Dragonmark Read Online Free Page B

her.”
    â€œWhy’s that?”
    â€œShe’s an orphan with no property. No dowry. No family. All she has in this world is that old war bow she carries. Pathetic, really.”
    And yet she who had so little held more kindness than any of the rest. The last thing that made her in Emanon’s eyes was pathetic.
    As he watched her racing against the others, his respect for her grew. They did everything they could to trip her, knock her from the path, or cause her to veer from the goal.
    Edilyn didn’t falter or stumble. Steadfast and determined, she ran with her head held high and kept her gaze on the goal, without regard to any of the others or the tricks they used to foil her journey. Nothing and no one could stop her.
    In the end, she crossed that finish line first. Way ahead of the others.
    It’d been a long, long time since he’d seen such intrepid courage. Instead of congratulating her for the achievement in spite of their ill behavior, they glared. Their hatred increased to such levels, he could feel it as a living creature slithering in the air around them all. It raised the hairs on the back of his neck to see such tangible evil.
    Still, she continued on with resolute grace. She even glanced at him, smiled, and waved.
    Stunned by that unexpected act, he gaped and felt the most peculiar fluttering inside his stomach. One that only fueled his hunger. He had no idea what it was. Never had he experienced anything like it.
    Brushing at the perspiration on her brow, she went to retrieve her bow for the last round of games. He didn’t miss the way her exotic features softened ever so slightly the moment her hand touched the wood.
    Aye, it was exceptionally dear to her.
    With an adorable bite to her lips that betrayed her uncertainty, she brushed her gloved fingers against her father’s engraving as if taking comfort from it. Then she moved into place before her target and carefully nocked her arrow. She held the bow and arrow low to her thigh while she waited patiently for her turn.
    One by one, the archers released their shots.
    When it was her turn, Edilyn lifted her arms with the mastered precision that came from years of practice. “You’ve got this,” she whispered in a tone so low, he was sure that he was the only one who heard it.
    But as she pulled back the string for her release, the unthinkable happened.
    Her bow snapped in half. The top part, along with the arrow, fell to the ground, while the bottom remained in her firm grip, tethered by the string.
    â€œNo!” Tears filled her eyes as she lost the last link with her father.
    The immaculately dressed Morla tsked at her. “Shame, that. But it’s not like anyone was ever going to choose you anyway. No one was even looking.” Then she made her shot.
    Emanon took an involuntary step toward Edilyn before he even realized it. Yet he knew there was no comfort anyone could give her for what had just happened.
    For what the rich bitch had just rudely and needlessly taken, without regard of consequence or compassion.
    Morla had cracked Edilyn’s precious bow to remove her from the competition because she knew she lacked the skills to compete. Because she’d been unwilling to spend the years it took to learn the skill. Nor did she care what she robbed from another. All that mattered was that she got what she wanted. To hell with the rest.
    How could she?
    Suddenly, a loud cry rang out. No sooner had it settled than the crowd around them erupted into a vicious attack party. Cloaks were thrown off soldiers who’d come in under the guise of celebrants.
    Morla and the rest of the humans who’d been competing to be mates for the dragons scattered to hide.
    So much for being warriors, or for showing any skill. That said it all about their loyal bravery.
    The only one who stood her ground was Edilyn.
    Seizing Morla’s dropped bow, she slung her quiver over her back and began aiming for their