Call of the Dragon (Return to Avalore Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

ministrations since she’d been a child. She wasn’t foolish enough to think people had become more tolerant of her gifts, but she knew better than to let anyone see what she could do.
    “W-what do you mean? I wasn’t doing anything. I was just checking on you.” She hid her hands behind her back as the purple haze of her healing light dissipated and disappeared. Her heart raced as the deep blue of his eyes registered in her mind. Her mouth was suddenly dry as she tried to swallow, unsure of what to do or what to say. She straightened and stepped back.
    He pushed himself into a sitting position. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to sound so harsh. I just didn’t know what to think when I woke and you were hovering over me.” His deep, sexy voice held a hint of an accent that made her toes curl.
    “It’s okay. I shouldn’t have gotten into your space. You winced and groaned. I thought your head was hurting, and I was thinking I should get you some aspirin or something.” She couldn’t very well tell him she’d been trying to heal him, he’d think she was nuts.
    “It was. It’s much better now, thank you. You’re injured. You need to take care of those wounds.” His expressive eyes narrowed, belying his calm demeanour.
    She shrugged off the suggestion. What could she do? Heal them while he watched? Go into the bedroom and heal them? No, she’d had enough excitement for one day. Having someone go nuts and call her a freak in her own apartment wasn’t on the agenda. She’d deal with the scratches later. The bleeding had stopped and although the wounds stung like crazy, it was nothing she couldn’t handle.
    “I’ll be fine. I heal well.”
    The intensity of his stare made her want to run and hide. She wasn’t afraid, which was absolute insanity, but his eyes bored into her so deeply she thought he might be able to see into her soul.
    “Who are you and why are you in my apartment?” She crossed over to the old wooden chair again. She had to sit or risk falling at his feet. Her knees trembled and threatened to buckle beneath her.
    When her question met nothing but an unblinking stare, she tried again. “Okay, I’ll start. I’m Rhia. You are?” She kept herself still even though his scrutiny had her wanting to squirm in her seat.
    His eyes widened and then narrowed. “My name is Drake Sperwell. I’m pleased to meet you, Rhia.” He paused, then added, “What a pretty, but unusual name.”
    “Thanks. It’s nice to meet you too.” She smiled.
    “Rhia” He repeated her name, rolling the word off his tongue. “I’ve never heard it before.”
    “My mom read a lot of Welsh mythology when she was pregnant. She named me Rhiannon after some queen or goddess or some other foolish thing.” Why was she telling him all this? He was a stranger, albeit a really hot one, but a stranger nonetheless.
    “I must insist, Rhia, please tend to your wounds. I cannot allow your injuries to remain.” His gaze didn’t waver.
    Her eyebrows rose along with her annoyance. “They’ll be fine. I’ll put some antiseptic on them once you leave.”
    Amusement shone in his eyes. He stalked over to where she sat, reminding her of a large jungle cat, sleek and dangerous, eyeing its prey. When he smiled, it was a stubborn I-always-get-what-I-want kind of smile that made Rhia want to grind her teeth. He bent towards her, moving excruciatingly slow, and stopped with his face just inches from hers.
    She met his glare head-on. He might be strong and powerful but she wasn’t afraid of him. Her heart skipped a beat and then began racing as she breathed his scent into her lungs again. His eyes mesmerised, keeping her prisoner. When his large hands rested on her neck and arm, she didn’t think to pull away or resist. She held her breath. For a moment, she thought he might kiss her and truth be told, she wasn’t sure if she’d stop him. His warm breath teased her lips.
    Soothing warmth seeped into her body, and she struggled not to