Kiss of Frost (The Dragon Stone Saga Book 1)(8)

"The only way to break the curse was by the blood of a witch who's pure of heart." Beck looks between Jem and me and raises an eyebrow. "Which of you bled on it? Or was it a child?"

"It was me. I cut my finger on the metal on the side."

"And you're pure?"

I try not to be offended at his inference, but I still frown at him. "I'm no virgin, but it's not like I'm off doing evil deeds every day just for kicks."

"I'm sick of waiting. What's going on out here? I can hear you guys talking to someone." Kay rounds the corner only to stop short and throw her hands up over her eyes. "Oh, dear. I'm s-sorry. I d-didn't know there was a guy out here."

"It's okay, Kay. He surprised us too." I sigh, frowning at the heated look Beck is giving me.

"Is he here to help?"

"I think so. We're still figuring out how exactly he can help us." I smile at her, hoping she won't ask any more questions that involve me explaining that magic really does exist and that she's a witch.

"Oh. Okay. Um… I'm going to go clean up in the kitchen. Let me know when it's safe to come back out here." Kay backs up a step, bumping into the doorjamb before turning on her heel and practically sprinting out of the room.

I look to Beck. "I'm assuming you're a witch? Is that why you were trapped inside that stone? You pissed someone off?"

Beck scoffs. "I'm no witch. I'm a dragon."

Jem and I burst out laughing.

"Light my fire!" Jem snickers.

I clutch my stomach and keep an eye on Beck, who looks less than amused as a scowl twists his full mouth. "I'm not sure he's amused."

"I'm not a fire dragon."

"Are you defective?" I blurt out.

Beck rubs a hand across the back of his neck before answering me. "I'm an ice dragon."

"How are you a dragon if you don't breathe fire?" Jem asks.

Beck doesn't respond. Instead he holds out his hand and purses his lips, blowing a breath into his palm. Slowly, a figure forms. It's an intricate crystal. I step forward, drawn to the object. "See? Ice."

"Wow." The word slips out of my mouth and I step forward again until I can touch the figure. It's cool to the touch and as smooth as marble. I go up on my tiptoes, peering at every angle, dipping my finger inside of it and tracing the swirls of frost on the inside. Beck's hand shakes, and I stumble, catching myself with a hand on his side. His skin is cold but hot at the same time. Like when you're touching ice for so long and the heat from your hand radiates.

Beck clears his throat and I step back. "Sorry, I was just curious."

"I could see that." His voice is low, like he just woke up, and desire curls through me at the tone.

Warmth rises to my face and I pray that for just this once my fair skin doesn't give me away. Beck reaches a hand out and I flinch back but that doesn't stop him. He traces a finger across my cheeks, his chilly finger cooling the heat gathered there. "Interesting."

"Am I interrupting something?" Jem asks, and I feel the blush in my face deepen.

"Nope. Not at all." I take three giant steps back from Beck, my insides tangled up in desire for this strange man who appeared naked in our sunroom out of a pendant that's supposed to save Kay's family. Talk about complicated and completely crazy. I couldn't make this shit up.

"Well, good. Let's figure out how Beck can help us get Kay's family to safety, find some clothes for dragon-boy over here, and find the rest of the stones."

Jem leaves the room, muttering about clothes somewhere, and I bite my lip, trying my damnedest to not drool over Beck's naked chest.

"You have the other stones?" Beck asks, his face slack.

"Some of them, yes. We just have to find them. Why?"

"My siblings were also trapped. I must awaken them."

I try not to laugh at the thought of awakening the dragon. Talk about a bad pickup line under normal circumstances.

"Are they also dragons?"

"Yes, of course." Beck steps closer to me and his scent envelopes me. He smells like crisp winter air and a hint of evergreen. "Why, do you want to use them for their power, little witch?"

"Of course not. I'm not a mage. I don't practice dark arts. Why were you all trapped in there again?"

"Because we are the last of our line. The last of the elemental dragons. They wish to control us and use our powers to gain power of their own. Both magical and tangible." His jaw hardens and I wonder what it would feel like under my lips before mentally slapping myself. Focus. I need to focus.

"So they want to use you for what? Taking over the world?"

Beck nods. "From what I can remember, yes."

"I was kidding…."

"I am not, tiny female." Beck wipes the palm that was holding the ice bowl on the blanket and I blink.

"What happened to the bowl? And my name is Ivy."

"I dissolved it. And I know your name."

"Then use it," I snap. I feel like a stage-five harpy with my mood swings around this man. Or dragon, or whatever you want to call him. He's gotten under my skin and I have no idea how.

"What if I wish to call you something else?" Beck lowers his voice and invades my space.