Page 69 of Embers to Flames

“Don’t worry, my sweet. I’m getting us out of here.”Theo’s voice is stead-fast and assertive in my mind.

Just as the Obscuro Elves close in, a deafening roar shakes the hallway. Cracks split the ceiling, raining debris down on the horde. The Obscuros scatter in confusion as Theo’s massive Dragon form takes shape, bursting through the fractured walls and ceiling.

We race to climb onto his back. Arrows whistle past us as Lenna continues to fight off Obscuro Elves one after another. As Theo extends his massive claw to grab Eulee, the rest of us quickly grasp onto his scaly ridges for stability.

With a mighty push, Theo propels us upwards, breaking through the crumbling ceiling of the fortress and into the open air of the fiery mountain. We fly over the fortified walls just as Ruvyn bursts into the decimated hallway below, letting out an ear-piercing scream of fury.

The bright sun blinds us momentarily as we emerge through the volcano’s vent and into the open sky. Theo’s powerful wings beat steadily, carrying us higher above the smoldering mountain. The volcanic fortress slowly shrinks into the distance. I cling tightly to Theo’s ridged back, the wind whipping through my hair. Mikyl is barely conscious, slumped against me. I wrap my arms around him to keep him steady during the turbulent flight.

“Just hold on,” I whisper. “We’re safe now.”

“We did it!” Lenna shouts, her voice lost in the wind.

“For now,” Alyndra murmurs cryptically. Our escape bought us time, but Ruvyn is going to be more determined than ever to take us down and the Obscuros are nothing if not relentless under his command. This is only the opening salvo in a war that has raged for years. A war we now find ourselves at the center of.

“Where are you taking us?”I ask Theo through our soulspeak.

“I’m taking us home,”is his only reply.

Chapter Thirty-Five

Ruvyn’s enraged screams still echo faintly in my mind. He will not rest until he finds us again. But for now, we are free.

I gaze out at the sweeping vistas passing rapidly beneath us. Lush forests, glimmering lakes, and rolling farmland stretch as far as the eye can see. This must be the kingdom of Paeris.

“It’s so beautiful,”I marvel down the destinara to Theo’s mind.

“Yes, my homeland is quite lovely,”Theo agrees.“We will be at my family’s estate before long. There we can rest and recoverour strength.”

I smile and pat his scaly neck affectionately. He twists his long neck to gaze back at me, his large golden eyes filled with warmth.

Mikyl’s eyes flutter open and meet mine. Despite his gaunt appearance, they shine with resolve. “Thank you,” he mouths, too weak for full speech. I manage to smile in return. After weeks in Ruvyn’s clutches, freedom must be overwhelming for him.

Theo angles into a slow descent, great wings beating powerfully to control our landing. The sprawling manor style house is surrounded by lush gardens, graceful archways, and spiraling towers which only speak to the wealth and history of this place.

Theo circles lower, powerful wings stirring the treetops as we descend. With a rush of wind, he lands gracefully on the sweeping lawn, talons sinking into the manicured grass of an interior courtyard. Liveried servants rush forward, their eyes widening at the sight of Theo in his Dragon form. He lowers his shoulder and extends a wing to ease our dismount before shimmering back to his elven form.

“Welcome to my home,” he says. “Let’s get you inside and tended to.”

We make our way up the grand staircase to the massive oak doors. As Theo pushes them open, Lord Ailwin hurries to greet us.

“Father, we need the healers right away.” Theo pleads.

“Of course. Bring the boy this way.” He leads us down a vaulted hallway to a sunlit room furnished with a large, canopied bed. We ease Mikyl onto the soft mattress. His face is drawn with pain, but he attempts a weak smile.

“You’re safe now, thanks to your friends,” Lord Ailwin says, patting Mikyl’s hand warmly. “We’ll have you back on your feet in no time.”

Mikyl manages a weak nod as the healers enter the room. I step back to give them space, exhaustion suddenly crashing over me. Theo wraps a steadying arm around my shoulders.

“Come, you need to rest as well,” he murmurs.

I let him guide me from the room down another long hallway, this one lined with arched windows overlooking the gardens. Everything here speaks of elegance and old money, a world away from the dark fortress we had just narrowly escaped.

Theo leads me into an ornate bedroom suite and gently presses me down to sit on a velvet chaise lounge. “I know you’re worried, but everyone is in good hands now,” Theo says softly, kneeling to remove my leather mud-caked boots.

I sigh, the adrenaline of our escape finally fading. “I know. It’s just been so long since any of us have known comfort or safety.”

Theo squeezes my hand. “You’re safe here. My father and I will never let anyone penetrate our home.”

---