Kiss the Sky

19

14

Auric

G

ods, I was an i***t. I should have told Kira about Brin back when we were on the boat. Or when she’d found out I was a prince. Or from the very beginning. Now I wasn’t sure I would ever be able to regain Kira’s trust, even though Brin had never been anything more than a friend. We would have had a marriage of convenience and nothing more, and after meeting Kira I’d already planned on ending the betrothal as soon as I could. I only wished I’d handled the situation better. I’d thought I would have more time, and never expected Brin would be staying here at the palace. Now I realized I’d just been trying to put off the inevitable as long as possible, like a fool. And I might have lost Kira because of it.

Would she even want to bond with me once we reached the Air Temple? Or would she want someone else to be the Golden Dragon now? Somehow I would have to win her over again. And I would do it, no matter how long it took or what I had to do. But right now we had more immediate problems—like my parents.

After I’d found proper attire for myself and Kira’s other mates, we met up with her at the top of the grand staircase. Kira wore a pale green silk gown that accentuated her strong, feminine body, and it was hard to tear my eyes away. She nodded at me, and the five of us descended the staircase and continued toward the back of the palace.

Although this was my home and everything about it was familiar, walking through these halls was strange now. Even my clothing felt stiff and awkward compared to the clothes I’d worn while traveling. I supposed it was because I was different—no longer a prince who spent his time in the library and avoiding balls, but a warrior who had traveled three of the Realms, could control air itself, and would soon become a Dragon…if Kira still wanted me.

A servant informed me that my parents weren’t in their main receiving room, but in the private garden where my father often met with close friends and family when the weather was nice. Stepping outside and breathing in the scent of the flowers and the sea air filled me with nostalgia for when I’d played in these gardens as a child with my siblings. The palace might be known for its impossibly-tall shining spires, but the lush gardens had always been one of my favorite places as a child, including the one surrounded by a hedge where my family now waited.

As we approached, I heard raised voices and spotted someone standing with my parents through the hedge: a man with pale skin and black hair tied back in a severe ponytail, who instantly sent terror down my spine. I’d met him officially only once, but I’d seen him in the palace a handful of other times. I’d always been afraid of him, but that was nothing compared to the panic I felt now.

At first I worried he was there for us, but then Isen, the Golden Dragon, stared down my father with a sneer on his lips. “Are you telling me no?”

My father’s face was stoic. “Of course not. I’m telling you it will take time.”

“Time is the only luxury we do not have right now,” Isen snapped.

The King spread his hands. “We’re doing the best we can.”

“Somehow I doubt that. Meet these demands, or you won’t like the consequences.” Isen’s eyes shifted to my mother almost threateningly. “And neither will your people.”

His form shimmered and then grew, quickly becoming a large reptilian beast with a long tail, large wings, and sharp talons and fangs. He darted into the air with barely a flap of his wings, his golden scales flashing bright under the sun.

“What’s he doing here?” Jasin asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Kira’s eyes widened. “Is he looking for us?”

“I don’t think so,” I said. “It seems he’s visiting the King for other reasons.”

“Does he visit often?” Slade asked.

“Not often, but I’ve seen him many times over the years,” I said. “Think of it this way. If Sark is the Black Dragon’s enforcer, then Isen is her ambassador. He deals with the nobility, which mostly means keeping us in line and making sure we are loyal. Sometimes the Black Dragon decrees new laws and regulations, and he’s the one who makes sure the rulers carry them out.”

“You’ve met him before?” Kira asked.

“Yes, once. He’s never very friendly.” I drew in a breath and glanced back at my parents, who had sat at the table under a flowering olive tree and were speaking quietly to each other. “Are you ready to speak with my parents?”

Kira wouldn’t meet my eyes. “No, but what choice do we have?”

I nodded, sharing her sentiment, and steeled myself before stepping forward into the patio where my parents were sitting. Both of them had the lush golden hair so prized in the Air Realm, and I’d gotten my gray eyes from my mother and my height from my father. At the sight of me, both of them jumped to their feet.

“Auric!” my mother cried out. She crossed the distance between us and threw her arms around me. “Where have you been all this time?”

“Son,” my father said, resting a heavy hand on my shoulder. His disapproving eyes seemed to pierce right to my soul, seeing all my secrets, judging my actions, and finding me wanting. It was like being a kid all over again and realizing I was in deep trouble. “We’re so glad you’ve returned. But we have a lot of questions.”

“I’m sure you do,” I said. “I’ve been traveling across the Realms, but I’m back now, at least for a short while.”

“I’m so relieved you’re safe, but who are these people with you?” the Queen asked, looking past me.

“These are my…friends and traveling companions. May I introduce Kira, Reven, Jasin, and Slade. And these are my parents, King Terel and Queen Hala.”