Free Kiss of the Dragon by Christina James

sneezing
took hold of him even as he turned the far corner of the corridor.
    Craning her neck, Bianca peered into the Dragon’s darkened
chamber, uncertain she had the courage to cross the threshold. Tapestries on
the windows had not been pulled back and the only source of light came solely
from the blazing fire in the large hearth. The chamber was cast in pale gold
glitter of light that flickered unsteadily, not quite reaching the shadowy
corners.
    It took her a moment or two to put one foot inside and a
great deal of courage to push the door firmly closed behind her. The sound of
the metal latch catching echoed throughout the chamber, causing her to jump
nervously and she took an involuntary step backward. But the closed door
brought her up short, stopping her escape and she found her back pressed against
it as she took several deep breaths, fighting to control her stampeding heart.
    As her eyes adjusted to the dimness, she gazed cautiously
about the room. In the flickering light, she saw the large canopy bed, which
took up a better part of one wall, its hangings made of deep blue velvet with
gold roping and tassels decorating the corners. A coverlet of the same velvet
covered the bed while fat pillows sat high against the rich cherry headboard.
Set into the far wall was a small shadowy alcove containing a wide window seat
beneath the tall, covered windows. But it was the large hearth set into the
third wall that drew her attention. The fire blazed high, giving the room
warmth and what little light there was. Before it sat a large bathtub filled
with steaming water, waiting to be used. Her breath caught in her throat at the
sight of it and she had to force herself to move to the center of the room, her
eyes roaming everywhere as she tried not to look at it.
    “My lord?”
    Her voice was a whisper of sound but it seemed to echo in
the large room.
    Bianca had been in the chamber many times when she had been
assigned to housekeeping duties by her new stepmother. But viewing it in the
faint light of the fire, she appreciated the well-furnished apartment.
Absently, she considered that Sir Draco should have no complaints about his
accommodations. It was a room worthy of a king. Thinking of the man, she
remembered she was not alone and she searched the room for the illusive Dragon.
    “My Lord Draco?”
    “I did not think that you would actually come, little one.”
His deep voice permeated the darkened room as a low rumble, nearly causing
Bianca to jump. She whirled around to face him.
    “Why would I not come? Her Grace sent me, my lord.”
    “Her Grace or the young Lady de Neige? Which one sent you?”
    She hesitated to respond.
    “I must confess that after meeting the young Lady de Neige
in the hall this morning, I was a bit disappointed.” He moved closer to her.
    “What do you mean, my lord?”
    “Oh, I found the Beauty de Neige lovely enough, with her
golden hair and emerald eyes, but she is naught at all what I had expected. The
tales we heard throughout our journey praised her exquisite beauty, and Baron
Servais is more than pleased that they were true. But I expected
something…more.”
    “More, my lord? Perhaps it is the color of a maiden’s eyes
or the curve of her hip that attracts a man such as you?” Her voice rose. “I
find that men are very fickle when it comes to the fairness of a maiden, not
her intelligence or the sweetness of her disposition.” She challenged him, her
chin held high, looking him squarely in the eye. She believed that the true
points of beauty were more than skin deep; that beauty of the heart and soul
were what counted, and they lasted a lifetime.
    It was at that point when she remembered her position. She
lowered her eyes. She expected him to rebuke her for her outspokenness. But as
she waited for him to bodily eject her from the chamber for her impertinent
words, she became aware of where her gaze had fallen. She found herself staring
at his bare, furred chest and heat