Page 65 of Devoted to the Dragon

Unlike the general air of anxiety I feel from the serpent being in my territory, my dragon is fascinated by Knox. Her initialoutrage upon waking has shifted into a desire to play with him. She wants to hunt and stalk. He is her mate. It’s that simple. And in her mind, his bite will secure our bond to the others.

She wants to punish him for his game in the woods but only because he bested her. To her, he is a worthy mate contender who slayed our enemies, rescued me and my mates, and staked his claim.

How else would you win a dragon but by besting her?she asks me.

Her thoughts areteasing. My dragon, the OG cockblocker, is hot for the serpent who stalked and claimed us in the woods. Part of me thinks it’s hot too, and that makes me more panicked because damn, that’s messed up.

She ignores my mental gymnastics, full of glee as she leaps from the lair and into flight, ready to play the next round with her serpent. I let her take control, and I’m not surprised when she charts a course to the lake house as she did yesterday.The early-morning air is refreshing, and she puffs in excitement when she sees the little dot she’s looking for. She swoops, wing talons skirting the edge of the lake’s surface before she takes the wind again.

The serpent has been busy. On the shore, he’s spelled out a message in pine. I barely read the apology and invitation to dinner before my dragon lights it on fire. I admit, it’s satisfying to watch, as is the serpent’s fumbling dash out of the cabin.

“I’ll take that as a yes,” Knox bellows, his grin wide as he looks up, shadows reaching.

She takes another few laps of the lake, watching the serpent as he takes things out of the house and brings them down to the dock.

Before I’m ready to take back my skin, she returns to the estate and lands on the balcony.

Fennik stands, leaning against the wall. He’s got a blanket wrapped around his waist and a cup of steaming coffee in hand. He looks delicious, his barrel chest covered in a smattering of hair and his chiseled jaw spotted with scruff.

I’m surprised my dragon stays in her form, sitting proudly before him.

His eyes widen, and he steps closer, reaching out with a tentative hand. “Good morning, dragoness.”

She lifts her chin, letting him run his hands through the feathers on her neck.

“You’re so beautiful,” he whispers.

Fennik gets braver, running a hand along her side and learning her shape as he walks her length. When he returns to her head, he rubs between her snout and under her chin. This starts her purr, and Fennik jumps in surprise.

My dragon’s chortled laugh makes him laugh too.

“Aren’t you playful this morning?” he says.

She puffs a smoke ring for him, and I’m pretty sure he’s a goner for her.

Gunnar’s sleepy, blanket-clad form stumbles onto the balcony with a yawn. He blinks. Blinks again. Then he throws himself at her, hugging her neck.

He jumps back excitedly. “You have to take me flying again. The first time doesn’t count! I need a redo.”

She huffs but jerks her head toward her back, and when he obeys quickly, she lifts him with her tail.

“Wait,” Fennik says with a raised hand. He hurries back into the room and returns with sweats and another blanket, tossing them to Gunnar. “It’s damn cold up there.”

My dragon waits for Gunnar to settle then launches back into flight. I haven’t had a rider, except the other day, since I was a youngling. Gunnar’s hollered whoops and sheer joy make me feel like a child again. He’s delighted by the spirals she makes inthe air, and he screams with sheer excitement when we do a deep dive before coasting on the breeze.

She lands in a clearing in the forest and lets him down, nudging with her snout.

“What is it?” Gunnar asks, looking her over.

Fennik’s wolf darts from behind a tree, and she is pleased. She remembers the game they played once long ago, and she wants to play again.

“I don’t get it,” Gunnar groans.

Fennik takes off into the forest, and she turns from them, taking flight. The curses turn to howls as Gunnar dashes off to follow Fennik.

She plays hide-and-seek with them all morning. When Fennik manages to stay hidden long enough to get her frustrated, she lands in a grassy meadow on the other side of the lake and pretends to nap. She can barely contain her excitement when the white-and-grey wolf crouches at the meadow's edge. With one eye peeled, she waits for his attack.

When he finally moves, she pins him with a claw easily. Too easily. She whips her tail, and Gunnar flips onto her back. He’s a stealthy little stowaway.

---