All Chapters of Stealing The Dragon's Heart : Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

We tracked Zoya's trail relentlessly as she led us back towards the remote mountain village that served as hidden headquarters for the mysterious resistance group. The path felt hauntingly, disturbingly familiar, raising prickles along my skin. We had nearly reached the secluded valley stronghold when Freya threw out a hand in abrupt warning."Halt here. We are still too exposed to approach openly by daylight."I followed her piercing stare to where rough-hewn log palisade walls and squat sentry towers defended the solitary steep access road winding down into the small fortified town nestled between soaring valley walls. After months spent wandering exile as vagrants, hounded by hostile forces, finally arriving within striking distance of our goal only to be stalled by exposure was vexing beyond measure.But much as I yearned to keep pressing forward heedlessly, I knew the dragon queen's caution was warranted. Attempting to openly march straight through the front gates would only invi

LenaI swayed on my feet, dizzy from the revelations my friends brought. Scar mindbreak. The haven corrupted. Raiders marked for extermination. My world crumbled further with each bitter truth.I scarcely recognized the broken woman I had become in but a few short weeks. The proud dragonkeeper was no more - in her place stood a gaunt, haunted girl with dead eyes. Just days ago, I had entertained foolish notions of breaking the bond Scar, to raise our child in a peaceful haven. Such pathetic dreams now mocked me. If any future remained for dragons or raiders, it could only be bought with blood and sacrifice.My hands curled into helpless fists at my sides. Natalia's insistent voice roused me from despair's brink. "There is yet hope, child. If you and your dragon complete the bonding ritual, none shall stand against your united power."I studied the wise woman's careworn face. A bonding? The ultimate sacrament between true dragon and their keepers, forever linking two souls as one? Unea

Lena The heavy ebony doors groaned open beneath our combined strength. Beyond should lie sanctuary however temporary - a chance to rest battered bodies and souls...and forge strength for the next leg in reclaiming freedom. Instead, a nightmare awaited us across that carved threshold.Zoya herself stood imperiously flanked by a score of armed guardsgrinning in feral anticipation. At their feet sprawled a cruelly familiar frail form - Natalia! My heart dropped through the floor recognizing the terrible stillness to her flesh, the mocking angle of broken limbs. Our protector and guide, ruthlessaly dismembered and discarded by her own blood."No!"The grief-stricken howl that ripped from my chest scarcely sounded human or sane. But the rage flooding my veins in its wake burned far hotter than mere anguish as I took in the mutilation of that innocent wise woman. Blinded by fury and vengeance, I flung myself straight for Zoya's sneering throat heedless of the death bristling eagerly around

Lena "You need rest." Hermes' firm tone brooked no argument as he helped me climb into the van's rear seat. I scowled, but couldn't deny sheer exhaustion once adrenaline drained away. "The Fortress lies over a day's journey north," Hunter remarked, sliding behind the wheel beside Hermes. "Best try recovering strength before we arrive."I nodded reluctantly, too spent to argue logistics. Food and sleep called seductively. Sage draped a scratchy blanket over me before everything faded into dreamless void.I came to as the van jostled over rough terrain, weak sun glinting through cracked windows. Groaning, I shifted gingerly upright. Every bone and muscle throbbed fiery complaint, but my mind felt oddly clear for once.Hermes twisted around with a grin. "About time. We're less than an hour out." His expression sobered. "Scar's still assaulting the fortress walls relentlessly."Memory crashed back. The bond! I frantically grasped for our mating link, nearly sagging relief finding that e

I drifted gradually up through velvety shadows toward waking, feeling almost reborn. Every muscle ached fiercely, but my spirit felt cleansed by recent trials. We had walked through fire and fury both literal and figurative, somehow emerging intact on redemption's far shore.With effort I pushed upright, taking in familiar features gathered anxiously around the modest pallet where I had slept. Concern furrowed Sage's brow until she noted my returning gaze. "Lena! Thank the ancestors." She gripped both my hands urgently. "We feared you might never rouse after expending so much strength against the darkness."I managed a wan smile, ribs protesting even that small motion. "I yet breathe thanks to your steady watchcare, my friend." My searching look found May and Freya curled together nearby, worry softening into relief. But foreboding still weighted the strained atmosphere. I hesitated before voicing the question that haunted me most. "And Scar? Has there been any change while I drifted