Kiss the Sky

10

“Yes, and it’s definitely coming in handy. Not all of us are eager to climb the ropes like Jasin here.”

Slade gripped my shoulders and spun me around to take me in. “Kira, are you well?”

“I’m okay, thanks. Just hungry.” I tried to pat down my hair, which was more unruly than ever, not helped by the warm breeze out here. “I can’t believe I slept so long.”

“Let me get you something to eat,” Jasin said, before darting off.

“He feels responsible for what happened to you,” Auric said quietly.

“He is responsible,” Slade growled.

I reached for the railing to steady myself, feeling a bit lightheaded. “No, it was all my own doing. Don’t blame Jasin for this.”

“What don’t you sit down?” Auric said, taking my elbow and leading me along the ship. He helped me onto a nearby barrel, while the other men hovered around me. They’d already been over-protective of me, and now that I’d passed out in front of them I’d never get a moment to myself again.

“I’m fine, really,” I said, though I did feel better now that I was sitting.

Reven handed me a flask, scowling the entire time. “Drink this.”

I sighed at him, but then took a long sip of cool, deliciously fresh water. Before I knew it the flask was empty and my head had stopped spinning quite so much. With a flick of his fingers, Reven summoned more water into the flask, while Jasin returned with a spread of food—bread, cheese, and some fried fish. Enough to feed all of us, but he set it in front of me alone.

“Thank you, this is perfect,” I said, as I popped a piece of cheese into my mouth.

“Reven caught us all some fish earlier, and I fried them up while Auric and Slade fixed the ship,” Jasin said with a grin. Through our bond I felt him near me and sensed his emotions—mainly relief, with a touch of guilt and worry.

I managed a small smile at the group of men. “It’s nice to see you all working together.”

“Don’t get used to it.” Reven crossed his arms, but that only made me smile wider.

“Can you tell us what happened the other day?” Auric asked.

I took another sip of water before continuing. “I could tell Jasin was exhausted and I still don’t know how to control fire very well, so I tried to lend him my energy and strength.”

“It definitely worked. I’d never felt so powerful before.” Jasin stroked my hair tenderly while I ate. “I only wish it hadn’t drained you in the process.”

“I’ll have to be careful in the future. I’m still learning how to use all this magic and I haven’t even begun my fire training.” The thought of everything I had ahead of me was daunting. I’d have to master all five elements, and quickly. Along with everything else that came with being the Black Dragon.

“You just need to practice,” Slade said. “It’s the same as learning any new skill. The more you do it the better you’ll get at it, and the longer you’ll be able to keep it going.”

I nodded. Archery had been the same way at first. When I’d first joined the bandits I had never held a bow before and thought I would never be good at it. Now the only one who could rival me with a bow was Jasin.

“We’re growing stronger every day,” Auric said. “Imagine how powerful we’ll be once we’re all bonded to you.”

“Imagine how powerful the other Dragons are now,” Reven countered. “They’ve had centuries to practice their magic.”

“Let’s hope we won’t encounter one anytime soon.” I couldn’t help but glance back the way we’d come, wondering if Sark’s blood-red wings were trailing behind us. Sooner or later we would have to face the Dragons—and we definitely weren’t ready for them yet.

8

Jasin

T

hat night I sought out Kira below deck after giving her a bit more time to recover. As I stepped down the ladder, she was staring at Auric’s map of the four Realms, her finger resting near the Air Temple and her brow creased in thought. Her red hair hung loose around her shoulders, framing her graceful neck and that beautiful face I could stare at forever. Mine, something inside me whispered with satisfaction.

Though I knew she’d bond with the other men soon, I took great pride in being her first mate. She’d been hesitant to trust me at first, between my past as a ladies’ man and a soldier in the Onyx Army, but eventually I’d won her over and proven my devotion to her. And a good thing too, because I’d realized before we even reached the Fire Temple that I was in love with her. I’d never felt so strongly about any woman before, and now I couldn’t imagine a life without Kira in it.

“How are you feeling?” I asked, when she glanced up at me.

“Better, thanks.” She pushed the map aside as I moved behind her and began massaging her shoulders. With a soft sigh she tilted her head back, relaxing under my firm hands. “That feels nice.”

“Good.” I brushed aside her hair and slid her dress down her shoulders so I could better knead her soft skin. “When you collapsed in front of us I was so worried. The other guys were too. Don’t do that again, okay?”

“I’ll try not to, but I can’t make any guarantees. I’m still testing the limits of these new powers and I have a lot to learn. ”

“Just be careful. I’ve never seen Slade so upset before.”

She turned her head toward me. “Slade was upset?”

“Very. All of us were. Even Reven.” I pressed my thumbs into the spot between her shoulder blades where I could tell she was extra tense. “At least I could still sense you through our bond so I knew you would be okay. The others could only trust my word on that.”