42 - Little Flame

**Lysandra**

I almost have a heart attack when I hear his voice.

"Looking for something, little flame?"

The shock sends me off-balance. My foot slips, and before I can even scream, I feel the weightless, terrifying pull of gravity. This is it, I think. This is how I die-splattered on the floor of a dragon's library. Perfect ending for a tragic story.

No crash. Strong arms catch me in midair, the jarring softened against an unyielding chest. His heat leaks into me, far too reassuring.

When did he come back to the library? I thought he was gone, already!

"Always so careless, or reserved only for me?" the rumbling voice of Drakar is half amused, half irritated.

"Put me down," I bite out as my face reddens in blood.

"As you wish."

He lifts me as if I weigh nothing and sets me on one of the ladder's steps. Now, we are almost at eye level. I am uncomfortably aware of the closeness. His sharp, golden eyes lock onto mine, and I feel pinned in place.

"You're so light," he murmurs to himself. "Yet you refuse to eat. Why don't you listen when I tell you what's best for you?

"Maybe because I have no intention of letting you dictate my life," I shoot back, trying to regain some semblance of control. "I told you when you refused to let me go-I'm never going to bow to you."

A ghost of a smirk touches his lips. "We'll see."

The arrogance makes my blood boil. "You're insufferable," I mutter under my breath.

"I heard that."

"Good," I snap, crossing my arms. "Why are you even here? Don't you have some brooding or fire-breathing to do?"

He chuckles-low, rich sound that I hate how much I notice. "You're in my library."

"Your library?" I glance around, suddenly annoyed that I didn't consider this possibility. "Well, maybe if your castle weren't a labyrinth, I wouldn't have ended up here by accident."

Accident?" His brow arches, but a glint of mirth dances in his gaze. "Then why were you searching for a book on dragons?"

I freeze. My brain falters over an excuse, but before I can say a word, he steps closer to me, invading my personal space.

"Don't bother denying it," he says smoothly. "If you really want to learn about dragons, why waste time with books?

"Because books don't kidnap me," I snap back, glaring at him. "And they don't lecture me about eating."

His smile falters, just for a moment, and something unreadable flashes across his face. "Do you still think of yourself as a prisoner?"

The softness in his voice throws me off balance. For a moment, I don't know if he's mocking me or hurt. I look down at my hands, suddenly unsure.

"Look at me," he says quietly.

His fingers brush my chin, and my face tips up. The touch is fleeting but enough to course a current through my body. His golden eyes ensnare mine, and for one moment, I'm not breathing.

"Look at me when I talk to you, little flame."

The nickname catches me off guard. It feels. warm. Delicate yet fierce. Something wild, untamed, and oddly fitting. My stomach flips and I hate myself for it.

"Why do you call me that?" I ask, the words spilling before I can catch them.

He tilts his head, his smirk twisting upwards once more. "Because it suits you. A small, defiant flame in a world of shadows."

"That's ridiculous."

"Is it?

I try to look away, but his gaze is magnetic, holding me in place. My thoughts swirl-angry, confused, and something else I don't want to name.

"Stop doing that," I snap.

"Doing what?"

"Reading my thoughts."

His smirk deepens. "But they're so loud."

"I hate you," I mutter.

"No, you don't."

"Don't presume to know what I feel."

"I don't have to presume," he returns silkily. "You tell me yourself."

He leans in before I can respond, the timbre of his voice already conveying a near whisper, "You're wondering if I see you the way you see yourself. Strong, yet breakable. Untamed, yet delicate."

I stiffen, my breathing catching in my throat. "Stop."

"Why? Am I wrong?"

I don't answer. My fists clench at my sides, and he leans back, unreadable.

"Yes," he says softly. I freeze. "Yes, what?"

"Yes, that's how I see you.

The words hang in the air between us, heavy and upsetting. I don't know what to say or how to react. My chest tightens, and my mind whirs with questions to which I really do not want answers.

"Why are you telling me this?" I manage, my voice barely above a whisper.

He doesn't respond immediately. He takes another step back; the smirk has gone. "Because you should know."

"Know what?

That even flames can be quenched if one isn't careful."

The warning in his tone sends a shiver down my spine. Before I can press further, he turns and strides toward the door.

"Wait," I call after him, but he doesn't stop.

At the doorway, he pauses, looking back over his shoulder. His eyes gleam with something that looks almost like regret.

"Dinner's still waiting," he says. "Don't keep me waiting too long, little flame."

Standing there, trying to get my thoughts together, I suddenly hear footsteps down the hall. Turning, I see one of the servants from the castle walking toward me.

"Dinner is served, miss," she says with a curtsy. "Lord Drakar awaits your presence."

I hesitate, unsure if I'm ready to face Drakar again. But my stomach growls, reminding me that I haven't eaten all day.

I follow the servant to the dining hall, where Drakar is already seated. He looks up as I enter, his eyes locking onto mine.

"Ah, little flame," he says, his voice low and smooth. "I see you decided to join me after all."

I sit down, trying to ignore the way he is looking at me. "I'm only here for the food," I say casually.

Drakar chuckles, the sound sending a shiver down my spine. "Glad to hear that, though I must say, I'm a bit disappointed. I was hoping for a more. lively conversation."

I raise an eyebrow, intrigued despite myself. "Oh? And what did you have in mind?"

Drakar leans back in his chair, a sly smile spreading across his face. "I thought we could discuss the terms of your stay here," he says. "You see, I've been thinking, and I believe it's time we came to a mutually beneficial agreement."

I frown, unsure of what he's getting at. "What kind of agreement?"

Drakar's smile widens. "An agreement that benefits us both, of course. You see, I have something you want, and you have something I want."

I narrow my eyes as suspicion grows. "What could you possibly want from me?"

Drakar's eyes glint with humor. "Oh, little flame. You already know what I want, but you'd be surprised by what I'm willing to do to get what I want.”