Page 37 of Ava’s Legacy of the Dragons (Of Dragons, Love, and Destiny #1)

She didn't get a wink of sleep for the rest of the night.

Although she had barely slept in the past few days, she was unable to relax.

She listened for every sound and watched for the faintest glimmer of light, hoping to see daybreak.

But it didn't come. Her cell was too isolated—either it was underground or in the innermost core of a large building.

Her thirst became overwhelming, which was why she refrained from pounding on the door or making noise.

She had to conserve her strength so she could stay on her feet when they finally came for her.

Finally? Part of her feared facing the dangerous sorceress, while another part couldn't wait, because then she'd get out of this cell.

As soon as she heard boot steps, she stood up and grasped the bars.

The steps were slow and leisurely, as if the person had all the time in the world.

Although she was exhausted and a slight dizziness had overcome her, she recognized him immediately.

It was the same man as the night before: light eyes, short black curls, dark clothing. He held a cup in his hand.

He narrowed his eyes and studied her, then extended the clay vessel through the bars.

Ava couldn't utter a word, her throat was so parched.

She wanted to gulp down the water on the spot, but she reminded herself to be cautious and smelled it first. Since no unpleasant odor reached her nose, she downed it in one go.

Immediately her body came to life, strength returned to her limbs, and the dizziness subsided.

It felt as if the guard had administered a miracle elixir.

As she lowered the cup, she looked him straight in the eye. "Thank you."

He shrugged his broad shoulders. "You kept your end of the bargain, so I'm keeping my promise."

She felt a glimmer of hope. He sounded reasonable, honorable, righteous. If she could appeal to his sense of reason, maybe he would help her escape.

"Listen, I don't know what the sorceress wants from me, but I have nothing against you. I need to get back to the others, there's a little girl waiting for me who's all alone."

His eyes narrowed. "And what will you do with your allies? Support the king who has our families on his conscience!" He turned on his heel and walked away.

"I'm not even on the king's side! Wait!" She rattled the bars, but he didn't turn around again.

"Damn it!" She hit the door.

Once again, she had to wait. At least her thirst was somewhat quenched.

Deep in thought, she paced back and forth in the cell.

She was filled with restlessness, a sense that she needed to prepare herself.

But how could she prepare for an encounter with a sorceress?

She didn't even have a weapon to defend herself against a normal fighter.

At some point she heard boot steps again, but this time there were several and the steps were more powerful and faster.

Three armed men appeared in the corridor in front of her cell, their expressions unapproachable, their bodies hardened.

Apparently, it wasn't enough for them to possess magical powers; they also trained for close combat.

Ava tried to look them in the eyes to establish an emotional connection. Then it would be harder for them to kill her. But the warriors avoided her gaze.

"Who are you?"

"Quiet! We're taking you to the Magistra now. You will behave. Only speak when she asks you something, and follow every order."

She leaned against the bars. "Or else?"

One of the guards looked up. She thought she had won, but his ugly grin and the distance in his eyes indicated otherwise. "If you really want to find out, we're in for a show. Go ahead, provoke our Magistra." With those words, he unlocked the prison cell and approached her.

She glanced around quickly. Running away was probably pointless.

Better to play along for now and look discreetly for a chance to escape.

Hesitantly, she left the cell and surveyed the narrow corridor.

As she'd feared, it offered no escape route.

There was no furniture she could use as a weapon.

On both sides were countless doors with small, barred windows that suggested they were more prison cells.

One of the guards watched her. "Don't even try it."

She shifted her attention from the corridor and looked at the men in turn. Again, they avoided direct eye contact, as if Ava were the sorceress and could put them under a spell with just one look.

Quickly they positioned themselves, with one beside her, one behind her, and the leader taking the lead.

Reluctantly, Ava walked with the warriors through the corridor to a staircase, which they descended.

Torches hung along the stairway, illuminating the cobwebs stretching across walls and corners as well as the dust at the edge of the steps, where the guards didn't set their feet.

The men led her down three floors and along a corridor that was covered with a thick red carpet.

Suits of armor stood at the sides, swords and shields adorned the walls, and the ceiling was so high that Ava couldn't see it by the pale light of the torches.

They stopped in front of a door decorated with golden ornaments.

The leader knocked and someone opened it, but only a crack.

Quiet words were exchanged that she couldn't understand, then the door closed again.

She was tempted to make a snide remark about the unimportance of the guards, but she bit her tongue. She didn't want to worsen her situation unnecessarily, even though it would have distracted her from how high her heart rate was climbing with each passing minute.

Eventually, the door opened and an older gentleman in a dark robe waved them in. "She's expecting you."

Now things were getting interesting.

Her pulse quickened as, flanked by guards, she entered a hall reminiscent of a king's throne room.

Daylight streamed in through the tall windows on the opposite side, illuminating the space.

Supporting the high ceiling were columns adorned with golden appliqués and as massive as pillars.

The central aisle was covered with a blue carpet, and in a semicircular area to the side stood a large table with chairs decorated with golden ornaments.

Somehow, Ava had imagined the mages as rebels living in old huts, but the lavish furnishings told a completely different story.

Yet it wasn't the magnificent interior that caught Ava's attention, but the end of the colonnade.

Three wide steps led to a dais covered with a blue carpet.

In the center stood a throne, adorned with gold appliqués.

Upon it sat a woman in a proud pose, unexpectedly young. Approximately the same age as Ava.

Her hair was brown, her dark eyes penetrating, and her posture upright and confident.

The dress she wore reached down to her feet, the hem trimmed with black lace, and around her waist, she wore a wide, silver-shining belt.

She lifted her chin as Ava was led into the room and observed her with pressed lips.

Her features were fine, not to say beautiful, and worthy of a noblewoman, which even her ice-cold expression couldn't change.

"Keep your head down!" the guard barked at Ava. But she couldn't. She wouldn't bow to this woman or show any kind of reverence, for she felt none. This mage had callously had her kidnapped, and her followers caused misery and fear. For what reason should she lower her head before her?

Instead, she lifted her chin and looked at Elora steadily. Cold hatred flared in the mage's dark eyes and leapt out at her.

"Well, well, who have my loyal helpers finally brought me?" Her low, smoky voice reached the farthest corner of the hall, and not just because no one dared to make a sound.

Ava returned her gaze resolutely, though her heart seemed to be beating in her throat. "They needed to make several attempts. Perhaps their training should be reconsidered if they constantly fail to capture a simple woman."

Interest sparkled in the mage's eyes, but the hatred didn't fade.

"Simple woman? How nice that we agree on this.

Because no one here recognizes your alleged title.

I don't know where you come from. I don't care either.

But I want to make it clear once and for all that the balance of power in this world will only change to the advantage of the magic-born. "

Ava didn't take her eyes off her, well aware that the greatest danger came from the mage. "How can you be so sure about that, Elora?"

"How dare you speak to me informally, as if I were a common woman?" Her voice took on a threatening undertone.

"You're not much older than me."

"I am the notorious mage who challenges the king for more land every day. The presence of a simple woman won't change that. No matter what any prophecies say!"

Ava dared to smile. "If you believe that, you can let me go."

Elora laughed, the sound echoing off the high walls. "I think instead I should teach you a lesson so you understand how to speak to the future queen."

"Future queen?" Ava shook her head. "How do you plan to convince the dragons to work with you?"

The mage leaned forward, a dangerous glint in her eyes.

"When I'm done, I won't need any dragon for that!

" She pointed to the exit at the end of the colonnade.

"Guards, take her to the arena. We want to give her the opportunity to show how much truth there is to the prophecy.

.." she said, looking Ava up and down and then making a dismissive sound, ". ..or not."

The guards grabbed her on both sides, while all of Ava's warning bells sounded. "Arena? What does that mean?"

Elora grinned cruelly. "That you get to fight for your freedom."