Free Blood of the Dragon (Her Dragon's Bane 2) by Harmony Raines Page A

wouldn’t have turned out like they have.” For the first time she noticed how tired Connor looked, and sad when he added, “I might never have found you.”
    “True.” Serena tried to shake off her bad mood. “She’d better not expect me to be grateful though. That is never going to happen.”
    “I think she knows that.” He let them into the house.
    The other three were walking a little way behind, Charlotte looking even younger than her fifteen years, her face pale and drawn. Hating having to go anywhere near Tara, Serena went back and helped her sister. Wordlessly she looped Tara’s arm over her shoulder and supported her as they reached the house and went inside the sanctuary of the dragon's home.
    “Wow,” Charlotte breathed as they reached the great staircase.
    “Serena said you’d like it,” Connor said.
    “It’s amazing.”
    “Perhaps ... when you're feeling rested, of course, I could give you a guided tour.” Serena had never expected to hear nervousness in Zoah’s voice. His brashness seemed to have faded in the presence of Charlotte.
    “I’d like that,” Charlotte said, smiling at Zoah.
    Serena kept silent, she would speak to Zoah later, remind him of Charlotte’s age. They no longer lived in the middle ages when teenage brides were given to men. There was no way Charlotte was going to be a virgin sacrifice until she was eighteen. No scratch that, thirty at least...
    “Come on, let’s get you washed and into bed,” she said to Charlotte. “Zoah, perhaps you can take Tara to wherever it is you’re going to put her.” She slipped away from the witch, who collapsed down onto the stairs.
    “Can you find her a room?” Connor said to his brother. “Serena, why don't we take Charlotte to your room.”
    “Great. That’s what I was thinking.” Serena wrapped her arms around Charlotte again, and held her close. “I can’t believe you're here, and safe.”
    “Neither can I. It’s been forever since I’ve had a proper bath. There was nowhere to shower properly at the church, and I hated having to take my clothes off to wash. There always seems to be some old man or other watching. Disgusting.”
    “You’re not keen on old men then?” Serena asked, making sure she caught Zoah’s eye as she spoke.
    “No. They’re weird, and crusty.” She shuddered.
    Despite herself Serena smiled. “I’m glad you're here Charlotte.”
    “Me too. Is there anything to eat.”
    “Do you think you can find your way to your room?” Connor asked.
    “Yes, I think so.”
    “Then I’ll go make something for Charlotte. And you, you must be starving.”
    “I think we all are. It’s been a long day.”
    Serena took Charlotte along the hallways to her room. Her sister’s attention was continually grabbed by some antique or other. She stopped to look at old portraits, and to reverently touch old tapestries. “This place is amazing.”
    “They’ve been collecting stuff for years.”
    “It must be worth a fortune.”
    “To them it holds memories of times gone by. I don’t think either of them are too big on the modern age.”
    “I can see why when they’ve lived through such interesting times. I can’t wait for my private tour.”
    Serena paused, they were nearly at her room. “Just promise me you’ll be careful.”
    “In what way?”
    “Zoah. He’s a ladies man, you know. And you're so young.”
    “And he’s so handsome.”
    “Charlotte, I’m serious. You’re still a child.”
    “Listen, Sis. After all of this, I have no interest in men, or boys, or anything other than going back to school and getting on with my life. I’d love to explore the house, but there is no way I’m stupid enough to fall for a dragon ... Oh, sorry. Didn’t mean it like that.”
    “I know. But never say never. Right?”
    “What’s that supposed to mean?”
    Serena shook her head, digging herself deeper into a hole. “Nothing. Forget it. You’re sensible enough to work it out.”

Chapter Eighteen -