Free Heart Of The Dragon (Her Dragon's Bane 3) by Harmony Raines

didn’t.”
    “No, and that is the saddest part, without the heart stone, he cannot love his true mate. He is lost to me.”
    “Tara, I’m so sorry,”
    “I don’t need your pity. I should pity you, after all you have to deal with a heartless man.”
    “What if he had that stone?”
    “Then he would be complete, able to love again.”
    “If you had it, would you give it to him, or keep it for yourself?”
    “I have always wanted to be loved for who I am, Serena. You may find it hard to understand, but the only reason I have been of value my whole life is because of my gift. I wanted him to see me, the real me. To love the real me."
    "But without the stone he can't?"
    She shook her head. "In one way I was right. He doesn’t value my gift, but that makes me completely useless to him. If I tried to tell him I was his mate, the memories of the witch who betrayed him would come back. He would think I was trying to repeat what she did to him. I am cursed.”
    Serena knew the words she should say. But they stayed in her head. Something told her this was not the time to reveal her full hand. She intended to give the stone to Tara, but not tonight. This Tara was kinder, more helpful. If she had the stone, she would have too much power over what was to come. Tara might persuade him to keep the secret if she gained immortality from Dòmhnall heart stone. Would she really want to spend forever with Serena as company? Serena was not sure enough to risk it.
    “Tara, don’t lose faith. Perhaps if you spend time with Dòmhnall, you can make him see you for what you are.”
    “Nothing. That is what I am to him.”
    “You don’t believe that.”
    She smiled. “The worst thing is, that I have grown to hate being able to see the future. It is exciting not to know what is about to happen. It makes me feel alive in a way I haven’t done for years. But to be hated by Dòmhnall kills me at the same time.”
    “Will you help Connor and me through the trials; will you give us all the advice we need? Perhaps once Dòmhnall sees that there is such a thing as true mates he will be more forgiving. Perhaps he will learn to care for you, to love you.”
    “I should say no, you are on your own. What is the point in helping you when there is nothing in it for me?”
    “Maybe that is the point. That you need to prove to yourself that true love, true mates, can overcome all else.”
    “I think it’s time for you to leave. They are coming for you. I would appreciate it if they did not find you in my room. I do not want to experience the wrath of the Dragon Lord.”
    Serena felt sick. She was scared of what was about to happen to her, and terribly afraid for Connor. How would he react when he found her gone?
    “Remember, he has to free you. Work together, that is the only way you will defeat Marcas.”
    “Thank you, Tara, and don't lose hope.”
    “It is you who should not lose hope. I have seen what is in store for you tomorrow. You need all the hope, and luck, you can muster.”
    “We will defeat him.”
    “A positive attitude, try and keep that with you when all seems lost.”
    “I’m so scared, Tara.”
    “And I am so tired. I need to rest, shut the door on your way out.”
    Serena had been dismissed, the meeting was over and she now had to go out and meet her fate. No sooner had she walked up the corridor when her fate came walking towards her. Two six-foot dragons, with hard expressions, and a coil of rope.
    Her excuse about fetching water died on her lips. They didn't care what she was doing there. She only hoped Connor wouldn’t kick up a fight when he returned to their room to find it empty.
     

Chapter Sixteen - Connor
    He woke up, the bright sun hurting his eyes. Somewhere in the distance, he could hear Serena calling his name. He turned over, his face pressing into the dirt. Spitting dust out of his mouth, his brain tried to focus on what was wrong. It was obvious, there should not be dirt, and he should be lying in bed