Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series
Her Elemental Dragons: Ride the Wave: Chapter 43

THIRTY YEARS LATER

Storm clouds rolled over the garden, crackling with the promise of what was to come. Any moment now the rain would begin, lightning would strike, and my daughter would be blessed by the Gods.

“Will it hurt?” Sora asked me, as she had done many times while she was growing up.

“Only for a moment,” I said.

It was her twentieth birthday, and today her mates would be chosen. It had been over thirty years since that day for me, but I still remembered it well. Enva had appeared to me for the first time and then I’d been struck by lightning, doused in rain, whipped by wind, and had fallen in the mud. Now I knew it had been the four Gods blessing me with their elements, but back then I’d been confused, especially when I wasn’t injured afterward. Sora, at least, was a lot better prepared.

“Don’t worry. You can handle it.” I smoothed her dark hair and gazed into her hazel eyes. She was so beautiful, a young woman with so much strength and such a good heart, embodying all the best things of each of my mates. “I’m so proud of you. I know you’re going to do great things.”

She drew in a breath and stood a little taller. “Thanks, Mom. I have a big legacy to live up to, but I’ll do my best.”

“I know you will.” I pressed a kiss to her forehead, and then I moved back to where my mates were waiting off to the side, giving Sora some space. Though we’d all aged by thirty years since we’d first met, they were still just as handsome, and our love had only grown stronger over the years.

Slade paced back and forth relentlessly. “How are we supposed to just stand here and do nothing while our daughter is hit by lightning?”

“The better question is, how are we supposed to stand here and do nothing, knowing her mates are going to be chosen today?” Jasin asked.

“She’ll be fine,” Reven said, though I noticed his face was looking a bit pale and his brows were furrowed.

“Yes, she will,” Auric said, as he nervously ran a hand through his golden hair. “She’s prepared for this her whole life.”

“I’m not worried,” I said. “Most women only have one overprotective father. She has four to watch over her.”

“We’re not overprotective,” Slade said, even though he was the worst of them.

Jasin scowled. “All I know is that these mates of hers had better treat her right, or they’re going to have to deal with me.”

“The Gods did a good job of choosing all of you,” I said. “We have to trust they’ll replace the perfect men for Sora too.”

Auric tilted his head with a thoughtful look on his face. “If I recall correctly, none of us were perfect when we first met you, but we grew into the roles. We’ll have to allow her mates to do the same.”

“And if they don’t, I’ll take them out and dispose of the bodies where no one can replace them,” Reven said with a dark grin.

I shook my head. “No one is taking them out. Besides, Sora can handle herself. You’ve all made sure of that.”

Sora crossed her arms and called out, “How long am I supposed to wait?”

“I’m sure it will be soon,” I yelled back.

She huffed and gazed up at the sky as rain began to pelt down on her face. It was hard to believe she was all grown up now and ready to become the next Silver Dragon, or whatever color she ended up as. We’d spent the last thirty years trying to bring peace to the four Realms so her transition would be as easy as possible, and I hoped Enva, Doran, and Nysa would be proud of all we’d accomplished. The four Realms governed themselves independently, and we’d prevented many wars from starting between them over the years. The elementals and humans lived in relative harmony, and when shades crept out of the Realm of the Dead, we swiftly dealt with them. The world had changed dramatically, and I had no idea what challenges Sora would face as she took over as its guardian, but I was confident she could handle them.

As for us? My mates and I were ready to step back and begin our retirement. We’d help train Sora and her mates, of course, but our time as peacekeepers, mediators, and warriors was at an end. I had to admit, I was excited for a long, well-deserved break.

Lightning streaked down from the sky and struck Sora, making her entire body go rigid, her arms spread wide as if she was embracing it. Wind wrapped around her, lifting her into the air, while rain soaked through her clothes and mud splashed against her skin. My mates tensed beside me and I felt their anxiety and worry through the bond as we all watched. I’d never admit it out loud to them, but I was worried too. How could I not be? Sora’s life was about to change forever. But I also had faith in our daughter and knew she would replace her way, just like we did.

It was time for a new set of Dragons to rise.

Thank you so much for reading Ride The Wave! I hope you enjoyed it! Though Kira’s story ends with this book, her daughter gets her own book next. Turn the page to read Sora’s story in Embrace The Dark!