22

Awakening from death was a funny thing. A gasp for air usually occurred first. That was followed by a stinging of the bones and skin—the burning of one’s organs as they sparked back to life.

He'd done it more times than he could count, and each time was different. This time, he would return as a younger man.

Someone formidable—someone his enemies would quiver before with fear.

Einar opened his eyes, and beheld the darkness of the spirit world. The air was little more than smoke and fog, with glittering sparks of dead magic floating around like butterflies.

Within days, he would be ready.

Light awaited at the top of the cavernous space of black and quiet. It glowed at him, beckoning his return to the world of the living. Much of this world was of his creation, and it would never forsake him, even if his annoying brother and sister wished to see him fall.

They each came to this world at its inception, from the land of the gods. Aden.

Each had a task, and a goal, and he wasn’t sure when their paths differed.

No matter.

He’d send them away soon enough. He’d make the world new again, and start fresh if he had to.

Spirits kept their distance, watching as he materialized a new body.

The Brotherhood wasn't destroyed. No, such a thing wasn't remotely possible. This was merely a step back, and he would use it to his advantage.

A smirk came to his lips, and he licked them, noting the fullness. He glanced down, and watched flesh wrap around his bones and muscles as he hovered in the mist, above the effervescent, green Sea of Souls.

Amalia had surprised him.

His greatness creation had actually managed to kill him. There was no surprise in that. He made her powerful, beautiful, and she'd earned the skill and confidence to fight because of him.

All would fall into place.

He just needed to be patient...and at nearly six thousand years old…days, weeks, months, and years were little more than a minor nuisance.

This time—time was his best friend.


Thanks for reading! If you enjoyed this installment of the Empire of Dragons, please consider leaving a review. Book four, Realms and Ruin will be released this December.

Waking the Dark is available now!

Magic. Betrayal. Vengeance.


We lost the war...


...but not our souls.


After nearly a century at war with the blood elves, the humans have lost and now serve their enemy. As my age to serve approaches, I battle not the elves who stole everything from us...but my own people and an ancient magic that brews inside of me.