Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series
Her Elemental Dragons: Ride the Wave: Chapter 27

We met with my father in the morning to go over everything the others had learned on their journey and to discuss strategy. After that, my mates and I went to Slade’s old forge, which was now run by his cousin, Noren.

The blacksmith’s shop was open on one side, allowing smoke to billow out. I leaned against a tree as I watched my men work. Slade enchanted Reven’s twin swords first, until they gleamed with a thin coat of sharp, deadly ice.

Slade walked over to me. “We’re ready for your sword now.”

I pulled my blade out of its sheath. Auric had bought it for me early in our adventures, and it was still the nicest thing I owned. It also fit my hand perfectly, the weight and balance exactly suited for my size.

I chewed on my lip as I handed it to him. “You’re sure this will work?”

He nodded. “Trust me. I’ve done this to all of our weapons now.”

“Yes, but you only did one element then.”

“I’m confident it will work. If not, I’ll make you a new sword. I promise.”

He returned to the forge, where he heated up the metal in my blade. I squirmed as it turned red-hot, and that’s when he placed it on a slab between my four mates. They stood in a circle around it, holding hands with each other, their eyes closed. Nothing happened at first, and I worried all of this was for nothing, but then I felt the magic growing. Fire danced across the sword before sinking into it. A gust of air swirled around it, and the blade absorbed that too, followed by a ripple of water that turned to ice, cooling the sword down. The metal hardened and shifted color, becoming lighter and stronger.

When the men stepped back and opened their eyes, my sword emitted a faint silver glow. Slade picked it up and presented it to me.

“A sword fit for the Silver Dragon,” he said.

I wrapped my hand around the hilt and was struck by the powerful magic running through it. All four elements were in there, acting as one. I held the blade up to the sunlight and it flashed bright silver.

Yes, this was a sword that could take down Dragons.

While the men practiced using their enchanted weapons against each other, I sat on an old tree trunk and ate some dried fruit. My sword lay across my lap, but I was hesitant to use it against my mates now for fear of truly hurting them.

Doran leaned against a tree beside me, making me jump. I hadn’t heard him approach. Sometimes he was a little too much like Reven, sneaking about like that.

“Nice sword,” he said. “Can I see it?”

“Of course.” I handed it to him before popping a dried apricot in my mouth.

He held it up, testing the weight, catching the light. When he held it, the silvery glow dimmed, as if it only reacted strongly to my magic. He gave a few practice swipes at the air, and then he grunted. “Not bad. Now the real test.”

He sliced the blade across his forearm, opening a thick cut. Fire danced across his skin, and the edges of the wound blackened. He let out a sharp hiss and staggered back.

I jumped to my feet and ran to him. “What are you doing?”

“Testing it out, since you won’t do it yourself.”

“I didn’t want to hurt anyone!”

He gave me a sharp look as he pressed a hand over his wound. “I hope that mercy won’t hold you back when the time comes.”

I rolled my eyes. “Let me see your wound. Maybe I can do something for it.”

“I doubt it.”

I clasped my hands over the wound, feeling how hot his skin was, while blood slipped through my fingers. “I was able to heal the Fire Priestess.”

“Were you?” His eyebrow arched. “Guess it can’t hurt to try.”

I focused on his wound, trying to stop the bleeding, reaching for the life magic always lingering inside me. It was much harder to send it into my father than it was to heal my mates. He and I didn’t have the bond entwining our lives together, but there was something else instead. A recognition that a part of us was the same.

Slowly the bleeding stopped, and the cut sealed itself up. The burn took the longest to heal, as if the fire magic that caused it was fighting me still. But in the end, I won the battle, and his skin was smooth again.

Doran held up his arm and inspected it. “Impressive. I’m not sure even Nysa could heal someone who wasn’t one of her mates.”

“It only worked because you’re my father. The magic sensed that we were connected.” I took the sword from him and sheathed it. “Well, did it meet your expectations?”

“It did. I wanted to make sure my water magic wouldn’t block it, but that wasn’t a problem. Instead it burned me with fire, while air and earth helped make it stronger. Quite painful and potent. It will be able to take down any of the Dragons, including Nysa once she’s weakened.”

I sank back onto my tree stump, suddenly exhausted from the healing. “Why have you been so distant for the last few days? Ever since we met with the elementals you’ve been acting oddly.”

“I’m sorry. I guess I got upset when Reven arrived and I realized none of you trust me still. I don’t care about what the others think, but I thought you and I had become close.” He ran a hand through his long, sandy hair. “Or as close as we could be, considering the circumstances.”

“I do trust you, but I also knew that Reven was right and we had a better chance of getting the elementals to help us without you there.” I sighed. “Not that it made much difference in the end.”

His hand rested on my shoulder. “You did the best you could. The elementals were never going to help us.”

“I realize that now. I just don’t know how to defeat the Dragons without them.”

“Hmm.” He glanced up at the sky. “It won’t be easy. Especially since the Dragons know we’re here now and have probably guessed our plans.”

I sat up straight, my muscles tensing. “They do?”

“I’ve felt both Sark and Heldor’s presence nearby.”

“Will they attack Clayridge?”

“No, they’d have to be stupid to do that. We outnumber them, and you can control all the elements now. They’re just watching and waiting to see what we do next.”

I chewed on my lower lip, worrying about the innocent lives in this village. Doran couldn’t know for sure that the Dragons wouldn’t attack. “Maybe we should leave soon.”

“Wherever we go, we’ll put people at risk. That’s why we have to face them soon. Only problem is, they know we’re coming. They’ll be preparing too.”

My fists clenched. “So be it. As you said, this has to end soon. One way or another.”

Doran’s eyes caught mine, mirroring my own. “Just remember, you’re my daughter. Whatever happens, I’m on your side. Always.”

I swallowed the unexpected emotions rising inside me. “I know, father.”