43. Kiera
FORTY-THREE
KIERA
W e flew hard, straight for the coast of the Middle Sea, and though we crossed towards the rainforests of the Ninth Kingdom, Jaxus followed its coastline before tuning us inland right into the raging storms of the Tenth Kingdom.
It was a place where only the hardened natives could thrive and I’d never visited. So all I knew of the place was what Hazel had told me.
My gut revolted. I was not ready for this kind of flying, least of all with the foothills of the infamous wild mountains looming ahead, directly where Jaxus was heading.
“This is the Storm Kingdom, Jaxus.” I tried to sound level, but even my mind voice betrayed my fear. Was he trying to kill us?
“Trust me, Firefly,” he soothed .
Ahead, I could see what looked to be a huge storm surrounding the imposing and forbidding mountains.
“Trust you when you’re flying us into certain death?” Everything in my body told me to stay away. To not go into the massive swirling storm. “This is madness.”
He didn’t say more and I knew it was because he couldn’t, but my trust was worn so thin I didn’t know how to stretch it any thinner.
Dread ached in my bones.
He flew us low over the rocky terrain, dodging lightning and winds and when the wild mountains were upon us, to my horror, he climbed.
I held on for my life, certain that only death awaited if we flew into these mountains. No one survived them. It was well known. Any who ventured were never seen again. So I spent my final moments thanking the Goddess for all that she had blessed me with in this life and asking her to take us gently into the next.
We leveled out over the first peak and the sight that lay before me was nothing like I had imagined. Storms raged and mists lay thickly over the treacherous terrain below. I was sure whatever lay within the mist was where others had met their end. Probably razor like rocks and ravines. it felt like the Valley of the Dead.
Suddenly, we nose-dived into the center swirl of clouds.
A scream left my lips, but we left it somewhere behind us as we plummeted.
I braced, expecting the storm to throw us around like dolls, but it never came. We were soaring, and the roaring sounds of the weather system were behind us.
I realized my eyes were closed and I forced them open, finding a beautiful valley below us. Jaxus swooped over a body of water. I could sense his happiness in the moment, and I knew we must have succumbed to the storm, and were arriving on the Shores of Avalon .
As we came into land on the shore, I readied to meet my creator, glad my mate was with me.
“Where are we?” I asked as I dismounted, my legs trembling from fear.
Jaxus shifted and returned to his fae form before standing in front of me, his bronzed skin glistening in the golden dawn light that reflected off the water.
Jaxus swallowed, flexing his jaw. “My home.” A smile graced his lips.
My chest tightened. He was telling the truth, but how could anything exist here? Dragons had died trying to cross the mountains. The storms that raged here wreaked havoc on the Storm Kingdom.
“Are we not dead?” I asked, confused.
“No, Firefly,” he chuckled. “We are not dead.”
“How?!” I asked.
He offered his hand. “Let me show you.”
“Can you put some pants on first?” I took the pack off my shoulders, trying not to look at him.
“Does this mean you won’t be apologizing with your tongue?” he asked playfully while gripping himself.
“Who said I’ve forgiven you?” I rolled my eyes and threw his leathers at him. “And that’s not what I want to be doing when we are discovered by whoever else lives here with you.”
He laughed, good-humored about it. “To be honest, I’m sure they’ve already spotted us. They keep a tight watch.” There was more he wasn’t saying, and I wasn’t sure if it was because he was unable or because he didn’t want to frighten me.
“Is this some sort of secret military base?”
He shook his head. “No, nothing like that. We are more similar than you realize.”
“How so?” I frowned.
“We both keep closely guarded secrets. ”
I looked around at the seemingly deserted place. “What secrets are here?” I wondered aloud.
“Dragons,” he replied, the corners of his lips turning up on amusement.
I looked around at the lake and the surrounding mountains enclosing this vast secluded space. “Where?”
“You’ll see,” he grinned.
I stomped my foot. “Jaxus this is not the time for cryptic nonsense. Just tell me!”
He moved in closer, wrapping an arm around my waist. “This is my home, Firefly, it is a land of dragons. Many, many dragons and that’s why it is a secret.”
“I don’t understand.”
“It’s a long story, but the condensed version is that after the Hundred Years War, many dragons did not agree with the new ways of unification nor the abolishment of old magic, so they fled to this secret place to live separately from the kingdoms and their rules. Dragons have thrived here ever since in our own private realm within the mountains, hidden from all that surrounds us.”
I gasped, hardly able to believe what he was telling me. “Many dragons?” It was unfathomable. Dragons were dying out as fast as magic was in the Twelve Kingdoms.
Jaxus nodded. “Only dragons. No other fae know of this place.”
I was stunned.
Jaxus whipped around, raising a hand. “You’re not as quiet as you think you are, Silas.”
A young fae lifted from the tall grass, his eyes green and piercing. “Unfair. You know my hiding places.”
“It wasn’t your spot that gave you away. It was the reeds you twist between your fingers while you wait.” Jaxus pulled the youngling into a hug. “It’s only been half a year. How have you grown so much? ”
Silas wrapped his arms around Jaxus’ neck, squeezing him like an old friend or a mentor. Seeming completely oblivious to the fact that he was naked. “I always forget. But your hearing is too good.”
“Yours will get better if you allow it. You have to clear your mind and allow your magic to stretch out around you.”
“It’s too boring,” Silas huffed.
Jaxus messed up his hair. “You’ll get there. Who else is on watch?”
Silas made a face. “Archon had already gone to alert the council when we spotted your colors over the mountain.”
Jaxus pulled a face. “They’ll know sooner or later. It’s better to face it.” He reached for me. “This is Kiera.”
Silas smiled at me and stuck out a hand. “I’m Silas. Are you a dragon?”
I shook my head. “No. I’m Jaxus’ flyer.”
Silas wrinkled his nose. “I’ve only ever seen one of those before.”
“Zaria?”
Silas nodded. “Is she with you?”
“Not this time,” Jaxus said. “Is Emrys in the clinic?”
Silas shrugged. “I don’t know. I haven’t seen him.”
“Run and tell Archon we are heading to the clinic,” Jaxus said, nodding for me to fall into step with him.
Silas chewed his cheek. “I don’t think they’ll like that.”
Jaxus lifted both brows. “What do you know?”
Silas didn’t say right away, shifting from foot to foot.
Jaxus crossed his arms over his chest. “I’m still your commander.”
“Are you though?” Silas said, with a hint of amusement in his voice.
“Spill it.”
“Archon didn’t sound too happy you were back, which is why he went to report himself. ”
Jaxus scoffed. “He would. He can come find me. You’re not responsible for my actions, nor are you charged with keeping an eye on me. Go report. Do your duty.”
Silas hesitated.
“You won’t be in trouble,” Jaxus assured him.
“Okay,” Silas took off.
“What was that about?” I asked when Silas disappeared over the ridge.
“They aren’t happy I’ve brought you here. Like I said, this place is fiercely protected on purpose, and that’s why I couldn’t talk about it.” It still weighed on him.
“Who is Emrys?” I asked.
“A healer friend of mine. I trust him with my life and if anyone knows about what we are looking for it would be him.”
“I thought you said there were only dragons here—” I cut myself off. The things he’d told me were starting to add up. Of course dragons did everything here if they were all dragons. “I’ve never heard of dragons with healing magic.”
“There is a lot more to dragons than just being unthinking flyers. I was trying to get that across in the capital. We are capable of so much more.” His words elicited a feeling in my chest. I’d dismissed him entirely because of the way I viewed the world while his was so different. I hadn’t even been here half a candle mark and I knew it.
“I’m sorry,” I murmured, falling into step beside him.
He glanced over but didn’t speak right away. “I’m sorry I had to keep it from you.”
“I don’t know how you managed,” I whispered as we approached a large green tent on the edge of a small village surrounding an inlet. It looked like a fishing village, like those I’d visited in the River Kingdom, built mostly around the water. Boats were anchored at nearly every home. “How many people live here? ”
“Not too many in this village. There are a lot more in our city, Kerani, further up the river, closer to the mountains.”
“Excuse me?” I said. “A city?”
“Yes, Firefly. This is a little more than a fishing village.”
“I just thought since you said you were from a remote village, this was what you meant.”
“We came up with a story to explain where I’d come from when I decided to go with Nyx. I wasn’t meant to find my mate and end up lying to you.” Remorse twisted in his expression.
I didn’t know how to feel. Part of me didn’t blame him, he couldn’t have expected to meet me, but there was a part of me that held on to doubt. It made me wish I still had Kol in my life. I’d lost him and almost Nyx, too. Sometimes, it felt like I had no one left who was safe.
I didn’t have time to dwell on it because Jaxus pulled back the thick canvas flap of the tent to let me pass through.
Inside the little sanctuary the scent of home hit me. Just like Gran’s workshop. I closed my eyes for a second, letting the happiness wash over me.
Jaxus’ fingertips brushed over the small of my back. “This is where I learned what I know.”
“I’m thankful for Emrys, then.” I smiled.
An ancient male stepped out of a curtained-off area, brushing his hands on his robes as he turned to see who’d come in. He had to be older than Gran. “As I live and breathe, that’s a face I didn’t expect to see again for many moons.”
“Emrys.” A massive smile broke out over Jaxus’ face as he pulled the older male into a hug. “It’s so good to see you.”
They were so touchy. Unlike the flyers I knew. When he’d said they were different here, he hadn’t been kidding.
“And you. Are you well?” Emrys’ question was leading.
“I am.” Jaxus turned to me. “This is my soul-bonded and ryder, Kiera.”
Emrys’ eyes widened, glancing between us. “You jest? ”
“No.” Jaxus’ cheeks stretched into a wider grin. “It was quite the surprise.”
“No kidding.” Emrys inspected me much like Gran would. “And a healer? Good taste.” He winked at me and I laughed.
“I didn’t quite have a choice.” Jaxus shook his head, but his happiness didn’t diminish. “But I am lucky.”
“That you are, child.” Emrys took my hands. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Kiera, was it?”
“Yes, it’s lovely to meet you as well.” Much like my gran his presence soothed. “How did you know I’m a healer?”
“Part of my magic is reading that of others. Healing magic has a different scent.”
“Magic has a scent?” I asked, having never heard such a concept even from other Dragons.
“To me, it does. I don’t know about these other beasts,” Emrys said, leaning in like it was a secret. I liked him already. “It’s quite earthy. I knew the moment you walked in.”
“Is my healing magic like that of a Dragon who has the gift?” I asked before thinking about the question.
“Yes, you are one of us now, even if you don’t think you are. The ryder and flyer bond is ancient and sacred—and with a soul-bond, too.” He gave a low whistle. “It creates such a beautiful and unique mixture of magic. You two are lucky to have found each other.” Emrys side-eyed Jaxus. “Speaking of, what brings you back?”
Jaxus let out a breath. “I fear we will be interrupted soon.”
Emrys nodded. “I didn’t think the elders would be happy about you bringing an outsider here. Three fae knowing, leaves us even more exposed.”
“I had no other choice.” Jaxus dropped his voice to barely above a whisper. “I can’t keep a blood oath from my soul-bonded.”
“I’m not sure that will be enough to convince them.” Emrys turned away from Jaxus to face the figures who’d pulled the curtain aside. “Archon. Good to see you.”
A male who was a few inches shorter than Jaxus but about the same age entered, flanked by two younger males. “Good morning, Emrys. I do not mean to be rude, but I don’t have time for pleasantries. I must take Jaxus to the elders. They are convening as we speak.” While shorter than Jaxus, he made up for it in girth. He stood almost as wide as two of Emrys.
“I understand.” Emrys stepped aside. “May the Goddess smile on your needs.”
“Thank you,” Jaxus said, not acknowledging Archon. Instead, he strolled past him out of the tent.
Archon sighed but followed Jaxus out.
I glanced at Emrys. “Should I follow?”
“I would,” he laughed.