Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series
Her Elemental Dragons: Stroke the Flame: Chapter 32

After both Auric and Reven fell into a deep sleep, I slipped out of bed, donned my clothes again, and quietly left the bedroom. Voices drifted toward me from the front room, along with the smell of something delicious. I looked forward to getting to know Jasin’s family, even if I wished it had been under better circumstances. Plus, I was curious about where he had grown up and excited about getting a glimpse into his past.

I stepped into the main room and the conversation died off as everyone turned to look at me. Jasin sat at a dining table made of shiny black stone with his parents across from him, though he jumped to his feet when he saw me. Slade was nowhere in sight, so he must still be getting the horses. I hoped he was safe.

Jasin moved to my side and took my hand to lead me to the table. “Mom, Dad, this is Kira. My…betrothed.” He glanced at me with his eyebrows raised, as if asking if that was all right.

I smiled at him and inclined my head. Betrothed was probably the closest thing to the truth, since we couldn’t exactly tell them what was really happening between us. “It’s very nice to meet you both.”

“Please join us,” Ilya said. “We’re about to have dinner and we’re so happy you could be here with us.”

“Thank you,” I said.

Jasin pulled out a chair for me and I sat down, unable to keep a small smile off my face. These past few weeks had been difficult and at times unbelievable, and hours ago we’d been running for our lives, but this moment felt refreshingly normal. It was nice to pretend the only worry on my mind was getting his parents to like me. If I closed my eyes I could even imagine this was real, and that Jasin was my betrothed and soon we’d be married and settle down somewhere. Except that wasn’t right, because I was missing the other men who shared my heart—but still, it was a nice fantasy to escape into for the time being.

Ilya began serving pasta with tomato sauce and tiny slivers of beef, a specialty of the Fire Realm that I hadn’t eaten in years. A loaf of bread coated in garlic and butter was also passed around, and I felt bad that the others weren’t there to share this feast with us. Hopefully there would be enough leftovers for the three of them.

I took a bite and it was the best thing I’d tasted in weeks. “This is delicious. I can see where Jasin gets his cooking skills from.”

“Thank you,” Ilya said. “Although I’m not sure I can take much credit for those.”

“True, he’s never made me anything this good,” I said with a playful smile.

Jasin huffed. “Only because we’ve been traveling. A meal like this needs a proper kitchen and fresh ingredients and—”

I rested my hand over his. “I know, I was only teasing.”

“Were you in the Onyx Army also?” Ozan asked in a blunt tone. Unlike Ilya, he didn’t smile at us, but stared at me with dark, unwavering eyes.

“No, I wasn’t,” I said, glancing over at Jasin with uncertainty.

“Where did you two meet?” Ilya asked.

“I met her in a small village in the Earth Realm,” Jasin said. “I showed up in her town and there was just this immediate connection between us.”

He met my eyes with a grin and I smiled back at him as that connection he spoke of flared bright. It was true, even when I’d been scared of him or uncertain of our destiny, I’d always been drawn to him.

Ilya gave Ozan a knowing smile, but he continued to watch us with a surly expression. “Ozan and I were both in the army, stationed in Emberton,” she said. “That’s how we met. Of course, I retired from service when I had my boys, and Ozan took a permanent post in this city to stay close to us.”

“Our entire family has always served in the Onyx Army,” Ozan said. “My father. His father.” He looked pointedly at Jasin. “And my sons.”

“I served for many years,” Jasin muttered. “I did my duty.”

“I can’t believe you left,” Ozan, his tone almost angry. “What were you thinking?”

“I was thinking that it was time for me to make a change,” Jasin said. “The army wasn’t for me, in the end.”

“Not for you?” Ozan nearly yelled. “How can you say that after what happened to your brother?”

“Ozan…” Ilya said, resting a hand on his arm.

He shook it off and glared at Jasin. “And what about this trouble you’re in now?”

“I already told you, I can’t talk about that,” Jasin said. He was normally so bold, but when facing his father, he’d shrunk back.

“Of course you can’t. Don’t tell me the army is after you?”

Jasin stared at his plate with his lips pressed into a thin line. When he didn’t answer, that only made Ozan’s face even angrier.

Ilya reached toward him again. “Ozan, please. Let’s just enjoy our meal.”

“No, I can’t sit here and listen to this.” Ozan shot to his feet. “One son dead and the other a deserter.” He gave Jasin one last harsh look. “You bring shame to our family.”

Without another word, he left the room.

Stunned silence descended over the table, until Ilya said, “I’m sorry about that. He simply needs some time to calm down.”

“It’s our fault for showing up here unexpectedly,” I said, glancing at Jasin, who stared down at his food with a pained expression. “We’ll be gone first thing in the morning.”

She waved a hand. “It’s no trouble, really.”

The front door open and I tensed, until I saw Slade’s large figure filling up the doorway. He shut the door behind him and was drenched from the rain still pouring outside. “I moved the horses nearby and got our things.”

“Thank you.” I wanted to rush to him and give him a hug, so relieved to see him back safely, but I couldn’t do that in front of Ilya without raising even more questions.

Slade joined us for the rest of the meal, although we spoke little after that. Jasin’s normal vibrant self had dimmed thanks to his father’s words, and I longed to get him alone so I could try to cheer him up.

When our meal was finished, I helped Ilya clean up in the kitchen, while Jasin and Slade spoke together in low voices about where he’d put the horses and the plan for tomorrow.

“I’m sorry again about my husband,” Ilya said, as she set the plates aside. “Sometimes his temper gets the better of him. I wish our first dinner with you had gone better.”

I nodded. “Can I ask what happened to your other son?”

“He was killed while fighting the Resistance outside Flamedale. It was supposed to be an easy raid, but it was a trap. His entire squad was slaughtered by those traitors.” Her voice turned venomous, until she glanced over at her painting of the Dragons. “Thank the Gods that Sark came and took vengeance for us with his fire.”

“I’m so sorry,” I said, though my throat was tight. Jasin’s family was completely loyal to the Black Dragon and supported her rule. No wonder Jasin had joined the Onyx Army when he was younger. How could he not, in this household? But if they found out what we truly were, I wasn’t sure how they would react.