Dragonmark Read Online Free

guests of honor.
    The dragon clan.
    Her lips involuntarily curled as they entered the hall in all their expensive finery. Their dark leather armor was trimmed in gold and silver that glimmered in the bright sunlight as it spilled in through the windows. More beautiful than any human, they were here for the Winnowing—to choose the best, noblest warriors of her clan to be their partners in war.
    And life.
    Supposedly, it was the greatest honor to be chosen by them. The men and women of her clan clubbed each other for the chance and spoke of little else the rest of the year. All the eligible youth practiced for this day, hoping to be among the ones taken to live with them.
    It was the last thing she wanted.
    â€œWhy do you tremble so?”
    Rage. But she didn’t answer the old man. She couldn’t.
    â€œAre you afraid?”
    â€œNay,” she scoffed.
    â€œNot even a little?”
    She shook her head. “Not even a little,” she repeated his words. “Merely concerned that I might make muster.”
    â€œWhat do you mean?”
    Pain lacerated her soul at his innocent question that forced her to remember things she wanted to keep buried. But what was the use? And before she could stop it, the truth tumbled out of her lips. “Every year I audition for the brenin with my skills, and I best all my clansmen.”
    â€œThen what’s the problem? Why aren’t you mated to a dragon?”
    â€œDon’t want to be. Rather, I want the brenin to choose me as a marchoges.”
    â€œBut not for the dragons? Why?”
    â€œBecause she knows she’d break their backs and cripple them,” Gryffyth said as he walked past them.
    His friends burst out laughing.
    Stifling the urge to toss something at the arrogant prick, Edilyn narrowed her glare at Gryffyth’s worthless hide while he and his cronies vanished into the crowd.
    But she wasn’t so callous.
    She turned back toward the old man. “I’ve no interest in being chosen by the dragons. In fact, I never appear for the Winnowing. Rather, I withdraw before it begins. I want to stand on my own. But the brenin refuses me. Every year. He only wants draigogion for his army.”
    And speaking of, the call rang out for the contestants to gather.
    She glanced down at her guest. “Do you need anything else before I join them?”
    â€œNay, my lady. Good luck to you.”
    â€œAnd to you, my lord…” Heat crept over her face as she realized how rude she’d been to him. “I’m so sorry that I forgot to ask your name. How thoughtless of me.”
    â€œYou’ve been anything but thoughtless, dear Edilyn. Call me Emanon.”
    â€œLord Emanon. It’s been my pleasure to assist you.” She gave him a slight bow, then ran to join the others.
    Emanon sat in silence as he watched Edilyn push her way through the crowd. Taller even than most of the men, she held an exotic kind of beauty that made her stand out from the others. Or maybe it was her zest for life. Her innocent exuberance in the face of their negativity.
    She was a beacon through their dull storm.
    He’d never seen anyone so determined in the face of adversity. Rising to his feet, he kept to the outer edge of the crowd so that he could watch her compete. Like a free-flowing ebony banner, her long black hair blew behind her as she raced to her place beside the others. Her cheeks were mottled bright red from her exertion while her ample breasts rose and fell with her excitement.
    Aye, she had a lush, full body that said her appetite wasn’t just for life, but was robust in all things.
    Several of the women curled their lips or rolled their eyes at her approach.
    She smiled in response and boldly wished them luck. She was such a cheeky, jovial lass, dressed in a garishly orange tunic that fell to her feet. It was interlaced with green and blue that seemed faded or smeared. She’d placed sprigs in her hair and horned