The dragon huffed.Impossible. Once the draken takes over, there is no saving anyone.
Perhaps—
Our discussion ended as I finally reached the top of the stairs.
Thank all the gods.
As soon as I stepped onto the landing, my mouth fell open in awe. Piles upon piles of treasures were stacked on top of each other. It was no wonder I had seen it from the other side of the Heart. Glimmering gold coins and sparkling precious gems as big as my hand were stacked on top of each other. Gilded necklaces, bracelets, and even golden fabric were strewn everywhere.
Bending, I scooped up a handful of money and let the coins fall through my fingers. They tinkled like expensive rain as they fell to the ground.
Mine,the dragon growled.
My eyes widened at the sight of all these riches. I had gold, obviously. What kind of dragon would I be without it? I had multiple treasures stashed in various safe places in the Four Kingdoms. They were payments from my time as the White Death, along with other trinkets and gilded knickknacks I had picked up throughout my life.
But none of my hoards were as plentiful as this. If this treasure were mine, I could provide for my bonded mate for the rest of our lives. We could take it and flee to the Obsidian Coast. For all their fickleness, the fae would surely welcome us if we arrived on their shores bearing the riches of an entire kingdom.
I gave myself one minute to kneel and hold the gold to my chest, thinking about that future. One minute to consider a life where we ran away, escaping our problems. One minute to think about claiming this treasure and leaving.
And then I pushed it away. Running was cowardly, and my bonded mate would never do that. Aileana was brave and headstrong and the earth needed her. She would not leave the land. Not while there was even an ounce of hope that she might restore the balance.
Where she went, so did I.
Opening my hands, I let the gold fall to the floor before pushing myself to my feet.
This wasn’t why I was here. Forcing myself to ignore the treasure, which was a feat in and of itself, I focused on one thing: the Gilded Amulet.
My multiple university degrees, acquired during my decades roaming the Four Kingdoms, weren’t required to determine that the object I sought was likely made of gold. The problem was finding it. I couldn’t sift through all these stacks; it would take far too long. And time was not on our side.
Already, my mating bond was itching. I turned in a slow circle, taking in the space. There were at least twenty piles of treasure. I needed a plan.
Why don’t you speak the words of the prophecy?the dragon suggested after a moment, its tone rather snide. A snarky comment rose to my tongue, but I tamped it down as I realized the creature was probably right.
Standing in the middle of the landing, I closed my eyes and repeated the prophecy from memory. As soon as the last words left my lips, flames erupted in a circle around me. I tensed, widening my stance as I drew my sword. The air shimmered gold outside the ring of fire, and Inferna stepped out of the air.
“Welcome, Son of Aranuil, to the resting place of the Ancient Ones. I am pleased to see you have arrived in one piece,” the Spirit of the Flames said, as if we were sitting down for a pleasant conversation, and I wasn’t standing in the middle of a burning circle.
A growl rose within me. “Is this another game?” Gesturing to the fire, I barely contained my ire. “I came for the Amulet. I’ve passed your trials and I’ve crossed the Heart. Where is it?”
Inferna smiled softly. “All in good time, Elyxander. What you seek shall be yours, but there is a cost to all things, even this.”
Of course there is, the dragon huffed. The fact that the beast was irritated was proof that this situation had gone on far too long. The creature that lived beneath my skin was reasonable, often frustratingly so.
I sighed, running a hand through my hair. “What do you want from me?”
Inferna raised a brow. “It is not I who wants something from you, dragon. Rather, there is someone who would like a word.”
I narrowed my eyes, and suspicion ran through me. “Who are you talking about? I don’t know anyone here.”
The only people I cared about were waiting for me by the Heart.
Inferna smiled. “I think you shall be pleasantly surprised.” She opened her arms, and flames spread from her hands. They engulfed the platform as the ring increased in heat. Sweat broke out on the back of my neck and breathing became difficult. I tightened my grip on my sword, but before I could do something stupid like run through the flames, they fell away.
My weapon clattered to the ground, and my mouth dropped open.
The Spirit of the Flames raised a brow. “I told you this would be a surprise.”
That was an understatement. Even the dragon was rendered speechless. A shadowy wisp of a female hovered in the air, her face obscured as though she were underwater. It didn’t matter. I didn’t need to see her clearly. I knew who this was.