Page 77 of Dragon Blood

Astred.

Gliding in a gentle, circular downward spiral, she landed with the delicate light-footedness of an uncertain deer, her keen eyes trained on his location on the ridge above her.

The breeze pressed her scents against the far wall of the gully, robbing him of the chance to know the chemistry of her emotions before he descended.

Kai wouldn’t turn away from her.

Though he would meet her, he took his time, picking his way down the steep ridge to the glittering pool’s edge.

As he reached the bottom, stepping from the thick trees and tall grass into the clearing, she shifted into her human form, waiting, still watching him approach. The glittering cloud of magic surrounding her scales now clung to her skin with a glossy sheen, giving her an ethereal glow for a moment, until that too dissipated under the dawn light.

He passed her, drank the cool, clean water from the spring, then scented the air again now that he was closer.

Remorse clung to her as the remnants of her desire faded.

The sound of her elevated pulse tickled his sensitive ears.

Larger than most Siberian tigers, Kai stood on all fours, eye to eye with Astred, to remind her of who he was.

To remindhimselfof who he was.

In these last weeks, he’d started to forget himself, surrounded by dragons, calling to that shut-away part of his identity. That rejected aspect.

The part that The Watchers had welcomed, initiated and fostered.

And for that honor, he’d always be grateful.

Kai decided which of the voices was his. And coming home reminded him that the tiger was his primary identity. Reflective of who he was. Dragon was just an additional aspect that he could tap into when he chose—which was rare.

Important, but not defining.

The morning light crested the ridge, gilding Astred’s beautiful human form. She would always be that brilliant gold in his life, dazzling when illuminated by the purest light.

The heiress to the dragon mother’s oracle and throne of Aeleftheria stood naked, as hesitant as a fresh maiden.

The fear in her eyes wasn’t for the tiger facing her. It was for the heart of the man waiting for hers.

Her eyes shone as she looked at him, crystal clear and vulnerable, as she lifted her fingers toward the fur protecting his throat.

He remained still, allowing her to reach for him. Waiting.

A watery smile as she looked into his eyes. “You’re so beautiful. Magnificent.”

He didn’t preen under her praise.

“And deserve an equal, that I don’t think I am,” She rushed on, “You’re too good. Steady. Noble. Strong in your silence. Wise in your restraint. All the things that I am not.”

She stepped closer, sliding her arms up around his neck.

Without meaning to, he leaned into her, inhaling her scent deep into his being.

“Maybe that’s what I need. Dragongoddess knows I’ve always wanted you, since that first moment. I don’t know how to make this work, with them, out there. But I’m willing to do it, Kai. Just you and me. If—if you’ll have me.”

The thick emotion in her voice twisted his heart, making it thump harder.

Kai let go of the tiger magic, allowing her to feel the intimate changes in his body as he reduced to his human form, her arms still around him. He pulled her closer. “I told you, Red, we’ll always have what lies within. Always. No one else has a right to that.”

She went up on tiptoe, pressing her sweet lips to his. “This place… it’s your special place you told me about?”

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