The Dragon's Soul: Xan (Siren Publishing Classic) Read online

  The Dragon’s Soul: Xan

  Remunada Summers is a simple healer leading a quiet life in a small backwater town—until the day the king’s guards drag her from her home and across the continent by “request” of the king to help Prince Anaxandros Minos. Upon arriving at the castle, she faces not only a dragon, but the shocking secrets the Royal Houses have kept hidden for centuries. What can a simple healer do to help the mighty Royal House of Minos? More than Remi expected, since the royals aren’t the only ones with secrets...

  Prince Anaxandros “Xan” Minos is in need of help, but only his True One can help him. After his dragon rejects several royal women presented to him as possible mates, he fears for the safety of the entire kingdom if he cannot find his True One in time. Then she arrives: a Healer, outspoken in defense of others, her scent driving his dragon to distraction while her overly large curves tempt the man beyond reason. Forced to deal not only with his problems—trying to convince Remi she is his True One and that they need to mate as quickly as possible—Xan must also address the enemies of the crown who move against his family.

  He may be Firstborn and Heir, but how much can a poor princely dragon juggle?

  Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Shape-shifters

  Length: 67,396 words

  THE DRAGON’S SOUL: XAN

  Kalissa Wayne

  

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  A SIREN PUBLISHING BOOK

  THE DRAGON’S SOUL: XAN

  Copyright © 2017 by Kalissa Wayne

  ISBN: 978-1-64010-230-9

  First Publication: April 2017

  Cover design by Harris Channing

  All art and logo copyright © 2017 by Siren Publishing, Inc.

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED: This literary work may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic or photographic reproduction, in whole or in part, without express written permission.

  All characters and events in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is strictly coincidental.

  WARNING: The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal. Criminal copyright infringement, including infringement without monetary gain, is investigated by the FBI and is punishable by up to 5 years in federal prison and a fine of $250,000.

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  PUBLISHER

  Siren Publishing, Inc.

  www.SirenPublishing.com

  DEDICATION

  A lot of blood, sweat and tears went into the making of this book. I have a lot of people to thank for that, but to list them all I’d have to write another book! A heartfelt thank you goes out to everyone at Siren for helping to make my dream come true. To my cheerleaders out there–you are the bestest! To H. R.—thank you for inspiring me and encouraging me to reach for my dream. I’ll always be your biggest stalk…uhmmm, fangirl! Last but most definitely not least, to my husband—for standing by me, for encouraging me, for never letting me quit…I love you more.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Kalissa Wayne lives way down south in Cajun country with her husband of some-odd years. They enjoy road trips, good food, good music, and seeing the country. Kalissa loves to read and write and attempts to quilt, crochet, and knit although she’s not very good at it!

  For all titles by Kalissa Wayne, please visit

  www.bookstrand.com/kalissa-wayne

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Page

  Dedication

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Epilogue

  Landmarks

  Cover

  THE DRAGON’S SOUL: XAN

  KALISSA WAYNE

  Copyright © 2017

  Chapter 1

  Remunada didn’t see much as the soldiers shoved her through the iron-bound door. As she fell, her hands and knees scrabbled across loose gravel before sliding out from beneath her, causing her to slam flat to the floor. She forced herself over in time to see the fading glimmer of magic used to enhance the locks. She scrambled up and to the window in the door just as the soldiers parted. A tall, arrogant-looking man with tawny blond hair pulled back in a waist-length braid and the robes of the Royal House stepped forward, a frown and worry lines the only things marring his aristocratic features.

  “I am Prince Jarok, Second Son of King Minos. In the cave beyond, you will find my brother Prince Anaxandros, Firstborn Son and Heir to the Kingdom. The Seers have prophesied that only his True One can restore his soul. The list of possible mates has dwindled from a long list of more acceptable choices to you. With my brother’s rapid…decline, you are our last hope—a healer with a supposed drop or two of royal blood somewhere in your veins.” Prince Jarok sneered as his gaze ran down her overly ample body, torn, dusty clothes, and sweat-matted hair. “You will either save him or wish you had. I will be back in two days to see what his fate is…and yours.” He whirled around and left the cavern, all the soldiers following him.

  “Wait!” Remi cried after them. “What about the other women?”

  The last soldier turned and with pity in his eyes told her, “Their royal blood did not save them from the Dragon Lord. I doubt your rumored mixed heritage can protect you any differently.” With that, he followed his prince on the path back to the surface.

  Alone. Turning her back to the door, she stared down the narrow tunnel toward the larger cavern she knew must be there. They had dragged her halfway across the continent with no other explanation than the kingdom required her services. Required. She had been little more than a glorified prisoner as they forced her from her home with nothing but the clothes on her back, seven days across the desert on a swayback mule with no rest except the time it took to switch out animals. Looking down, she realized her clothes now had bloodstains from her scraped hands and knees.

  A roar from somewhere deep in the cavern shocked Remi from her inner thoughts. An animal of some kind, and in pain from the sound of it. She had heard tales of the Royals who could shape-shift to protect the kingdom, but never of one who had lost his soul. There were whispered stories of sexual hungers, parties, orgies even, but not of losing their souls.

  She wouldn’t determine the problem with the prince, or the resolution, just standing there. If her skills as a healer needed to be utilized she had no choice but to continue into the cave. Gathering her courage, she stepped onto the path that led deeper into the cavern. As she moved further from the door, the light from the lone wall torch left in the hall dimmed, the darkness closed in and she shuffled around fallen rocks. Nearing a bend that showed a glow from beyond it, she tripped over a larger rock, careening into the wall before falling on something mushy that stank of old blood and rotted meat. Bile rose into her throat. Scrambling to get up only mired her deeper into the thing, so she crawled out of the p
ile and controlled her gag reflex. Striving hard not to think of the other women, she lurched on toward the bend and the promising light.

  As she rounded the corner, a huge underground cavern spread out before her. Looking up in amazement, she saw a wide crack filled with crystal that emanated light into the whole cavern. The crack must extend to the surface somewhere, allowing sunlight to radiate through the crystal and down into the subterranean grotto. To Remi’s right, extending about halfway around the cavern, hundreds of small springs covered the wall. They trickled out of the rock and merged into a cascading waterfall that fell into an underground lake. The lake spread out from the cavern wall to the middle of the floor. With the water so crystal clear, Remi couldn’t tell how far down the sandy bottom sloped as it ran back to where it met the rock walls. Various outcroppings around the cavern walls were well worn, a few even showing cave openings. Remi could also see ferns growing near the edge of the lake and at various spots around the walls, creating a primal tropical environment.

  Peeking around the area she didn’t see anyone, dragon or man, and hadn’t heard any more roars or noises. Glancing down, she realized she needed a bath desperately. Being covered in blood and gore from…whatever that had been in the hallway did not sit well with her. Peering around once more, she headed down the stairs. Before she did anything or met anyone, she wanted to be clean. The thought that if she were to die, she wanted to meet her maker in a more dignified state caused a morbid laugh to escape. Remi fought to keep calm, telling herself panic and fear wouldn’t help her.

  As she reached the bottom of the stairs, she stopped behind a boulder more than twice her height. She listened but heard nothing more than the splashes of the waterfall. Easing around the boulder, Remi scanned the area, searching for any sign of habitation. Except for some boulders that to have fresh dirt on them, she saw nothing that would warrant a flight back up the stairs. Moving as quietly as she could, Remi hurried across the open ground and scurried behind some ferns and boulders at the water’s edge. Pausing, she waited to hear if anything had changed since her appearance. Nothing could be heard except the sound of moving water. Feeling better since she hadn’t immediately been set upon, she eased into the edge of the lake. With one last look around, she closed her eyes and sank beneath the water to start washing the detritus from her clothes, hair, and skin.

  * * * *

  Unbeknownst to Remi, she had been under observation since she first stepped out onto the landing at the top of the stairs. A pair of onyx eyes stared at her from one of the dark cave openings scattered around the walls. He had heard the steps of the humans as soon as they entered the upper caves and walked the narrow passage down into his domain. He’d heard the door being opened and closed and felt the magic used both times to access his cave. He smelled both the fresh blood from the female and the blood from the carcass he’d thrown at the opening weeks ago.

  His anger had gotten the better of him that day. They thought he’d be appeased with less than his True One, appeased with the food they placed on the landing. One part of his mind knew he needed some kind of salvation. He was well beyond the time he should have found his True One and bonded. The other part raged with the primal instincts that demanded a mate. As time went on, he feared it wasn’t going to be his humanity that survived, and he worried for his world if he lost the struggle with his animalistic side.

  He heard a splash from down below and watched as the human removed the tattered rags she had been dressed in and scrubbed her skin with the fine sand from the edges of the lake. He couldn’t smell her natural scent. Too much blood surrounded her. He waited and watched her from his aerie as she stopped again and looked around. When nothing happened after several long minutes, she quickly finished her bath and washed her clothes.

  She strode out of the water, holding her wet clothing in front of her. As she struggled to twist as much water from her shirt and pants as she could, he watched her wet body as it glistened. Her arms were tanned as well as her face and part of her neck and chest. The rest of her body, the parts that were kept covered, were a lighter shade like the sand in the Great Desert of Ah’Kan. With his dragon eyesight, he could watch the water slip down her body, and he fought the urge to go dry her with his tongue.

  He couldn’t tell her height at this angle, but her larger body almost doubled the size of the others they had tossed in with him. Though she was bigger than those he had usually sought as a man, a part of him wanted to roar out in lust as he watched the way her breasts swayed with her arm movements. Even from this height, he could tell they would fill his huge hands, their tips distended now from the coldness of the lake. Water collected on her nipples and paused before continuing their journey. Her wet hair hung to the small of her back, the color some dark shade that matched the curls guarding her womanhood. He’d find out the color once her hair dried. He watched more water run down over her stomach and into that nest of curls. His human side wanted to explore the path they had taken, drink of her juices mingled with the water. He wanted to feel her heavy thighs clinging to his hips as he sank deep and rode her hard.

  Just then, a gust of wind from the smaller cracks above stirred the air throughout the cave, causing her scent to rise on the currents to his hiding spot. Deep inside himself, he felt something quietly click together. The two conflicting sides of his personality connected in an instant. The struggle for supremacy was over. As the male and the dragon experienced for the first time a feeling of unity, sudden urgent emotions crashed over them. Raw, primitive emotions consumed him—possessiveness, protectiveness, want, need, and a feeling of rightness blanketed his soul. He roared out as lust became the prominent emotion, heedless of the fact she could hear him.

  “Let her know we are coming for her. Our True One.”

  * * * *

  Remi froze in the act of sliding the wet clothes back on as a roar echoed through the cavern once more. A roar much different from the one before. That roar had been filled with pain and anger, possibly even loneliness. This one sounded like a predator hunting for its prey. She finished dressing, slid into her sandals, and crouched behind a boulder among the ferns. Dragging her wet hair forward, she made one large braid of it while she scanned the surrounding area. The breeze that had kicked up moments before continued to blow, causing the ferns to sway and the surface of the lake to ripple.

  Another cry echoed through the cavern, and she lowered herself closer to the boulder in front of her. Fear had been her constant companion for years, and anxiety had joined in once the soldiers had taken her a week ago. Terror now started growing. What would she face, an insane madman or a crazed dragon? Remi didn’t believe a man could make those sounds, but it was only a rumor and superstition about the Royals being able to shape-shift…wasn’t it?

  It was silent except for the sound of the waterfall now. Looking overhead and around her, she couldn’t see any sign of another living thing. Taking a deep breath, she stood, peeking around the boulder as she moved. Sensing a movement, she looked left, but she saw nothing. Scanning as quickly as she could, she also calculated the time needed to cross the open space between her boulder and the bottom of the stairs.

  Would she get caught in the open? On the stairs? Or should she work her way along the cave wall, trying to stay concealed? Even as she contemplated, she felt a slight draft and heard a soft thump behind her.

  Turning slowly, her eyes were level with a broad, black-scaled head. Easily matching her height, it had a fine, chiseled appearance. Smaller scales were around the facial features, black as onyx and glimmering as if layered with stardust. The lips of the giant creature were drawn back in a grin showing white teeth and gleaming fangs. The eyes were the one feature that captured her attention. Large lashes framed the eyes that were a black so deep, her reflection was a perfect mirror image. When the dragon opened its mouth, the strain of the journey, nerves and her fear overwhelmed her. Remi felt the darkness descend as her knees gave out.

  * * * *

  Pr
ince Anaxandros, in his dragon form, reached out a clawed hand and caught the female before she hit the ground and hurt herself. Gently cradling her to his chest, he spread his wings and with a jump, thrust himself back into the air. Circling to gain altitude, he aimed for his favorite perch and the comfortable den beyond it. His human side whispered to his dragon side to hurry, the overwhelming need to claim their True One rode them both hard. The dragon side hissed, more worried about protecting and getting their True One into their den. Already, Xan could feel the healing, the welding and melding of both sides of his personality becoming one. Just touching his True One began healing the internal rift that was the curse of the sons of the noble houses. But the healing wouldn’t be complete until he claimed this beauty in his hand as his mate.

  Landing on the ledge of the largest cave, he folded his wings and went into his lair. His horns scraped along the top of the tunnel, and his bulky body skimmed the walls but when in human form, there was plenty of room. Shaking his head at the thought, he realized it had been a couple of weeks since he had changed back to human. Worry skittered across his thoughts, worry that it may be too late to bond. No, he could still reason, and feel, otherwise he would have attacked his True One before he ever caught her scent. There was still hope for him.

  Entering the huge main chamber of his lair, he angled toward the niche that contained the bed he used when in human form. His family had outfitted the space with every luxury, even a large bed. Which, for a dangerous animal, was ridiculous. What did a deranged dragon have need of a bed for, or a fire pit and dining table?