A Clash of Storms (A Shade of Vampire #50)(8)

After all, we pretty much knew what was going to happen next. And given how stressed Azazel was about the alliance—enough to postpone the delight of punishing Bijarki—it made me think that the Prince of Destroyers was, in fact, beginning to contemplate the prospect of death, and had run out of tricks up his sleeve to prevent an alliance attack.

Our troops were in position, and it was all going to unravel tomorrow, whether he liked it or not.





Serena





The night went by slowly. We finished our training somewhere close to midnight. Half of the Mara wards stood watch outside, while the rest of us stayed in the Grand Hall. The cubs were sent to bed early, their satchels packed for the long journey across the ocean.

I regularly caught up with Aida and Phoenix via Telluris, while keeping watch over the large glowing sphere where Draven and the young Druids had retired for their prolonged training. I grabbed a couple of blankets from my room and settled under the table in the middle of the room, not wanting to be away when they all came out.

As morning arrived and sunshine burst through the tall, narrow windows, my eyes peeled open, and I quietly listened to the neon-like buzzing of the sphere. According to some rough estimates, six months had gone by in there. Ever since we’d arrived in Eritopia, I’d been a part of Draven’s everyday life. I couldn’t even begin to fathom how it must feel for him to be away for so long. The heartsickness he had to live with, trapped in that sphere. I missed him after just a few hours apart.

I sat up, rubbing my face and pulling my hair back, while voices outside reminded me that the cubs were getting ready to board the ship, along with several Bajangs from Rebel’s garrison, to sail across the ocean and find some safety on Marton.

I stilled as Malachy and Ori came out of the sphere first, followed by Flynn, Mason, Cassin, and Dain. They didn’t look any different, though their eyes seemed to hold something they hadn’t when they’d first walked in—the fierceness of a seasoned fighter. Druids aged differently from the humans in our world anyway, and their bodies weren’t easy victims of time. After all, Draven was already a couple of centuries old and didn’t look a day over twenty-five.

He was the last to come out. The darkness on his face dissipated as soon as he saw me. His eyes flickered black, and I felt a wave of love and longing crashing into me from the bottom of his soul. I stood up but didn’t manage to step forward, as he was already wrapping his arms around me, holding me tight against his body and covering my mouth with his in a dazzling and profound kiss. My blood sizzled.

He breathed against my lips as he ran his fingers through my hair, then proceeded to cover my face in short, sweet kisses.

“I’ve missed you so much,” he whispered, pulling me into another deep kiss.

I welcomed his warmth, his hunger, and his primal need to feel me. I kissed him back, cupping his face in my hands. He moaned gently.

Ori cleared his throat from behind, reminding us that they were all still there. I felt my cheeks burn, but Draven raised a finger to basically say “Hold on, not done yet!” and pressed his lips against mine once more, igniting all my senses at once.

I eventually found the strength to pull back and look into his gray eyes. He gave me a half-smile.

“How did it go in there?” I asked, my voice raspy and low.

“Consider us highly educated now.” Malachy grinned. “Draven here is quite the teacher, in fact!”

“Although, to be fair, he learned just as much along with us.” Ori winked.

“How long were you in there?” I looked at the young Druids, who then glanced back at Draven.

“We don’t really know,” Cassin replied. “Draven was the only one who kept track. We were too focused on catching up with his skill level, which may have been impressive before, but it’s downright jaw-dropping now...”

“Six months and thirteen days,” Draven said slowly, unable to take his eyes off me. I felt his pain, and did my best to relax and let everything I felt for him radiate out of me, to soothe him.

“It was worth it, though,” Malachy interjected. “We went through the levels so fast, with such intensity. I didn’t even think it was possible!”

“I’m guessing the urgency of saving our world had a part to play in this.” Ori pursed his lips, glancing around the hall. “Let’s just say we’re much better equipped to take on Destroyers and Azazel, now.”

“That’s good!” I beamed at them. “Can we go save my brother and best friends—and the rest of Eritopia while we’re at it—then?”

“Absolutely.” Draven winked at me before he looked over his shoulder to address the young Druids. “Gather everything you can from the spell supply cabinets in the archive hall. Whatever you can carry in your satchels. I’ll meet you outside on the eastern terrace in an hour.”

The Druids nodded and left the grand hall, while Draven took my hands into his, a concerned look on his face as his eyebrows pulled into a frown.

“This is it, Serena,” he said slowly. “Today, we face him.”

“Today, we kill him,” I added reassuringly.

He took a deep breath, struggling to say something. I felt ribbons of dull pain coming out of his chest and instantly knew where the conversation was going. I wasn’t eager to discuss this, but I knew we’d have to sooner or later.