The Fate of Her Dragon Read Free

sleeping… in your home?”
    “Yes, but…”
    “And were you not
compelled to help me?”
    “Yes, but…”
    “Were you not drawn to the
spot where you now stand over and over again?”
    “Yes, but…
    “Do you not feel our
connection deep within your soul?”
    “Yes, but…”
    “Do you…”
    “WILL YOU STOP
INTERRUPTING ME?!” Alicia knew she
was screaming, but Drago’s incessant questioning was hitting too close to
things she didn’t want to think about.
    Taking a long, deep breath,
Alicia paced back and forth in front of the huge boulder separating her from
Drago. “Okay, I admit, I was drawn to this place. I admit I can hear you and
it’s obvious none of the dragons can, but there has to be a logical explanation
that does not lead to us being mates. Right now, we need to focus on
getting you out of there and I’m gonna need some serious muscle to help move
this big ass rock.”
    Her comments were met with
silence. She was just about to ask if he was still there when he finally spoke. “I agree to table our discussion of being mates until I am free, but do not
think I will forget.”
    Alicia wanted to argue,
wanted to tell him that a hundred years in a hole in the ground surrounded by
silver had left him a brick shy of a load—but she couldn’t. There was no
denying their connection. No denying what she felt just from the touch of his
mind. This man was her future but there was no way she was admitting that to
him, not until she could look him in the eye and make sure everything he was
telling her was the truth. It was clear what she had to do.
    “All right, whatever, I
need to go get some help, but first you need to answer a few questions. I’m gonna
have to convince some very headstrong men that you are really here and really a
Guardsman.” She shook her head.
    Piece of cake! Yeah,
right, not even on a good day.
    “Ask anything you like,
Alicia, my dear.”
    Alicia smiled at his old
world style of speaking, ignoring the way her name rolled off his tongue. The
lilt of his accent made her think of things she had no business thinking about
a man who was trapped and needed her help. Clearing her throat, she asked, “You
said your last name was MacLendon? Are you related to Rayne MacLendon?”
    “Yes, Rayne is my nephew.” He chuckled, but she could feel his
sadness. “I am guessing since you mentioned Rayne instead of his father, Alexander,
that he no longer lives?”
    “No, I’m so sorry. From
the stories I’ve heard he has been gone for some time.”
    Alicia could feel Drago’s
sadness and wished there was something she could do or say that would help, but
for the first time in her life, she was speechless. The silence seemed to
stretch on until she wondered if maybe he’d collapsed. The strain in his voice,
as well as the unmistakable weakness she felt him trying to hide, had been evident. Not sure what to do, she whispered, “Are
you okay?”
    Yeah, that was stupid. Of
course he’s not okay.
    “I mean…”
    “I know what you mean, mo chroi’, and I appreciate your condolences. I
knew it was too much to hope that my brother still lived, but I am glad his son
survives.”
    Once again Alicia wasn’t sure
what to say. Deciding to get back to the business at hand, she asked, “Is
there anything I can tell Rayne that will make him believe you are who you say
you are and not a figment of my imagination?”
    His laughter was warm but she
could feel his struggle as he answered, “Tell him you know his first taste
of whiskey was from his father’s flask that Rayne had taken when ol’ Alex had a
wee bit too much after the battle at Hunter’s Cove. Make sure you add that you
know he has a scar on his left buttocks from falling down the ladder the next
morning after passing out in the hayloft and that I’m the one that covered for
him while he nearly threw up his toes during training that afternoon.”
    Alicia laughed out loud. It
was hilarious to imagine the totally composed, always in