My people believed I wandered out into the forest on hunting trips for food or resources to use around our homeland. What they didn’t recognize was while I did that, I was riding the dragons they were raised to fear and kill. After several long moments of playing in the clouds, Emeris free-fell to the waterso close, the talons at the ends of each of her wings skimmed the water. The cool mist on my cheeks made me laugh aloud and splash her back before I noticed it. She was giving me a side glance, and I recognized her playful features.
“You better not.” I said it at the same time she dipped down, submerging us under the water. I gripped her neck harder, holding on, and for a few moments, the world went silent as the rushing water flowed over my head. Emeris whipped her fin-like tail once, twice, and then we were breaking the surface of the ocean once more.
The rush of air hitting my wet body and dripping hair sent a shock to my senses. My skin pebbled while Emeris shot back up into the sky. I rubbed her neck, laughing off the adrenaline rush, and her low purr back almost sounded like she was laughing with me. Her head turned, and she glanced at me. I pushed my hair away from my face. The black coal that lined my warm brown eyes smeared against my bronze-toned cheeks as I wiped away the water.
Soaring high, I glanced at the horizon in front of us and spotted something I’d never seen before. At first, I thought it looked like a storm coming in from the distance, but as the large black specks grew clearer in my mind, I wished it were a storm rather than what I was seeing. A small fleet of Ember warships was sailing straight toward the islands.
I pulled up hard on Emeris’s neck, launching her back up above the clouds, not wanting to be spotted by the Fire Fae headed toward our home, but it was too late. Large balls of fire shot through the clouds, one after the other. The only thing that kept us from being hit was the way the clouds glowed a faint orange before the flames broke through the bottom.
“Go, Ris, go!” I commanded; her wings beat faster, causing the air to shift the high clouds we were riding across. Emeris moved so fast, the only thing I could hear was the whistling wind in myears. The minutes seemed like seconds through the panic of my racing heart. Soon I could see our home in the distance, while the ships behind us were long left out in the sea. I let out a shaky breath as Emeris landed atop the same ledge we fell from, and I leaped off her back and buried my head into her chest, wrapping my arms around her neck.
“Are you okay?” I asked, pulling away, dragging one of my hands down her, doing one full lap around her entire body and checking for any cuts or burns. She nudged me with her snout, a loving gesture I learned from her from the many months we had spent together. She blew out a puff of smoke in my direction, making me remember she was a dragon and not just my best friend. Her leather-like skin was fireproof, considering she was a beast created to withhold the flames in her chest.
“Hilarious.” I rolled my eyes at her, and she nudged me again, almost as if she were trying to thank me for caring. I smiled, but it faded as I realized I had to tell not only Baron but all my people what happened today. And I did not know how they were going to take it.
The Emperor of Ember had wanted to strike the world of Osparia and take it for himself from the moment he sat on the throne. The only thing stopping him was the Peacebringer being alive. If the rumors were true, the Emperor took the vision the soothsayer foretold about the next bringer of peace, and no one could have guessed what he had planned next. His cruel heart had no limits after what happened in Heavensreach.
I wouldn’t let my people do anything to Emeris or any dragon. There was a battle far worse sailing upon our horizons.
Chapter Two
As Emeris flew back to the dragon’s nest, I bid her farewell. I made my way through the rugged forest terrain; my thigh-high leather boots protected my legs against the overgrowth. I trekked my way back to my village down the small mountainside pass I had made for myself.
The walk back was a sizable distance, considering our island. Out of the many smaller ones surrounding us, ours was the largest. I saw the smoke rising from the campfires and small flute chimneys as the night’s dinner was prepared. The aromas of sweet bread and meats filled the air. Some of my people greeted me as I walked by them. Elise waved as she walked hand in hand down the center of our village with her daughter and her mate.
Ravi held his daughter’s other hand. Every other step, they swung her in between them. Her feet kicked up the dirt, and her laughter warmed my heart. I gave them a quick smile and nod, but my head barely noted any other greetings as I walkedto my cottage home where Baron should be waiting. We made all of our homes from the trees. They were built in rows to accommodate our narrow passageways between cottages, huts, and small shops. My nerves racked through me as I approached my home.
I took a deep breath, tried to calm my racing heart before opening the door, knowing I had to share my secret with him. The door creaked open, and the aroma of fish already cooked and prepared for dinner filled our home. Baron was shirtless, wearing nothing but his trousers. His rippling, muscled figure almost distracted me from what I had come to talk to him about as he turned to peer at me. His long dirty-blond hair fell over his shoulders as his gray eyes met mine. He greeted me with his rugged-faced grin. He stepped toward me, wrapping his powerful arms around me, pulling me into his embrace.
“How was your hunt, my dear?” His deep voice vibrated across my neck as he placed small, gentle kisses along my collarbone, making my breath hitch in my throat. I ran my hands up his bare chest, cupping his face. Bringing his eyes back to mine almost made me choke on a sob, and he noticed as I pulled away from him.
“Shay, what’s wrong?” His voice filled with loving concern made my heart clench harder against my ribs. I had been keeping secrets from the man I loved with everything in me, my husband, my mate. How could I have let it go so far when he had given me everything?
Baron cupped my cheek, bringing my eyes back to his, growing more unsettled.
“Shay—talk to me.”
“There is something I need to tell you.” My voice came out weak.
“What is it?” he questioned again.
“I’m scared—” My voice cracked as he pulled me back to him again, holding me against his warm chest. Hearing the faint beat of his heart sent warmth through our connection, calming me.
“Whatever it is, we can face it together,” he whispered in my ear.
“I’ve been lying to you—to everyone,” I said, pulling away from his hold.
“About what?” he retorted.
“I never slew the dragon.” My voice went quiet.
“That’s what you’re so worked up about? We can always go together—”
I cut him off before he could finish. “Baron—I don’t want to slay the dragons. I won’t. The day our people sent me to kill a dragon, instead of killing it—I befriended her.” I stumbled over the end of my claim, observing him as understanding showed in his features.
“Her?” His brow furrowed.
“Emeris.”
