The Lost King of Dragons

Chapter 20

Ember

Things were going back to normal. It had been nearly 3 months since the battle with the Siren’s. Of course, the title of King was passed to his cousin as he was the only living relative. Since then, he had reached out to us and had asked for peace. If his words were to be believed, he didn’t want any more of the fighting and war. He wanted to bring about peace.

I was cautious, but optimistic. The new King’s name was Syris. He started visiting frequently. I wasn’t welcoming. He kept trying to show an interest in me that I just wasn’t comfortable with. Syris is not my mate. I could feel it.

Shockingly enough though, I learned he found his mate. A male Lycan named Wyatt. At least now he would be occupied.

With each passing day, I watched as Vatra’s belly grow. She tried desperately to hide how she was feeling, but I knew it my heart she was hurting. She would even look at the ultrasounds. Rather, she insisted she wouldn’t until Dante woke.

His wounds were healing, but he just wasn’t waking up yet.

The doctors had no answers as to why. They scratched their heads in frustration. The news made its way around the world that the King of the Dragons was indeed alive. Dragons from all over began coming to the pack and staying. Hoping to learn more of their leader. Hoping he would bring the Dragons back together.

I was still close with the Queen. She and her mates had their hands full with their beautiful little boys. We talked on the phone at least once a week. It warmed my heart to hear their laughter in the background. They all had their daddies wrapped around their fingers.

Alexander was strong and thick headed, but so very kind. He was going to be a great leader.

Damon was a little trickster. He loved picking on his brothers and playing jokes on their fathers.

Emmit was small and meek compared to his brothers. He was quiet and liked being out of the spot light. She said he hardly ever cried. His favorite place to be was snuggled up in her arms.

Amazing how they create their own personality at a little over 3 months old.

My team and I had been scowering the world looking for the last of the human hunters. They needed dealt with so Dante could bring his kingdom back together. He needed to be able to raise his child in peace. His life had been hard enough.

It was a warm autumn day and I was running around the pack grounds just enjoying the smells and the air. I was mid run when I felt something wrong.

Without a second thought, I ran over to the gate. I saw a massive group of people standing on the outside asking to be let in. The guards looked overwhelmed and weren’t sure what to do. Rather than standing around like an i***t I jumped in to help.

“What do you all want?”

One larger man stepped forward and cleared his throat. “We wish to see our king.”

My eyes grew large. We had been getting Dragons for a while now, but there had to be hundreds here.

“He is unavailable.”

“We are aware. There are many of us whom have the ability to heal. We can also help him remove the curse.” My eyes narrowed.

“How do you know he is cursed?”

“The royals were cursed many centuries ago. I can tell you the legend, if you let us in.”

I looked around. We needed more help to vet all of them before releasing them onto the pack.

“You, warrior” I pointed at the guy a few feet away. “Call Alpha Damascus, we need assistance in vetting these dragons.” The warrior nodded his head and did as he was told.

I knew his name, but it escaped me. Dante always did laugh at my inability to remember names. Hell, I was lucky I hadn’t forgotten my own.

Alpha Damascus and another 50 warriors arrived within minutes and helped us vet each dragon. The sheer number of them made my heart swell. I may be the last of my kind, but I was not going to be the last dragon.

The dragon I had been speaking to originally approached me. He bowed and held out his hand. I placed mine in it and he kissed the back of my hand.

“I believe you are the Phoenix Warrior, Ember?”

“Yes I am.”

“I have much to tell you.” He smiled a big smile. If there was ever a moment, I had hoped I’d found my mate, it was now. He was tall and his strong arms looked like they were built for me. I looked into my heart, and saw, he isn’t my mate.

“Shall we go to the palace and talk?” I gently removed my hand and motioned to the palace.

“That would be wonderful.” Was his only reply.

Our walk back to the palace was full of conversation. It was lighthearted and fun. Once we stepped into a private area, his tone and body changed.

“Ember, we need to perform the sacred ritual of Hestia.” I made a face as I had no understanding of what he was talking about. I motioned for him to continue. “He is the King and needs to complete the ritual to open his full powers. He would already be awake and healed if we had completed this already.”

I thought a moment. “What does this ritual entail?”

The man explained it in great detail and it seemed like it was a good idea.

“Thank you for bringing this information to me. I will have to speak with his mate.” I turned to walk away and turned back around. “I don’t think I even caught your name?”

“I am Ekkon. When Dante’s father was ruling, I was his Royal Warrior.” I nodded. and thanked him again before leaving.

My legs couldn’t take me to the hospital fast enough. I practically ran into the hospital room, nearly scaring Vatra to death.

“What in the hell Ember?” She yelled.

“There may be something we can do to get Dante to wake up…” I explained to everything that had just happened.

Her face was awash with emotions.

“Do you really think it will work?” She asked me.

“I think it doesn’t hurt to try.” I shrugged my shoulders. There wasn’t any harm in at least trying. He wasn’t on any machines; they were just keeping him there to observe his condition to make sure nothing did happen.

Vatra gave me permission to get things ready for the ritual. Finding Ekkon was easy and he was ecstatic to help me get things prepared. I continued to watch him to make sure he wasn’t going to pull something, but the whole time I could feel his sincerity. All of them genuinely wanted their King back.

It took us several hours to get things ready, but I felt anxiety build once we knew it was time.

Two warriors carried Dante out on a white sheet and laid him in the grass. We had to find the biggest area possible and it just happens to be behind the pack house.

Once he was gently laid down, we all started to sit in circles around him. After everyone was sat, you could see each circle around the last like a ripple in the water.

Ekkon started yelling words in a language I am not familiar with. He dug his fingers into the earth as did everyone else.

My fingers tingled as they came into contact with an invisible power. Ekkon continued to yell. All of the other dragons chanting alongside him.

I knew there would be a time when we would all blow out fire over the top of him.

“Ember, it is time little one.” He said. It could be heard everyone intaking a deep breath. Then releasing it all into the same spot over Dante. The fire turned a blue then red, then purple, and finally green.

The fire took on a life of its own and coated itself over Dante. THIS Ekkon hadn’t told me would happen. I nearly got up, when he stopped me.

We all stopped breathing our fire and they continued to chant.

The fire went into his body and we could see it beneath his skin. It was quite beautiful to be honest. Not a second after the fire came shooting out of his body. Dante sat up and let out a loud roar.

Before my eyes I saw Dante grow in size. He stood was he had to be at least 8 feet tall. His eyes held a green in them.

Vatra went running up to him. Her arms wrapped around his neck as they passionately embraced one another and kissed. The love I saw in them was breath taking. He had to wait hundreds of years to find her. I don’t want to have to wait that long. I put aside my thoughts and just felt my happiness for them.

Gently Dante put Vatra down and as he did, he noticed her belly.

His brows furrowed. And he looked up at Vatra questioningly.

“How long have I been gone?” He asked.

“Nearly 4 months my love.” She responded. “I was going to tell you after the battle with the Siren’s but you were hurt and unconscious. I hope you aren’t mad.” She was now whispering. This had been her fear all along. Dante couldn’t feel the full power of the mate bond due to the curse. So, it wouldn’t be hard for him to walk away.

“My love, I am elated that you are carrying my pup.” He bent down and kissed her. It was gentle and sweet.

“LONG LIVE KING OF DRAGONS DANTE!” Yelled out Ekkon. Hundreds of dragons continued to chant the same words.

Dante’s eyes grew dark and sad, but I could tell he wanted to talk about it privately.

At the exciting news of Dante’s return to consciousness and Hestia’s acceptance of him as the new king, Alpha Damascus and his mate were busy preparing a feast. Of course, Dante tried arguing with him about it, but he wasn’t having it.

We separated from everyone else so Dante could go change. We made it upstairs when Dante asked Vatra and I if we could talk a moment.

His eyes were sullen and sad. Something was wrong.

“My love, what’s wrong? Are you feeling alright?” Vatra was shooting out the questions faster than Dante could respond.

“I am okay sweety. I want you to know I am so very proud to be a father. It’s been my dream since I was a little dragon, and to be honest I had lost hope it would ever come true.”

“Then what’s wrong?”

His eyes met mine. “I am not going to be King of Dragons.”

Those words hit me like a punch to the face. “Explain?” was all I could muster.

“Hestia came to me. If she rejected me, it would have killed me. She wanted me to come back and bring forth the true ruler.”

“Aren’t you the prince?” Confusion written all over my face.

“To be honest, I don’t want it. I want to raise my child or children with Vatra. Away from that life. It has caused me so much pain in my life. I don’t want my children in danger.”

“Then who is taking your place?” Vatra asked.

“Ember.”