Embrace the Dark

15

They sat around the living area, drinking what looked like ale. I shrugged off my cloak. "I couldn't sleep, so I went to talk to Varek."

"What?" Zain asked. "Why would you do that alone?"

I strode forward and took Erroh's drink from his hand, gulping it down. I needed it, after what I’d just been through. “To take him as my mate, of course.”

“I thought you were going to make your decision in the morning,” Parin said.

“I didn’t want to delay our trip to the Air Temple, and besides, there was no real decision to make. I have to take him as my mate. Unleashing the Death Goddess upon the world is not an option.”

“But—” Erroh started.

I held up a hand. “It’s not just that. I feel it. The mate-bond. Just like I feel it with all of you. There’s no denying the Gods’ will. I have to do this.”

The men glanced at each other with wary expressions, before Carth finally cracked a grin and said, “Well, the more the merrier, in my opinion. I’m just eager to get started.”

“Is Varek even willing to be your mate?” Zain asked.

“He’s going to be difficult,” I said with a sigh. “He doesn’t want to leave the Quickblades or move into the palace. But there’s something else I need to tell you.”

“What is it?” Parin asked.

“When I left Varek’s pub, I encountered a crowd with all these people wearing gray masks that covered their entire faces. Their leader stood on a crate and gave a speech about how humans were oppressed by the elementals and the Dragons and it was time to put humans first again.”

"Oh." Erroh nodded his head. "I've heard of them. The Unseen. They used to be a small human rights group, very anti-elemental, but otherwise harmless. They’ve recently been growing in numbers in Soulspire though and have become something more like a cult, so Jasin’s had some of the Silver Guard keeping an eye on them.”

“I didn’t see any Silver Guard tonight when they were throwing things at the statue of my mother,” I said, clenching my fists at the memory.

“They did that?” Zain asked.

“Yes, and there’s more too." I sank into the only empty chair. The room had been designed to hold five of us comfortably. We'd have to rethink it if Varek joined us. "I saw the leader controlling fire."

Zain shook his head. "Not possible. Only Kira, Jasin, and I can control fire, along with the High Priestess of the Fire Temple. I strongly doubt any of them would be doing such a thing.”

"He's right,” Parin said. “Humans have never been able to control the elements. The Gods do not favor them that way.”

"It could've been a trick," Erroh suggested. "They could've contrived something to make the crowd think they had magic to get a reaction from them.”

“That’s what I thought too, but it seemed so…real,” I said.

“It can’t be real.” Zain reached over and stroked my arm. “I’m sure the rally was upsetting to witness, but you must put it from your mind and focus on what is important—bonding with us so that you can become a Dragon.”

“He’s right,” Carth said. “Tomorrow you’ll start going to the temples and we’ll put all this from your mind.”

I nodded slowly. Between Varek and the demonstration, my stomach was all twisted up in knots. We had to leave first thing in the morning, and me brooding over Varek or the human wielding fire wouldn't help me bond with my mates.

I said good night to my men and retreated to my bed alone, but no matter how I tried, I couldn't get what I’d seen off my mind. Sleep was a long time coming.

Chapter Eight

A

fter some debate, we decided it would be faster and easier if only Erroh and I went to the Air Temple while everyone else stayed behind. There was nothing in the books that said all my mates had to be there for the bonding, after all. Additionally, the Air Temple was to the east, while the Water Temple—our next destination—was to the west, so we’d have to come back to Soulspire anyway. My other mates weren’t thrilled about it, but the journey would take Auric, the fastest of the Dragons, a full day of flying as it was. He’d volunteered to take me, as the Air Dragon, and none of my other fathers had argued. Slade seemed relieved he wouldn’t have to go, actually.

Just after dawn, we stood out in the courtyard with Auric already in his dragon form, his golden scales gleaming bright under the morning sunlight. I held up a hand to cover a yawn, wishing I’d managed more sleep last night. Or any night since my Ascension.

I was quickly saying goodbye to my other parents and my mates, while Erroh said farewell to his own family. Cadock and Faya took turns hugging him, then stepped back beside Parin.

Faya smiled at them both. “It’s so incredible and…surprising that the Gods chose each of you for Sora’s mates.”

“Yes, it was a shock when we were both chosen.” Parin cleared his throat and turned to his brother. “Good luck at the Air Temple.”

“I’m not sure we need luck, but thanks,” Erroh said, with a slight frown.

“We’re very proud of you two,” Cadock said, clasping a hand on both of his sons’ shoulders. Although Parin was technically his adopted son, Cadock had never treated him any differently from his other children.

I turned away from them and hugged Carth next. “Enjoy yourself,” he whispered, then pressed a kiss to my neck.

“Are you sure we can’t come with you?” Zain asked. “Although I grew up in the Fire Temple, I’ve never visited the others.”