Dragonfae & The Soul Catcher by H. C. Brown Read Free Book Online Page B

proved easy prey. Ah, Lumos, I have you imprisoned in a magyck circle, stripped of magyck and at my mercy. In three months, Drakka will be mine.
     

Chapter Five
     
     
     
    The Singing Forest
     
    Lumos shook his bleeding knuckles and turned slowly to face the witch. Her tear-stained cheeks surprised him. Why would she cry for a man she thought to be a liar? Nevertheless, there she stood, trembling with one hand outstretched, and begging him to stop hurting himself as if she cared. Did she understand what had angered him? He stared at the ground to gain composure, the need to draw her into his arms more painful than his injuries.
    “This is my fault… I’m sorry for not believing you.” Thalia stepped closer and lifted his bloody hand. “I’m so consumed with my own problems I failed to see the importance of yours. Will you forgive me, mighty dragon?”
    Words caught in Lumos’ throat. He lifted his head, meeting the witch’s flaming dark orbs. He noticed a small scar on her cheek and traced it with his finger. One touch and the connection between them sizzled up his arm. Gods, Thalia had felt the bond between them, too. The witch had flinched at his touch. Her jaw had tightened as if fighting the need to run. He studied her, breathing in her scent.
    “You are a brave little butterfly.” He lifted his chin. “A seasoned warrior would never approach a dragon’s rage. I’m not angry with you, little one. It’s the men that made you so afraid of me that fuel my wrath. I want to hunt them down and tear them limb from limb.”
    “I know you would.” Thalia pointed to the centre of her chest. “In here, I believe you. Gods, I’m so sorry.” She sniffed and batted at the tears spilling down her cheeks. “Allow me to see to your injuries. At least my healing spell will help.” She led Lumos to the rock pool. “Soak your hands. I’ll search the water for the weed I need to make a poultice, and, with a little magyck, you will be as good as new by the morning.”
    Although the witch trembled, she lifted her chin and did not look away. Her courage amazed him. Thalia must be stronger than she appeared to have survived alone after suffering such a heinous crime. Gods willing, he had broken through the wall Thalia had wrapped so closely around her pain. Lumos sat on a rock to strip off his jerkin and boots. He gave Thalia a smile.
    “There’s no need for you to get wet. I’ll go. I know what weed to collect.” He stood, walked to the edge of the pool, and dived into the clear, blue water.
    Swimming into the pool’s depths, Lumos ignored the sting of his injuries, and floated, allowing the water to cool his boiling skin. Thalia’s fears and doubt in him had brought on the rage of the dragon. The beast wanted revenge against the men who had made her this way. How could he tell her he had travelled through realms seeking his mate, the singer of the dragon song? Her denial of him, the turning away, had cut deep into his heart. His inner beast had fought to get free. Without magyck to liberate him, the raging black Nightdragon simmered just under Lumos’ skin.
    The Dragonfae rested on the bottom of the deep pool, enjoying the freezing water against his burning flesh. The weed the witch required grew in abundance around his feet. He grabbed a few handfuls, kicked his feet on the sandy bottom, and broke the surface of the pool.
     
    Thalia swallowed hard at the sight of Lumos striding from the rock pool. Water ran in rivulets from his hair and trickled down his hard, muscular chest. His gaze met hers with a frightening intensity. A haze of steam hovered over his bare flesh. The handsome man tossed his dark head, and threw her a smile. Gods, her heart pounded with every step the man made towards her. I must stay calm. Lumos needs my help. It is only a few paces to the edge of the circle.
    “This boulder has a small depression, a good place to crush the weed.” Lumos placed the plants on the rock. “I’m afraid I