Read Online Burn (Dragon Souls) by Penelope Fletcher - Free Book Online
Authors: Penelope Fletcher
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challenge.”
“There are a few Dragon Lords who could hurt him in a fair challenge. Mikhail is a Phoenix.”
“So is your mate.”
Marina pressed the heel of both palms to her forehead.
She was uncomfortable with casting a sinister light on a defining moment in her life – very uncomfortable.
Finding no other solution, she cringed. “I don’t have much choice, do I?”
“The Houses will not stand for a wanton Chosen. They will grudgingly accept a ravished one. Even then I expect repercussions.” After a pause, Daniil nodded, confident. “It will be possible to mitigate. I shall prepare.”
“What business is it of theirs anyway?” Switching to rubbing her temples, she felt a migraine coming on. “How will they even know?” At his wince her stomach clenched. “Wait. The results of these tests aren’t announced , are they?”
“If I say yes will you hit me?”
“Ugh.” Gnashing her teeth, she spun a circle. “We need to go over this again.”
“Do not worry, I shall take care of the details. Relax and–”
“Not good enough. I can’t keep relying on you to do these things for me. You’re my friend, not my lackey. I just need time to process. You’ll meet me at my apartments later?”
Easing from behind the pillar, Daniil caught and rubbed her shoulders. It was mostly to hold her still in case a servant walked past and saw her spinning like a madwoman. Rumours run amuck during such a large gathering of Houses. No one needed to hear of her being so openly upset.
“Of course. Forget it for now. Try to enjoy your meal. Smile so the Courts do not suspect you are troubled.” As her scowl deepened, he rubbed with more vigour. “Come on. Smile. You have waited for an opportunity to see Koen all day. Take comfort from him.”
CHAPTER SIX
E ntering the feast, Daniil whispered encouragement at Marina’s back. They separated, heading to opposite ends of the food-laden table snaking through the vast hall, seating hundreds dignitaries, Dragon Lords and their mates.
Marina dropped into her seat and bobbed polite nods at the nobles in her direct line of sight. She fiddled with her water goblet and silverware trying not to look ‘troubled’ as Daniil put it.
She only had three more deadly quests in Aver to complete. Assassins hunted her. Unexplainable, a lusty, growly voice spoke inside her mind at inconvenient moments. She had no clue how to protect her inquisitive best friend at Court, the hostile environment resembling bloody, shark-infested waters. Her son was adjusting, but kept doing weird things that drew unwanted attention like making sharp objects disappear from sight on his person. Starting tornadoes that tore through his rooms leaving behind devastation. Slicing off the thumb of a boy from an opposing House, calling it an accident, and then acting confused when everybody was upset. His rebutting argument when accused of going to far a simple “He will learn to write with the other hand.” On top of this, her meddlesome Sire tried to make up for over two decades of missed parenting and wouldn’t take no for an answer. If one more jewel encrusted necklace appeared on her dresser she was going to hit the roof. She obsessed over a surly Dragon King whose tempter was about as predictable as dynamite. He made her so hot thinking about him derailed her concentration at the most inopportune of times making her seem thick as a brick. Oh, and she was about to be declared to all and sundry as ‘impure’.
Why, there was nothing at all for her to be ‘troubled’ over.
Koen leaned closer. “You look white as a ghost.”
“That’s because I’m no longer a virgin,” she hissed back.
He grinned slyly. The happy emotion invoked by the memory of their frantic coupling died at her tight expression. He did not understanding why this made her upset.
Regent Myron was seated opposite. He smiled indulgently at the couple. “Marina, my physician and I will call upon you at midday tomorrow. That
“There are a few Dragon Lords who could hurt him in a fair challenge. Mikhail is a Phoenix.”
“So is your mate.”
Marina pressed the heel of both palms to her forehead.
She was uncomfortable with casting a sinister light on a defining moment in her life – very uncomfortable.
Finding no other solution, she cringed. “I don’t have much choice, do I?”
“The Houses will not stand for a wanton Chosen. They will grudgingly accept a ravished one. Even then I expect repercussions.” After a pause, Daniil nodded, confident. “It will be possible to mitigate. I shall prepare.”
“What business is it of theirs anyway?” Switching to rubbing her temples, she felt a migraine coming on. “How will they even know?” At his wince her stomach clenched. “Wait. The results of these tests aren’t announced , are they?”
“If I say yes will you hit me?”
“Ugh.” Gnashing her teeth, she spun a circle. “We need to go over this again.”
“Do not worry, I shall take care of the details. Relax and–”
“Not good enough. I can’t keep relying on you to do these things for me. You’re my friend, not my lackey. I just need time to process. You’ll meet me at my apartments later?”
Easing from behind the pillar, Daniil caught and rubbed her shoulders. It was mostly to hold her still in case a servant walked past and saw her spinning like a madwoman. Rumours run amuck during such a large gathering of Houses. No one needed to hear of her being so openly upset.
“Of course. Forget it for now. Try to enjoy your meal. Smile so the Courts do not suspect you are troubled.” As her scowl deepened, he rubbed with more vigour. “Come on. Smile. You have waited for an opportunity to see Koen all day. Take comfort from him.”
CHAPTER SIX
E ntering the feast, Daniil whispered encouragement at Marina’s back. They separated, heading to opposite ends of the food-laden table snaking through the vast hall, seating hundreds dignitaries, Dragon Lords and their mates.
Marina dropped into her seat and bobbed polite nods at the nobles in her direct line of sight. She fiddled with her water goblet and silverware trying not to look ‘troubled’ as Daniil put it.
She only had three more deadly quests in Aver to complete. Assassins hunted her. Unexplainable, a lusty, growly voice spoke inside her mind at inconvenient moments. She had no clue how to protect her inquisitive best friend at Court, the hostile environment resembling bloody, shark-infested waters. Her son was adjusting, but kept doing weird things that drew unwanted attention like making sharp objects disappear from sight on his person. Starting tornadoes that tore through his rooms leaving behind devastation. Slicing off the thumb of a boy from an opposing House, calling it an accident, and then acting confused when everybody was upset. His rebutting argument when accused of going to far a simple “He will learn to write with the other hand.” On top of this, her meddlesome Sire tried to make up for over two decades of missed parenting and wouldn’t take no for an answer. If one more jewel encrusted necklace appeared on her dresser she was going to hit the roof. She obsessed over a surly Dragon King whose tempter was about as predictable as dynamite. He made her so hot thinking about him derailed her concentration at the most inopportune of times making her seem thick as a brick. Oh, and she was about to be declared to all and sundry as ‘impure’.
Why, there was nothing at all for her to be ‘troubled’ over.
Koen leaned closer. “You look white as a ghost.”
“That’s because I’m no longer a virgin,” she hissed back.
He grinned slyly. The happy emotion invoked by the memory of their frantic coupling died at her tight expression. He did not understanding why this made her upset.
Regent Myron was seated opposite. He smiled indulgently at the couple. “Marina, my physician and I will call upon you at midday tomorrow. That
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