Chapter one: The forbidden mountains
Elara Veyne had been warned about the Forbidden Mountains her entire life.
That was probably why she was currently running straight toward them.
Branches whipped against her arms as she pushed through the dark forest, her breath coming in short, painful gasps.
Behind her, the bells of her village rang Once,Twice, Then a third time, Elara stopped,Her heart sank deeper, Three bells Someone was dying.
She tightened her grip on the small leather bag hanging from her shoulder and ran faster.
"Please don't let me be too late," she whispered.
The path ahead disappeared beneath a thick blanket of fog.
Everyone in Eldermere knew what lay beyond it.
The Forbidden Mountains No one entered willingly.
At least, no one who expected to return.
Elara swallowed Then she stepped into the mist.
The moment she crossed the invisible boundary, the forest became silent,Too silent,No birds,No insects
Not even the sound of the wind.
Elara's fingers curled around the pendant at her neck.
Her mother had given it to her before she died.
Never go into the mountains, Elara.
The memory of her mother's voice made her hesitate.
Then a roar tore through the darkness Elara froze
It wasn't the roar of a bear,It was deeper Older, Powerful enough to shake the ground beneath her feet,A dragon.
Her mind screamed at her to turn around Instead, she ran toward the sound.
Because whatever—or whoever—was dying in those mountains... Elara had a feeling she had just found them.
Elara followed the sound,Each step took her deeper into the mountains, where twisted trees gave way to jagged black rocks. The fog grew thicker, curling around her ankles like pale fingers Then she heard it again A low, painful growl, Elara's heart hammered.
She climbed over a fallen boulder and stopped, Her breath caught. A dragon lay in the clearing It was enormous,
Even wounded, it looked powerful enough to destroy her village with a single sweep of its tail. Darkkk scales covered its body, shimmering faintly beneath the moonlight.
Blood stained the ground beneath one massive wing.
Elara should have run Instead, she stepped closer.
The dragon's golden eye snapped open Elara froze.
For one terrifying moment, neither of them moved.
Then smoke curled from its nostrils.
"Don't," Elara whispered, raising both hands. "Please don't burn me. I'm trying to help."
The dragon growled "Yes, I know it is a Terrible idea," she muttered.
Slowly, she opened her leather bag and pulled out a small bundle of herbs.
Her hands shook as she approached The wound beneath the dragon's wing was deep Too deep.
Elara's stomach tightened Something wasn't right.
The edges of the wound were black Not burned Poisoned.
But what kind of poison could harm a dragon?
She reached toward the wound.
The dragon suddenly moved,Elara gasped as its claws scraped against the ground "Wait!" Too late.
The creature's massive head lowered until its golden eye was level with her.
Elara could see her own reflection in it Small,Terrified and Completely insane.
"Fine," she whispered. "I understand. You don't trust me."
The dragon stared at her Elara slowly placed her hand over the wound.
The moment her skin touched its blood Something exploded inside her mind.
A voice roared through her thoughts RUN Elara screamed.
Golden light burst from beneath her hand,The dragon roared The ground shook.
A burning symbol appeared around Elara's wrist.
She tried to pull away She couldn't "What's happening?" she cried.
The dragon's body began to glow Its enormous form twisted beneath the moonlight Scales disappeared
Wings folded into nothing And where the dying dragon had been, a man suddenly lay on the bloodstained ground.
Elara stumbled backward He looked unconscious.
But even in the darkness, there was something terrifyingly powerful about him.
Then his eyes opened Gold,Ancient,Furious.
Elara stared at him He stared back.
His gaze dropped to the glowing mark around her wrist For the first time, fear crossed his face "No," he whispered,Elara swallowed "What?"His eyes slowly lifted to hers His voice was barely audible "What have you done?"
