Her Mad Dragon (Dragon Guard Series Book 15) Read Free Page B

her head, his little witch began to pray as she
sprinkled the damp herbs over the surface of the water. They rode the ripples
like tiny surfers fighting to remain close to the one whose hand they’d just
touched. It only added to the ambiance of the moment, as if all things, both
great and small, were hanging on Calysta’s every word. The reverence of her
tone was awe inspiring and the emotion filling the air an inspiration. He was
mesmerized as the beauty of her prayer unfolded.
    I come to you, Goddess of All, seeking wisdom and
comfort. Please help me shine light on what is dark in the world. Help me
strengthen and repair what is weak and broken. Bind the negativity that
threatens my faith. Banish the doubt and heal whatever sickness lives within
me. Help me find the peace and love that has been taken from us and use me as a
beacon of Your everlasting devotion and hope in Your world and Your children.
Show the path that is Your will. Let me always walk in the light of Your love. I
am Your humble servant, now and forever. Blessed be.
    Maddox had never been what most would call a ‘religious
man’. He believed all blessings flowed from the Universe. He knew Fate had a
wicked sense of humor and Destiny could be a cruel mistress. He was thankful
for every breath he drew and every day he had on earth, even if he did bitch
and moan through most of them. He had faith. Some might say he was spiritual
but none would ever accuse him of the kind of devotion he’d just witnessed as
he watched the woman meant to be his mate pray to her Goddess.
    He waited for her to rise, was sure her time of reflection
had come to an end, but the Priestess didn’t move. Had it not been for his
enhanced hearing, the mad dragon would’ve wondered if she was still breathing.
That was how completely motionless she was. Silent moments passed. The mating
bond grew warm within his soul. Its glow burned brighter. He began to feel
Calysta’s presence in a more formidable sense as opposed to the seedling it had
been.
    Unable to wait any longer, Maddox rose to his feet. Moving
from behind the bushes, he pushed the low hanging branches out of the way as he
took first one step, then another and another until he was fully exposed,
watching his mate from the opposite side of the lake. She remained in her
supplicant pose, unaware of his presence.
    The need to be near her, to touch her, to have her touch
him, was overwhelming. His dragon pushed against the confines of his mind,
chuffing and pawing the ground. The beast wanted his mate as much as the man.
Need won out over good intentions. Maddox quickly made his way around the
lake’s bank, never once taking his eyes from the beauty of his little witch.
    The time had come. It was now or never. The Universe had
given him a gift. Who was he, her lowly servant, to refuse such a prize?
    With silent footsteps so as not to disturb her, Maddox
approached his mate. Turning her head, she gasped as he knelt beside her, the
frightened look in her eyes immediately changing to one of intrigue and if he wasn’t
mistaken, more than a little uncertainty. His heart ached, for he knew he’d put
that doubt in her mind. Understanding filled his being with divine knowledge.
It was time to make things right.
    “Hey there,” was the only thing he could think of to say. The
moment it was out of his mouth, the mad dragon wished for a do-over, but the
look in Calysta’s eyes and the smile that brightened her face said it all. It
didn’t matter what he said. It only mattered that he was there.
    “Hey,” she answered, sending chills up and down his spine.
    He reached for her hand and together they gasped at the
spark of recognition their skin-to-skin contact created. Maddox could only
imagine what it would be like to touch every inch of her perfectly porcelain
skin. Calysta’s smile turned to a sly grin as soon as the thought crossed his
mind.
    “Guess I better get better at shielding,” he spoke
directly into her mind.
    Her