Dragonmark by Sherrilyn Kenyon Page A

his people.
    He unwrapped the leather from her body and knelt so that she could dismount.
    Impishly, she slid down his wing like a slide, to land on her feet.
    Illarion arched a brow in stunned surprise at her actions as she gave him a proud smile. No one had ever been so playful around him. At least you’ve conquered your fear of me.
    â€œNot entirely.” She flounced away, toward the pond where he sometimes went to bathe.
    Beguiled by her, he followed and watched as she explored his favorite place. He still wasn’t sure why he’d brought her here to share it. Not even his brothers knew about his private spot. It was his own haven that he’d reserved from everyone.
    Edilyn went to sit on a rock that jutted out over the crystal-blue water and pulled off her worn shoes. Wiggling her toes, she plunged them in, then leaned back on her arms to sun herself.
    Would you like to swim?
    She tilted her head to cast him a wistful pout. “I don’t know how.”
    It’s not deep.
    Her look turned doubtful. “For you, the man? Or you, the dragon?”
    Point taken . He moved closer to her. I could teach you to swim. It’s not hard .
    She wrinkled her nose at him. “Should I wet these, I’ve no other clothes to wear.”
    One corner of his lips curled up into a roguish grin as he considered that. You could swim naked .
    She tsked at him. “Ah, the truth of you, now.”
    Her words rang with a veracity he wanted to deny. If only he could. But he wouldn’t mind watching her frolic naked in the water.
    Instead, he changed forms before he’d even realized what he’d done so that he could join her on her rock. He wanted to be close beside her and he could only do that in a human body. Otherwise, he might inadvertently harm her.
    If you wish to swim, I’ll get you more clothes.
    Edilyn didn’t miss the way his voice in her head had dropped an octave. Nor the light in his blue eyes as he watched her. “Why do your eyes change color when you become a man?”
    Sadness replaced the heat. When he started away, she reached out and stopped him. “I’m sorry if that hurt you. I was only curious. You really do hate your human form, don’t you?”
    He nodded.
    She couldn’t fathom why. He was unbelievably handsome. Far more so than any man she’d ever seen in her life. His features were perfectly sculpted. His brownish-red hair unlike anyone else’s. Up close, she could see that it wasn’t a single hair color. Rather it was made up of all of them. Even random strands of blond were laced through it.
    And though she’d never kissed a man before and she knew deep inside that they were supposed to be enemies, she couldn’t help wondering what it would be like to taste his lips. While she’d never coveted the thought of being with a dragon before, she didn’t mind being with him.
    â€œTeach me to swim, my dragon lord.”
    He gave her an adorable grin as her clothes turned into the strangest outfit she’d ever beheld. Gasping, she tried to cover herself with her hands.
    â€œWhat is this you’ve done to me?”
    Put you in a wetsuit. It’ll keep you warm and dry in the water.
    â€œIt’s so tight!”
    True, and it sadly covers you from head to toe.
    â€œBut leaves no mystery!”
    I beg to differ. Should we peel it off and compare?
    â€œNay!”
    Shaking his head, he redressed himself in something a lot more scandalous. While her black suit as he called it did cover her neck to wrist and ankle, his was barely more than a scandalous breechcloth.
    They’re called board shorts .
    â€œI only understand half of what you say to me.”
    With that adorable grin in place, he took her hand and led her to the water.
    She bit her lip and hesitated. “Is it cold?”
    He shook his head before he released her hand and dove beneath the small waves to swim with an ease she envied. True to his word,