FireDrake Read Online Free PDF Page B

At least that’s the impression she got. Only time would tell if her first impressions of the handsome knight would prove true.
    But Drake was a known quantity. His reputation had spread far and wide. Krysta knew women from her own clan who’d bedded Drake in the past. They all smiled wistfully whenever his name was mentioned and it was clear he’d left a trail of broken hearts in his wake. Krysta would not be just one more in the long string of his conquests.
    Devyn bustled outside to shake her hand just then, relieving her of a need to converse more with Drake. Devyn was grateful for her intervention with the drunk and turned away her coin when she would have paid for her dinner.
    “I was in back or I would have tossed that ruffian out on his ear for molesting one of my girls. I thank you for doing the job, Krysta. You’re a good woman.” Devyn turned, doing a double take as he finally noticed the peachy-golden dragon looking down on the scene from behind Drake’s shoulder. “Thank you as well, Drake. And you…” He looked up at the dragon, a little dumbfounded by her silent presence.
    Drake came to the man’s rescue. “Lady Jenet was just passing by,” Drake said with a significant glance at the dragon.

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    Bianca D’Arc
    Devyn bowed low with almost humorous respect. “I thank you, Lady Jenet. Please be welcome in my…uh…tavern yard anytime.”
    The dragon seemed to chuckle, sending a small stream of smoke upwards on the soft currents of night air. Her gaze sparkled and gleamed as she lowered her head in a nod of acknowledgement and Drake laughed.
    “You may need to rethink your building plans, my friend, if you invite many more dragons to your door.”
    Devyn’s gaze grew calculating. “I hear the king pays well for any livestock the dragons eat.”
    “There is a marking system,” Drake told the tavern keeper. “If you keep a herd, you mark the ones eligible for the dragons and they will leave the rest of the herd be. It’s a system that has worked in this land for generations.”
    “I’ve also heard the royal castle is teeming with dragonkind. All the rooms are rumored to be open to them, built on a scale appropriate for their size.” Devyn was looking Lady Jenet over from the tip of her tail to the top of her head, obviously noting her size for future reference.
    “That I can confirm as truth,” Drake agreed. “Dragons are welcome everywhere within the castle.”
    “How do you know?” Krysta was intrigued enough to challenge the bard’s assertions.
    His blue-eyed gaze focused on her again and she felt the impact down to her toes.
    Accompanied by a slow smile, his expression was pure invitation. One she dared not accept.
    Drake shrugged. “I grew up there. My fathers are members of the court. Jenet—”
    Drake reached nonchalantly up to stroke the dragon’s glimmering neck with what looked like true affection, “—is my sister, of sorts. I was about five when she hatched.”
    “Your father is a knight?” Krysta had never heard such whisperings in all the gossip that constantly circulated about Drake.
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    FireDrake
    Again he shrugged, but she could see a slight defensiveness enter his gaze. “Both of them are.”
    “Both?” Krysta found it hard to hide her surprise. Such things were spoken of, but she’d never met anyone who was part of such a union before.
    “Ah, yes.” Devyn nodded knowingly, grinning. “I’ve heard about knights and their mates. Two men share one woman.” The older man shook his head. “It seems strange, but I’ve seen stranger yet in my travels.”
    “It’s not so strange when you consider that few women can live with dragons. Not many are willing to share their lives and their homes with their husbands’ dragon partners. Fewer still can communicate with dragonkind.” Drake’s expression grew shuttered and a bit mysterious. “There are other reasons as well, believe me. The dragons and