Free Fatal Desire by Valerie Twombly

finger across the child’s cheek, and white light surrounded Ariana. The baby smiled at the goddess. “May the gift of light and strength be your guide, little Ariana, for one day you will save the soul of a dark warrior. Let the lightning become a beacon in his darkest hour.” She kissed the babe’s forehead then handed her back to Marcus. Ediva’s form burned bright then vanished.
    Cassie stood and looked at her mate. “What just happened here?”
    His lips pursed into a thin line. “Our daughter’s mate has been chosen.” He laced his fingers through Cassie’s and led her back to where their clothes were. “Let us hope he lives long enough to claim her.”
    “I will wait for you outside,” Lileta said and made a hasty exit, wondering who would lay claim to little Arianna once she was a grown woman. Would the girl follow her destiny or choose another path?
    * * * *
    Lileta stepped into the sunlight of Vandeldor, her thoughts still on little Arianna. She hoped the goddess had at least chosen a compatible mate for the child. Time would tell. Immortals grew up quickly, in about half the time human children did. It seemed unfair, but then when one really pondered it, to be a child in their world was dangerous.
    Lileta perched her sword on her shoulder. Baal had moved to the back side of the mountain, covering any other ways into the cavern, and the two dragons circled above. Well, at least until a small dragon landed in front of her. His black scales transformed to the man who had stood next to Caleb back at the guardian’s home.
    “Hello, I’m Diego. Caleb’s brother.”
    She gave a nod. “Hello, you must be his younger brother?”
    “Yes. Our older brother was slain during the war with Drayos.” He squatted, picked up a rock, and rolled it around in his hand. “He still blames himself.”
    She wondered why the young dragon was here divulging this information. “What happened?”
    “Diego, what are you doing?” Caleb snarled.
    “I was just leaving.” He shifted and took flight.
    She spun to narrow her gaze on the older Draki. “He was simply introducing himself. What’s your problem?” She didn’t like the tone his voice carried when he spoke to his brother. There was something about the young Draki she’d liked. In addition, she was sure he could answer some questions about the fierce man who stood before her. Questions her mind demanded answers to, though she was clueless why.
    “He has been assigned a job, and it doesn’t involve becoming a social butterfly with you.”
    Her lips pursed, not liking the way his gaze pinned her. She shifted her weight, hand tightening on the grip of the sword. The desire to shove it through his heart and get him to stop staring at her was almost too much to bear.
    “You might learn something from him, like how to not be an ass.”
    He tossed his head back and laughed. “I doubt there’s anything a dragon three hundred years younger than I can teach me.”
    “Of course, you’re right. It was silly of me to even think an old fuck such as yourself could learn compassion. Your brother is more my age, I think I’d like to get to know him better.” She turned her lips into the biggest smile she could conjure.
    His chest swelled while his hands fisted. “Don’t play games with me, Lileta.”
    Before she could stop herself, the sword moved from her shoulder and the tip touched his chest. “I take orders from no one, especially you. I am no longer your slave.”
    His eyes swirled green. “That’s funny, you didn’t take orders as a slave either. Why do you think I released you? I need a woman who can warm my bed, and we both understand you’re not it.” He leaned into the blade. “As soon as I can, I will be asking the gods to break this bond between us. In the meantime, I’ll enjoy another female writhing beneath me.”
    He stepped off the edge of the cliff and transformed, his dragon taking flight. Her heart sank to her stomach.

 
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