Page 63 of Prince of Blaze and Embers
I took a tentative step forward, my heart pounding in my chest as I reached out a trembling hand. "Easy girl, easy..." I murmured. The dragon's mean, unworldly, emerald eyes narrowed, a low growl emanating from its throat as it pulled its head back and snapped its jaws at me.
My heart leaped into my throat, but I refused to back down. I took another step forward, my hand still extended. "Easy girl, easy..." I repeated, my voice gaining a hint of confidence. The dragon snarled again, but this time it didn't snap its jaws. Instead, it lowered its head, allowing me to touch its snout.
The moment my hand made contact with the dragon's scales, a surge of energy coursed through me. It was a sensation unlike anything I had ever experienced—a mixture of power, warmth, and a deep, primal connection. The dragon let out a low rumble from deep within its chest, its eyes softening as it bowed its head to me.
A wave of confidence washed over me, a realization that I was capable of more than I had ever imagined. Maybe I can do this. Maybe I can be the Gold-Marked that's destined to wield this magic and help people. Maybe I can be free after all...
I stepped back, my gaze never leaving the dragon's eyes. With a newfound sense of purpose and determination, I walked to the side of the dragon, climbing up its wing and straddling its back. The dragon's scales were warm and smooth beneath my touch, its powerful muscles rippling with each of its movements.
Cornelius cheered from the side, his eyes gleaming with pride and excitement. "Ash, you did it! You did it! I can't believe it! You did it!"
The dragon flapped its wings, the sound like a massive ship’s sails biting and cracking in the sea winds. It lifted off the ground with a powerful surge, flying high into the night sky, the rush of wind sending my hair whipping behind me.
As the dragon soared through the air, the cool night wind whooshed around me, invigorating me with a sense of freedom and empowerment I had never known before. The moonlit landscape below was a tapestry of shadows and silver light, a breathtaking sight that filled me with awe and wonder.
The dragon's wings beat a steady rhythm, and with each powerful stroke, I felt more alive, more determined than ever. The fear and doubt that had plagued me earlier seemed to fade away.
I looked down at the vast expanse of the Faewood Forest, the dense canopy a sea of dark green under the silvery moonlight. The wind rushed past my ears, carrying with it the distant sounds of nature—the rustling of leaves, the murmur of wildlife, and the haunting calls of wild creatures.
As we ascended higher, the air grew cooler, and the world below became a distant memory. The dragon’s powerful body moved with grace and precision, each wingbeat carrying us further into the night. I clung tightly to its scaled back, feeling every muscle tense and release with each movement.
The dragon’s breath came in hot, rhythmic bursts, the smell of brimstone and fire mingling with the crisp night air. Its scales were smooth and warm under my touch, their deep blue hue shimmering in the moonlight like an otherworldly gem.
I leaned forward, digging my hands into the dragon’s scales to steady myself. The creature responded with a low rumble, its massive body vibrating beneath me. The sensation was both exhilarating and grounding, connecting me to the beast in a way that transcended mere physical contact.
"I'm up here," I whispered to myself, my voice carried away by the wind. "I'm flying. I'm free!"
CHAPTER 30
The cool night air rushed past me as I soared through the sky on the back of the magnificent blue dragon. The moon hung high, casting a silvery glow over the landscape below. The forest was a dark, dense mass, broken only by the winding ribbon of the river that snaked through the trees. The sight was a breathtaking beauty that seemed almost unreal.
But as we approached the clearing where the house stood, the scene below shifted from serene to harrowing. The ground was littered with the bodies of fallen Sythers, their twisted forms a grim reminder of the battle. Some lay with deep sword wounds, while others were charred beyond recognition, their blackened skeletons left like obsidian statues.
My heart pounded in my chest as I scanned the area, searching for any sign of Cade and Hunter. Fear gripped me as I worried that I might find their lifeless bodies among the carnage. But as I circled lower, I saw no sign of them. The dragon descended gracefully, her wings flapping in powerful strokes that sent gusts of wind swirling around us. As we touched down, the ground trembled slightly beneath us. The dragon let out a low rumble, her eyes scanning the area with a primal intensity.
The door to the house burst open, and Cade and Hunter dashed out, their eyes wide with shock and concern. To the north of the house, their dragons roared, their massive forms freed from the nets that had ensnared them. Krakos and Talonor reared up, their jaws snapping in the air as they snarled at the new arrival.
The blue dragon responded in kind, her deep growl resonating through the air. I quickly slid off her back, my hands raised in a calming gesture. "Easy, girl," I murmured, trying to soothe the beast. "They're friends."
Cade and Hunter approached cautiously, their eyes fixed on the new blue dragon. Bella emerged from the house next, her face stained with tears. She ran to me, her arms wrapping tightly around my neck. "Ash!" she cried, her voice choked with emotion. "I thought you were... I thought..." I'd never felt her hold me so tightly, I thought my head might burst off my body!
I hugged her back, feeling the weight of her relief and joy. "I'm okay, Bella," I reassured her, though the dried blood on my clothes and the gash on my side told a different story.
Rosa joined us, her face a mask of relief. "Thank Odiun," she muttered, her voice low and grateful.
Cade and Hunter stood a few paces away, their expressions a mix of awe and bewilderment. "Ash," Hunter began, his voice filled with disbelief. "Is this... is this your dragon?"
I nodded, a sense of pride and accomplishment swelling within me. "Her name is Errax," I explained. "I heard it in my head as soon as I mounted her. It was like she was introducing herself to me. It wasn’t in our language, but I understood it. Like we have a communication in our thoughts if we try hard enough."
Hunter let out a low whistle, his eyes wide. "You've bonded with a dragon," he said, his voice laced with admiration. "I can't believe it."
Bella looked at me with newfound respect, her tears forgotten in the wake of this revelation. "We all thought you might be... butyou're here, and you've bonded with a dragon!" she exclaimed, her voice filled with wonder.
Cade, who was dead silent, only glared at me and the dragon, and I couldn't tell what thoughts were going on in his head. It was a coin toss with him, but my stomach twisted and tied in knots waiting... Cade stepped closer, his gaze intense. Without a word, he reached out and embraced me, his strong arms wrapping around me, pulling me close. His warmth enveloped me, and I felt a sense of safety and belonging that I had never known before. "I'm so glad you're alive," he murmured into my hair. "I was so worried..."
I melted into his embrace, feeling the weight of his worry lift from my shoulders. "I was worried about you too," I replied, my voice muffled against his chest. "You were injured against them. I thought the worst might have happened."
He pulled back slightly, his eyes meeting mine. "The illusion of Rone and the ogre gave us enough time to free the dragons. We ran and cut the nets while they were distracted." he explained. "Krakos and Talonor incinerated the remaining Sythers. How... how did you do that?"
