we would need, while I sat back and listened. In two days’ time we’d be leaving Stormhaven behind and venturing into the desert. But could we make it to the Air Temple before the Dragons found us?