The Ice Dragon Read online

  She couldn’t look at him while she said those horrible things she didn’t want to say, but how 13

  else could she drive him away? He had to keep his distance. Rose knew she could never live with herself if she took another life. It might have been different if he was truly her mate, but he couldn’t be. Her magic still sucked. April’s magic improved daily after she met Drake. Apparently, their mating this weekend would finally give her total control.

  “Just leave me alone!” Rose couldn’t bear to see the expression in his eyes. It was a mixture of bewilderment and something else she thought might be pain, but she didn’t want to know.

  Spinning around, she bolted down the stone steps and into the garden.

  After running for what seemed like forever, Rose collapsed onto a bench, covered her face with her hands and gave way to her tears.

  She must always remain alone. She hated living under the same roof with her sisters, knowing she could harm any one of them at any time. What if she had another accident? She should be locked up somewhere and on medication to keep her from harming more innocent people.

  14

  Chapter Three

  Viktor watched Rose run away. It seemed that was all she could do around him. Did she buy into the legend that the ice dragon’s emotions were as cold as the ice they controlled?

  That description fit him, to be certain, but only with his enemies. With his family, those he loved, he had always been as kind and understanding as he knew how. Shoving his hands into his pockets, he followed her down the steps and into the darkened garden.

  “We’re ready when you are, Vic.” Alexander Checkhovski, Viktor’s right hand man, slipped back into the darkness before he could reply.

  It didn’t matter. His men knew to watch Rose and keep her safe no matter the cost to themselves.

  Viktor suspected Rose feared her powers and that was why she held herself so aloof, even from her own sisters.

  Whatever her reasons, Victor could not allow her rebellion to continue indefinitely. She 15

  remained in danger as long as she remained unmated. It was an unnecessary risk he planned to end as soon as possible.

  Viktor heard her before he saw her. The sound of soft sobs reached him, making his heart ache.

  She felt such sorrow for one so young. It wasn’t any wonder, with the death of her parents lain so completely upon her doorstep.

  Sitting next to her, he drew her into his arms and rested her head upon his shoulder. He had wide and strong shoulders and he fully intended to be the man she turned to when in need. Best she get used to it now. The fact that she didn’t fight him surprised him, but he remained silent as he held her and caressed her silky sable hair.

  He reveled in the feel of her body, pliant in his arms. Her warmth seeped into his very pores as she pressed against his chest. It took great effort to tamp down his base urges and merely hold her against him.

  “Why do you do this to yourself?”

  “Be—” she hiccupped. “Because I can’t be around others. I’m dangerous.”

  He chuckled. “I am dangerous, little one. You are soft, gentle and everything a woman should be.”

  “I don’t want to hurt anyone again.”

  “And you won’t, once you find your mate.” He was her mate. Viktor was certain of it. He merely 16

  needed to convince Rose to kiss him and they would both know.

  The possibility that he could be wrong never crossed his mind until Alex brought it up. Of course, Viktor dismissed the notion out of hand.

  She must be his mate. Rose was the first woman he had felt any attraction for since he reached the age of five-hundred and decided empty sex no longer appealed to him.

  That day came before the birth of the Christian savior. Ten-thousand years is a long time to live alone and he was damned tired of it.

  Moving away, Rose pulled a tissue from her pocket and blew her nose. “You shouldn’t have let me do that. Not only are you in danger, but now look at your shirt. It’s all wet and it will have a water stain when it dries. I’m sorry.”

  “You worry about things you shouldn’t, dear heart.”

  “Don’t call me that!”

  “Why not?” He smiled, though he knew she probably couldn’t see it. She could still hear the smile in his voice if she cared to listen.

  “Because…”

  Viktor let her leave off at that. He had plenty of time. Hell, he’d already waited millenia for her.

  What was a few more weeks? He decided he would stay in the garden and hold Rose as long as she would let him. He didn’t know what it was, 17

  but something about her brought out every protective instinct he had, which was another reason he believed she was his mate.

  For five or ten glorious minutes, Rose let him hold her, comfort her and he wanted so much more. He wanted to kiss her, to love her, to make her irrevocably his. It was just too damned bad she would have castrated him for it.

  Instead, to keep peace between them, Viktor decided the best course of action would be to give her what he knew she would take—for now. The other could wait. He was, after all, a very patient man.

  Viktor saw a movement in the shadows and looked up. Alexander still lurked in the shadows, waiting. Deciding their plan was not the best course of action at the moment, Viktor shook his head and Alex disappeared into the night. Tonight wasn’t the best night to implement his plan, if he even decided to go forward with it. Kidnapping one’s potential mate was a risky business at best. If he decided to risk alienating her, he would do so after tomorrow. Tonight, he planned to sit right here and hold the woman he believed could be his mate. Who knew when he would have another chance?

  * * * *

  18

  Deep in thought, Rose stood staring out into the shadowy garden. What if Viktor was her mate?

  What if she didn’t cooperate and later found that she had thrown away her only chance at a normal—for her anyway—life by sending him away again?

  According to some ancient witch-dragon legend, she would know if she would just break down and kiss him. April had known the answer almost immediately after kissing Drake for the first time, so the legend must be based on fact. If so, what was stopping her?

  As much as Rose wanted to stay wrapped in his arms, she knew she needed to push him away before he got the wrong idea—or perhaps it was the right one…either way, if she didn’t want him making assumption on the state of their non-existent relationship, she needed to put some distance between them.

  Pulling back, she looked up at him. “I—I can’t stay here like this.” She wished the moonlight was brighter. Perhaps if it was, she could see his face better. She couldn’t read his expression with so little light, though she was certain he could read hers just fine. Dragons had awesome night vision, or so April had said.

  “You can’t or you won’t?” Viktor slid his hands from her shoulders, slowly skimming them down her bare arms until he reached her hands. Giving 19

  her fingers one last squeeze, he finally let her go.

  “Take your pick.” Rose looked away from him.

  She didn’t want him to see the truth in her eyes.

  She was scared, terrified even.

  He was an ice dragon. if what she’d heard was correct. Legend had it that the wyvern of their sect’s heart was just as frozen as the lands where he kept his lair. His Russian accent did little to allay her fears. Where was his lair anyway, Siberia?

  Of all dragons, the ice dragons claimed to be the most ruthless of them all. Did she really want to find out she was the mate of a cold-hearted ice dragon and live her life wishing for something or someone better? Rose shook her head slightly and sighed. She would rather not know one way or the other. It was easier, much easier and if it saved her heart from getting broken, so much the better. In her estimation, it was not better to have loved and lost. The entire idea was nothing more than romantic nonsense.

  “I don’t want this. I—I don’t want you.�
��

  Standing, she ran back to the house and the safety of the party. At least no one there wanted more from her than she was willing to give.

  Safely inside, Rose mingled a bit before she snuck up the stairs to her room. She didn’t know what to do. She only knew she needed to be alone to think. Maybe, if she put her mind to it, she 20

  could figure out a way out of this mess.

  “Come on, slowpoke, they’re going to catch us if you don’t hurry.”

  “I don’t know why I let you talk me into this.”

  Rose followed Tansy across the backyard and through the garden.

  “You let me talk you into it because you’re just as damned tired of being put on display as I am.”

  Tansy stopped just beneath a large tree and grinned. “See? Isn’t it beautiful?”

  Rose looked up at the large, majestic oak and had to agree. “Yes,” she said with a nod. “It’s glorious. I’m so glad they didn’t cut it down when they built the house here.”

  Apparently, dragons had a similar affinity for life as witches. Who knew? She continued to look up at the tree, watching as the branches swayed slightly in the breeze.

  “It’s a beautiful tree, but I don’t see what it’s got to do with our predicament.” She rested her hands on her hips and gave Tansy what her sisters all called the look.

  “Stop that.” Tansy smacked her arm and started to shimmy up the tree. “This, in case you’re too nearsighted to see it, is our ticket out of here. I don’t know about you, but I’m blowing this popsicle stand, sister.” She climbed up onto the first branch and looked down. “Are you coming or 21

  not?”

  Rose stood on the ground, intending to stand firm until she thought about Tansy out on the streets alone and Viktor just waiting to pounce at the next party April gave in their honor. Shaking her head, she sighed. “I just know I’m going to regret this.” She started up the tree, barely making it to the first branch.

  “You’re out of shape, sis.”

  “Shut up, Tansy, or I’ll push you off this branch and laugh when you hit the ground and break something.” Rose scowled at her sister. “I can’t believe I’m letting you talk me into this.”

  Tansy hopped up a few more branches, showing off her strength and agility. “Come on, slowpoke. The cab won’t wait forever.”

  “You called a cab?” That was news. Usually, Tansy didn’t think that far in advance.

  Tansy gave her a look that would have scared someone else. Rose just shook her head. “Nice try, but that doesn’t work on someone who’s seen you naked.”

  “Shout that about town and I’ll kick your ass.”

  Tansy grunted as she jumped, then pulled herself onto the ten-foot tall stone wall. “Come on. This has got to be eighteen inches thick. Remember your gymnastics and hop on over here. This is a hell of a lot wider than a balance beam.”

  “Yeah, right and I’m a hell of a lot older than 22

  sixteen, too.” Rose stood on the branch looking at the wall only four feet away. She didn’t want to let go of the branch she had a death grip on, but knew she had to follow Tansy. This particular sister had a penchant for getting herself into trouble. Lots of it. “Besides, I never jumped from one balance beam to another.”

  “No, but I’ve seen you somersault onto one with no problem.”

  “I am not even attempting that when I’m more than ten feet off the ground.” She stared at Tansy for a minute. “Okay. Who are you and what did you do with my sister? I know someone who loves me would never put me in this kind of danger.”

  Tansy pulled the strap of her purse that she’d hung across her torso, removed her wand and waved it toward Rose. “Don’t worry. I’ll catch you if you fall.”

  Ducking, Rose held up her hand. “Don’t you wave that thing at me! I’ve seen what you’ve done with it.” Visions of bursting into flame came to Rose’s mind. Tansy had a bit of control, but when she lost it, things caught fire.

  “Puhleeese, Rose. I have never caught one of my sisters on fire. Relax.”

  “And I’d never blown up my parents before either and we both know how that one ended. Put the wand away.”

  With a sigh, Tansy shoved the wand back in her 23

  purse and zipped it up. “Come on then. Put the strap of your purse over your head like I did and let’s get moving.” Tansy moved to the side and crossed her arms.

  Rose stared at the distance for a minute. She still practiced her gymnastics to stay fit. She just wasn’t as good as she used to be. Who needed to be able to somersault onto a balance beam in normal life? It wasn’t as though she was some sort of Olympiad or anything.

  “Come on, dammit. We don’t have all night,”

  Tansy hissed the words as she waved.

  “Eventually, someone is going to notice our absence. And who knows when Drake’s guards will decide to make another round of the walls?”

  They hadn’t watched for that. Hell, Rose hadn’t done anything to escape past listening to her sister’s harebrained ideas.

  Taking a deep breath, Rose released the branch, took a few steps and launched herself toward the wall.

  “Alright!” Tansy clapped her hands, then clenched her fists when she realized how loud a sound she had made. “See? I knew you could do it.”

  “Then you knew a hell of a lot more than I did.”

  Rose shook her head and wiped her sweaty palms on her capris. “I had no idea I could still do that. I didn’t keep it in my exercise routine.”

  24

  Tansy just grinned. “It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.” She sat down on the wall and slowly slid off the edge to the ground below. “Come on, Tansy said as she leaned out toward the road. “I can see the cab from here.”

  Against her better judgment, Rose followed her sister. She only hoped they didn’t get themselves into so much trouble that one of Drake’s dragon friends had to help them out of it. If they did, it was a situation of which, Rose was certain, they would never hear the end.

  * * * *

  Viktor watched as Drake’s mate entered the room.

  She stood in front of Drake, her expression filled with worry and wrung her hands. “Rose and Tansy are missing.”

  “Missing?” Viktor’s heart immediately jumped to his throat. Where could she be? Would she leave Drake’s protection? His stomach clenched at the thought of his Rose unprotected.

  Danger surrounded the sisters. Though the dragon council had no idea why, someone wanted them all imprisoned or dead. Taking a deep breath, he shook his head and brought his attention back to the conversation.

  “They’re around here somewhere. Tansy 25

  probably took Rose off to some secluded area of the property to practice her magic.” Drake set his pen down and leaned back in his chair. It was obvious he was attempting to calm his mate with his own sense of serenity. It didn’t work.

  “You don’t understand.” April shook her head.

  “Rose doesn’t practice magic and, as you have experienced personally,” she paused to roll her eyes, “along with everyone else who works for you, Tansy will practice hers anywhere and on anyone.”

  Drake scrubbed his hand over his face, obviously suppressing a smile. “I know that for a fact. I don’t think Martin appreciated the loss of all of his hair.” He chuckled. “What I don’t understand is how she managed to burn away the hair on his crotch without setting his underwear on fire.” He held up his hand when April started to speak. “I’m sure I don’t want to know and I definitely do not want to experience it. I will happily remain blissfully, if curiously, ignorant.”

  Any other time Viktor would have laughed, but April’s announcement had him on the edge of his seat, the wooden arms of his chair in a death grip.

  He wouldn’t be surprised if he left fingerprints imbedded in it. “You’ve looked everywhere?” He wouldn’t have been surprised to find that his hair stood on end as he thought of her out in town beyond the safety of this
compound.

  26

  “Yes. My sisters and I have been looking all over for the two of them. After we couldn’t find them anywhere, we decided to search their rooms and we found a note from Tansy. Apparently, she’d left it on the desk, but the slight breeze coming from her opened window must have blown it on the floor. She’s decided to go and try to make a life of her own, on her own. My fear is that she’s convinced Rose to go with her.”

  “Why would Rose go? She knows she has no control over her powers.” Frowning, Drake stood and began to pace. “Besides, she knows that Viktor has offered for her.”

  “She doesn’t have to worry about not having control. She’s left her wand here.” She turned to Viktor. “And as for your offer…” She paused, biting her lip. “I haven’t told her yet. She just thinks you’re an overbearing male who wants to see if she’s your mate. She doesn’t believe she’s anyone’s mate because she doesn’t think she deserves one.”

  “What?” Viktor shot to his feet. “I offered for her over a week ago. Why wasn’t she told?” He knew he should have listened to his instincts and approached her himself. He started to follow Drake’s example and pace, letting out a long line of Russian obscenities. “If she’s left her wand, she has no way to focus her energies should she need to protect herself.”

  27

  “Protecting herself would be the last thing on her mind. Her first thought would be keeping Tansy from danger as well as countless innocents.

  She’s convinced she killed our parents.” April shrugged. “All of my sisters and I were convinced of that as well until I mated Drake. Now I know our powers can’t be used to kill without the focused power of a dragon to deliver a killing blow. Rose won’t hear it though. She’s certain she killed them.”