Read Online Claimed by the Dragon King by Caroline Hale - Free Book Online Page A

and clapping merrily. It’s hard to not get swept up in the reckless abandon of the revelers.  Someone bumps into me roughly and dumps something very saucy down my jacket front.
    “Watch where you’re going,” Asher says, grabbing the man and pushing him away from us. The guy gets off the ground quickly with his fists raised but he quickly lowers them when he sees who he’s trying to fight. Ash glares at the man as he quickly pushes his way back into the crowd.
    “I think my jacket’s ruined,” I say, trying miserably to knock off what looks like marinara. “Oh well.” I start to unbutton the front and my heart beats faster knowing that Asher is getting ready to see my big reveal. I drop my coat on the ground and lock eyes with him. His gaze devours me hungrily and a tiny gasp escapes his throat.
    “You look amazing,” he says pulling me into his body roughly. I’m not surprised to feel his hardening response against my stomach but I am surprised at how much I want to jump him right here and now. If only the slit in this dress were a little higher…
    “You like it?” I ask, pushing him playfully away so I can do a twirl. I can’t tease him much more with all of these people around.
    “You look like a queen,” he says with a sly look. “Just how my queen should look,” he growls pulling me to him again and gently pressing his lips to mine.
    “Will you be my queen Melinda Merrick?” he whispers in my ear. I chuckle and pull his lips back to mine. I kiss him feverishly, panting, wanting more. Damn this crowd and all of these people. I run my hands over his rock hard stomach, feeling the rippling muscles there, wanting to go lower. Something nibbles at my mind and the realization of what Asher just asked slaps me in the face. Wait, did he just..? I push him back, my heart beating wildly.
    “Did you just ask me to marry you?” I ask in disbelief. I never really thought he would want me to be a queen, after all I’m not a dragon. Tears form in my eyes.
    “Lindy, you’re my best friend and I’m an idiot for not asking you sooner. Georgia tipped me off about how these days women expect to be asked to marry. I had no idea about this silly custom…” He looks embarrassed. My brain has stopped working and I’m pretty sure my mouth is hanging open awkwardly as he gets down on one knee and pulls out a ring. “I can understand if you don’t want to be my queen, Melinda but I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”
    “Yes,” I say, bending my knees and grabbing his face with my hands. “I will be your queen Asher.” A cheer goes up from the crowd as Asher stands and picks me up in his strong arms and kisses me deeply. He puts me back on my feet and slides the most beautiful ring I’ve ever seen on my finger. I don’t have much time to marvel at the delicate gold fingers encasing the huge round canary diamond because Ruby runs over and squeezes my neck. Asher is shaking hands with a few people from the crowd who’ve come over to congratulate us.
    “You’re getting married!” she squeals, jumping up and down enthusiastically. Her puffy eyes and pink nose tell me that she’s been crying. “Oh, I’m just so happy for you!” She pulls out a handkerchief dabs at her eyes.
    “Thanks!” I don’t think even Arralt could take the smile from my face at this point. I can’t believe Georgia talked to him about this. I’m going to have to find her later and give her a huge hug. Ash smiles and wraps an arm around my shoulders. If we weren’t going to start a war in a few hours this would be my most perfect moment.
    “I hope you can fight in that thing,” Ash says, fingering the strap on my dress.
    “It’s stretchy,” I chuckle, tugging at the fabric to show how it moves. “Cera spelled it so it wouldn’t get in the way. Plus I have this.” I pull the slit open just enough so that he can see the strap around my upper thigh. I’m surprised it’s stayed in place, seeing as it’s holding