Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series
Her Elemental Dragons: Shake the Earth: Chapter 18

Yena led us inside her home, which was cozy and warm with a stone hearth already lit. Slade spoke a few more words to the people outside before following us, along with his sister Leni. We were immediately swept into the dining area, with a long wooden table and two benches. The air smelled of freshly baked treats.

“Sit down and relax,” Yena said, as she nudged me to the bench. “You must be exhausted after all your travels. I’ll get us some food and you can tell me all about your journeys.”

“That’s very kind of you.” I slid onto the bench and Slade moved in beside me.

“Be careful, or mother will stuff you so full of food you’ll never be able to walk again,” Leni said, as she sat across from me. She gave me a warm, dazzling smile that reminded me so much of Tash it sent a pang of longing and grief through my heart.

The door banged open and Slade’s other sister Wrin came inside too. “You better not start without me.”

“Of course not, dear,” Yena said. “We’d love for you to join us. Where are Merl and Tam?”

Wrin sat beside her sister. “I sent them home for the night. They weren’t happy about it, but I’m not missing out on hearing what Slade’s been doing all this time.”

“I’m sure it will be all over town by the morning anyway,” Leni said, rolling her eyes.

Wrin studied me with intelligent, serious eyes that looked so much like Slade’s. “So you’re the woman he left Clayridge to go replace.”

I ducked my head. “I am, yes. Although I didn’t ask for any of this either.”

Slade’s mother began dropping wooden bowls of steaming hot stew in front of each of us. Wrin jumped up and brought over a loaf of bread, while Leni served everyone some ale. Everything about it reminded me of my time with Tash and her family in Stoneham, from the delicious smell of the stew to the slightly bitter taste of the ale. Grief tried to sink its claws in me again, but I forced it back down. Stoneham and Tash were gone, but Clayridge and Slade’s family were alive, and I would do everything in my power to keep it that way.

When all the food was served, Yena plopped down across from us. “Eat! No need to wait for me.”

Slade wasted no time digging in and then he closed his eyes as he savored the stew. “It’s been far too long since I had good food like this.”

Yena smiled and patted her son’s hand. “There’s nothing better than a home cooked meal. Now eat up, you’re looking far too skinny after all that travel.”

I held in a laugh. Slade looked anything but skinny. He was a mountain of a man made of pure muscle with arms the size of tree trunks, but I sensed this was just Yena’s way.

She gave me a smile. “You too dear. You’re very pretty, but you could use some more meat on those bones of yours.”

I flushed and shoveled a spoonful of stew into my mouth. Warm flavors exploded on my lips, and I caught the taste of rabbit, carrots, and more. It was definitely better than the food we’d been eating while on the road. “Thank you. It’s delicious.”

“Glad you like it.” She barely touched her own food and instead took in the both of us while we ate, like she couldn’t drink in enough of us with her eyes to satisfy her.

Leni pointed her spoon at Slade. “You better start talking, or mother is going to burst with impatience.”

“Let them swallow their food at least,” Wrin said, shaking her head.

Slade slowed down, his bowl already half empty, and glanced at me. I had no idea how much these women knew already and I was completely overwhelmed by the situation, but I sensed he wanted me to speak. I set down my spoon and asked, “What did Slade tell you before he left?”

“We knew that the Earth God had chosen him for a great mission,” Yena said, her voice bursting with pride. “He was given great powers, and then was sent to replace and protect you…although he was unable to tell us why.”

“None of us believed it at first, until he showed us his magic,” Wrin said.

I arched an eyebrow at Slade. “I thought you weren’t supposed to tell anyone about your encounter with the Earth God.”

Slade shrugged. “You try keeping a secret from these three.”

“He had to tell us something, or no one would have let him leave Clayridge,” Leni said.

Wrin nodded. “It’s true, my brother is a very important and respected member of this village. He could have been the next mayor, if he’d wanted.”

Slade scowled and shook his head. “I was a simple blacksmith, nothing more.”

“Nonsense, dear,” Yena said, before turning to me. “Slade worked hard to keep this town running and make sure it was safe. Beyond what he did as blacksmith, he volunteered with the town guard and convinced everyone to build the outer wall after an elemental attack took two lives. We’ve been attacked three more times since then, but we’ve always held them off thanks to Slade.”

“Three?” Slade asked, his spoon pausing halfway to his mouth. “There was another one while I was gone?”

“Yes, this time an air elemental, if you can believe that. Must have wandered far from the Air Realm to make it all the way out here.” Yena shrugged. “We were able to keep it out without any issue.”

“Good to hear,” Slade said, though I could tell it bothered him that he hadn’t been here to protect his town. He obviously cared a great deal for the people of Clayridge.

“Now hurry up and tell us where you’ve been all this time,” Leni said.

The others gave Slade expectant looks, and he finally sighed and launched into the tale of how the Earth God had chosen him as the new Jade Dragon, how he’d found me along with my other mates, and how we were on a quest to overthrow the Black Dragon and had recently joined up with the Resistance to help us get into the Earth Temple. I stayed quiet as I ate my stew, worried about what his family would think of all this—especially Slade sharing me with three other men.

“That’s quite a tale,” Yena said, when Slade lapsed into silence. “And it all sounds quite dangerous, but I’m sure the Earth God chose you because he knew you could handle it all. I’m very proud of you, Slade.”

“It sounds incredible,” Leni said, her eyes dancing with excitement. “I wish I could have been there for all of it.”

“You’re not upset about me being only one of her mates?” Slade asked.

“It’s not something I’m comfortable with myself,” Yena said slowly, as she glanced at me. “But who are we to questions the Gods?”

Wrin nodded. “You can’t turn your back on the Earth God’s will. Do you think you’ll get to speak to him at the temple?”

“I expect so,” Slade said.

A knock sounded on the door and Yena got up to open it. Brin stood on the other side and was quickly ushered in. “You’re one of Slade and Kira’s companions aren’t you?” Yena asked. “You must join us!”

“Thank you,” Brin said with a smile as she stepped inside. Her eyes caught sight of Leni and her gaze seemed to linger there before she turned to me. “I simply wanted to let Kira know that we’ve booked rooms at the inn for the next few nights.”

“Very good,” Yena said. “I’d love to house you all, but as you can see my home is rather small. But please, sit with us and I’ll get you some food. And tell us your name, child.”

Brin hesitated, but then slid beside me. Across from Leni, who was definitely watching my friend with interest. “My name is Brin of House Pashona, and it’s an honor to join you for a meal.”

“House Pashona?” Leni asked, even more intrigued. She leaned forward, giving us a glimpse of her ample cleavage. “You’re nobility?”

Brin offered her an alluring smile. “I am, yes. From the Air Realm. But please, don’t let that change your opinion of me. As you can see, I’m simply one of Kira’s traveling companions now.”

“Brin is a good friend,” I said. “I’m lucky she agreed to join us. Being with four men all the time can get rather…complicated. It’s nice to have a woman I can talk with.”

Leni let out a dramatic sigh and rested her chin on her hand. “You’re all so lucky, traveling the world, fighting bandits and Dragons, helping the Resistance. I’d do anything to get out of this boring town.”

“Why don’t you?” Brin asked.

“Definitely not,” Slade said. “She’s too young.”

“I’m twenty-one!” Leni said, then turned to me and Brin. “How old are you two?”

“Twenty,” I replied, while Brin said, “Twenty-two.”

“See, they’re the same age as me,” Leni said. “And Slade, you started helping the Resistance at my age. Why am I not allowed to do anything?”

Yena returned and set a bowl in front of Brin, then patted Leni’s head like a child. “It’s not safe for you. Slade had to leave to fulfill his destiny, but your place is here.”

“My place is wherever I decide it is,” Leni said, as she rose to her feet. “And I don’t plan on staying in Clayridge for the rest of my life.”

She walked out of the house, while her mother sighed. “I’m sorry for that. She’s been like this ever since Slade left.”

“I’ll talk to her,” Slade said.

“She’ll get over it,” Wrin said. “Just like she got over that traveling merchant who stopped by. And the soldier before that.”

“Leni has always had her head full of big dreams. I’m not sure she’ll ever be satisfied here.” Yena waved it away with a sad smile. “But enough of that. Tell us more about you, Kira. Where are you from?”

I took a deep breath and settled in to tell them about my life. I could already tell this was going to be a long night.