Dragon Fire by Dina von Lowenkraft Read Free Book Online Page A

“I won’t be free until my father’s death is avenged.”
    T’eng Sten laughed. “Is that was this is all about? You think you can find Paaliaq and kill her? You barely even protected your lair and you didn’t feel us arrive. Anyone could have come in here. How can you two puppies be a match for Paaliaq, even if she were alive?”
    “What we do, or intend to do, is none of your concern,” Rakan said, his voice flat and emotionless. “And if your intentions are honorable I see no reason to have your bodyguards flanking me. I am, as far as I know, still in my own home.”
    “Release him,” said T’eng Sten with a dismissive wave of his hand. “He’s harmless until he can unleash the power of his rök.”
    Rakan suppressed the boiling rage that flamed inside. He wouldn’t give T’eng Sten the satisfaction of rising to his bait. “My sister does not appear to accept your claim. Your business here is finished.”
    “I am not so sure,” said T’eng Sten with a mocking smile before turning his attention back to Dvara. He walked slowly around her, appreciating the backless dress that clung to her body and revealed her curves.
    “I don’t know what the two of you think you’re up to,” said T’eng Sten once he had finished examining Dvara, “but, you, my desirable mate, are proof that the ten cycles we granted Yarlung to find and kill Paaliaq are over. You are ready to breed.” He stood behind Dvara and unfastened her hair, letting it tumble down her back. “And you want to,” he whispered in her ear.
    Dvara inhaled sharply and closed her eyes.
    “What do you mean the ten cycles are over?” asked Rakan.
    “Didn’t Yarlung tell you? She was granted ten cycles to find and kill Paaliaq. After which time Paaliaq would be assumed dead. And Earth free to be colonized.”
    “Only four cycles have passed on the Fragments,” countered Rakan. “Everyone is aware of the time differential.”
    “You are your mother’s son,” said T’eng Sten with a curt laugh. “She claims that the ten cycles of her sovereignty should be in Fragment time, not Earth time. But no one knew that we wouldn’t be able to breed on the Fragments.” T’eng Sten ran his hands through Dvara’s black hair and smelled it. “Although I have to admit I am pleased with the time differential.”
    Dvara extracted herself from T’eng Sten’s arms. “Yarlung has every right to kill Paaliaq. She’s only honoring the Code.” She redid her hair with trembling hands.
    “Yarlung is a fool,” said T’eng Sten vehemently. “Paaliaq isn’t alive. And even if she were, Kraal was the traitor who started the war, not Paaliaq.”
    Dvara flung herself at T’eng Sten, wavering in and out of a partial morph. T’eng Sten raised his hands and stopped her in midair. “Learn to control your rök or it’ll kill you,” he said quietly. Once she had stabilized in her human form, he released her. “But to do so you must know who you are and claim your dragon name.”
    “I already have,” Dvara said with a growl. “I am Dvara Azuraal, daughter of Kraal and bearer of the Line of Aal.”
    T’eng Sten smiled. “Are you? I’m not so sure.” He walked over to join his guards who still hovered near Rakan. “And you, young Rakan’dzor, when are you going to cut your hair and become a real acolyte instead of harnessing your rök in a prison? You do know that you won’t come into your full power until your rök is free, don’t you? Or did they forget to tell you that? Control is only half the equation.”
    Rakan glared at T’eng Sten, too angry to respond without exploding.
    T’eng Sten faced them both. “A Meet of Kairöks has been called to discuss the matter. And unless Yarlung can somehow get the majority, Earth will be ours. And her right to hunt Paaliaq will be over.” T’eng Sten bowed formally to Dvara. “I’ll be back to claim you after the Meet. And since I guard what is rightfully mine, I have protected your lair for you. No