Kingdom of Shadows and Wings (Dragons of Tirene, #1)

by Nina Frost

My mother’s friends must wonder how two sisters could be so different. Leesa is strong, healthy, and plans to use her affinity for fire to defend Aclaris and become a dragonrider. Basically, she’s a badass. Meanwhile, I’m the weakling sister who suffers from frequent dizzy spells and possesses the magical ability of a potato.

The villagers need food. I need a hobby. It’s a win-win if you ask me.

Thorne thrusts a pitchfork in my hand. “Here.” I grip the tool. “What’s this for?” He rolls his eyes. “And here I thought you were smarter than you looked.” “I don’t know if anyone’s ever told you this, but you really have a way with people.”

If I thought he was attractive while scowling, laughing makes him downright breathtaking.

Turning away, he opens the door. I roll my eyes at his back. “Right. You brought me a blanket because the dragons don’t want me to be cold. You know, it’s okay if people discover that you can be nice sometimes.” He throws me a dark look. “Or not.” I bite back a snicker. I don’t know what it is about him that makes me want to poke the bear, but I can’t help myself. Getting under Thorne’s skin might just be my all-time-favorite new hobby.

For a small eternity, we stand there staring at each other, neither of us moving or saying a word. Thorne breaks the silence first. “We can’t do this.” “I know.” “This is a terrible idea.” “The worst.” I wet my lips again, and he releases a ragged breath. “Fuck it.” Before I comprehend what’s happening, he winds my braid around his fist and tugs, yanking my head back. And then his mouth slams into mine.

“Yes, sir.” He leans forward, his hot breath feathering against my cheek. “Watch how you say that, Duchess, or one day you’re going to get more than you bargained for.”

Thorne flicks his wrists, speeding up the torturous freezing process. He’s enjoying this. And he’s doing this on my behalf. That fact does funny things to my insides. There’s got to be something wrong with me.

“Interested is far too tame a word to describe how I feel about you. Obsessed, bewitched. Those come closer.”

Thorne’s eyes graze over me, and the emotion in them spurs my pulse into a gallop. “You look like the woman I’d give anything to have. You look like you’re mine.”