Chapter
One
Dragonfire boiled in Gerard’s belly, ready to spew forth and consume.
I will destroy any enemy that dares set foot on my land.
As the dragon warrior prince of Draconia, Gerard would defend his kingdom to his very last fiery breath.
He angled his wings, swooping over the Ozer Mountains. His gaze glided over trees, crags, rocks, and cliffsides, scanning for any hint of a threat.
Reports had come in from their scouts, stating that they’d found evidence, strange footprints, and the remains of campfires, within Draconia. Gerard growled. He and his sister, Senta, had flown out to investigate. She currently flew several miles to his east.
This wastheirland. Their enemies should not be here! Especially not this far into Draconia. But perhaps enemy scouts or spies or assassins had been sent on some mission into their kingdom.
Gerard stretched his claws, preparing to dive and strike at a moment’s notice. If he spotted anyone fromNecros, Botanial, Voltaria, or Zephyria, he’d make sure they never left. Their ashes would remain in Draconia for eternity.
He’d been flying for over an hour. So far, he had not seen anything of note. The setting sunbathed the landscape in a soft golden light. He circled back, scouring the mountains for remnants of anything showing that the enemy had been here.
A flock of birds chattered amongst the branches of a pine tree. Dark feathers fluttered as they darted to and fro. Goats grazed on the flat grass at the top of a mountain. They scattered as he approached, kicking up their heels and dashing to hide amongst the brush.
But they had no reason to fear Gerard. He was searching for different prey.
Movement in the corner of his eye caught his attention. He swung his neck. His eyes narrowed.
An individual in robes stood near some trees at the base of a massive cliff. They lifted their head, gazing straight at Gerard. A white mask with gold zigzags hid their face. Gerard’s eyes narrowed.
Was this a lightning sorcerer?
If it was, it was unlike any he had seen before. Usually, they wore black robes. But this sorcerer wore robes of the deepest, richest blue. And the mask … He’d never seen a lightning sorcerer with a mask. But those zigzags definitely suggested lighting.
Every muscle in Gerard’s body tensed. He bared his teeth. He snarled.
But if this was a lightning sorcerer, why were they alone?
Gerard’s gaze darted around. Lightning sorcerers always worked in groups, in cells. Always. A single sorcererwas weak. Their powers erratic and uncontrolled. They never worked alone. But Gerard could see no others.
Well, I can easily take one lone lightning sorcerer.
He dipped his wings, angling towards the solitary individual. He focused on the heat at his core. It gurgled in his belly as he flew towards the fool who had dared to invade his land.
But the sorcerer didn’t flinch or flee as Gerard expected. They lifted their arms and began to sign. Their hands glowed and flashed. Light danced along their weaving fingers.
Gerard huffed.Do they truly think they are a match for me?
He’d been in battles with lightning sorcerers before. They’d hurt and injured him. But it was always a cell of sorcerers.
What can one pathetic Voltarian lightning sorcerer do against me, the mighty dragon warrior prince?
Gerard dove, body vibrating. He opened his mouth wide, about to reduce this Voltarian to charred bones. The sorcerer flicked their hands forward, straight at Gerard. Lightning split the air, zigzagging towards him.
How can a lightning sorcerer cast so fast?
But before he could react, pain exploded in Gerard’s chest. His heart spasmed. A roar tore from his clenching throat. His wings and muscles convulsed, completely beyond his control as the lightning singed his nerves. He strained, flapping his wings.
The sky and earth swirled and blurred around him as he tumbled through the air. And as he began to right himself, he tried to look towards the lightning sorcerer. He caught sight of them. Their fingers glowed. They wove their magic once again.
Body still screaming, he angled himself towards thesorcerer, needing to kill the individual before they attacked Gerard once more.
