Page 29 of Red Dragon’s Flame

He was huge, and formidable, but she could feel the kindness in him, underneath the way he looked. She’d felt his gentle touch, after he’d rescued her.

When she couldn’t move.

That memory chilled her, bringing nightmares of her past back to haunt her. She’d almost died tonight, when the fire had left her. Just like she’d almost died when she was seven, when the fire first came.

It had saved her, and yet it had taken her life, because she couldn’t be around anyone but Auntie May after that. And now that Auntie May was gone…

Mikah was still looking at her, his hand still outstretched. Waiting.

She could feel the heat of him, the intensity that he kept hidden.

“I can’t be with other people,” she whispered. “I’ll hurt them.”

He moved his hand closer, until it was hovering over her arm—not quite touching her, but so close that it made the tiny hairs on her skin stand up.

Something leaped to life between them. Fire calling to fire.

Flames ignited along her skin. She gasped as they enveloped his hand. He didn’t move. Didn’t flinch.

Didn’t burn.

Then he lowered his hand and slid it across her skin to her elbow, up the outside of her upper arm. Barely touching.

The flames followed him.

Devon shivered.

Mikah cupped his hand around her shoulder, then pulled his hand away, scooping the fire with him. For a moment it burned brightly in the palm of his hand, and he watched it, smiling. Then he pressed his hand against her upper chest, over her heart, and she felt the fire sink into her, back to its source.

“How did you do that?” she breathed.

He was watching her face, his eyes dark with emotion she couldn’t read. Then he shrugged, breaking her gaze and shuttering his feelings. “I’m a fire dragon. Flame is my element.”

He raised his hand and brushed his fingers over her cheek. “You can’t hurt me.”

But I can, she thought. Maybe not with fire, but she sensed that inside him was a wound that had never healed—just like there was one inside her. Loss. Loneliness. Enforced solitude.

Despite the people around him, he was lonely, just like her.

He said, “Come with me, back to the Al-Maddeiri domain. It’s isolated, and totally protected by some of the strongest magic that there is. If there’s anywhere you’ll be safe, it’s there.” A small smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. “And we’re used to people spouting fire.”

Devon felt a sudden surge of hope. Was it possible there was a place where she wouldn’t be considered a freak? Where the Allohim couldn’t get to her?

And Mikah was willing to take her there?

He reached down carefully, as if trying not to startle her, and took her hand. “Will you come?” he asked. “At least for a little while. Until we can figure out your next steps.”

We. He’d said ‘we.’ After being alone for so long, the word almost brought tears to her eyes.

Except that Devon Moran didn’t cry.

She didn’t make snap decisions, either.

“I’ll think about it,” she said. “While I finish my soup.”

He nodded. Then he said, “Will you be okay here alone for a bit? I need to go talk to some people and check on some things.” He saw her hesitation, and reiterated, “You’re safe here. I promise.”

“Okay,” she said, her voice almost a whisper.