Soul Of The Dragon (Her Dragon's Bane 1) by Harmony Raines

Chapter One - Serena
    “So you’ve come to offer yourself to me?” He circled her like a vulture, his eyes assessing her body.
    Serena swallowed her growing panic, and nodded once, not daring to move more than a fraction. The dragon was more intimidating than she could ever have imagined, even in this, his human form.
    “And you know what will be expected of you?”
    A small incline again, showing her knowledge of exactly what he would do to her. For the last four years it had been made clear she was to remain pure for the sole purpose of being given to the dragon. It had also been made clear what would happen if she did not.
    Refusing to do this would have terrible consequences, and not just for her, she had to think of Charlotte too. Charlotte who she had not seen for over two months, and who would suffer a terrible fate if Serena did not lie in this beast’s bed.
    “You will come here the night of the full moon and remain here for five days, and five nights, subject to whatever I desire of you.”
    She nodded.
    “Do you not have a tongue?”
    “Yes.” It came out at less than a whisper. She tried again, “Yes.” The last thing she needed was to offend the dragon, if he sent her away, all would be lost. She had to do whatever he asked of her, both now and when she returned. That had been made clear to her; get him to breed with her at all cost.
    A shudder passed through her, men had hurt her all her life. Hurt and controlled her, now she was to be traded to the worst of men, a beast that could change into a dragon. She had been told that they ate the flesh of virgins that weren’t suitable as mates, or did not conceive after the moon rites were complete. She had five days to endure the touch of this creature, and then carry it’s offspring inside her womb. It repelled her.
    So why did her body feel alive every time he drew close to her?
    Her body, subjugated for most of her life, did not know what freedom was. Born to a loser mother she had been traded into the hands of men who wanted her for their own gains. Only now did she know the full extent of her worth to them. Her body for the dragon’s soul.
    That was her secret. She could allow herself no sympathy for this creature, who now moved so close to her she could feel his warm breath on her face. The heat from his very flesh penetrated through her clothes, and her pulse beat in a new rhythm, in time to his heart. The air grew warm, and time ceased to matter, only the two of them were present in this world.
    Satisfied, he moved away, the bond at once broken, and she wondered if this intimidating creature of fire also contained magic. Magic that could enthral her, and entrap her. She could not let that happen, there was too much at stake.
    “Strip.”
    “What?”
    He spoke slower now, his voice tinged with sarcasm. “Take off your clothes.”
    “I...”
    “I wish to see you before I make my decision.”
    Tears pricked her eyes, he had control of her, he knew it. He was the same as every other man in her life, wicked and cruel. He didn’t deserve her sympathy. That knowledge would at least make her deceit easier on her conscience.
    Serena slipped the strap of her simple dress off her shoulder, and then the other one, letting it slip to the floor. She wanted to cover herself with her hands, being naked in front of anyone had never been natural. Even as a child she had been too round, her face carrying puppy fat that she never grew out of. Instead her whole body had grown curves, leaving her with too generous breasts, and a bottom and hips lush and round.
    “I said naked.” His voice cut through her thoughts.
    “Sorry,” she mumbled, afraid he would send her away for disobeying him. She had to concentrate, and find a way of making him want her, too much depended on her, she couldn’t mess this up.
    Unclasping her bra, she allowed her breasts to fall free, making sure when she bent down to push her panties off her hips he got a good look at them. Men