Read Online Love is Always Write Anthology Volume 9 by Various Authors - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Various Authors
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again. It was the only way the two populations could co-exist peacefully.
Kreed was evidence that the peace worked. Human-dragon mixed bloods were probably a lot more common that anyone thought. He knew of half a dozen dragon-human hybrids that no one would ever know, just looking at them, that they had a drop of dragon blood in them. He envied them.
It would be nice to pass for normal. Instead, he got to sport wings he could never hide and scales over half his body that most people either felt they had the right to touch, because they were curious what it felt like, which he hated, or people were disgusted by them, which made him feel that much more of a freak.
Only Alec had never mentioned his wings or scales. Never asked to touch, never asked anything at all, really. Not once had Alec's acceptance been conditional in any way. He hadn't ever said "I like you, even though you're different." The sentiment began and ended with "I like you." And there was nothing on earth Kreed valued more than that sentiment.
There was nothing he wouldn't do to protect the man who felt it.
****
Alec knew, deep in whatever part of him the dragon was trapped, that scream rending the air came from his prince. It shook him to his bones. It almost made him turn around. Only his survival instinct kept him moving forward, deeper into the woods toward the null space at the heart where he would be safe.
Kreed would be furious with him for leaving the room. Kreed would be furious with Robert for letting him. Alec had to admit he was glad to hear the prince's cries tearing through the morning fog. At least he'd managed to shift before Kreed tore his head off.
All Alec had to do now was make it to the sanctuary. If all the research he'd done over the years was right, the null space would strip the dragon magic that wasn't working and leave him able to think through the mating fog. The others, already fully immersed in their dragons, wouldn't be able to follow. Alec would be able to ride out the mating season in peace, and neither of his friends would have to worry about him succumbing to the fever, or argue over who got to help him fight it.
Or hurt each other when they inevitably clashed over who got to have him. He knew it was only a matter of time. Maybe not this year. Maybe not next, but if he never managed to master the change, he'd always be vulnerable. Sooner or later, one of them would break. And they'd kill each other over him.
Getting from the university dorms to the woods had been dicey. He sported more than a few bruises and scratches, thankfully not from the smaller dragons. Attentions from the larger ones had kept the smaller, more poisonous ones away. Dubious blessing, but one he could, literally, live with. The larger the dragon, the less potent their venom, and therefore, the less likely it would be to kill him. Another reason not being able to shift put him in danger.
Dragons were not gentle breeders. Claws and teeth came out, and while that wasn't so much of an issue for other dragons, with blood hot enough to burn away any dangerous toxins, it had the potential to be deadly to a dragon who couldn't really be a dragon.
Even now, the scratches along his chest and back, while not deep, burned with enough fire to tell him he'd probably have a few months of aching right down into his bones as the toxins ran their course. Small price to pay for freedom and peace of mind.
His right wrist throbbed where it had probably snapped when the dragon who'd given him the scratches had knocked him to the ground. He'd caught himself on one hand, all his weight bearing down onto the fragile joint. His scream of pain had alerted a nearby dragon, and only the new arrival, driving off his assailant had saved him. While the two battled it out to see who would win the prize, he'd snuck away and made it to the safety of the forest canopy.
Now the wrist was already swollen. He hoped a few days in the heart of the forest wouldn't mean he'd have to
Kreed was evidence that the peace worked. Human-dragon mixed bloods were probably a lot more common that anyone thought. He knew of half a dozen dragon-human hybrids that no one would ever know, just looking at them, that they had a drop of dragon blood in them. He envied them.
It would be nice to pass for normal. Instead, he got to sport wings he could never hide and scales over half his body that most people either felt they had the right to touch, because they were curious what it felt like, which he hated, or people were disgusted by them, which made him feel that much more of a freak.
Only Alec had never mentioned his wings or scales. Never asked to touch, never asked anything at all, really. Not once had Alec's acceptance been conditional in any way. He hadn't ever said "I like you, even though you're different." The sentiment began and ended with "I like you." And there was nothing on earth Kreed valued more than that sentiment.
There was nothing he wouldn't do to protect the man who felt it.
****
Alec knew, deep in whatever part of him the dragon was trapped, that scream rending the air came from his prince. It shook him to his bones. It almost made him turn around. Only his survival instinct kept him moving forward, deeper into the woods toward the null space at the heart where he would be safe.
Kreed would be furious with him for leaving the room. Kreed would be furious with Robert for letting him. Alec had to admit he was glad to hear the prince's cries tearing through the morning fog. At least he'd managed to shift before Kreed tore his head off.
All Alec had to do now was make it to the sanctuary. If all the research he'd done over the years was right, the null space would strip the dragon magic that wasn't working and leave him able to think through the mating fog. The others, already fully immersed in their dragons, wouldn't be able to follow. Alec would be able to ride out the mating season in peace, and neither of his friends would have to worry about him succumbing to the fever, or argue over who got to help him fight it.
Or hurt each other when they inevitably clashed over who got to have him. He knew it was only a matter of time. Maybe not this year. Maybe not next, but if he never managed to master the change, he'd always be vulnerable. Sooner or later, one of them would break. And they'd kill each other over him.
Getting from the university dorms to the woods had been dicey. He sported more than a few bruises and scratches, thankfully not from the smaller dragons. Attentions from the larger ones had kept the smaller, more poisonous ones away. Dubious blessing, but one he could, literally, live with. The larger the dragon, the less potent their venom, and therefore, the less likely it would be to kill him. Another reason not being able to shift put him in danger.
Dragons were not gentle breeders. Claws and teeth came out, and while that wasn't so much of an issue for other dragons, with blood hot enough to burn away any dangerous toxins, it had the potential to be deadly to a dragon who couldn't really be a dragon.
Even now, the scratches along his chest and back, while not deep, burned with enough fire to tell him he'd probably have a few months of aching right down into his bones as the toxins ran their course. Small price to pay for freedom and peace of mind.
His right wrist throbbed where it had probably snapped when the dragon who'd given him the scratches had knocked him to the ground. He'd caught himself on one hand, all his weight bearing down onto the fragile joint. His scream of pain had alerted a nearby dragon, and only the new arrival, driving off his assailant had saved him. While the two battled it out to see who would win the prize, he'd snuck away and made it to the safety of the forest canopy.
Now the wrist was already swollen. He hoped a few days in the heart of the forest wouldn't mean he'd have to
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