Free The Dragon's Queen (Dragon Lords) by Michelle M. Pillow

temperature is higher than normal.”
    Mede snatched the device from her mother. “ Of course it is. You tried to strangle me with a wedding gown. I think it’s a sign from the gods not to go to the festival.”
    Llyr tensed and had to keep himself from interrupting.
    “Nice try. You’re going. I have your word.” Then, grinning, Grace took the unit from her daughter and began scanning herself. When she finished, she turned the screen so Mede could see. “All clear.”
    “ If I have to go to the festival, then you have to go see a medic. That was the deal, not to simply use a medical unit. I believe the closest medic lives at the base of the mountains near the palace, mother.”
    Grace actually paled. “ Let me give this back to Tomos.”
    “ Your mother needs medical attention? I will send Tomos to the palace at once,” Llyr said, moving to stand.
    Mede grabbed his wrist. “ Don’t you dare. If she wants me to suffer by trying to find a life mate, she can suffer by riding a ceffyl. She hates those things.”
    “ But your father—”
    “ Right? And everyone says the gods are so good at making matches. Yet they paired the ceffyl breeder and the noblewoman who gets nervous around large animals. That’s why you don’t see any herds near the house most of the time. If you ask me, the gods are well liquored when they’re pairing us up.” Mede let go of him. He wished she wouldn’t. Her touch sent shockwaves over him. How could she not feel it too? How could he not affect her as fiercely as she affected him? Even now she looked like she wanted to hit him, when all he could do was think about kissing her.
     
    * * *
     
    Mede wanted nothing more than to claw the eyes out of Llyr’s head. Gods’ bones those eyes were dangerous. When he looked at her he made her weak inside. She hated to feel weak. And when he’d held her…oh, when he held her. She took a deep breath, still feeling every inch of his body as if it had never left hers.
    Each nerve tingled violently. Her heart raced. And, yes, even her temperature was too hot. She’d almost sarcastically thanked her mother for pointing that embarrassing fact out. As if fainting wasn’t bad enough.
    Again she looked at Llyr ’s necklace. Nothing. No glow. No destiny standing right in front of her. Just a man—a sexy, aggravatingly perfect dragon man.
    Mede stood and moved toward the back rooms so she could take off the ridiculous dress. She tried to think of something clever to say, but nothing came to mind so she stayed quiet and endeavored not to look like she was running away from the prince’s presence.
    Once alone, she struggled to get out of the corset. After she’d finally managed to wiggle it down her hips and off her legs, she launched it at the wall. It made a thwap sound before falling on the floor. Almost defiantly, she took several deep breaths. How was a woman supposed to run or fight in that horrific torture device? Mede could barely manage to walk across the house in it.
    Going to her trunk, she found herself grabbing a pretty tunic dress instead of her normal pants and shirt. Her mother would be so happy if she wore it. Even as she put the dress back and grabbed a plain shirt instead, she knew she was being childish. She slipped on her pants and boots before heading back out to the living area.
    Grace smiled at her. “ Prince Llyr is on his way to speak to your father.”
    Mede nodded and avoided looking at the prince directly. “He’s not here. Try the north valleys.”
    “ So your mother told me,” Llyr said.
    Did his voice have to be all low and smooth? She trembled.
    “Nice of you to come by,” Mede lied. If she never saw him again, never felt all shivery and weak from his touch, it would be too soon.
    “ Mede,” Grace said firmly. A smile remained on her pleasant features despite the warning in her tone. Undoubtedly, Grace wanted Mede to invite him to dinner, which would turn into twelve unbearably slow courses—delicious