Of Shale and Smoke by Elayna R. Gallea

Author:Elayna R. Gallea [Gallea, Elayna R.]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Independently Published
Published: 2023-11-08T00:00:00+00:00

I landed on the castle’s roof and pulled on the shift. My bones broke and remade themselves as the dragon slowly folded inside me. It didn’t disappear, though. Not like before.

Now, it was always there. Always present. Waiting. Watching.

We are one, the beast reminded me forcefully. Don’t forget who made you this powerful.

I would never forget. It was because of the creature within me that I had been able to make it this far. Because of it, I’d survived long enough to kill Dante and take his throne.

The dragon kept talking, even as I bent and grabbed the black silk robe I’d left for myself. I slipped it over my shoulders, tying a loose knot in the middle before walking back into the castle.

The four Winged Soldiers guarding the roof entrance straightened the minute I came into view. They dipped their heads and their wings snapped behind them as I walked past.

I didn’t bother to turn and speak to them. They would follow me, or I’d kill them.

There was only one rule in my kingdom: bow to me or die.

I strode through the castle, the guards dutifully trailing me, before entering the royal suite. The doors slammed shut behind me, and I made my way to the dressing room beside my sleeping chamber. Shedding my black robe, I exchanged it for a crimson gown edged in onyx thread.

I did not remain in my rooms. Instead, I left them as soon as I changed. The guards were a faithful shadow as I marched through the many floors of Kaerndal Castle towards the entrance to Vlarone. The city was built inside the mountain, and as such, it was located many floors below the royal suites.

Dozens of Winged Soldiers guarded the doors leading to the capital. I couldn’t have commoners coming into my home, of course.

“Open it,” I commanded.

The soldier closest to the door turned the knob. “Do you require an escort, My Queen?”

“No.”

None of them argued with me. I left my entourage behind in Kaerndal Castle and swept into the city.

Vlarone was built inside the hollowed mountain, and I supposed some might have called it beautiful. Glowing mushrooms were scattered on the rocks, lending their multi-colored light to the city. Where the mushrooms did not reach, lanterns lent their light to the city dwellers.

Streams flowed down the shale, providing drinking water for the residents. Buildings and paths ran in spirals down the mountainous walls, and several bridges stretched across the massive cavern. Above those were platforms housing even more people and businesses.

Vlarone had a dozen levels, but my destination was on the third from the top. I marched down the cobblestone paths, ignoring the whispers that followed me wherever I went. It wasn’t long before the midnight walls of the new temple I’d had constructed came into view. Unlike the places of worship that had been here before, this temple was not built for the gods. It was mine. A symbol of my strength. My power.

Gods had no room here anymore. The

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