When It Reigns (Cursed Reigns, #1)

CHAPTER TWENTY

The treacherous expedition my father expected me to make to Azmar was perilous and unpredictable. The large island housed one sole occupant and was the midpoint between the Nyrial Empire and Ravos Kingdom. No one dared venture to the island where the Phoenixian population had suffered a devastating decimation.

The land was riddled with geysers spewing the black boiling goo that had seeped into the ground from the bomb the demons dropped on the island nearly fifty years ago, and volcanos erupted molten lava without warning. The roaring Veridana River rushing through the Midshire Forest on the island was just as unforgiving and took the lives of those who tried to cross when it overflowed, flooding the area and drowning any unsuspecting victims naïve enough to travel the hazardous island.

I had to make sure I made it to the Wielder before the imminent storm brewing dark clouds unleashed the torrential downpour that island of Traeveria was due for. I also didn't need the clouds to open up as Serene and I flew over the unrelenting Forbidden Seas between the Wrexial Mountains of the empire and Azmar. The bomb had mutated the sea creatures when the substance poured into the ocean, transforming them into raving beasts with decaying flesh that leaked the poison. I did not want to take a plunge into the monster-infested waters during the storm.

The sun had just risen over the horizon when I'd strapped on a backpack and summoned Serene as we made our way to the obsidian walls protecting the entire mountain. The spires on the top of the wall jabbed through the clouds, disappearing behind them. Despite all this obsidian in the Nyrial Empire that was fatal to demons, it failed to keep them from harming us.

The guards nodded at us then signaled to the others stationed on platforms hundreds of feet up the wall, motioning for them to open the limitless gates. The gates cranked apart, scraping across the snow-covered ground at the base of the mountain with a resounding groan. I waved at them in appreciation and said, "I'll be back in twenty-four hours tops. Be ready for me when I arrive."

I mounted Serene and grabbed onto her horns with my gloved hands. She took off through the snow and pumped her wings, lifting off into the morning sunlight. I directed her over the deserted farm towns of Eaton and Mavis, then took her towards the beach hundreds of miles from the Wrexial Mountains. She started to flap her wings with less vigor as we flew over the stretch of sand and I tapped the top of her head, saying, "Let's take a break here."

Serene landed at the shore as powerful waves rushed up to meet us. I hopped off her neck as she brought it to the ground and landed in the ankle-deep tide. It pulled back out, tugging my ankles with it.

"Rest up," I said to Serene and rubbed her iridescent scale in my pocket. Her essence billowed into my pocket and warmed my thigh as I took out the yellow dragon scale in my other pocket.

"Your turn," I said, rubbing Rays' scale as I held my breath and plugged my nose until the gas dispersed. The older dragon beat his wings and carried us a further distance in a shorter amount of time than my young dragon. We spanned the entire ocean by midafternoon just as the first crackles of lightning sparked and the first booms of thunder echoed in the distance.

Rays soared over the Midshire Forest and the Veridana River, clearing the land riddled with geysers and volcanos as he flew above the center of the island. He swooped in a sudden descent and my stomach flipped as I held on tighter, ducking my head to avoid the forceful wind hitting my face as we plummeted.

Rays spread his wings and flattened out as he landed. With a huff, he tucked his wings on his back and let me slide off his neck. My legs were stiff as I stretched my arms above my head and cracked my back, looking at the barren landscape around us.

"How are we supposed to find where the Wielder lives?" I wondered aloud.

The dragon pushed steam from his nostrils in response.