*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*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
*Ember*It burned. My hands burned as though I’d stuck them in fire.I sobbed in pain, calling out for my mother. I pulled my hands back towards me, but that didn’t stop the pain. Looking down, I could see it was my hands that were the problem—they were glowing blindingly bright and burning themselves!Screaming, I tried to find my mother, my hands the only light in the darkness. Finally, her smiling face appeared.“Mama!” I cried. “Mama, it hurts! IT HURTS!!!”At least I thought I was screaming it. I was trying to. But no sound was coming out.My mother smiled. It was a sad smile, but a smile nonetheless. And her eyes had gone a milky white.It frightened me.“Mama!” I tried again. “Mama, HELP!!!”No sound.My mother kept smiling, even as she disappeared from view.“Mama!” I sobbed soundlessly. “Mama… mama…” ***“Mama!” I cried out into the room as I woke from the nightmare, covered in a cold sweat. My heart thundered in my chest as my ragged breathing retur
*Ember*We ended our conversation long after the sun rose.I sat back in my gaming chair and daydreamed about DracoK4u’s muscular physique, cold yet somehow warm blue eyes, and the intricate dragon tattoo I’d seen peeking over his shoulder. I wondered if it extended all the way across his back. I’d have to ask him to show me next time.The dragon clock on my desk smiled at me, a wooden dragon curled around a round-faced clock. I picked it up, running my hand over the warm wood as I thought about running my hands over DracoK4u’s chest.It took several moments before I realized the time the clock was showing.“Crap!” I exclaimed, dropping the clock back on my desk and racing to the bathroom. I was already late for work.I hopped in the shower and scrubbed quickly. Well, as quickly as I could while thinking about DracoK4u’s hands on me, rubbing soap everywhere. I groaned, trying to push the fantasy away.“Late,” I reminded myself, turning the water from hot to cold to cool m
*Kieran*“Flameheart? Flameheart!” I yelled, trying to get her to come back.Nothing.Frantically, I searched the forums, but not only was she not there--she no longer existed!“Shit,” I murmured to myself.Luckily, we’d exchanged numbers not long ago. If I’d scared her, I’d make it up to her. I just had to get her back.Though my message went through, I did not get a reply. I waited for hours.Zephyr, my best friend and fellow refugee, poked his blonde head in my office at about three in the morning, looking peeved. “Do you know what time it is?”“Yes,” I snapped, trying to text Flameheart5694 again.“Banging on your keyboard and shouting ‘Flameheart’ does not make for great sleeping conditions for everyone else,” he griped. “Just in case you were wondering.”“I wasn’t.” I gave my phone a shake, as though scrambling the technology’s brains was going to make her text me back.Zephyr walked over and closed my very expensive laptop with an ominous thud. “I know you
*Ember*I ran my fingers along the spines of the books feeling distracted the following morning thinking about my experience online with DracoK4u. I pulled my sweatshirt tighter around myself, shivering thinking about the intimate moment with my friend online where he helped me imagine he was in the room comforting me. I felt connected to him in a way I had never felt with anyone else. I grew hot thinking about how amazingly sexy DracoK4u was but my eyebrows furrowed as I suddenly remembered how I forgot that we had been on camera and I hadn't correctly ended the call. He had seen my glowing hands and there was no way I could try to disregard what happened. There was no way out of this, he had seen them. I remembered the way he reacted with shock and intrigue. Before he could say anything more though I shut my computer off and jumped into bed, sobbing myself to sleep. I had to remove myself from all five of my dragon forums, the safe space I’d spent years creating, because
*Ember*My attackers hadn't gotten very far after trying to pull me around, jostling me, and bruising me. I really wished I hadn't listened to that voice that seemed to be calling from the cave. It must have been them playing some kind of trick to get me to come close. But what the hell was going on?I managed to scoot myself off to the side of the cave as the new figure dealt with the hooded men. I saw his dark hair flow around him as he beat and yelled at them. I strained to hear his words but didn't register anything in English. I wondered what could possibly be going on with this strange occurrence.I thought back to Nola and how she warned me that this cave had been off-limits. The shimmering orb or whatever it was those men had come through was extremely odd. In all my dragon lore, I had come across what was called portals. This couldn't be that though. That was impossible. I was just at some old ancient castle.I winced feeling the bruises on my body starting to form fro
*Kieran POV*Holding Ember in my arms was a thousand times better than I ever imagined, more than a dream come true. She felt soft and warm against my body. Her breath was sweet as it fanned against my neck. I couldn't help inhaling the sweet intoxication of her scent. As I carried her to her room, I couldn't help but feel a sense of completeness wash over me. I didn't want to ever let her go. Whatever she turned out to be, Ember was special, more special than she or anyone else realized. I was determined to find out more about her, what she was and where she came from. I couldn't wait to peel back her layers and discover everything about her. She was even more beautiful in person and I had to restrain myself from running my hands up and down her entire body. I stared at her, allowing my pupils to dilate and burn with fire as I began to use my ability to glamor her. I took in a deep breath feeling my power emanate from my eyes and heart as I commanded her, "Ember, I wa