Free Kindle the Flame (Heart of a Dragon Book 1) by Tamara Shoemaker Page A

what you did, Ayden.” Or didn't do. What if he doesn't care what Tannic thinks?
    “What do you mean?” His face blanched.
    “Just that. I know that you have gotten yourself in trouble, and I'm willing to tell the arena overseer what I know.” That doesn't make sense. The arena overseer already knows. But HE doesn't know that the arena overseer already knows.
    He sank down weakly on his cot, one gloved hand running through his hair, standing it up on end.
    “Why would you do that? What have I ever done to you?”
    “Nothing. I mean, I—need a favor.”
    His gaze met hers now, his eyes narrowing. “What do you mean?”
    Kinna twisted her hands together and then pushed them to her side. She needed to appear confident. “I want your help to release a Dragon.”
    He stared at her, disbelief glinting in his eyes. They were gray, nearly silver. He slowly stood and advanced toward her. Kinna fought the urge to back up. He was tall and filled out and—and dangerous. Power emanated from the bunched muscles beneath his tunic. She risked a glance at the door. Perhaps this hadn't been such a good idea.
    “To release a Dragon? Which one?”
    “The Mir—”
    “The Mirage. Of course. The only Mirage in any of Sebastian's Dragon keeps, the only Mirage he's instructed us to train particularly. Not that there's any extra attention on this particular Dragon. Not that anyone would notice if he's gone. And yet, you want to release him.” He paused. “Why?”
    “Why?” Kinna did take a step back then. Ayden matched her with a step forward. “Because I—I think he deserves freedom.”
    “You think he deserves freedom.” Ayden's tone was flat.
    “Yes.” She nodded decisively. “I do.” Her voice carried a confidence she didn't feel. She took another tiny step backward and felt the door behind her back. Ayden was close now, radiating anger. She pulled her tattered courage together and forced herself to speak again. “Haven't you ever looked at it from the perspective of a Dragon? Isn't there some tiny part of you that weeps when you see those magnificent creatures buried in their dens down here, eating meat that's been killed for them, rattling in the chains of their captivity? Haven't you ever thought that they don't belong down here, that the only reason they remain in chains is because of us, because of humans?”
    She expected the same reply she'd often heard from Julian. They need us, Kinna, just like we need them. She met Ayden's gaze, silently daring him to argue.
    His silver eyes watched her, shuttered and unreadable. He was silent for several seconds as Kinna's pulse thudded in her ears. She could feel the warmth of his body, so close to hers, and a shiver traced a slow crawl up her spine.
    “And you think I'll help you release this Dragon.”
    Kinna willed herself to stare into his eyes without flinching. “Yes.” Her voice wavered, and she mentally upbraided herself.
    “You'll tell Tannic if I don't.”
    Kinna said nothing.
    His silver eyes flattened to a dull gray. He backed up and folded his arms over his chest. “Fine. What are you planning?”
    Kinna glanced about the room, searching for answers from the dark corners. “Well, I guess we need to go let the Dragon out of his den, and then ... release him.”
    Ayden gave a harsh laugh. “Yes, that's it, isn't it? Not a problem. Just ... sneak a thirty-span Dragon past any number of guards to the outside entrance, pat the fire-breathing beast on its back and wish it the blessing of the Great Star?”
    “Indeed.” Kinna turned for the door, twisting the handle and cracking it open. “Let's hurry.”
    His hand came down just above hers and closed the door again. Kinna shivered. The heat from his body behind hers warmed her tunic.
    “Not yet, my lady. Best to wait until the dead of night when there are few guards and fewer opportunities for getting caught, imprisoned, and executed.”
    Execution! Kinna forced saliva down her dry throat. She dropped her