“War is coming, child. You need to be ready. Koen is the answer, he is the key to unlock everything for you…”
I close my eyes, my trembling lips parting. “What do you mean?”
“Be scared of the dark, child. Don’t be foolish to think there is lightness where light can’t be found.”
Chapter 30
“The embers are lifelines of the Fallen Embers. The light inside them keeps them connected to the Gods, making them able to wield from the Gods if they are strong enough. If their lights fade to dark, they lose their bond to the Gods, making them weak.” – Book of Azure
“STAY AWAY FROM KOEN!” MY throat burns, throbbing as I yell towards Florian, whose eyes are locked on Koen’s body.
I know what he is about to do.
The way his eyes widen, fear etched into every detail of his sharp facial features, staring at his brother who is dying before us. Something inside me wants him to do it as well. The torturing thought of losing Koen is already killing me.
But I can’t lose Florian either. I won’t allow it.
Even if Koen wanted me dead, there is this constant tug in my heart that needs him,wants himalive.
Florian grunts, holding his ribs. “I can heal him!”
“And then you die, Florian!” My fire dragon whips in the air around Florian, making him flinch as it dives towards his head. “My brother cannot die, I can help him!”
“And how can you help all of us if you are dead! You are the future King! The water can heal him!”
Florian’s eyes water. “Then get him to the Vitaei before it's too late.”
The dark dragon snaps his mouth towards Klayra as she reaches for another dagger. “I’m sorry! Shit.” Klayra holds her burnt arm, moaning in agony. “Whatever the hell those are… make them go away!”
My shoulders rise, sucking in the dirty air as I glare at Koen’s bloody body. “Take him to the Vitaei…now!”
Zake’s eyes and mine are locked, he is frozen as his chest rises and falls rapidly. I believe he is in shock. So am I, but the adrenaline has taken over.
“Did you not hear me!” My eyes burn, heaving in exhaustion. “Pick him up, and take him!”
The dragons bob and weave in the air, circling around above me. Zake nervously scurries to his feet, the tiny bones and shells in his necklace clashing together. With a loud scuff, Ivker walks over to Koen, a few new scratches against his mechanic arm. Klayra heaves, trying to catch her breath as her arm hisses with steam, and I notice the boils forming along her skin through her ripped and burnt sleeves.
“You are as insane as the rumors have made you to be!” Klayra bellows from the pit of her throat. “The Gods will reign fire on us all because of you! Using dark magic inside the Pyre is forbidden!”
I pause, catching my breath as I stare at Koen’s body. Blood seeps around him. My heart beats against my chest.Is this dark magic?
My eyes roll, tucking my bottom lip between my teeth before my voice breaks to a broken growl. “Protecting people I love isnot insane.”
Her jaw ticks as her teal strands stick against her face by the wet blood. I watch Ivker pick up and carry Koen’s unconscious body as blood drips down his fingertips. His curls are plastered with dirt and sweat.
“You better pray he doesn’t die.” I stride towards Klayra, hovering over her body. “Florian will not let his brother die, which means he will give his life just so Koen can leave… which meansyouwould have killed the future King of Azure.”
Her elbow slips in the dirt, falling more into the ground. Her eyes widen as my nostrils flare with rage and flicker with a longing to slit her throat right here. Right now. She fears the dragons that just wielded from inside the stones. She now fearsme.
Good. She should.
I might not understand what just happened, but it saved my life.It savedhislife. And that's all that matters right now.
Florian grunts, holding his bloody ribs as he rises from the ground. “There shouldn’t have been bloodshed here. The God of Fire will not be pleased with what just happened.”
God of Fire. Now I wonder, do the Gods from each Realm match the element of the horses? I suppose I should know since Florian said the horses were a gift from their Gods, hand crafted in their elements.
I need that damn book. I need to know the truth of this world. The ways. The curses.
