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Land of Dragon 52
Leo“Who doesn’t love being told their beautiful?” I ask, gripping my beer.Henry snickers beside me. “I guess your usualcharms won’t work on her. You’ll have to think outside the box with this one.” He motions for the bartender to send another beer his way.“Francesca is a mystery, man.” I shake my head as I take a sip of my drink. “I don’t understand her.”“Well, you haven’t really tried yet. You’ve had what? One conversation? And you expected the girl to just fall into your arms?” Henry snorts, grabbing the beer the bartender hands him. “Maybe you’re not as smart as I thought you were.” A woman across the bar throws a smile in Henry’s direction. “Listen, man. I have a beautiful woman eyeing me up, so I’m gonna talk to her instead of listening to you whine about Francesca.”“I’ll have to think of a way to seduce her that doesn’t make her run from me.”Henry pats my back. “You do that.” He saunters over to the woman, leaving me alone.Fine. I’m determined to win this bet, but France
Land of Dragon 53
FrancescaI set the box that Leo gave me on my bed and stare at it, too afraid to open it. Anything could be inside. A pretty dress, a personal item from Leo, or even a decapitated head. Itake a deep breath. Ok, I doubt it’s a decapitated head. So, then, why am I nervous?With a burst of bravery, I lift off the top of the box to see… fabric. It’s clothing. That’s a relief.Then I get a better look at it. It’s lingerie.A babydoll dress with a built-in bra. I pick it up gingerly and inspect it, noticing the lace and the sheer see-through-ness of it. I drop it back into the box and back away.Why did Leo gift me lingerie? He showed such consideration when gifting me the lilies that I found myself opening up to him. Why would he ruin that by giving me this? It’s brazen. Does he expect me to wear it? Why? It’s not as if he’s going to see me in it.Then I pause. Unless … he wants to see me in it. But I barely know Leo, and I’m so inexperienced; it’s almost painful. Maybe he gifted this
Land of Dragon 54
EMILIA and I go to the Museum of Contemporary Art, which is filled with paintings I’ve never seen before and painters I’ve never heard of before. It’s filled with everything from impressionist paintings to abstract to surrealism.I’m in heaven.Every time I see a painting I like, I gasp and hurry over to it. Emilia follows, breathing heavily but not complaining.“Do you need to sit down?” I ask her, nodding at a bench. “I’m fine. Don’t worry. I want be here. And besides, it’sgood for me to walk around. Helps get circulation to my ankles.”“Are you sure you’re ok with this?”“Fran.” Emilia gives me a pointed look. “I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t want to be. Besides, I want to see you happy. So, look at however many paintings you want. If I need to sit down, I will.”Ten minutes later, she sits down, motioning me to go on ahead and enjoy all the art. I spend some time looking at a cubist painting when a man comes to stand beside me. With a quick look at him, I can tell he’s handsome. T
Land of Dragon 55
FrancescaThe lingerie set taunts me on my bed. I pace around the room, my fingers twitching and my eyes burning a hole into the fabric. Leo wants me to wear it and touchmyself. I don’t know how he’s able to be so confident and bold with his words. I practically stumble over everything I say. I could never suggest to someone I barely knew to touch themselves and think about me while doing it.Only Leo, I guess.He’s still a stranger to me in so many ways, and yet, he’s bringing out a side of me I’ve never explored before. Do I want to explore it? Deep down, I think yes.With a huff, I grab the lingerie and slip into it. The bra cups make my breast look bigger, and the lacey fabric helps me feel even more feminine. I’ve always been an awkward person, but wearing this … I feel like a grown woman for the first time.I lay down on the bed, my heart beating so fast it hurts.Can I do this? Only one way to know.I place my hands on my stomach and rest them, unsure how to proceed. I know th
Land of Dragon 56
LeoI find Henry on his usual barstool at the dive bar we frequent, looking like a smug asshole. “What are you doing?” I ask.He takes his time with a huge swig of his beer, making metap my foot and resist the urge to punch him, before he finally turns to me and smiles. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”“You having dinner with Francesca. Why?”“Because Emilia invited me.” He shrugs. “I don’t know what to tell you, man. It just happened. I got the phone call and went over. Free dinner, so sue me.”I slam my hand on the table, making the bartender glance over. “Bullshit. Francesca is my bet, Henry. You’re trying to ruin my chances of winning.”“I would never do such a thing.”I stare at him until he starts to squirm. He sighs. “Fine. Maybe I thought it would be fun to sweeten the stakes by giving Francesca another man to look at. I have to make it hard for you.”“You’re getting in my way. The bet was for me to seduce Francesca within two months. You’re changing the rules.”He s
Land of Dragon 57: Secret of the Dragon
Chapter 1The Panthers entered the Throne Hall of the Royal Castle with uncertainty in their hearts and guilt weighing heavily on their shoulders. They walked slowly, almost dragging their feet, trying in vain to delay their meeting with the King. Thoran had summoned them, but not only the Panthers; he had also summoned Gondabar and Raner. And if, as a rule, when the monarch requested their presence it was not usually for anything good, the fact that their leaders had also been called indicated that the meeting was not going to be a pleasant one, especially after what had happened at the Royal Wedding.Gondabar was leading the group down the long corridor toward the throne. His steps were unsteady and he moved slowly, almost as slowly as the Panthers. Raner was walking behind the leader of the Rangers, watching in case Gondabar stumbled and required his assistance. The Healer Edwina had been performing her arts of healing magic on the afflicted body of the octogenarian leader and he h
Land of Dragon 58
“A dragon! Do you think I’m an idiot? Is that what you think?” Thoran asked, pointing at Gondabar and Raner.“Very much the contrary,” Gondabar replied. “Your Majesty has a very lucid and intelligent mind.”“And yet you come to explain the death of the leader of my Magi with a fallacy? With a children’s tale?”“With a mythological fable, rather,” a voice said suddenly. All those present turned to see the Queen enter,accompanied by her bodyguard Valeria and the Druid Aidan.“What fable are you talking about!” Thoran protested, still beside himself.Queen Heulyn walked up to the throne. Ignoring everyone present, she sat in her throne beside her husband, the King.“Dragons appear in fables based on mythology. There are dragons in many regions of Tremia. In Irinel, for instance, and among the Druids too, isn’t that so, Aidan?”“It is, my lady,” Aidan replied. He had stayed beside Valeria
Land of Dragon 59
Chapter 2Thoran pointed his finger at Orten.“Stop, brother! Don’t shed blood!” he shouted like someone giving an order to a bulldog not to attack.His sword already half-unsheathed, Orten’s face was red with rage. He looked unable to hold back; he was not going to listen to his brother. He was going to attack them.“Incompetent cretins!” he yelled, glaring at Gondabar and Raner.Lasgol began to slide forward stealthily and gently.“Stop! I’m ordering you!” Thoran shouted at this brother.Orten stopped. He was struggling to control his rage. For an instant everyone watched tensely, hoping he could control himself. Finally, he took a step back and sheathed his sword.“They deserve a severe punishment for their stupidity and foolishness,” Orten said to his brother.Lasgol returned to his previous position with another swift move. He hoped no one in front had seen him; it seemed as though no one had. They were all too concentrated on what was happening with Orten to notice him. Everyone