Embrace The Dark (Her Elemental Dragons Book 5) Read online

  Embrace the Dark

  Her Elemental Dragons Book Five

  Elizabeth Briggs

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

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  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Some people had no idea they were destined for greatness. I’d spent my entire life preparing for it—and today my destiny was supposed to begin.

  Nervous, excited energy woke me before the sun. After tossing and turning for an hour, I accepted that falling back asleep was futile, so I rose with the dawn and dressed in my combat leathers. My Ascension wouldn’t happen until this afternoon, which meant I had many hours to fill until then. Burning off some energy was the only way I’d get through the longest day of my life.

  My steps echoed along the white marble halls of Soulspire Palace, and I nodded to the few guards I passed. The morning’s silence melted away as I neared the kitchen, which was already bustling with activity as the staff prepared for the banquet tonight in my honor.

  The head chef gave me a bright smile and offered me a warm blueberry muffin. “Happy birthday, Sora,” she said, and a chorus of echoes went up around the room from the other cooks and servers.

  “Thank you,” I told everyone, before shoving half the muffin in my mouth. Fresh out of the oven and delicious. Another young woman offered me a glass of milk, which I chugged down.

  “Would you like us to make you some breakfast? An omelet, perhaps?” Hada asked.

  “No, but thank you.” I grabbed an apple off a nearby tray on my way out the door. My stomach was too twisted to eat much of anything, and I doubted I’d be able to sit still long enough for a full meal anyway.

  I crunched down on the apple as I headed outside into the fresh, cool air. Clouds gathered overhead, but otherwise it was a beautiful morning, the kind that made you feel like the day could only bring good things. I headed past the garden my mother created to the training grounds, where dozens of soldiers were already sparring with each other. I scanned the area for one of my fathers, Jasin, who led the Silver Guard, the elite fighting force dedicated to serving the Dragons. I didn’t spot him there, but I did see someone else who made me smile.

  Erroh caught my eye and grinned before jogging over to me. I tried not to admire the way his muscular body looked in his soldier’s uniform and dragged my gaze back to his face instead. Not that it helped, since his face was just as appealing. His dark hair was cut military-style, showing off his chiseled cheekbones, golden-brown skin, and warm eyes. He was the spitting image of his father, Cadock, except with the coloring of his mother, Faya. Both Cadock and Faya worked for my parents, with Cadock acting as Jasin’s second in command, and Faya handling diplomacy with my other father, Auric. Erroh was only a few months older than me, and since he’d also grown up in the palace—along with his older siblings Daka and Parin—he’d been my best friend for as long as I could remember.

  “Happy birthday,” he said as his arms circled me. I leaned into his embrace for probably a little too long. As we pulled back, our faces turned toward each other and our lips were close, way too close. For a second we paused, tempted to close the gap, but then we broke apart and looked away quickly. We both knew the Gods would choose my four mates later today. Erroh and I could never be together. Not as anything more than friends, at least.

  He cleared his throat and rubbed the back of his neck. “I can’t believe it’s finally here.”

  “Me neither.” I couldn’t meet his eyes. The moment had grown awkward, as it always did whenever we spoke of such things. If I were any other girl, without a Gods-ordained destiny, we’d probably already be married.

  “I’m guessing you couldn’t sleep and that’s why you’re out here so early,” he said. He knew me so well.

  I nodded. "I thought I might have a run through the Gauntlet to burn off some energy. Care to join me?"

  Erroh glanced behind him at the other soldiers, but his sparring partner had moved on to someone else. He turned back and grinned at me. "You know I never miss a chance to be humiliated by the Ascendant."

  I nudged him in the arm. "You might beat me this time."

  "On your big birthday? I wouldn't dare."

  We passed the soldiers' training area and headed around the buildings toward an elaborate training course where I often practiced running, jumping, and climbing. The Silver Guard used it also, but it had originally been designed for me by my four fathers. The soldiers called it the Gauntlet, and running it successfully was one of their major tests. I'd been doing it since I was seven.

  We climbed up the ladder to the first platform, where we had a perfect view of the rising sun making the sky the color of pink roses. The Gauntlet spread before us, with different platforms and various challenges all designed to test my skills. I tied my wild, curly brown hair back in a tight bun and shook out my limbs. "Ready?"

  Erroh finished stretching out his arms and nodded. "First one to the finish line has to get the loser a present."

  I cocked my head at him. "I'm not sure that's how winning is supposed to work."

  He shrugged and then took off, leaping from the platform to grab onto the zipline overhead. He zoomed down it, and I cursed him under my breath and hopped onto the zipline right after him. He hit the ground on the next platform with me only seconds behind him, and then we both ducked down under the first obstacle and scrambled over the next one.

  My focus narrowed to my own movements as I jumped across small steps over a pool of water, before climbing up to another platform. From here I carefully crossed the rope walkway suspended over the same pool of water, belly crawled through a dark moss-covered tunnel, and then wove my way through thick forest and large rocks until I reached the next platform. We kept going, racing through the course and overcoming other obstacles, including huge swinging stones I had to dodge between, holes in the ground that randomly shot bursts of fire or water, and an area with heavy wind that could knock you over if you weren’t careful.

  Finally we reached the last platform, this one a steep rock hill with only a few handholds, made by my other father Slade with his earth magic. I climbed it while breathing heavily. Only then did I notice Erroh again beside me, and we pulled onto the platform at the same time. We both leaped across and grabbed onto the rope hanging before us, then swung to the next one and grasped it, and kept going like this until we reached the other side. I got there only seconds before him and sprinted over the random obstacles in the way, until I reached the end. I grabbed the white flag and raised it triumphantly, while Erroh came to a halt beside me. We both bent over and tried to catch our breath, sweat dripping from our brows.

  “I let you win,” he said.

  “Sure you did.” I threw the balled-up flag at his chest. "If you’re expecting a present for losing, forget it."

  He grinned and hung the flag back in its spot. “Ah well, it was worth a try.”

  We climbed down the platform and s
at on the grass to stretch our legs and calm our racing hearts. I wiped sweat off my forehead and leaned back, gazing at the clouds gathering overhead. For those few minutes on the Gauntlet my mind had been blissfully clear, but now the thoughts slowly crept back in. Today I was twenty years old. Today I would be blessed by the Gods so I could take my mother’s place as the Silver Dragon. Today my life would change forever.

  "What distraction do you need now?" Erroh asked, breaking me out of my fog. "Shall we get our swords? Throw some knives? Head into town and drink some ale at a seedy tavern?” He waggled his eyebrows at this.

  I laughed. "You should probably get back to your own training. I might run the Gauntlet a few more times though."

  "Whatever you want," Erroh said with a grin. “I’ll just have to get you drunk at the banquet instead.”

  “That sounds good. I’ll need to be drunk to deal with all the stuffy noblemen and diplomats. Speaking of, is your brother going to be there?”

  “No, Parin is still on assignment in the Earth Realm. I’m sure he sends his best wishes and all that.” Erroh stood up and brushed the grass off his uniform. “Daka isn’t coming either, unfortunately. The baby is still too young for them to travel. But I’ll be there representing the family, don’t you fret.”

  “Thank goodness for that.” I stood up and almost reached for him, but then stopped myself. "Thanks for the distraction today, and for being so understanding about…everything. I know it hasn't always been easy, but I'm glad you're my best friend."

  His jaw clenched a little, but he smiled. "I'll always be there for you, Sora. You know that." He leaned forward and pressed a kiss to my forehead. "Good luck today."

  He walked away and I allowed myself to check out his behind one last time. In a few hours the Gods would choose my mates, and then I'd only have eyes for them. But for now I could at least admire my first love a little longer.

  After running the Gauntlet until my muscles twitched and sweat ran down my body, I finally returned to the palace. I stopped in the kitchen to grab a drink and some food, but paused when two familiar faces rounded the corner ahead of me. They abruptly halted when they saw me, and one of them gave me a charming smile, while the other had on a permanent frown. Carth and Zain, total opposites, and yet somehow best friends. They were also two of the most handsome men I’d ever seen.

  Carth was dressed in fine silks that brushed across his tan skin, the soft yellow and pale blue marking him as a nobleman from the Air Realm. His sandy hair always looked windswept, and his sea green eyes and muscular swimmer’s body hinted at his origins in the Water Realm. When he was four years old, his family was on a boat that was lost in a storm. Water elementals rescued him and brought him to Soulspire, where he was adopted by Brin, a friend of my parents, and Leni, my aunt. That made Carth my adopted cousin, which made my desire for him rather awkward. It didn’t help that Carth was an incessant flirt either.

  Zain wore the black and red armor of a guard of the Fire Temple, and his eyes were the blue of the hottest part of a flame. His grandmother was the former High Priestess Calla, who helped my mother during her time as Ascendant. Calla was like a grandmother to me too, and that made Zain sort of like an older, protective brother to me. He was always serious and somewhat aloof when I was younger, though his eyes were always on me. As I grew older, the looks he gave me changed and became something different, something that made my heart race. Last time I saw him was a year ago, when we shared a secret, passionate kiss against the outside wall of the Fire Temple, his fingers skimming across my breast. After that, we never spoke again. The whole encounter confused and excited me, even though I’d tried my best to put it out of my mind.

  “Hey there, birthday girl,” Carth said, before wrapping a tan, muscular arm around my shoulders. “How are you feeling? Excited? Nervous?”

  “Both those things, and many more as well,” I admitted.

  “But mostly excited to meet your mates, I imagine.” Carth pressed a hand to his chest dramatically. “Oh, that I could be one of them.”

  Did he? Or was he being dramatic? I could never tell with Carth. I’d secretly longed for the same thing for years, but my mother’s mates were all strangers, so I’d never held out much hope it would happen.

  Zain lifted his chin. “The Gods know what they are doing, and will pick the best men for the role.”

  Carth nudged his friend. “Sure, but wouldn’t it be nice if she got to pick? Or at least could tell them her preferences?”

  “We do not question the will of the Gods,” Zain said sternly. Then he rested a warm hand on my elbow. “Just know that whatever happens, we will always watch out for you.”

  “I’m sure I’ll be happy with their selection,” I managed to say, as heat crept up my neck from the two men’s touches. Both of them had always been there for me my entire life, but I was sure things would change between us after today.

  “If not, you can always come to me on the side. I’ll make sure you’re well taken care of.” Carth gave me a wink, while Zain rolled his eyes. “See you at the banquet tonight.”

  They continued on their path, and I let out a sigh while I watched them go, admiring their muscular physiques and the way they moved. Two more men who were completely off-limits because of who I was. Carth had asked the same questions I’d had my entire life, but I’d always been afraid to admit them out loud. How did I know the Gods would really choose my best mates? They’d done a good job with my mother, but what if things were different for me?

  Why didn’t I get any say in my own future?

  Chapter Two

  Finally, it was time.

  I made my way to my mother's garden, which she’d created before I was born in honor of the Life Goddess. As I walked along the path, I noticed a white rose had been trampled into the stone, and bent down beside it. I brushed my fingers across the wilted petals and gave a little push, and the flower lifted up and healed thanks to the energy I gave it. Once the rose was as good as new, I continued into the garden.

  My parents were all waiting there among the verdant leaves and colorful flowers, but otherwise we were alone. I stepped toward them as storm clouds gathered overhead, threatening rain at any moment. One by one my fathers gave me a hug and wished me a happy birthday. Slade, my father by blood, came to me first, his dark eyes proud as he gave me a big bear hug. He was a very large man, and as a kid there was nowhere safer than on his lap, especially when he'd read me a book in his deep voice. Jasin was next, and he lifted me up and spun me around like I was still his little girl. He’d always been the fun dad who used to make messy art with me out in the courtyard with paint and pastels, although he’d been serious about my combat and military training. Then came Auric, who rested his hands on my shoulders and gave me a kiss on the cheeks, before wiping a tear from the corner of his wise gray eyes. Auric always encouraged my imagination with dolls and miniature horses and dress-up parties, and at night he would read me stories until his voice was hoarse. Finally came Reven, whose face showed no emotion until he pulled me against him and whispered in my ear, “Good luck, kid.” The sentiment in his voice made my chest tighten as I hugged him back. Sometimes I felt I was more like Reven than anyone else, even though we shared no common blood. He’d taught me all my favorite things, from lock picking to throwing knives to parkour, and he always gave me space to be myself.

  My four fathers stepped back, and my mother, Kira, moved closer and embraced me. She smelled like fresh jasmine and her hug was warm and comforting as I buried my face in her red hair. As I pulled back, the sky darkened, the clouds blocking the sun.

  "Your twentieth year is finally here.” Mom smiled wistfully and glanced at her mates. "I don't think any of us are ready."

  "I am.” I straightened my shoulders. As of today I was an adult, and soon I would be mated with four men so I could begin to take my mother’s place as guardian of the world. I’d prepared for this moment my entire life and I was ready for it…wasn’t I? A flicker of doubt made
my stomach churn. “Will it hurt?”

  "Only a little," Mom said.

  I nodded. Kira had gone through this without any training. She’d had no idea she was the Ascendant, and had been shocked and confused by what had happened to her—what was about to happen to me. Unlike her, I’d had five people prepare me for this moment, and I was going to face it bravely.

  “Don’t worry. You can handle it.” Mom smoothed back my wild curls as she gazed into my hazel eyes, which mirrored her own. “I’m so proud of you. I know you’re going to do great things.”

  I drew in a breath and stood a little taller. “Thanks, Mom. I have a big legacy to live up to, but I’ll do my best.”

  “I know you will.” She kissed my forehead, and then returned to stand with my fathers a short distance away. There was nothing more they could do for me now. I was on my own.

  Slade began pacing back and forth, and I heard my parents start to murmur quietly to each other, no doubt fussing over me in their own way. I could only make out a few words, but it sounded like they were plotting to deal with my mates if they ever hurt me. I pitied my future mates a little—they had no idea what was about to happen to them, or that they’d have to live with my four overprotective fathers. At least Mom never had to deal with that.

  As I waited and nothing happened, I started to wonder if we’d gotten the time wrong. Auric had unearthed an old book in the palace from back before the Black Dragon—my grandmother—had ruled, and it had laid out the basics for the Ascension. It would occur exactly twenty years after the moment of the Ascendant’s birth, which should be right now. And yet…nothing.