Page 7 of Bound by Fire and Scales (The Dragons of Earis #1)

I stepped out of the room to find Zephyr’s office empty, the air still and silent in his absence. I frowned. I had no idea how I would find my way around this fortress on my own. I pushed open the doors leading out of Zephyr’s chambers, and just beyond the threshold, Kislav stood waiting. Tall and composed, every inch of him radiating sharp, quiet authority. His perfect posture and long, lean frame exuded an air of confidence that was intimidating. When our eyes met, his sharp blue gaze pierced through me, revealing nothing but a cold, unreadable expression. Everything about him screamed caution. He was the quiet but deadly type.

“Zephyr asked me to escort you to Lady Loryr today. He sends his apologies; he’s occupied with training the new recruits today,” Kislav stated, his voice smooth and devoid of warmth.

Without waiting for a response, he turned on his heel and began walking down the long, echoing halls of the fortress, his steps echoing with a sense of purpose. He moved with an effortless grace and I tried to match his pace, but my short legs were no match for his long ones.

“You do realize you’ve basically signed your own death sentence, right?” Kislav’s voice held a sharp edge, his eyes narrowing slightly as he shot me a glance.

“Yeah, whatever,” I muttered. “Zephyr already gave me the whole lecture yesterday.”

“I’m surprised he’s letting you go through with this.”

“I don’t need his permission,” I muttered under my breath, the words slipping out before I could stop them.

Kislav froze mid-step and turned to face me, his expression hardening into something as cold as ice. “That’s where you’re wrong, Sabrina. You’re his mate. He’s the leader of this clan, and you can’t just defy him. That’s not how things work here. You’re not a dragon, and you don’t know our laws or our ways, but if you want this to end well—for both you and Zephyr—you need to at least pretend to respect them.”

I glanced away, avoiding the intensity of his gaze. He had a point. As much as I disliked their rigid hierarchy, he was right. If this was going to work, I’d have to play along, even if only for appearances.

“I’ll keep that in mind,” I said, my voice quieter now. Kislav gave a curt nod, acknowledging my words before turning on his heel and continuing down the path. I smirked at myself, watching him walking in front of me. He really had Zephyr’s back, even when he wasn’t around. That was good to know.

We came to a halt before another towering set of double doors, and Kislav turned to face me. “Good luck. You’ll need it in there.”

He gave me a pitying smile and I swallowed, forcing myself to stand a little taller. “Thanks... I guess?” With that, Kislav pushed open the doors, revealing a grand chamber bathed in golden light.

We were in a library with every wall lined with shelves crammed full of tomes and brittle scrolls. At the far end of the room stood a large table surrounded by heavy wooden chairs. In front of the table stood Loryr, her eyes cold as she fixed me with a thin, cryptic smile. I took a deep breath, steadying myself mentally. Keeping my head cool was crucial. A role had to be played, and I needed to at least try to convince Loryr that I was worthy of being Zephyr’s mate.

As I walked toward her, something caught my eye. In the center of the room, two dragon figures were carved into the floor, deep into the dark volcanic stone. I paused, my gaze drawn to the sculptures. The dragons were intertwined, their bodies coiling around flames, while crescent moons framed their forms, one at the top and one below, like silent guardians of their dance.

It was beautiful.

Loryr’s voice cut through the silence in the room. “Ah, I see you admiring our clan’s symbol. They say dragons are the children of the moon, that the very first to walk through Earis were shaped by its light. But as a human, I suspect you're ignorant of our history, like most of your kind is.” Loryr’s gaze sharpened, her tone carrying a hint of disdain.

“Well, dragons are known for keeping to themselves, so it’s no surprise we humans know little of your history,” I replied, forcing a polite smile despite the edge in my voice.

Her upper lip curled in contempt. “If you plan to remain by Zephyr’s side as his mate, I suggest you make an effort to change that.”

“I—” I started to snap back, the retort already on my tongue, but I stopped myself just in time. Kislav’s words echoed in my mind. I couldn’t afford to act the way I usually did. Not anymore. I was supposed to be Zephyr’s mate, a position that apparently held weight and significance around here.

“Isn’t that why we’re here, Loryr?” I replied, layering my tone with a false sweetness, wishing that she could read my mind and what I wished I could have said instead; Fuck you, Loryr. You don’t tell me what to do. But sadly, she apparently did now.

Her eyes narrowed at the forced pleasantry in my voice, but she didn’t respond right away. Instead, she approached, circled me slowly, her beady eyes scrutinizing every inch of my frame, as though I were some curious artifact she couldn’t quite decipher. I could feel the weight of her judgmental eyes on my skin, but I held my ground. She would not intimidate me that easily.

“Today, you almost look worthy of being the Firescale leader’s mate,” she said, her eyes sweeping over me, lingering on the way I was dressed as if she were measuring my worth through appearance alone. “You think dressing up like a lady will be enough? Zephyr may have chosen you for now, but his dedication to this clan is stronger than any bond.”

What a hateful woman. I had been less than five minutes alone with her in this room and I already hated her. She was the sort of old woman who looked like she had a miserable life herself and felt obliged to make it harder for others.

“You know, Loryr,” I said, working to keep my temper in check, “I thought Zephyr settling down and giving this clan an heir was a good thing. Doesn’t that strengthen the clan? Continuing his bloodline seems like a step toward reviving it, doesn’t it?” I fixed her with a raised eyebrow, challenging her as she glared back, her expression a mixture of anger and contempt. When she turned her back to me, I knew I had won this round.

“Do you have any idea how pure Zephyr’s bloodline is?” She turned sharply to fix me with a piercing stare and didn’t wait for my response. “His lineage traces back directly to the very first fire dragon to walk this earth, long before other dragons even existed! His blood is untouched, and your weak human blood will taint that!” she spat, her voice dripping with disgust.

“Well, he chose me, Loryr. There’s nothing we can change about that now,” I said defensively, crossing my arms tightly over my chest .

“He’s the last alpha of his bloodline, and his mate will bear the next leader of this clan. You, a mere human, will carry that responsibility. That’s why it’s crucial for you to undergo the Soulfire Ritual—to show this clan and all dragons that the Fire Dragons are strong. You must prove that the mother of this future clan’s leader has that strength. Can you do that?”

“I understand the importance, Loryr,” I countered, my voice steady despite the uncertainty churning in my stomach. “I may be human, but I’ll try my best to prove that I’m worthy of him.”

Loryr’s gaze was piercing, as if she was trying to see through my bravado. “Words are empty without action, child. The Soulfire Ritual isn’t just a test, it’s a trial by fire that will reveal your true nature. If you falter, it won’t just be you who suffers. Zephyr will too.”

“Then I’ll prepare. I’ll train and learn everything I can. If this is so important to Zephyr and to the clan, then I’ll make sure I’m ready to face it.”

A hint of surprise flickered in her eyes, but it was quickly replaced by skepticism. “Preparation alone won’t save you from the flames, and even if you succeed, there will always be those who doubt you. Dragons don’t trust that easily.” Good. Neither did I.

“Then I’ll earn their trust. I’ll do my best.”

She stepped back, gesturing for me to follow her deeper into the room. “If you’re serious about this, we need to begin your training. The first step is learning to meditate—to find the elements within you and connect with the fire that lives in your very essence.”

I furrowed my brow, unsure of what to expect. “Meditate? But I’ve never done anything like that before. I don’t even know how to begin.”

Loryr’s expression softened slightly, though the sternness remained. “It requires focus and patience. You’ll need to quiet your mind, push aside the distractions of your human thoughts, and tap into the primal energy within. It’s not just about connecting with fire; it’s about discovering your own strength and the elemental forces that flow through you. ”

Loryr regarded me with a steady gaze, her eyes narrowing slightly. “Yes, you're human, but that does not mean you lack the ability to connect with the elements. Every being possesses a spark of the primal forces, whether they acknowledge it or not. It’s a matter of discovering that connection within yourself.”

I took a deep breath, trying to absorb her words. “So, how do I find these elemental forces? How can I even begin to understand what that means?”

“First, you must open your mind to the idea that you are more than what you appear,” she instructed, her tone firm. “Meditation will help you explore the depths of your mind. The fire, the earth, the water, and the air—they're all around you and within you. They shape the world you live in, and they shape you as well. You just need to learn to listen.”

“Listen?” I repeated, feeling a mixture of intrigue and skepticism. “How do I listen to something I can’t even see?”

“Through your senses, you daft girl,” she snapped, already losing her patience with me. I bit down on my lower lip, trying to keep myself from replying. “Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin, the coolness of the breeze, the weight of the earth beneath you. Allow these sensations to guide your thoughts. When you meditate, focus on your heartbeat. It is a reminder of your connection to this world, to all living things.”

I nodded, trying to absorb her guidance. “Okay, I’ll try. But what if I can’t connect with any of it?”

"If you don't keep training, we'll never know.” Loryr said, dismissing my worries. “Remember, the fire itself was once just a spark. It didn’t become a roaring flame overnight. You must cultivate it, nurture it, and trust your ability to grow. If you stumble, try again and again. How do you think the mages do it?” She had a point. Mages learned their craft, they weren’t born with it like other magical beings. Maybe, this was similar to what they did.

Taking her words to heart, I settled back into my meditation stance. “Alright, I’m ready. I want to feel that connection.”

“Good. Now, close your eyes, and let the world around you fade away. Focus on your breath—each inhale filling you with energy, each exhale releasing your doubts. Visualize the elements around you, the earth beneath you, the fire in your core, the air flowing through you. Allow them to intertwine, to merge with your spirit.”

I closed my eyes once more, determined to silence the doubts lingering in my mind. As I breathed in deeply, I envisioned the warmth of the sun enveloping me, its light sparking, that ember of fire within. Gradually, I felt the heat begin to rise, swirling through my veins like molten lava. I imagined it reaching out, intertwining with the earth’s strength beneath me, the air swirling around in a dance of elemental harmony.

The whispers of doubt began to fade, replaced by a growing sense of connection. My whole mind flickered with an unknown energy and I felt like I was part of something much larger than myself—a web of light flowing through every living being.

“Let it flow,” Loryr’s voice echoed in my mind, guiding me deeper. “Embrace it. This is your power.”

I let my mind drift deeper, allowing the warmth to seep into my core, pushing aside my fears and doubts. The ember grew brighter, radiating warmth and strength. I could almost hear the faint crackle of flames in the distance. I focused intently on the warmth that filled me, willing it to expand and connect with the elements surrounding me. Just as the ember began to glow brighter, a flicker of doubt crept in.

Was I truly capable of this?

As I fought to push the uncertainty away, my mind clouded with dark thoughts. Images of Loryr’s judging eyes and the council’s skepticism flashed before my eyes. Zephyr’s worried face. And, out of nowhere, an image of my father’s irate face popped up in my mind and the warmth that had once felt comforting wavered, flickering like a candle.

“No, no,” I muttered, trying to regain control. But the more I struggled, the more the ember dimmed until it was nothing more than a fleeting spark. I felt the energy retreat within me, the connection I’d been striving for slipping further away.

“Breathe, Sabrina!” Loryr’s voice cut through my thoughts sharply, echoing with authority. But the sense of failure was already overwhelming, suffocating me.

I opened my eyes, frustration boiling over. “I can’t do this! It’s too much!” The words escaped me before I could hold them back, my heart racing with anxiety.

Loryr remained composed, her eyes piercing as she regarded me. “You’re allowing fear to dictate your connection. The elements are not to be controlled but to be embraced. You must learn to ground yourself instead of succumbing to panic.”

“I thought I was ready,” I said, trying to regain my composure.

“You thought you would conquer the element of fire after just one day of training? Ha! You’re stupider than I thought,” Loryr snapped, her tone sharpening. “You'll practice with me every day from now on, and until I determine you're ready to undertake the ritual, you'll start again. Every failure is a lesson if you choose to learn from it. Go back to your meditation. Face your discomfort head-on. That’s the only way to become one with the fire.”

I met her gaze, determination rising within me. “Fine. I’ll try again.”

“Good. But this time, stop running from your fears. Accept them, acknowledge that they're there, and let them fuel your determination. You cannot grow if you only seek the easy path.”

She was right. I had allowed my doubts and fears to overwhelm me the moment they surfaced. The instant my father appeared in my thoughts, my concentration shattered. Even though he couldn’t hurt me anymore, his presence represented my deepest fear. I had to stop running. With a nod, I settled back onto the floor, gathering my thoughts. “Alright. I won’t run anymore.”

“Then show me.” Loryr’s voice was steady. “Close your eyes and return to that ember. This time, don’t just seek warmth—seek understanding. Embrace the struggle as part of your connection to the elements.”

I took a deep breath and closed my eyes once more, eager to reconnect with the warmth of the ember within my mind.