Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series

Kira’s body hit the deck and I rushed toward her, even though Jasin was already kneeling over her. I knocked him out of the way and lifted Kira’s small form into my arms. Her body was completely limp and her head rolled against my shoulder, her eyes closed, but she was alive at least. Kira, what did he do to you?

“I can take her,” Jasin said, reaching for Kira again.

I pinned him with a stern gaze. “You’ve done enough.”

“Is she all right?” Auric asked, his face lined with worry.

“She’s still breathing,” Reven said.

“She needs rest.” I began to make my way toward the hatch leading below deck. The other guys followed right at my heels, while Kira’s head rested snugly against my chest. I’d already been terrified for her during the elemental attack, but seeing her collapse had been too much and I’d been forced to jump into action. She seemed so small and fragile in my arms, even though I knew she was as fierce as any of us. If I could keep her cradled in my arms and safe forever, I would. She would hate it, but I wouldn’t care if it meant no harm would ever befall her.

Gods, when had I begun to care so much for her? There was no denying it. I was fond of her, though I was hesitant to admit it even to myself. It had to be that damn mate bond between us making me want to protect her and be near her at all times. And it would only get worse once we were truly bonded at the Earth Temple.

As I jumped down into the lower quarters with Kira nestled in my arms, water splashed everywhere. It was up to my knees thanks to the wave that had attacked us, but otherwise the ship appeared intact down here. I’d have to do a more thorough appraisal soon, but first I had to get Kira settled.

Auric righted a hammock and I gently placed Kira into it, then brushed hair off her face with my knuckles. She didn’t even stir, and I stared at her chest for some time to confirm she was truly breathing.

Then I turned toward Jasin and slammed him back against the nearest wall. “What did you do to her?”

His eyes widened. “Me? I did nothing!”

My grip tightened around his shirt. “Then what happened to her?”

“She took my hand and gave me her power. Our bond went berserk or something. I don’t know!”

“That’s why you were glowing,” Auric said from behind me.

I released Jasin with a low growl, and he straightened up and glared at me in return. “I swear, I didn’t do anything,” he said. “I was completely wiped out, but then she touched me and I suddenly had a ton of energy again and I could summon more fire than ever.” His face softened as he looked over at Kira. “I had no idea it would do this to her.”

“She probably didn’t know either,” Auric said.

Reven shrugged. “She did this to herself. It’s not Jasin’s fault.”

I swung my angry stare over to him. “No one asked for your opinion, deserter.”

Reven’s eyes narrowed at me and my fists clenched in return. Normally I was the calm, clear-headed one of the group who could ignore their constant bickering, but not when Kira was suffering like this. Jasin was the cause this time, but Reven had abandoned Kira before when she needed him most. She’d forgiven him somehow, but if it were up to me we’d be looking for a new man to represent water.

Auric touched Kira’s forehead with the back of his hand. “She’s going to be okay. She just needs rest.”

I stiffened. “We don’t know that. She’s never been like this before.”

“I’m worried too,” Jasin said. “But I can feel her through our bond and she’s still there. I think she’ll be fine after she gets some sleep. The best thing we can do for her is to get this ship moving again.”

I drew in a long breath and allowed my muscles to relax. “All right, but one of us needs to keep watch over her at all times in case something changes. And I’m taking first watch.”

“No, we need you to fix the ship,” Jasin said, which made me only want to slam him against the wall again. If he thought he was going to step up and be the leader of this group he was going to be met with some resistance, even if he’d bonded with Kira first.

“He’s right,” Auric said. “Reven and I can’t get the ship moving again without your repairs in place, and Jasin’s magic can’t do much in that regard.”

Jasin nodded. “I’ll take first watch.”

“I’ll get the next one,” Reven said, crossing his arms. “Once I get the water off this ship, you won’t need me for a while.”

I pressed my palm to my forehead, fighting off a rising headache, no doubt from dealing with Kira’s annoying mates. “Fine.”

I climbed up the ladder with heavy steps, my own exhaustion taking hold of me now that the thrill of the battle and the fear over Kira’s collapse was behind me. I’d continue to worry about her until she was awake and could tell me herself she was okay, but there were other ways to protect her too. Like repairing this ship.

As the ship swelled and rolled, another wave of seasickness reminded me I should have stayed on land from the beginning. Without firm ground under my feet I was mostly useless in a battle, although I’d discovered I could control wood as long as all the life had left it. Living things were the domain of the Spirit Goddess, but old, hard wood was as lifeless as stone and seemed to fall under my control.

I used that power now to mend the splintered mast so that Auric could get the ship sailing again soon and allow us to continue on to the Air Temple. And after that…the Earth Temple, where I would fully bond with Kira. At first, I’d resisted the idea. Then I’d come to terms with it and considered it my duty. Now I was anxious to get there sooner than later. Once I was a Dragon I would be able to defend Kira and the others better. Gods knew Jasin needed all the help he could get in that area.

But the act of bonding would be a problem. Even if I desired Kira physically, things between us could never go beyond friendship and duty. I would never love a woman again without reservation, and even if I could, I wasn’t comfortable with the idea of sharing her with other men. There was no way Kira could love all of us equally in the end, and I wasn’t willing to be someone’s second—or third or fourth—choice. I’d already been left for another man once. I was never opening myself up to that kind of pain again.