Dragons and spellcasters mate for life. The connections they form are beyond the physical. Kestrel had such a bond and lost it. For five hundred years, she had been alone. Then she meets Andrik, the dark, brooding prince. Drawn to him like no other, she isn’t sure how he will react if she confides in him about her sordid history.
Andrik feels the same pull toward Kestrel, but can’t reconcile his past. Torn between his duties and his feelings, he defies the king to tell her the truth. Together they embark on a harrowing quest to save the kingdom and themselves.
EXCERPT
“Good, you’re awake. Now you can explain why you were after the hatchling.” He pulled his dagger from his belt.
Kestrel saw the hate in his eyes and drew back on the bed. The move sent sharp pains through her stomach. She winced, doubled over, and bit her tongue to keep from moaning. Tears came to her eyes from the jolts in her abdomen.
“We need to do this later. She’s just woken up.” Ralag spoke to the other man.
“Like hell. We do this now! You know the punishment for abducting a hatchling. There are no exceptions. She’s only faking it anyway.”
“Will you listen? She is not like those lowlife thieves. She’s different.”
Kestrel lifted her head to see the other man step toward her. Ralag placed a hand on his arm. A sharp stab went through her. She drew in a breath and tried to call upon her power, but it wasn’t responding. He reached for her, and when he touched her, the power flared to life. It raced through her blood and warmed her skin. At once, he pulled his hand away and winced. His eyes widened, and for a brief moment, she thought he looked at her as though he knew her.
“What the scales was that?” Ralag said.
The other man scowled and shook his head. His murderous expression returned. “It doesn’t matter. You’re coming with me. The king will want to see you.”
The other man grabbed for her again. Kestrel threw a ball of fire at her aggressor. She missed on purpose, only singing his arm.
A devilish smile appeared on his lips. “Spellcaster, magic fire has no effect on me. You will be brought to justice.”
Kestrel formed another ball and held it. “This isn’t magic fire. This is dragon fire. One ball will burn a hole right through you. The first shot was a warning. Now back off.”
He stepped toward her again. “No human can wield dragon fire for long. You’ll burn out in a minute or two.”
Some of her strength returned. Tapping into her dragon side was helping her recover. “You want to really test that theory?” The ball bounced in her hand. She ignited a flame in her other hand and played it over her fingers.
A look of awe swept across his face and then died away. “Ralag, how is she doing that? Unless you stole that power, too.”
She glanced at the older man. He was the first person to be nice to her in a long time. He clicked his long nails on his cane. “I’ll be damned. Her ability wasn’t stolen, Andrik. It was given to her. Child, extinguish your flames. By my word, you will not be harmed.”
She looked between the both of them. Ralag was sincere in his words. Kestrel calmed her mind and pulled the power back. When she did, she felt that little bit of Cas wrap around her and comfort her.
“Fine.”
“You can’t give your word—”
Ralag turned and faced Andrik. He drew himself up, and the power Kestrel felt from him was overpowering. “You’re forgetting to whom you’re speaking, hatchling. You will do as you’re told on this.”
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