Page 53 of Fire Dragon
The carvings were breathtaking, and she took a moment to really look at them. She soon realized she was seeing the history of Dusane in the different vertical panels.
“This is incredible, Liam. Where did you get your inspiration?”
“History. And folklore.” He gestured to the higher areas of the panels. “Dragon origins as well.”
Her gaze drifted upward. “Oh, I see. The seven prime dragons have a place above each panel and one over the doors.” She had to crane her neck to see them, but there they were: fire, storm, star, earth, ice, water and stone.
She turned toward him slightly and met his gaze. Her dragon within moved through her, warming her. “You are more than I ever knew. Thank you for sharing this with me. I’m moved beyond words.” Somehow it seemed right that she stood here naked, in front of Liam and the history of her world.
The dragon inside her flew in swift circles.
She shivered, but it was exhilaration she felt.
He took her hand. “Come inside. You must be freezing.”
Emma felt the warmth of his palm and a gentle electric current flowed from the point of contact through her body. She was pretty sure her heart skipped several beats.
Once again, she forced herself to breathe.
But what were they doing? Why had he brought her here? Why had he taken her hand? She honestly didn’t understand.
Whatever her concerns or doubts, they disappeared once they were inside because there was more magnificence to see. She couldn’t help but smile. The ceiling was vaulted even beyond the size of the windows. Basically, she stood inside a dragon cathedral.
Finally, she figured it out. “You shift in here. That’s why this place is so big.”
“Not often, but yes, I do. Being almost pure dragon, the need can become overwhelming.”
Several massive pillars had been carved from the interior rock. The granite was left unadorned and very beautiful. Some of it was polished. Some wasn’t.
The landing faced east so that off to what would be the southern side was the living room with warm woods and black leather. A massive, exquisite sculpture of iridescent rainbow dragon scales rose twenty feet above a tall, stone fireplace.
She turned slowly toward what was a central corridor that led to the sleeping areas, not unlike her own cave. Opposite the fireplace was an equally impressive kitchen and dining area. Well beyond the table and chairs was another living space. “I’m seeing a lot of books lining that distant wall.”
“My library. I’ve been collecting a while.”
She turned to him. “This is one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. I’m astonished by what you’ve created here.”
“It was the work of a decade and a half.” His smile was crooked. “Something to fill the off-hours.”
She didn’t say it, but she suspected he could have added,When the bar scene failed to satisfy.Most of the warriors dedicated their nights to drinking and chasing tail. She knew Liam had done his fair share. After all, she’d flirted with him in a bar when she’d had way too many old-fashioneds.
Then she’d slept with him.
She felt uncomfortable suddenly and knew that her nipples had grown peaked and not just from the cool air.
When his gaze fell to her breasts, her cheeks warmed up.
“Let me get you something to wear.” He held the pile of their uniforms which he still had gripped in his hands. “Unless you want to put your uni back on?”
“After sweating in it for hours? No, thank you. I’ll gladly accept anything you have to offer.”
As he turned, he gestured her forward with a roll of his shoulder. “Come with me. You can shower if you like.”
“I do like. Very much.”
Other than being bowled over by the oversized bathroom, with a shower also carved in intricate swirls from the rocks, she gratefully stepped beneath the warm spray.
He left her alone but returned to settle clothes on the marble counter. “Not much, but it should do.”
