Stroke the Flame

7

Another man stood beside her wearing the black uniform of the Onyx Army, right down to a sword at his side. His eyes ran over me in a quick, suspicious appraisal. I held my breath, waiting for him to recognize me, but all he did was touch the pommel of his sword as he moved closer to Kira, silently warning me he would protect her with his life. He must be one of the other Dragons. One of the men I would have to share her with. But which one, I wondered?

“Who are you?” Kira asked me.

A tricky question indeed. I gazed around the tavern to take in the townsfolk who were all staring at us, including the cheerful waitress. They were intrigued by me, for sure, but no one gasped or shouted my name or kneeled before me. None of them realized who I truly was.

“Can we speak alone?” I asked Kira, keeping my voice low. I was sure she had a million questions, as did I. Questions that would be better answered without the entire town listening in.

She nodded, then turned to the waitress. “Tash, is the private dining room free?”

Tash’s eyebrows practically shot through the roof as she glanced between me and Kira. “It’s not booked tonight. Go on in and I’ll bring you three something to eat.” She brushed past Kira and said, “And you better tell me everything later.”

“I will,” Kira said.

She led us into a large room off the side of the tavern which was likely used for events, celebrations, or other private gatherings, containing one long wooden table and many chairs. A painting hung on the wall featuring the Black Dragon with her four consorts flying around her, surrounded by their representative element. Each one looked terrifying and powerful, with their scaled bodies, large wings, and long tails. I’d not seen this exact painting before, but the Black Dragon demanded that one like it had to be hung in any place where people gathered. No doubt it was to remind us that the five Dragons were watching over us at all times.

I gazed at the Golden Dragon in the painting and pondered my fate, while Kira closed the door behind us. I never would have believed any of this if the Air God himself hadn’t granted me his powers. I still hardly believed it, even though my draw toward Kira was unmistakable.

She turned toward me, facing me down with uneasy eyes. “I think it’s time you told me who you are and what you’re doing here.”

I hesitated, but I wasn’t quite ready to reveal who I was yet. I wouldn’t lie, but I wouldn’t tell them the whole truth either. Not until I knew these people better. Not until I could trust them.

7

Kira

T

he golden-haired man stood up straighter, gazing down at me from his towering height. “I’m Auric. I was sent to find you by the Air God.” He gave me a dramatic bow, his movements refined and graceful. “I’m here to serve the next Black Dragon.”

Jasin snorted and muttered, “This guy? Really?”

I glared at him and turned back to Auric, sizing him up. His traveling clothes were simple, yet nevertheless stood out due to their fine quality and expensive fabrics. Auric was definitely not from anywhere around here. A nobleman for sure. He wasn’t as obviously muscular as Jasin, but he was just as handsome in a more refined way, with the most amazing cheekbones I’d ever seen and gray eyes that entranced me immediately. He looked at me as if I was the answer to a problem he’d been trying to solve. I couldn’t help but be intrigued by him, especially after watching him in my dreams for a month.

“You said you had a visit from the Air God?” I asked.

He nodded. “Exactly one month ago.”

“That’s when I met the Fire God,” Jasin said. A flame flickered idly across his fingers. “And when I got these powers.”

That was the same day I turned twenty. The same night I’d been hit by lightning.

Gods, maybe it really was all true.

I dropped into a chair as it all finally sank in. If I was the Black Dragon, what did that mean exactly? There was only one Black Dragon, and she ruled our entire world. I somehow doubted she’d be thrilled about my presence. She was a cruel empress, and she definitely wasn’t the type to share power. There was no way I could replace her. This all had to be some kind of mistake.

“Are you all right?” Auric asked, as he sat beside me, his voice concerned.

“Kira?” Jasin hovered behind me, his hands gripping the back of my chair protectively.

I looked into Auric’s eyes, which were the color of storm clouds. “Show me.”

For a second he seemed confused, but then realization dawned across his face. A breeze began to pick up in the room out of nowhere and soon grew into a strong wind that whipped my hair around my face, making me gasp.

The door opened and the magical wind instantly died. Tash stepped inside, balancing three trays of food and drink with such skill it was almost like magic of her own. She set each one down while her eyes roamed over both men, and for a second I felt a flash of possessiveness. Which made me uncomfortable, because neither of these guys were mine, and I had no reason to feel anything but warmth toward Tash. Of course, if what these men said were true, then both of them were my future mates. Would I ever get used to the idea of that?

“Anything else you need?” Tash asked, while searching my face. Her concern for me shone through her warm eyes, and I knew she was asking if I was all right in here with these two strangers.