The Old Dragon of the Mountain's Christmas (Dragon Lords of Valdier #9) by S.E. Smith Read Free Book Online

ball across the floor. He could see them in his peripheral vision, but his main focus remained on the woman in front of him. The strange warmth invaded his body again, making him feel like a clumsy boy.
    “Are you hungry?” She asked instead.
    Christoff thought about it for a moment. His stomach rumbled. He couldn’t remember the last time he ate.
    “I… Yes,” he finally said, suddenly feeling lost. “I do not understand what happened.”
    Edna’s expression softened and she reached out to touch his hand. His eyes widened at the spark he felt when she touched him. It was strange and exciting and confusing all at the same time. Afraid she would disappear, he wrapped his fingers around her hand when she started to turn away.
    “I put some stew on earlier. It should be done,” she said in a comforting tone. “We can talk while we eat dinner. Does your – symbiot, I believe you called it – need anything to eat?”
    Christoff shook his head as he glanced over to where his symbiot was lying. The green ball was between its front paws. The other beast was lying directly in front of it, softly whining. The furry creature’s eyes were glued to round toy. His symbiot leaned down and used its nose to push the ball toward it. He smiled when it turned to look at him and wagged its’ tail. A sense of happiness radiated from his symbiot.
    He turned back around when Edna pulled her hand away while he was distracted. He stared in disbelief at her wrist when she reached up to push a strand of hair back from her face. His hand lifted and he lightly touched the gold wrapped around it.
    “My symbiot… does not need food like my dragon and I,” Christoff murmured in a rusty, hesitant voice.
    “Dragon…,” Edna repeated, releasing a loud breath on the word. “I definitely think we have a few things to discuss.”
    Christoff nodded and followed her when she turned away. A crooked grin curved his lips as his gaze ran down over Edna, settling on her butt. The grin faded when she glanced over her shoulder at him. The raised eyebrow and flush to her cheeks told him the she was very much aware of where his eyes had been. He gave her a bashful grin when she shook her head and continued around the sitting area.
    They entered the room behind it. He could tell it was the kitchen. His gaze shifted to a large pot on the stove and he drew in a deep, appreciative breath. He sure hoped she had a lot of whatever it was when his stomach and his dragon both growled in approval.
    “You can sit down,” Edna said, glancing at him. “I’ve told you my name, but you never told me yours?”
    “Christoff,” he replied, standing to the side so he could watch her instead of sitting down like she suggested. “That smells good.”
    “Somebody is hungry,” she responded with another soft laugh that echoed throughout the room when she heard his stomach emit a loud growl.
    Christoff decided he liked the sound. He watched as she stirred the contents of the pot before ladling it into two bowls, one larger than the other. He reached around her and picked up the two, steaming bowls before she could.
    “I’ll get some crackers to go with it,” Edna replied, shaking her head.
    A few minutes later, the table was set and they were seated in front of the window where they could see the snow falling. Christoff studied Edna as she picked up several crackers and placed them on the small plate next to her. He hesitantly reached for several, giving her an uncertain smile when she looked at him.
    A part of him wanted to grab the spoon and start shoveling the thick stew into his mouth. He couldn’t remember the last time he’d smelled something so good. Instead, he waited for her to take the first bite. His father had always waited for his mother to begin eating before he started. He remembered asking his father why one evening.
    “A warrior always cares for his mate before he cares for himself,” his father had responded. “It is a small thing, but it