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

shows my respect for your mother.”
    After that night, Christoff had waited as well. Lemar had made fun of him, but he hadn’t cared. He wanted to show his mother that he respected her as well. He released a thankful sigh when Edna picked up her spoon and began to eat. Picking up his spoon, he filled it with the savory blend and lifted it to his mouth. He couldn’t stop his eyes from closing as the delicious flavor washed over his senses.
    Perhaps we did die in the explosion, he whispered to his dragon as it rolled over in ecstasy.
    “I take it you like the stew?” Edna laughed.
    Christoff’s eyes popped open and he slowly pulled the spoon out of his mouth. A rueful smile curved his lips and he nodded. He waited for Edna to take another bite before he spooned a second serving into his mouth. This time, he kept his eyes focused on her.
    “So, Christoff, tell me how you ended up on my mountain,” Edna said after they had eaten most of the meal.
    Christoff frowned and shook his head. “I don’t know,” he admitted. “I was trapped in the cave. The mountain was about to erupt. I felt it draw in its last breath before it did, then….”
    Edna leaned forward and rested her elbows on the table, staring at him. He could see the worry and confusion in her eyes. He tried to remember the last few seconds in the cave, but all he remembered were the presents the younglings had left him. His eyes swept up in panic and he started to rise from his chair. He sank back down when his symbiot, sensing his distress and the reason for it, came into the small dining area with his leather satchel in its mouth.
    Christoff reached for it, affectionately running his hand over the symbiot’s head in appreciation. Placing the bag in his lap, he carefully opened the top. Inside, he could see his father's old shirt that he used to protect his precious memories of them. He knew that the carving knife and his mother’s locket were inside it. On top, though, was the glass dome the two little girls had given him. He carefully pulled it out.
    “The younglings,” he started to say before his throat closed at the memory of their tender words. Drawing in a deep breath, he held the glass dome out to her. “They came to the mountain to find me.”
    Edna reached over and took the dome. He saw her eyes widen before she looked back at him. Her lips parted and tears filled her eyes as she gazed back and forth between it and him.
    “This is Abby’s work. I would know it anywhere,” she whispered as a tear slid silently down her cheek. “Why did they come to find you?”
    “They told me they wanted to be my friend so that I would not steal their Christmas,” Christoff replied quietly, staring at the dome. “It has snow and on the bottom if you turn the small knob it will play music.”
    Edna smiled and nodded. He watched anxiously as she turned it over and twisted the small knob. The air was immediately filled with the song that Edna knew. His gaze jerked up when she began singing along with the melody. It was the most beautiful sound he had ever heard next to his mother’s voice.
    Edna gave a self-conscious laugh and brushed her hand across her damp cheek. Christoff rose out of his chair and walked around the table. He knelt by her chair and touched her cheek. His fingers spread across her soft skin, marveling at it.
    “Who are you?” He asked with a confused frown. “My dragon says you are my mate. My symbiot has claimed you as well. And I…,” he looked up into her beautiful eyes with a look of uncertainty.
    “And you…?” Edna asked in a slightly breathless voice.
    Christoff’s eyes darkened to a deep gold as he leaned forward. “I find I can’t keep my hands off you,” he murmured, leaning forward to press his lips against her parted ones.
    He marveled at the feel of her. This was the first time he had ever kissed a woman in all his long centuries of life. Oh, he had kissed his mother on her cheek, but he had never had an