Page 26 of Into the Dawn (The Arcadians #4)
Layla grinned as she shrugged. “Oh, well. She’s one lucky goddess.”
The massive male threw his head back and laughed. “Actually, I am the lucky one.” Turning back to Kylie, he said, “I am glad to see you are fully healed.”
“Thank you for the magical tonic and for sending my mates to me.”
“You are welcome. I am glad to see that you convinced your friend to join you here.”
“Thanks for the invite?” Layla said it more like a question than a statement, making him grin.
“Although you do not sound convinced yet, I am sure you will end up being happy here. And if your mates ever cause you any distress, they will have to deal with me.”
“Do you know who they are yet?” Layla asked.
“Nay. We do not. You will have to wait to find that out.”
Layla shrugged. “Well, at least I have a place to stay in the meantime.”
“My home is your home, bestie,” Kylie said.
“You seem like a fun pair. I cannot wait to see the havoc you wreak once you get settled in. Even better, when the two of you meet up with Raven and Allie,” Silas said mentioning the other two former human females who had been brought to Arcadia.
“Now, down to business. The young ones are in trouble. Your mates will be as well since they are walking into a trap.”
“Can you help them?” Kylie asked.
The Sun God shook his head. “I used up too much energy sending your mates to Earth and bringing you back here. But you can save them if you shift.”
“I tried, but it didn’t work. You said I was doing it wrong?”
“You were thinking about becoming a different creature. Your dragon spirit is a part of you, not a separate entity. You just need to embrace that part of yourself to bring upon the change. Now, close your eyes and try again.”
Following his instructions, Kylie closed her eyes. She was the dragon, she repeated to herself. Her dragon spirit was just another part of herself, just like the part of her she called on to perform in front of thousands of people. It was just another facet of herself that she needed to tap into.
Initially, there was nothing but silence and stillness.
Then, without warning, an excruciating pain tore through her as the transformation started.
A dazzling light exploded behind her closed eyes, and it felt as though her entire body was being crushed in a relentless vice, making it nearly impossible to draw breath.
Summoning all her willpower, she forced herself to relax, surrendering to the inevitable change.
She welcomed the surge of magic from her dragon spirit, allowing it to flow through her veins.
Rather than overwhelming her, pure energy surged through her, infusing every fiber of her being with immense power.
Her dragon spirit, ancient and wise, began as a small spark within her.
That spark grew and expanded, spreading its radiant energy and light until it permeated every cell in her body.
The transformation was profound, elevating her to a state of existence far beyond anything she had ever known before.
She felt more powerful and complete than she had ever been, as the essence of the dragon spirit became an integral part of her very soul.
The spirit of the beast was timeless, without a beginning or an end.
It was a fusion of wisdom and raw strength, an untapped reservoir of power that elevated Kylie beyond her wildest dreams.
The magic flowed through her, transforming her into a being that was one with the very essence of the land she stood upon. She could feel the heartbeat of Arcadia pulsing through her veins, and she instinctively sensed the life force of every living creature within miles.
When the light faded, Kylie looked out at the world with new clarity. She saw everything, felt everything. In her dragon form, she was a guardian and defender of the land. Arcadia was her home now, and the people who lived there were hers to protect.
Shedding her human self, she had evolved.
She was now Kylie Karos, Dragon Warrior and Princess of the Western Forest.
And someone was daring to threaten her mates.
“Holy shit, Kylie,” Layla breathed out. “You’re a dragon. You’re a really, really freaking big dragon with red scales and glowing green eyes.”
Kylie’s large head swiveled until she was looking at her friend. Layla looked tiny compared to her much larger form. When she glanced down at herself, she confirmed that her dragon form had blazing red scales that had a golden sheen to them. Strange, yet the color seemed fitting.
“Can you hear me?”
Layla winced. “Yes, very well. It’s good to know you can still talk in this form, but you are projecting loud enough to make my ears ring.”
Ignoring the dig, she swiveled her head again searching for the god. She wanted to thank him for his help, but he was no longer there.
“The hot god disappeared as soon as you shifted.”
Kylie really hoped Lunaria wouldn’t be offended by Layla complimenting her mate. The Goddess of the Moons seemed smart enough to know it was simply harmless praise with no actual intent. Not wanting to waste any more time, she lowered herself closer to the ground and stuck out a massive wing.
“Climb on.”
With a nod, Layla scrambled up her wing and settled on her back.
“Maybe this is a bad idea. I’m not sure this is safe since your scales are smooth and there is nothing to grip.”
Using her magic, Kylie created a saddle for her friend to sit on that had a horn she could hold onto. They’d gone horseback riding together plenty of times in the past so she was sure that would work.
“Thanks, I’m secure now. Let’s fly!”
Flapping her wings, Kylie launched herself off the ground and into the air.
She quickly realized that it barely took any energy to soar through the air and stopped flapping her wings so much in order to slow down a bit.
She needed to figure out where she was going first. Scanning the ground below, she was fascinated by how knowledgeable her dragon spirit was.
Essentially, she could see and feel everything.
She could sense every heart beating below her and immediately knew where her mates were.
Rage filled her when she realized they were in trouble.
They were fighting more than two dozen rogues.
Sure enough, they had walked into a trap by going to their brothers’ aid.
Ronan and Dominic were doing their best to defend their younger brothers, but they were clearly outnumbered.
Reaching out to her mates, she said, “I am coming to you.”
There was a long pause, then Ronan said, “Stay clear of this area.”
Hearing the strain in his voice, she flew faster. “I’m already close.”
“How?” Dominic asked. “I thought you were at the barrier?”
“Look up.”
“Holy hellfire,” Ronan breathed out in a comical mixture of modern and Arcadian slang. “Is that red dragon really you?”
“It is.” Speaking to her friend, she said, “Hold on, Layla. We’re going warp speed.”
“Aye, aye, Captain.”
Kylie picked up speed as she flew toward her mates. The clash of steel rang out from their sword strikes below. She could see them fighting between the trees, but the thick canopy of leaves made it clear it was going to be hard for her to land.
Perhaps it would be better to fight from above.
“Layla, do you see them?”
“Yeah, but I don’t think you are going to fit down there,” Layla said.
“We aren’t landing. We are going to light those fuckers on fire from up here.”
“Seriously? Sweet.” Layla cackled evilly. “But what about your mates? Is there a way to use your magic to protect them and their brothers?” Layla asked. “Then, you can torch the rest.”
“I can do that.”
But first, she needed to warn her mates.
“Can you guys try to take cover? I’m going to shield you with my magic, but it would be easier if you are all together.”
“What are you going to doing?” Dominic asked.
“I’m going to burn them to ashes,” she growled, startling herself with her ferocity.
“ And try not to start a wildfire while I’m at it.
Contact your dad and warn him and the others to stay where they are.
They are far enough away that my fire shouldn’t reach them, but I will feel better if they stay back. ”
“I can do that,” Ronan agreed. “ Be careful.”
Kylie had watched enough movies and TV shows to have a basic idea of what she wanted to do.
Hovering overhead, she wrapped her mates and their younger brothers in the strongest protection shield she could manage.
The shimmering barrier glowed with an ethereal light, pulsating gently as it enveloped them.
She’d wanted to create something visible to make sure it worked, and her magic hadn’t failed her.
When she was sure they were safe, she opened her mouth and breathed fire on the rogues.
The flames erupted in a stream of blazing heat and light that scorched the air and burned everything in its path.
Caught off guard, the rogues barely had time to scream before they were swept away in the inferno.
Using her magic, she skillfully contained the fire within a small area, ensuring that the rest of the Western Forest remained unscathed.
Once the task was complete, she hovered in place, her large wings flapping lazily.
Smoke billowed out of her nostrils as she surveyed the scene below, and her long tail swished with primal satisfaction.
The ground was scorched, and the rogues were reduced to nothing more than piles of black ash.
She felt an overwhelming sense of triumph and pride, a stark contrast to the revulsion she had anticipated feeling after slaying so many.
Apparently, she had gotten over her aversion to killing pretty damn quick.
The power she wielded and the control she maintained over the destructive force of the fire filled her with a newfound confidence.
She realized that her actions, though brutal, were necessary to protect her mates and their people.
The dragon spirit within her roared in approval, and she released a plume of fire into the air as she embraced the strength and determination that surged through her veins. This was her domain, and she would defend it fiercely, no matter the cost.
“Fucking hell, Kylie! You did it! You’re a total badass!” Layla exclaimed.
“She is right. You are a badass,” Ronan said. He stood in the center of the black circle grinning up at her. “Now, get down here, mate. I need to hold you and assure myself that you are real.”
“We need you, mate,” Dominic corrected.
“I’ll be right down…as soon as I figure out how to shift back.”