Page 52 of Prince of Blaze and Embers
"There's something over there," I breathed, the chirping of crickets and the flutter of bird wings overhead dimmed.
Cornelius' head followed my gaze, and his wise eyes narrowed, but he didn't peep a word.
"Follow me." I trudged down the middle of the stream, thecool water replenishing my depleted energy as we stalked deeper into the night forest.
The night was eerily peaceful, the forest creatures silent as if holding their breath. I felt that tingling sensation at the base of my skull, an ominous foreboding that something sinister lurked nearby.
Twenty minutes into our search, the sound of rushing water grew louder, and the forest opened up to a small clearing where a waterfall flowed gracefully over jagged rocks into a deep pool below. The moonlight illuminated the mist rising from the waterfall, creating an ethereal atmosphere.
And there, standing in the shallow pool, was the most breathtaking creature I had ever seen. The waterfall fell onto its massive body, rolling down its wings like a river.
It was a dragon, its scales a brilliant shade of blue that shimmered in cascading waves of hues, glistening under starlight. The creature was immense, easily half the size of Krakos, with graceful curves and a sleek, muscular build. Its eyes, a striking shade of emerald, scanned the surroundings, locking onto us momentarily before baring its pearly white teeth.
“Oh my god,” Bella breathed, her grip on my hand tightening.
I felt transfixed, unable to tear my eyes away from the stunning creature. Its scales were wet and glistening, each one reflecting the moonlight like a polished gem.
Cornelius seemed to sense my intention. “Ash, we must go. Now.”
But I couldn’t move. The dragon was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen, and a part of me yearned to approach it, to touch its sleek scales and feel its power.
The dragon emerged from the waterfall, shaking its massive head, and a burst of cool mist enveloped us. It roared, the sound like thunder in the night sky, and spread its wings, which were a deep indigo shade. With a powerful flap, the creature launched into the air, its eyes fixed on us. Its wild eyes pierced me sodeeply that my knees wobbled and I couldn’t look away, even if I wanted to. It was incredible. The most majestic thing I’d ever seen.
I felt a rush of adrenaline as the dragon’s gaze bored into me. Then, with a final, piercing look, it turned and soared into the night sky, its wings carrying it away.
I stood, transfixed, watching the dragon until it disappeared from sight.
“Come on,” Bella urged, pulling me from my trance. “Ash, I have a feeling that’s not the last time we’re going to see that dragon.”
“Why do you say that?” I hoped her words were right, but she always had a knack for those things. Getting feelings that were right, even when I swore by Odiun she had no way of knowing those things.
“Just a feeling.” She winked, but then noticed something on the ground. She knelt, plucking a small white flower, showing it to me before placing it in her pocket.
I grinned. Bella, always finding beauty in this ugly world.
With a deep breath, I followed her and Cornelius back into the dense forest, the image of the blue dragon etched into my mind. As we walked, the excitement of what I had just accomplished buzzed through me, along with a sense of unease about the mysterious dragon.
We returned to the house in silence, each lost in our thoughts. Bella bid me goodnight with a hug and a whispered word of encouragement, and I retired to my room, my mind racing.
Sleep eluded me for a long while as I stared up at the ceiling, replaying the events of the night. The power I had unleashed, the breathtaking beauty of the blue dragon in the forest all tangled together in my thoughts.
CHAPTER 23
The late afternoon sun dipped below the tree line, casting a warm, golden glow over the horizon. Bella, Rosa, and I sat on the porch, watching as the sky turned a beautiful shade of orange and pink. The forest was alive with the sounds of birds chirping and insects buzzing, creating a serene atmosphere that seemed to wash away the stresses of the day.
My mind, however, was elsewhere. I had been wondering all day where Cade and Hunter kept disappearing to. They would fly off on their dragons, and return at some undisclosed time day or night. I couldn't shake the feeling that they were keeping something from me, and it gnawed at me like a persistent itch.
As if on cue, the sound of powerful wings beating the air filled my ears. I craned my neck to see Cade and Hunter descending from the sky, their dragons' massive forms casting long shadows over the forest. Krakos and Talonor landed with a thud that shook the ground, sending vibrations through the porch.
Cade dismounted first, his body slumped with fatigue. His normally impeccable armor was smudged with soot, and his hair was disheveled. He pulled off his black wolf mask and handed itto Rosa without a word, then trudged inside, leaving a trail of muddy footprints in his wake.
Hunter followed suit, looking equally worn out. He gave us a curt nod before heading inside, his armor clinking with each step.
I couldn't take the suspense anymore. I jumped up from my seat and followed Cade inside, my heart pounding in my chest. I found him in the dining room, slumped over a plate of food, shoveling it into his mouth with a wicked hunger.
"Where were you?" I demanded, my voice trembling slightly.
Cade looked up at me, his eyes bleary with exhaustion. "We were looking for answers," he said vaguely, before turning back to his food.
