Prince of Dragons Read Online Free PDF Page A

twitch, the dragon paced down the path and stopped at the curve to look toward the main doors. He sniffed the damp air and tilted his head to listen. His jeweled eyes examined the lush growth. At last, satisfied that there was no sound save the pooling raindrops, dripping off the leaves and that nothing else breathed in the arboretum save the birds, he turned back.
    She lay where she had fallen, a delicate picture of feminine grace in her pale outfit, her long blonde hair flung out in disarray across the mosses. Molten gaze fastened on her, he prowled slowly nearer.
    The female was young, lovely and completely defenseless. He could do what he wanted, with no one the wiser. But she was not the prey he desired.
    He flung back his head and roared his frustration and rage to the jungle.

    Sirena stepped out of the shower-dry unit in her beautifully appointed stateroom and stretched. Ah, that was better. The hot water and her special herbal soap had soothed her, helping her regain her earlier relaxation. She would sleep like a hatchling for the rest of the night—if she could stop thinking about Slyde Stone.
    Drat the big fang-lizard. Bad enough that she’d most enjoyed another perfectly good male when he was watching, but now he’d attacked her verbally. Just wait until they were on duty—she’d give him the tirade he deserved.
    She frowned into her mirror. Her freshly washed hair waved back off her face to fall about her shoulders, bright as flame against the pale gold of her skin, accentuating her emerald eyes.
    Smoothing her hands down over her hips, she relaxed, her full lips curving up in a tiny smile. She had the body of a courtesan, voluptuous and lithe. It was only when she moved that one saw the taut muscles, the balance and grace in each movement.
    Males loved her body. Rarely did one refuse her. In fact, she had to only to select from those who pursued her. As Slyde had not.
    But he was jealous. Her eyes narrowed as a thrill of pleasure shot through her. She gave her body where she chose, for as long as she chose. But with Slyde… perhaps she could use his jealousy to reel him in. She definitely knew what to do with him once she got him.
    Touching her lips, she imagined him bending to kiss her. She drew in a shaken breath, and stared at herself in the mirror. What had come over her? Just the thought of that great hulk kissing her had her silly as a young girl.
    She shook her head, turning away from the mirror. She was as big a fool as he. She curled her lip delicately—his exclusive approach to sexuality was clearly the cause of his anger. Serpentians were highly sensual creatures and suffered sexual frustration if not allowed frequent outlet for their passions.
    She’d just belted her flame-silk robe about her waist when her com-link sounded. She tossed her head impatiently, wanting to rip the tiny ear piece out and throw it across her room. The new surgically implanted com-links meant that one was never out of reach, but that was sometimes a curse rather than a blessing.
    “Speak,” she snapped. She wanted rest. Her lover had fallen asleep immediately after their last coupling, but she never allowed herself to fall asleep with a male. It left a woman too vulnerable. Males had superior strength—a female must be watchful of every look, every intonation, using cunning to manage brawn.
    “Commander, you’d better see this.” The voice was that of Raile, one of her guards.
    “Holo-vid on.” She focused her attention on the holographic image that sprang to life.
    Raile sat beside a narrow exam table in the infirmary, holding the hand of a pretty human in tourist wear who gazed up at him as if he were her savior. Dr. Tentaclar, the Orion ’s physician, stood on the other side of her.
    “Continue.” Sirena sank onto her divan, watching closely.
    “This is Mina Starline,” Raile said. “Mina, can you tell the commander what you saw in the arboretum?”
    The girl nodded, her lip quivering. “I saw a