Read Online Unquiet Slumber by Paulette Miller - Free Book Online Page B
Authors: Paulette Miller
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take a closer look. She noticed that the mark was in the shape of a dragon with deep violet eyes that almost glowed. It covered most of his left breast. “May I touch it?” she asked as she started to move her hand toward the image.
He moved his shirt out of the way so she could examine it as closely as she wanted. When Tianna touched his muscular chest, she concentrated very hard on ignoring the tingling heat that was now rolling up her arm and tried to focus on the feel of the mark. She had felt many burns over the years and most were very rough to the touch. Although Marcus’ mark looked like it could be rough, many of the edges had healed smooth, as if a long time had passed since it was made.
“You call it a mark, not a tattoo. Does it mean something special?” she asked as she slowly swirled a finger around the dragon’s outline.
“Marking is a tradition in my village. The day of my birth, I received a small symbol that represents my family. When I reached the age where I was recognized as a man, I received the main body part of the dragon.” He outlined the part of the mark he was speaking of with his finger. “You get additional marks as you reach other life milestones and move up in social ranking.”
Tianna was so enthralled with the discussion that she didn‘t notice that the other men had gathered around them. She continued to look at his chest and asked another question. “If I was from your village, what would your mark be telling me right now?”
As Marcus spoke, he pointed out specific sections on and around the primary dragon mark. “These are for each successful battle I’ve led. This one says that I’m in line to be the next leader for my village. The background ring was added when I took a mate.” He realized he slipped and needed to use the human term. “I mean wife. A small pearl appeared on that ring for the birth of my daughter.” Dropping his hand he added, “The dragon will fill in with more detail and color if I become a leader.”
Thanks to her closer inspection, she could see how there were separate burns that combined to make one image. It was stunning.
“If you want to see a leader’s mark, ask Gabriel to show you his.” Marcus pointed behind Tianna. She turned around and was startled to see the three other men standing around her.
Without having to ask, Gabriel took off his shirt and showed her his chest. In addition to the mark, she couldn’t help but notice all of the scars that covered his body. He had obviously seen many battles. To avoid hurting his feelings, she kept the shock from her face and acted like the only thing she was interested in was the dragon. Despite the battle scars, she actually did find him very attractive, but different than the others. Although his chest was sculpted strength and his arms like gnarled tree branches, he had an inner power that called to her. She wanted to touch each scar and hear the stories about how they came to be. Right now, however, she was focused on his amazing mark.
She walked over so that she stood right in front of Gabriel and without any hesitation reached up to his chest. He jumped when her fingers touched his skin. Given that he was even taller and bigger than Marcus, he bent down a little so she wouldn’t have to strain. Tianna could tell that this mark was very old since its edges were worn smooth. His dragon was very different than Marcus’. The dragon’s body was very muscular and had large knife-like talons holding onto a sword. Everything was covered in various shades of red, including glowing red eyes and ruby red fire that burst from its mouth. It was frightening, yet breathtaking.
As she examined his chest, Gabriel explained how color and fire were added when he became the village leader. “We call our village leader a Draaken.”
Tianna tried to pronounce it. “Draken?”
Gabriel laughed. “You have it almost right but you need to emphasize
He moved his shirt out of the way so she could examine it as closely as she wanted. When Tianna touched his muscular chest, she concentrated very hard on ignoring the tingling heat that was now rolling up her arm and tried to focus on the feel of the mark. She had felt many burns over the years and most were very rough to the touch. Although Marcus’ mark looked like it could be rough, many of the edges had healed smooth, as if a long time had passed since it was made.
“You call it a mark, not a tattoo. Does it mean something special?” she asked as she slowly swirled a finger around the dragon’s outline.
“Marking is a tradition in my village. The day of my birth, I received a small symbol that represents my family. When I reached the age where I was recognized as a man, I received the main body part of the dragon.” He outlined the part of the mark he was speaking of with his finger. “You get additional marks as you reach other life milestones and move up in social ranking.”
Tianna was so enthralled with the discussion that she didn‘t notice that the other men had gathered around them. She continued to look at his chest and asked another question. “If I was from your village, what would your mark be telling me right now?”
As Marcus spoke, he pointed out specific sections on and around the primary dragon mark. “These are for each successful battle I’ve led. This one says that I’m in line to be the next leader for my village. The background ring was added when I took a mate.” He realized he slipped and needed to use the human term. “I mean wife. A small pearl appeared on that ring for the birth of my daughter.” Dropping his hand he added, “The dragon will fill in with more detail and color if I become a leader.”
Thanks to her closer inspection, she could see how there were separate burns that combined to make one image. It was stunning.
“If you want to see a leader’s mark, ask Gabriel to show you his.” Marcus pointed behind Tianna. She turned around and was startled to see the three other men standing around her.
Without having to ask, Gabriel took off his shirt and showed her his chest. In addition to the mark, she couldn’t help but notice all of the scars that covered his body. He had obviously seen many battles. To avoid hurting his feelings, she kept the shock from her face and acted like the only thing she was interested in was the dragon. Despite the battle scars, she actually did find him very attractive, but different than the others. Although his chest was sculpted strength and his arms like gnarled tree branches, he had an inner power that called to her. She wanted to touch each scar and hear the stories about how they came to be. Right now, however, she was focused on his amazing mark.
She walked over so that she stood right in front of Gabriel and without any hesitation reached up to his chest. He jumped when her fingers touched his skin. Given that he was even taller and bigger than Marcus, he bent down a little so she wouldn’t have to strain. Tianna could tell that this mark was very old since its edges were worn smooth. His dragon was very different than Marcus’. The dragon’s body was very muscular and had large knife-like talons holding onto a sword. Everything was covered in various shades of red, including glowing red eyes and ruby red fire that burst from its mouth. It was frightening, yet breathtaking.
As she examined his chest, Gabriel explained how color and fire were added when he became the village leader. “We call our village leader a Draaken.”
Tianna tried to pronounce it. “Draken?”
Gabriel laughed. “You have it almost right but you need to emphasize
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