Dragon Fire & Wolf Blood

Chapter 19

After seeking out the witch coven this had all started with, they received confirmation that the curse had been broken. However, things had not gotten any easier for Alexander and Ember. Ember’s people were unforgiving of the situation that had arisen with Alexander. They didn’t care nor were they willing to understand the circumstances. All they would acknowledge was that he lost control and was willing to destroy lives to get to Ember.

Things were as usual in Alexander’s kingdom, but they were all preparing for unrest when they announced he would be stepping down. As one would explain, they had taken 20 steps forward, but each day they took another 10 backwards.

Ember was busy in her kingdom trying to keep things peaceful. Alexander had left a few days early. He knew Ember needed time to cool things off with her people. Everyone knew what had happened at this point. It wasn’t looking good for Alexander.

Things were trial after trial. Each step in their relationship had been a fight. Fight for each other. Then fight to break the curse. Then fighting to keep everything together. They were going to have to fight to keep things together. They were too far now. Neither of them could give up.

After visiting the witch’s coven, Alexander returned home and was working with his fathers. Now that they knew the direction of his future, they have to prepare for the change in the line of succession.

Things are never as simple and easy as they sound to be. There were many preparations that had to be made. Figuring out how to announce the change was the first step. Queen Rayne came up with a massive ball that would announce the change. At which point they would hold a meeting in which anyone with concerns could attend. Their concerns would be heard there and addressed. It was important to keep the people happy.

Queen Rayne enlisted the help of many of the staff to prepare things. It would take them about a month to prepare for everything.

Through a portal, Alexander stayed in contact with Ember. Communicating their plans and helping her to come up with a plan as well.

Following Queen Rayne’s lead, Ember was preparing a ball of her own. At which point she would announce her, mating with Alexander. She also agreed to the idea of a meeting being held to hear everyone out. Queen Rayne, King Jace, King Ryder, and Alexander would be in attendance at her meeting. As she will be present for their meeting. Showing their people the transparency of these changes. Keeping peace where they can.

It isn’t possible to keep everyone happy, but they were going to do their best to keep things as peaceful as possible. There will always be resistance to change, but it was their reactions and actions that would define if their merge would be successful.

Alexander kept busy with his fathers and Ember. Preparing for all the upcoming changes, announcements, and questions to follow. Still, he wasn’t able to get away from the feeling something big was coming. Whatever it was, it had ill intentions.

He started to have nightmares of a faceless being coming after him. First killing Ember, then going after her people. It destroyed everything. Their homes, the land, their lives. No one was left breathing. Each night, Alexander would wake up drenched in sweat, breathing heavily and wondering what was going to happen. Something or someone was trying to warn him of a threat to Ember and her people.

Things were taking so long and it was frustrating Alexander. He was getting snappy and his ability to be patient was failing him. Each nightmare pushed his mind deeper and deeper into the dark. His need to be by Ember’s side was suffocating. One night, he didn’t think he was going to be able to breathe again until he was with her.

Part of him knew this was the mate bond in full swing, the other was his fear of the unknown danger approaching Ember. His calls to Ember increased in number as he worried she wouldn’t be there the next time he called.

On the last call between them, the day of the ball, Ember appeared in the portal. Her eyes took in his appearance. Her brows furrowed together as his façade came down. The exhaustion in his eyes shone through. His skin was pale, and his eyes were dull. Dark circles surrounded his eyes. His lips were dry and cracked. Alexander’s hands were shaky as he sat down. His breathing was irregular, as was his heartbeat.

“Alexander, what’s wrong?” Ember’s voice was laced with concern.

“I’m okay love.” Alexander’s own voice betrayed him and cracked.

“Do not lie to me!” Ember’s fury showed as her eyes glowed and fire erupted from her fingertips. Red-hot and burning.

Alexander let out a heavy, defeated sigh. He admitted everything to Ember. The nightmares. The fear that had taken over his heart. His concern for her safety. Ember listened intently to each word he spoke. Listening for any omissions or half-truths.

“We will be together again. Seek out your Seer. She can help you understand your nightmares and unrest.”

Ember’s words were not a suggestion but a command. Alexander knew it was no use arguing with her. He also knew there was nothing he could argue about. She was right. He needed answers to what was plaguing him. They talked a while longer before ending the conversation.

Alexander found his mother and told her about what was happening. She was quick to summon the Seer. They were before her in minutes. Sitting in his chair, Alexander watched as the old woman circled around him. Her eyes were glazed over as she sought out answers.

Taking his hand, she cut into his palm and allowed a single drop of blood to pool. Bringing her finger down, she carefully took the blood and brought it to her lips. Coating her tongue with a small blood droplet, then taking a bottle full of a dark liquid, she quickly took a drink. Her eyes moved quickly as she saw what his blood had been hiding.

“Young prince, you have broken a curse, but released a creature made of ash and fire. It seeks out that which you love. It seeks to take her world and rule it in hell.”

“When is it coming?” Alexander asked with desperation filling his voice.

“I cannot tell what it does not know.” Peering at something, her eyes squinting together as she tries to look at whatever it is.

“The year will not yet be gone. That is all I can tell you.” Almost instantly, her eyes went back to normal.

Alexander felt some relief. He didn’t feel as though his mind was against him anymore. Now understanding the message, he had been getting in his nightmares, he was hell-bent on protecting Ember and her people. They were going to his people.

Quickly opening a portal to Ember, he told her everything they had found out. Ember’s face betrayed her of her true feelings. She said she was okay, but Alexander knew she was very stressed and worried about everything going on.