Dragonkin by Crymsyn Hart Read Free Book Online Page A

Six
     
    Kestrel stood on the stone balcony, staring at the surrounding mountains. Breathing in the long draughts of cool air helped clear her mind. It was night, and the moon was above them. The dress was warm. The vastness of the landscape around her made her feel small. Andrik kept a watchful eye, but he didn’t intrude in her space. Her grief was raw again. Seeing Castigan’s body had ripped open the old wounds. She was back to floating, anything to avoid the all-encompassing sorrow. Staring out at the halo of clouds that enfolded the mountain enhanced that feeling. The land was far below. If she jumped, she would fall. She wasn’t sure if she would die. She hadn’t when she was hit by the claw. She gripped the edge of the balcony.
    A tear slipped from her cheek. Being forgiven was all that she had wanted. Now she might have found Cas’s reincarnation. She wasn’t even sure that was possible. Maybe it was. Dealing with Andrik being the reincarnation was another thing altogether. First he wanted to kill her, and now he had changed his tune. Part of him was Castigan, and another part was nothing of the dragon that she knew. The soul inside of her was drawn to him more than she could fathom. That and he was irresistibly handsome. Kestrel wanted to feel his lips on hers, and his hard body writhing against her. The conflicting emotions tore her up inside.
    “Can I ask you something?”
    “Sure.” The breeze whistled around her. A chill ran over her arm. She tried to warm herself, but the wind sucked all the heat from her. The warmth of his body blasted against her back. He stayed close, but didn’t touch her.
    “What can I do to take away your pain?”
    “I’m not in any pain.”
    He moved the hair away from her neck. His fingers brushed the line of her jaw. He inhaled. The stubble of his beard rubbed against her skin. She shivered. The small gesture ignited the passion inside of her. The soft caresses made her wet. Her desire for him was something she hadn’t felt for a man in a long time. Sometimes Kestrel wondered if she would ever feel it again.
    “Your pain isn’t of the body, but of the soul. Why do you hold on to your grief?”
    “Because it’s the only thing that’s kept me alive. I’ve carried it so long I don’t know how to let it go.”
    Andrik traced the curve of her throat over her scar. She tried to pull away from him, but he didn’t let her. “There is more to life than sorrow. Hatred. Desperation. I carried those emotions close to my heart. They poisoned my reason and tainted my way of thinking after Lara died. They locked me in this form. I haven’t had my wings in three hundred years. I detest myself. My father mourns for me. I used to spend hours in the crypt screaming at the gods and holding Lara, willing all of my strength back into her until I was near dead. Dragonkin are powerful, but we cannot thwart the gods. I never thought to have hope again until I saw you.”
    “I’m not your savior, Andrik. I’m a freak without a dragon. An outcast even among your people. Your uncle should have let me die.”
    He spun her around in his arms. His gaze searched hers. The serious expression on his face let her know he wasn’t kidding. “Stop feeling sorry for yourself. Kes, my little bird, you are strong and powerful. It’s about time you remember that.”
    “What did you call me?”
    “Kes.”
    “No, the other thing. Little bird. No one else called me that except Cas. He always joked that I was little compared to him.”
    “It just popped out. I’m sorry.”
    She shook her head. “It’s okay. You’re right. I have to let go of the guilt. I just don’t know how.”
    He cupped her cheek. His warm palm felt good. The human contact felt wonderful. She turned her cheek into it and breathed in the deep musk of his skin. The draw she felt between them was irresistible. He pulled her closer until they were inches apart. He wound his fingers through her hair.
    “The only way I know how