Extraits

The map will lead you to your heart's desire. Your heart's desire will be the death of you. Unless you learn to desire differently.

"And, what about you, Captain Westin? We've heard rumours of Dragons, and ships being burned... and your supposed death. Yet, here you stand," she said, opening her arms before him. "In the flesh."

She hadn't been so afraid since she escaped Captain Elian's ship. When did fear become such a common occurence? Rowan wrung her hands, searching the tavern for Perdan's familiar face. If only Prince Lawson was still alive, all her troubles would be over. Remembering him was too painful, so she shoved the image of his handsome face from her mind and focused on the matter at hand.

CHAPTER 1

Blood dripped from Rowen’s hands and between her fingers as she clutched her wound. The pain continued to throb and shoot from the hole in her hand where Siddhe stabbed her, to her shoulder.

Run.

It was all she could think to do as the fear of being seen and caught consumed her. Jumping over roots and rocks, her hair flew around her face as a breeze swept in from the sea. Rows of trees stretched out on either side of Rowen. Her eyes darted to every animal whistle she heard and every rustle of the trees.

Nowhere was safe. Not when she was on the run from the Withraen army, navy, or anyone else looking for the half-blood Dragon who murdered the prince. It was a false accusation, but no one cared to believe her.

Lawson.

Though it had been what felt like ages ago, her heart still ached for him, his kiss, and his arms around her when she was most afraid. Rowen loved him, and now he was dead. She still didn’t know who killed him, but it no longer mattered.

All that mattered was survival.

It had been that way since she was a little girl.

Rowen would adapt. She always did. Need a meek lady-in-waiting? She could be that. A seductress to catch the crown prince’s eye? She could be that too.

Now, as she ran toward the human realm, she knew what she needed to be.

Human. Plain and simple.

Rowen skidded to a stop on the thick grass and turned around, wide-eyed as an explosion came from somewhere far behind.

The color drained from her face and her heart thumped even harder in her chest.

Captain Elian’s ship. It had to be what that was. He, Gavin, Siddhe, the other pirates had probably met a bitter end against the Dragons of the Withraen Navy.

Her heart sank into the pit of her stomach. She realized the man whom may be her father was gone. Just when she met him.

It hit her harder than she thought it could. Only hours ago had he called her daughter. The idea hadn’t fully sunken in. All her life she’d wondered what her real father was like. As she suffered the emotional and physical abuse of her stepfather, the Duke of Harrow, she dreamed of what life would have been like if her mother had stayed with him.

Where would they be? What would Rowen be like?

All those questions were left unanswered, now as his ship lay in flames, getting swallowed by the sea. He’d saved her from an unjust execution and all she did in return was fear and doubt him.

The leaves of the trees rustled, and a flock of black birds cawed and flew above her away from the explosion.

Sighing, Rowen’s shoulders slumped and she slowly backed away.