by Alexis Davie
“That you are. You were found by—”
“A group of women. They rescued me from the water. I was cold and shivering. I never understood why they didn’t kill me, too.”
“Women were not allowed to kill.”
“That doesn’t make any sense. What did they do to me then?” she demanded.
“Nothing. They fed you and kept you dry and warm. You were the dochka knyazya, the daughter of the prince, and royalty should always be treated with respect.”
“They didn’t extend the same courtesy towards my mother and father, though.”
“You bore the mark of royalty,” Dax explained, “on your arm.”
Becca lowered her gaze and noticed the two silver faded lines on her arm. She was under the impression those had been attained by an injury when she was young, not a mark that proved that she was in fact the daughter of a prince. Upon closer and longer inspection, Becca suddenly realized that the vertical line, splitting into two line in the shape of a ‘Y,’ had been in the artwork on the walls of her nursery. It was hidden in plain sight, but also very obvious if known. Becca’s jaw dropped.
“I never even knew. They sacrificed their lives for me, and I didn’t even have the courage to open this stupid file to get to know them. They must be so disappointed,” Becca mumbled.
Dax moved closer to her and placed his arms around her. “That is not true, Becca. Your mother and your father are very proud of you, and if they were here, they’d definitely tell you that.”
Becca’s eyes met his, swirling pools of blue. “I’m sorry that I pushed you away, that I was afraid to let you into my life and my heart. I knew the things I had done in my past were terrible and unforgivable and that I deserved every bit of anguish I felt in that dungeon. Do you want to know something crazy, though?”
“What?” he asked, the corners of his mouth already curling up slightly.
“The only thing that kept me alive and sane through all that pain and terror was the thought of you, Dax. Deep down inside, I knew that you would find me, and you wouldn’t let anything happen to me.”
“To either of you.”
“You knew before you came to find me?” she asked.
“I did. I heard it from Lucinda, and she told me that you didn’t want me to find you. You were leaving to figure your life out and didn’t want me to know,” he answered.
“I am so sorry about that. I couldn’t think clearly. I was scared and I convinced myself that you wouldn’t want anything to do with me, or with the baby—”
“How can you think that?” Dax’s expression saddened, and Becca felt her heart ache for him.
“I know now that I was wrong. You’re the most amazing man I’ve ever met. You’re kind, and brave, and you sweep me right off my feet without even trying. I mean, you did all this—” She motioned around her at the apartment. “—for me, for us, for our future. It was unfair of me to ask you to prove your love and loyalty to me, because I felt it all along. From the very start.”
“That information would have been handy a few months ago, you know,” Dax smirked.
“I know, and I’m sorry,” she whispered.
“I’ll forgive you, on one condition,” he said. He quickly added, “Not that my forgiveness is conditional.”
Becca giggled and ran her fingers slowly through Dax’s hair. “Anything for you.”
“Please stop apologizing. Especially in your head. You’re driving me crazy,” he chided her gently.
Becca chuckled again. “Thank you for saving us, Dax. I know it was hard for you to Bond with someone, and I know that it’s scary, because I felt the same fear you did, but it’s going to be okay. You know how I know that?”
“Because you said felt and not feel,” he pointed out.
“Exactly,” she said and leaned in closer to him.
Their lips met in a moment which Becca had waited for ever since the night at the cocktail lounge, but she had not imagined it would feel this good. Her senses were instantly heightened as she melted into Dax, their hearts beating in unison, along with the heartbeat of their unborn baby.
Epilogue
One Year Later
The snow-covered mountains which towered out before him were a breathtaking sight, and Dax couldn’t believe how fresh the air was around him, how free the open area made him feel.
The New Horizons Mountain Retreat had been completed a week ago, and Becca had brought Dax and their daughter, Arya. Arya was wrapped warmly against Becca’s chest, with a warm hat covering her head. Becca glanced out at the complex of cabins before them, which resembled a small town, where the orphaned Gifted teenagers and children were carrying their luggage towards their new homes.
Dax noticed a smile on her face, and her eyes glowed with pride. He, too, felt his chest inflate as he saw all the work and effort which had gone into making Becca’s dream a reality.
After Dax had shown Becca the nursery he had put together for their baby, and how he had changed his entire apartment to make it homier, Becca had moved in with him. They had spent many evenings talking, getting to know one another, even though it felt like they had known one another their entire lives. Becca had shared the memories she had remembered while under the influence of the green stone, and Dax had listened tentatively and given her the support she’d needed.
Dax placed his arm around her shoulders and kissed the top of her head. “This place is amazing, Becca.”
“It’s even better than I imagined it would be,” she sighed joyfully. “Thank you for your help, Dax.”
“No, you shouldn’t thank me. This was all you, Princess.”
Becca smiled at him and shrugged her shoulders.
“Your ability is really starting to shine through,” he whispered to her. “I never knew you could even do that.”
She beamed at him. “I am capable of so much more than you think, Daxard Veskovic.”
Dax cringed. “I hate it when you call me by my full name.”
“I know,” she laughed. “But it’s who you are, and you’re simply amazing. I couldn’t imagine my life without you or this little princess right here.”
“She has your eyes,” Dax said with a smile and touched Becca’s cheek. “And I hope she has your heart.”
“Yours is pretty great, too, you know,” Becca said with a wink.
“That because of you,” he stated.
“How?”
“You know how,” he said simply.
Truth be told, after Arya had been born, Becca’s hidden ability had finally surfaced. It had been there all along, but having Arya and experiencing unconditional love had made it resurface.
Becca, being the daughter of one of the kindest and generous princes in the entire world, had inherited the ability to change the hearts of even the most stubborn and cold people in the world. She had changed Dax’s heart so much without really changing it at all.
Dax was a gentle and caring child, but his circumstances and the way he had experienced the world had hardened his heart. Becca had broken down those walls he had spent so many centuries building around himself, revealing his true nature.
A wonderful man.
A dedicated father.
A loving husband.
And the best version of himself, because not only did Becca and Arya deserve the best version of himself; so did Dax.
Read the Entire Dragon Curse of Lunca Series
Book 1: Secret Baby for the Dragon
Book 2: Boss Dragon
Book 3: Blood Dragon
Book 4: Cursed Dragon
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About the Author
Alexis Davie captivates her readers with stories that intertwine reality with fantasy, to provide an exciting escape. Davie has always had an affinity for dragons, vampires, werewolves and, of course, romance. One can truly see her passions come to life through her written words.
When Davie is not writing, she hikes, practices yoga, and frequently travels with her son and husband to find the less-traveled paths. To help the voiceless, Davie also spends her time as a volunteer with animal rescues.