Read Online Ashes And Spirit (Book 3) by A.D. Trosper - Free Book Online

about her shoulders, and a mixture of excitement and fear of the unknown rolled off her. Though several inches taller and only about four years her junior, she seemed so young to Maleena. How long before the Shadow Riders shattered the innocence still lingering in her large, pale blue eyes?
    “All will be as well as can be. Put away such sad thoughts and focus on the joy of the moment. The future will bring what it brings, and we will face it together. Until then, live for the here and now,” came the sending from Nydara.
    A small smile touched Maleena’s lips, and she sent love flowing along the bond to the silver. “You are right, as usual.”
    “I know,” Nydara returned, a smug note in the sending. “Now, do what needs to be done so that I may meet my newest offspring and the newest rider.”
    Mckale’s voice filled the hall as he began. “Beyond this door, a future you cannot yet comprehend awaits you. Within is a very large chamber with a circle of eggs in the center. Though the chamber is large, only those Hatching and a couple of witnesses are allowed. Hatching is a personal thing.”
    Feeling as if Emallya’s spirit stood close, encouraging her, Maleena picked up the ritual. “Once we open the door, Mckale and I will step aside. You must step through the doorway and into the chamber of your own free will. Once you are in the chamber, the compulsion to bond with your dragon will overcome you. You must be absolutely sure this is the path you wish to take and accept the offered gift of the bond without reservation. If you feel any doubt at all, turn and walk away from this door. At the end of the hall, you will find someone ready to guide you from the Dragon Hold. No shame will be on you for your refusal. Shame can only be found in a false acceptance.”
    Liora stared at the doors, and Maleena could feel the pull of the call on the young woman as she answered, “I accept the offered gift without reservation.”
    With a nod, Maleena and Mckale pushed on the set of double doors until they were open. Liora walked down the hall, drawn irresistibly by the call. Serena turned and left. They would see her again when Liora exited the chamber into the caldera. With a deep breath, Maleena followed Mckale and Liora into the chamber.
    A blue egg pulsed with a soft glow, the humming filling the chamber even louder now that the rider was here. Liora walked into the depression in the middle of the chamber where the eggs were nestled, her eyes never leaving the blue one.
    The young woman reached out and touched the shell with a shaky hand. A shell Maleena knew felt like satin. With a gasp, Liora dropped to her knees. Fascinated, Maleena watched. She’d only ever been present at the Hatching of her own dragon. At the time, Maleena had been so swept up in the visions of the past given to her by Nydara as the dragon hatched, she’d seen nothing else.
    Liora’s eyes were wide as she stared into the visions her draclet sent, her hand still firmly held to the shell by a magic beyond understanding. A sob of emotion broke past Liora’s lips, and tears flowed down her face as fractures skittered across the shell and a long blue tail broke through and uncurled. Another large chunk fell away as a damp blue wing unfurled.
    A loud crack echoed off the walls. Liora’s hand came loose and the rest of the shell fell away. For a brief moment, the new blue draclet was bathed in soft glowing light that seemed to radiate from the draclet herself. Hatching emotions filled the chamber, breaking through Mckale’s shield and astounding her.
    Tears flowed as freely down Maleena’s face as they did Liora’s. Mckale slipped his arm around her waist and pulled her close. Maleena leaned her head against him as she watched the new relationship unfold between rider and dragon. The little blue unfurled her other wing, sending a clinging piece of shell to the smooth rock floor where Liora lay sobbing. Slowly, the young woman gathered herself and sat