Page 68 of To Match A Dragon's Fire

“She’s been sleeping more than usual.” He removed his bifocals and grabbed a muffin, eating it in one bite before leaning his large backside against the stone bench. “Speaking of women, word is that you’ve got a little lass up there waiting for you.”

I cringed under the suggestive tone in his ancient voice. “Are you and Fred gossiping again?”

“My cousin keeps me fed with stories.” Bemouth grabbed another muffin. “You just keep me fed.”

“Is there anything else you need?” I looked around the darkened cave.

It was quaint for a dragon, but maybe there could be more. I could hire out some semi-trucks. Move a few things around…

“What’s with that look in your eye?” Bemouth watched me closely.

Despite his age, he didn’t miss much. I’d studied under him as a hatchling and owed most of my intelligence to this beast. That made it hard to admit failure to him.

“I’m thinking about relocating.” There, I said it out loud.

Bemouth set down his muffin. “This thing with the human. It’s serious then.”

“It’s not a thing,” I growled, feeling young and rash as the words left my mouth.

Bemouth gave me a knowing smile. “There it is. He said you were different lately. It’s been a while since I’ve seen a spark in you.”

“Different?” I took a deep breath, crossing my arms as I leaned back beside him and trying to maintain my calm.

It was this place. The human chained to the walls. My skin crawled with the need to leave. To kill. To do something to make this stop.

“That fire. The protective rage.” Bemouth chuckled. “It makes life spicy, doesn’t it?”

“I have no clue what you’re talking about.”

“You don’t?” He studied me.

Damn old dragon.

Perceptive as always.

“It shouldn’t be possible,” I grumbled, looking away. It physically pained me to bear ignorance in this. “How is it possible?”

“What exactly is it you’re asking?” He delighted in torture, making me spell everything out.

“The human woman, Ember, I believe she is my fated mate.” I stood firm in my conviction, straightening my shoulders as I spoke. “I know without a doubt she is.”

“All things are possible.” Bemouth smiled, showing his sharpened fangs. “Unheard of? Yes. But that doesn’t mean it can’t happen. Just that it maybe hasn’t happened yet.”

“This changes things.” I dragged my hand over my head, looking about the room again. “I need to make things happen for her safety. For all of us.”

The look I never wanted to see again crossed his face. It was the same expression he’d given me when I’d moved him here against his will, knowing it’d be his grave. “You’re going to have to leave us.”

I shook my head, unwilling to let go. “I’m not some two-bit royal hoarder who throws away a penny that doesn’t shine. We can figure something out.”

“It’s time, son.” Bemouth rested his meaty hand on my shoulder. “We can’t go any further than this. It’s been a good ride.”

“No,” I said firmly, feeling my dragon unfurl within me. “We’ll figure out a way.”

The chains in the darkened cavern rattled.

“We’re of no use to you anymore.” Bemouth sighed at the sounds of his mate waking. “She’s gone to the beast and I’m out of ideas for this prophecy business. Maybe if I were younger, I could find a loophole. But my brain isn’t what it used to be.”

“Don’t you fucking say that.” I handed him the pouch of meat as a vicious dragon roar filled the cavern.

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