Page 67 of Prince of Blaze and Embers
I nodded, focusing my thoughts on Errax. Stay close to them, Errax. Storm's coming. I thought, my mind reaching out to her.
Errax growled low, her wings flapping powerfully as sheadjusted her course to stay near Krakos and Talonor. The storm clouds grew darker, the rumble of thunder growing louder with each passing moment. The first drops of rain fell, cool and refreshing against my skin.
Cade scanned the horizon, his eyes narrowing as he searched for a suitable shelter. The landscape below was a dense, unending expanse of forest, the trees towering and ancient. There was no sign of civilization, no towns or villages in sight.
"We need to find a cave or an overhang," Cade shouted. "Somewhere we can take cover. It's too dangerous to fly in lightning storms."
I nodded, my heart pounding as the storm grew fiercer. The rain poured down in sheets, soaking us to the bone. The wind howled, whipping around us with a force that threatened to dislodge us from our dragons' backs.
Errax let out a low rumble, her wings beating steadily against the storm. I could feel her unease, her instincts urging her to find shelter. I focused my thoughts on her, reaching out with my mind. Find shelter, Errax. Somewhere we can take cover.
Errax responded with a surge of speed, her wings slicing through the rain-soaked air. She dove lower, scanning the forest below with a keen intensity. I clung to her scales, my heart pounding in as I scanned the landscape for any sign of shelter.
A thunderous roar echoed through the sky, and I looked up to see a bolt of lightning slice through the dark clouds. The air sizzled with electricity, the hairs on the back of my neck standing on end.
"Over there!" Cade called out, pointing toward a distant cliff face. "I see an overhang!"
Hunter and Bella followed closely behind, Talonor's wings flapping powerfully against the storm. We dove lower, the dragons angling toward the cliff face. As we approached, I could see the overhang, a natural shelter carved into the rock by centuries of wind and rain.
Errax landed first, her powerful body settling onto the rocky ground, her powerful wings folding against her body. I dismounted quickly, my feet splashing in the puddles that had formed on the ground. Cade, Hunter, and Bella followed behind, their dragons landing with a thunderous roar.
We rushed inside the cave, grateful for the shelter it provided. I looked around the cave, marveling at the natural beauty of the rock formations and the intricate patterns etched into the walls. The sound of rain echoed throughout the hollow interior of the dark cave.
"I'll get to making a fire," Hunter said scanning the darkness. "Once the storm passes, then we'll continue our search."
Bella said something that caused my breath to catch in my throat then. She said, "Ash... watching you ride your dragon... it was like I was in a waking dream. I can't believe it. You're a dragon rider!"
I couldn't begin to describe how I felt in that moment. The best I could think was that I was about to die from excitement and pride. It was as if a bright ball of light was building inside of me, brushing away the worry, self-doubt and shame of my past, paving the way for the new me, and I loved every morsel of it...
CHAPTER 32
The sound of rain echoed throughout the cave, creating a soothing rhythm that seemed to wash away the tension from our bodies. Hunter was diligently at work, gathering dry wood and igniting a fire with his flint and steel. The warmth of the flames spread through the cave, casting long shadows that danced on the rocky walls.
The cave itself was deeper than it first appeared, carved over centuries by the flow of water that still trickled faintly down its walls in glistening threads. Moss clung to the damp stone, and ancient mineral deposits created strange, spiraling patterns on the ground—like the cave was telling a story in forgotten runes. The air was cool and heavy with the earthy scent of rain-soaked stone, but the firelight gave it a golden glow, as if holding back the chill of the storm outside. A narrow tunnel yawned off to the left, its darkness untouched by the fire, while the far wall curved into a shallow pool where rainwater collected, perfectly still and reflecting the flickering flames like a mirror to another world. It felt like a place outside of time—a sanctuary both wild and sacred.
As the fire crackled and popped, Cade stood up and extendedhis hand toward me. "Ash, come with me," he said , his blue eyes gleaming in the firelight.
I hesitated for a moment, glancing at Bella and Hunter, who were preoccupied with warming themselves by the fire. Then, tentatively, I took Cade’s hand. His touch was warm and reassuring, sending a wave of anticipation coursing through me. He led me deeper into the cave, where the darkness became a shadowy veil.
"I can't see where I'm walking," I whispered, my heart pounding. The darkness was disorienting, and I clutched Cade's hand tightly, trusting him to guide me.
In response, a soft red glow illuminated the space around us. Cade's magic staff, with its intricately sculpted phoenix head, materialized in his hand, casting a warm, comforting light onto the surrounding cave walls. The red glow danced on the rough rock surfaces, revealing intricate patterns and formations that told a story of ancient times.
"Where are we going?" I asked. My heart beat like a drum, and a growing heat spread through my core, making me acutely aware of every touch and movement.
Cade didn't answer immediately, but his grip on my hand tightened slightly. "I want some privacy," he finally said, his voice low and filled with a warmth that sent shivers down my spine.
The deeper we ventured into the cave, the more my nervous anticipation grew. The sound of the storm outside faded into a distant murmur, replaced by the steady beat of my own heart and the soft rustle of our footsteps on the cave floor. The air grew cooler, and the scent of damp earth filled my nostrils.
Eventually, the light of the fire was completely out, leaving only the warm red glow of Cade’s staff to guide us. The darkness seemed to press in around us, but the light from the staff created a cocoon of comfort and warmth, a sanctuary amidst the enveloping darkness.
Cade came to a stop and turned to face me, his eyes reflectingthe flickering light of the staff. I couldn’t read his expression entirely, but there was a softness in his gaze that made my heart flutter. "Ash," he began. "I need to tell you something."
"What is it?" I asked, my voice quivering slightly with anticipation.
He took a deep breath, his eyes never leaving mine. "I’m falling for you, Ash. I can’t stop thinking about you. Every moment we’re together, every touch, every glance... it means something more to me. I’ve never felt this way before, and it’s both exhilarating and terrifying."
His words sent a shiver of excitement and uncertainty shuddering inside me. I had been feeling the same way, drawn to him in a manner that was both thrilling and frightening. The tension between us had been building, a slow burn that was now threatening to ignite.
