Page 8 of Dragon Cursed
He was still alive simply because he was too stubborn to die, no matter how hard the curse tried to kill him.
They walked in companionable silence for a long while, the only sounds the crunch of leaves underfoot and the distant call of a bird.Alsander was acutely aware of Poppy’s presence beside him — of the warmth radiating from her body, the soft scent that was uniquely hers, the vibrant life force that pulsed within her like a second heartbeat.
He hadn’t been this close to a human female, hadn’t felt desire, since — sincebefore.Since the world was young and his heart wasn’t a hollowed-out thing filled with ash and regret.
"Your forest is beautiful," she said softly, breaking the silence."But it's hurting.I can feel it."
Alsander's jaw tightened.Most humans could feel the dark magic that bled through his forest.Most avoided it entirely, believing the woods were haunted.
Which they were.By a Draquonir who didn’t welcome company.
"It has been ailing for a long time."
"My grandmother always said that the land remembers."Poppy's gaze drifted over the brittle leaves and sickly moss."That it holds onto pain and joy alike.This land — it's holding onto a lot of pain."
She had no idea.
No idea that the pain she felt was his sister's death.His failure.The endless agony of a curse that consumed him from the inside out.No idea that the forest only survived because his magic was tied to the forest.His will was the only thing standing between it and total annihilation.Rather than explain, he stayed silent.She already held too many secrets.
He thought again about Draquonir Law.If his dragon woke because he’d sensed his mate was near, if he caused her to be condemned by his people — the very thought made his dragon roar and fight to break free of Alsander’s control.
Mine.Burn Kingdoms.Protect.The dragon raged for hours.
Gritting his teeth, Alsander held his ground.You are weak.Go back to sleep, Dragon.We cannot leave this forest.There is nothing we can do.
Mine!Dragonfire!Give!
We cannot!Keeping the forest alive takes all our magic!We must let her go!Alsander waged a silent war with his dragon until they reached the edge of his domain, where the mist-shrouded trees gave way to the familiar paths of the outer woods.The air here was different.Lighter.Free of the oppressive weight of ancient sorrow.
"This is as far as I go.You must continue alone."Alsander forced out words he never wanted to speak, not to his mate, his voice flat and devoid of emotion."From here, the path is clear."
Poppy turned to face him, her expression unreadable.
"Thank you for — well, for not eating me, I guess.And for showing me the way."
A ghost of a smile touched his lips, so fleeting it was gone before it fully formed."I do not eat helpless females."
"That's good to know."She hesitated."I hope you find peace, dragon man."She reached out and placed her hand on his bare forearm.
Her touch was lightning.
A jolt of pure, unadulterated energy shot through him.The darkness trapped in him recoiled violently, hissing like a cornered snake inside his bloodstream.The unnatural veins tracing his skin, usually visible even in his human form, faded to almost nothing.For the first time in centuries, the gnawing pain in his chest eased, replaced by a warmth that spread through his entire body.
Poppy snatched her hand back as if burned, her own eyes wide."What...what was that?"
Dragonfire curled through him with a heat unrivaled in all his years.
Deep within him, the dragon roared again, the note of triumph and possessiveness so profound it rattled his bones.
Alsander took a step back, forcing precious distance between them, his hands clenched at his sides so tightly his knuckles cracked.“Go.”The command tore something vital loose inside him.“You must leave.Go.Now."
3
Alsander
“Now?”Poppy stared at him, her expression a mixture of concern and confusion."But what was that?"
"It was nothing," he lied, his voice strained.
