Page 11 of The Dragon's Mate Proposal

“It’s called the base of my neck. Now, climb up my wing and get seated,” he said. “Spread your legs around it.”

Was that a hint of sexual innuendo in his voice? I couldn’t be sure.

“That seems, um, you know, overly, uh, unsecure,” I said, struggling with my words.

Fly? Me? On a dragon?

“You have my word,” the dragon said in a much gentler tone. “I will not let any harm come to you.”

The wave of warmth that flowed over me at his tone was utterly unexpected. Somehow, despite not knowing a thing about him, I found myself leaning toward trusting the dragon.

Besides, do I have much of a choice?

Nervously, I approached the extended wing, touching the supple yet rigid membranous appendage. Closing my eyes, I offered up a prayer to anyone listening, and then I climbed on. The wing held my weight without any sign of bowing or flexing, so I continued to climb.

“Okay,” I said uncertainly, sliding onto my ‘seat’ as I’d been told, legs on either side of his neck.

The dragon shifted under me unexpectedly.

“Hey, what the hell!” I yelped, leaning forward, molding my body to his neck in an attempt to find something to grip.

“Apologies,” the dragon said. “I, uh, it’s been a long time since I’ve carried a rider. I’m unused to it.”

He didn’t sound like that was the problem. His voice was tight. Distracted. What else was going on?

“Okay,” I said, my nerves fraying rapidly. “Well, I guess—AHHHHH!”

My scream was torn away by the wind as we launched ourselves into the air, his giant wings propelling us up the huge underground corridor.

Chapter Six

Samantha

It didn’t take long for me to get over my fear of flying dragonback. True to his word, “my” dragon-man—I still needed to get his name!—had provided a very steady and even flight. I probably wouldn’t have noticed much turbulence anyway. The view was too beautiful.

Warm sunlight beamed down on the Dragon Isles, as I’d learned they were called, warming the golden scales enough to keep me comfortable as we soared high above the lush green land. In the distance, the signs of civilization approached, but most of what we flew over was untouched wilderness by the looks of it.

Here and there, a trail or path of sorts wound its way around, but vast fields of green were mixed with forests and rivers and lakes. A mountain jutted up near the center, with a large building perched on one side of it, visible even from a distance. A castle of some sorts. It was hard to tell for certain.

Wind blew through my hair, pulling it back to flutter freely behind me. My arms stretched wide, capturing the air, feeling it rush across my skin. I was flying. Flying. Not in a plane or helicopter, which I’d done numerous times, but truly flying. It was an experience I would never forget.

“Where are we going?” I called as we approached what could only be a dragon town—or perhaps city. Stone buildings spread out before us, streets and alleys zigzagging, while several main thoroughfares provided a sort of structure to the chaos. Flags waved in the stiff breeze, all manner of color and pattern visible, though they meant nothing at all to me.

“Food for us. Clothing for you,” he said, a hint of humor in his voice as he turned his long dragon neck around to look me over.

I glanced down at my business suit. I didn’t have much in the way of options, nor had I known what to expect. But now that I was in the isles, I couldn’t argue it was a poor choice.

“Okay,” I said, my stomach rumbling at the mention of food. “That sounds good. Thank you.”

He landed in a square of brilliant white stones that was marked off by a perimeter of red that seemed designed to ensure people knew its purpose. I climbed awkwardly down his wing, unused to such activity. I looked around at the hustle and bustle of the dragons, most of them moving around in human form.

Above us, other dragons circled and landed or took off. It was a vibrant scene and so unlike anything I’d been prepared for.

“What are you staring at?” a familiar voice asked from behind me, but that time, at human height.

“All of this,” I said, unable to tear my eyes away from the sights and sounds surrounding me. “I don’t know what I was expecting, but it wasn’t this.”

He grunted cryptically but didn’t reply. He did, however, usher me off the landing pad so other dragons could use it. I took that time to look him up and down, my first glimpse at his human form.

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