The demon’s gaping hole of a mouth starts to speak in its gurgling drawl. “You must see that you’re out-numbered. I’ve a counter-offer. All I want is the Marked. Just leave her and go.”
“Not bloody likely.” Tempest exhales a jet of fire straight into our attackers. Dozens of Void demons burst into flames. Their bodies quickly dry out into husks of ash. The Scintillion is unharmed. Raising its arms, the Scintillion moves to strike Tempest.
Panic speeds through my nervous system. I have to help Tempest. Fire is his greatest weapon against the Void, and it won’t work on the Scintillion. Why? I store that thought away to consider later. Right now, I need to break away from the golden orb. Digging in my heels, I pull backward with more force. The effort does no good. My hands stay locked onto the glowing surface of the sphere. More energy zings down my spine. The force is so great, it feels like every bone in my body is shattering. One thought echoes through my mind, over and over.
Must break free.
The power whirls inside me and around me. My surroundings turn dreamlike and hazy. I’m aware of Tempest fighting dozens of Void demons at once while pummeling the Scintillion with his bare fists. His clothing quickly becomes slashed and drips with ooze. Every part of my soul wants to run and help him, but I can’t move from the spot. I can’t stop the onslaught of Firmament power.
I have to get out. Out.
The last thought has such force that it combines with the Firmament energy. My wish merges with the power of the golden orb. Without meaning to, I cast a new spell.
OUT.
Firmament power does what my spell commands. I gasp as long, liquid arms of golden energy stream out of the sphere and whip around the temple. The sinewy strips ricochet off the stone houses. Golden streams slam into the cavern walls. Void demons are vaporized in their path. I strain to find any sign of either Tempest or the Scintillion. I can’t find either.
A sense of foreboding chills me to the core. Did I just destroy Tempest along with the Scintillion?
There’s no time to wonder. The golden arms pound the cavern walls in blazing, destructive arcs. Great chunks of seaweed tumble to the floor. A spider web of cracks appears in the glowing green algae on the walls. Fresh panic mixes with my steady pain.
The power of the golden orb is out of control.
Deafening cracks snap through the air. The cavern walls buckle and weaken. The arms of power keep pummeling the stone. Once again, I try to yank my hands out of the golden orb. I stay stuck.
An entire wall of the cave explodes. Rock blasts outward into the ocean beyond the cavern. The golden arms of power multiply and go berserk, pummeling everything in sight. A great wall of icy seawater slams through the newly opened wall. I can only watch in horror as a dark cliff of water churns toward me.
My body is swept up in the rush of freezing sea. My hands stay trapped within the golden orb. I can only focus on one thought.
Tempest.
More Firmament energy enters into my soul. The liquid magic swirls through my limbs. Agony slams into me. I feel like I’m being torn apart from the inside out.
I push my mind past the pain.
Tempest.
Water surrounds me. There’s no time or breath left to cast a new breathing spell. I press my lips closed tight, trying to buy time before I drown. My body aches for oxygen. The golden arms of Firmament power whip around me, slamming into the submerged buildings. Great boulders and knots of seaweed twist through the ocean currents that now swirl around my body. My vision starts fade. My chest aches for air. I’m losing consciousness.
Out, out, out.
I’ve barely the energy for one last thought.
Tempest, please.
The pain in my body turns unbearable. My consciousness dissolves into the power of the Firmament. This is death, pure and simple.
A small voice sounds in the back of my mind. It’s rolling, hypnotic and speaks in dragon tongue. I can’t translate much of the spell, but that one word repeats again.
Rhana.
I suck in a lungful of seawater and can breathe it like air.
Someone’s cast a spell on me. It’s Tempest.
With the ability to breathe comes the capacity to feel pain once again. My hands burn where they touch the golden orb. Firmament power moves through me so quickly, it shreds my nerve endings with hurt. My mind rails against the agony.
Tempest’s voice grows louder. The structure of his magic presses in around the wild, liquid energy of the Firmament. The arms of power twist and writhe as they wind into the glowing orb. I become aware of Tempest’s warm body pressing into my back. He’s behind me. He’s alive.
We need to get out of here.
Gritting my teeth, I kick through the chilly seawater. With all the energy I have left, I try to free my hands once last time. Tempest’s arms wrap my waist. His magic envelops my own.
My hands break free at last.
I crumple forward, my body suddenly feeling empty and lifeless. Tempest curls me into his arms. Together, we watch the golden orb settle down into the ground. I exhale with relief. I start to sob, the sounds muffled by the water that I now breathe for air.
We did it.
The golden sphere for Earth has been released. Just like the seedpod for Heaven, this one has returned to the Grove. There, it will rejuvenate the Firmament tree for Earth.
That happy thought is swept away as more ice-cold water pummels me. Tempest changes into his dragon shape. Dead bodies of Atlanteans float by, their faces now blue with death. A heartbeat later, Tempest has my coattails in his teeth. He yanks me through the water and sets me onto his shoulders. I loop my arms around his neck with all the strength I can muster. The fire inside him glows in the dark ocean currents as Tempest speed-swims toward the open ocean.
Tempest propels us forward. Huge boulders fall through the submerged cavern, the massive forms tumbling into our path. Tempest’s tail swipes from side to side as he steers us around the debris of Atlantis and back toward the ocean proper. I’m vaguely aware of leaving the crumbling caverns behind and hitting open water.
I don’t know how long we spend underwater It could be minutes. Could be hours. Eventually, we break through to the ocean’s surface. The second we hit air, Tempest flips over and sets me on his dragon stomach. His reptilian irises look at me with concern. “That was more power than you wielded last time, and I thought last time was too much.”
“Hey, I made it. Thanks to you.”
“We make a good team.” A soft smile stretches along Tempest’s great dragon mouth.
My throat tightens with an emotion. Is it friendship? Something more? I shake my head, surprised by the intensity of my own feeling. Whatever it is, I decide that now’s a good time to change the subject. The last few hours have been extreme enough without contemplating my relationship with Tempest. “What happened to the Scintillion?”
“Escaped,” says Tempest. His lips curl up to reveal blade-like incisors. Clearly, he’s not too happy that fact.
Every inch of my body aches. My eyelids start to flutter shut, but I’m able to push past the need for sleep. I pull out the wicker sphere and cup it in my palms. The strands quickly reform into a dragon. I smile weakly. “The next seedpod is in Furonium.” The strands align into a new block-like shape. “Looks like a building.”
“I know the spot,” says Tempest. “Get you there in a jiff.”
My hands feel numb as I jam the sphere into my pocket. “Good, we can’t waste any time. We have to open those last two seedpods.”
Tempest’s dragon-face hardens into a worried frown. “You’re resting first.”
And let innocent people die? Not happening.
“That’s what you say.”
“Well, I am the Emperor.”
I try to look badass. That’s hard to pull off when I can’t keep my eyes open. “And
I’m
the Princess.”
“Clearly.” He tilts his great head to one side and scans me carefully. I haven’t known Tempest long, but I know one thing. He’s plotting something.
“I won’t change my mind on this.”
“We’ll be off to Furonium, then.”
“You’ve got a scheme.” I blink sleepily, trying to figure out what he’s up to. “I won’t fall asleep on the flight over, either.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, luv. Shall we?”
Without waiting for a reply, Tempest slides me onto his back once more. His great wings unfurl and flap across the water, causing the ocean’s surface to roil with the force of his power. Together, we take to the skies.
As we fly along, I use every trick I can think of to stay awake. No way am I letting him tuck me into bed like he did last time. To stay alert, I pinch my legs, pull on my ears, and even sing a few bawdy songs. Tempest appreciates the last tactic especially. His great rumbling chuckles fill the air.
An hour goes by before we land on a wide balcony. The building is a modern-looking two-story house that’s set into a cliff wall and overlooks a canyon formed from red rock.
We’re here. Furonium. At last.
Chapter Fourteen
Once we’re safely landed, I slide off Tempest’s back. The night air is chilly and bracing. I hop from foot to foot, trying to wake myself up. I’m so sleepy and out of it, I almost fall on my butt. Guess even a tiny bit of motion is too much for me right now. I am bone tired. Maybe I can ask Tempest for a cup of coffee before we head out again.
Across the balcony, Tempest returns to his human form. Once the transformation is complete, I can’t help noticing how his clothes are little more than rags. Fresh red scars peek out from under the long tears in the fabric. Guilt and sympathy battle it out in my heart.
“You got hurt,” I say slowly.
Tempest shrugs. “Dragons heal quickly.”
“We should get you some first aid or something.”
“No, we should talk about getting you some proper rest.”
“Tempest, the after-realms are falling apart. The Scintillion is out there. That crazy guy Alden is either actually a nice person or a somewhat creepy stalker.”
“More like a wanker, I’d say.”
“With all this going on, you can’t talk me into resting.” The word ‘resting’ makes me want to yawn. I do an awesome job of not giving into the urge.
“How about a compromise?”
“I’m listening.”
“One mo.” Tempest steps inside what I can only assume is his house. A minute later, he returns holding two thick cotton robes and an opened bottle of wine. “You’re in wet clothes and need a quick rest.” He raises the robes on his right arm. “This is for the clothes.” He lifts the wine in his left hand. “This will help you rest.”
I huff out a tired breath. Tempest is wearing me down on this. Those robes look mighty comfortable, too. “All right, bring it here.”
“You won’t regret this.” Tempest hands me the opened bottle. I quickly scan the label.
“Oh, hey,” I say brightly. “I’ve heard about this stuff. It’s angelflower wine. Maxon says it’s awesome.” I press the bottle to my lips.
“Hold on there, luv.”
By the time the words have left his mouth, I’ve already enjoyed a few deep chugs of the yummiest wine ever. I’m not much of a drinker. This stuff is super tasty, though. I down a few more swallows because it’s just that good. After that, I smack my lips and lower the bottle.
“What’s that you said?” I ask.
“I was about to say to only take a small sip.” Tempest shakes his head. “That’s rather strong stuff. One sip makes you sleepy, but more than that—”
“Hey, wait a second.” For some reason, Tempest starts wobbling from foot to foot. I set my hand on his upper arm. “Stop swaying around.”
“I’m not,” he says with a sigh. “Angelflower wine acts quickly. In larger quantities, it makes you rather alert and squiffy.”
“Naw, there’s no squiff here. Don’t feel a thing.” The temperature spikes about twenty degrees. “Hey, what’s up with the weather around here? Why’s it so hot all of a sudden?”
“It isn’t, Portia.”
“Liar, liar, pantssafire.” My mouth has a tough time getting words out correctly for some reason. Not that I care. It’s been a long day and I’m celebrating. Besides, my clothes are way too suffocating to focus on the weather anymore. I toss my duster coat onto the balcony floor.
“What’re you up to, luv?” There’s a sexy growl in Tempest’s voice that I like. A lot.
“These clothes are stifling.” I quickly peel off my fitted top and chuck it onto the ground. After that, I shimmy my leather pants onto the floor. Ah, undies and a bra. Just the right amount of clothing. “Better, am I right?” I do a catwalk across the balcony.
“Bloody hell.” Tempest pinches the bridge of his nose. “You do realize I’m the greater demon of lust, right?”
I panic.
He wouldn’t say that if he liked my body, right?
“What? Do you think I’m ugly or something?”
“No. I think you’re gorgeous, Portia.”
“Knew it.” A warm sense of satisfaction runs through my veins. Or maybe it’s the wine. Either way, I need another drink. Rising the bottle, I go for another gulp. Tempest snatches the wine away for himself. Greedy dragon.
Tempest tries to hand me a robe that looks so warm, it could be made of fur. “You need to put this on,” he says.
I fold my arms under my chest. “You’re not the Emperor of me.”
“Portia. You’ve drunk enough angelflower wine for a legion of dragons. I think you should trust my judgment here.”
“Fine.” I swipe the robe from his hand, march across the balcony, and toss it over the side. “So there.” It drifts slowly down to the canyon floor. I flip around to face Tempest. “And that’s what I think of your robe.”
He puffs out a breath. “Crikey.”
“Don’t be a drama Emperor. It’s too hot out and you know it. Besides, you’ve got to be uncomfortable, too. Cut a girl some slack.”
Tempest inspects me carefully. He’s coming up with a new plan, I can tell. “All right, how about this? I take off my turtleneck so I can be comfortable.”
“I like this idea.”
“And then, you and me go inside where it’s all nice and cool and put on robes. How’s that sound?”
I purse my lips, interested. “You have a deal, my friend.” My head gets all fuzzy again. “Maybe.”