Free Dragon's Lust by Savannah Reardon Page A

sang as she approached the entrance.
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    Dragon's Lust
    by Savannah Reardon
    Her heart thudded as she trod around the bones lining the floor. Inky darkness met her eyes when she gazed inside. The spring sun didn't penetrate the lair, and a shiver raced down her spine. Heaviness pressed upon her, and she drew a shaky breath as she stepped further inside.
    She heard a clicking sound and threw up her shield as a ring of fire curled around the room, licking over the earthy walls and lighting torches. A warm rush of wind buffeted Kiana and she struggled to remain upright. It wasn't until he spoke that she realized the wind was the sighing of the dragon.
    "Another human." The deep voice rumbled so soft that it almost seemed Kiana heard it in her mind instead of her ears.
    "Do you creatures never tire of dying?"
    Kiana didn't bother answering. She didn't think the monster would understand honor and vengeance. Instead, she held her sword in front of her and charged. As his tail knocked her to the side, she noticed his scales shone the color of the great ocean. Wait, that's not right , she thought before cursing herself for becoming distracted while death stared her in the face.
    She scrambled to her feet, her movements hampered by the weight of her armaments. His tail swept her back onto the ground the minute she'd risen. All the false confidence she'd gained during the long winter spent training for this moment fled. Trying a different tactic, she rolled to the side, avoiding the next tail swipe before struggling to her feet. She heard the dragon draw a breath. Quickly, she pulled her shield in 9
    Dragon's Lust
    by Savannah Reardon
    front of her and set her body, blocking the fiery plume that shot from his snout.
    The moment the hot trail subsided, Kiana sprang forward.
    The heavy sword glinted in the torchlight as she advanced on the beast. She focused so on her rush, she forgot about his tail. With one quick flick, her sword clattered across the stone floor. She scrambled after it, but the massive tail swung around and blocked her.
    In desperation, she grabbed a torch from the niche in the wall and held it out. Booming laughter echoed loud in the chamber. "You think that's going to scare me?"
    He drew a great breath and once again she braced herself.
    She thought about running, but knew she'd be cinders the moment she turned around.
    It was only a matter of time before she lost the strength to protect herself from his flames. Out of frustration, she decided not to prolong matters. With a lunge, she threw the heavy shield, but the dragon merely swatted it away. With nothing left to throw, Kiana reached for her helmet. As he drew in a breath to fry her, she yanked it from her head and threw it.
    Squeezing her eyes shut, she waited for the hot kiss of death. Instead, she heard a hissing sound and felt a scaly claw wrap around her body and lift her from the ground. "A female? They sent a female to fight me?"
    "No one sent me," Kiana whispered as he brought her up to his face. His liquid silver eyes were mesmerizing and she shook her head violently to keep from losing her thoughts. "I came because you killed my father ... and my brothers."
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    Dragon's Lust
    by Savannah Reardon
    Kiana gasped in surprise when he set her gently back on the ground. "Go back to your mother."
    Later, she realized if she had simply obeyed his command, she would have been free. Instead, she murmured, "My mother's dead."
    She trembled as he bent forward and stared into her eyes.
    "That changes things entirely."
    Kiana cowered in front of the great blue beast, waiting for the kiss of flames that would bring about her death. When his hot breath blew over her body, she flinched and whimpered softly. It took a moment for her to realize she still lived. She peeked between her clenched lids and saw the dragon watching her intently.
    "What are you waiting for? Aren't you hungry?''
    "I don't eat humans. You taste horrible."
    "But ... the bones..." Kiana gestured