Page 64 of The Dragon 1

He was the reckoning promised to this land for daring to defy him. Buildings crumbled under his wingspan. The very wind warped beneath his heat.

Who else should die before I conquer?

He flew in arcs, circling the city—a starved predator watching the last heartbeat of cornered prey.

Below him, another battalion rushed forward.

He took a deep breath and then let out a blast of flames.

In seconds, the battalion was ashes and ember.

And then. . .

Korin saw her.

Amid the ruin, she stood in the city’s central square—barefoot, radiant, and unmoved.

She had long black hair. Her dark brown skin glowed like tempered bronze in the light of the collapsing towers, her dress was a whisper of white linen swaying in the heated wind.

What is this?

She wasn’t running away like the others.

She wasn’t screaming in horror.

She justwatchedhim.

Smoke curled around her like it wanted to consume her—and yet it didn’t touch her at all. The flames bent, twisted,obeyed, veering away from her figure as if she were crowned in something no fire dared to test.

Hmmm.

A pulse shimmered behind her back.

Power.

Old power.

And her eyes. . .

Stars help him.

Her eyes glowed silver—unblinking, unreadable. She stared at him like she had seen this moment in a vision long ago. Like she’d already mourned this night. . .and still chose to face it.

Very interesting.

Korin slowed in the dark sky, wings fanning wide, slowing the blaze.

The wind quieted around him.

He just remained above her absolutely confused and entranced all at the same time.

What sort of woman glares at a dragon as it burns her city?

To his utter shock, she raised her hands.

What is she about to do?

Faster than thought.