Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 69119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69119 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 276(@250wpm)___ 230(@300wpm)
Ah, so we were deflecting. Not that I blamed him. It was probably difficult to discuss other women with the one who’d moments ago undressed you with her eyes.
“Leopold was honorable. Brave,” I said, letting a memory wash over me. “He worked as a blacksmith. We met when dragons still lived in the mortal world. My father ruled our kind and wished us to rule over all berserker kind, not solely the dragons. He constantly struck at the other kings through the humans they protected, launching raids. Leopold was the only warrior in his village willing to fight us. He laid traps. Clever ones. Clever enough to cage and chain me.”
The first use of the Chains of O. Though, they hadn’t obtained their true power until my crying soaked the metal, and something unexpected and unexplainable happened. The alchemists later blamed trace minerals in my tears and dragon heat. They called it the Tearforge Reaction. I called it annoying.
“He was shocked to learn I wasn’t just a dragon but a woman, too.” I laughed softly at the memory. “Gradually, we fell in love. At first, he merely hid my imprisonment from villagers. Then, he set me free.”
Taron’s expression never changed, but something in him shifted. “He calmed your rages?”
Defenses engaged. “Well. Nein. But he didn’t need to. I never broke into a berserkerage around him.” Which should have been proof enough.
My companion blinked rapidly, as if attempting to fit puzzle pieces together in his mind, that refused to click.
“Leopold knew I was the only one who could end my father’s reign of terror,” I continued. “Which meant I had to leave the human realm. And I couldn’t bring a mortal to Ashmorra. Family legend promised I could make him immortal in my fire. The fabled phoenix. He wished to try. Honestly, so did I. Desperate, hopeful, I set him aflame.” My voice dropped, and the humor fled. “You know the rest.”
Silence slithered between us again, stealing air. Then, softly, too softly, Taron said, “I’m attracted to strength. And curvy redheads, though I’ve never let myself date one. For the longest time, I didn’t want to admit the monster from my nightmares was becoming the star of my fantasies.”
The confession landed like a meteor, sudden and shattering. We stared, breathless. His chest rose and fell in sync with mine.
Inside me, the dragon roared. BURN HIM.
The command hit hard. A furious lash of whip. I gripped the edge of the table to ground myself, to keep from leaping across the space and—
Kissing him? Killing him?
Ja.
“Dinner is over,” I rasped, rising too quickly, my chair scraping back. “You win this round. Only six more days. I can do this.”
I had to.
DAY TWO
After checking the palace defenses, a very necessary chore thanks to Roland’s betrayal, I considered keeping my distance from Taron. And I would have, probably, if not for the need, the desperation, to be near him. Distance was torture.
He didn’t seem to mind, following me around the palace of his own accord. We visited the throne room, where I met with one of the councilmen and the new commander of my armies.
“We should cancel the Firebound Festival,” Councilwoman Bauer said, her gaze bouncing between Taron and me. “They’ve begun setting up for the kickoff tomorrow, but with everything that’s happened…”
“Nein. There’s no better time for it.” I didn’t let myself look at Taron, who watched me unabashedly. “Cedric, Nyla and Rainer are recovering from injuries. The Hoffmanns know they’ll be killed on sight, and Lorik is busy corralling the lot of them.” I focused on Commander Granger. “I’ll triple the number of guards on patrol and set up lookouts and traps along the perimeter.”
“Consider it done, majesty.” He nodded and escorted the council member from the chamber, leaving me alone with my human, who turned his attention upward.
For the first time since arriving in Ashmorra, Taron appeared stunned, studying the murals painted across the vaulted ceiling. Next, he examined the intricately carved stone walls and the banners illustrating the various dragon fire breaths.
“Now that would have been helpful when I was learning everything I could about dragons,” he grumbled.
“You never snuck into this room during your many trips?”
He shook his head. “I only had an hour each trip before the rift closed, so I trekked only to possible entrances and escape routes.”
Grabbing his hand, I led him to a display table inlaid with hundreds of tiny tiles that formed a mosaic of dragon history. “You can trace stories as if you are reading a book.”
He drew in a slow inhale and then immediately began scanning the table. “You know how to get to a mythology professor’s heart.”
Hopefully. Nein. Nein!
Adelaide had left a selection of teacups on a silver tray, each one distinct. Some with delicate handles. Others with hand-painted fruit. One appeared solid gold.