The glow dimmed to reveal the exquisitely beautiful woman wearing a translucent robe that did nothing to hide her muscular body. Her long hair shimmered like silver in the moonlight and was topped with a diamond crown that was worth a very large fortune. It was her skin, however, that revealed the truth of her heritage. Even from a distance Wynn could see the faint outline of scales that looked as if they’d been dusted with the luster of pearls. Oh, and of course, her eyes. They smoldered with crimson flames.
“You’re Gabriela,” Wynn breathed.
The woman cocked a brow, as if offended by Wynn’s casual reference. “I am Queen Gabriela, ruler of the dragons and empress of the demon races.”
For some reason, the arrogant edge in her voice scratched against Wynn’s raw nerves. She should be delighted to have found this dragon. Hadn’t they been searching for a connection to this female’s power for days? They’d been desperate for any scrap of Gabriela’s magic that might help them battle against the corruption.
And here she was...in the flesh. Or at least, sort of in the flesh. Certainly she should be able to offer the assistance they needed. Not only to destroy the evil magic but also to rescue Azh and to take away the unruly dragon magic that was ruining her life.
Still, she felt more wary than relieved as the female towered over her. And maybe a little annoyed that Gabriela was peering down her slender nose as if Wynn were a meddlesome pest she intended to squash.
“Not my queen,” she said before she could stop the words.
The flames danced in the crimson eyes. “You will learn.”
“Learn what?”
Gabriela waved a dismissive hand. “We’ll discuss that later. We have more important matters to finish. You have something that belongs to me.”
Wynn was distracted by a shimmer in the corner of her eye. Her gaze darted toward the gaping hole, tracing the slender strand of magic that was curling out of the darkness to connect to the back of Gabriela. The dragon seemed unaware of the strange thread that kept her tied to the pit. Or maybe she was too focused on Wynn to care.
There was something weird going on. If Gabriela was alive and well, then why had the corruption managed to seep into the world? And if she needed help, why hadn’t she reached out to the dragons?
Was this a trick? Maybe Gabriela was an illusion created by the corruption to fool Wynn into releasing it into the world.
“First I have questions,” Wynn said, ignoring the pounding urgency to demand the female track down Azh.
She didn’t trust this dragon. Certainly not enough to reveal that Azh was missing and unable to rush to her rescue. Plus, deep in her heart she clung to the belief she would know if Azh was in trouble. He felt...distant. But not in pain. As if he were separated from her by a thick layer of magic.
For now, she had to discover if Gabriela was real or a clever deception designed to destroy her. Or Azh.
Gabriela scowled. “Your questions can wait.”
“No.” Wynn folded her arms over her chest. “They can’t.”
White-hot flames danced around the dragon, as if she were preparing to punish Wynn for her stubbornness, then with a visible effort, Gabriela managed to regain her temper.
“What questions?”
“Were you the light that healed me after I fell into the pit on top of the hill?”
Gabriela offered a regal nod of her head. “More than that. I brought you back from the brink of death.”
Wynn shuddered at the memory of flames searing over her flesh and the unbearable pain that had felt as if it were sucking the very life from her. This female wasn’t lying. She’d been close to death when she’d plunged into the pit.
“How?”
“I shared my magic with you. It was the only way to repair such grievous wounds.”
Wynn took a moment to consider the explanation. Did that mean the magical healing had created the crimson strand that was now causing havoc in her life? But if that was the case, then why hadn’t she noticed it until the past year? And what connection did it have to the corruption that was haunting her?
Just as importantly, did the fact this female had shared her dragon magic to save Wynn mean that this was truly Gabriela and not an imposter? That she really was the hero from legends?
Wynn remained wary. “Okay, now I know how. Now I want to know why.”
“Why what?”
“Why did you save me?”
