Page 27 of Dragons Of Shadow and Sea

The Water Dragon Kingdom? They disappeared themselves from the world, isolating themselves more thoroughly than the Air Kingdom could have dreamed. Nothing about what they did feels hateful, though. It truly feels like they were reeling from grief, and they made the impossible decision to protect themselves.

"But both kingdoms are so cut off," I say. "And that--that has to come with a price, doesn't it?"

Malik narrows his eyes in thought, and I'm so grateful that he's giving what I'm saying the consideration it deserves.

"We have made sacrifices to keep our existence a secret," he admits. "We always kept to ourselves, to some extent, but we did enjoy the pleasures of contact with the outside world. There are things I miss." He lifts a hand and brushes his knuckles down my cheek, sending soft sparks tingling along my skin. "Experiences I thought I would miss out on entirely. Like finding my mate."

A warm glow kindles in my chest as his bright eyes gaze into mine.

"But here I am."

"Indeed you are," he says, and his voice is golden honey pouring all along my spine. "Is it easy? Living in a place like this, or like the Air Kingdom? No. Not always. Will it affect our time together? Of course."

"But?"

One corner of his mouth lifts, and he drifts his hand down my side. "I don't know about the Air Kingdom. But here? The isolation... Being on our own... It's worth it."

"It is?"

"Yes." And he says it with such conviction. Releasing me, he takes a step back and tilts his head.

Without my realizing it, we came to a stop in front of a set of gates. As if on cue--and let's be honest, it probably is--the magical lock on the gate releases, and it begins to slowly swing open.

"Ember." Taking me by the hand, he gestures down the new path that's just been revealed. "There's still so much more for you to see."

MALIK

My mother will berate me for this, but I don't care. The guards stationed at the entrance to the Sacred Pools nod in greeting as I usher in my mate. Normally, access to the series of caves running underneath the city is severely restricted--and for good reason.

But how can I show my mate my city if I do not show her its heart? How can I ask her to give me a chance if I do not give her a chance to know my soul?

"Where are we?" Ember asks as I lead her down a set of stairs.

"Someplace special." At the base of the steps, the tiled floor and ceiling and walls gives way to smooth, ancient rock.

"I can see that." She pauses, quirking her brow. "I can feel that."

My pulse quickens. She told me she can use magic, but it's still a revelation that she can sense the power of this place.

The sound of rushing water echoes through the chambers. Our path ends in a waterfall. I lift my hand, and the water parts for us.

Ember blinks in surprise. I'm showing off, but could anyone blame me? "After you, beloved."

She's tentative but unafraid as she steps forward.

Within is a huge cave, carved from the earth millennia ago. It glows with heatless, magical fires that burn night and day, casting the stone in different dim hues, and reflecting the power of the waters that flow through the cavern.

I breathe in deeply. The air is damp but bright with magic. It settles into my lungs and loosens something tight inside my chest.

I never feel more grounded or more myself than I do here, in our most powerful and holy of places.

"Wow." Ember spins in a slow circle, taking it all in.

"Welcome to the Sacred Pools of the Water Dragon Kingdom."

She stops sharply, turning to look at me. "The Sacred Pools?"

I can't help it. A smug smile crosses my face. "None other."

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