Dragon Lost

by Donna Grant

  Royden backed up a few steps. “I’ll tell you this, if I wanted to silence you, I could’ve done it before you even knew I was in the cavern.”

  “Why didn’t you?”

  “I hoped you’d turn around and leave.”

  “And when I didn’t?” she pressed. “You could’ve left without me knowing, right? Why didn’t you do that?”

  He blew out a long breath. “You think I could just disappear?”

  “Since it seems as if you’ve just appeared, yes.”

  This was where Royden should lie about who and what he really was and what he could do. He’d lied so many times before to keep the secret of the Dragon Kings. What was one more lie to one more mortal? It shouldn’t be anything, but somehow, it was.

  “Why did my great-aunt Chara know I was going to find you?” Annita continued. “Despite her being a Seer, she didn’t know more. Or if she did, she never shared it. Do you know why I was meant to see you?”

  Royden shook his head. “Nay, I can no’ say that I do.”

  “Interesting.” She sat on a boulder and tapped the flashlight against her leg, making the beam of light bounce across the floor and wall. Her pale brown orbs lifted to his. “I don’t suppose you’ll tell me who you are.”

  “I did.”

  “Not your name, but you. Are you a dragon, or are you a man? Or are you both?”

  Royden rubbed a hand over his mouth. “You have a lot of questions.”

  “I know I saw you as a dragon, and then you changed to…this,” she said, motioning to his body with her hand. “If you can do that, then I think you could do pretty much anything. Disappearing so I couldn’t see you or…” She trailed off. “Or maybe you can’t disappear. Is that why you shifted? Hoping that I didn’t see you as a dragon? If that’s the case, then no wonder you’ve been pressing me to leave.”

  He frowned, unsure of where to start answering—or even if he should.

  “Maybe you know you should make me leave or even hurt me if I don’t. Perhaps you don’t want to. Is that it? I hope that’s it. Because, otherwise, I’m not sure what we’re doing here.”

  Royden blinked. The woman had a slew of questions, and most times she answered them herself. Which left him wondering what it was he should answer.

  Annita gave him a pointed look. “Well?”

  “Well, what? You said a lot.”

  “I suppose,” she replied with a shrug. “Can you disappear?”

  “No’ in the way you think.”

  She gave a slow nod. “Are you going to hurt me?”

  “No’ if I doona have to.”

  “Hmm. Not what I was hoping to hear.”

  He bit back a smile. Her commentary was humorous. Most people kept those things to themselves, but not Annita.

  “Are you a dragon or a man? Or both?”

  Royden looked away. He hadn’t lied to her yet, and now that the opportunity presented itself, he found he couldn’t. She had seen him. He’d had the chance to shift before she came into the cavern, and he hadn’t. Why? He’d been asking himself that from the moment the torchlight fell upon him.

  The survival of the Dragon Kings depended on the mortals not knowing of their existence. There were a select few humans not mated to a King who knew about them, but it was rare. And with the Others out to destroy them, the Kings had to be extra careful.

  “It’s okay,” Annita said. “You don’t have to tell me.”

  His silence was answer enough. They both knew that. He might not have defined who he was, but she had seen him. He’d allowed her to see him. That was the most perplexing part of all.

  “I’ve always loved this cave,” Annita said into the silence. “Ever since the first time I discovered it. I come here often. My sister and I explored every inch of this one day long ago. She didn’t like the dark, but there’s something about this place that makes me feel safe.”

  “That’s what it’s meant to do.”

  She cocked her head to the side. “Oh?”

  He looked around, thinking back to when he was a youngling, long before he was a Dragon King and ruling his clan. “Many beings use caves as homes.”

  “This was your home?” she said, her eyes brightening. “Of course. It’s large enough for you, not that I got to see all of you. I just caught a glimpse. But you’ve come to look for something,” she said, changing the subject. “I’d like to help. If you’ll allow me.”

  “The best thing you can do is leave and forget me.”

  “That’s not going to happen.” She made a sound and shook her head. “I’ve known for years that I was going to find a dragon. Part of me thought it might be a toy dragon or some relic from my ancestors, but Yaya knew it would be a real beast. She knew it would be you. I’m meant to see you, and that couldn’t have happened for me to just forget. Wouldn’t you agree?”

  “I’m no’ sure I’m in a place to make those kinds of decisions.”

  “Are you not in command of your life? Shouldn’t you be able to make those choices?”

  Royden chuckled. She certainly had a way of putting things. “Aye. I’m in charge of my own destiny.”

  “I keep talking, trying to learn more about you to determine if I should be afraid of you, but the longer I’m with you, the more comfortable I feel. With a dragon. How strange is that?”

  “Strange,” he agreed.

  She briefly looked at the ground. “Can you change back so I can see you better?”

  He nearly did as she asked before he realized the folly of her request. Royden was conflicted. He wanted to talk to Annita, to let her see him in his true form, and answer all of her questions. What harm could one mortal do?

  But he knew all too well what one human female could do. While he didn’t believe that Annita would start another war between the dragons and humans, Royden simply couldn’t take the chance.

  He walked to her until only a foot separated them. With a smile, he said, “You’re special, Annita. I’ve never met another like you.”

  “I’ve never met anyone like you,” she replied.

  He had the insane urge to reach up and touch her cheek. Instead, he used his magic and let loose a flash of light, blinding her. With her attention diverted, Royden made her fall unconscious. He caught her in his arms as her flashlight fell from her fingers and flickered off as it rolled away.

  Royden held Annita for several minutes before he carried her back to the water. He laid her on the rocks. Just before he straightened, he let the backs of his fingers caress down her cheek.

  “Farewell, sweet Annita. When you wake, you’ll realize you were sleeping. This was all a dream. Nothing more,” he said, pushing magic into her so his words penetrated her mind.

  Royden hoped it worked. He didn’t want to call Guy in to wipe her memories. After gazing at Annita for another few moments, Royden rose and stalked back to the cavern to begin his search.

  Chapter Three

  A sigh of contentment fell from Annita’s lips as she came awake slowly. The sound of the water coming in contact with the rocks in the cave was soothing. So soothing, in fact, she was often lulled to sleep as she clearly had been today.

  Some might say she didn’t have a direction in life. That wasn’t true at all. Not only did she help handle the running of the estate, but Annita also liked a simple life. Yes, she lived off the rewards of her ancestors, but she’d never spent lavishly. She drove the same vehicle she’d gotten ten years ago, and she was just fine with that.

  She yawned and stretched her arms over her head as she looked at the ceiling above her and the reflection of the water that danced upon it. Most times, when she came to this cave, she found it difficult to leave. Maybe it was because of the prophecy about her finding a dragon, but… Her mind trailed off as she recalled doing just that. Had it been a dream? The image of the beige dragon was seared into her mind, more real than anything she knew. No fantasy had ever given her anything so…tangible before.

  But…if she had seen the dragon,
what was she doing here?

  Annita sat up and looked toward the tunnel leading farther into the cave. For a moment, she could’ve sworn she had deja vu. She swallowed and stared into the darkness. Annita searched her mind, but all she could remember was seeing the dragon.

  No. Wait. She closed her eyes and relaxed as an image of something slipped away before it could form. Instead of seeking what it was, she listened to the water to calm her mind. It wasn’t long before a man took shape in her memories. A very handsome, alluring man with thick red hair and bright blue eyes. One who smiled at her. Her stomach quivered in response.

  No dream had ever made her do that. Regardless, if she had seen the dragon who turned into a man, she wouldn’t have left him. She would’ve stayed and spoken with him.

  Annita didn’t know what to think at the moment. She couldn’t be sure what was real and what was a dream. The fact that she’d just woken and thought of the dragon could be a sign. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d opened her eyes to believe she was still very much in a dream. Yet, there was something different about this one. If anyone had asked her, she would’ve staked her life on the fact that Royden had been real.

  Royden.

  She jerked as his name went through her mind. There was no way she’d just made up a name like that. Did that mean it hadn’t been a dream?

  “Or perhaps one so vivid I believed it to be real,” she murmured to herself.

  Annita looked at the dark tunnel again. For the first time, she didn’t want to go down it. Not because she was afraid, but because she didn’t want to traverse it and not find Royden waiting for her.

  She could recall every inch of his face from his strong jaw and thin lips to his penetrating gaze. It all had held her transfixed. And his voice. Just thinking of that deep Scottish brogue made her close her eyes in ecstasy. How could she remember things with such detail if they had not been real?

  Without a doubt, she knew she wouldn’t be able to. Not on her own, anyway. And while she should’ve been on guard, she didn’t feel any fear. That in itself made her believe that it was a dream because there’s no way she would’ve spoken so easily with a man who was trespassing on her family property.

  It was too bad he hadn’t been real. He was gorgeous.

  Annita rolled her eyes at herself. Dragons weren’t real. She didn’t care what Chara or Yaya said. The prophecy that she’d find a dragon didn’t mean an actual real-life dragon that could barely fit in the cavern. It meant a toy dragon or something with a dragon on it.

  Besides the fact that dragons weren’t real, Annita was fairly certain that if Chara and Yaya believed it would be an actual dragon, they would’ve prepared her more. No doubt it was all some elaborate hoax.

  The minute that thought went through her head, Annita knew it was a lie. Chara might have been many things, but she wasn’t a liar. Her abilities as a Seer were proven. It was just too bad Annita hadn’t had a chance to talk to Chara herself and hear exactly what her great-aunt had told her parents. Listening through a wall had muffled many of the words.

  All these years, she had never told her parents that she knew, and they had never spoken of it to her. Perhaps it was time for Annita to rectify that.

  With that decision made, she jumped into the water and began the swim back to the estate. This time, Annita didn’t stop. By the time she reached the beach, she was breathing hard. She walked from the water and wrung out her hair before she grabbed the towel and dried herself. Annita looked at the house as she put on her robe and slipped her feet into her sandals to make the trek back.

  As she reached the steps, she could hear her mother’s voice. It was a one-sided conversation, which meant her mother was on the phone. Annita ascended the stairs and came to the deck area where her mother, Selini, sat beneath the umbrella at the table drinking a coffee. As soon as she saw Annita, her mother waved her over.

  Annita smiled in thanks to the maid, who handed her a glass of water. Once seated, she looked out over the sea, but her gaze was drawn in the direction of the cave. Soon, she was absorbed in thoughts of Royden.

  The touch of something on her arm jerked her attention to the present. Annita looked over to find her mother staring at her, a brow raised in question.

  “Are you all right?” her mother asked. “You seemed a million miles away.”

  Annita shrugged. “Just thinking.”

  “Is it about your sister inheriting the estate?”

  Everyone had been asking about that, and it didn’t seem to matter how many times Annita told them that she didn’t care. No one believed her. “I promise, it isn’t that.”

  “Even if it is, this will always be your home. Your father’s sister lived here for years until she decided to move out.”

  Annita tried to be patient. She’d heard all of this before. Many, many times. “I know. Please hear me when I tell you that isn’t what’s bothering me. Nor is it the fact that my sister is married and has a child.”

  “I’m very aware,” Selini said with a sigh. “I was hoping you’d be married by now with a child of your own. This house is large enough for many grandchildren to be running around.”

  “The estate is big enough, but I’m not sure about all of us living together.”

  Her mother waved away her words. “It’s how it’s done in your father’s family. You know that. Chara and Yaya lived here for their entire lives. Just as your father and I will. And you and your sister.”

  “I don’t think I will.” The statement came out of nowhere. Annita had never had that thought before, so she was as shocked as her mother when the words fell from her lips.

  “Annita, what’s going on?” Concern filled her mother’s brown eyes. “You love this place.”

  Annita nodded, looking at the water. “I do. More than you can imagine.”

  “Then why did you say that about leaving?”

  Annita shrugged and returned her attention to her mother. “I don’t know. It just came out.”

  Her mother searched her face for a long, silent moment. “Louiza never stops talking to me. She tells me things I’d rather not know. You, on the other hand, have always kept so much to yourself.”

  “Not because I didn’t want to share them with you.”

  “You can share them now.”

  Annita drew in a breath and crossed one leg over the other. “All right. I know about the prophecy about me.”

  Selini blinked before her gaze slid out to the sea. “Chara wasn’t supposed to tell you.”

  “She didn’t. I overheard her telling you and Dad. Well, I heard some of it.”

  “Then you spoke with Yaya,” her mother guessed.

  Annita nodded. “I did. She confirmed what Chara had seen in her vision.”

  Selini took a drink of coffee and softly set the cup back on the table. Then her gaze turned to Annita. “I know how truthful Chara’s words are. She predicted that I would get pregnant four times, but only have two children, both daughters. That was before I even met your father. She and Yaya were in the village and saw me. Chara walked over and told me all of that. I didn’t know what to say because most people paid handsomely to get information like that, yet I hadn’t gone to Chara. She came to me.”

  “And look at you and Dad,” Annita said with a smile. “You’ve had a good marriage.”

  “Yes, we certainly have.”

  Her mother fell silent, and Annita looked down at her hands in her lap. This might be all she got from her mother, and if it was, then she would go to her father. It was time she knew everything.

  “Chara told me that one of my daughters would do great things,” her mother said suddenly. “For so many years, that’s all she would tell me or your father, no matter how much we pressed. After a while, I thought that’s all Chara knew. I learned later that she’d kept her secret for a long time.”

  Annita stared at her mother, waiting for her to continue.

  “Both you and your sister did well in school. Both of you were not onl
y beautiful but also intelligent. Both of you loved the estate and were eager to be a part of things. I didn’t care which of you did great things. I just wanted you and Louiza to be happy. The year your sister turned sixteen, Chara told us her predictions were about you.” Her mother chuckled as she shook her head and smoothed her shirt. “I told Chara that was nice, but in my opinion, both of my girls were going to be great.”

  Annita grinned. “I take it Chara didn’t agree?”

  “Not in the least. She took my and your father’s hands and told us the entire vision.”

  “Which is?” Annita pressed.

  Her mother licked her lips. “What do you know?”

  “Only that I’m to find a dragon. That’s all I overheard, and that’s all Yaya told me.”

  “There’s more.”

  Annita frowned. “Why have you kept it from me? And why didn’t you want Chara to tell me?”

  “You’re my flesh and blood,” her mother said, reaching over and covering her hand with hers.

  “And I always will be.”

  Her mother turned her head away and dropped her hand back into her lap. “Chara saw you find a dragon—a beige beast.”

  Annita’s heart skipped a beat. “What did you say?”

  “A beige dragon.”

  “A real dragon?”

  Her mother shrugged. “Chara only said a dragon. I didn’t bother to ask if it was real or not because dragons aren’t real.”

  Annita nodded. “Right.”

  “Anyway, Chara said that after you found this dragon, you’d be shown two paths. You’d have to choose one.”

  Annita rubbed her forehead as the start of a headache began. “That makes no sense. How am I to do great things if I don’t know which path to take?”

  “I asked the same thing. Chara said the dragon and danger go hand-in-hand. I knew that if you learned of this, you’d go around looking for the dragon, thinking it was some adventure. I didn’t want you in any danger, so your father and I decided not to tell you.”

  Annita leaned her head back against the chair. “Both of you should know by now that what Chara sees comes to pass, regardless. She didn’t tell you what age any of this would happen, did she?”