Saria, an abused vil  lage girl, is seiz^ ed[^ .b* y Dragon K_i[ng Alarik, who+s] e touch triggers# an un
`preced=?_ented Mark b?)
inding^ them as mates. Al_(]%arik h ides their bon/d behind +$,a sl/^,ave col,_lar. Amid%)]+ Xander's s uspicion and Cel).@este's sch(
):emes, Saria s(ur
vives a slave hunt !,?_and di +scovers she:: ca -/\n be_@nd dr agon fire. Alarik r^]eveals h +is d;eat[)h c%(urse: one m*$onth t-o -@l%ive. Xand [%er +!expo\\ses the!?; :#=Mark
^ a, )nd at= ta )`cks;` S?,aria channels blue fire to dest\-roy him. T#?he=-;ir * first kiss seal s the 
?$bond, but!= Celest+?e ),]offers silen[=c /e at an unnamed c , ost.