Page 29 of Veiled Flames (Destiny of Dragons #1)

“Even if I accept that it’s possible for one of the very smallest dragons to accept a female rider.

” I shake my head. “Women lack the required strength to ride, and their bodies are not equipped to survive a mounting.” Not to mention the knotting.

“And just as important, they lack the strength and combat skills required to slay the demons that break through the veil.” She has no idea what it means to be a dragon rider.

“Demons?” Her skin noticeably pales. I’ve finally convinced her.

But her chin rises again, determination and stubbornness bubbling palpably in her chest.

“I can well handle weapons,” she says. “Better than most of those boys, I expect.”

I shake my head. She’s grasping at straws now. Lying.

“I can . I learned with my brothers and easily bested both of them in all forms of combat training. I’m a particularly good archer.”

Every time I try to reason with Rosomon, she comes up with a new argument. It’s time to put my foot down.

“This discussion is over,” I tell her firmly. “You won’t enter camp as a rider candidate. I won’t allow it.”

Her shoulders visibly shift, as if my words struck her, and her eyes fill with despair. She drops to her knees in front of me where I sit on the cot.

“Please, Saxon. Please . At least let me try .”

“No.” I cup her chin. “I have no wish to see you die.”

“I don’t want to die, but every part of me says I was born to ride dragons.”

I shake my head, but she continues.

“I’ve never felt right in the world. Never felt as if I belonged.

” She blinks as if her words are surprising her too.

“I know that sounds ungrateful. I know how lucky I am to have been born a princess. But I also know that I’m destined for more.

I’ve always wanted something else, something bigger .

And for the first time in my life, I know what that something is.

I want to ride dragons. I want to protect the Seven Kingdoms. I want to do all I can to restore peace and stability to the Kingdoms of Light, and to make my father proud. ”

Her outburst steals my ability to speak. Rosomon is so certain. So adamant. So determined.

Not only am I struck dumb, I’m filled with regret. Because the things I love most about Rosomon are the things I must now destroy.

I love her bravery. I love her sense of adventure and determination. I love how she expects so much of herself—far too much. But right now, she wants the impossible.

As she looks into my eyes, I see her recognition that she’s failed to convince me.

“Please.” She slides her hands up my thighs, drifting dangerously close to my rod. I wish I’d put on my breeches.

“If you let me try, I’ll do anything you ask of me. I’ll come to your tent every night. Whenever you want. I’ll do whatever you ask of me.”

My cock fully hardens, thinking of all the ways I could take this woman. All the ways I’ve already planned to take her. But even if she hates me, even if she never touches me again, I can’t send her to certain death.

Suddenly, I see a way to reason with her. If she wants me again, as badly as I want her, I can see a new argument. One that might work.

“Rosomon.” I stand. My head strikes the top of the tent, forcing me to bend, so I move to the center. “You can’t have it both ways.”

She nods as she rises from her knees, hope and eagerness spreading over her face.

“If you enter camp as a boy, as a rider candidate, if you truly have a death wish, I won’t stop you. I won’t reveal your identity.”

Her joy is palpable and consumes the air in the tent. I hope she’ll choose against it but, even if she makes the choice to continue her ruse as a boy, given the rigors of training, she’ll change her mind the first day. Long before she approaches a dragon.

“Thank you, Master Saxon.” She moves forward, clearly intending to kiss me.

I hold up my hand. “I haven’t finished.”

She rocks back on her heels but then nods.

“If you enter camp as a candidate, we can’t have sex again. We can’t even risk being seen together.” The words hurt my throat, but I remain hopeful it will help her to make the right choice. The smart choice. The choice that will keep her alive.

“Oh.” Her nose wrinkles as she absorbs my words.

I long to touch that nose, to smooth its creases. I want to pull her back into my arms and kiss her. I want to drive my rod inside her soft body again. But it’s far more important that I convince her.

“We can’t have sex again?” she asks softly. “Not even in secret?”

I shake my head.

She steps closer. “Is it because you’d feel shame for having sex with a boy? Is that forbidden?”

“No.” I shift back, shaking my head as it strikes the tent again. “That’s not it at all.”

“Then why?” Her hand reaches for my leg, testing my resolve. Why did I not put on my breeches?

Stepping away from her touch again, I straighten to full height, close to a span above hers, and fold my arms over my chest. “We can’t be together, because if you enter training, I’ll be your teacher, your master, your commander .”

“Oh, I see.” She looks away from me, before turning back. “That makes me sad.” Her head drops.

Hope rushes through me. Finally, I’ve broken her stubborn streak.

“Don’t despair, ma chérie, because there is an alternative. A very good alternative. One I believe you’ll find very favorable.” I step toward her and tilt up her chin to better gaze into her beautiful eyes. But they’re awash in sadness.

“While I can’t offer you marriage,” I tell her, “I would be very pleased for you to become my courtesan.”

Her nose wrinkles, and she blinks.

“Life at camp isn’t as luxurious as you’re used to,” I tell her, “but dragon masters have more comfort than most, and I can offer you a very agreeable life. You can stay with me, or have your own quarters, if you prefer. Either way, we can be together whenever we want. And I’ll protect you. ” I widen my stance.

“Protect me?” Her eyes are hard to read at the moment. “Protect me from what?”

“From the other men.” I take her hands, but they remain limp in mine.

“Why would I need protection from the other men?” she asks. “Have they no honor?”

“We do teach the candidates honor.” My mouth is dry again. “But most women at camp are willing to bed any of the men when required.”

“You’re saying the women at camp are forced to have sex with the men?” Her eyes narrow.

I shake my head, but then shift my gaze from hers, feeling sure she’ll see uncertainty in my eyes.

I don’t know whether or not the women are always willing.

I doubt they are in every case, but I’ve never put much thought to it before now.

Any woman I’ve approached has consented.

At least it has always seemed that way to me.

“Perhaps.” I run my fingers through my hair. “Perhaps there are times when the women are less than…eager.” I shift my gaze to meet hers. “But I promise, if you are mine, no other man will dare touch you.”

She wrenches her hands from my hold and backs away from me.

“Thank you for your offer,” she snaps, “but I have no need of your protection. Or your cock. And I will train as a rider.”

Turning quickly, she exits my tent, taking my heart with her.