Page 57 of The Dragon 1

Alright.

Slowly, I pulled the book out and studied it. “When the Dragon Swallowed the Moon.”

“Oh.” Zo walked over. “What an interesting gift. I never figured the Dragon to be a fantasy reader.”

“Have you read this?”

“No. I’ve heard of it but never have been able to get a copy, especially one in English.”

“Kenji told me that only a few copies existed.”

“And now you have one.”

“Yeah.” I stared at it.

The cover shimmered as if it had been forged, not printed—deep obsidian and molten gold, blending like fire fading into the night.

The title curled across the surface in delicate silver ink:When the Dragon Swallowed the Moon.

The letters were soft, looping, and almost sensual.

I ran my fingers over the front without opening it and thought back to what he’d said about this book where a powerful hero could transform into a dragon.

“His every step to conquer the world had been greatly calculated. Every ally chosen. In fact, in his mind, all of his enemies were already buried. Then, he saw her. . .”

I flipped the book open. The pages smelled faintly of incense. There was no bookstore label. No price tag. No markings inside except a handwritten note on the title page.

To the one who made me lose my breath.

—K

I blinked.

The words weren’t long but they hit me with so much damn warmth.

My pulse jumped.

I closed the book and quickly put it down. Not because it looked dangerous—though, to be fair, it kind of did—but becausehehad chosen it. Wrapped it. Sent it to my door with a demand disguised as an invitation.

Zo crossed his arms over his chest. “Well. . .I don’t think we’re going to die now.”

“Yeah but. . .why this book?”

Zo shook his head in disbelief.

“He doesn’t strike me as the kind of man who makes impulsive decisions.”

“You don’t hold the power he has from being impulsive.”

“So then why did he give me a book about a man who transforms into a dragon to conquer the world. . .only to falter when he sees a woman?”

Zo grinned. “I hadn’t pegged the Dragon for the sentimental type.”

“Yeah.”

“It’s definitely a smooth move,” Zo picked it up, turned to the first page, and read it out loud,“The world had already begun to burn when he saw her.”

I blinked. “Well. . .that’s a good start.”