Free Only For Her Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 6) by Julia Mills Page A

again.
    “I promise I’m a good guy. I’m a Guardsman in training. Maybe you know my brothers. They’re the twins, Aaron and Aidan.”
    Waiting to the count of ten, Andrew wondered if maybe his transformation had left him a little crazy and he’d imagined the whole thing. He’d never heard of anyone suffering lasting damage, but there was a first time for everything. Impatient with the lack of communication from the wounded creature inside, he called out for the third time.
    “Okay if I come in? I’m feeling a little crazy standing out here talking to the leaves. I’m sure if anyone can see me they’re gonna report me to Mrs. Walsh and she’s going to want to check my melon.”
    The giggle he heard was like the sound of the little bells on his mother’s favorite bracelet. His spirit soared and his dragon purred just to know that he had soothed her. Bending at the waist, he lifted the leaves out of the way and entered the arbor. There, in the corner, sat a tiny slip of a girl. Even in the limited light, her silky brown tresses shined as they swept across the top of her shoulders when she bowed her head. Her large brown eyes, red rimmed from tears, were so dark he could barely see her pupils. In the single glimpse he got, they sparkled like the rarest onyx. The sweet scent of daffodils invaded his senses and for just a moment, he felt lightheaded.
    The female’s sobs had stopped, but there was a lingering sadness that Andrew felt compelled to soothe. Kneeling just a few feet from where she sat, he cooed, “Wanna talk about it?”
    The silence stretched between them until Andrew was sure his question would go unanswered. Just as he was about to speak again, she lifted her head and looked him right in the eye. Shaking her head, she whispered in a defeated voice, “Wouldn’t do any good anyway.”
    “Why don’t you give me a try? If nothing else, I‘m a good listener.”
    He knew he was pleading and hoped it didn’t scare her, but something in the very depth of his soul told him this one girl was important to his future. No sooner had the thought crossed his mind than his dragon chuffed in agreement. The girl sat back, stretched her legs in front of her, and simply stared.
    Wanting…no needing, to hear her voice again, Andrew asked, “Can I at least know your name?”
    She shrugged. “What’s yours?”
    “Andrew.”
    “Nice name.”
    “Thanks.” He waited as patiently as possible, hoping and praying that she would talk again, but all she did was sit as still as a statue, taking in his every movement.
    Before he could think of anything witty to say, she spoke. Her voice was a little higher than before, but still clear as a bell. It reminded him of the violin his uncle played during their clan celebrations.
    “Would you believe me if I told you I don’t remember my name?”
    “Darlin’, I’d believe anything you want me to.” He grinned.
    “Really?”
    “Swear to it.” She smiled and he swore his heart skipped a beat . “Now, you wanna tell me why you’re so sad?”
    Andrew shook himself awake, unable to endure remembering one of the best days of his life. He cursed himself, sick to his stomach that he’d become sappy enough to think about a time when he believed everything was great and that he’d be a big, bad Dragon Guardsman. He’d actually entertained the thought that the sweet girl in the grape arbor might have been his mate.
    He’d seen her on and off during his time with the clan, always promising himself that he would get to know her better, but it seemed that something always stopped him, something always got in the way. Then his world had gone to hell and she’d been all but forgotten until his brief trip down memory lane.
    His entire life, he’d listened to stories of how great dragon kin was and how all they wanted to do was make the world a better, safer place for all kinds. Of course, Fate had shown him that it was all propaganda. A complete and total load of bullshit.