Total pages in book: 111
Estimated words: 115388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 115388 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 577(@200wpm)___ 462(@250wpm)___ 385(@300wpm)
He smelled like Korin.
He’s connected to the dragon somehow. But what could link a man to a dragon?
"Your fragrance," his voice twisted along her spine, "It reminds me of a powerful creature that I have not seen for over a hundred years.”
“Y-you have lived longer than a hundred years?”
“Yes.”
“How?”
“It is my way.”
“What way?”
“I wonder. . .could you be. . ."
"I-I don’t know what you are talking about."
"You were not born here, so. . .who found you?"
She flinched. "I’m not to tell that story."
"But you will for me." He leaned his head to the side. "You will because you have always been curious to know who you are and what you are. And from my smelling this kingdom. . .you are the only one here who looks like you. Am I correct?"
She trembled.
"Who found you and how?"
"My. . .parents."
"Who you think are your parents."
"They raised me."
"But they did not birth you. Did they?"
"N-no."
"And how did they find you?"
She shook her head.
"Tell me."
She whispered. "My mother says. . .they found a large blue egg in the middle of the forest.”
His eyes widened in shock. “An egg. How. . .big was it?”
“My father says that the egg was the size of a big chair and just as wide.”
Shock covered his face.
He studied her for several silent seconds and then whispered, “Please. . .tell me more.”
“My parents had no idea what could have laid the egg, but they were poor and starving, so they took it home to eat. They both had to carry it.”
“Dear Gods. How could this be?” He grinned. “Tell me more.”
“But. . .”
“Please.”
“It took them a long time to carry the egg back home and then into the kitchen. Once they did, they set the fire for the oven and gathered tons of tools to crack it open. But then the egg began to crack on its own—"
"It was the heat from the oven that triggered the Becoming."
"The becoming?"
"Yes, little one."
She shivered. "What am I?"
"What did your parents say came out of the egg?"
"A little brown baby. Me."
"Intriguing."
"What am I?"
"I cannot tell you, because your brain would not allow it. But. . ."
She raised her brows.
"I could show you, little one."
Her voice trembled. "Why do you smell like Korin?"
He blinked and then more shock covered that handsome face. “You smell Korin?”
“I do.”
His pupils flared. The temperature between them rose like breath against glass. “Hmmm. Do you not like the smell? Or. . .do you like it too much?"
Sol blushed. "Tell me why you smell like him."
"I am something that you would not understand."
"What is that?"
"Your questions. They are not good ones. Therefore, I am not triggered to be honest." He inched forward.
She stepped back.
He smiled, and her heart skipped.
A smile like that was not safe. It was sin with full lips.
He spoke. "You see, the type of. . .being I am. . .well, I cannot lie. I must answer you truthfully."
"How do I know that?"
"I cannot lie."
She studied him.
What sort of being cannot lie? And even more important. . .why is he telling me that?
Her mind spun.
Then she thought of something.
Test him.
She swallowed. "Were you following me tonight?"
He nodded. "Yes."
"Why?"
He smiled faintly. "Not a good question."
It must be yes or no questions that force him to be honest.
She let out a long breath and steadied herself. "Did you plan to kill me?"
"No."
"Did you want to. . .take me?"
He clenched his jaw, clearly not wanting to answer, but forced to do so anyway. "Yes."
She flinched. "Why?"
He exhaled like a man just freed from a snare. "Finally. A question I can dodge."
"Are you going to take me back to Korin?"
"That is a question that provides wiggle room for me to not know how to answer."
She narrowed her eyes. "Why are you telling me how to ask you questions?"
He said nothing.
She shook her head and thought of a better question. "Do you. . . want me to know your weaknesses?"
"Yes."
Why does he want me to know that? What could it be?
She thought for a little bit, and then asked, "Do you want me to trust you?"
"Yes."
"Do you want to be my friend?"
"I do not know."
"But you do not want to kill me?"
"I do not want to kill you."
"But you do want to take me?"
"Yes."
"Where?"
He smiled again. "Many places."
Her knees weakened.
This was not a man.
This was a riddle wrapped in heat, carved in hunger, and dressed like desire.
He raised his eyebrows. “When did your power begin?”
“Begin?”
“Yes.” He gestured to her hands. “When did the ice start sprouting.”
She pursed her lips.
“You’re not knowing what you are. . .your body must feel quite. . .good to release it.”
She parted her lips in embarrassment.
The man licked his lips. “Have you orgasmed from the release?”
“What? N-no.” She stepped back, fists clenched, ice coiling beneath her skin like smoke made of snow. Her body was shaking again—not from fear, but from heat and cold crashing.