Chapter 48

Valerie

I regretted not looking away.

I had been so curious, I could not help but meet the dragon’s gaze when he had climbed through the window and stepped into the room. The other slaves panicked and screamed, cowered into balls and clawed to get away. But I simply stared. It was all I could do. And yet doing so had garnered his attention, and he did not seem keen on releasing me from his grasp.

When he had cut me free from my leash and held me in his arms, I froze. Though his body was warm—burning, like the fire set ablaze to the lawn. He had hooked a strong forearm around me and pressed our bodies together. “Why do they have a pretty little thing like you all tied up?” he asked. “That should be my job.”

Now he was leading me out of the room, that same strong arm curled around my shoulders.

I was not used to the sight of naked men, and the dragon stood so brazenly, so fearless of his carnal form. I struggled to place my gaze. If I looked him in the face, I would be staring into his