Mated to the Fire Dragon (Elemental Mates 4)

Through the faint connection between them, he could feel Alyx's utter terror. She wasn't harmed—the shield protected her within, and his element would never harm his mate. But even though she was sitting atop a dragon surrounded by a shield of sizzling fire hot enough to melt stone, she held on for dear life.

His mate was strong, and Braeden knew he couldn't disappoint her. He'd get them both out of here, no matter what it took.

At the moment of impact, the guarding dragons were bowled out of the way. They never even touched him; his shield of fire protected him.

Behind him, he heard roars of pain and dismay, but he didn't dare to stop.

Steele was still behind him. Braeden could feel his presence. If he slowed down even for a heartbeat, they'd be lost.

And then he could feel a sensation that made the skin between his shoulders prickle.

Behind him, energy was gathering. There was a sudden surge of power. Part of it was familiar—there was the burning heat of fire.

But there was also something darker. Something his own element couldn't penetrate.

That's not possible. He's a fire dragon, and I'm the master of fire...

The attack came so suddenly that he barely had time to throw up another shield. A projectile of flames was breathed at them from behind, a lance of fire so hot it burned white—hot enough to melt stone.

But there was more than just the fire.

Fire belonged to him. Fire obeyed him.

But as Braeden desperately raced towards where the tunnel led into the huge, old volcano vent, something bitter and dark twined around the projectile coming towards them.

Shadow. Smoke.

For a split second, he felt Steele's attack crash into his shield, fire burning fire.

Steele had wounded the ocean dragon before—but in a battle of fire against water, why shouldn't fire win?

Braeden’s shield was strong. He was the master of fire.

And still he felt the attack cut through his shield.

Something dark and cold touched him, coiling around him like a tendril of smoke.

Impossible!

At the same time, something struck his leg.

He gasped for air—and the smoke entered him, burning in his throat, acrid and stinging.

His leg ached fiercely. He didn't falter even once as he ran towards the exit as fast as he could, but now every step was accompanied by a stab of pain. Agony pierced his leg every time he put his weight on it.

His heart was pounding in his chest. Alyx was still clinging to his back—and Steele was still behind him.

Steele, who was a fire dragon, and who'd nevertheless managed to wound Braeden, who was the master over all fire.

Braeden had counted on his element to hold off Steele and make his escape. But now, as he hurtled towards the volcano vent, he began to realize that his situation was way worse than he'd expected.

Steele could break through his defenses.

And that meant that Braeden couldn't protect Alyx. Not if they'd have to make their way back through the small tunnels to the sunlight.

He made his choice in a split second. There was no other way now.

I have to keep Alyx safe.