Page 126 of The Exiled Dragon

My Dragon stirred; her gentle purrs became louder, asking me to hold my hands out. Pulling away from Creed’s embrace, my hands cupped together, held out in front of me. Cyrene came to my side, her hand on my shoulder. The white light from my hands now circled with purple strands of static, slowly engulfing the entire orb.

“Listen to her,” Cyrene cooed. “Let her flow through you.” Creed’s hand never left my waist, now holding me flush against his body. The orb levitated in my hands as purple tangles of magic floated through his chest, causing his Dragon to growl in approval. Purple strands circled above our heads and entered both Ondi and Apollo. Ondi’s smile grew three times the size, obviously knowing what was happening.

“Your Dragon is releasing the Shifter Dragon power. You believed in yourself, little pearl.” Cyrene’s hand continued to rub my shoulder while the orb traveled out to the middle of the arena. The entire Toboki tribe stood at the far end. Some in their Dragon forms, others in just loincloths and dresses. The lightning strands struck from all sides of the sphere, all landing on the hearts of every Dragon Shifter. Dragons feeling the magic let out ferocious roars of approval, the women cheered, kissing their children as they ran around their bodies trying to catch the spider-like webbing.

Once every Dragon Shifter was touched, the ball hovered over the middle of the arena. The light sources became dark, and the orb exploded into millions of pieces, causing a bright light to light up the area. Purple strands flew towards the mountains where the rest of the Dragon Shifter tribes lived.

Pieces of the orb fell to the ground, igniting the wood around Mortus. His screams of pain had my eyes pulled to him. My Dragon and I watched on as Mortus’ body turned black and slowly crumbled to ash. His screams ceased as his torso crumbled. Shaking his head, he let one more word escape his lips, “beloved.”

Scorpia fell to the ground, grabbing her chest. Clawing at her heart, a warrior came to her side, rolling her on her back. “Leave me!” she cried out. Her wings fell back into her body, screaming.

Covering my mouth, a sob wracked through me. I had forgotten she would feel the pain, too. Too worried about watching Mortus breathe his last breaths. The warrior, his eyes solemn with pity, gently gathered her in his arms and picked her up. Her head leaned into his chest, gripping his uniform. “Leave me,” she cried again. Wings sprung forth from his body, shaking his head. His wings hummed like a hummingbird and took flight to the palace.

“She will be taken to the infirmary,” Osirus muttered. “The kiss made the bond grow too strong so she will feel pain for several days.”

Scorpia had given up her mate to save everyone else, but now her heart and soul were broken.

“I think that will be all for today, my friends.” Osirus pushed his robe away, pulling Melina to a standing position, and kissing her cheek. “Time spent with our mates would be for the best, hm?” The Orcs that had remained silent all the while continued to watch the pile of ash burn.

“I will send word to Princess Clara; she will gladly take your help. With the recent enlightenment, we will need all the help we can receive.” Thorn stepped forward, his bulky figure knocking over a vase from the table.

“We would be honored,” he grumbled. Osirus’ arm went out, taking Thorn’s. “It is settled. Come with me to the palace, and we will feed you, show you the sights.”

“Odessa.” Creed turned me to face him. His eyes could talk to me all day without one word slipping out of his mouth. My body leaned into his, wrapping my arms around his torso.

Mortus was dead. Mortus would no longer come after us. I was finally free from the pain, worrying if he would come after me, my mate, or whatever children we may have.

“We will go back to our nest,” he spoke. Osirus turned; an eyebrow raised.

“We will be back tomorrow by nightfall.” Creed’s words were law. Osirus only smirked in reply and took the Orcs and the rest of the entourage to the palace. “In time for my father’s induction.”

“Are you sure about this?” Apollo appeared in front of us. Creed’s hand touched his father's shoulder.

“I know so, Father. I am every bit of you, and if you think I would fare well as an Alpha, then I know you would be even better.” Apollo chuckled deeply, pulling him into a hug with me in the middle.

“Guys, I’m stuck!” I whimpered until Ondi pulled me free.

“I’m so proud of you, little Dragon!” Ondi’s embrace soothed my anxiety over killing a Vampire. Well, I guess my Dragon did it, anyway. “You gave the Dragons back their power, and with your help, we will all learn to wield it as well.”

“I’ll do my part. As long as Cyrene agrees to help.” Cyrene’s lingering eyes as she walked from the platform gave me the answer I needed. She would help, and I would do my best to keep the lives of all the innocent alive.

Chapter Seventy-Four

Creed

Swiftly,IgrabbedOdessaby the hand, pulling her in the opposite direction where everyone was leaving. Heading back to the palace was not in my plans; I planned to stay away, even if it was for just twenty-four hours.

Odessa grunted while I pulled her along to the other side of the viewing area. The heavily wooded steps made no noise as I stomped to ground level.

I had kept calm while we attended this ‘festivity,’ as King Osirus said, but it was far from a festivity. The people will celebrate on their own accord that the second in command of the Rogue army is now gone. The Golden Light Kingdom and our Dragon tribe rejoiced, but all I could do was hold onto my mate and comfort her as her Dragon destroyed the evil that lay in ash.

Odessa was hiding; as much as her angelic face tried to hide the conflicting emotions in her heart, I knew she suffered. Killing was an idea left for me, not for my mate.

I wanted Mortus to suffer, I wanted him to bleed, have his eyes ripped from his head, watch his blood trickle to the sands below in the sparring rink. Feel every pull as I took his fangs and strapped them to a necklace around my neck, proving to all that I will destroy anyone that touches what is mine.

However, my fawn needed this. She needed closure, and her Dragon claimed the life as her own. In time, Odessa will heal, or this could harden her heart against the evil we both will still face in the future.

Standing in the royal box, with my family, the Orcs, Cyrene, and the Fae… they had all worked together to save us, to help get my mate back when I had failed. I owed them much and fighting in the war to help save them all would be my duty. A responsibility I wanted to take in pride.

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