Dragon Warrior Read Online Free Page A

“It’s said that in the auld days, females were expert magicians.”
    â€œReally?”
    She nodded. “The scrolls speak of how they used their magic to change into humans of great beauty and enter the human world. Some fell in love with human men, gifting them with part of our dragon powers to create the race we are today.”
    Kestrel balked. “Our species mere human offspring? Only half dragon? I don’t think so,” he said on a snort. “Not me.”
    â€œNo. Of course not you ,” she said, tightening the bandage so firmly he winced. For a second he could swear he heard her laugh.
    â€œWhere did you read such nonsense again?” he asked.
    â€œNonsense? Hmm,” she hummed, her lips curving in a grin. “I wonder if the council members would like to know their legion captain went around calling the sacred histories of the ancients nonsense?”
    He chuckled. “No, I suppose not.”
    The sound of their low laughter gave way to silence. Funny, he used to relish the quiet. It enabled him to focus without distractions. Yet with her, the silence seemed strained, awkward and he couldn’t pinpoint why. Only that he didn’t like it.
    â€œWell, however you do it. Thank you.”
    Her hand stilled, her big eyes blinking up at him with a look of shock and humble appreciation. Her lips opened and then closed before they parted in a self-conscious smile he found utterly charming and couldn’t help but mimic.
    â€œYou’re welcome,” she whispered, lowering her eyes submissively.
    A burst of color warmed her cheeks. The sight made his heart speed up. Before he could question or acknowledge why, a deliciously sweet perfume curled around him, teasing his senses. Kestrel closed his eyes and took a deep pull into his lungs. The smell harkened him back to the night he’d kissed her. The memory of her lips against his—wet, hot and silky smooth—poured through him, setting his insides aflame. A low groan rumbled in his throat and his fingers clutched the edge of the mattress in a white-knuckle grip.
    Gods, the primal need for her slammed into him with blinding force. He didn’t see it coming, so couldn’t arm against it. There was something about her, this fragile doctor. She intrigued him. The way her eyes never fully met his, and when they did, she would blush the most enticing shade of pink he’d ever seen.
    Kestrel wondered what would happen if he touched her, just there on her shoulder. Or lower, dragging a finger along her collarbone, or lower still, curling his fingers around her breast—what color would she turn then? Which in turn led his mind to wander to what sound she might make if he dared it. If he kissed her lips, would she mewl and squirm and make those soft little sounds again?
    â€œWhy are you here?” he asked in a strained voice, praying she wouldn’t presume the reason. Or worse, read his mind.
    â€œPardon?”
    â€œWhy are you down here with these old women?” He nodded toward the other rooms, expanding on the thought when she didn’t answer him. “Instead of the inner city with the rest of the flock.”
    Instead of with a mate.
    Damned if a new shade of pink didn’t flush across her face at his query. Kestrel clamped his jaw, realizing she probably had read his mind. At the thought, he turned his focus on the various metal instruments on the rack beside him, the paint peeling off the cave walls, anything other than the enticing female sending a riot of need through him.
    The doctor laughed and returned her attention to his prosthetic. “It’s more like what are you doing here.”
    A frown tugged at his brow. “What do you mean?”
    â€œYou’re in the magus dome .”
    His mouth opened, agape. “The caverns of magic,” he said, barely able to conceal the awe in his voice as he looked about the drab room with new eyes. “I thought this was