Filed to story: The Chosen Saga Novel PDF Free
“I should have figured.” Araiya shook her head and then looked up at Mac. “Why haven’t you shifted yet? I’m still pretty slow at the saddle.”
Mac chuckled. “I am sure River can help you once he comes back, but there is something we need to do before I am comfortable leaving.”
“What? We have everything right. Did you want to go through the bags one more time?” Araiya started to reach the bag that was at their feet before Mac stopped her.
“It’s time, Firebug. I am starting to bubble over again, and you need to be at full power.”
“Power transfer…”
Mac nodded. “Power Transfer.” Mac smirked. “Damn good excuse to kiss my mate.” He winked before he leaned in and kissed her, silencing her giggle. Mac kissed her slowly, torturously slow, before he pulled back. “Ready?”
“Yes.” Araiya threaded her fingers through his hair and repositioned her lips. She leaned in and kissed him, exploring his mouth. Then, once they settled into a lazy rhythm, they both opened. They opened their power wells, allowing Araiya to accept back Spirit back. The element almost pranced home, settling into her chest like a smug cat. With a soft flick of her tail, Spirit called a tiny ember of Fire back from Mac to settle right next to her. A soft little Fire grew in her chest and Spirit circled and curled up in front. Araiya was about to pull away, but Mac wrapped his hand in her hair, holding her in place.
Araiya fought off a tiny sliver of panic. Mac wouldn’t take her power again, he wasn’t that man. So Araiya took a deep breath through her nose and sunk further into the kiss. And she was so happy she did. Once she released the panic, all there was left was love. Mac opened himself further and Araiya could feel everything he felt. His love for her. His pain at hurting her. The disappointment in himself for his actions. And something clicked.
Araiya pulled back slowly and looked down. The chain, their love, was stretched between them. “Look at that, Mckenna.”
“It’s beautiful. What is it?”
Araiya chuckled. “That’s us. Our mate bond. That right there is our love.”
Mac snapped his head up. “Our love?”
Araiya smiled and nodded. “I love you Mac. This is the proof of it.”
“I love you so much Araiya.” Mac kissed her again. “I wish we had more time right now, but I have to shift. This is not over.” With a flash, Mac shifted and Araiya moved to start strapping him into the saddle when Terran caught her eye.
His dragon was watching, and he chuffed. A small keening sound started as he looked away. But Araiya walked over and hugged his neck. “Soon.” She kissed his hard scales and then turned back to Mac.
Once River was through the gate, he shifted and flew down to Chosen Village. He watched as Korine and the guards made it through the shield. He gave a trumpet and everyone looked up. Rocky and Amara waved and Korine just shook her head with a smile.
He flew back to the gate and was back through in less time than it took for Talon to come back. Araiya was just adding the last pack to Mac and the two dragons were waiting for the rest to push off.
“They made it through the shield and are safe. Everything ready to go with us?” River walked over to Araiya.
“All clear here. Are you sure we don’t need food?” Araiya eyed the four bags that they had. Most of which was clothing and bedding.
“We can hunt as dragons. Or Terran can grow us food. I can call fish, and Mac can cook anything with his Fire. Water we can call on too. Food is the easiest thing to deal with. Survival outdoors, well that’s a little tricker, but we have out bedrolls. Extra clothes. We are good.”
“We just need Talon. Can you go find our wayward friend?” Araiya kissed his cheek as she climbed up on Mac. She quickly buckled her legs in, like River showed her earlier, and was secure in case the wind was strong over the water.
“Of course.” River went off in search of his young brother. Calling him as he went. “Talon, we are ready to go. We are just waiting for you. Talon?” River searched the forest, but Talon was gone. He turned and ran back to the others. “He’s gone.”
“What do you mean he’s gone?” Araiya grabbed the loop in front of her as Mac stood. “Did he leave because I asked him to go back to the village?”
“I don’t know.” River jumped onto Terran. “Let’s get into the air and see if we can track him.”
Airyn, can you reach Talon? He said he needed a minute but he disappeared.
He is flying hard north from your position, but he won’t answer me. I think he is in trouble. Hurry Young Mother.
“Airyn says he is due north. He’s flying hard, but won’t answer. He’s worried.” With those final words, Mac and Terran took flight. There was no reason, nor any way to speak after they breeched the top of the trees. Mac and Terran took flight heading North. Araiya couldn’t see anything. They were flying too slowly.
Terran cut in close to Araiya and Mac. He did a quick maneuver over her head and she looked over to see what was going on when River slammed into her saddle causing her to scream.
“Lamb. Ask Airyn if you can have access to Air. We are flying too slowly, and the wind is against us. My only thought is that Talon is using the wind to slow us.”
Airyn, Talon is using wind to slow us. Let me have access to Air.
Not you, Young Mother. He is being chased by darkness, hurry.
“I have access, but Talon is being chased by something. We have to hurry. Airyn is worried.”
River kissed her softly on her neck before leaning over and slapping Mac’s neck. Terran rolled under Mac a second later and River dropped from Mac’s back, landing in Terran’s saddle perfectly. If she wasn’t so worried for Talon, she would be impressed by the maneuver they had obviously spent years perfecting.
Once Araiya was sure River was settled, she connected to Air and used her ember to warm the air. She created updrafts to push them higher. She used to wind to tunnel behind them and shoot them forward.