The Last Dragon King (Kings of Avalier, #1)

by Leia Stone

“Her entire family was murdered for some type of ongoing feud she had with the dragon king. Her magic was a threat to him she said. She… she said she was a full-blooded dragon-folk.”

“She escaped, but she warned me that if anyone ever detected this magic in her child, that child would be killed.”

Arwen Novakson.

After a week’s worth of hunting, I didn’t even get a bowl of Mother’s cougarin stew. This Jade City castle chef better be the best damn food artisan in the realm, because I was hungry.

“If I don’t make you my wife, I might have to put you in my army.” His tone was joking, but I couldn’t help the lopsided grin that graced my face.

I was a slow reader, never had much opportunity to read full novels, but by the time she was done with my hair I’d read six chapters of a gripping fantasy about a wolf shifter and a shadow demon who fell in love. “Who wrote this?” I asked, looking at the leather cover. The letters J.E. were embossed in gold.

I simply make an offhanded comment about him marrying too soon, then I sprout wings and suddenly I’m treasonous?

“The queen of Cinder Mountain. She had a special type of magic. They called her the king killer. She could steal other dragon-folks’ magic and merge it with hers, making her all-powerful.”

“Arwen Novakson, you are the lost queen of the Eclipse Dragon clan, and your magic is so powerful that it can devour mine, killing me and all of the dragon-folk people that are connected to me. You, Arwen, are the king killer.”

“I’m no queen. I’m just a hunter who wants to take care of my family. I’ll follow you wherever you lead, Your Highness.”

“You’ve never been my backup, Arwen. You were always my first choice, ever since I saw you walking into town with that giant cougarin draped over your shoulders. I was fascinated with the beautiful and strong female hunter.”

“I peeked into the kissing tent and saw you walking towards some other guy, your lips pursed and ready. Without thinking, I jumped in front of him and took what I wanted.”

“Marry me, Arwen. Not because I need an heir but because somehow I’ve fallen in love with you and now I’m not sure that I can live without you.”

That’s all it took to break someone, a few hours of hope.

Where is a girl to keep her daggers and things if she has no pockets?