Dragonmark Read Online Free PDF

himself completely covered before. He must have been disguising the fact that the old man wasn’t really speaking, rather telegraphing his thoughts to them.
    With a tenderness that belied the size and strength of him, he brushed the moisture from her cheeks where she’d cried over her broken bow. His gaze darkened with curiosity as he lingered his thumb over her lips.
    â€œWait!” The brenin rushed forward. “You’ve grabbed the wrong woman. She’s not my daughter. Morla is beautiful and rich. She’s the one you seek.”
    Illarion cast an irritated glare toward the much smaller man as he dropped his hand from her face. I didn’t come here for a false princess with a withered heart and callous soul who knows the value of nothing, except her own overestimated self-worth.
    Edilyn frowned at the disdain in his voice. “Then what did you seek?”
    In a very dragonlike manner, he cocked his head to glance at his drakos brethren, then to the brenin. Nothing. Truly. Every year I come for shits and giggles, expecting the same, and every year I’ve been turned away by fools who never fail to reaffirm my lowly opinion of humanity. It’s always been a game to me to see how far I’d get.
    He curled his lip at Morla. The promise of a princess definitely didn’t lure me here, for they are vain, worthless creatures who are only concerned with their own petty needs. I have no need of such a nuisance.
    Then, Illarion turned back to Edilyn and the corners of his lips lifted ever so slightly. Instead, I’ve found the rarest vision of all. He met her gaze and the sincerity in that cool blue depth sent a chill over her. I found a most beautiful queen who knows her own mind and isn’t afraid to protect those surrounding her. One who sees what’s around her and isn’t blind to the feelings of others, or their value. For more than ten thousand years I have walked this earth, my lady. Never have I seen your equal, in heart or form. And if you will have me, repugnant and disgusting as I am to you, I swear that I shall ever be your faithful servant.
    With those words spoken, he handed her the bow her father had lovingly made that Morla had tarnished and tried so cruelly to destroy in her vicious vainglory.
    Fully restored.

 
    2
    Mated to a dragon.
    And not just any dragon … one of the oldest of the Were-Hunter breeds. Illarion Kattalakis.
    This was most definitely not the way Edilyn had seen this day ending. Not in her worst nightmare, and given the fact that her mother had once been a warrior of nightmare demons, that said a lot.
    They knew nothing of each other. Not really.
    Yet here she was. Feeling stupid and vulnerable. And wishing she’d chosen a better outfit.
    At least one that matched.
    That sensation wasn’t helped as Illarion righted the horned helm on her head and reminded her of her intentionally matted hair and the brambles in it, while he patiently waited for her response. He arched an expectant, teasing brow.
    Gracious, he was the handsomest man she’d ever seen.
    For a dragon.
    â€œFather!” Morla wailed. “’Tis unfair! He’s supposed to be my husband! My dragon! I want it!” She stamped her foot. “I did everything to win him and get rid of her. Do something! Now!”
    The expression on Illarion’s face said it would be a mistake for the brenin to try.
    When he started forward, the other dragons kept him back.
    â€œMy lord?” Tarius approached Illarion respectfully. “It’s an honor to meet you.”
    Illarion’s features turned to stone and all humor and friendliness fled his eyes as he turned toward his brethren drakos. This was the cold countenance of a killer. A lethal beast who hated them all.
    How peculiar that he had no greater fondness for the dragons than she did.
    At her delayed answer, sadness darkened those enchanting eyes. Very well. I shall bother you no more, my lady. Good