Chapter 19

“ Ready to see the Air Kingdom?” he asked with a grin.

“ More than ready,” I replied, laughing. “ And I’ve got my satchel in case the games get boring.”

Deon chuckled. “ Boring? Just wait until you see them.”

Merilla, who had been trotting beside me, leapt gracefully into the carriage as if it was her own personal chariot. I climbed in after her, and she immediately made herself comfortable on my lap, her soft white fur a soothing presence. The carriage started moving, and I gazed out the window, eager to see the fabled kingdom of towering mountains that Deon had told me so much about.

As the carriage rumbled along, I decided to ask them more about the Elemental Games. “ So, what exactly are the Elemental Games? What should I expect?”

Deon glanced over at me. “ The games are a tradition, held once a year. It’s a competition between the kingdoms of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. Each kingdom sends their best elemental fighters to duel, and it can get… intense.”

Zaden leaned forward; his eyes sharp with anticipation.

“ Each duel is a test of skill, power, and strategy. The Earth elemental duels involve manipulating the ground itself—using stones, roots, and trees as weapons. The Fire elementals are all about power and destruction. You’ll see walls of flame, molten lava, and intense heat. It’s exhilarating, but also dangerous. Water elementals, on the other hand, have an almost graceful approach. They can summon waves and torrents, manipulate water into sharp, deadly forms, or even turn it to ice. And the Air elementals… well, they’re known for their agility. They use wind to their advantage, creating gusts that can throw opponents off balance or send them flying.”

Mike chimed in, “ The duels can get risky, but there are healers on standby to make sure no one dies. Still, it’s not uncommon for serious injuries to happen.”

Seth nodded. “ Yeah, it’s not just about strength—it’s about control and precision. You’ll see fighters who can summon enormous tornadoes or split the ground open, but if they can’t control it, they’ll be their own downfall.”

I listened in awe as they described the games. It sounded far more intense than anything I could have imagined. “ And… how dangerous are we talking here?” I asked, a little more cautiously now.

Deon shrugged. “ It depends on the fighter. Most of them know how to hold back just enough not to kill their opponent, but accidents do happen.”

I couldn’t help but feel a flutter of nerves. Watching powerful elementals duel with the forces of nature itself sounded both thrilling and terrifying. I wasn’t sure if I should be excited or worried. Still, I couldn’t wait to see it for myself.

As the journey continued, Seth began talking about his people’s homeland. “ You’re going to love the Air Kingdom. Our homes are carved right into the mountains. The views are incredible. From the heights, you can see for miles—over valleys, forests, and even rivers.”

“ Carved into the mountains?” I asked, intrigued.

“ Yeah, we’ve built entire cities inside the mountains. Some homes are even suspended from cliffsides. It’s a marvel of craftsmanship. You’ll see.”

The excitement was contagious, and despite my earlier concerns, I found myself growing more and more eager to arrive.

After what felt like hours, the carriage finally began to slow. I peeked out the window and gasped. Thousands of people were walking in the same direction as us, all headed toward a massive mountain that loomed in the distance. It was already dark, and the path leading up to the mountain was lit by rows of torches, casting flickering shadows on the faces of the excited crowd.

As we approached the base of the mountain, the field around us began to fill with carriages and tents. People from all the elemental kingdoms were setting up camp, preparing for a long night ahead. Mike explained, “Most people camp out because the games run late into the night. No one wants to make the long journey home in the dark.”

The guys escorted me through the crowds, weaving easily through the throngs of people. One of the perks of being with the King’s men, I realized, was that we didn’t have to wait in line like everyone else. We moved swiftly toward the entrance of the mountain, bypassing the hordes of spectators.

When we finally entered the mountain itself, I was shocked. The interior had been hollowed out, with massive staircases carved into the stone, spiraling upward to the top. The scale of it was breathtaking. Torches lined the walls, casting a warm glow on the smooth stone steps.

We passed through a checkpoint, where guards briefly examined us before letting us through. The climb to the top was steep, and for a moment, I found myself wishing that the magical kingdoms had elevators. Even with all the magic they wielded, some conveniences seemed to be missing.

Merilla, sensing my discomfort, nuzzled against leg, and I scratched her behind the ears. “ Thanks for the comfort, girl,” I whispered, smiling at her.

As we reached the top of the staircase, the space opened up into a massive arena carved into the peak of the mountain. The stands were packed with people from all over the kingdoms, their excited chatter echoing off the stone walls. At the center was a large, open platform where the duels would take place. It was surrounded by water, and in the middle of the platform stood four towering pillars—each representing one of the elemental kingdoms.

“ Welcome to the Elemental Games,” Zaden said with a grin, gesturing to the arena before us. “ This is where the real magic happens.”

We found our seats near the edge of the platform, offering a perfect view of the duels. As I sat down, I felt a thrill of anticipation. This was unlike anything I had ever experienced before.

The first duel was between two Earth elementals. The ground beneath their feet trembled as they summoned massive boulders, sending them hurtling toward each other with crushing force. One of them created a wall of stone to block the attack, while the other caused vines to shoot up from the ground, attempting to ensnare his opponent.

I watched, mesmerized, as they battled with the very earth beneath them, their movements precise and deliberate. It was a dance of power and control, and despite the danger, I couldn’t tear my eyes away.

Next came the Fire elementals. The air around the platform seemed to heat up as flames erupted from their hands, twisting and swirling like living creatures. One fighter sent a wave of fire crashing toward the other, who responded by creating a barrier of molten lava. The flames licked at the edges of the barrier, but the lava held strong.

The Water elementals were next, and their duel was almost hypnotic. They moved with a grace that seemed more like a dance than a battle. One of them summoned a swirling vortex of water, while the other created sharp blades of ice, sending them hurtling toward the vortex in an attempt to disrupt it.

Finally, the Air elementals took the stage. Their speed and agility were unmatched. They moved like the wind itself, darting around each other in a blur of motion. Gusts of wind whipped around the platform, sending debris flying and causing the audience to gasp in awe.

I was completely enthralled by the display of power and skill. Each elemental seemed to be in perfect harmony with their element, controlling it with a mastery that was awe-inspiring. But as impressive as it was, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of danger lurking beneath the surface. One wrong move, one moment of lost control, and the results could be disastrous.

As the night went on, the crowd grew louder, their cheers echoing through the arena. The energy was electric, and even though I had been nervous about the danger earlier, I found myself getting caught up in the excitement. It was hard not to when you were surrounded by so much raw power and skill.

Eventually, the games began to wind down, and the duels came to an end. I was still buzzing with adrenaline as we made our way back down the mountain. The walk back to the carriage was quieter, the excitement of the games lingering in the air like a charged current.

By the time we reached the carriage, I was exhausted but exhilarated. The Air Kingdom had been everything Deon and Seth had promised—beautiful, awe-inspiring, and full of surprises.

As I settled into the carriage with Merilla once again on my lap, I couldn’t help but think back to Kaden. I hadn’t seen him at the games, though I had hoped for a glimpse of him. My emotions were still tangled when it came to him. He had been so insistent on keeping me close before, but now he seemed almost distant, as if he couldn’t wait to get rid of me. The mate bond he had spoken

Suddenly, the excitement and cheers of the arena shifted into murmurs of confusion. I noticed a group of people entering the arena, their figures cloaked in darkness, all wearing black leather armor. It was impossible to tell which elemental kingdom they belonged to—there were no emblems or colors to identify them.