Skye's Dragons

Born to write legends in manlove, Skye is a full time writer living in a ivory tower. Though no dragons currently occupy the space, three werecats, a irritatingly chipper parakeet, and a very understanding partner in crime provide endless entertainment. You can  usually find her curled up in the den, watching bad reality TV,  and dreaming up her next set of heroes. She welcomes comments and questions from her readers on her Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/SkyeDragen.

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Dragon Tamer [legends of Avalon]

Challenged by a puny human to a round of three-way chess, the dragon of Blackwater Falls, Aden Canicus, desires nothing more than for the games to be done so he can enslave the arrogant human who dared to make his way up the mountain to disturb his solitude.

Tjaden Moore has crossed an ocean in order to meet the dragon who lives on his uncle’s magical game preserve. If he wins their game, he will have Aden for twenty-four hours in human form and he doesn’t entertain any other possibility.

A win might gain the treasure hunter the night of debauchery he wants but being with someone as magical as a dragon might form bonds between them that he can’t begin to comprehend, let alone resist.

Story Excerpt

“Remove your tunic,” he commanded. The defiance built in Tjaden’s expression as his eyes widened in surprise. Aden’s eyes narrowed and smoke rose from his nostrils in a darkening cloud. “As per our agreement. You owe me a boon for claiming a higher piece.”

A muscle in Tjaden’s jaw ticked but he obeyed, unbelting his waist before drawing his tunic over his head and then folding it neatly into a pile next to him. Aden was again struck by the boy’s beauty. He was quite intriguing. The idea of keeping the boy as a servant appealed more and more as the game wore on.

Their game resumed and it wasn’t long before Tjaden sat naked in front of their match, his clothing in the same neat pile that he’d started. The boy’s arrogance was fading in slow degrees with every advancement Aden made.

“Och,” Tjaden murmured under his breath. “You’ve quite a wicked mind, dragon.”

“And you quite a wicked body, boy. We’re both paying for my curiosity.” The idea of distracting the boy had backfired. Aden was the one distracted by Tjaden’s naked flesh.

The first board was damn near empty by the time Aden gave a slow, triumphant smile. “Checkmate.” A string of curses exited the human’s mouth that would’ve made a sailor proud. “Regretting your choice of game yet, boy?”

“Tjaden,” the boy said in a steady voice. “Tjaden or Moore, whichever you prefer. But I’m not a boy or a lad or anything resembling a bairn. I’m a man.”

Yes, yes you are. He wasn’t normally so intrigued by human nakedness. “Fine. Tjaden then.”

Their game resumed with two chess boards remaining. Then something surprising happened. Aden started to lose.

He frowned, studying the boards closely. He couldn’t figure out where the traps were but he was certain that they were there. Without intending to, he’d fallen into the mindset that Tjaden’s human inferiority would also make him an inferior chess player. Like poker, chess required a bit of bluff. I’m going to lose. Everything in him rebelled at the thought but he could say with a reasonable degree of certainty that he’d been set up nice and proper. The little sneak had let him win the previous match on purpose.

He gritted his teeth, unwilling to let Tjaden know that he understood his strategy. Maybe there was time to correct the boards...

“Checkmate,” Tjaden said, smiling softly.

His eyes zeroed back on the board he’d been ignoring while he tried to correct the third board. A low growl issued from his throat before he could resist it. He detested being bested by a human, even a handsome one. “Tricky, tricky, Tjaden Moore. I won’t underestimate you again.”

“You’ve already lost, wee  dragon, and you know it.” The human sounded downright giddy as he spoke.

“The game has not concluded as of yet,” Aden reminded. However, the human was correct. He was going to lose. Sighing heavily, he pouted. It wasn’t the most dignified way to conduct himself but it was the only way he could resist the urge to lash out in frustration.

When Tjaden called checkmate for the final time, Aden was unsurprised. It’s only one day. One day as a human being. I don’t remember it being too terrible of an existence. He comforted himself with the knowledge.

“Per our agreement, Aden Canicus, I command you to assume human form,” Tjaden said, staring up into Aden’s eyes.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Q: How do you relax?

A: Listen to music and dance around with my characters. My neighbors think I’m insane.

Q: What is your favorite quote?

A: Greater love hath no one than he who lays down his life for a friend.- Bagheera from the Jungle Book. Yeah, I quoted the Jungle Book. I love that book/movie.

Q: What is your favorite film and why?

A: Any movie that involves a hobbit. We’re similar creatures: hermits with a love of good books, great food, and have a vertical height deficiency.

Q: How did you come up with the title of your book or series?

A: Dragon Tamer was fitting because poor Aden starts out so arrogant and completely unwilling to entertain the idea of human value. By the time Tjaden gets done with him Aden is a big ole marshmallow. Tjaden really is an apt dragon tamer.

Q: Who is your favorite character from your book and why?

A: I love Aden. He’s just so growly and cute. I just want to nibble him.