Free Dragons Live Forever by D'Elen McClain Page A

without food and you’re too skinny.”
    My irritation turns to anger.
    He continues speaking with no regard to anything I might be feeling, “You will not begin your work until you have gained weight. I want you taking it easy and regaining your strength. I am a demanding master.”
    Surly he jokes, I think sarcastically.
    “When you are completely healed, I will train you to properly care for me. You will clean these rooms and take care of my clothing. You will communicate in your strange hand language with Betty and see that my meals are prepared to my liking.”
    I began to contemplate strangling him. The “strange hand language” comment almost takes me over the top.
    He doesn’t stop there, “You will eat with me and keep me company at each meal when I am here.”
    How am I to keep him company? I can only communicate in a “strange hand language.”
    “Now eat,” he demands as he takes his first bite of food.
    It’s difficult not to toss my entire plate at his head. Would he kill me for doing so?
    “This will not work,” he finally says. I haven’t touched a bite as I silently simmer. Tahr gets up and retrieves the pen from earlier and a blank sheet of paper. “I can see anger in your eyes, but I have no clue what could possibly upset you. I am giving you a great gift in allowing you to care for me and you should be smiling.” He lays the paper and pen beside my plate. “Now tell me what has you looking constipated.”
    I eye the knife lying beside my plate then shift my gaze to the paper. The thought of picking up the knife and sticking it up one of Tahr’s nostrils is much too enticing. I calmly move my plate aside so I can write comfortably. I scribble three words. My hands aren’t even shaking when I slide the paper in front of him.
    His roar of laughter surprises me. He crumples the paper and tosses it to the floor. “Eat. I command it.”
    I eat. The food is wonderful and I can no longer deny my hunger. I refuse to look at Tahr. He doesn’t seem to care and tells me about the last treasure he stole. A lump forms in my throat as I realize, without Meagan, he must be very lonely. He should go visit his dragon friends or travel to another realm and visit with people capable of speaking aloud. No, I must stop thinking about his rudeness. He is a dragon after all.
    Betty returns when we’ve finished and begins clearing the table. I stand to help but the dragon bangs his fist and I freeze. His glare pins me to my seat. When Betty is finished, she hastily leaves the room. Tahr stands and stomps out without looking back. I reach for the crumpled piece of paper on the floor and slowly unfurl it.
     
    I hate you!

Chapter Nine
     
     
     
     
    Tahr
     
    She hates me. What a joke! And I can’t help my large grin at her feistiness. I like when a bride challenges me. No! Not a bride and I must remember that.
    I’ve decided the best way to care for Pepper is to have her care for me. That way I can keep an eye on her. Seeing her standing so close to the ledge terrified me. I slice my fingers through my hair wondering what the hell she was thinking.
    Then, there is the magic that flows between us when we touch. Magic, I can no longer overlook. I wonder if her parents were more than what they appeared. As far as I know, earth shifters and vampires don’t become ill. There’s no denying she was very sick when Meagan and I fetched her as a child.
    I pull a large section of my hair in frustration this time. I really need to visit Sarn and his mate, Sierra. It took a long time to forgive what he did to Roxy and Ashrac. Now I’m just relieved he’s finally happy. And living in the earth’s realm, he or even his mate might understand what Pepper is. Because I know she’s more than human.
    I smooth my mussed hair down as best I can. I can’t seek out answers in earth’s realm until I’m sure Pepper is fully healed and ready to take on her responsibilities to care for me. I’ve decided to wait on allowing