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

matter. I'm here now, so we have to get through this."
    "We could always just go home."
    "Is that what you want?"
    He shook his head. "I want you to be with me forever, and that won't happen if we leave." He lifted his head and looked into her eyes. "Although I have no way of knowing if he can actually tell me how to find immortality."
    She leaned forward and whispered in his ear, "He knows. I spoke to Tara last night. I know what happened."
    "So you want me to fight?"
    "Do you think you can defeat him?"
    "I don't know. Yes ... yes. I know the weak places dragons shield. If I can put a spear in him, then there is a chance. But the risk is too great."
    "Connor. This will haunt you for the rest of your life if you go home now. I want you to fight ... with me by your side."
    "No. You are safe here."
    "Safe! I'm tied to a post." She lifted her hands, showing him the red welts where the rope had cut into her wrists when she struggled to free herself.
    "He won't hurt you; he only wants to hurt me."
    "Until he has defeated you, and then he will hurt me."
    "Then we leave, I can live with the consequences."
    "Listen Connor, Tara told me we can defeat him. But we have to do it together. You have to find a way of freeing me."
    "And then what?"
    "I don't know. But I know we're better side by side than on our own. Isn't that what soul mates are for?"
    "No. They are for cherishing and protecting."
    "You have a lot to learn about modern women, Connor. As soon as you have a chance, cut me free."
    "I can't."
    "Yes, you can. You dragged us here because of what Tara told you. Now I'm telling you she said the only way to defeat Marcas was for us to fight together."
    "What if she's wrong? He won't hurt you while you are tied up."
    "She saw it. She knew they were waiting for me, she knew it would be Marcas. You believed in her enough to bring us here. I can't believe I'm asking you to, but you need to trust in her sight once more."
    "Enough talk," Dòmhnall shouted.
    Connor backed away from Serena, his eyes never leaving hers. "I love you, Serena."
    "I love you too, Connor. You know what you have to do."
    He shook his head, and she knew then he did not intend to set her free. Once more, she pulled against the rope binding her to the post. It didn't give, only making her wrists sore. A trickle of blood ran into the palm of her hand, growing sticky as it dried.
    She wanted to scream at him, to tell him not to be a fool; she was strong enough to fight. However, the ground shook, chasing all words from her. The great dragon, Marcas had landed.
    Connor spun around, rage infused his whole body. His face turned red, as he bellowed his challenge. Maracas drew himself up onto his haunches, and Serena saw him breathe in, preparing to throw fire at her mate.
    “Weapons?” he asked Dòmhnall. “You cannot expect me to fight him with my bare hands.”
    “Oh, I could,” answered Dòmhnall, as he walked away.
    Serena’s heart sank, they didn’t stand a chance. Regret at not telling Connor to walk away filled her. She had been so selfish to buy into Connor’s dream of helping her live forever. Now Connor would die, and Serena would be given to another dragon. They had failed their child.
    However, Connor was not about to give up so easily. As Marcas spewed fire into the air, he ducked and rolled out of the way. “Dòmhnall,” he roared. “A weapon. He has fire, what am I supposed to use?”
    “Here.” Dòmhnall threw a sword and shield at Connor. “If you manage to draw blood, you will have passed the trial.”
    “That’s it? Draw blood?”
    “Marcas has very hard scales. I would like to see you succeed.” Then he laughed. “Actually, no I wouldn’t.”
    He walked away into the trees. Connor ran to retrieve the sword, cursing at the blunt edge. The shield was equally useless, battered and dented so it was difficult to hold on his arm.
    Still he held onto it as he turned around to face his foe.
    Marcas prowled towards him. Carefully placing his