Rylin's Fire Read Free Page A

many Earth women have come here?”
    Ry’s smile widened and he knew when her lashes fluttered as she stepped back that she had caught a glimpse of his very sharp teeth. “There were four Earthlings.”
    She pressed a hand to her chest. “Did they find…men?”
    He chose his words wisely. “None of them decided to stay.”
    Truthfully, the Dracol had not been interested. The first Earth woman a year ago had explained the mythical nature of dragons as she referred to them on her world. On Earth, raptors did not exist and the woman seemed more interested in their sexual prowess than a permanent bonding. It defeated the purpose of events like tonight where the males and females of his race searched for life partners or liras .
    The other Earth women who came after the first revealed similar mindsets and his people concluded that Earthling females were to be avoided at all cost. No wonder she’d found no male interested in her tonight. He’d lost interest as well.
    Ry straightened as a sense of disappointment weighed on him. He wasn’t sure why. It wasn’t as if he knew her. He’d simply observed her standing outside for several minutes. Her curious behavior and solitary choice compelled him to join her beneath the moon bright night. Dracol were nothing if not inquisitive.
    He hadn’t recognized her and assumed she visited from a rival sect. Now he realized his luck wasn’t that good. His mood soured.
    “Well…I take it there’s a story there. Can you at least explain what the others did to make me a pariah before I had a chance?”
    Reluctantly, Ry found himself battling another smile. Her humor was refreshing. “Not a pariah.”
    “Hmm.” She grinned and wiggled her fingers in his direction. “Fess up. What did my fellow humans do to turn off your people?”
    And with that Ry chuckled again, relaxing against the railing. “Truth?”
    She nodded firmly. “Always.”
    He leaned in her direction as if revealing a great secret and whispered, “They told us of dragons.”
    Her eyes widened, and for a moment Ry worried he’d scared her off. Then she pressed her hand to her lips and laughed. “Jeez. Are you serious? I’m being banned because dragons don’t like being called dragons?”
    Ry shrugged, not bothering to correct her. They were Dracol. Raptors even, but not dragons. “Is it true that we’re mythical creatures…animals on your world?”
    Her heavy sigh spilled on the air. “Yeah. Crap. Well, that sucks.”
    From his position, so far it didn’t…suck, as she put it. Unless there was someone she was interested in. “Did you find anyone that caught your eye?”
    Her rounded shoulders curved beneath the blue sheath she wore. “No. I mean, your people are gorgeous and I’ll admit to being vain and using that as part of my criteria for coming here.”
    Her candor and easy going nature surprised him. The other Earthlings had turned everyone off with their selfish mannerisms.
    She interrupted his thoughts. “What about you? Any ladies here catch your eye?”
    The look in her dark green eyes invited him to share, and somewhere deep inside a part of him shifted in his original perception of her. “None until now.”
    Her head bobbed up and down then froze as the meaning of his words sunk in. She blushed prettily and ducked her head. She didn’t allow the silence to linger for more than a second before her head snapped back up and her lips pursed. “Let me guess. You were overcome by my beauty until you realized my origins.”
    Dracol females were the most beautiful creatures Ry had ever seen. The Earthling didn’t compare physically but the pieces of her personality that she slowly revealed made her more attractive by the minute.
    “No, but I’m fascinated by this enlightening conversation we’re having. Dracol love to be fascinated.”
    She laughed loud and long, the boisterous sound lifting his heart. Then she glanced around to see if anyone noticed. No one would disturb them since he’d