Read The Dragon's Treasure, Part 3 (For Love of Dragons) for Free Online

laughed at him. “I'm not a child Andrew and you are far out of line. Let me go.”
    Isabelle had no idea where this new bravery was coming from but she hoped it held out for a while yet because Andrew looked like he had no intention of backing down anytime soon.
    “No, I will not beat you little sister. I merely wish to remind you of how we treat whores here in my city,” he hissed.
    Her eyes narrowed and she pushed away from him. “This is still father’s city you pathetic waste of a man.”
    This time she wasn't as prepared for his fist as it came across her temple, sending her sprawling to the floor. “How dare you speak to me that way you filthy whore. You must be punished.”
    Isabelle turned onto her back and stared up at him, her eyes going wide as his pants fell to the floor. She scrambled to get away from him but he was much too fast for her and grabbed her by the ankle, pulling her back to him. Tears began streaming down her face as Andrew clamped a hand over her mouth and shoved his knee between her thighs, forcing her legs apart. Isabelle struggled against him, scratching him with her nails and punching him with her small fists, but he merely grunted each time she made contact.
    He leaned over her, close enough for Isabelle to smell his breath as his free hand began to push the long skirt of her dress up.
    Isabelle closed her eyes tightly, tears streaming down her face, but quickly snapped them open as she felt a rush of wind and heard the balcony doors smash open. She looked at the splintered doorway, a slow smile forming on her bruised and bloodied lips as a large black shadow began walking toward them. Andrew scrambled off her, getting to his feet as the dragon continued his slow advance. Isabelle shakily rose to her feet and backed away, sinking against the wall for support. The dragon watched her for a moment, making sure that she was alright, before turning back to Andrew.
    With a shattering cry the dragon charged at him, throwing him against the wall with a sickening crack. Andrew stared up at it blankly, confusion and pain clouding his eyes. The dragon moved in closer to him, his dark eyes fiery as his scaly lips curled back in a wicked smile. His shoulders hunched and the dragon suddenly lunged forward.
    “No! Wait! Please don’t kill him!” Isabelle cried as she scrambled over to them, lightly placing her hand on the dragon's shoulder. The scales rippled under her touch but he did back down after a moment of staring at Andrew's shaking form below them.
    Once the dragon had stopped looking at the man in front of them, turning his attention fully to her Isabelle spoke to Andrew. “I have spared your life this one time , Andrew. If you ever come near Caden, myself or any of the mountain people ever in the future I will not show you this same mercy again. Do you understand me?”
    Andrew nodded quickly, wiping the blood off his lips. Isabelle spared him one last hateful glance before quickly sliding up on the dragon's shoulders. “I think we have been away for too long on this waste of an errand. Don’t you agree?” she said to the dragon. He nodded and then bared his fangs one last time at the still cowering Andrew before walking out to the balcony and taking off in a flurry of wings.
    Isabelle hadn't realized that she was shaking until they were well over the palace. Only then did she allow herself to breathe. She would not cry though, not in front of the dragon. She didn't want anyone to know what had happened and luckily the dragon couldn't talk so he wouldn't be telling anyone. She slowly closed her eyes and rested her head against the side of his warm neck, willing her racing heart to slow down so that she could compose herself before they reached the mountains.
    Isabelle didn't realize that she had fallen asleep until a finely curved claw stroking her bare leg woke her up shortly before he landed just outside of the bedroom she shared with Faolan. He landed with a quiet thump, kneeling so