Daryk Warrior Read Online Free Page A

stronger,
taller, capable of great feats. We can slay dragons. We are warriors beyond
compare.”
    She smiled. “Dragon slaying is an art?”
    He blinked as the effect of her grin filled his groin with
heat. By the god, he needed to go somewhere and take his cock in hand. “There
are many dragons that kill for meat. We protect the populace from such
dragons.”
    “You didn’t slay the dragon we saw.”
    “Of course not. It didn’t try to harm us.”
    “Then you don’t kill for the fun of it, for amusement.”
    He frowned. “Never.”
    She edged away until she no longer sat near him on the
pallet. She didn’t seem to like his proximity that much.
    “I read that,” she said. “About the dragon killing, I mean.
That Dragonian people have lived with dragons for time so far back no one can
remember the beginning.”
    Surprise made him sit up and stare at her. “Where did you
hear that?”
    “The Chronicles of Magon.”
    He snorted. “The requirements of your god.”
    “Your disdain is clear. Do you mock other religions?”
    “Only Magonian religion.”
    Disappointment crossed her face. “Then you are no better
than the people you despise.”
    Mia’s statement took him off guard but it went to his heart.
Eryk couldn’t believe he was sitting here having this discussion with this odd
woman. “Our country isn’t made up of one religion but many.”
    “Oh? I heard you all worship Draconus.”
    “Most do. Not all. Draconus is said to be the first one to
construct our rules for life. But this world is filled with fables and myths.
Guidelines for life but many shades of gray. Few people take it as complete
truth. There is no truth but what lies within.” He tapped his chest with his
fist. “There isn’t a black and white as your chronicle says. Many Dragonians
need rules to be happy. I don’t. I follow my own rules.”
    A brilliant smile touched her lips and he almost went to
her. Almost demanded a sweet kiss. If he kissed her perhaps she wouldn’t seem
so irresistible anymore. So damn incredible.
    She sighed again and her downcast eyes and hands folded in
her lap showed him a submission he didn’t expect. “The Chronicles of Magon is
the guidebook for all Magonian life. How we should dress, what we should think,
what we should say. You’re right. Magonia is a country of rules to keep people
in their places.”
    “Doesn’t surprise me. Boring.”
    She sat cross-legged and stared at a cave wall. “You’re a
harsh judge.”
    “Old news. I’ve been told that.”
    “And you’re proud of it.”
    “You’re reading me like an open book.”
    “You wear your pride plainly for all to see. How could I
miss it?” She tilted her head and stared at him. “But your arrogance is as
repugnant as your confidence is reassuring.”
    Shock bit him between the eyes. Her words didn’t hold a
harsh tone but he also didn’t miss the condemnation behind them. “Daryk Ones
are proud. We have a right to be. We’re not puppets.”
    “Hmm.” She looked away.
    Damn but the little chit wasn’t impressed. Women often fell
all over him if they didn’t fear him outright. Having a woman dismiss him
didn’t sit well.
    “I ran away from Magonia because of the Chronicles of Magon
and much of what it stands for,” she said. “If you wish to insult Magonia
you’re welcome to it. Boasting of Dragonian prowess won’t necessarily endear me
to it.”
    She stood and stalked toward the back of the rock shelter.
This place had seen occupation for many years off and on as a way station for
travelers. Smoke had darkened the cavern roof and people had etched their
initials into the walls and ceiling.
    Her fingers traced over one carving. “Dragonia has
fascinated me since I was a child. I wondered if what I read was the truth but
so much of it was lies. Now that I’m here nothing is going to stop me from
understanding what is real.”
    He patted the bedroll next to him. “Sleep. You can seek the
truth all you want when you