Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series

When I opened my eyes I found Reven in the hammock beside me, wearing nothing but his trousers. His cool skin pressed against mine, and I discovered I wore only my threadbare chemise as well. One of my mates must have changed me out of my soaked dress at some point.

With Reven’s eyes closed he looked peaceful for once, especially with his black hair messy. Younger, too. Or perhaps he appeared his true age for once. How he would look if he didn’t have his dark past weighing on him all the time.

The second I moved, his eyes snapped open and fixed on me. They were the color of the waves around the ship and just as cold.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, as I slowly rolled toward him, the hammock drawing us close together. “And without a shirt on?”

“We thought touching you might heal you faster. Like when you heal us.” His jaw clenched, but he didn’t move away. “It was Auric’s idea.”

“Of course it was.” I rested my hands on the muscular ridges of his chest. For healing, naturally. “How long have I been out?”

“Almost two days.”

“Two days?” I pushed on his chest to rise to a sitting position. “What happened to me?”

He sat up next to me and shrugged. “You collapsed after we fought off the water elementals. We brought you in here to rest.”

I scrubbed a hand over my face as the memories came back. “I gave Jasin my energy and strength so he could fight the elementals off, but I must have drained myself in the process.”

“Seems that way.”

I’d have to be more careful in the future, especially if it knocked me out for so long. I practically fell out of the hammock and righted myself on shaky legs, while my stomach ached with a hollow feeling and my vision blurred. “Oh Gods, I’m starving.”

“I’m sure we can find you something.” Reven got to his feet in one smooth motion that made me look like a graceless animal. He grabbed his shirt and tossed it on, the muscles in his back flexing and commanding my attention. It was truly unfair for someone so difficult to be so irresistible.

With Reven right behind me, I slowly climbed up the ladder and moved through the hatch onto the main deck, squinting against the bright sun. Where I’d expected disaster and wreckage, all I saw was the ship looking almost as good as new. Gods, I really had been out a long time.

“Kira!” Jasin called out from above me. “You’re awake!”

He slid down a rope from the main mast and landed at my feet, while Auric floated down until his boots lightly touched the deck. Slade hopped down from the upper deck as he approached us. Yes, everyone on this ship was more graceful than me today.

Auric touched my face softly. “It’s good to see you up again.”

“You’ve learned a new trick,” I said, leaning into his palm.

“Yes, and it’s definitely coming in handy. Not all of us are eager to climb the ropes like Jasin here.”

Slade gripped my shoulders and spun me around to take me in. “Kira, are you well?”

“I’m okay, thanks. Just hungry.” I tried to pat down my hair, which was more unruly than ever, not helped by the warm breeze out here. “I can’t believe I slept so long.”

“Let me get you something to eat,” Jasin said, before darting off.

“He feels responsible for what happened to you,” Auric said quietly.

“He is responsible,” Slade growled.

I reached for the railing to steady myself, feeling a bit lightheaded. “No, it was all my own doing. Don’t blame Jasin for this.”

“Why don’t you sit down?” Auric said, taking my elbow and leading me along the ship. He helped me onto a nearby barrel, while the other men hovered around me. They’d already been over-protective of me, and now that I’d passed out in front of them I’d never get a moment to myself again.

“I’m fine, really,” I said, though I did feel better now that I was sitting.

Reven handed me a flask, scowling the entire time. “Drink this.”

I sighed at him, but then took a long sip of cool, deliciously fresh water. Before I knew it the flask was empty and my head had stopped spinning quite so much. With a flick of his fingers, Reven summoned more water into the flask, while Jasin returned with a spread of food—bread, cheese, and some fried fish. Enough to feed all of us, but he set it in front of me alone.

“Thank you, this is perfect,” I said, as I popped a piece of cheese into my mouth.

“Reven caught us all some fish earlier, and I fried them up while Auric and Slade fixed the ship,” Jasin said with a grin. Through our bond I felt him near me and sensed his emotions—mainly relief, with a touch of guilt and worry.

I managed a small smile at the group of men. “It’s nice to see you all working together.”

“Don’t get used to it.” Reven crossed his arms, but that only made me smile wider.

“Can you tell us what happened the other day?” Auric asked.

I took another sip of water before continuing. “I could tell Jasin was exhausted and I still don’t know how to control fire very well, so I tried to lend him my energy and strength.”

“It definitely worked. I’d never felt so powerful before.” Jasin stroked my hair tenderly while I ate. “I only wish it hadn’t drained you in the process.”

“I’ll have to be careful in the future. I’m still learning how to use all this magic and I haven’t even begun my fire training.” The thought of everything I had ahead of me was daunting. I’d have to master all five elements, and quickly. Along with everything else that came with being the Black Dragon.

“You just need to practice,” Slade said. “It’s the same as learning any new skill. The more you do it the better you’ll get at it, and the longer you’ll be able to keep it going.”

I nodded. Archery had been the same way at first. When I’d first joined the bandits I had never held a bow before and thought I would never be good at it. Now the only one who could rival me with a bow was Jasin.

“We’re growing stronger every day,” Auric said. “Imagine how powerful we’ll be once we’re all bonded to you.”

“Imagine how powerful the other Dragons are now,” Reven countered. “They’ve had centuries to practice their magic.”

“Let’s hope we won’t encounter one anytime soon.” I couldn’t help but glance back the way we’d come, wondering if Sark’s blood-red wings were trailing behind us. Sooner or later we would have to face the Dragons—and we definitely weren’t ready for them yet.