Lord Dragon's Conquest Read Online Free PDF

drowned out their words. He cursed under his breath and slipped a few feet closer, using the darkness the way another might use a cloak.
    Larkan’s stomach still felt hollow after his audience with the queen, as if she’d stolen something vital. Perhaps she had. He’d lived his life on a blade’s edge, balancing duty against need, and now she threatened both. Of course any maiden on the threshold of her first flight would be anxious, but the unquestioned power handed down from one royal to another had warped the young queen’s fears into cruelty. And if no one stood against her, she would never mend her ways.
    His friend Rand had counseled patience, but then Rand was a priest of the Flame as well as his brother-in-arms. Rand had faith in the plans of the universe, while Larkan saw only a job to do. He had a day to get rid of the humans before Nadiana gave the task to someone with fewer scruples. The safety of those lives came first. Only then, after the humans were safely away, would he confront the disaster of the festival and what that would mean. A life as Nadiana’s consort? Imprisonment? Dishonor? Exile? Deep in the core of his heart, none of the available choices were ones he could face.
    But for once it looked as if luck was on his side. In the time since he had taken up his observation post, the humans had begun packing their vehicles with trunks and boxes. At least some of Keltie’s people were already leaving—but were they all? Larkan strained to hear, trying to pick out even a few words.
    The man was speaking in a light, sneering voice, his silhouette sharp against the glow of a neighboring tent. The man was clearly no warrior in strength or spirit and yet he seemed to have the power to make Keltie unhappy. As the conversation went on, her lithe body was growing stiff and tight, as bracing for a blow. Protective anger swept through Larkan, pushing him forward a step before he remembered to stay hidden. Every instinct begged that he take dragon form and snatch the man up in his jaws. There were a few deep mountain lakes where the fish might be hungry.
    But when the conversation ended the man left Keltie alone. Larkan clenched his jaw, biting back frustration. He hadn’t learned anything, and now he ached to put his arms around the forlorn figure standing adrift in the darkness. By the Flame , are you growing softheaded? Why comfort someone he was trying to chase away? Because it’s Keltie.
    She came in his direction, head bowed. The moon was nearly full, washing the camp in a fey silver sheen. As she approached Larkan felt suddenly lightheaded, drunk on the scent of pine and snow and the sight of female grace. He willed himself invisible among the trees, but he couldn’t have wished very hard. She saw him right away.
    “You,” she said sharply, as if the mere fact of Larkan being Larkan was crime enough.
    “Yes, me,” he replied.
    “What did you try to do to me with that mind trick?” She marched up to him, not stopping until he could feel her breath on his face. “It didn’t work, but I should sue you anyway.”
    “I wanted you to forget,” he said. It was hard to think with her standing so close.
    She grimaced. “Forget what, that kiss?”
    “No.” Larkan’s temper heated. He was prime among the dragon warriors—not something any female forgot once the festival started. “I wanted you to forget the cave. The paintings.”
    She looked disgusted. “No kidding.”
    Fire and ash! “I do not know why you find those scribbles so interesting. They are nothing.”
    She stepped back, fixing him with a glare. “Then why the secrecy?”
    “Because you must leave.”
    “Why?”
    “There are good reasons.”
    “You haven’t given me any reasons . Just vague warnings. It makes me want to stay just to find out what you’re up to.”
    “That’s not a wise idea.” Larkan’s head swam. This is what he got for being conscientious. Blasting the humans with fire would have been so much simpler.