Free What Once Was One (Book 2) by Marc Johnson

the castle stopped their work as Cynder mesmerized them all.
    The red dragon flew higher, twisting and climbing until he became a dot. He blazed like a sun against the blue sky. I placed my hand above my eyes to negate the glare. Cynder’s wings stopped and he dropped like a stone, his sleek body spiraling down.
    “What are you doing?” I called out.
    I worried he was going to crash into the city like a falling star. The guards standing on the castle walls pointed and yelled. Before he could hit Alexandria, Cynder heaved a trail of fire, moving his snout to shape it into a circle. He glided through it, lifting his body before he hit anything. I couldn’t see over the walls, but I knew that backlash of wind caused people a lot of trouble.
    “That egotistical dragon,” I said and smiled, watching him as he flew into parts unknown. He did give Alexandria something to remember him by.
    I walked back up the hill, heading back into the keep. Krystal had told me that her soldiers were going to gather the supplies we needed for the ritual, but a wizard always double-checked. I thought about how I couldn’t wait to see her again, but I didn’t have to go far to find her.
    Krystal was standing near one of the buildings. Next to her were Ardimus and Captain Rebekah. Their awe-filled gazes were still trained on the direction Cynder had flown.
    I greeted them, jolting them out of their trance.
    “Hellsfire,” Krystal said.
    “Princess,” I said and bowed.
    “I was just coming to see you.”
    I raised an eyebrow. “You were?”
    “Yes, I wanted a report from you about what happened in the White Mountain. I saw Behast’s wounds.” For a moment, her purple eyes filled with compassion and her face softened. She turned to her companions. “Leave us.”
    Ardimus departed, walking so he was out of earshot. When Captain Rebekah, walked by me she wore a smirk on her face.
    I glanced from side to side and I suddenly realized we were alone. “Krystal, do you think it was wise to send them away?”
    “Are you questioning my orders?” she asked with a playful smile.
    She fell back into the shadows of the building and leaned up against a buttress. I went with her, disappearing from the view of any bystanders.
    “I’m glad to see you’re all right,” Krystal said. “I was worried something might have happened to you.”
    I exhaled. “It almost did.”
    Her purple eyes darkened and her cheek muscle flexed. “Tell me.”
    I gave my report to the princess, telling her almost everything. I left out what Stradus said to me about my destiny. As much as I trusted her, I needn’t worry her even more. As good as she was at masking her emotions, I could tell she was already distressed about me venturing into the Wastelands.
    Afterwards, she said, “I’m sorry you had to fight the leshii. I’m just glad you’re all right and that you completed the binding potion.”
    Her face became stoic for a moment. I knew she was still angry at what I planned to do. We, along with her father, had had many arguments about me killing Premier instead of securing a book they didn’t believe existed and binding his powers.
    Krystal ran her fingers along my arm. “I’m sure you won’t need anything else except your powers and the help of the others in the Wastelands.” She feigned a smile, but it was sad.
    I knew she was lying, but I kept quiet.
    “I’ve obtained the supplies you need,” she said. “Unfortunately, my people had a hard time getting them. The Wasteland creatures are falling back from the surrounding area and the attacks have lessened since the battle.”
    “What do you think it means?”
    Krystal narrowed her eyes. “Premier’s up to something.”
    “You think he could be preparing for another attack? But how? He should be weakened after I defeated him.”
    “We’ll ready ourselves for whatever may come, but it may be you who finds out first.” Her eyes shimmered with a light sheen. In a hoarse voice, she said, “I’d