Dragon Kiss Read Free Page A

your fire on those, dragon!” she shouted. “Those asbesta vines will never burn!”
    The white dragon roared in surprise, jerking at his trapped feet and flapping his wings. Suddenly the door to the cottage burst open and a fourth white-haired lady stepped out, blinking at the sunshine. “What’s this racket about?” she demanded. “I thought you were going to let me take a nap.”
    Taking a deep breath, Audun exhaled onto the vines, which immediately turned a sickly shade of yellow and shriveled. Free again, he rose into the air and cupped his wings so he could stay in place. He would have flown away if he hadn’t recognized the woman who had just stepped outside as the witch he had come to see. It was plain that she recognized him at the same time, because her eyes grew wide in surprise.
    “What are you doing here?” she asked. “I never thought I’d see you again.”
    “I’m looking for Millie,” said Audun. “Do you know where I might find her?”
    “Why?” the witch asked, sounding suspicious.
    “Because I love her,” he replied. “I don’t want to live without her.”
    The Blue Witch snorted and said, “You sound like you want to propose.”
    “I do,” said Audun. “I want her as my mate. I want to spend the rest of my life with her.”
    Slapping her knee, the Blue Witch chortled. “Now if that doesn’t beat all! That’s got to be the funniest thing I’ve ever heard.”
    “I wasn’t joking,” Audun said, giving her the sternest look he could muster.
    “Then you’re in for a big disappointment,” said the witch, sounding a lot less cheerful. “Her family would never let her marry a dragon! You’d have to be a human before you’d get even a glimmer of a chance.”
    The crest on the back of Audun’s neck wilted. “So you’re saying there’s no hope for me?”
    “I didn’t say that,” said the Blue Witch. “Dragons can do lots of things, some that come naturally, and some that have to be taught. Your elders figure they’ll teach you what you need to know once you’re old enough and smart enough to handle it. If you’re serious about Millie, go talk to your king and his dragon council. They’re the only ones who can help you.”
    “I’ll do that if I have to, but I want to talk to Millie first. Do you know where she went? I was following her scent until I lost it over the forest.”
    “You won’t be able to find her. Millie’s mother used magic to whisk her away to someplace where they could talk with no one interrupting them. Even I couldn’t follow them if I wanted to. I doubt Millie would want to see you now, anyway. She’s in a lot of trouble and having you there would just make it worse. Nope, your best bet is to see your dragon council. If you’re lucky, the members might have a soft spot for true love—if you really love her, that is. You do, don’t you? I’ll be angry if I helped you like this and you weren’t sincere.”
    The Blue Witch wouldn’t let Audun go until she was convinced that he meant what he’d said. After that, she made her friends apologize to him for attacking him with their magic, and by then they were all declaring how hungry they were and made him stay to eat. While they shared a meal of leftover stew (giving Audun all the meat), the Blue Witch began to reminisce about life in the Icy North, making the white dragon tell her friends about it as well. It wasn’t until late afternoon that she finally let him go with a sack of dried fish and the good wishes of four white-haired witches.

    Audun’s wings were heavy as he flew away from the witches’ cottage. He had been so looking forward to seeing Millie again that he hadn’t allowed himself to consider the fact that she might not be findable. Dipping one wing, he started to turn in the direction of the Icy North, but changed his mind. Although he might not be able to see Millie, at least he could see the castle where she’d grown up. Even that much contact with something of hers