Embracing the Flames (25 page)

But we could no longer avoid the truth.

After a quick shower, I headed for the living room, hesitating at the sound of Gwenevere and Zane arguing. He had returned to us. I crept to the very end of the hall and waited for my cue to enter.

“You just left me and Zhax behind. How could you do that?” Zane shouted, his tone full of implications.

I peeked around the corner. The pain that creased his forehead tugged at my heart. I hadn’t even thought about Zane and Zhax and how they would feel about all of this. Which was worse? Knowing their mother never died, or knowing she left them behind to save Fenn and Lexi?

Eve’s usual arrogant confidence was gone. I shouldn’t even call her Eve because she looked like Gwenevere to me. Everyone else still saw they dragon glamour.

Her face was covered in a mess of tears, and her radiant hair was disheveled. Zane waited, staring icily at her.

He snorted, his tone low and controlled. “I pray Zhax never finds out about this, Gwenev-Eve…whoever you are. What you have done…” he stopped for a moment before his eyes grew fierce, and he seethed, “what you have done is far worse than anything Zordon could ever do. You abandoned us. You abandoned us to the likes of him! You’re nothing to me.”

He stood hastily from the chair, ready to walk away.

“Wait,” she pleaded, frantically grabbing his hand. He flinched, revulsion curling his lip.

She dropped to her knees, calling out in desperation. “I love all of my children equally, Zane. I couldn’t let your father do to them what he had already done to you and Zhax. Under his watch, there was nothing more I could do for you. You were under his dark magic. I couldn’t save you.” Her voice died off, her sobs becoming unbearable.

Fenn came up beside me, his brows furrowing. I grabbed onto him to stop him from interrupting.

Zane balled his fists at his sides. “Couldn’t, or didn’t want to…Eve?” He spat and pushed past Fenn and me to his room.

Gwenevere turned to find us standing there. I kept my expression blank. “Zordon can’t know about Fenn, Aurora. He can never know,” she professed, her eyes wild.

“Why?” I asked skeptically, refusing to look at her.

Her face said it all as pain marred her brow. “He can’t know,” she repeated firmly. “Fenn is a huge piece to this puzzle.”

I thought back to the entire prophecy as everything started to make sense. “Only one can protect the Progeny from eternal darkness. Between two younglings of a Fates son. Third of three. It’s you, Fenn,” I said, looking at him. He stared blankly at me. “Astral told me that a love so great would save our worlds, remember when I told you?”

He nodded.

“We are supposed to end this together,” I confirmed.

“His purpose is much deeper than that, Aurora. When the white light saved me that day from killing myself, I was told that one of my twins would be the key to helping the Progeny defeat Zordon. I just haven’t figured out how.” She looked at Fenn and reached out to him. “He will try to take you away if he finds out. He can’t know that you are his. He would piece that part of the prophecy together and discover I never died. If that happens, The Fates help us all.

I looked at Fenn. “That’s why you and Zane and Lexi all heal so quickly. What other Mage has that ability? None. You all have the blood of a god in you.”

Fenn took a step back, shaking his head as if that would make it less real. “I don’t want to think about this right now,” he muttered under his breath. His gaze dropped to the floor.

“It’s a very faint amount,” Gwen corrected. “My mortal blood severely taints it. They aren’t immortal, as you might think. They have the characteristics—unusual strength, a rapid ability to heal, a keen sense.” Her words tensed as her eyes brimmed again with tears. “But a mortal blow is still a mortal blow,” she choked out regretfully.

The room grew silent. I looked over at Fenn whose back was pressed against the wall. He was still in denial.

Soothe popped out of a portal. “Gabe needs to speak to us, and I think you’re ready to hear what he has to say.” He obviously knew the right time to show up.

“Okay…?” I questioned, glancing at Gwen who was wiping away her tears.

Soothe wove a portal opening to the Draconta’s cave. I tried to peer in, instantly intrigued by the scent of embers and magic, but Gabe appeared as if he had been waiting for us. He stepped through in a hurry, peering over his shoulder.

“Hello, Aurora, Fenn, Lady Gwenevere.” He removed his plated helmet. Bruises marked his cheek and a deep cut grazed his forehead.

“What happened?” I asked, alarm curbing my tone.

“A lot, which is why I’m here. Firstly, I wanted to say how very sorry I am to hear about Alexis. She was a bright young lady, and her loss has taken a toll on us all.” I tried to hide the sting of this recent memory. He stammered as he continued, “But the time for mourning must come to an end. The war began shortly after you left and is spreading from land to land as we speak. The Nymph Magium is being spoken with about aiding the Dragon King,” his eyes darkened, “but the Orient remains on Zordon’s side.”

“He’s also pulled the Necromancers from the northern outlands and the Warlocks from the west. They have agreed to scavenge and tear apart the lands of any who speak of aiding the dragons. Our men are becoming discouraged as the days pass and the Progeny still doesn’t show. We need you to come out of hiding, to replenish the hope before Zordon arrives at the Obsidian Chasm and unleashes the Dark Saar. With the pace of his armies march, that could be within the month.”

I knew this day would come. My day to face the prophecy. “When do you think Zordon will show?” I asked, full of courage.

“Right now his army is attacking anything and everything around the Chasm, leaving total destruction in his path.” He looked over at Soothe and gave him a meaningful look. “He counted on aid being given to the King so he dispatched Shadows and Outlanders alike to meet the aid head on. We have already lost almost half.”

Soothe inhaled harshly. “Damn him,” he cursed, shaking his head.

Gabe nodded in agreement. “Not to mention the barrier between our realms is still open.” He casted his eyes on Fenn and me. I swallowed hard. “Zordon’s caught wind of that as well. Not sure what his plans are with that bit of knowledge.”

“Have you spoken at all with him?” Soothe asked.

“No one has seen him. Most of the information we receive now comes straight from Sayer.” His tone suggested talking to Sayer was not something enjoyed.

This achy feeling of guilt slid its way into the back of my mind. I bit my upper lip. “There’s uh-something I need to tell you guys.” My body tingled with nervousness. “Zordon has given his soul to the Dark Saar.”

Silence filled the air as the tension grew thick. “And how do you know that?” Soothe asked sagely, as if he already knew the answer.

I tried my best to make my expression as innocent as possible. “My Oraculus. I, umm, I used it.”

“Aurora! Astral forbade it,” Gwen scolded.

I sneered, looking at her as if she were out of her mind for even thinking about speaking. “Did he?” I retorted. “Because I don’t remember him forbidding anything.”

She scowled at me, on the verge of verbally whipping me, but I stopped her.

“Whatever you have to say is beside the point. Astral’s not here right now so I did what I felt was right. You all want me to be your savior, right?” I questioned, looking around at each and every one of them.

No one objected.

“That’s what I thought. How about you try trusting in me? I got us the information we needed. Along with his soul, he also bargained the spell that will return Searamin to his original state. We were right. Now we know why Gabe hasn’t seen him around — he was probably getting that spell. He’s probably planning his next step and then going for the Stone.”

“He will use the spell on himself too?” Gwen asked, sounding distant.

“The soul exchange is not permanent,” I quickly added. “It was a barter...in case he doesn’t come through with the spell and the souls he’s promised. He was never going to stay a Dark Saar.”

Gwen grunted, her eyes flaring with mockery. “The Dark Saar doesn’t barter, Aurora. Everyone knows that. He’s not that stupid.”

And so she returns
, I thought snidely.

I looked over at Fenn, feeling that unpleasant tingle surface in the palm of my hands. The kind of tingle that itched to make physical contact with someone’s face. He read me immediately, taking my hand.

“She’s right, Aurora,” Gabe agreed squarely. “Zordon knew going into the deal that the Dark Saar wouldn’t return his soul.”

“You’re wrong. He has the spell. That will ensure Searamin giving Zordon’s soul back. He’s still a step ahead of us,” I argued back.

Gabe let out a pent-up breath as his eyes mournfully grazed over to Gwenevere. She was oblivious to it–what was standing right in front of her. A chance at a real love. I felt my face scowl at her and then quickly looked back at Gabe.

The beauty and courage that had once animated his features were now gone. I kicked myself for not taking his feelings into consideration. All this back and forth between sides must have been wearing on him.

My stomach churned as my thoughts touched on the soul-ripping pain I had felt earlier. “So what now?”

“If you are truly ready,” Gabe said, “it is time for you to reunite with your people — the Draconta. Deliver the hope they need for the battle to come.” His stance grew an inch, his shoulders straightening with pride. “We will figure out the rest as we go. The new dawn is just around the corner.” For a split second, his eyes twinkled with hope. I couldn’t help but feel obligated to keep that hope ignited.

Fenn squeezed my hand, the sign I always looked for.

“I’m ready,” I agreed without hesitation.

Chapter 21

Love’s Union

FENN AND I HAD SLEPT in the same bed that night, clutching each other tightly as the heat built between us. It had been a awhile since we had time to ourselves. Private time. For a moment, I forgot about everything else and felt the old us resurface. My room transformed into our tiny apartment as his kisses covered my face.

I turned into him, skimming my fingers along his spine, promising to remember every plane of his body. Our emotions melded as the faint melody of our soul song sounded off in the distance of my mind.

It was sweet heaven.

My skin tingled as he ran his hands along my body, squeezing me in desperation. I didn’t know if I was going to get this time with him again so I wasn’t about to make old mistakes. I knew what we were about to walk into.

Through the passionate haze of kisses, I pulled back. “Wait a minute,” I said breathlessly, trying with all my might to steady my heart. “Before we go any further, I need to know something.” My heart fluttered in fear of the unknown. Fear of what he would say.

“Okay,” he said eagerly, the intensity of his smoldering gaze fueling my courage to admit what I was about to admit.

“You love me, right?”

He leaned back as he propped up onto an elbow, lightly chuckling. “Of course I do, Rory. Always and forever.” He ran his thumb along my cheek and then tucked my hair behind my ears, tracing the lines of my neck. His fingers trailed further down to my family crest that covered the top of my chest — two dragons intertwined at the neck and tail with regal wings spread out in display.

My fingers grazed his bare, sculpted chest. His family crest wasn’t present. He hadn’t earned his yet.

I gulped.

“You mean that?” I said quickly, trying not to lose focus on what I needed to say. “The forever part?”

He paused as his face grew serious. “Yes,” he said resolutely, “forever.” He leaned in, gently kissing my lips.

I reveled in the moment, taking in that last bit of courage and then went for it.

“So what if I was to say we should get married. Like after everything’s said and done?” I stammered, trying to contain my bursting emotions.

His eyes filled with delight, and his lips curved into a beautiful smile. “I’d say you sure have grown up,” he answered.

I lightly punched his shoulder. “I’m serious.” I giggled, feeling suddenly exposed, even though most of my clothes were scattered around us.

He pinned me down, kissing my cheek, then my forehead, and then my neck, and back up to my mouth. “Me too,” he whispered in my ear. A pleasured chill burned along my skin. “About the forever part, I mean.” His kisses moved further down my neck and then back to my lips where he stayed for a while.

When I lost myself in his kisses, he pulled back, his hands cupping my face softly. “Which is why I say, hell yes.” His grin emerged as his eyes sparkled in the moonlight.

Relief and an overwhelming sense of passion consumed my every thought. I pulled him back down, kissing my entire being into him, praying that this moment would never end. Praying that this wasn’t a dream.

That night, I gave myself to him completely. The promise of our love floated around us. He was mine and I was his. I would never let go of him, whatever the cost may be.

He was my soul mate, totally and completely.

“Love you, Rory,” he whispered as we slowly drifted to sleep.

The next morning, we woke to the sun peeking into my tiny bedroom window. I was safely tucked into him. A smile instantly formed on my lips at the memory of the night before. I rolled over.

“First time I think I’ve ever seen you wake up with a smile,” he said groggily with a grin.

“Psh.” I kissed his cheek and nose nuzzled him. “I had a good night.”

“Just good?”

I sat up laughing. “Fishing for compliments?”

He sat up next to me. “No,” he said a little too hastily.

We sat there for a good long moment, not saying anything. I knew what was coming, but I enjoyed making him grovel. So I lazily glanced around my room, fake-yawning as I snuggled back into the blanket.

“Not that there’s anything to compare to…since we’re each other’s first, but,” he stopped, and then asked slowly, almost unwillingly, “it was more than good, right? You at least enjoyed it?”

I pulled him closer to me, my laughter resuming as I rolled and leaned my upper body over him. “Yes, Fenn Aidan Lovick.” I sealed my answer with a kiss. “It was fantastic, and I love you.” I kissed him again. “Now come on before everyone wakes up.”

He grinned.

I quickly dressed, pausing only momentarily to gaze at his sculpted body. All the training had definitely done him a favor. He caught me looking, and I blushed, the heat matching what was deep inside of me.

I reached for the door, but he grabbed my hand and pulled me into him, kissing me and running his hungry fingers through my hair. “Remember…forever, okay?”

I smiled. “Forever.”

Meeting my grandparents was everything I had imagined it would be. And that’s saying a lot. Following a hearty breakfast, Zane, Soothe, Gwen, Fenn, and I ported to the mouth of the dragons’ cave, which rested on a cliff on the outside of a volcano. Two armoured dragons regally sat on either side of the entrance, heads at attention, yellow scales reflecting the orange-hued lava that cascaded off the cliff into a grim, dusky canyon below.

The Obsidian Chasm.

The molten river pooled at the bottom and careened through the canals as far as the eye could see.

“The Chasm was forged by the Draconta as a protective barrier to keep those who seek the Stone away. This is the only entrance, guarded by the Imperials — the Kings guards.” Soothe pointed to both dragons. “See where the lava flows? They dug out these narrow channels deep inside the cave to keep the volcano from erupting. Instead, the lava guards the Lair that holds the Stone and follows the channels along the cave wall and out of the mouth here.”

A scorching breeze blew my hair forward as I turned back to the mouth of the cave, anxious to understand the foreign part of myself. Fenn took my hand and smiled, raising his brows excitedly. “This is fantastic!” he gleamed. Dragons of every jeweled color stoically lined the halls in silver-plated armour, sitting on all fours as we headed towards the throne.

“Little Flame,” my grandfather’s deep, universal voice echoed throughout the stone walls, bending and twisting with each turn. I felt my heart jump in anticipation.

“How does he know we’re here?” Fenn asked in wonder.

“The Imperials. They are linked to the King telepathically. On the day of their induction, they bind their mind, body, and spirit to him,” Soothe explained as we neared a corner. He stopped, all of us falling in line next to him.

His face sobered. “When we round this corner, we will enter the Royal Courtyard. The courtyard is enchanted by dragon magic, which is almost impenetrable. Until you bind yourself to the King, your magic will be useless, so please don’t try anything,” Soothe advised.

“Noted,” Zane assured. Fenn and I nodded.

The lava continued flowing past us in narrow canals, lighting the cave to a fiery brilliance. All of the dragons kept their heads pointing forward, never stealing a glance in our direction. I was tempted to check if they were even real.

“This is surreal, seeing a real, living, breathing dragon. They are huge,” Fenn whispered to me.

“I know,” I replied as a bright, sunny light washed over us.

The courtyard was indescribably magnificent. The bleak, stone floor was covered in lush, green grass. Exotic flowers rose up in lavender, pinks and yellows. Glowing butterflies fluttered from plant to plant, their light illuminating the petals they sat upon. Dragons of every size and color cordially walked to and fro, most of them pausing to stare inquisitively in our direction. Even humans graced the courtyard, regally dressed, also stopping to have a look at us. It was an underground garden big enough to make even the dragons appear small.

My gaze roamed up towards the crystals that hung from the cave’s ceiling. Each crystal created a tiny rainbow that seemed to be a source of light. In awe, my eyes earnestly tried to take it all in.

“Beautiful, isn’t it?” spoke the soft voice of my mother. I followed the sound of her voice and found her standing to the side of my grandparents. Ancient scripture was carved along the base of the stone they sat upon. My mother was in her human form. Mahogany-colored hair cascaded down her ivory skin in slight curls. It was almost like looking into a mirror, but her eyes matched the skies.

I stepped forward, swallowing my nerves and smiling as I gazed up at my family. “But how?” I asked, my voice quivering.

“This form is only for a short while.” She took a step forward and regally showed herself. “I wanted to see you like this, the way I carried you and held you when you were but a hatchling. As Princess though, I will have to return to my natural form as we begin our preparations for Zordon’s attack on our home.”

I didn’t know what to say.

“Come forward,” my grandfather beckoned. His golden crown gleamed underneath the cavern light. Without thought, I bowed. Then I moved closer, until I was a few feet away from them. My eyes came to their chests as I gazed up.

My grandfather’s eyes were gentle and the color of chestnuts, blending with his forest green scales. Brown spikes ran along his back and down his tail, ending with one large, menacing spike.

My grandmother was an ice blue color, her eyes as white as the purest snow. She was smaller than my grandfather and had raised humps where her spikes might have been.

“We have waited a very long time for this moment,” my grandmother’s satin-smooth voice spoke. “I am Naveena, and this is your grandfather, Darian, the Dragon King.

My grandparents slowly bowed their heads, lowering their large bodies to the floor. The sound of movement behind me reached my ears. I spun, watching as one by one the Draconta took to their knees, bowing before me. My cheeks turned red as my eyes fell on my friends and family who were now on their knees, watching me proudly.  

Myrdinn spoke from beside Eralise. “Shift, Little Flame, show the Draconta who their Progeny really is.”

A smile grew on my face as the scales raced along my arms. I leapt into the air, my wings spreading out. Shreds of clothing floated towards the cavern floor.

In front of the Draconta, I finally felt at home within my scales.

“Magnificent,” my grandparents said in unison.

My grandfather’s head stoically lifted as his voice bellowed, “Draconta, meet your Progeny, my granddaughter, Aurora Jay Megalos — the new dawn.” 

A hushed murmur spread throughout the crowd of dragons and humans, their gleaming eyes scrutinizing all of me. “Tonight we will celebrate. Go and spread word!” he joyously commanded with a hearty chuckle. Humans and dragons disappeared into the many tunnels that made up the cave, their cheers rumbling the cavern walls.

“Come closer, daughter,” Eralise invited, speaking over the crowd of cheers. I glided forward, landing only inches away from her as I tucked my wings under. “I have missed you.” Her head tilted to the side, eyes misting over. “You were just a hatchling the last time I touched you with human hands.” She rubbed her hand along my face. The warmth of her motherly touch sparked throughout me as my own eyes brimmed with tears. This was all I ever wanted. My parents, all of us together.

Myrdinn reached out, grasping my mother’s hand and pulling it towards his mouth. He lightly kissed it, his eyes radiating admiration. “Our Little Flame is home, safe and sound.”

My grandfather avoided this exchange, looking away as my father’s arm wrapped around Eralise’s waist. Naveena, however, did not hide her aversion. Her eyes rested on Myrdinn’s arm with a scowl.

“We have so much catching up to do,” my grandmother said coolly. “Come, let us show you around.” She gave one last menacing gaze in my father’s direction and then turned, heading towards a tunnel following Darian.

I looked at my parents, confusion decorating my brow. My mother’s head hung while my father gave me a forced smile. I was about to ask what that was about, but my grandmother turned.

“Come,” Naveena called, waiting at the other end of the courtyard. I motioned for Fenn to follow.

“I’ll see you when you get back,” my mother said to me with a sad smile. Myrdinn bowed his head approvingly and then pulled her towards a tunnel behind the throne.

“Zane, Soothe, Gwen, follow me,” Gabe directed, pointing them towards a small tunnel just behind the throne.

“See you soon,” said Zane, shooting us a hopeful smile.