Page 4 of To Ignite a Dragon's Desire

The air warmed as my dragon’s wings glided to the valley in the Ruby Mountains.

My oasis.

I hoped Riley would like it here.

As gently as possible, my talons curled tighter, trying to cradle the sleeping woman comfortably in my grasp. Now that I was in sight of my nest and the safety of my property, my beastly instincts relaxed.

After all these centuries, I was blessed with a mate.

She might hold the key to the future, but I’d let Kieran figure that out. He was the scribe, not me.

I was just a dragon who’d fought and bled for Earth more times than I could count.

And I was tired of it.

Earth and Her dramatics were no longer my concern. I’d found the impossible. After all my years, I knew better than anyone that this was something worth fighting for.

All I wanted to do with the remaining time I had left was get to know my mate.

I dared anyone to try and stop me.

3

Riley

Bacon

The most delicious smells surrounded me. Campfire and brown sugar. Something smoky and sweet, rich like dark chocolate. It reminded me of s’mores with my dad and mom. A camping trip the three of us had taken back when I was twelve. The stars were so bright then. Earthquakes weren’t real––just yearly drills we practiced in school, hiding under the safety of our desks.

I felt safe again now.

That’s how I knew I was dreaming.

My heart started to race before I even opened my eyes. I took inventory of my body. Everything hurt. Nothing new there. At least I was still alive.

Alive and where?

I blinked, coming face to face with a fluffy white pillow. It was unbelievably soft. And so was this bed. A stranger’s bed.

What the hell happened?

Slowly, I pushed myself up off the mattress, terrified of what I’d find. The world came back to me in awhooshas the blood rushed from my head.

How long have I been lying down?

Sunlight filtered through gauzy curtains drifting on the breeze from an open window. Birds chirped from somewhere outside.

I was lying under a white down duvet covering the mattress that took up most of the room. A pine dresser stood in the corner with a mirror on top.

I avoided looking at my reflection as I gathered the blanket to my chest.

This wasn’t like me.

I couldn’t remember the last time I wasn’t acutely aware of my surroundings. I didn’t wake up in unfamiliar places or in strange beds anymore. I paid attention and stayed on guard at all times. It was how I kept myself safe. I couldn’t afford to slip up.

Like now.

Breathe.

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