Page 66 of The Dragon 1

The cold danced over his massive body. It was silk dipped in snow. It didn’t just numb his beast—it slid inside him, sinking teeth into his flame, turning inferno to frost.

Oh my.

His wings spasmed.

His vision flickered.

But his length—long and typically ignored in this monstrous form, responded—aching hard against his scaled belly, straining to feel more of her cold power.

Oh.

The throb in his length grew deep and anchored. Something ancient within him had been shaken awake.

Then, his beast’s length began to swell, brushing against his underbelly with weight and heat, demanding to be acknowledged—not by him, butby her.

His energy started to wane.

What is this? And. . .she’s draining me. I must. . .leave. . .

Korin roared, a sound torn between fury and wonder.

Soon, he surged upward, claws slicing through cloud.

He had to go.

Had toretreat.

Because if he didn’t—if she struck again—this woman, thisforce, might be the end of him.

And yet. . .when he got further away from her striking zone. . .he hesitated.

I should go, but I can’t. . .

He hovered in the clouds, panting smoke and watching her below.

Her hands were still raised.

Her chin lifted.

That silver gaze never faltered.

Stars above, she’s the only one who could kill me.

He saw it now deep within her.

Not just power.

Not just magic.

But will—a strength older than kings.

She had come to end him if she must—andshe would not miss again.

She blasted more of her power into the sky.

Korin dodged it, veering left, wind howling in his wake.

Close, little one, but it will never be that easy to kill me.