Forbidden (Dragon Protectors #4)

Can a human tame a dragon shifter?

Unedited excerpt

Her heart pounded, her pulse raced. The hair on the nape of her neck bristled. All her instincts screamed at her to get out of there.
The man's shoes glistened through the foam. His black slacks clung to his powerful thighs, that tapered up to a narrow waist. A white shirt stretched across shoulders that were broad enough to block out the view of the sea behind.
She had to tilt her head right back to look at his face.
His upper lip was thin, his chin thrust out. High cheek bones that looked sharp enough to hurt. His gaze was piercing. The hint of unleashed violence coiled under his skin.
She shivered. This man could be cruel and merciless. He could hurt her.
Rinelle raised her hand and stabbed a finger at the man, "Your eyes look sad."
Her breath hitched. She grabbed the little girl's hand and pulled her close.
The man tilted his head, his forehead furrowed. "Leave little one," His voice was soft. "I don't want to hurt you."
Very carefully, Freya placed her on the sand. "Go," She matched her tone to his keeping it at an even keel.
She touched Rinelle's shoulder, giving her a gentle shove.
The girl stood for a second longer, her gaze locked with the man. "Will you come back and play with me?"
"Perhaps," He let the word hang in the air.
The girl took off toward the building where the gathering was still in progress.
The stranger's gaze swiveled back to her face. He stared unblinking. His features could have been carved out of ice.
Freya shifted her weight from leg to leg, pressed her feet into the ground. "Don't you know that the Elysians and the dragons are united? We are no longer enemies."
He eyes narrowed. "I am not an Elysian."
A fluttery feeling rose in her belly. "You're not a dragon shifter, are you?"
"I am both." He paused. "And neither." His hands jerked as he drew his elbows closer to his side. It was the first sign of disquiet in the man.
She sensed a grief in him, which surprised her. It was at odds with the heartless facade he wore like a cloak. "What do you want?"
The faint sound of the crowd cheering reached them.
The man's eyes flicked in that direction. "Revenge for what they did to my mother."
Terror jolted through her. "I don't know what happened to your mother. But, I won't let you harm my clan." She balled her fists and held it up in front of her chest, surprising even herself.
His nostrils flared. It was the only outward sign of his surprise. "What are you offering in return?"
"Me."

This is Freya and Axel's story