Ice Dragon Read Online Free PDF Page A

preparing to flame the humans and their traps. He let loose with a mature roar of fire, incinerating everything within fifty yards of the cave www.samhainpublishing.com 29
     
     
    entrance. There was plenty of room for the young dragon to escape while the flames roared high. His silver wings protected his rider from the heat and flame as he roared into the sky, the black dragon following close behind.
    Roland kept himself between the big silver and the ground, hoping to mask the glinting sparkle of his wings as much as possible from the hunters below. It seemed to be working, but Roland was tiring far faster than he’d hoped. They cleared the first mountain and were nearing the second peak when Roland made a rough landing on a craggy spire of rock. There was a small ledge, just big enough for two dragons. Tor circled and finally landed when Roland did not rise again.
     
    Are you all right?
    Tor’s young voice sounded through Lana’s mind though she knew he addressed the black dragon, panting on the ground. She jumped off Tor’s back and went to Roland, her hands outstretched to stop the new flow of blood from the wound in his side.
    I will be. I just need to rest.
    Can’t stay here, though. It’s too cold up here for Lana.
    Between the two of us, we will keep her warm enough for tonight. This is the safest place for us right now. There’s no way Salomar’s men can climb up here after us.
    Tor seemed to consider. You’re right! You’re smart, Roland.
    The black dragon chuckled while Lana worked on his wound. She was tiring fast, giving him a great deal of her energy, but he really needed her help.
    “It’s not as bad as I’d feared. You need to rest though, and this place is a good one. I’ll make do with the furs.”
    30
     
     
     
     
    If you can drag that dead wood over here, I’ll start a fire for you. They won’t see it way up here and even if they do, there’s nothing they can do about it.
    Lana smiled and made a dash for a good-sized, fallen pine log, but it was too heavy for her. Tor saved her the work by plucking it up in one talon and dropping it neatly in front of the black dragon. She scooted out of the line of fire, and within moments, Roland gave her a roaring fire that would last a few hours at least. She made a bed for herself from the few furs she’d managed bring with them in her travel pack.
    Come here, Roland told her quietly, closer to me. I’ll keep you warm.
    Lana shook her head and laughed. “No, thanks. Tor has nearly squashed me too many times for me to sleep near a dragon ever again.”
    I promise I won’t move a muscle. I’m fully grown, Lana. I do have some control over myself, contrary to when I was Tor’s age. He’ll learn to settle down as soon as his bones stop aching from the growth spurts.
    “So that’s why…”
    When dragons are his age, they are growing fast, particularly while asleep. The bones ache slightly as they expand and movement is the only way to relieve it. He doesn’t even know he’s doing it. It’s instinctive.
    “There’s so much I don’t know about dragons.”
    You’ve done very well with him for a novice, Lana. Your love has guided him. That’s the most important thing. He has a kind heart, even after all he’s been through.
    Lana couldn’t respond around the lump in her throat. She moved her furs closer to the black dragon and jumped slightly when he raised his good wing over her head. It was starting to snow lightly.
    Under here, Lana. I promise I won’t hurt you and you’ll be warm and safe while you sleep.
     
    31
     
     
    Lana was skeptical, but it really was freezing at this altitude. She could barely feel her feet as it was. Snuggling into the furs, she allowed Roland to wrap his good wing around her, tucking her into his side. He was right. It was toasty warm next to his hot body and the snow sizzled into steam as it touched the wing over her head. She looked out on the snowy sky, the small fire burning steadily in front of