Dragonborn (The Jade Lee Romantic Fantasies, Book 1) by Jade Lee Read Free Book Online Page B

but she could not truly know that beneath his heavy clothing. "You have a discerning sense of smell if you can detect a man's scent over that lot." He waved his hand toward the nearest dock where boat after boat was just beginning to off-load the morning catch.
    He meant to challenge her, wondering if she would back down. She merely arched a single well-sculpted brow at him, managing to maintain her dignity while refusing to banter with him. And he found himself admiring her ability to remain immune to his usual tricks to get a woman to talk.
    Clearly, he needed a new approach as his usual flirtation games were not working. So he decided on honesty.
    "All right, then, I do not deny that my body hungers for you. That much was obvious last night." He still felt the burn of embarrassment at how easily his flesh had betrayed him. "I assure you that was highly unusual for me. And even despite my"—he swallowed—"my lust, I am not ruled by my appetites, and you have value beyond your dancing skills."
    He watched her grow still at his words, like an animal freezing in fear, waiting and watching for the predator's next move. He took his time, knowing that his next words would strike terror in the heart of any sane man.
    "You have knowledge that the Emperor wants."
    She gasped, flinching backward, her hand automatically covering her belly. He frowned, his gaze focusing on the movement. She couldn't be pregnant, could she? He replayed the movements of her dance last night. No, her belly was as flat as the bread she had just devoured. Flatter and stronger. But couldn't a well-toned woman be pregnant for months before any man became aware of it?
    He decided to keep a closer eye on her body, watch for further signs of a child. Meanwhile, she curled her hand into a fist and slowly drew it away from her abdomen.
    "I have nothing the Emperor wants," she hissed.
    Well, no love lost there, he thought to himself. The little dancer was clearly no fan of her ruler. But then, that was not a surprise.
    "But you do," he countered sweetly. "Or more importantly, he thinks you do."
    She shook her head, and he could feel the panic within her for all that she fought to contain it. "He cannot," she whispered. "I know nothing."
    Kiril felt guilt cut a tiny fissure in his control. She was just a dancer, after all, a woman struggling to survive as best she could. She was not up to the usual court games. Besides, hadn't the girl already suffered enough?
    Unfortunately, he couldn't allow himself to feel tenderness toward her. He had come to the province especially to find her. Had gone to Talned's specifically to hear word of her. That she had appeared before him, and as a dancer no less, had simply been dragon's luck.
    So he continued to play her, allowing his expression to slide into one of rueful neglect. "I told him you know nothing. Those were my very words," he lied. Truthfully, Dag Racho knew nothing of the girl's relevance to his plans. "But you are Natiya Draeva, aren't you? The only surviving child of Samuel and Amaya Draeva..." He drew out his next words as the damning evidence it was. "The dragon scholars."
    She didn't respond, but he could tell by the way she paled that she was indeed the woman he sought. So he stepped forward, dropping his tone and his demeanor into the threat it was.
    "Dag Racho thinks you hide something from him."

 
     
     
    Chapter 4

     
    Why are you afraid? He has said nothing but the truth. We do hide from the Emperor. Everyone hides from him.
    Natiya closed her eyes, shutting out the world, wishing she could shut out the egg's voice as easily. But it was always there, always questioning. It didn't understand that they hid a bit more than unreported taxes or a son who was unfit for soldiering. If anyone discovered she incubated a dragon egg, they both would be killed immediately and very probably by the man who stood in her room being so charming. Damn the man for having the Emperor's ear. Damn him, too, for being their