Page 27 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

“You don’t even know me. How do you know what I deserve?”

I smiled as I tucked a piece of hair behind her ear. “What do you think I’m doing now?”

We stared at each other for a breath.

Then another.

Riley broke first, looking away. “I need to get to know you, too. They said you’ve been in battle.”

“You could say that,” I chuckled as she started walking. At least she didn’t take her arm away.

“Oh no. You’re not getting off the hook that easily.” She scooped out another handful of popcorn. “Why did Fredrick say you were, and I quote, ‘scarred, not soft?’”

Nosy old dragon.

I tsked. “Fredrick is telling stories again.”

“Why don’t you tell me a story, then?” Riley rested her head against my shoulder.

I wracked my brain for something easy to tell. A tale that wouldn’t frighten.

And settled for the truth.

“I’ve done my share of fighting,” I said, keeping my tone soft. “I was cursed with a guardian’s size and strength, so I found ways to make it useful.”

“Are you done fighting now?” There was a hint of fear in her voice. I prayed it was for me and not because of me.

“I hope to be,” I said.

It was the same answer I always told myself.

Riley studied me. My dragon puffed up with pride at being the object of her gaze.

“How does it work with your dragon? Kieran says his talks.” Her curiosity almost made him sing.

She doesn’t hate me.

“It’s not that he talks exactly,” I mused aloud. It wasn’t often—if ever—I discussed this part of my being. “We aren’t separate. I am my beast. But we don’t exist on the same plane.”

“So… he’s like a voice in your head?” she asked. “Or sensations that make you think?”

“Something like that.” I nodded.

“I’ve got plenty of those.” Riley gave a self-deprecating laugh as she looked around. I could see the moment where she beat herself up as if she’d said something crazy. Then she shrugged it off. “You know, the last time I was in a mall, my dad was taking me Christmas shopping for my mom.”

I embraced the change of topic, but made a note to remind her that there was nothing she could say I didn’t want to hear. “I’d like to meet your parents. Where are they now?”

“Dead,” she said.

I almost missed a step.

“They died in a car crash when I was sixteen,” Riley kept talking as she patted my arm. “That’s why me and Ember get along so well. Trauma bonding. We’re both orphans. That, and she gives good book recommendations.”

“I’m sorry, love. I didn’t know.”

“Don’t be,” Riley said. “It’s awfully convenient for you.”

“Excuse me?” I pulled her to a stop.

---