by Anna Lowe
Not like planes, her dragon corrected. Like dragons. We came first.
Tristan made a sweeping motion with his wing. Just a couple of quick steps, a few flaps of your wings, and you’ll be airborne. Then we’ll head that way…
He went on for a minute or two, and she nodded, trying to memorize every word. But when she finally lined up for takeoff, her mind went blank. When Tristan took off ahead of her, all she felt was fear. Of taking off. Of flying. Most of all, of landing. She was scared of failing Tristan — and of failing everyone. What kind of Fire Maiden would that make her?
Oh, for goodness’ sake, her dragon muttered.
And just like that, she was running down the slope, powered by a stubborn burst of courage. Leading with her nose and holding her tail straight, she picked up speed and beat her wings.
A few more steps, then up, Tristan called.
He’d explained that too — after hitting a certain speed, she simply had to lift her feet off the ground and trust her wings. So Natalie bared her teeth, promised herself she could do it—
Of course, I can do it, her dragon snipped.
—and folded one foot against her belly. A moment later, she gingerly lifted the other, and—
Wheeee! her dragon cheered.
The first rows of vines rushed under her belly, and cool air flowed under her wings. She was airborne. She’d done it!
Okay, so she might have clipped a few vines on her way up. But, hey. She was flying! Soaring, even. Folding the back edge of her wings down, she shot upward. Before long, she was higher than the terra-cotta roof of the house. Higher than the barn. Higher than the hilltops, even, and it wasn’t scary at all.
Tristan whooped. Look at you go! Magnifique!
It wasn’t often that Natalie felt magnifique. But it was hard not to at a moment like that. Her wings were huge and steady, her tail straight, keeping her body streamlined. She was high, mighty, and totally in control.
Well, mostly in control. Every once in a while, she’d tip her wings too far and wobble. But with Tristan flying steadily by her side, she found her balance and flew on.
For the first few minutes, the exhilaration of flying made her cry out in joy. Then she started noticing the details of the landscape, too.
Wow, she breathed again and again.
The rows of vines below created a chevron pattern, following the contours of the hills. Meandering stone walls hemmed in the fields, and beyond them lay fields of lavender like so many purple blankets laid out to dry. Rows of sage sprang up between them, and she closed her eyes, savoring the rich aroma. In the distance, the spire of a village church pointed to the stars.
Bong… Bong… Bong…
The ring of church bells carried for miles, following the hilly landscape. It was a quarter to midnight, and she felt like Cinderella at a ball. Would the clock strike once more and wake her from a vivid dream, or was this all real?
I’m real, all right. Her dragon side flexed her claws and waggled her tail.
The wind whistled in her ears. The world was hushed, and the harvest moon was huge and orange.
Just like that vision, she thought, awed.
The first time Tristan had given her the mating bite, she’d pictured nearly the same scene. It was all there — the church bells, the vineyard, the scenery. Everything but fire crackling around her lips. But, heck. She was content to save that for a future lesson.
This way, Tristan called, dipping a wing.
He bore away to the south, then looked back to check that she was following. His eyes glowed softly in the darkness, so eager, her heart swelled.
This is amazing, she said.
It came out in coughy, guttural dragon talk that was strangely comprehensible to her ears.
It gets better. He grinned.
When she snorted, a tiny spark popped out of her mouth. Oops.
But Tristan just laughed. No need to worry about anyone noticing that. But someday…
His voice rose with pride, and Natalie pictured herself soaring through the air and spitting fire. She’d need a lot of practice, that was for sure. But once she learned that — well, let a vampire try to bother her then.
No one will dare, my Fire Maiden. Tristan’s eyes flared in anger, then softened again.
For a few minutes, she flew with gritty determination. Gradually, the crisp evening air and sweet Provençal scents helped her relax again and simply enjoy.
Not long now, Tristan said as they glided along.
At first, she thought he might take her toward Nîmes, the historic town emitting a soft glow in the distance. But Tristan’s course took them farther north, and soon, he dipped closer to the landscape. A silver line snaked between the folds of the hills, and Tristan took a sharp left, following it.
The river Gardon, Tristan murmured. And up ahead…
She looked forward, wondering what surprise lay around the next bend. A waterfall? A pool wide enough for a swim?
They banked right, then left, following the curves of the river. And when the river straightened again…
Wow, she breathed.
Le Pont du Gard, Tristan said. The Romans built it.
Natalie had seen the structure in postcards but never with her own eyes: three stories of delicate stone arches, forming a bridge that supported an aqueduct. The river flowed sedately underneath, creating a gorgeous scene that probably hadn’t changed in two thousand years. Trees blanketed the hillsides on either side of the river, their leaves fluttering in the breeze.
Watch this, Tristan called, diving toward the lowest level of the aqueduct.
Wait. Natalie cried. Was he really going to—
She held her breath as he folded his wings and shot through the central arch. Then she yelped and twisted upward, barely clearing the top level in her moment of distraction.
Tristan zoomed through the arches then snapped open his wings and shot upward, grinning wildly.
Fun, huh? I haven’t done that since I was a kid.
Fun? More like crazy. But Natalie couldn’t bring herself to chastise her mate. Not when he seemed so free and happy.
You want to try? he asked.
She laughed. No way. But maybe someday, she hurried to add when his face fell. I’ll just watch for now.
It’s easy. You just fold your wings at exactly the right second—
And crash into the pillar, she nearly said.
But Tristan zoomed through effortlessly — once, skimming the water as he swept through the lowest level, and a second time through the central arch of the middle level. Natalie circled above, holding her breath.
See? Tristan grinned as he joined her.
She laughed. Show-off.
Maybe a little. But it is fun.
It did look fun. And the crazy thing was how natural it felt to be soaring over the ground.
We’ll have to come back for a swim sometime, Tristan said, banking left. But for now, let’s go this way.
For the next few minutes, they followed the line of the aqueduct over the countryside. Vineyards alternated with fields of herbs, and tiny towns clustered around hillsides, each crowned by a church. Natalie took it all in, awed. For years, she’d dreamed of a life like this. Now, she was living it, and in style. She had a penthouse apartment in Paris and her own country retreat. More importantly, she had a good man who’d proven his love for her again and again.
She exhaled deeply. How lucky could a girl get?
Maybe we can get even luckier, her dragon murmured, brushing up against Tristan.
He looked over, eyes aglow, making her body heat all over.
Oh, yes, her dragon purred.
His eyes were a rich, orange-red hue — the glow of passion. Natalie’s eyes prickled, which probably meant they were glowing the same way. And who could blame her, what with the sultry images drifting through her mind? She imagined two dragons winding around each other, high in the sky. Coming closer and closer in a tight love knot, their wings and bodies pressed together. T
heir tails would whip the air beneath them, keeping them airborne just long enough to—
Natalie fanned herself with her right wing then cleared her throat.
How about we head home?
Tristan shot her a wicked grin. So soon?
She nodded firmly. Someday, she might be up to flying under bridges and enjoying aerial sex. But not on her first flight. On the other hand, the night was still young, and she knew just how she wanted to celebrate her first flight.
How? Tristan asked, reading her mind.
She licked her lips. The bed in the vineyard’s farmhouse was nice, big, and solid. The sheets were soft, and the air would be tinged with the scent of the roses that climbed around the windows.
Oh, I may have a few ideas, she murmured.
Tristan drifted under her, brushing her belly as if warming up for what she had in mind.
I like your ideas, he murmured, making her heat all over again.
She snorted. In all seriousness, she had dozens of ideas for projects in Paris — and ways to finance them, as well as arguments to persuade Alaric of their worth. But tonight…
Tristan chuckled. A good thing we have all night, my mate.
* * *
Fire Maidens: Paris is just the first of Anna’s new Billionaires & Bodyguards series, each set in one of Europe’s most dazzling, romantic cities. Book 2 is Liam’s story, and it’s packed with surprises. Don’t miss the twists, turns, or passion of Fire Maidens: London. Get your copy today!
The full series includes the following titles, which are all available in ebook, paperback, and audio:
Book 1: Fire Maidens: Paris
Book 2: Fire Maidens: London
Book 3: Fire Maidens: Rome
Book 4: Fire Maidens: Portugal
Book 5: Fire Maidens: Ireland
...and more coming throughout 2020!
* * *
Thank you for reading Dragon Passions! If you enjoyed this box set, please leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews are the best way to thank an independent author for the stories you’ve loved.
Each of the books in this box set kicks off a different series, all of which build on each other and interconnect. All feature tough heroines, passionate alpha heroes, and spellbinding scenery that will sweep you away!
Aloha Shifters: Jewels of the Heart
Aloha Shifters: Pearls of Desire
Fire Maidens: Billionaires & Bodyguards
You can find them all - plus information on all Anna’s audiobooks - on Anna’s website. And given the exciting new releases coming soon, make sure you’re signed up to Anna’s newsletter. You’ll get THREE FREE STORIES, a free audiobook, and dozens of EXCLUSIVE BONUS SCENES right away, and you’ll be notified of every new release. That way, you won’t miss a single kiss or twist in the ongoing action, passion, and romance!
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Books by Anna Lowe
Aloha Shifters - Jewels of the Heart
Lure of the Dragon (Book 1)
Lure of the Wolf (Book 2)
Lure of the Bear (Book 3)
Lure of the Tiger (Book 4)
Love of the Dragon (Book 5)
Lure of the Fox (Book 6)
Aloha Shifters - Pearls of Desire
Rebel Dragon (Book 1)
Rebel Bear (Book 2)
Rebel Lion (Book 3)
Rebel Wolf (Book 4)
Rebel Heart (A prequel to Book 5)
Rebel Alpha (Book 5)
Fire Maidens - Billionaires & Bodyguards
Fire Maidens: Paris (Book 1)
Fire Maidens: London (Book 2)
Fire Maidens: Rome (Book 3)
Fire Maidens: Portugal (Book 4)
Fire Maidens: Ireland (Book 5)
The Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch
Desert Hunt (the Prequel)
Desert Moon (Book 1)
Desert Blood (Book 2)
Desert Fate (Book 3)
Desert Heart (Book 4)
Desert Rose (Book 5)
Desert Roots (Book 6)
Desert Yule (a short story)
Desert Wolf: Complete Collection (Four short stories)
Sasquatch Surprise (a Twin Moon spin-off story)
Blue Moon Saloon
Perfection (a short story prequel)
Damnation (Book 1)
Temptation (Book 2)
Redemption (Book 3)
Salvation (Book 4)
Deception (Book 5)
Celebration (a holiday treat)
Shifters in Vegas
Paranormal romance with a zany twist
Gambling on Trouble
Gambling on Her Dragon
Gambling on Her Bear
Serendipity Adventure Romance
Off the Charts
Uncharted
Entangled
Windswept
Adrift
Travel Romance
Veiled Fantasies
Island Fantasies
visit www.annalowebooks.com
More from Anna Lowe
Check out the other side of Anna Lowe with a series even die-hard paranormal fans rave about: the Serendipity Adventure Romance series. You can try it FREE with Off The Charts, a short story prequel you can receive for FREE by signing up for Anna Lowe’s newsletter. Just click here!
Listen to what a few Twin Moon fans have to say about this new series:
This is as HOT as her shifter series. For those who want spicy without paranormal, this is a perfect start. I can’t wait to read more about these characters.
I’m enjoying Anna’s new series just as much as I do her Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch series.
It’s not my normal genre but I do love Anna Lowe’s romance books because of the great way she writes. I am really happy this book was the same great style.
Uncharted is different from Anna’s Wolves of Twin Moon Ranch but I enjoyed the story just as well.
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