Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series
Her Elemental Dragons: Stroke the Flame: Chapter 18

As the moon climbed the sky, Slade guided our horses through the forest toward the mountains and the cave he’d sensed. The entrance to it was so small that none of us could squeeze inside, but he used his powers to push some of the stones away so we could enter.

We spread out around the cave and Jasin started a fire, while Auric created a breeze so the smoke would travel outside. Slade made a circle of stone, which Reven filled up with water, allowing us to wash ourselves and our clothes as best we could to get the mud and blood off. I took care of the horses, rubbing them down and giving them a few slices from an apple. They all butted their heads against my hand, wanting my attention. No surprise, really. Animals had always liked me. A coincidence, or because I was the representative of the Spirit Goddess? I wasn’t sure.

After washing our clothes, we hung them on rocks near the fire so they would dry by morning. I’d donned one of my fraying dresses, while Jasin had opted to go shirtless, wearing only trousers after claiming he was hot. I tried not to stare at his naked chest and failed horribly. Who could blame me, with all those muscles on display and that intriguing trail of dark hair going down into his pants? He smirked at me, like he knew I was enjoying the show, and I swallowed and forced myself to look away.

None of us were ready to sleep yet after a fight like that, even though we were all exhausted. Instead we spread out around the fire and ate some of the dried meat, bread, and fruit we had stored in our packs.

“Let’s admit it,” Jasin said, as he leaned back on his bedroll in a way that flaunted his well-developed chest. “Tonight was a disaster. We got lucky, but it could have gone another way easily.”

Auric smoothed back his blond hair, which looked darker since it was still wet. “We simply need more training. Not just on our own, but as a team.”

“You should practice fighting against each other too,” I said. “And then once you’re all masters, you can teach me. Since supposedly I’ll be inheriting these powers soon.” I couldn’t decide if I was excited about the idea or nervous. The guys could barely control their powers with just one element and I was supposed to master all four somehow. Including fire. I shuddered just thinking about it. But until I got those powers, I’d be at a disadvantage too. I was pretty good with my bow, but my fighting skills were a bit rusty otherwise.

“At least you can patch us up when we get injured,” Slade said.

“Hopefully that won’t happen too often, but I suppose I need to practice that also. Or even just figure out how I did it.” I sighed and wiped bread crumbs off my lap. “You each fought well earlier. Maybe you could teach me some tricks too.”

“I’d be happy to teach you lots of things,” Jasin said, with a naughty grin that made me shake my head, even though I was secretly a little bit tempted.

“Training with each other is a good way to pass the time while we’re in camp,” Auric said. “We have many nights ahead of us while we travel to the different temples.”

“I have something we can use to pass the time tonight.” Slade reached inside his bag, then pulled out a large dark bottle.

“What’s that?” I asked.

“Whiskey. Finest in the Earth Realm.” He chuckled softly. “Okay, that’s not true, but it was cheap at least.”

Slade poured us each a bit of whiskey and we all relaxed as we took a sip. After a few minutes, even Reven looked less tense than usual. With the alcohol warming me from the inside out, I felt more comfortable around the guys than I had before. Even though things had gone wrong tonight, we’d fought together, bled together, and all had each other’s backs. That kind of experience created a bond like nothing else could. Or maybe that was just the alcohol talking.

As Slade poured me a refill, he said, “Last night you asked us about where we’re from and what we did before this. I think it’s time you told us more about yourself, Kira.”

My fingers tightened around my cup. “What do you want to know?”

“Everything,” Auric said with a warm smile. “Did you always live in Stoneham?”

My past was not something I liked to talk about. Even Tash knew very little about my life before I showed up in her inn looking for a job. But these men were supposed to be my mates. I had to tell them something, and maybe someday I’d feel comfortable enough to tell them more. “No, I only lived there for the last three years or so. Before that I traveled around a lot.”

“Where were you from originally?” Slade asked, as his fingers ran through his dark beard in a very distracting way. “Somewhere else in the Earth Realm?”

“I grew up in the Water Realm, actually. A small town on the coast called Tidefirth.” Thinking back to those happy years made my throat tighten with emotion. “But I’ve lived in all of the Realms at some point or another, for a short while at least.”

“Sounds like you were on the run from something. Or someone.” Reven gazed at me from under his dark hood with those brooding blue eyes that seemed to peer deep into my soul.

I looked into Jasin’s eager brown eyes next, then Auric’s intelligent gray ones, and Slade’s calm green ones. Each man stared at me, but none of them pressured me to reveal more about my past. But I would have to take a leap at some point. Might as well be now.

I drew in a breath. “My family was killed by the Crimson Dragon when I was thirteen.” My hands wrung together in my lap, while I forced the next words out. “He burned down our entire house with my parents still in it. The memory has haunted me for my entire life.”

Jasin reached over and grabbed my hand. “I’m so sorry.”

“That must have been horrible,” Slade said.

“It was.” I shuddered as I remembered the flames, the smoke, the screams, and worst of all, the smell. “I only survived because my parents made me hide, after warning me that the Dragons would kill me if they ever found me. I didn’t realize it at the time, but I think they were part of the Resistance. They knew the Dragons would come for me too because of that. I’ve been laying low ever since.”

Auric took my other hand and gave it a squeeze. “Could your parents have known what you are?”

“I doubt it,” I said. “How could they have known? Even I didn’t know until the four of you showed up. Did any of you think something like this would happen?”

“Not a chance,” Reven muttered.

Slade shook his head. “I still barely believe it.”

“What did you do after your parents were killed?” Auric asked.

“I was so terrified that I fled my home as soon as I could. Hitched a ride with some traveling merchants at first. I moved around a lot after that until I landed in Stoneham.” There was more, of course, but I’d already mentioned my parents’ deaths. I didn’t need to drag up any other bad memories tonight.

Before they could ask me any more questions, I downed the rest of my whiskey. “I’m exhausted. I think I’ll hit the sack.”

“Need some company?” Jasin asked, sitting up and drawing my eyes back to his naked and very appealing chest.

“Not a chance,” I managed to say.

He shrugged, with a sinful smile on his lips. “The offer is always open in case you’d like to practice before we arrive at the Fire Temple.”

I ignored him as I prepared for bed, although I wondered if practicing wasn’t a bad idea. But the other three men were all watching us, and I knew they’d heard what he’d offered. Would they be jealous when Jasin was the first to bond with me? Or grateful it didn’t have to be one of them?