Page 227 of A Dance of Water

She had fallen asleep!

And her head was still attached to her neck.

Soft rumbles filled the cavern. The dragon was lying upon the stone floor, his large onyx head resting on the ground, snout pointed toward her. Lazy green eyes blinked up at her, wings tucked closely to his side.

He was almost… endearing.

Cocking her head, she croaked, "You w-won’t hurt me, right?"

The dragon raised his head, smoke puffing from his snout, warming her, before he blinked and settled back down.

His non-answer did little to calm her fear.

The night wore on with torturous slowness. Above, the sky remained dark; the nippy air stung her nose with every inhale—but she never felt the true intensity of the weather, for the dragon before her filled the room with his warmth.

Her neck ached. The only thing keeping her upright was the rope around her and the strength of the stone pillar at her back; otherwise, she would crumple to the ground.

It was a losing battle against sleep. The time between each blink grew further between.

The dragon seemed to sense her fatigue. His long tail swept across the stone floor, making her shift her feet away, but he only chased after her, the end wrapping around her ankle, just resting there, holding her. She wiggled her toes, feeling the softness of his scales against her skin, like warm silk.

Rest,the dragon demanded.I will keep you safe.

The Binding mark pulsed, and she finally faded, forced to fall into unconsciousness while the dragon watched over her.

70

DEVOUR HER

VALE

The dragon wanted to devour her whole. But not to consume.

White hair fell around her shoulders, sticking to her skin, while the rope dug into her stomach and arms.

She had winced. It caused her pain. And for that, the dragon wanted to tip his head back and let loose a roar so deafening it would crumble the mountain around them and?—

No.

That would kill her. He did not want her to die. Never.

His tail coiled around her ankle. She sighed, neck lolling against her shoulder as she slept. Soft, soft. She was so soft. Her skin was like silk. But she was cold. Needed to be warm. He could take her somewhere warm and dark and safe.

His den.

At the thought of the island off the coast of Serpentis, a mere few hours’ flight from the castle, he ran a forked tongue over a sharp tooth, a grumble radiating from his chest. She stirred, a tiny crease forming between her brows as she shifted against the stone behind her.

Sleep, the dragon let the order drift to her, filling her mind.

Immediately, her limbs grew lax as she settled back down.

Mine, mine.

Mine.

Possession filled him. Instinctively, his tail tightened even harder around her slim ankle—this time, she did not stir. He ran the end over her bare foot, in awe of her softness, before skimming it up over her leg. He wanted her warm. And safe.

Pretty on a bed of furs while he curled around her, giving her his heat.

---