Page 38 of Prince of Blaze and Embers (Emberveil Empire #1)

T he 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... but you'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?"

"Can't a girl keep her secrets?" I laughed. "You hold yours as tight a fisherman holds onto his prize new catch..."

Cade's face flushed, something I'd never seen, or thought I'd see. He cleared his throat, changing the subject. "We need to figure out our next move," he said, his voice taking on a more serious tone. "Now that we know the queen is coming, we need to be ready."

I nodded in agreement, my mind racing with the implications of our situation. "The mystic," I said, remembering the conversation we'd had before the attack. "You said you found him, that he might have answers. We need to go see him."

Cade's expression grew grave. "Yes, but it won't be easy. The journey to his sanctuary is treacherous, and the queen's forces will be on the lookout for us. But it's our best chance to find out how to defeat her and end this war."

Hunter stepped forward, his determination evident in his stance. "We're with you, Cade. Whatever it takes."

Bella, who had been quietly listening, spoke up. "I'm coming too. I'm not staying behind again."

Rosa bowed. "I would argue that y’all need rest and time to heal, but I know you know the queen, my prince. Do what you must. Find the mystic."

"Rosa?" I asked, worried for her safety. She was mostly distant, but I cared for her, not wanting to leave her. "What will you do?"

"I know these woods pretty darned well by now," Rosa jostled her belt with pride. "These old bones still know a trick or two. I'll head into the Faewood, and wait out the storm."

"What if the queen finds you?" I tugged at her arm .

"If she finds me, then she finds me. I've lived a long, full life. If it's my time, then it's my time. But like I said, I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve... But know that we're with you, Ash. We believe in you..."

A swell of gratitude filled my heart as I looked at my friends, their faces etched with resolve. Together, we stood a chance against the overwhelming odds. "Thank you," I said, my voice filled with emotion. "All of you."

Cade turned to me, his gaze steady. "Ash, you need to rest and heal. Even though you have a dragon now, you don't know how to fight on one, and you'll need your strength for something like that."

I understood his concern, but the thought of delaying our mission felt like a luxury we couldn't afford. "I'm okay," I insisted, though the throbbing pain in my side said otherwise. "We need to move quickly."

Cade's expression softened, but his voice was firm. "You've been through a lot, Ash. Just a couple hours of rest. The queen won't come yet. I know her. She'll wait for word from the Sythers, or lack of a word. She rarely leaves the castle, not unless absolutely necessary."

Hunter shifted uneasily in his stance. "The Syther did say she would come."

"She will," Cade agreed. "Trust me. I know her. She will come, but we have time. Maybe a day, maybe a week. Either way we need to be ready, but Ash needs food and rest. A couple hours, and then we'll be off on our way."

I relented, seeing the wisdom in his words. With a sigh, I nodded.

Cade gave a small smile, a rare sight that sent a flutter through my stomach.

As we made our way back to the house, I noticed Errax watching me intently. I paused, turning to the magnificent creature. "Thank you, Errax," I said , my hand reaching out to touch her snout gently. "For everything."

Errax let out a low rumble, her emerald eyes filled with an understanding that transcended words. The connection between us was palpable, a bond that went beyond mere friendship. She was my dragon, and together, we would face whatever challenges lay ahead.

Inside the house, the atmosphere was tense but focused.

Bella and Rosa began gathering supplies, while Hunter and Cade discussed our route and potential dangers.

I sat at the large wooden table, watching them with a mix of awe and admiration.

Despite the dire circumstances, there was a unity among us, a sense of purpose that bound us together.

Rosa rummaged food together for me in the kitchen.

Cade returned to my side, his expression serious. "Ash, I need to speak with you."

I looked up at him, a sense of unease settling in my stomach. "What is it?"

He hesitated for a moment before continuing, his voice low.

"I need you to understand the risks involved.

The mystic's sanctuary is deep within the Faewood, near the Brakenstone Ridge Mountains.

The journey itself will be dangerous, and there's no guarantee that the mystic will even help us.

I hope you can wake him, but I'm not certain of it. "

I swallowed hard, the gravity of our situation sinking in. "I understand, Cade. But we have to try. We can't just sit here and wait for the queen to find us."

Cade's gaze softened, and he reached out, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. The gesture was surprisingly tender, sending a shiver down my spine. "You're right, Ash. We have to try. But I need you to promise me something."

"What is it?" I asked.

"Promise me you'll stay close, that you won't take any unnecessary risks. We can't lose you, not now."

His words stirred something deep within me, a warmth that spread through my chest. "I promise, Cade. I'll stay close."

Rosa brought me a bowl of stew that I devoured.

He nodded, his expression easing slightly. "Good. Now, let's get you cleaned up and rested. You'll need your strength for what lies ahead."

As the others continued their preparations, Cade led me to the back room where a basin of warm water awaited. I winced as I removed my clothing, the dried blood pulling at the wounds on my side. Cade's eyes darkened with concern as he took in the extent of my injuries.

"Let me help you," he said , his hands gentle as he cleaned the wounds with a damp cloth.

I hissed at the sting of the water, but Cade's touch was soothing, his hands surprisingly gentle for someone of his size and strength.

As he worked, I found myself studying the lines of his face, the way his hair framed his strong jaw, the intensity in his piercing blue eyes.

There was a depth to him, a complexity that I had only begun to scratch the surface of .

"Thank you," I murmured, feeling a warmth spread through me that had nothing to do with the injuries.

He looked up, his eyes meeting mine. "You don't need to thank me, Ash. I'm just doing what needs to be done."

But there was more to it, a connection that went beyond mere necessity. As his hands brushed against my skin, I felt a spark, a warmth that sent shivers down my spine. There was a moment of silence, a pause where the world seemed to still around us.

"Cade..." I began.

But before I could finish, he stepped back, breaking the moment. "You should rest now," he said, his voice steady, though I could see the faint flush in his cheeks.

I nodded, feeling a mix of disappointment and relief. "You're right. I should."

He helped me into a fresh set of clothes, his hands lingering for a moment longer than necessary.

As I lay down on the bed, he pulled the blankets up over me, his eyes softening.

"Sleep well, Ash. We need you at your best for what lies ahead.

" He leaned down with his lips leading the way.

They pressed against mine, and a warmth shot through me like a tidal wave.

The warmth had the opposite reaction I would've expected; it made my head spin and my vision soften.

I'd been through hell and back, and the claws of slumber raked at me deeply.

As I drifted off to sleep, my mind was filled with thoughts of Cade, of our journey, and of the challenges that awaited us.

The road ahead was uncertain, filled with danger and unknowns.

But with Cade and the others by my side, I felt a sense of determination and hope that I had never known before.

Together, we would face whatever came next.