Matching Dragons Chinese Zodiac Romance Series Book 6 by Rachael Slate Read Free Book Online Page B

his otherworldly nature were confirmed.
    A sniff from her direction cut into his musings. Kadence was crying. Dammit. He’d sought to provoke her, to push her to the limits of what she’d come to accept about herself.
    Not make her fucking cry.
    The truth about her nature would be easier to accept if she already suspected she was different. Special. Powerful.
    He shuffled his feet to the side of the lounge chair and leaned in toward her. “Hey.”
    Her shoulders tensed but she faced away from him, so he couldn’t detect how bad the damage was.
    “Want to tell me why you seek dragon blood? You’re risking an awful lot for such a valuable item.” He inclined his head, studying her reactions. “Maybe someone you care for is sick?” Her lungs skipped an inhalation as though she held her breath. Bingo. Dragon blood could counter just about any enchantment. “Your lover, perhaps?” Though he’d meant the question as a jest, his chest tightened. He simply…refused to share her.
    “No.”
    Her denial should have elated him, except pain permeated her voice. “Who then?”
    A long exhale, her shoulders slumping. “My sister, Melody. She’s sick. I slept with the Monkey King and—”
    “Really?” Lok wiped the grimace from his face. “Ah, sorry.”
    “I didn’t know it was him at the time.” She wrinkled her nose. “He tricked me, then cursed my sister because I wouldn’t let him have her too.”
    “Well, the good news for you is rumors claim he’s been given quite the slap on the wrist. He won’t be hurting anyone for a few centuries, at least.”
    She nodded. “That would explain why I couldn’t track him down, but it doesn’t help my sister. I need dragon blood to cure her.”
    He dropped his head into his hands, bracing his elbows on his knees. Fuck. He’d hoped to convince her to ditch this crazy-ass plan. But not if it was to save her sister. There was no backing out. “I’m sorry.”
    “Thanks.” She twisted around. “Really, I mean it. I know I don’t act grateful, but I can’t fail here. Not when it’s my sister’s life in the balance.”
    He lifted his head. Her features were tight, as though she held back tears. The beast in him would use this to his advantage. Clearly, she was desperate. One might conclude she’d be willing to offer anything to ensure her sister’s survival…
    Even herself.
    Fuck. Lok tore his gaze off her, hopping off the chair to stride toward the railing. Any other dragon would do precisely that. Notions of morality or empathy weren’t in his nature. Those were human sentiments. Hell, had he spent too long amongst them? Were they rubbing off on him?
    Or perhaps, it was just Kadence.
    Yet if he didn’t claim her, another dragon would. She was a flaming pearl. A treasure. Her fate had already been sealed. Would it be so bad to claim her? He would worship her. She would never wish for anything under his care.
    Except perhaps, her freedom.
    His shoulders slumped, his focus dropping to peruse the turquoise waters. Was there any way to protect Kadence and preserve her free will? He wracked his mind for a solution, diving through every tidbit of dragon lore.
    Any tale of a human flaming pearl had always resulted in the same—possession. Likewise, the pearl couldn’t be removed from her. She was the pearl. It would be like tearing out her soul.
    A bloody miracle no dragon had encountered her yet. She was fortunate he was the first she’d come across. But they were about to head straight into dragon territory. The chances of her coming out unclaimed were slim.
    Unless… He fingered the dragon chain around his wrist. He would just have to keep her far enough away from any dragon that they wouldn’t sense her nature.
    No way around it. He was going down there with her. Straight into dragon territory. Where one misstep would mean his death.
    And Kadence’s imprisonment.
    ***
    “We’re here.” Lok stalked toward her. Ever since she’d disclosed the truth about