Dragon Killer

By Coda Sterling

Lisabeth Stuart is spending the weekend on a lush tropical island with the man of her dreams. What could possibly go wrong? She finds out when she meets Tristan's adolescent son, Raiden, who is determined not to have any stepmother, but especially not her, a human. But when his attempts at manipulation go awry, Lisabeth finds herself caught in the crossfire between opposing island factions, and even a simple stroll on the beach is murder.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Black Mare Books
• Release date: Mar 19, 2015
• ISBN: 9781941502969

Coda Sterling

Artemis Greenleaf has always been fascinated by the mysterious, and she devoured fairy tales, folk tales and ghost stories since before she could read. In 1995, she had a near-death experience which turned her perception of the world upside down. She lived to tell the tale (and often does, in one form or another). Artemis lives in the suburban wilds of Houston, Texas with her husband, two children and assorted pets. She writes novels, short stories, and non-fiction, and her work has appeared in magazines. For more information, please visit artemisgreenleaf.com.

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Dragon Killer

By

Coda Sterling

SMASHWORDS EDITION

PUBLISHED BY:

Black Mare Books on Smashwords

ISBN: 978-1-941502-96-9

Dragon Killer

Copyright © 2015 by Coda Sterling

All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.

This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.

Lisabeth Stuart reached out her hand, but touched nothing. Where had Tristan gone? He had been in human form for almost twenty-four hours – he must have needed to go stretch his wings. She stretched languidly in the luxurious sheets and opened her eyes. Through the unshut drapes to the balcony, she could see the moon was riding low on the water. In an hour, it would be drowned on the watery horizon, and the first grey light of dawn would be waking up the jungle on the other side of the palace.

She rolled out of bed and found her robe strewn on the floor with her other clothes. Lisabeth slipped the silky wrap over her bare skin and walked out onto the balcony. The sweet and fruity scent of plumerias was almost cloying in the warm morning air. She smiled at what appeared to be a flock of oversized seagulls, dipping nearly to the surf and soaring back up, twisting and turning like stunt pilots, silhouetted against the fading globe of the full moon. Sunlight would have shimmered and glinted off their jewel-toned scales, and she might have even been able to pick Tristan out of the dozens of dragons playing in the sky.

As it turned out, one should be very careful what one wishes for. Two weeks ago, she was managing luxury townhomes for her cousin, and yearning for adventure. Seemingly by chance, she'd met the handsome and mysterious Sir Tristan Rathmore and discovered his unbelievable secret: he was a dragon who could assume human form as easily as she could change her clothes. She knew he was both an Earl and a Knight of the Garter, but it wasn't until she found herself on the Island of the Dragon Council that she learned he was also the Council Leader's brother.

I guess if we're heading back to Galveston tonight, I'd better pick up this mess, Lisabeth mumbled to herself as she surveyed the clothes scattered on the floor. She had been writing her resignation letter in her head since yesterday afternoon. Her assistant manager was more than ready to step into Lisabeth's job, and she hoped that her cousin, Thomas, would understand – he had introduced her to Tristan, after all. The plan was for her to return to the Dragons' Palace and undergo her Seeker's Guild training, then she and Tristan would be married in a quiet civil ceremony in the British Virgin Islands. Tristan, the obscenely wealthy Earl of Eldridge, typically only took short residences at his English estate. But now that Lisabeth would be the new Countess of Eldridge, he wanted her to spend some time there. If that wasn't enough to give her performance anxiety, there was one thing that worried her more than anything else.

This morning, she would be meeting Tristan's son.

Raiden was eight hundred years old, not quite an adult by dragon standards. His mother had been dead for the better part of a millennium, murdered by a cult of anti-dragon fanatics known as The Georges. In fact, just last week, Lisabeth had been kidnapped and held hostage by one of them, George 678, and did not take their threat lightly. She was still reeling herself from the whirlwind courtship, and she had no idea what to say to her future step-son.

The doorknob turned, and Tristan stepped into the room, bare-chested, and holding a stack of folded clothes in one hand. I thought you might want these.

Thanks, Lisabeth answered. She hesitated a moment, savoring the earthy vetiver and patchouli smell of him before she took the clothing.

Don't be nervous, Tristan said, reaching out to caress her face. Raiden still struggles with the loss of his mother, but he has a good heart. He attends school here on the Island, because I felt it would be more beneficial to him to be with his own kind than live amongst humans, given the circumstances.

In case you hadn't noticed, I'm human.

Oh, I've noticed, he replied, and his eyes strayed to the swell of her breasts under the thin robe for a moment. Be patient with him. I know he'll not make it easy for you, not at first. But I feel certain he'll come around.

I hope you're right.

Tristan's warm lips brushed her forehead. I am.

Lisabeth shook herself. Well, now that you've brought me some clean clothes, I need a shower.

She made for the bathroom and closed the door. The shower stall was tiled with stone, and probably big enough for four people. She let the water run to get warm while she brushed her teeth.

Reviews for Dragon Killer

[tmerisotis-1 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Free book for honest review. Enjoyed the second book in the dragonfire series. Liked the mythology references throughout the book. Very fast pace but well written. Can't wait to read more about Lisabeth and Tristan.

[cathygeha · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

A very short fantasy story won through Library Thing that takes place in Florida at a theme castle. Lizabeth and Tristan are well matched and the story predictable while also entertaining.

[ashpreads · Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

After a traumatic and exhausting time facing the St. George fanatics, Lisabeth and Tristan escape to a tropical island to spend some quality time with his family. The newly engaged couple are not prepared for the resistance they face from Tristan's son, Raiden. Being unable to accept a stepmother and that too a human, Raiden schemes to drive her away only the plan backfires, putting him and all concerned in grave danger.ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.