Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison Read Free Book Online

town,” she told the area over his shoulder. Her voice sounded choked. “I came to say good-bye.”
    Silence stretched and grew thin. Then Quentin put a hand on her forehead and wrapped the other around the back of her neck. Her gaze flew to him, and the concern she saw in his expression almost did her in. He said, “You have a headache.”
    Golden warmth began to flow from his hands, infusing her head and spreading through her body, easing pain away. “Oh God, I had no idea you could do that,” she said with a sigh. “That feels so good.”
    When her knees sagged, he pulled her into his arms and held her close. “I’m afraid I can’t do anything about the heartache.”
    Pia’s mouth trembled. He must have read misery on her face like a road map. She rested her head on his shoulder. “Aren’t you supposed to yell at me for not giving you two weeks’ notice?”
    “How about I don’t and we’ll just say I did.” He rubbed her back. “Deal?”
    She sniffed and nodded, wrapped her arms around his waist.
    Quentin’s age was indeterminate. He could have been anywhere from 35 to 135. There was something stern and ageless about him in repose and his aura carried a hint of violent secrets, so Pia had always put her money on older. She’d had a flaming crush on him for years. Usually she enjoyed it. It was a comfortable indulgence, made all the more so because she knew she would never act on it.
    There had been a frisson of awareness the moment they laid eyes on each other. Quentin bore a low-level hum of Power that pulled at her bones. She recognized what it was. He carried a glamour that helped him pass for human, which was very similar to hers and the other half-breeds who camouflaged themselves. She wasn’t sure what he was but she guessed part Elven.
    She knew he had no idea what she was either, and because he didn’t pry she had tolerated the speculative glances he had given her at the beginning of their acquaintance. One of the things she appreciated most about her relationship with Quentin was that they didn’t ask each other questions that were too personal.
    After the first couple of months of wariness, they had relaxed in each other’s company, having come to a tacit understanding. They both knew they had things that were better left hidden in the shadows. They were both content to leave them there.
    He began to untangle her ponytail, combing through the strands with long fingers. “Did Keith have anything to do with this? You haven’t seen him since you broke up with him, have you?”
    She was shocked at how good it felt to have Quentin stroke her hair. Going boneless, she turned her face into his shirt. He smelled like warm, virile male and green growing places. It felt so good to be held by a strong, steady man. For a few moments she allowed it to banish her chill as she pretended she belonged in his arms and that she was safe. What a dangerous, stupid pretense.
    She stiffened and pulled out of his arms. “Yes, I have seen him, and no, it wasn’t romantic. Keith has contributed to this,” she admitted, not willing to lie, not only because she cared for Quentin but also because she had never been able to figure how much truthsense he had. “But it’s complicated.”
    Quentin strolled to close his office door. He leaned against it and folded his arms. “Okay, so I’ll get it uncomplicated. Just tell me where he lives.”
    Alarm flared. “No! You’ve got to swear to leave him alone.”
    Quentin cocked his head, regarding her with far too much acuity for her comfort. “Why? You don’t still care for him, do you?”
    “God, no!” She scratched at her head with both hands and then rubbed her face. “That isn’t it at all. Look, you don’t understand because you don’t know anything, I get that. And I can’t explain it to you. I shouldn’t have even come to say good-bye. This was a big mistake.”
    She gestured at him to move from the door. He didn’t budge. Only then did she realize