Page 43 of Prince of Blaze and Embers (Emberveil Empire #1)

T he sky was alive with fear as Errax soared through the air, her powerful wings cutting through the wind with precision.

Beside me, Krakos and Talonor kept pace, their forms echoing the same tension that coursed through my veins.

We were fleeing from the impending force of the Blaze Queen and her monstrous dragon, Brigodon.

The horizon ahead seemed like an unattainable refuge, a promise of safety that felt impossibly far away.

"Faster, Errax!" I commanded in my mind, feeling the urgency pumping through every beat of my heart.

Errax responded instantly, her wings flapping with renewed vigor, propelling us further into the sky.

The sound of dragonfire behind us was like the roar of a distant thunderstorm, a menacing reminder of the force that pursued us with unrelenting ferocity.

Cade’s voice boomed over the wind, "Ash, keep flying south!

We need to find cover before they catch up to us!

" His eyes were fixed ahead, but the strain was evident in his jawline.

Hunter and Bella, on Talonor, were equally focused, their dragon syncing with the others as their wings cut through the sky.

Suddenly, a harsh, ominous voice filled my mind.

It was the same voice from the first time I felt the awakening of my magic.

My fingers lifted from Errax's scales, unintentionally covering my mouth at the sound of the archaic voice in my head.

"The time to fight is now. You can't hide forever from the queen.

You're strong, even if you haven't reached the pinnacle of your magic.

Trust Cade. He's young, but he's a true warrior.

The queen wants your power to unlock her divinity, but you can't allow that to happen.

You need to fight, Ashlyn Moonriver! It's your time to let your spark shine in this dark world.

Fight! Fight like the world depends on it! "

The words reverberated in my mind, igniting a spark within me that refused to be extinguished.

"Who are you? Why are you calling me Ashlyn Moonriver?

" I thought, grappling with the implications of this hidden part of my identity.

I had grown up knowing only the slave name of Mist, and even Ash had been a name of convenience.

Ashlyn Moonriver felt like a fragment of a forgotten identity, a part of me that had been locked away, waiting to be unveiled.

The name Moonriver caused my throat to nearly squeeze shut and a deep pit lurched in my stomach, causing a pain that only a lost orphan like me could know.

Moonriver. That name erupted something dormant in me. Like a birth glowing brightly inside me. There was a power behind that name. And all at once, it felt right. Now that I knew my name… I might be able to figure out who I really am… if I survive.

Despite the pain throbbing in my side from the Sythers' attack, an unyielding resolve filled me. The monster that was Brigodon had been a symbol of fear and tyranny for too long. I couldn't allow it to continue, not while I had the power to potentially make a difference.

"Errax, turn!" I commanded in my mind, feeling the tense muscles beneath my fingers shift as the dragon obeyed.

The sudden change in direction caused Cade to yell out in alarm, but I wouldn't be deterred.

My heart pounded with a mix of fear and determination as Errax wheeled around to face the oncoming threat.

"Ash, what are you doing? Turn back!" Cade's voice was laced with panic as he made Krakos swing around to follow me. Hunter followed suit with Talonor, the dragons forming a protective wedge around me.

Brigodon and the Blaze Queen loomed closer, an imposing sight of dark scales and the cold gleam of black armor.

The queen's whip of fire crackled in the air, a deadly lash that seemed to cut through the very winds.

Her eyes glistened with unstrained and hungry malice, her intentions clear—she wanted my power.

The queen's royal armor was slender, and a glossy black with weaving reds, oranges and golds throughout in intricate patterns like thorns spiking around lavish flowers.

Her long silver hair flapped madly out behind her dragon head helm, fierce with rubies for eyes and ivory for teeth, from out which her pale, angular face crept.

Her gaze was an infinite abyss of a deep black unlike anything I'd ever seen, and a hint of a smirk crept on her thin red lips at the sight of me.

Brigodon was the embodiment of terror. His enormous size dwarfed Krakos, and its huge body was covered in thick black scales weathered with deep age.

It was rumored the dragon was over a thousand years old, rivaling in age only the king's lost dragon.

The crimson webbing of its wings gave the dire warning a black widow would to the world, beware my venom!

Beware my wrath! The huge ivory horns on its head curled to sharp points, and the rest of the horns down the center of its back were a bleak gray like stone piercing its thick hide.

Its eyes were a devilish violet, unnatural in all aspects, like violets that would only bloom in the Infernal Depths.

"Now, let's see what you are made of, Gold-Marked," the Blaze Queen called out, her voice echoing over the stretch between our dragons. Her gaze was as dark as pitch, locked onto me with unwavering intensity. "I've been searching a very, very long time for you..."

Dread washed through me like acid in my blood, but I pushed it away, focusing on the golden light within me.

Eden, the magic that had become a part of me, swelled and pulsed in response to the threat, ready to fight as I commanded.

The pain in my side was a distant ebb, overshadowed by the adrenaline and resolve pumping through my veins.

Krakos' roar filled the air as he lunged forward, his claws and teeth aimed at Brigodon with feral ferocity. Talonor followed, his crimson horns gleaming with deadly intent. Errax, attuned to my command, dove straight toward Brigodon, the three dragons forming a united front against our adversary.

The Blaze Queen was ready, her whip snaking through the air with punishing speed.

She aimed it at Krakos, and the fire licked against his scales, eliciting a pained roar from the mighty dragon.

Cade responded with a burst of fire from his staff, the flames erupting in a blazing arc that the queen narrowly avoided with a swift swing of Brigodon.

Errax and I dove beneath Brigodon's massive form, using our smaller size to our advantage. I focused my magic, feeling the golden light surge through my arms and legs. Now, Errax! I thought, and the dragon responded with a sharp twist, her jaws snapping at Brigodon's underbelly.

Brigodon recoiled, its massive wings flapping with brutal force as it swung around to counter our attack.

The Blaze Queen snarled, her black eyes narrowing into slits as she pivoted, her serpent's head scepter glinting ominously in the sunlight. A wave of flames erupted from the tip of her staff, scorching the air around us. I’d never felt anything like her fire.

It was far hotter than anything I’d ever felt, as hot as dragonfire, and as hot as I’d imagine burning in the sun’s center.

Her magic was too powerful. Even Cade and I together couldn’t match that sort of raw power .

Hunter and Bella joined the fray, Talonor's horns clashing against Brigodon's scales with a resounding crack. The queen let out a frustrated growl, her whip lashing through the air, snapping ferociously around Cade’s sword arm.

He grunted in pain, but he remained resilient, slicing at the fiery tendril with a swift strike of his blade.

Errax maneuvered deftly, avoiding a swooping attack from Brigodon.

The air was filled with the rumble of dragonfire and the clash of steel against scales.

I could feel the heat, smell the smoldering brimstone stinging my nostrils.

The battle raged on, each attack met with swift and brutal counter-movements.

We weaved through the skies, our dragons dancing in a deadly ballet with the Blaze Queen’s terrible dragon.

I clung tightly to Errax’s scales, my focus never wavering. The golden magic within me surged through my veins, pulsating with my heartbeat. Again, Errax! I thought, commanding the dragon to dip and twist, evading another assault from Brigodon.

The Blaze Queen’s eyes locked onto me, her malicious gaze burning with hatred and greed. “You cannot escape me, Gold-Marked,” she hissed, her voice echoing through the cacophony of battle. “Your Gilded Radiance will be mine. I hunger for it. I need it!”

I felt a new surge of determination, refusing to be intimidated. Eden stirred within me, and a wave of golden light emanated from my hands. I focused the magic, directing it toward the queen. The golden energy collided with the queen’s fire whip, momentarily halting its deadly dance.

Cade, seeing the opening, commanded Krakos to strike. The black dragon’s jaws clamped down on Brigodon’s neck, drawing a pained roar from the larger beast. The Blaze Queen’s scepter blazed with renewed intensity, sending a torrent of fire toward Cade, driving Krakos back.

Hunter and Bella swooped in on Talonor, their combined might lending crucial support. Talonor’s horns grazed Brigodon’s flank, leaving long scrapes on the monster’s armored scales. The Blaze Queen’s reaction was immediate and fierce, her whip crackling with a renewed burst of flames.

I felt the pain in my side intensify, but I pushed it aside, focusing all my energy on the fight. “Eden, help me,” I muttered under my breath, drawing on the deep well of power within me. The golden light intensified, enveloping me and Errax in a protective aura.

The queen, seeing the glimmering barrier, sneered.

“Your tricks won’t save you, girl. You’re a mere insect compared to my power.

” She hurled another bolt of fire, the torrent colliding with my protective shield.

The impact sent shockwaves through the air, the force threatening to shatter the magical barrier.

Errax pulled back, sending us diving down.

I gritted my teeth, my hands trembling from the strain.

“We can’t keep this up,” I shouted to Cade and Hunter, who were engaged in their own battles against Brigodon’s relentless assault.

“We need another plan.”Cade dodged a sweeping strike from the queen’s whip, his staff flaring with fire.

“We need to outmaneuver her, use our agility to our advantage.”

Hunter nodded, Talonor veering sharply as another flame whip sang through the air. “But she’s too powerful. We need to find her weakness.”

I thought quickly, my mind racing. “Her battle armor—it might have weak points.” I focused on the queen, studying the intricate patterns on the black and orange armor. “The scepter and whip are her main weapons. If we can disable them…”

Cade’s expression hardened with resolve. “It’s risky, but it might be our only chance.” He turned to Hunter. “Hunter, flank her from the left. Ash, use your magic to draw her attention. I’ll make my move from behind.”

Hunter nodded, his eyes determined. “Let’s give it everything we’ve got!”

I took a deep breath, feeling the weight of our plan settle on my shoulders. “All right, Eden, let’s make this count.” I focused my magic, drawing on the deep reserves of power within me. The golden light intensified, swirling around my hands.

I directed Errax to rise higher, positioning us in full view of the queen.

The Blaze Queen’s gaze locked onto her immediately, her eyes narrowing with malice.

“Your pitiful magic won’t save you, Gold-Marked.

Not against me. I've defeated all Gold-Marked that rose before you, and they all fell... Every... Single... One...”

I ignored the taunt, my focus unwavering. I thrust my hands forward, sending a surge of golden energy toward the queen. The magic collided with the fire whip, momentarily disrupting its deadly dance. The queen snarled, her serpent's head scepter blazing with renewed intensity.

At the same moment, Hunter and Talonor shot forward, their movements after the plan I'd devised with Cade were already synched up perfectly. But fate, unfortunately, rarely aligns with the best laid plans, and the day quickly turned to chaos.

Brigodon, sensing the synchronized attack, roared and turned sharply. His massive body slid through the sky, the momentum taking him and the queen clear out of range for my magic to reach.

I knew Bella had seldom seen battle, let alone the horror of the Blaze Queen.

When Brigodon swiveled, swinging his tail, he clipped Talonor with such overpowering force that they were knocked back.

Hunter tried to manipulate the stumble with flares of slope-gliding, but the impact was too massive.

Talonor, taking the hit, chipped a horn so fiercely it broke right off his head.

Hunter did his best to stay in flight, despite the pain and shock from Talonor’s injury that was palpable in the air.

"Hunter! Bella!" I screamed, trying to guide Errax toward them, but the battle had us separated, and we all needed to constantly evade Brigodon's assaults.

Riding on Errax, I tried to get closer, but the air was heavy with hazard and flames, creating a thick barrier.

Krakos, with Cade on his back, banked hard around Brigodon, trying to locate an opening.

The Blaze Queen laughed sadistically, her voice slicing through the chaos like a wicked blade.

"Pathetic puppets," she hissed, "playing at being warriors.

Your end is near. You cannot defeat me. I enjoy this game. I love the hunt!"

Cade and Krakos raged on in the battle with the queen as I sent Errax diving after Bella, Talonor still tumbling down from the shock of the queen's attack.

"Bella! Hold on! I'm coming!"