Serpent's Kiss: A Dragonfire Novel Read Online Free PDF

less than what he wanted. He slanted his mouth across hers, encouraging her to join in his embrace, and was delighted when she touched her tongue to his.
    Thorolf kept his eyes open and was glad he did. Before his eyes, his mate shifted through a hundred feminine forms, each melting into the other in rapid succession. She had long hair, short hair, blonde hair, black hair, auburn hair, blue eyes, green eyes, brown eyes. She was tall, then short, then curvy, then not. She changed from one form to another seamlessly and with astonishing speed, becoming a kaleidoscope of different women in turn. Throughout it all, her knowing gaze remained locked upon him, telling him that all these women were the same one.
    This one. Thorolf couldn’t believe his eyes. It was some kind of magic, not just to have a firestorm but to have a mate like this. Thorolf had always worried a little bit about the firestorm’s promise, particularly the conviction of his friend Rafferty that a Pyr should make a permanent commitment to his mate. Creating a son and satisfying the firestorm was something Thorolf knew he could handle, but long term plans weren’t in his repertoire. He liked variety. He liked exploration. He liked mystery, and he liked women. He couldn’t see himself being happy with just one woman, no matter how much he didn’t want to disappoint Rafferty.
    But his mate was incredible. He wasn’t even sure what she was, but she clearly was some kind of magical being. She was a hundred women, maybe even a thousand, all wrapped into one gorgeous package. Were these past lives he glimpsed? Other forms? Was she some kind of shape shifter who could take any guise she chose? Thorolf didn’t know and for the moment, he didn’t care.
    She was his destiny and he was glad.
    What he’d just witnessed convinced him that Rafferty was right about the firestorm, and that the Great Wyvern had chosen the perfect mate for him. Thorolf wasn’t going to mess it up.
    He locked one arm around her waist and tugged her closer, spearing one hand into her short hair. A searing heat surged through him, making his heart pound and his body demand satisfaction. He lifted her to her toes, then deepened his kiss, letting her taste the vigor of his response. To his satisfaction, she kissed him back with equal fervor, a promise of what they’d experience together.
    Thorolf had just one more moment to savor the sweet intoxicating heat of the firestorm, before he was struck hard on the back of the head.
    * * *
    Thorolf was a good reminder of why Chandra always worked alone.
    She had a quest. She had a perfect plan to fulfill it. Everything should have been neatly resolved by now.
    Instead, her plan had been very nearly trashed by the Pyr who needed only to provide one small detail for her success. After centuries of planning, Thorolf had vanished for close to two years, right when his presence might have been useful. The creature who called herself Viv Jason had also disappeared without a trace. The only thing Chandra knew for sure was that Viv had been with Thorolf.
    He should have been easy to find. From him, she’d learn the location of Viv Jason, and proceed with the completion of her quest.
    But no. Thorolf had vanished without warning. Chandra had spent twenty-two months checking and rechecking every single lead and contact she’d ever had, without success. She’d had plenty of time to panic.
    Then on this day she’d finally found the missing dragons shifter. He’d appeared out of the blue, which she didn’t trust one bit. He didn’t have the ability to spontaneously manifest elsewhere, unless something had changed. Even worse, by the time she reached his side, he’d been trying to kill an innocent human.
    Worse again, there was a firestorm sparking between them, probably some stupid trick of her brother’s just to add to his own amusement. A firestorm and an amorous Pyr —never mind one with a talent for making trouble—was a challenge she could have