The Dragon's Gem Read Free Page B

for me, as my father and the Dragon Council had informed me. She was my perfect match in all ways except one. She was human, which had greatly complicated things.
    I had been content to let her live in California, happy to know where she was, but willing to let her lead her own life, while I led mine. When and attempt by the Wyverns, the dark, soulless branch of dragon kind, to kidnap her had been thwarted by guards sent to protect her, though, it had made it clear that there was a threat to her life that couldn’t be ignored. Knowing how important she was to our kind the Dragon Council had convened without my knowledge and deliberated long and hard about sending more protection to where she lived or uprooting her completely. In the end it was determined that only in our small town was it possible to keep her safe and protected until she was ready to hear the truth, ready to know what fate had in store for her.
    It didn’t tak e long after that to get her to our town. Our council did their research thoroughly and knew her father’s dream of curing her blindness was his life’s ambition. With my father’s immeasurable negotiating skills, he was able to convince them to move to our town thousands of miles away from their home in California. To the council it had been the best solution, but I admit I had not taken it well. In fact, I had gone on a rampage that had left part of the school on fire and my beloved sports car a mangled wreck after I wrapped it around a tree the day I had found out about their decision. Unfortunately, my little outburst had been the final nail in my coffin for my father. He had issued a warning: either I grow up and accept my responsibilities, or I would be sent into hibernation until the council deemed me fit to return to the human world.
    “This is not go ing to be as easy,” Belynda said, sensing my unease about my first meeting with Aurora as we took seats in the back of the room far away from her so I could get my bearings.
    Quickly, I realized that e ven from across the room it wasn’t far enough away. Her vanilla and coconut perfume wafted my direction, teasing me with its alluring fragrance. It was soft, feminine, and it made me want to bury my nose in her throat and savor it up close and personal. In short, it was temptation I didn’t want or need. I didn’t want a relationship with my mate at this point in my life. I was young and wanted to experience life without having to worry about how my actions affected someone else. On the other hand, she was mine and no matter how hard I fought against my instincts to posses her they would always demand I make her mine. Shaking my head in frustration, I realized just how hard this was going to be, but I had to make it work. If I screwed up, the alternative was unconscionable. Hibernation was for my kind like being sent to Siberia, it was a cold, lonely, and never-ending punishment. I shivered just thinking of it.
    “Draco,” Belynda said softly next to me.
    Determined to have my own way I met her gaze. “I can deal with it, just make sure Aurora is comfortable and has everything she needs. The council agreed not to push me to claim her, but my father expects me to make sure she is well taken care of.”
    Belynda stared at me in disbelief. “You’re really just going to pretend that she’s just another student, that she means nothing to you?”
    “I have arranged for her to have everything she needs . I have done my job by her. I won’t be forced into doing anything more.” It was harsh and selfish, but I still hadn’t adjusted to the fact that Aurora had been transferred here, amongst us, while I was still trying to enjoy my youth. There were other places they could have sent her where she would have been safe and protected, but they had chose to bring her here to make my life hell instead.
    “You are really Mr. Sunshine , you know that?” she sneered. “I feel bad for Aurora. She is innocent of any wrong-doing here, yet