A Clash Of Light And Thunder (War Of The Forgotten Lovers Book 1)

What Remains

Elvin spit blood on the floor. His lungs burned like fire scorched his inner walls. His knees buckled as he tried to stand, sending him crumbling to the ground. His vision pulsed. Everything blurred in and out of focus as he tried to search the red mist.

Through the red fog, a shadowy figure clawed desperately at the air. Elvin felt it in his bone; it was Aria. A sharp gasp howled through the air. Aria heaved in dry and scratchy breaths. The mist that previously did not affect her human body, now burned through her half-high fae lungs. Yet, she clawed at it — refusing to stop in her hate-fueled rage.

Aria, come out. You will die in there, Elvin pleaded. Her body was in a constant battle of being burned and healed by her magic.

It tore at his mind to feel her pain and be too weak to reach for her. He needed to get her, even if it cost him his life. He has lost so many in his life that he loved and cared for. He refused to lose her.

He searched their newly formed bond. It was like a portal that allowed him to transverse space and matter to reach her mind. But she was gone, lost under all the erratic energy that pumped within her veins.

Elvin's green tunic contracted like a boa around his neck, gagging him as he was firmly dragged from the fogs' edge. His back smacked on the floor, beating the mist out of his lungs. He panted, and clean air surged in and eased the suffocating burning in his throat.

Commander Elora stood battle-ready in front of Elvin. Sweat and blood dripped down the edges of her dark curls as her pitch-black eyes searched the murky folds of the fog. Her metal-plated hand reached behind her back and unhooked a brown leather whip fastened to her waist. She cracked the whip, and it unwrapped, hitting the stone floor.

Aria's shadow curved at the surface of the fog.

Elora's hand rose, she waved the whip's dandle in a circular motion. The leather wooshed as it spun in the air. She flicked her wrist, and the whip's fall went diving into the mist. Leather smacked against skin, echoing throughout the throne room. Elora yanked her arm back, and the whip went rigid as she began to walk back.

Aria trashed on the floor. Her shoulders ground against the stone floor. She twisted, trying to kick herself free of the whip's grip. The whip handle shook in Elora's tight grip as she continued to drag Aria tirelessly on the stone and away from the fog.

Once far enough, Elora circled Aria. Elora waved the whip's handle. The wave traveled down the thong and slackened the grip on Aria's leg.

Elora stood between Aria and the red fog, blocking Aria from running to the deathly smoke that inched closer.

Behind Aria, Elvin arose to his feet.

Aria's head zapped between the two elves. Caged by the two experienced warriors, she growled.

Light danced at Aria's fingertips in the form of liquefied claws. She sprung from the ground and lurched at Elora.

Elora snapped her whip. It dove through the air and coiled around Aria's wrist.

Elora twirled in a circular dance. With the force of the motion, she whirled the lash with all her might. The whip cracked, sending Aria darting towards the exit.

Elora walked and stood next to Elvin.

"You came to help?" Elvin asked as he composed himself.

Elora gave the prince a side glance. "Did you expect me not to?"

"I heard who that soldier was — what he did to you. There would be no judgment on my part."

"I pledge my sword to her. Vengeance will wait another day. I will find him and find out where my mate is. Today, I have a vow to uphold and a friend to save."