*Kieran*"We just can't be sure who this woman was, Kieran," Nola repeated in my study as I rubbed my chin in contemplation at her words.Thorne and Zephyr stood at my sides looking back from me to Nola. We were strategizing our next move in regards to Ember's strange nightmare earlier this morning. I had put all other meetings on hold, because this was Ember we were talking about. I wouldn't have her safety or my child's safety put in jeopardy. "Well, that's just not good enough," I shouted with frustration. "We need to know who we are dealing with. She's got enough magic to penetrate the castle barriers and get inside Ember's head. She has to be someone of importance, and we need to find out who she is. Now."I reiterated my words and knew that the three of them heard me. Nola gave me a very tense but serious look. It had only been a few hours before, where she had discovered I may have romantic feelings for Ember. So she knew why I was so worked up more than usual. "Ther
*Ember*We traveled in Kieran's car through the part of the Lockebrooke Forest that had a road. Kieran and I had finished our previous evening at Fae Fountain Tavern and early the next morning, he came to my room to wake me up for our trip to the forest. I watched as the large tree trunks passed by my window as he expertly drove around the curves and bends in the road, occasionally turning to glance at me. We had been quiet, sipping on the water in my travel cup taking it all in."Lockebrooke Forest," Kieran said with a whistle as he looked away from me and back through his windshield. "This forest must hold a lot of secrets. I'm interested to know how this Seraphina woman has survived in the woods for so long.""I know," I said, raising my eyebrows and placing my cup down. I continued speaking, uttering a question I was afraid to ask, "What do you think will happen?""I'm not sure, Ember," Kieran said with a concerned voice. "I think it's good that we prepared the others in ca
*Kieran*I ate my stew after we filled our bowls, eyeing Seraphina carefully. I didn't want to make any sudden moves or say the wrong thing that could make her further distrust me as a dragon. I was hoping there was some way we could convince her to teach Ember. Ember seemed quieter as well as she ate her food. Seraphina was telling us a story about a time when Verona was teaching her a complicated spell."Then she passed me the ball of fire she had made and yelled, 'Catch!'" Seraphina gestured as if she was throwing a ball at Ember. Ember and I couldn't help but chuckle. It sounded like the two had been very close. Although I wondered who Ember's father was and why her mother hadn’t told his identity to her best friend. Perhaps this would have to remain a mystery. For now, I was just happy to know that Ember had more information about her birthright and who she truly was. Even if it was a little awkward interacting with someone who despised dragons, this trip had been worth
*Ember*We drove past the gate as we made it safely onto the castle grounds after visiting Seraphina. I felt drained emotionally and physically and I barely registered the fact that Kieran had pulled into the castle's large garage filled with everyone's cars. He parked the car and turned it off, twisting his body toward me. "So," he started to say as he looked me up and down. "What did you think about that excursion? What did you think of Seraphina? I’m sure you weren’t expecting her to have been good friends with your mother.""Um, a mix of good and bad? I guess? And I had no idea my mom and her were friends." I grimaced and shrugged. "I really wish Seraphina would agree to train me. I'd learn more spells and skills from her faster than I have currently been learning. She seems like such a wise person."Kieran eyed me curiously as I explained my feelings to him. He fiddled with a few buttons on his car distractedly as he watched me, and nodded in response, "I understand. I co
*Kieran*I was having a wonderful dream of Ember's slender legs wrapped around my head and shoulders. She was quivering under me in pleasure as I licked all over her pussy planning on sucking her dry. She was calling out my name with desire and she moaned as she tightened her legs around my head. I liked having her right where I wanted her, making sure she couldn't leave before the waves of pleasure washed over her."Do you like that, baby?" I asked her looking up from her pussy for a second."Kieran," she said breathlessly, locking eyes with me. "Can you please just join me already? I want you.""You don't have to ask me twice, although I like hearing you beg," I grinned but I listened to her request lining up at her entrance. "Are you ready for me, baby?""Yes," she nodded, opening her legs wider. "Please.""Good girl," I said and slowly dipped the tip of my dick into her."Oh, that feels… so good, Kieran you feel incredible," she moaned under me as I pushed my entir
*Kieran*As promised, Nola, Zephyr, and Thorne met me in the study and we all stood apprehensively over a map of the Burning Isles. The tension was heightened and we were quieter than usual thinking about the drastic situation in our homeland. My uncle had finally lost all of his marbles and was killing any dragons or humans even looking at him the wrong way. When even a hint of a threat to his power crossed his mind, my uncle had always been quick to action and slow to think things through. Growing up under his rule as a young dragon, my uncle tried to control me in every aspect of my life. He used me to carry out cruelty on our citizens in the Burning Isles and I hated him for it. It gave dragons a bad rep, and humans often cowered around us. They would avoid us like we were some sort of plague.It was my intention that someday I would change the way dragons were viewed and hopefully change the way dragons thought of humans. Just because they weren't as powerful as dragons
*Ember*I watched the blue fire dance in my hands as I swayed my fingers back and forth. I was proud of what I had accomplished this week while practicing my fire magic. With Nola's guidance, I had read through Seraphina's books and found spells that were for beginners. I had started making headway and I felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.I felt like I had almost some form of writer's block, but in this case it had been fire magic block. With that gone, now I was free to try magic spells without being bogged down. I had finally made progress with my training. If anyone tried to attack me now, I had gained control over my powers, and I was a force to be reckoned with.I grinned over at Nola as we stood outside near the gardens. She smiled back at me."I can tell you are proud of yourself, Ember," she laughed as I bounced the blue fire flame from one hand to the next. "And I'm proud of you too.""Thanks Nola, I can't help but feel a little more confident now,"
*Ember*Today was the day. The day Kieran had to return to the Burning Isles, his homeland. I stared at myself in the mirror thinking about how terrified I was. Not having Kieran around would be an adjustment that I wasn't too sure about. Living at the castle was harmonious with having Kieran here by my side through the entire time I had been here.But I realized we'd been spoiled…this had always been coming. Now he was leaving, it felt like the castle was that much bigger. What was I going to do without him near? The days went by quickly when I spent time with Kieran. I knew that I'd still have Nola, Zephyr, and Thorne here and that was comforting but none of them were him. They couldn't fill the hole that he would be leaving in his absence.To top it all off, Kieran had told me yesterday that he had feelings for me. Finding out that he loved me was shocking, because I had never fully grasped how I had felt about him. Actually I denied myself that pleasure because I had thoug
*Ember*The day finally came where we were able to welcome our baby into the world. The way I felt about being able to give birth in my new home and kingdom felt truly special. I had come to view the Burning Isles as my home, too. In the days leading up to the baby's birth we had fixed up the castle to it's former glory with everyone's magical touch and expertise. We redecorated with Kieran’s emblem, one that he had newly created to represent us both. We patched up the walls and hung more lights in the halls. The colors had changed, the castle seemed brighter and happier than it had been when we first arrived. The throne room had transformed into different sections to include tables filled with maps, another was filled with plans for beautifying the farmlands with different crops, and the other was contracts with different merchants selling in the castle courtyard. Life was restarting here, and to see Kieran really step into his role as a leader was inspiring. I was so grate
*Kieran*Ember was truly glowing after she returned from the trial near the Tree of Life. I was thrilled to have her back. No… I was elated. I wanted to celebrate the great news that she could continue to stay here in the Burning Isles.I brought her to the master bedroom telling her about how we helped settle the refugees into rooms of their own. Yarin was helping delegate tasks to the refugees, giving them jobs around the castle. I promised all of them ample compensation and shelter here at the castle as long as they desired. If one day they wished to leave, I guaranteed they could leave whenever they'd like. My uncle had forced the servants and mages to stay here at the castle against their will. There would be no more dictatorship here. I wanted the people of the Burning Isles to have full amenity over their lives. Freedom was the most important thing to these people now, and I intended to make sure they had it.I sat on the bed watching Ember explore our bedroom that we w
*Ember*I stared up into Kieran's eyes wrapping my arms around his neck."What do you want me to promise?" I asked looking deep into his eyes."Promise you'll come back in one piece, and stay by my side forever? Help me raise our kid? They'll need to hear all of your awful jokes and puns." Kieran teased booping my nose with his. "Wow," I said, shaking my head at him. "Thanks for the pep talk. I'll be sure to run back so I can get started on that."He smiled at my sarcasm, "No problem," he paused as his smile disappeared. "Seriously though, just come back to me.""I will," I said, pulling him in for a kiss. After saying goodbye I walked away from Kieran and Yarin who were starting to help refugees find rooms, the castle was so large it made sense to share it. I couldn't help but wonder how it would turn out, and I couldn't wait to get back to see it. I found my way outside the castle and found the back stairs that took me down the mountain side. I could see the field bel
*Ember*We were watching the large group of refugees from Yarin's camp congregate into the throne room, eager to help give them a place they can call home. I felt privileged and extremely honored to watch this monumental moment in Kieran's first few days as king of the Burning Isles. He seemed quiet and I looked over at him to observe a small smile curling the corners of his mouth. There was a sparkle in his eye as if he had something on his mind."I have an idea," he said, turning to look at me as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder."Oh?" I asked, raising an eyebrow."We can ask Yarin for help with the spell. She may know of a way to either reverse the spell or tamper with it. She's a very powerful mage, and since we are helping her people she may be willing to help us with this," Kieran said, pulling me close against him. "We could be together, with our child like we are meant to be."He placed a hand over my stomach, brushing slightly with his finger. I swore I could
*Ember*Changing back into her human form, Cassidy looked worse for wear with sweat dripping down her forehead and her makeup smeared. She breathed in heavily, holding her hands up in defeat. With a smirk she said, "You win, little one. Fair and square."I narrowed my eyes at her as I extinguished my flames. "That was not our agreement. You didn't follow through with your vow.""Oh Whatever… you're a fire mage… you were strong enough to maim me. Thanks for those burns by the way. You did well for a human," she whispered before Yarin and Kieran's footsteps came running down the sandpit toward us."You did it, Ember!" Kieran shouted excitedly pulling me away from Cassidy and giving me a big hug. He pulled away from me and looked Cassidy up and down with a judgmental look. "Ember, you defeated her dragon form too.""Yes, great job!" Yarin clapped nearby offering me a kind smile."Ember Haiven, you have won Kieran Dzianis' hand in marriage fair and square in a duel with me,"
*Ember*I fumbled around reaching for his hands, "Kieran, how do you think I felt when I saw you up in the air fighting your uncle?""Point taken, but I am still worried," he said."We are going around in circles with this discussion. For now, let’s get some sleep. If I don't rest, I won't be at my best for tomorrow," I explained."Can't have that," he whispered and we pulled the sheets over us, holding one another close."Kieran?" I asked as our breathing slowed. My eyes were drooping with sleep and exhaustion. "Yeah?" He asked."You did great today. Let's not forget how you just vanquished your most formidable foe. I am proud of you," I said sincerely."Thank you, Ember, you’re right. He's finally gone," Kieran sighed, like it was finally hitting him that it was over. "Good night."I answered back as I kissed him on the cheek before falling asleep, "Good night."The next day I was able to actually take a look around the castle without feeling impending doom. W
*Ember*As my confusion and feelings of hurt deepened, I looked away from Kieran. My heart beat heavily and it felt like I had been betrayed by him. If he’d have told me he was still engaged, I wouldn’t have encouraged our interactions. I felt so hurt and I blinked back tears as I thought over Cassidy's words. She was meant to be queen. Not me. I wasn’t even supposed to be here. I wasn't sure how Kieran would be able to get out of this, especially if he was promised to her before we had met. What did that mean for the future child we shared?Resting a hand on my stomach, I massaged the bump, wishing our baby the best future life had to offer. I felt like the carpet had been pulled out from under me, and everything was at risk, hanging in the balance at this very moment in Yarin's hut. Cassidy's eyes had lit with jealousy earlier when she first met me. She didn't seem to understand that what Kieran and I had was real. It went beyond politics. Or so I had thought. Doubt
*Ember*As our kiss deepened, I cleared my mind of everything that had just happened with Kieran's uncle and fell into a daze of pleasure. I could only think about Kieran as his stubble rubbed against my face, causing me to shiver in delight. I desired him so much. I couldn't help but run my hands down his pecs and his abs. He was a beautiful specimen just like his dragon."Sorry to interrupt," Yarin said, clearing her throat. "But Kieran before you get too comfortable… you should probably deal with your fiance. She'll want to know you are alive and what has happened here."My head spun in shock at Yarin's words. Fiance? I turned from her to look at Kieran who was breaking from our embrace. I now seemed like an afterthought to him as he distractedly broke away from me."She's alive?" he asked with a surprised tone walking over to Yarin."Oh yeah, she's alive all right. I heard a rumor that she is living with her father in their summer abode down by The Sparkling Waves Lake
*Ember*I stood quietly next to Kieran and Yarin as we stood under the cover of the trees. The bridge connecting to the castle stood just across from us as we waited. It was quiet, and ominous dark clouds were scattered over the castle as if warning any people intending to visit to stay away. There were so many good reasons to stay away like possible death or malicious intent. Yet, here we stood.This day was inevitable, and I would never have dreamed that one day I'd actually be able to see the showdown between Kieran and his uncle. I absent-mindedly reached for Kieran's hand, trying to disguise the worry that enveloped my entire being. This was petrifying because I didn't want to lose him. He grasped my hand tightly and turned to look at me."Ready?" he asked, his face stoic. He must have been trying to remain as emotionless as possible."Ready as I'll ever be. How about you? Are you going to be okay, Kieran?" I asked worriedly, brushing a strand of loose hair behind my ear.