The Twin Dragons Series: Dragon's Slave - Book cover

The Twin Dragons Series: Dragon's Slave

C. Swallow

Chapter 4

MADELINE

As we approach the massive cluster that makes up the Requiem Mountains, my eyes come to rest on my winnings hanging from Hael’s claw, still in the little pouch.

I spy the ledge closest to the slave chambers and plot to grab the bag before he transforms again, hoping he won’t notice.

However, I’m suddenly panic-stricken as Hael rotates his wings to take us on a steep climb toward the highest ledge—the one outside his private cave.

And his bedchamber.

He lands gracefully, hardly making a noise, despite his massive size.

His tail brings me around his body, away from the ledge and underneath the dark orange cave ceiling, before he deposits me on the rocky ground.

I spread my feet apart in a wide stance and place my hands on my hips, his enormous dragon form towering above me.

“How exactly do you plan on ‘training’ me?” I ask, staring up...and up and up into his powerful emerald eyes.

Hael transforms into his human form right in front of me. The creature disintegrates into a swirling, magical mist of green that slowly reforms into his giant, male body before my eyes.

I still have to keep my chin held high to look into his eyes.

I shiver. It’s curious how it's his human form that terrifies the shit out of me and not his intimidating dragon form.

In his hands, he is holding his leather pants, arm guards, and my money bag. They are the only things blocking my view of his naked…

His…

I just don’t look down.

“I’m pleased you are taking this all in your stride, Madeline.” He sounds kind as he speaks.

I trust him even less when kind words come out of his vile mouth.

But I keep up the brave act because I don’t want him to break me down and make me look like a complete fool.

“I do try. Now, answer my question. How exactly are you going to train me to submit? I want to know what you are planning to do to me.” I am sick of my question going unanswered.

Hael slowly smirks, his eyes all-knowing. He raises his hand to my face and runs a thumb along my jawline. His palm eventually comes to rest around my neck. I look down at his hand and gulp.

I know I’ve made the mistake of snapping at him again. But this time, he still seems more curious than angry...for the moment anyway.

I look up into Hael’s emerald eyes, trying to figure out what he is thinking.

“Oh, sweetheart,” he drawls, his smirk widening as he squeezes my neck.

“Ow!” I wince. I fight my instinct to beg for mercy but know he can see it in my shaking eyes.

He tightens the iron shackles with his mind until my skin pinches, then raises an eyebrow. “Does it hurt?”

When I feel his hand loosen a fraction, I jerk away from him. It’s enough to step out of his hold, and I take four big steps backward until my back hits a cave wall.

Instead of pursuing me, he decides to put his pants on at last. I look away, at the diamond-encrusted cave walls, and try to settle my breathing.

I feel so intimidated at how he controlled me so easily. I hate how he could break me with the slightest twist of his hand if he wanted.

I shiver at the thought.

Even though he has pants on, I notice they are lying low on his hips. The V of his lower torso catches my eye.

I quickly glance up. There is a dark look in his eye, as well as a sparkle of amusement at having caught me staring…again.

I admit his body is beautiful. But I also know that it is covering a dark and malevolent soul.

He curls his biceps and fists his hands, and I look down to see his arm guards on the floor. Does he expect me to tie them on him?

But before I can even voice my objections, the arm guards leap into the air, onto his forearms, and twitch and move as the laces curl around each other into knots.

His ability to control things with his mind is unlike anything I’ve ever seen.

Hael is known as one of the most powerful dragons in the country. His psychic abilities make him a formidable and terrifying enemy.

Which is what I consider him to be. He is my enemy.

“You’re not my enemy,” Hael says with a sudden grin,

I hate how he can hear my thoughts.

He walks forward, eyeing me like I’m his prey. “If anything, you’re a tasty little morsel.”

I glare at him as he walks by me, no doubt expecting me to follow.

He hasn’t loosened the iron shackles, so my skin stings from the tightness of the clasp. And he still hadn’t answered my question: how is he going to train me?

These two things infuriate me, but I turn and follow him anyway. I have nowhere else to go. It’s either follow him into the cave complex or walk over the edge of the ledge.

Come to think of it, the ledge sounds more appealing…

“Where are you taking me?”

“Madeline, what have you learned since I enslaved you in my horde?” Hael turns around and walks back to me, eyeing me up and down. There is a calculating look in his eye.

I don’t trust him.

“That cleaning is boring,” I answer.

Hael just raises an eyebrow, apparently surprised that I have nothing else to say. He turns around to continue on his way.

“And that you’re also a barbaric bastard,” I mutter under my breath.

Hael halts abruptly and spins to face me. I freeze in my tracks. Of course, he heard me.

“I’m just telling the truth,” I add defiantly, silently cursing myself when his eyes darken.

“Why don’t you come closer and tell me that again?” Hael beckons me forward with an outstretched hand.

I gulp.

Perfect. I’ve just pissed off a dragon lord in his own cave.

I’ve always thought of myself as something of an escape artist but I have no idea how I’ll get out of this one.

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