Dragon Revealed: A Dragon Kings Novella Read online

  Dragon Revealed

  A Dragon Kings Novella

  By Donna Grant

  Dragon Revealed

  A Dragon Kings Novella

  By Donna Grant

  1001 Dark Nights

  Copyright 2021 Donna Grant

  ISBN: 978-1-970077-73-5

  Foreword: Copyright 2014 M. J. Rose

  Published by 1001 Dark Nights Press, an imprint of 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 Revealed

  A Dragon Kings Novella

  By Donna Grant

  From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant comes a new story in her Dragon Kings series…

  The capture of a Dragon King is cause for celebration. Jeyra never dreamed she would actually face one of the creatures who destroyed her home. But the longer she’s around him, the more she finds herself gravitating to him. All it takes is one reckless kiss that unleashes desires and the truth that has been hidden from her to set them both on a course that could be the end of them.

  Varek, King of Lichens, has known nothing but a life with magic. Until he finds himself on a different realm unable to call up his powers. Worse, he’s in shackles with no memory of how it happened. When he sees an enthralling woman who leaves him speechless, he believes he can charm her to free him. The more she rebuffs him, the more he craves her, igniting a dangerous passion between them. Can he protect the woman he’s fallen for while uncovering the truth – or will peril that neither see coming tear them apart?

  **Every 1001 Dark Nights novella is a standalone story. For new readers, it’s an introduction to an author’s world. And for fans, it’s a bonus book in the author’s series. We hope you'll enjoy each one as much as we do.**

  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. Her latest acclaimed series, Dark Kings, features a thrilling combination of dragons, Fae, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with an assortment of animals in Texas.

  Visit Donna at www.DonnaGrant.com and www.MotherOfDragonsBooks.com

  Also From Donna Grant

  Don’t miss these other spellbinding novels!

  Reaper Series

  Dark Alpha’s Claim

  Dark Alpha's Embrace

  Dark Alpha's Demand

  Dark Alpha’s Lover

  Tall Dark Deadly Alpha Bundle

  Dark Alpha’s Night

  Dark Alpha’s Hunger

  Dark Alpha’s Awakening

  Dark Alpha’s Redemption

  Dark Alpha’s Temptation

  Dark Alpha’s Caress

  Dark King Series

  Dark Heat (3 novella compilation)

  Darkest Flame

  Fire Rising

  Burning Desire

  Hot Blooded

  Night’s Blaze

  Soul Scorched

  Dragon King (novella)

  Passion Ignites

  Smoldering Hunger

  Smoke And Fire

  Dragon Fever(novella)

  Firestorm

  Blaze

  Dragon Burn (novella)

  Heat

  Torched

  Dragon Night (novella)

  Dragonfire

  Dragon Claimed (novella)

  Ignite

  Fever

  Dragon Lost (novella)

  Flame

  Inferno

  Whisky and Wishes (novella)

  Kindred Series

  Everkin

  Eversong

  Everwylde

  Everbound

  Evernight

  Everspell

  Dark Warrior Series

  Midnight’s Master

  Midnight’s Lover

  Midnight’s Seduction

  Midnight’s Warrior

  Midnight’s Kiss

  Midnight’s Captive

  Midnight’s Temptation

  Midnight’s Promise

  Midnight’s Surrender (novella)

  Dark Sword Series

  Dangerous Highlander

  Forbidden Highlander

  Wicked Highlander

  Untamed Highlander

  Shadow Highlander

  Darkest Highlander

  Rogues of Scotland Series

  The Craving

  The Hunger

  The Tempted

  The Seduced

  Chiasson Series

  Wild Fever

  Wild Dream

  Wild Need

  Wild Flame

  LaRue Series

  Moon Kissed

  Moon Thrall

  Moon Bound

  Moon Struck

  Shield Series

  A Dark Guardian

  A Kind of Magic

  A Dark Seduction

  A Forbidden Temptation

  A Warrior’s Heart

  Druids Glen Series

  Highland Mist

  Highland Nights

  Highland Dawn

  Highland Fires

  Highland Magic

  Mystic Trinity (connected)

  Sisters of Magic Trilogy

  Shadow Magic

  Echoes of Magic

  Dangerous Magic

  Sons of Texas Series

  The Hero

  The Protector

  The Legend

  The Defender

  The Guardian

  Heart of Texas Series

  The Christmas Cowboy Hero

  Cowboy, Cross My Heart

  My Favorite Cowboy

  A Cowboy Like You

  Looking for a Cowboy

  Acknowledgments from the Author

  To the dreamers, the believers,

  the readers the who fall in love with characters.

  To those who continue to follow the magic…

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights

  Click here to explore

  COLLECTION ONE

  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

  COLLECTION TWO

  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

  COLLECTION THREE

  HIDDEN INK by Carrie Ann Ryan ~ BLOOD ON THE BAYOU by Heather Graham ~ SEARCHING FOR MINE by Jennifer P
robst ~ 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

  COLLECTION FOUR

  ROCK CHICK REAWAKENING by Kristen Ashley ~ ADORING INK by Carrie Ann Ryan ~ SWEET RIVALRY by K. Bromberg ~ SHADE'S LADY by Joanna Wylde ~ RAZR by Larissa Ione ~ ARRANGED by Lexi Blake ~ TANGLED by Rebecca Zanetti ~ HOLD ME by J. Kenner ~ SOMEHOW, SOME WAY by Jennifer Probst ~ TOO CLOSE TO CALL by Tessa Bailey ~ HUNTED by Elisabeth Naughton ~ EYES ON YOU by Laura Kaye ~ BLADE by Alexandra Ivy/Laura Wright ~ DRAGON BURN by Donna Grant ~ TRIPPED OUT by Lorelei James ~ STUD FINDER by Lauren Blakely ~ MIDNIGHT UNLEASHED by Lara Adrian ~ HALLOW BE THE HAUNT by Heather Graham ~ DIRTY FILTHY FIX by Laurelin Paige ~ THE BED MATE by Kendall Ryan ~ NIGHT GAMES by CD Reiss ~ NO RESERVATIONS by Kristen Proby ~ DAWN OF SURRENDER by Liliana Hart

  COLLECTION FIVE

  BLAZE ERUPTING by Rebecca Zanetti ~ ROUGH RIDE by Kristen Ashley ~ HAWKYN by Larissa Ione ~ RIDE DIRTY by Laura Kaye ~ ROME’S CHANCE by Joanna Wylde ~ THE MARRIAGE ARRANGEMENT by Jennifer Probst ~ SURRENDER by Elisabeth Naughton ~ INKED NIGHTS by Carrie Ann Ryan ~ ENVY by Rachel Van Dyken ~ PROTECTED by Lexi Blake ~ THE PRINCE by Jennifer L. Armentrout ~ PLEASE ME by J. Kenner ~ WOUND TIGHT by Lorelei James ~ STRONG by Kylie Scott ~ DRAGON NIGHT by Donna Grant ~ TEMPTING BROOKE by Kristen Proby ~ HAUNTED BE THE HOLIDAYS by Heather Graham ~ CONTROL by K. Bromberg ~ HUNKY HEARTBREAKER by Kendall Ryan ~ THE DARKEST CAPTIVE by Gena Showalter

  COLLECTION SIX

  DRAGON CLAIMED by Donna Grant ~ ASHES TO INK by Carrie Ann Ryan ~ ENSNARED by Elisabeth Naughton ~ EVERMORE by Corinne Michaels ~ VENGEANCE by Rebecca Zanetti ~ ELI’S TRIUMPH by Joanna Wylde ~ CIPHER by Larissa Ione ~ RESCUING MACIE by Susan Stoker ~ ENCHANTED by Lexi Blake ~ TAKE THE BRIDE by Carly Phillips ~ INDULGE ME by J. Kenner ~ THE KING by Jennifer L. Armentrout ~ QUIET MAN by Kristen Ashley ~ ABANDON by Rachel Van Dyken ~ THE OPEN DOOR by Laurelin Paige~ CLOSER by Kylie Scott ~ SOMETHING JUST LIKE THIS by Jennifer Probst ~ BLOOD NIGHT by Heather Graham ~ TWIST OF FATE by Jill Shalvis ~ MORE THAN PLEASURE YOU by Shayla Black ~ WONDER WITH ME by Kristen Proby ~ THE DARKEST ASSASSIN by Gena Showalter

  COLLECTION SEVEN

  THE BISHOP by Skye Warren ~ TAKEN WITH YOU by Carrie Ann Ryan ~ DRAGON LOST by Donna Grant ~ SEXY LOVE by Carly Phillips ~ PROVOKE by Rachel Van Dyken ~ RAFE by Sawyer Bennett ~ THE NAUGHTY PRINCESS by Claire Contreras ~ THE GRAVEYARD SHIFT by Darynda Jones ~ CHARMED by Lexi Blake ~ SACRIFICE OF DARKNESS by Alexandra Ivy ~ THE QUEEN by Jen Armentrout ~ BEGIN AGAIN by Jennifer Probst ~ VIXEN by Rebecca Zanetti ~ SLASH by Laurelin Paige ~ THE DEAD HEAT OF SUMMER by Heather Graham ~ WILD FIRE by Kristen Ashley ~ MORE THAN PROTECT YOU by Shayla Black ~ LOVE SONG by Kylie Scott ~ CHERISH ME by J. Kenner ~ SHINE WITH ME by Kristen Proby

  DISCOVER BLUE BOX PRESS

  TAME ME by J. Kenner ~ TEMPT ME by J. Kenner ~ DAMIEN by J. Kenner ~ TEASE ME by J. Kenner ~ REAPER by Larissa Ione ~ THE SURRENDER GATE by Christopher Rice ~ SERVICING THE TARGET by Cherise Sinclair ~ THE LAKE OF LEARNING by Steve Berry and MJ Rose ~ THE MUSEUM OF MYSTERIES by Steve Berry and MJ Rose ~ TEASE ME by J. Kenner ~ FROM BLOOD AND ASH by Jennifer L. Armentrout ~ QUEEN MOVE by Kennedy Ryan ~ THE HOUSE OF LONG AGO by Steve Berry and MJ Rose ~ THE BUTTERFLY ROOM by Lucinda Riley ~ A KINGDOM OF FLESH AND FIRE by Jennifer L. Armentrout

  Table of Contents

  Book Description

  About Donna Grant

  Also from Donna Grant

  Acknowledgments from the Author

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights

  Foreword

  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

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Epilogue

  Discover 1001 Dark Nights Collection Eight

  Discover More Donna Grant

  An excerpt from Heart of Gold by Donna Grant

  Discover the World of 1001 Dark Nights

  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.

  Chapter One

  The ringing in her ears drowned out everything. Gradually, it faded, and her harsh breaths replaced it. Sweat dripped into her eyes, stinging them, but she didn’t take her gaze off him. Her nightmare, the monster who had haunted her for years, lay unmoving before her.

  With legs still shaking from the monumental effort it had taken to capture him and pull him through the portal, Jeyra straightened to stand over him. For years, she had feared everything to do with dragons—and especially the Dragon Kings. She knew firsthand how formidable they were, how merciless and cruel.

  How lethal.

  Yet the Dragon King sprawled unconsciou
s at her feet didn’t make her tremble with fear. He looked…harmless. But that was just one of the many ways they conquered.

  Jeyra drew in a deep, satisfying breath. Everything she had trained for, worked for all these decades had led to this moment. There had been a point she hadn’t been sure she would succeed, but she had done it. Now that she had the Dragon King, the ordeal felt surreal. The exhaustion of her body, mind, and soul, however, told her it was all very real.

  She bent at the waist and clasped the heavy manacles around his wrists, noting the fine fabric of his clothes. His attire was much different from hers, but she could still discern that they were of good quality. The white shirt had long sleeves that molded to his upper body as if a second skin. His pants were made of a thick, dark blue material. Both were in excellent condition, the fabrics soft. Even the leather boots, which appeared to be well-worn, were in amazing condition and quality.

  Her eyes lifted to his face. He was stunning, with a visage that would cause anyone to stop and gape in awe at him. Handsome didn’t begin to describe the startling beauty mixed with the raw male ruggedness. It made her sick to her stomach that someone so gorgeous could have such a black soul.

  A lock of his blond hair had fallen across his forehead and lifted in the soft breeze. She swallowed as she recalled the moment his brown eyes had met hers. She had seen a million different colors in his eyes. The word brown didn’t begin to define them. They were unique, sporting a mix of light and dark. Of leaves in autumn, and summer soil after a torrential rain.

  Fathomless. Mysterious.

  Beguiling.

  Jeyra looked away from the Dragon King’s exquisite face, but it wasn’t long before she was staring at him again. She wanted to know what kind of monsters the Kings were to cause such chaos and death without so much as a blip in their conscience.