Page 20 of The Heart of the Dragon

"Why are you looking at me like that?"

"Like what?" I said through lips pressed tightly together.

Her face bloomed red as she read the hunger likely etched across my face.

From the moment I'd encountered her in the cemetery, I'd known there was something different about her. But I couldn't put my finger on it then, and I could even less now. She was human, and they were fragile. What need would a dragon have with one of them? My magic tingled at the base of my neck, but that part of me remained locked up tight, leaving me no choice but to figure this out without my dragon.

I lifted my nose into the air and breathed deep, acutely aware that what little I scented was only in this room and not nearly as strong as I was used to. Even the woman in front of me didn't smell as she had before. Was my condition worsening?

"It doesn't matter," I said, finally answering her question. I was too pissed off about my situation to even think of examining why my body reacted to hers under these circumstances. I should be a hairs breath away from wrapping my hands around her pale, slender neck and squeezing the life out of her for what she’d done to me. Not thinking about the warm heat between her legs and what it would feel like to sink inside her.

Although the idea of making her scream appealed, nonetheless. I just wasn't sure if I wanted her screaming in pleasure or in pain.

My body jerked at my wild thoughts, forcing me to put more focus on the woman - Rose. The name suited her. Besides the red hair that curled around her face, she had features that reminded me of a delicate flower.

A small nose, green eyes that were a little too widely set, but so full of fire it was hard to look away. And fair skin that blushed a pretty pink every time I said something that made her nervous. The freckles across her nose and cheeks were the only thing keeping her from perfect porcelain skin. But they didn't detract from her looks—quite the opposite—they were like the sprinkles across a perfectly frosted cake.

I scowled at my comparison. What the hell was wrong with me?

"If it doesn't matter, then stop staring at me like you plan to do something vile to me." Her frown deepened, and I swore I could almost see a touch of true fire in the depths of those green eyes this time.

I stepped closer to get a better look because if there was magic inside her, I was going to find a way to draw it out and use it to fix my dragon.

"Stop." She held up her hands, as if that would keep me from doing anything. "Don't take another step. I still have access to my shotgun, and I will use it if I have to."

"Because taking my dragon wasn't enough. Now you want my life? I think it is I who should be askingyouwho you are. Did the king send you here? Is that what this is about? It couldn't be a coincidence that you happened to use the one plant that could maim or kill a dragon."

She inhaled sharply and shook her head. "I can't tell if you are serious or not when you say stuff like that. Are you trying to yank my chain or are you just delusional?"

I narrowed my eyes. "I don't see a chain wrapped around your neck for me to yank on, but if that's what you'd like, I'm sure we could fashion something to make it work."

Her mouth dropped open, and a smile crossed my face in response. My dark heart rather enjoyed the idea of chaining Rose and seeing where that led. If she wanted to play dangerous games, I was up for the challenge.

"You're a beast," she said, an angry scowl crossing her face.

"I told you I was. You chose to believe I lied."

"Because it's a ridiculous story. Fae and dragons? Come on. While I believe in some basic craft, what you are spouting goes way beyond the impossible."

“Fine.” I shook my head. “If it's proof you need...”

I reached for the belt at my trousers and began to unfasten them. Why keep arguing when I could just show her?

Her eyes widened. "What in the hell are you doing?" she asked, backing away until her backside hit the cupboard behind her and halting her escape.

"Like you said. There are differences between the fae and humans. But not many when dragons take their human like forms. In fact, there is only one that I am aware of. My cock."

The color drained from her face. "Don't you dare."

"And how will you stop me?"

Chapter

Nine

Rose

A shiverof fear ran down my spine at Magnus's words. Once again, I was rethinking my rash decision to bring him here. I knew next to nothing about him, other than danger emanated from him.

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