Dragon Burn
A Dark Kings Novella
By Donna Grant
1001 Dark Nights
Dragon Burn
A Dark Kings Novella
By Donna Grant
1001 Dark Nights
Copyright 2017 Donna Grant
ISBN: 978-1-945920-36-3
Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose
Published by Evil Eye Concepts, Incorporated
All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission. Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.
This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination and are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, events or establishments is solely coincidental.
Book Description
Dragon Burn
A Dark Kings Novella
By Donna Grant
In this scorching Dark Kings novella, New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant brings together a determined Dragon King used to getting what he wants and an Ice Queen who thaws for no one.
Marked by passion
A promise made eons ago sends Sebastian to Italy on the hunt to find an enemy. His quarry proves difficult to locate, but there is someone who can point him in the right direction – a woman as frigid as the north. Using every seductive skill he’s acquired over his immortal life, his seduction begins. Until he discovers that the passion he stirs within her makes him burn for more…
Gianna Santini has one love in her life – work. A disastrous failed marriage was evidence enough to realize she was better off on her own. That is until a handsome Scot strolled into her life and literally swept her off her feet. She is unprepared for the blazing passion between them or the truth he exposes. But as her world begins to unravel, she realizes the only one she can depend on is the very one destroying everything - a Dragon King.
About Donna Grant
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s the author of more than fifty novels spanning multiple genres of romance. Her latest acclaimed series, Dark Kings, features dragons, the Fae, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible.
She lives with her two children, three dogs, and four cats in Texas.
For more information about Donna, visit her website at www.DonnaGrant.com.
Also By Donna Grant
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Dark Warrior Series
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Midnight’s Surrender (novella)
Dark Sword Series
Dangerous Highlander
Forbidden Highlander
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Untamed Highlander
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Rogues of Scotland Series
The Craving
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Wild Fever
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LaRue Series
Moon Kissed
Moon Thrall
Moon Bound
Shield Series
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A Kind of Magic
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Druids Glen Series
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Dragonfyre (connected)
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Acknowledgments from the Author
A special shout out to everyone at Evil Eye who helped get this book ready, including the amazing cover. Much thanks and admiration goes Liz Berry and MJ Rose.
A special thanks Gillian and Connor for the never-ending support.
And to my readers – thank you for loving dragons!
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One
Click here to explore
FOREVER WICKED by Shayla Black
CRIMSON TWILIGHT by Heather Graham
CAPTURED IN SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
SILENT BITE: A SCANGUARDS WEDDING by Tina Folsom
DUNGEON GAMES by Lexi Blake
AZAGOTH by Larissa Ione
NEED YOU NOW by Lisa Renee Jones
SHOW ME, BABY by Cherise Sinclair
ROPED IN by Lorelei James
TEMPTED BY MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
CARESS OF DARKNESS by Julie Kenner
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
TAME ME by J. Kenner
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two
Click here to explore
WICKED WOLF by Carrie Ann Ryan
WHEN IRISH EYES ARE HAUNTING by Heather Graham
EASY WITH YOU by Kristen Proby
MASTER OF FREEDOM by Cherise Sinclair
CARESS OF PLEASURE by Julie Kenner
ADORED by Lexi Blake
HADES by Larissa Ione
RAVAGED by Elisabeth Naughton
DREAM OF YOU by Jennifer L. Armentrout
STRIPPED DOWN by Lorelei James
RAGE/KILLIAN by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
DRAGON KING by Donna Grant
PURE WICKED by Shayla Black
HARD AS STEEL by Laura Kaye
STROKE OF MIDNIGHT by Lara Adrian
ALL HALLOWS EVE by Heather Graham
KISS THE FLAME by Christopher Rice
DARING HER LOVE by Melissa Foster
TEASED by Rebecca Zanetti
THE PROMISE OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
Also from 1001 Dark Nights
THE SURRENDER GATE By Christopher Rice
SERVICING THE TARGET By Cherise Sinclair
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three
Click here to explore
HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan
BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham
SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer Probst
DANCE OF DESIRE by Christopher Rice
ROUGH RHYTHM by Tessa Bailey
DEVOTED by Lexi Blake
Z by Larissa Ione
FALLING UNDER YOU by Laurelin Paige
EASY FOR KEEPS by Kristen Proby
UNCHAINED by Elisabeth Naughton
HARD TO SERVE by Laura Kaye
DRAGON FEVER by
Donna Grant
KAYDEN/SIMON by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright
STRUNG UP by Lorelei James
MIDNIGHT UNTAMED by Lara Adrian
TRICKED by Rebecca Zanetti
DIRTY WICKED by Shayla Black
THE ONLY ONE by Lauren Blakely
SWEET SURRENDER by Liliana Hart
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1001 Dark Nights story
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Table of Contents
Book Description
About Donna Grant
Also by Donna Grant
Acknowledgments from the Author
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection One
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Two
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Three
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Epilogue
Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Four
Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights
Discover More Donna Grant
An excerpt from Constantine: A History by Donna Grant
Special Thanks
One Thousand and One Dark Nights
Once upon a time, in the future…
I was a student fascinated with stories and learning.
I studied philosophy, poetry, history, the occult, and
the art and science of love and magic. I had a vast
library at my father’s home and collected thousands
of volumes of fantastic tales.
I learned all about ancient races and bygone
times. About myths and legends and dreams of all
people through the millennium. And the more I read
the stronger my imagination grew until I discovered
that I was able to travel into the stories... to actually
become part of them.
I wish I could say that I listened to my teacher
and respected my gift, as I ought to have. If I had, I
would not be telling you this tale now.
But I was foolhardy and confused, showing off
with bravery.
One afternoon, curious about the myth of the
Arabian Nights, I traveled back to ancient Persia to
see for myself if it was true that every day Shahryar
(Persian: شهريار, “king”) married a new virgin, and then
sent yesterday's wife to be beheaded. It was written
and I had read, that by the time he met Scheherazade,
the vizier's daughter, he’d killed one thousand
women.
Something went wrong with my efforts. I arrived
in the midst of the story and somehow exchanged
places with Scheherazade – a phenomena that had
never occurred before and that still to this day, I
cannot explain.
Now I am trapped in that ancient past. I have
taken on Scheherazade’s life and the only way I can
protect myself and stay alive is to do what she did to
protect herself and stay alive.
Every night the King calls for me and listens as I spin tales.
And when the evening ends and dawn breaks, I stop at a
point that leaves him breathless and yearning for more.
And so the King spares my life for one more day, so that
he might hear the rest of my dark tale.
As soon as I finish a story... I begin a new
one... like the one that you, dear reader, have before
you now.
Prologue
Before...
“You’re really going through with it? With a mortal?” Sebastian asked in dismay.
Ulrik smiled and raised a mug of wine in salute. “Who am I to question love?”
Sebastian looked out over the vast rugged glen and the loch below from their perch atop a mountain on Dreagan. “What of children? None of the other humans have carried a bairn to term? Your line could die out.”
“Only the cosmos knows if I’ll be a father.” Ulrik shrugged and took a long drink. “I’m happy. That’s all I care about.”
Sebastian didn’t have the heart to mention that years from now, his friend might feel differently. He didn’t understand why Ulrik wasn’t considering every possibility, because once he was mated, that was it. He would be bound for eternity. Though, to be fair, a King didn’t go through with a ceremony if there were doubts, and it was obvious Ulrik wanted the human for his mate.
Ulrik released a sigh, his gold eyes bright. “One day you’ll find love, Bast. I hope I’m there to see it.”
“Finding love is the least of my worries.”
“Ah, that’s right.” Ulrik nodded, a frown forming. “So your brother is intent on marrying that young dragon?”
Sebastian drained his wine. “Aye, and that’s a sore subject. Let us move to happier things. Like your mating ceremony. I hear the feast is going to be one spoken about for ages.”
“It’ll be the first time so many mortals, Dragon Kings, and dragons will be in one place.”
“Are you worried at all?”
Ulrik laughed and placed his hand behind him, leaning back. “Why would I be? You sound like Con, always fretting about something or other. We’ve lived in peace for over two centuries now. My mating will be the first of many such alliances. Just wait and see.”
Their peace wasn’t exactly stable, but with Ulrik’s euphoric state of mind he likely wouldn’t recall the growing unrest of the humans or the continued displeasure of the dragons. It was something the Kings spoke about often. Only a few hours earlier Con had met with some mortals to ensure the peace continued.
As usual, Ulrik saw only the good in everything. No matter the trouble or difficulty, to Ulrik there was always a silver lining. It was one of the things Sebastian admired about his friend. And it was why Ulrik was so popular with dragons, Kings, and mortals alike.
Ulrik shook his head. “I know some of the Kings believe I should choose a dragon as my mate.”
“Your pairing with a human will help the goodwill between our races.”
“Everyone will soon see how blissfully content I am and realize all their worrying has been for naught.” He lay back and looked at the cloudless sky. “I doona know who’s more happy about my impending mating. Me or my uncle.”
“Really? Your uncle?”
Ulrik laughed and said, “For once, aye.”
Sebastian laughed with Ulrik. It was difficult to keep his thoughts mired in worry when his friend’s cheerfulness was so infectious. “I’ll always stand by your side, my friend.”
“I’m lucky to have you as a friend.”
He turned his head to find Ulrik holding something out to him. Sebastian reached for it to find a ring. He ran his thumb over the wide silver band with an intricate Celtic knot around it.
“I made it for you,” Ulrik said.
Sebastian’s head jerked up. “For me?”
There was a smile on Ulrik’s face as he said, “It’ll expand and shrink each time you shift so you doona have to take it off.”
“Thank you.” He looked back down and slid the band on
to his right ring finger. Then his gaze moved back to Ulrik. “I meant it. I’ll always have your back. No matter what.”
Chapter One
Venice, Italy
End of January
Every decision had consequences.
Sebastian knew this better than most. His promise to Ulrik so long ago still haunted him. It was why he’d done the unthinkable and left Dreagan to find some answers on his own. The fact Constantine, the King of Dragon Kings, hadn’t called to him via their mental link was worrying, but Sebastian was going to take the reprieve for however long he had it.
He strolled through the street as the cool wind buffeted him. The couples snapping pictures and selfies reminded him that Venice was a romantic destination. He gave an inward snort at the idea of romance.
What had love given Ulrik? Nothing but pain and anguish.
Sebastian checked the address as he reached the building. There was no doubt in his mind that Ryder had sent him to the right place. After all, no one at Dreagan was more adept at digging into people’s lives than their resident technology expert.
The address wasn’t all Ryder had given him. There was also the name of a person of interest—Gianna Santini. Along with her pertinent information.
As the personal assistant to Oscar Cox, or rather Mikkel, Gianna would know his secrets. Which was why she was Sebastian’s target. And he was prepared to do anything needed to get what he was after.
It didn’t matter about the vow he’d sworn as a Dragon King when the mortals appeared on this realm. His protection of them was on hold until he could help his friend. He’d let Ulrik down so long ago. Now it was his time to make up for that by proving that Ulrik wasn’t responsible for everything that had happened against the Dragon Kings.