Kiss the Sky

2

Next I was meant to bond with Auric, my thoughtful, clever prince, who would represent the Air God as the Golden Dragon. He’d left behind his life as a royal and a scholar to be at my side, and I’d already come to value his kindness and intelligence. We were traveling toward the Air Realm now, where his parents ruled, though I wasn’t sure what we would encounter there. Auric had sneaked away to be with me, and I had a feeling his family wouldn’t be pleased with him. After Jasin’s family betrayed us to the Onyx Army, it didn’t seem wise to tell anyone else who or what we were. Either way, I was looking forward to bonding with Auric at the Air Temple, especially when I remembered his kisses, which had left me wanting even more.

Slade would be my next mate after Auric, though he didn’t seem happy about that fact. He’d once been a humble blacksmith—although one who had connections with the Resistance, it seemed—before the Earth God had selected him to become the Jade Dragon. Slade hadn’t wanted to leave his old life behind, and I got the feeling there was a woman in his past that was part of that, but I’d never once questioned his loyalty. I just wasn’t sure if we’d ever have the kind of relationship I had with Jasin and Auric. Sometimes Slade looked at me in a way that made me think he desired me as much as I did him, but then he would turn away and the moment would be lost. I could only hope he would open up to me by the time we reached the Earth Temple.

Reven, on the other hand, had made it clear from the start he didn’t want to be the next Azure Dragon, and didn’t care one bit that the Water God had chosen him. Despite the undeniable chemistry between us, he’d resisted me and pushed me away at every turn. In the Fire Realm he’d eventually left us all behind, saying he wanted no part of our journey anymore and that caring for people made one weak. He’d returned a day later and saved my life, but I wasn’t sure I could ever trust him again after he’d left us when we needed him most. But I’d have to find a way, because eventually we’d have to bond in the Water Temple too.

No matter what challenges we faced, I needed to take all four men as my mates to gain all of their elemental powers and become the next Black Dragon. Only then could we stop the current Dragons—and take their place as the protectors of the world.

“All right, I’m going to try it,” Jasin said, his voice carrying over on the wind and interrupting my thoughts.

“Are you sure this is wise?” Auric asked, his brow furrowing.

Slade shook his head. “You’re going to get yourself killed.”

Jasin waved their concerns away. “I’ve got it handled.”

“What are you doing?” I asked, as he tugged off his shirt and tossed it aside, revealing a chest rippling with muscles that were impossible not to stare at.

“Just watch and see.” With those words Jasin walked confidently across the deck and gave me a wink, his auburn hair shining under the sun. He grabbed onto the ship’s rigging and hauled himself up it with his strong arms, making my heart jump into my throat. With a mixture of fear and curiosity I watched his powerful body climb the ropes, going higher and higher, until he reached the top of the mast.

He spread his arms wide to the sun—and then he jumped.

I let out a cry as he fell toward the water, but then his body began to shift and grow. Blood red scales slithered across his skin, forming large wings and a long, snaking tail. Talons sprouted from his hands and fangs appeared from his mouth, and soon there was nothing left of my infuriatingly brave soldier except a formidable dragon in his place.

He flapped his great wings to keep from hitting the water, casting a gust of wind at the ship that sent us reeling. I gripped the railing tight as I watched him fly for the first time, while the other guys moved beside me, their eyes wide. Even Reven, though he crossed his arms like he wasn’t impressed.

Jasin flew higher and unleashed a loud roar as he faced us, no doubt showing off because he knew he had an audience. Then he let out a strange sound that I thought might be a laugh before doing a flip in the air, clearly reveling in his new form. Under the sun his crimson scales gleamed, and my fear gave way to amazement. One day we would all be able to change forms like that and fly across the sky—including me. And once we mastered our powers and our new Dragon forms, maybe we’d be able to save the world. Assuming we could learn to work together first.

“He’s going to be more insufferable than ever now,” Reven said.

“No doubt,” Slade agreed.

“I can fix that.” With a wave of his hand, Auric sent a strong gust of wind flying toward Jasin, right as he did another flip. I arched an eyebrow at Auric, but he just shrugged.

Jasin awkwardly flapped his leathery wings to steady himself, but he couldn’t regain his balance and began spiraling out of control. His scales rippled and shifted as if he was becoming human again while he plummeted from the sky. I gasped as his large reptilian body hit the water with a loud smack, sending waves across the deck and drenching the four of us. He sank below the water and I nearly reached for Reven to beg him to save Jasin, but then an auburn head surfaced in front of us.

Jasin tossed his wet hair back and grinned. “Is that the best you’ve got?”

Yeah, we had a lot of work ahead of us.