Page 17 of Scaled Hearts

Then again, there is something about her that stopped me from simply dispatching her the way I had the orc and elven explorers all those times. I don’t know why, but I couldn’t bring myself to end her so quickly.

This is foolish. I need to make a decision. The human will grow impatient and needy soon, and would demand answers I don’t have.

If only the other dragons could see me now. Hah! Angurus the Awful, Angurus the Selfish, sitting here, considering helping another creature in need. I didn’t even help the mice or bats who got stuck in my cave. I simply ate them and spat out their bones.

I looked her over once again, noting the way she had her hands clasped together tightly in her lap. Suddenly, I knew what to do with her. I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of this before. I had just the way to deal with this little problem.

Opening my mouth, I take in a deep breath and blow a raging gout of flames straight at her.

8

Kelly

The dragon’s flames shoot at me full force but it’s too late to stop them. I squeeze my eyes shut tightly. This is the end. I regret not saying a proper goodbye to Kara but she was asleep when I left.

At least I’m about to die knowing that I did everything in my power to save her. I throw my hands up to cover my face, not wanting to see the fire as it burns me but nothing seems to be happening. The licking flames warm my skin but I’m not burning.

What? My body isn’t on fire? I reach up, patting myself all over and realize it hasn’t even curled my hair! My jaw drops and my eyes widen. The dragon just shot me with a full blast of flames and I’m unharmed? Am I magic? The thought is absurd, but so is every other explanation I can think up.

It suddenly dawns on me that the room is far colder than it should be and I look down to see what remains of my clothes in a pile of ash at my feet.

I am stark naked.

The dragon’s head moves closer to me, nostrils flaring, and eyes narrowed as he looks me over. The gleam in his eyes has me shifting about. I’m completely exposed before him. Is he going to make me into a tasty snack?

His eyes roam over my body, taking in everything. He lingers on my hips and thighs, on my full breasts, nudging me to turn around so he can inspect my backside as well.

“Yes, yes,” he murmurs, seemingly to himself. “Your form pleases me. You will serve quite nicely.” His lips curve into a smile, too full of teeth for my liking.

I shrink back. “Serve as what? Dinner?” I demand.

He huffs, a plume of white smoke curling upwards from his nostrils, drifting towards the ceiling. He’s amused by me?

“No,” he shakes his head. “You said I must be lonely. So you’ll serve as my mate.”

His eyes twinkle and I stare at him, unblinking. “Your what?”

“My mate,” he says again, though this time his words are more pronounced. “You’ll be a good mate for me. You’re strong, intelligent, capable...and your form is quite enjoyable to me.”

I don’t feel like I comprehend what I’m hearing. I thought this dragon was just an animal—albeit an exotic, intelligent one. Now I realize he was ogling me and I shift, covering myself up with my hands. He huffs again, amused at my attempt to cover up.

“What do you mean, your mate?” My cheeks are red as I glance over his enormous body. “You’d kill me if you tried to mate me.”

His dragon parts are surely as big as my entire body! I would be split in half during a coupling!

Red eyes narrow at me. “Do you love your sister or not?” his voice rises, echoing off the cave walls. “Swear to me that you will be my mate, and I will do all I can to save her. You have my word!”

“I need to think it over,” I cross my arms. “I’m not just going to give myself over to you on a whim!”

“Take your time, little one, but just know that every moment you dither is another moment your sister grows sicker.”

His offer is tempting. I would be lying to myself if I didn’t see how powerful and intelligent he is. He would make a formidable mate.

Still, this is absurd! I cannot become the mate of a dragon! I would be rent in two the second he entered me!

What does being his mate even mean? Would he force me to stay with him in this dark, dank cave until the end of my days? Would I simply serve him or would I have toservicehim? I think about asking him the terms but then a thought occurs to me.

“I don’t even know your name!” I scowl and he laughs at my expression. It’s loud and echoes off the walls.

---