Dragon's Challenge - D. R. Rosier Page 0,32

for so long.”

Cinder said, “Necessity. And hunts. If I start to feel the urge to burn something too strongly, I will take my leave for a time. I’ve learned to channel my desire for flames and destruction to a purpose the humans wouldn’t find alarming.”

He sighed, “My kind and yours rarely get along.”

She replied, “Because dragons are grumpy.”

He snorted violently, “We will give it a try, but it’s really because your kind are crazy and unpredictable.”

She giggled, “Truth. And yours are tiresomely vigilant, stolid, and domineering.”

He felt like things had spiraled out of his control, which bothered him a lot, especially since Cinder had just named that as one of his kind’s major faults. He had to admit, elder dragons were control freaks of all that they surveyed and owned. Insanely protective and possessive of what was theirs.

He was ashamed of the powerful urge to kill her, just to reclaim some order, peace, and quiet. Even more shamed by the fact the only real reason he hadn’t, was that she’d crush his ass like a bug at this stage of his growth. His succubus was annoying him more than usual as well, enjoying the chaos of the moment and his discomfort a little too much. Worse, she could feel his annoyance with her empathy, and that only seemed to be fanning the flames of her teasing personality.

His sister had put up many challenges to make him fail in his walkabout and trial, but it seemed Cinder would be an additional trial to deal with that in some ways will be the hardest yet. Perhaps the worst part of it all, was she was extremely attractive, perfect body, beautiful face, and even her orange ochre eyes were appealing. He did want to kill her, but he also wanted to fuck her into submission.

Which was a path of insanity. She’d burn his dick to ash if he tried. Once again, he had new emotions and instincts to master.

Cinder smirked, “We’ll have fun, it won’t be so bad.”

He snorted violently, but he couldn’t help the chuckle that escaped afterwards.

Cinder beamed, “See, we’re getting along better already.”

Tansya frowned, “Must you taunt master?”

He replied, “It’s her nature. Untamed, wild, and unpredictable, just like a fire.”

Cinder winked, “I just want to get to know you, form a bond of trust despite our natures. Despite our clashing natures, there is comfort in it for me in being known, and I hope that bond will ensure you don’t leave me behind when your walkabout is completed. I will do the best I can to check my impulses to perturb you, but I must be myself. It also won’t last all that long, obviously I won’t be going to the castle with you, and after you finish your circuit you won’t be on the road any longer.”

That was true, he smiled as he saw the end of this trial. Perhaps a little over a month and his Shar would be creating portals to take them everywhere they had to go.

Shar giggled, probably from his emotional surge of relief.

Nysa asked, “You mentioned hunts, and channeling your instincts, toward what?”

Cinder looked nervous, as if she didn’t want to tell them, and she obviously wouldn’t lie. That was enough of a clue for him to put it together.

“She hunts lesser dragons, and she steals their hoards.”

Of course, lesser dragon hoards were in the physical world, usually a deep and vast cavern the dragon dug out with its own claws. He’d also been calm about it. Like he would care if she was hunting his natural enemy? Elder dragons hated lesser dragons with a passion. They were stupid brutes, lost in instinct, and the only magic they had was their breath weapons.

Cinder tilted her head, and looked at him curiously for a moment, probably confused that he didn’t seem to care. He wasn’t sure whether to be amused or insulted, that she thought hunting lesser and elder dragons would be the same in his eyes. It also alarmed him a little, because it also told him it was the same thing in her eyes. Except, she seemed to need him badly, to get back with her own kind.

It was something he couldn’t fully trust of course, but it helped.

She eventually nodded, “I do. They’re the only creature on the planet that can offer me even a modicum of a challenge. A hunt should be challenging, as there is no relief to be found in simple slaughter. Maybe you’re cute and a little intelligent