Her Elemental Dragons: The Complete Series
Her Elemental Dragons: Ride the Wave: Chapter 42

TWENTY YEARS LATER

While I leaned against the tree, Sora picked up the five small knives and tested their weight. Her little brow furrowed, while her dark hair blew in the breeze, and I waited in case she had any questions. When she was satisfied with the blades, she spun toward the target and threw them one by one. Each one hit the bullseye, her aim perfect, her throw confident.

I couldn’t help but grin, my chest bursting with pride. “Nice job.”

“Thanks, Dad.” She did a little bounce and ran over to the target to yank the knives out.

Sora might not be my child by blood, but there was no doubt she was my daughter. I’d never wanted kids or imagined I would have them, but now I couldn’t picture my life without her in it. Naturally I was her favorite dad because I’d taught her all the fun stuff. How to throw knives. How to sneak about without being heard. How to pick locks. Kira joked that I was a bad influence, but I argued these were all things our daughter would need one day. No matter how safe we tried to make the world, there would always be problems the Dragons had to handle, and I wanted Sora to be prepared for anything.

“Take five steps back and try it again,” I told her.

She nodded and did what I asked, with all the seriousness of a very determined ten-year-old. These training sessions were my favorite time of the day. I rotated with the others, each one of us claiming a few hours with the ascendant. Jasin taught her combat and war strategy, Auric taught her diplomacy and history, and Slade taught her how to build things. The rest of the time she spent with her tutors, playing with other kids living at the palace, or with Kira to learn about her future role as a Dragon.

Silver wings spread overhead, drawing our attention to the sky. “Mom’s back!” Sora squealed.

The Silver Dragon circled down and landed beside us, and Sora ran over and wrapped her arms around Kira’s neck. Kira nuzzled her scaled head against her daughter, before transforming into a human again. She’d been visiting the Earth Realm with Slade and Jasin after reports of shades in the area. I looked her over quickly, checking for signs she’d been in combat, but saw none.

“How did it go?” I asked.

She stretched her neck and shoulders. “We didn’t see any shades, but Jasin and Slade are patrolling the area for another few days to make sure. What have you two been doing?”

“Training,” I said.

“Look what Dad taught me,” Sora said. She grabbed the five knives and launched them into the air, juggling them with skill.

Kira arched an eyebrow at me. “Wow. That looks…dangerous.”

“Oh, Mom,” Sora said, rolling her eyes as she caught all five knives. “It’s fine.”

“She’s a natural,” I said. “And besides, if she gets hurt, she’ll heal it quick enough.”

Sora had already come into her healing powers thanks to the Life Goddess, who’d blessed Sora early as a gift for us freeing her. It already looked like Sora would surpass her mother in magic, as she could heal anyone she touched and cause plants to grow. Animals loved her too, naturally. I could only imagine how powerful she would be once she received the magic of her future mates too—although the thought of her with mates was too terrifying to think about just yet.

“Just be careful,” Kira said, while stroking Sora’s hair.

“We always are. Don’t worry.” I wrapped my arms around Kira and kissed her, while Sora squirmed away and said, “ew.” She danced off across the courtyard, finding something else to entertain herself with, while I held her mother in my arms. “I missed you.”

“I missed you too,” she said, leaning against me. “Come to my room tonight, after she’s asleep.”

“I was already planning on it,” I said, kissing her again.