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  I could feel the warmth of his breath as we grew near. It was like standing next to a fire, yet the warmth only hit me in waves and not constantly. We were getting close, I knew it. We passed a corner, entering a room far larger than even the chambers we’d been walking through.

  It must’ve been a hundred feet high, likely larger, a massive circle carved into the mountain that the dragon called home. There he was, sleeping, just like we thought, without a care in the world. After all, nobody would dare come in here and attempt to startle him. He was the top predator in this region, and he knew it.

  I still couldn’t see the guys, and I knew talking to them was going to be a no-go. Even a faint whisper could wake the dragon, and being enclosed with him awake in the cavern wasn’t the best option. One quick blaze of fire from his belly would melt us alive.

  I unsheathed my sword, the metal blade gently scraping. I knew the guys heard it, but the dragon just snored. I let go of the guys as I tried to look forward and see where I was going. “She’s going,” I heard one of them whisper softly.

  The dragon shifted a little, his massive claw scraping against the rock, before he took in a deep breath through his nose and exhaled slowly. I’d never been next to a creature this size before. If he looked big in the village, he looked ten times larger here. Maybe it was because of the size of the room, or maybe it was simply because of how truly massive he was, but I knew he was a beast not to be trifled with. It was too bad for him I needed to do this.

  With my sword in hand, I crept closer, trying to find the best spot to stab him. His belly was on the other side, guarded, his back and shoulder on the ground next to me. Was it good enough? Could I land a killing blow?

  I looked towards the guys, seeing them start to reappear slowly. I panicked, looking down at myself. My torso was coming back, albeit slowly, but it was still reappearing nonetheless.

  “I’ll lift you,” Adam said softly. I felt the ground under me shift as Adam grounded himself and began to raise his arms upwards.

  A stone pillar, not much larger than me, pushed up under my feet and I was slowly elevated into the air. I needed to get near the dragon’s head, his neck, to make the killing blow. I reached his jawline, coming up near his eye, when things began to go wrong.

  The dragon shuffled a little, his claw twitching, and I saw his eye flick open. It moved, looking directly at me as my body reappeared, and I heard a low grumble from his throat. There was no getting out of this one. He saw me.

  14

  “He’s awake!” I shouted as the pillar under me shot upwards.

  “Get on top!” Adam yelled. The dragon moved and broke the rocky pillar just after I’d been thrust off it and onto his back.

  He roared, the stalactites above shaking under the vibrations, as if they were about to fall and impale us. Standing on top of him I could feel his ember glowing, as if a match was being struck and his fiery blaze was lighting up.

  He shot a blast of fire at the guys, illuminating them in red light, as Adam tossed up a shield and Aidan controlled the blaze that wrapped around it. Tyvin sped out, running along the wall. He caught the attention of the dragon, who shot out quick bursts of fire to try to stop his ascent.

  Tyvin was too quick, though. He pivoted, squatting against the wall, and thrust himself outwards. I tried to run up the dragon’s neck and onto his head, grabbing the barbs that ran along the back of his neck, as Tyvin landed on top of his head and extended his staff to me.

  “Fancy meeting you here,” he said, smiling.

  The dragon started to thrash his head around in an attempt to throw us off as his wings spread out and his body heated up.

  “Over here, you stupid lizard!” Adam yelled, breaking off stalagmites and throwing them at the dragon. The rocks weren’t enough to penetrate his skin, breaking and turning to dust as they crashed into his hulking body while Tyvin and I struggled to stay upright.

  Utterly angry and pissed off, the dragon bent forward, sending a huge blaze of fire towards the guys that made me squint. Aidan jumped in front of Adam, putting out his blade, and the fire parted in front of him. I saw Aidan wince, trying to control the inferno, as his feet were slowly pushed back under the pressure of a foe far more formidable than he.

  Adam disappeared, burrowing under the cave floor, before popping up to the side and throwing spikes into the dragon’s weaker underside. The blaze stopped as he squealed a little, and he did something I didn’t expect.

  The dragon began running forward, likely wanting to leave the comprised sanctity of his home, as it was now being used as a weapon against him. “Hurry!” Adam yelled, propelling himself forward and onto the dragon’s lower backside.

  Aidan looked nervous as the dragon picked up speed, before the ground under him exploded and he was propelled onto the middle of the beast’s back.

  My hair whipped backwards as Tyvin and I held on for dear life, the dragon speeding forward like a plane I once saw in the mortal world. I partially closed my eyes, the rushing wind drying them out, as I saw the light passing through the tunnels as we got closer to the exit.

  “Keep holding on,” I yelled, as my entire left side wrapped around one of the horned barbs that broke through the dragon’s skin.

  Fast as a lightning strike we were outside, the dragon leaping off the landing, before his wings spread out and we were plummeting towards the ground. He was trying to buck us off, the extreme gravity of the plunge making my stomach churn as I tried to hold my breath and pretend this wasn’t happening.

  Just before he hit the ground he pulled upwards, not wanting to risk his own life. The ascent into the sky pushed us into him so hard we couldn’t even get to our feet.

  “You have to make the kill,” Tyvin yelled.

  “How?” I yelled back.

  Just then we leveled out, the extreme force of the ascent stopping as the cold air blew against us. “Hold on to my staff for stability,” Tyvin said, extending it.

  I grabbed it before walking forward, my sword in my hand. I didn’t know where to hit the dragon, but I knew I had to try. I swung my sword around, the blade pointing downwards, before I struck with all my might. The blade barely went in, smashing against his skull, and a roar filled the sky.

  I saw his eyes look back at me, menacing, before I swung again, this time not even thinking about it. I slashed his eye, cutting it in half. The dragon thrashed around, and I knew I’d bought myself a little time.

  “You need to hit his throat!” Aidan yelled, from further away.

  I grabbed my dagger, letting go of Tyvin’s staff, before jamming it into the dragon’s head and sliding down with one hand. “Kira!” Tyvin yelled.

  The dragon’s flesh opened up, his roar filling the skies, as I looked forward to see the village within clear view. With my sword in tow, I struck forward, pushing into his throat, before twisting for the kill. Blackish blood spurted out, catching in the wind, as his wings stopped flapping and his body went limp. I’d slain him.

  There was only one problem with slaying a dragon while holding onto him mid-flight. He couldn’t fly anymore, and we were quickly falling back to earth.

  I put my sword in its sheath before looking up to see Tyvin, Adam, and Aidan flying in the sky. They grabbed onto one another. Looking at myself falling much quicker with the dragon, I let go of the dagger, as if I’d pulled a parachute to save myself.

  The dragon kept falling, much faster, as my body tumbled in the air, getting quick glimpses of the guys catching up to me as Tyvin pushed them faster with streams of air. They grabbed me and we twisted upright, the four of us holding onto one another and falling in sync.

  A cracking of thunder filled the air, shaking me to my core, as the dragon slammed into the ground with so much force the entire sky reverberated with shockwaves. Tyvin kept shooting out air, trying to slow us down, before Aidan joined in. The ground was coming too close much too fast.

  Adam swirled his hands around just before we hit the ground and we sank into s
omething different. It was sand. As Tyvin and Aidan slowed our fall, Adam changed the earth beneath us into something not quite as hard as rocks. I sat up, looking around, wiggling my toes and moving my fingers to ensure they weren’t broken, before laughing.

  We were alive, and not only that, but we’d slain the dragon. We did it.

  •••

  The entire town was waiting for us as we approached the body of the once fearful dragon. They cheered as we approached, their roars of happiness filling the air like the roars of the dragon once had.

  “They saved us!” one man yelled.

  “Long live the fae!” a woman screamed.

  We couldn’t help but smile, both out of happiness and discomfort, since none of us were happy to be the center of attention. We walked up, seeing a man touch the dragon’s stomach, before turning to us.

  “You four did this?” he asked.

  “We did,” I replied.

  “I am the mayor, Barnabus Wiltlock, and on behalf of our little village, we would like to extend our deepest and most sincere thanks to you four. This dragon has terrorized our village for far too long, and now we can walk and live in peace with him gone,” he said.

  “There’s just one more thing we need to do,” Aidan said, pulling out his sword.

  “Well hold on now, son,” the mayor said, his hands out.

  Aidan slashed past him, ripping open the dragon’s stomach, and the guts spilled out on the ground. A resounding gasp of disgust came from the townspeople while Aidan reached inside, grabbing a large, ruby colored stone, and walked back up to me.

  “The ember,” I said, taking it from him.

  I held it in my hand, feeling a dull heat as the core of the ember glowed.

  “Quite a fitting prize for such a job well done,” Barnabus said, nodding.

  “Would you all like the rest of it?” Adam asked.

  “Hell yes we would!” a man from the crowd exclaimed.

  “It’s yours, have at it,” Aidan said, smiling.

  We knew the people here could use the meat and bones for their own purposes. It wasn’t the wealthiest village, and having all this free food would stave off the harshness of the impending winter.

  “We should contact Telerius,” Tyvin said, as I gazed at the ember.

  “I suppose you’re right,” I said, nudging my head to the side. “Let’s get out of the way, though.”

  We walked off to the side, behind a small building, and I tapped the amulet to summon Telerius. Within a minute a portal opened, and my old friend walked out, a smile growing on his face when he noticed the ember I was holding.

  “You did it,” he said happily.

  “It wasn’t easy, but we got it. I hope it was worth it,” I said.

  “Oh, it will be. Magical artifacts like this one are always well preserved and used for research and historical purposes. Besides, the dragon was terrorizing the village and saving these people was an important task to undertake,” he said.

  “I hope it will be put to good use, then,” I said, handing it over.

  “May I speak with you in private, Kira?” Telerius asked.

  “Let’s give them some space,” Tyvin said, as he and the guys walked back towards the townspeople.

  “What’s wrong?” I asked.

  “Nothing at all! I just wanted to check in on your progress and see how things are faring for you with your feats and with the bonding process,” Telerius said.

  “Well, the feats are going well. Three are done, one to go,” I said.

  “I know, I never doubted your ability to defeat these obstacles you’ve faced so far. Adding three very capable and strong young men into the mix was only a recipe for success,” he said.

  “I’m a little nervous for Atlantis,” I said, partially alluding to the diplomatic part of my visit but also the other one as well.

  “I’m sure the Atlanteans will welcome you with open arms. They have been looking to become allies with the fae for quite a long time. I believe our two societies could thrive as partners,” Telerius said.

  “I sure hope so. It would do a lot for public perception, as well, if I were to broker in trust and trade,” I said.

  “That’s quite true, young one. Our people would love you even more, if that’s possible,” Telerius said, smiling. “Is everything going okay with the guys?”

  “Yeah, it’s going great,” I said, my hands in my pockets as I shifted a little.

  “Whom are you leaning towards? Your mother and I are quite excited to know,” he asked, smiling, as he looked at the guys off in the distance.

  “Oh, you know a lady never reveals those types of things,” I said, laughing a little, mostly out of embarrassment.

  “Well, I believe any of them would make a great mate for you,” he said.

  Or all of them, I thought. It was hard looking my mentor, somebody I trusted, in the eyes and lying to him like this. I could tell him my plan—that I was going to ask all of them to be my mates—but somehow I thought that would put a damper on things. I knew I would never be bestowed with my elemental powers if I did that, although I knew the Atlanteans had to have a way to still get them. They were masters over water, and if any people would have the ability to give me dominion over that element as well, it was them. Telerius just couldn’t know about it, not yet, anyway.

  “Is there anything special my mother or you want me to say to the Atlanteans?” I asked.

  “Just let them know of our happiness to become friends with them. Bestow our happiness and open arms upon them. Remember, though, while they are friendly, they are also fierce. Don’t do anything to upset them, or it could be disastrous,” Telerius said.

  “Well, I think we should consider getting going, then. I want to make a good first impression,” I said.

  “Tell the guys I said goodbye,” he said, touching my amulet and making it glow before removing his hand. “The next portal that opens will go straight to the front gates of Atlantis. Use it when you are ready.”

  Telerius waved, opening a portal to Terrandale and stepping back through, the misty circle disappearing just as quickly as it had appeared.

  “Gone already?” Aidan asked, as the guys noticed Telerius left and walked back over.

  “He said goodbye, and to be on our best behavior with the Atlanteans. I guess they’re friendly, but they can be hostile if you give them a reason to be. We’re going to be on their turf and in their kingdom, and our people need this trade deal,” I said.

  “Then we shall visit with open arms and make sure to help our own,” Tyvin said.

  “Let’s just hope none of them try to attack us. I’d hate to have to swim home,” Adam said, shivering.

  “We should get going,” I said, as we looked at the townspeople still swarming around the dragon.

  “Ready whenever you are,” Aidan said.

  I touched the amulet, summoning a blue portal, and the four of us held our breath and walked through.

  I didn’t know what to expect on the other side, but I knew I needed it, and for more reasons than one.

  15

  Atlantis was magnificent and utterly impossible to fully describe. We were under the ocean, that much was implied, but the kingdom itself was gilded and beautiful. I looked behind me, seeing a few hundred feet of the ocean floor before a massive translucent film cut off the water from breaking through and drowning both the kingdom and its people.

  It rose hundreds of feet up, further than I could see, as the basking light from the sun far above broke through the clear crystal water and showered the land with light. “Who goes there?” a guard asked, as we stood outside the gates. I wondered if he was confused to finally see visitors, as I could hear a tinge of nerves in his voice. We’d likely startled him and his partner.

  “My name is Kira Frost, I am the Princess of Terrandale and the daughter of Queen Esmerelda. I am here on official diplomatic duty and have an audience with the King,” I said confidently, as I stood up straight and didn’t stutt
er my words.

  “We have been expecting your arrival, princess. You may enter the Kingdom of Atlantis,” the guard said, before the locks unlocked and the gates began to swing open.

  If I thought the outside of the kingdom was beautiful, I couldn’t explain what the inside looked like. It looked like a utopia, with beautiful smooth stone buildings and healthy people running throughout the streets smiling.

  Our kingdom wasn’t a dump, not even close, but there was an aura within the walls of this kingdom that exuded wealth and good tidings. Gold adorned the trim on the many buildings, as women in white dresses carried baskets of goods around, handing them out to everybody as if they were free for the taking.

  Perched far away, up higher than the surrounding town, was the castle. It looked like a Pantheon, one fit for Poseidon himself, as the shimmering sun glimmered on the gilded roof and the deep blue stained-glass windows reflected the rich tones of the ocean’s depths.

  “Princess Kira, it is so nice to make your acquaintance,” a man in robes said, smiling, as he approached us. He reached out, grabbing and shaking my hand, as two women walked up behind him.

  “We are very happy to be here in your beautiful kingdom,” I said, smiling back, hoping that being polite would score me points.

  “My name is Kelvin, and I will be your personal escort around the kingdom. The hour grows late and the King and Queen are preoccupied with meetings at the moment. I would love to show you all to your rooms and get you settled in. We will be throwing a great feast in your honor tonight, and we hope you will have time to freshen up before the festivities begin,” Kelvin said.

  “A feast for us?” I asked, in shock.

  “Well, of course. The Atlanteans have been looking forward to the trade agreement your mother set forth, and we want to celebrate the upcoming occasion with a shared meal in honor of you and your people,” Kelvin said.

  “Thank you for your hospitality, Kelvin. It is most gracious,” Tyvin said, bowing.

  “I’ve always had a soft spot for air elementals in your kingdom. Great people. Anyhow, Aira and Lena will be showing you to your rooms. I believe you will be most happy with the accommodations,” Kelvin said. “I will be a simple buzz away should you need me at any time. I will see you tonight.”