Page 10 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

“I’m not afraid.” There was a small spark of defiance even as her heart beat faster.

“Good. You can get settled in while I do the dishes.” I put the plates in the sink.

“I’ll do the dishes.” She stood behind me.

I turned, folding my arms over my chest and blocking her view of the dirty plates. “You’ll do no such thing.”

“Is this a part of the mate stuff?” Panicked, she took another step back.

I’d have to be cautious about discussing fate if she was so skittish about the topic. Though there was much to explore.

She didn’t realize how special she was. Not just to me, but to our entire species. It’d been years since we’d seen any other fated pairs. Centuries without a new dragon birth.

I wasn’t sure if Riley’s body could carry our young, but the thought of fattening her with child had my balls aching in a primal response.

If it was meant to be, it would happen.

But I wouldn’t test that yet.

Not until she’d gotten more color in her face and accepted my presence in her life.

“No, this is a ‘you’ve had a hard time’ thing,” I said. “Go relax and take a bath while I clean up in here.”

“Things wouldn’t be so hard if you hadn’t kidnapped me.” She glared from under those long eyelashes.

Down, boy,I scolded my dragon as he unfurled his wings. “My apologies for the shocking flight. It was an effort to rein in the protective urges of my beast, knowing my mate was out there without me. I promise you, I’ll keep the dragon on a leash now.”

For a while.

“And I’m supposed to trust you,” she said.

I shook my head. “Kieran must be failing as a scholar if he didn’t teach you the first thing about dragons yet.”

“And that is…”

“A dragon always keeps his promises.” I smiled, loving the way the corner of her lips quirked in response automatically, as if she couldn’t help but be drawn in by our bond.

My dragon sighed as a deep-rooted happiness settled in my chest.Fate has done us well.

Everything would work out perfectly.

5

Riley

Lavender Bath Salts

This is crazy. I need to get out of here. He’s insane.

I stood with my back to the bathroom door, breathing in and out as I tried to calm my racing thoughts.

The problem was that he didn’t seem insane.

But I knew better than to trust first impressions. Hadn’t that been my mistake with Drew? Because my ex-boyfriend was certifiably insane.

He’d never admit it and I’d never say it to his face, but the past few weeks had given me a sort of clarity as I dug through all the memories of our relationship and held them up to the light.

I’d learned not to trust my instincts.

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