Read Online Dragon's Melody by Ophelia Bell - Free Book Online

Kol.
    The Shadow hadn’t given more than the barest details about his own relationship with Melody. He viewed her as a worthy mate for Skye—that much was apparent. And Skye couldn’t turn down the offer, particularly considering he needed an excuse to let Trevor go.
    Trevor had been Skye’s mother’s “employee” on paper. Bonded to her and receiving a salary, but expected to perform in ways that didn’t require showing up to an office every weekday.
    But Kol had hired this young woman, bonded her via the subtle magic of the medallion all their employees wore around their necks. And he had very likely tasted her essence. Once wasn’t enough to influence her physiology, but over time even unmated humans who shared a bond with a dragon would experience subtle physical changes. One exchange with Kol—one of the most powerful dragons of their generation—was a different story.
    Yet now Kol wanted to trade her away to satisfy Skye’s need for restitution. Rather than ponder why she was special, this new thought made Garen wonder what was wrong with her.
    Nothing as far as he could tell. She was beautiful, for one thing. She had a look of innocence that provoked his protective urge as a Guardian, but her history with men told him she was searching for something in particular and had yet to find it. He knew that feeling well.
    Maybe Kol wanted her far away because he wanted to hide her for some reason. Had Kol actually strayed so far from his nature that he would fall for a woman he wouldn’t mate? Garen reminded himself that Kol had done it before. The First Shadow of their generation had had a human lover when he was younger. Pre-hibernation, which was prohibited. He couldn’t have mated her anyway, yet he’d revealed his nature to her. Even now, with their changed laws, that law still stood. Never reveal your nature unless you’re prepared to mate the human who knows your secret.
    No … Kol wouldn’t make that mistake twice. So perhaps that was why he was sending her away. To avoid making another mistake. Certain he’d uncovered the heart of the truth, Garen shifted his attention back to the photograph.
    He stared into the pale blue eyes of her portrait on the page. If she returned Kol’s feelings, that complicated things.
    “What will it take to turn you around, love? If you’ll be Skye’s, we will need to take our time. To turn you around, and to find out why Kol feels the need to send you away to begin with.”
    For the first time in a long time he felt elation over the task at hand. Turning a woman from a bond with Kol was no small challenge, but he relished the opportunity to outdo a Court dragon for once. It might even shift Skye’s attention from his own single-mindedness, too.
    As if the thought had invoked the man, Skye’s presence became apparent in the room behind Garen’s seat at the small desk in the suite they shared.
    Garen didn’t acknowledge his friend, and continued to scroll through the data on Melody. All the while his skin tingled with the obvious power of Skye’s aura. He must have found a private spot to spend a moment with the waitress from earlier. Once Kol had strolled wetly off into the sunset-gilded surf, Garen had retreated back to the room so he didn’t have to bear witness to Skye’s fun.
    He should probably go find a partner himself tonight. He’d been relying too often on Skye’s Nirvana to replenish his own energy and ought to reacquaint himself with human women if Skye intended for him to work with Melody. Yet, he and Skye had been sharing each other for so long, the prospect of human contact—even to fill his well with their crisp, vibrant energy—didn’t appeal to him. He craved the heady, potent power his friend provided, almost as much as he craved simply being near Skye most days.
    “Your aura turns blue whenever you sense me near, did you know that?” Skye’s deep voice spoke, about a foot behind Garen’s chair.
    “It’s because I’m attuned to