In truth, he didn’t know. The last three days with her had been... he didn’t know how to describe it. He wanted to strangle her more times than not. She teased him when she shouldn’t and even took delight in it. Even more stunning, he’d teased her back.
And yet...
There was something about her that he found...
He had no words. Interesting didn’t explain it.
Quirky? No.
Beguiling? Definitely not.
She was under his skin in a way that was both chafing and pleasant. How that was possible, he didn’t know.
The dragon challenged him. Made him think of things he didn’t normally consider. Most of all, she wasn’t afraid of him, and he found that refreshing.
That’s because she has no idea who you are.
Probably. Those who knew him were terrified of his wrath. Well, most who knew him. Halla didn’t fear him because she’d been his father’s court jester. She foolishly believed her position protected her.
As for Ryper...
No one knew his mind. Ryper had a death wish and feared nothing and no one.
As for the other Outlaws, most of them were like Ryper and didn’t care if they lived or died. Therefore, they feared nothing.
Not even him.
But that wasn’t what drew him to the dragon. It had to be something else. Not that it mattered. Whatever it was, he was in a state of constant arousal around her, and it wasn’t just sexual.
Yes, he was physically attracted to her, but she stimulated much more than just his cock. She kept him on edge and sharp.
No one had ever done that before.
And he strangely liked it.
She was a unique creature and while he didn’t know what these feelings were that he had for her, they were unlike any he’d ever felt for anyone else. “Do you really value yourself so little, Dragon?”
Tanis paused at his peculiar question. “We don’t know each other. At all. It’s far more likely that my magick you took is playing havoc with you.”
That intrigued him. “How so?”
“Dragons are made of fire and venom. Unicorns are made of... well, unicorn magick, whatever that is... fluff and glitter.”
“Fluff and glitter?” Offended, he quirked one handsome brow at her. “You think I can’t handle your fire?”
“I would think it a burden, yes.”
He snorted. “As I said earlier, you don’t weigh enough to be a burden to me.”
She gave him a goofy look as she held her hands up to indicate her body. “Only in this form. If I were a dragon, my weight would crush you... and it would have been my foot on your rump to holdyoudown.”
“As long as you were keeping me from foolishness, I’d welcome it.”
His confession surprised her. “Truly?”
“Why do you think I haven’t speared Halla over her incessant digs and impudence?”
Tanis paused at that. “I hadn’t given it any thought.”
