Page 45 of Dragon Blood

No word from the wardens yet.

Astred perused Heidi’s small sitting room library as she waited for the shower. An entire shelf was dedicated to coffee bean development. Apparently, her new hobby involved working with South American coffee growers to create her own blends.

Astred smiled, fingers skipping along the spines.

She squatted, inspecting the titles along the lower shelves of children’s books. Her gaze flicked to the nearby wall of family photos showcasing Heidi’s sons and their own new families.

Pulling a brightly illustrated atlas from the bottom, she strode toward a reading lamp to better see it. Having a deep love of maps and all things nautical, it was impossible to resist flipping through the pages. She paused on the two-page world view spread, eyes dropping to the empty expanse of Atlantic Ocean where Aeleftheria hid. Her fingertip drifted to the coastline of North America adjacent to Black River’s location, tracing the lines as her mother had etched them into the wood. Closing her eyes, she recalled the other set of marks.

Returning her gaze to the map, she searched for the matching lines, not finding anything similar on this page.

Not until she looked at the eastern hemisphere, did she spot a section of coastline that resembled the marks. Asian coastline, suspiciously close to the region that Kai lived when she met him.

But not knowing the meaning of the corresponding dots made it impossible to confirm her suspicions. He hadn’t affirmed or denied recognition, just said‘Maybe’.

There was a white tiger in the vision, so that’s likely what it was pointing to. The tiger clan? But why?

She snapped the book closed with a growl, replacing it on the shelf.

Switching off the reading lamp, she climbed the stairs to see if the shower was free yet.

Light spilled from the bathroom door, slightly ajar. The spaces beneath the other doors in the hallway were dark. On silent feet, so as not to disturb anyone else, Astred slipped through the block of light splashing the runner, glancing up to see Kai brushing his teeth.

Pausing, her mouth went dry as her gaze took in the damp, tousled hair. His muscular arms and torso gleamed with clinging moisture from the hot shower, a towel draped so low on his trim hips, it threatened to tumble to his feet.

Pulse accelerating, she stood transfixed as powerful memories urged her closer, daring her to reach out and touch him like she used to.

That night on the beach taunted her, making it clear they still desired one another.

But he’d pleasured her and left her there.

Her gaze dropped to his strong hands, one on the countertop, the other working the toothbrush.

Hands that knew how to make herfeel. Her favorite sensation was that ofKai’swarm hands on her body.

Heart pounding now as she struggled against the unwanted feelings, she realized he was staring at her reflection in the mirror as she lurked like a peeper in the hallway.

She cleared her throat. “Almost done?” she whispered a little too cheerily.

The corner of his mouth curled around the toothbrush before he leaned to spit the toothpaste out and rinse his mouth.

Astred’s eyes dropped to the towel that slipped dangerously lower. Her tongue slid across her lower lip as she met his gaze when he straightened with a nod.

He pulled the door open wider, stepping up to the threshold.

Rooted, Astred struggled to breathe as she fought against the familiarity of the moment. A moment when she would have just slid her palms over the taut muscles of his chest and arms, inciting him to drag her against him. When she’d flick the towel out of her way to take what she wanted, with his beautiful mouth taking hers and traveling down the column of her throat to—.

“Astred?” His silky voice tugged her to the present, brow raised.

Practically naked, his skin hot and moist, she drew a deep breath of his soapy scent, tasting the clean musk of his tiger and his dragon.

Heart ticking in her ears and pulsing between her thighs, she distantly realized that she was blocking the way.

Her nipples pebbled as he leaned close, aura brushing hers, whispering next to her ear as his hand slipped over her hip, “Hot is left. The lever is stiff and requires a little play to get it where you want it.” He gently eased her back a step and slipped past her to his room. “Good night, Red,” he nodded, pushing the door open.

Eyes locked on the graceful curve of his back and wide shoulders, she met his eyes and nodded dumbly.

Astred snapped her mouth shut as Kai disappeared from view, and stepped into the steamy bathroom, clouded with his scent, shutting herself inside. Leaning against the slick wood, she closed her eyes and breathed deep.

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