*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
*Kieran*After having said goodbye to my friends and the love of my life I didn't want them to see the emotions running across my face. A tear had escaped from one of my eyes and I stepped through the portal, feeling ready as I ever would be to finally return home. I felt the portal rush over me as I stepped through. It felt like I was walking through water for a split second, and I wondered if I'd ever get used to using portals. It closed behind me as I took my first step back in the Burning Isles.It was evening, the clouds littered the skies with hues of gray, pink, and purple. The sun was setting over the horizon with an orange glow. It would have been a beautiful sunset if it weren't for the smoke rising from the rubble of a desolated town below the hill I was standing on. I looked around in horrid dismay observing the destruction. Not only was the small village below wrecked beyond compare, smoke rose from the ruins as if recently having been set on fire. I couldn't see
*Ember*I settled myself at my little study nook in the library and stared at the spines of the books Seraphina lent me. Later in the afternoon, Zephyr and Thorne agreed to continue training with me. As promised they hadn't gone easy on me, except for the fact that they knew I was pregnant and didn't want to accidentally harm the baby. Thorne took me to the side after training explaining to me that someone who truly wanted to do me or Kieran and my child harm would stop at nothing to hurt us.Deep down I knew he was right, and I blinked back tears thinking about how just a few hours ago I had said goodbye to Kieran. It had been hard watching him leave, and he had shocked me by kissing me passionately in front of Thorne and Zephyr. Even during training, there was a bit of banter back and forth from them asking me questions about when things had gotten so serious with Kieran. I myself had been at a loss for words and stumbled, explaining that I had just found out about Kieran's tr
*Kieran*While my uncle thought I was contemplating whether or not to take him up on his offer to become his executioner again, I was trudging through the forest looking for familiar signs that I was on the right track. The fire mage who had helped me put my dragon to sleep all those years ago lived in the mountains above the forest and I was making a steady pace toward her home. It had been a while since we had seen each other, and I hoped she had escaped my uncle's clutches when he had gone on his killing spree. Earlier I had heard Ember say good night to me through our fire mark that connected. How I wished I could be by her side and ask her how her day had been. What had they done after I wished them goodbye? If I knew Ember, she hadn't just moped around waiting at the cave entrance hoping I'd walk back through the portal. She most likely had found something to keep her preoccupied while I was away.I smiled as I stumbled across some rocks that had become overgrown wit
*Ember*"Guys, something is wrong. Kieran doesn't seem right to me. He isn't answering me… and from what I can feel, it just doesn’t seem right. I need to get to him now," I said standing up from Nola’s side who was being bandaged by Zephyr. "Go, go," Zephyr said. "We can take it from here.""Oh shit, how is she going to get there? She'll be in danger since she wasn't born in the Burning Isles," Thorne said looking over at me with a worried expression."I know a spell. I need paper and a pen," Nola said and Thorne ran into Kieran's study which was nearby. As we heard him fumbling around on Kieran's desk, Nola made eye contact with me gesturing for me to kneel back down beside her. I knelt down watching Zephyr apply first aid."Ember, when you say this spell it's going to take you directly to Kieran since you both are bonded by your fire mark. You need to be ready for anything, he could be with his uncle in the dungeons getting tortured. He could be at the gallows… anywher
*Kieran*I stared at Ember as she frowned at me with a confused look. She stood, and I observed her body fill with tension. She didn't seem too happy with me. In fact she seemed exceptionally enraged, with her nostrils flared and her eyes flashing fire."What do you mean exactly? Of course I knew it was dangerous!" she snapped at me. "But I made it here in one piece.""Okay, okay, sorry what I meant was … yes it is dangerous and it wasn't safe to come here," I fumbled. I was feeling frazzled. And her being here helped but also didn't help if that made sense. She was a beautiful, distracting woman who had helped me in my time of need."I helped your dragon, you know," Ember said with a stubborn tone. "I knew you needed help."I felt my dragon shift, his scales felt like they were rubbing against my skin. He was reacting to the sound of her voice. 'She's right you know,' he said gruffly. 'And I like her. Let's keep her.''I'm trying, but I think I'm failing right now… I ma
*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.