Clutch of the Demon by A. P. Jensen

appreciatively. How the hell had a dragon conjured up pasta? Did she even want to know? She wanted to ask if it was poisoned and then figured it didn't matter if it was. There was no escape for her and if he wanted to kill her, she couldn't do anything about it. She leaned against the boulder and ate. Because of the space and constant light, she didn't feel as if they were underground. The dragon sat fifteen feet away and didn't seem as monstrous now that he was in a bigger area that suited him. She could feel his eyes on her.  
    "Water?" she croaked.  
    There's a basin in the cave with fresh water. Go to sleep.  
    Cara didn't ask questions. She walked into the hobbit hole, which had a bed carved out of stone. She ambled forward and pressed experimentally on the mattress before she meandered further into the cave. She peeked behind a stone partition and saw a private pool and bowl carved into the wall. The water was so clear that she could see different shades of color in the rock. She cupped her hands in the water and drank until her thirst was quenched. She pulled out her one change of clothes and whispered the cleaning spell over it before she tugged off the wetsuit. She took a quick dip in the pool and was surprised to find the water warm, almost hot. She was tempted to soak, but quickly washed the salt out of her hair before she dressed and rounded the wall.  
    The dragon was parked in the opening of the cave, waiting for her. Where the hell was she going to go? She met his eyes a little defiantly as she got into bed. Her hands slid over the expensive sheets and the mattress conformed to every curve of her body. She wanted to ask how he managed to get a mattress and one thousand thread count sheets, but was too tired. She wasn't sure how many days had passed since she set out on her mission. Too much had happened in too little time to process. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she drifted to sleep.

Chapter Six

    Cara woke up warm and content. She opened her eyes and stared up at a glowing stone ceiling and frowned. She looked down the length of her body and saw the dragon watching her. She shrieked and sat straight up in bed. The dragon didn't move a muscle. He watched her with turquoise eyes that catalogued her every move. She had the sheet pulled up to her eyes. Realizing she must look like a frightened child, she dropped the sheet and tried to act cool and dignified.
    She couldn't determine if it was morning or night or if she had slept for minutes or hours. She decided it didn't matter as she slipped out of bed and walked behind the wall to wash her face. She took a deep breath before she came out and faced the dragon. Involuntarily, her eyes ran over him. He was monstrous and too large to measure from his glinting black horns to the tip of his tail. It took every ounce of courage she possessed to walk out of the cave.  
    "So, what happens now?" she asked.  
    What do you want to eat?
    Cara blinked. "Anything, I guess."  
    On that same flat-topped rock, another tray appeared with chicken sandwiches and a glass of iced tea. She flicked a glance at the dragon before she began to eat. The dragon turned to watch and she found it so unnerving that she stopped altogether.  
    You don't like it?
    She took a sip of the iced tea before she said, "I don't understand what's happening."
    You need nourishment.  
    "So you can eat me?"  
    The dragon snorted and she dove for cover as a stream of fire burst from his nose.  
    If I were going to eat you, I would have done so the moment you entered my cave. Besides, I can eat something more appetizing than you.
    Why she was offended by that remark was beyond her. Her brain must be going haywire underground. "So, what am I doing here?"
      In the centuries I've been trapped here, you are the only being who has managed to find me. You will stay with me as long as I am imprisoned here.  
    She mulled that over. So, he wasn't going to eat her. He wanted company? She bit her lip