Page 26 of Storm of Blood and Shadow

What have I done?

I’ve encouraged him and given him hope. I should never have allowed that kind of intimacy between us. He doesn’t know what I do—that my body isn’t able to carry his offspring or anyone else’s. Even if by some magic I was transformed into a dragon, I might still be infertile. And while I’ve had time to come to terms with that reality, it would be a terrible disappointment for Varex.

It was cruel of me to play with him, a virginal dragon whose species’ survival depends on his brother’s dubious plan.

Perhaps that is the weakness I should exploit—his loyalty to his brother. I need to show him the flaws in Kyreagan’s scheme.

Getting to my feet as gracefully as I can, I walk over to the makeshift bed he prepared and drape myself across the coarse material of the blue flag.

“You seem to like my body the way it is.” I let my fingers trail up my thigh, along my waist and my side, all the way up to my breast. “You seem to prefer human bodies in general. Are you sure you want me to change permanently into a dragon, Varex?”

His eyes narrow, and he huffs loudly, like the thought disturbs him.

“Well, do you?” I persist.

“I have no choice in the matter.”

“Of course you do. Does your brother even know anyone who can perform such a spell? It doesn’t seem possible. What if no magic can achieve your brother’s goal? Will you let me go then?”

He looks away, toward the dark mouth of the cave.

“You will,” I say softly. “Because you’re kind. You made this bed for me, placed these flowers for me. And the jewelry—is that for me, too?”

His head swivels back toward me, his eyes brightening. “Yes. Do you like it?”

I swallow hard, knowing at a glance that the four necklaces laid on the stone could buy my family a decent home in the city.

“You’re very generous,” I tell him. “I feel silly for trying to bribe you with the gold coins from my bag.” Realization sends a blaze of fear through me. “My bag! I left it in the cavern. What if someone takes my gold? My family needs those coins.” I get up and grab my dress, holding it against myself.

“I’ll fetch the bag for you,” Varex assures me.

“You shouldn’t, not now.” I press one hand to my forehead, striving for clear thought despite my weariness and panic. “The women might be sleeping, and your arrival might scare them.”

“I’ll be as quiet and gentle as I can. Besides, I should check on them anyway, and ensure that they are safe and well-guarded for the night.”

The way he says “quiet and gentle” piques me a little. For some reason it conjures the image of him licking another woman the way he licked me, savoring her arousal the way he savored mine.

I can’t bear the thought.

“Don’t taste any of them,” I say sharply.

Varex hesitates, poised in the mouth of the cave, the light of the heated stones gleaming on his dark scales. He’s graceful, powerful, beautiful… and much too charming, as I realize when he says, in his smoothest, richest tones, “Yours is the only flavor I crave.”

My mouth goes dry, and I can’t respond.

“Do you need me to bring back anything besides your bag?” he asks.

“Some water,” I croak.

“Of course.” His gaze drops to the pool of cum on the floor.

“I’m not drinkingthat.”

He chuckles. “I was only thinking I should clean it up. We dragons try to keep our caves in good order. At least, most of us do. Stand back.”

I retreat a few steps, and he aims a crackling blast of purple lighting at the puddle. It vanishes with a sizzle, leaving a blackened scar on the stone. There must have been a little void magic blended with it. A chill passes over my skin as I realize afresh how powerful he is.

Varex cocks his head. “Imperfect, but it will do. I will return shortly.”

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