by Donna Grant
“Annita told you?” Royden asked.
Emilios shook his head. “There is very little that goes on in my home that I’m not privy to. There are eyes everywhere, and those who work for me are extremely loyal.”
“So, they spied on us.”
“Not how you may think. I asked if any of them had seen where you and Annita had disappeared to. That’s why and when they told me. It wasn’t as if they came running with the information.”
Royden stared at Emilios, waiting for him to continue.
“I’ve had a long time to come to terms with what my aunt foretold. I wasn’t sure how to react at first. Then she told me that the very thing that had saved our family would be what brought you to us. She said that while most believed it was a bone from a dinosaur, she knew it was a talon from the dragons who used to call our island home.”
Royden hadn’t been prepared for that.
Emilios continued. “Chara told me that you would come to us as a man, but you were really a dragon. You were the one Annita would find, and you would be the one to change her life forever. It meant that she would leave us and begin a new life with you, but it was her destiny as a mate to a Dragon King.”
“Chara knew that as well?”
Emilios smiled, nodding. “My aunt’s power was amazing.”
“Why did she no’ want Annita to know all of this?”
“She said that the decision rested with Annita. Chara might not have named you, but she said you would choose my daughter as your mate.”
Royden glanced away. “Annita is making that decision now.”
“I know. I’ve debated whether to come to you or not. My telling you won’t change anything with my daughter, but I wanted you to know that we aren’t trying to make Annita choose us. She has always had a mind of her own. More than that, I won’t stand in the way of Chara’s prophecy.”
“Thank you.”
But Emilios wasn’t finished. “There’s one more thing you should know. This was the most important of all the information Chara told me. She said that if Annita chooses you, then she’ll be another spoke in an ever-growing wheel, strengthening all of you in your upcoming battle.”
Royden felt as if he’d been kicked. “And if Annita doesna choose me?”
“I don’t know. Chara didn’t say anything about that.”
“I remained on Crete because of the prophecy,” Royden admitted. “Annita told me about it the first time we met, which was the day before I sought you out.”
Emilios chuckled, his lips twisting. “She has always been one who runs headlong into any adventure. She’s had a fascination with those caves since she learned how to swim. We used to try to keep her out of them, or at least go with her. It was Chara who told us that Annita needed to learn them. If Chara knew that Annita would find you in the caves, she didn’t share that with me.”
“I’m sad I didna get a chance to meet your aunt. I would’ve liked to talk to her.”
“Funny you say that. Right before she died, she grabbed my hand and said, ‘Tell him I would’ve welcomed him.’ I didn’t need to ask to know she was referring to you.”
Royden smiled, truly touched by the words. “I love your daughter. Chara was right, Annita is my mate. I know Annita loves me, but the life we’ll have is different than what she knows. You willna get to see her much.”
“I’ll still get to talk to my daughter, even if I don’t get to see her. I want her happy, Royden. If that means with you in Scotland, living as a mate to a Dragon King, then I accept that. I know you’ll protect her.”
“You doona seem worried about the war your aunt spoke of.”
Emilios gave him a flat look. “I’m more than worried about that. For all Chara’s knowledge of you, she knew very little about the Dragon Kings. There is nothing out there about your kind, and I suspect it’s because you’ve seen to that.”
“We have. I told Annita our story, and since you know about us, I’ll tell it to you, as well.”
“You would trust me with that?”
“I would.”
Emilios touched his hand to his chest and bowed his head. “I would be honored.”
An hour later, Emilios blinked and sat forward in his chair before running a hand down his face. “Thank you for helping my ancestors. I’m sorry we fought.”
“You and I didna fight in a war. That was a long time ago, with different people.”
“I’d like to say that wouldn’t happen now, but I can’t,” Emilios said with a frown.
Royden waved away his words. “We’ve come to terms with things. Know that if Annita chooses to be mine, the safest place for her is Dreagan.”
“And I want you to know that your secrets are safe with me. I’ll go to my grave with them.” Emilios got to his feet and held out his hand. “You’re a good man.”
Royden stood and clasped hands with Emilio. “So are you.”
They shared a smile before Emilios turned and walked out of the room leaving Royden with a lot to think over. He sat on the balcony and watched the sun slowly sink into the horizon and darkness blanket the sky. The moon made its ascent, while the stars appeared one by one to wink down at him.
He didn’t move from his spot as the blanket was pulled back, and light once more broke on the horizon. The sun was blinding as it chased away the stars. An hour before he was to meet Annita, he rose and used magic to pack up his remaining clothes and send them to Dreagan. Then he checked out of the hotel and paid for his room and had the Vespa returned to the rental shop.
He made his way down to the beach. In a hidden alcove, he stripped bare and began the swim to the cave. Excitement drummed through him as he surfaced in the cave, half expecting to see Annita. But there was still much of the hour left before noon.
Royden got out of the water and made himself comfortable as he waited. Noon came and went without any sign of Annita. Yet, he remained.
For another full day, he stayed in the caves, hoping against hope that Annita would come to him. But as the sun sank the next day, he had to accept the truth. She wasn’t coming. She hadn’t chosen him. He would be the only Dragon King who had found his mate and didn’t return to Dreagan with her.
Royden felt such sadness in his heart that he knew he’d never get over it. He got into the water as the sun set and shifted into his true form, headed toward Dreagan.
Chapter Fourteen
Con was waiting for Royden when he arrived. Royden swooped into Dreagan Mountain and landed. He shifted into human form as Con tossed him a pair of jeans.
“Glad to have you back,” the King of Dragon Kings said.
Royden didn’t put on the jeans as he looked into Con’s black eyes. “I need some time to myself.”
“How much time?”
“I’m no’ sure.”
“I’ve no’ heard from you in a week, but based on your expression, things didna go well.”
Royden had heard Con’s voice in his head on his swim to Scotland. Even when Royden reached the isle, and he’d used the cover of night to fly home, he still hadn’t answered Con. He’d wanted that time to himself. “Nay.”
Con crossed his arms over his chest. “What of the prophecy that caused you to remain?”
“A Greek woman was a Seer. Long ago, her ancestors found the talon my brother had taken from me and buried. They sold it and became rich because of it. Chara, the Seer, knew I’d return for the claw. She also knew I was a Dragon King. Her great-niece, Annita, is the one she predicted would find me.”
“And Annita did.”
Royden nodded. “She did. Chara then told Annita’s father the rest of the prophecy.”
Con quirked a blond brow. “I’m all ears.”
“Chara said Annita was my mate, and that if she chose me, we would strengthen ourselves in an upcoming war—which I suspect is against the Others.”
“Most likely. And Annita?”
Royden threw the jeans back at Con. “She isna with me. There’s your answer.”
> “Hmm. You do need your time. Go to your mountain. If things get dire, I’ll call for you.”
“Thank you.”
“Are you sure you doona want to come into the manor first? Maybe try to win Annita’s heart?”
Royden shook his head, eager to get to his mountain. “She loves me, but she can no’ get past no’ having children or seeing her family. I gave her a week to think about things and give me an answer. She was supposed to meet me in the cave, but she didna show up.”
Con’s lips parted, but Royden was done listening. He shifted and turned before running toward the entrance and jumping into the air, spreading his wings to catch an air current. Con could demand that he return, but Royden hoped he didn’t. As the mountain and manor disappeared behind him, Royden locked his gaze on his mountain and flew there as fast as he could.
He breathed a sigh of relief when he reached it. This had been his sanctuary when their world had fallen apart. It would be his refuge once again, though he knew he’d never get over the loss of his mate.
Royden folded his wings and walked through the tunnel to his cavern. He sighed as he lay down and closed his eyes. But try as he might, the dragon sleep he wanted wouldn’t come to him.
Chapter Fifteen
There were dragons everywhere. In every room Annita was taken to, she found dragons in pictures, carvings, statues, and metalwork. How could anyone who came to Dreagan not realize who lived there?
The door to Royden’s room opened. She turned with a smile on her face, but it wasn’t Royden who stood there—it was Con.
Annita searched Con’s black eyes. When she arrived two days ago, she’d been more than a little scared. After she told one of the women in the distillery shop who she was and stated that she wanted to speak to Con, she had quickly been ushered into the manor to come face-to-face with the King of Dragon Kings.
He was everything she’d imagined Constantine to be. Imposing, larger-than-life, formidable, and commanding. Yet, he had welcomed her. There hadn’t been a smile on his face, at least not at first. She had told him everything, including the rest of the prophecy her father had told her when she chose Royden. Con had listened to it all raptly, and only had one question.
“Why are you no’ meeting Royden in the cave as he asked?”
Annita shook her head. “I don’t know, really. Something told me to come here.”
“An inner voice?”
“Something like that. A feeling, really. A rather persistent one.”
Con had smiled then. “I’ve had such feelings before. It came from the magic of this realm. And it doesna like to be ignored.”
“Royden is going to be upset that I wasn’t at the cave, isn’t he?”
“He’ll forget all about it once he sees you.”
After that, Con had taken her for a tour of the estate and introduced her to many people. Then, she’d waited. Just a few hours ago, Con had told her that Royden would be here soon. The fact that he wasn’t with Con now wasn’t good news.
“He doesn’t want to see me,” Annita said.
Con walked into the room and closed the door behind him. “Royden isna listening to anyone right now. I could’ve forced him here, but he’s hurting. I think you should go to him.”
“You think that’s a good idea?”
“Annita, you’re his mate. You’re the only one he’ll listen to right now, unless I issue an order. I doona want to do that,” Con said with a smile. “You came here for him. I doona know why the magic brought you here. Perhaps it was to see him in his mountain. We’ve all suffered in various ways, but I know Royden still carries a lot of guilt. I think you can help with that.”
She swallowed and glanced out the window. “Which one is his?”
“I’ll take you there.”
Instead of walking out the door, Con held out his hand. Annita hesitated just a moment before she took it.
“Hang on,” Con said right before he touched a silver cuff on his wrist.
The next instant, the world turned all around her. Annita gasped, then gagged, squeezing her eyes closed.
Con grabbed hold of her to steady her. “Breathe. It’s over.”
Over? What the hell did that mean? When Annita opened her eyes, she realized they were outside. The nausea passed, and she swiveled her head to look around her. “How did we get here?”
“Magic,” Con said with a smile. He jerked his chin to the mountain before them. “This is Royden’s. The entrance is there.” He pointed. “Follow the tunnel until you find him.”
Annita put her hand on his arm before he left. “Thank you. For welcoming me, for believing me, and for this.”
“I want my Kings happy.”
“And you? What of your happiness?”
He looked away for a heartbeat, a breeze ruffling his wavy, blond hair. “Doona keep Royden waiting.”
And then Con was gone. Annita took a deep breath and looked at the mountain. It was dark outside, the moon shedding enough light that she could see the entrance Con had pointed out. She pulled out her mobile and turned on the light to guide.
Once in the mountain, she walked through the tunnel that reminded her a lot of the one Royden had taken her to underwater. She could hear nothing but silence in the mountain. She couldn’t be sure Royden was even there. There were no caverns for her to investigate, just the massive tunnel that would be big enough for Royden to walk through in his true form.
Then, suddenly, the tunnel opened into a cavern. She halted, her gaze locked on Royden as he sat on a boulder with his back to her. He was in mortal form with his head in his hands. She wished she’d ignored whatever had told her to come here and had met him in the cave instead. She never wanted to hurt him this way.
Annita was trying to decide if she should call his name or go to him when Royden’s head jerked up. Slowly, he turned around and looked at her. She gave him a smile and started toward him.
“I’m sorry I wasn’t at the cave. I’ve been here,” she explained. “Con thinks it was the magic that brought me here. I’m not sure. I thought it would be a nice surprise, but now I see it was the wrong thing to do.”
“Nay. As far as I know, the magic has never pulled a mate to Dreagan before. The fact you heard the magic is…amazing.”
She halted and swallowed. “My father told me everything after I’d made my decision to choose you. I love you.”
Royden jumped down from the rock. “Nay, it wasna the wrong thing to do to come here.”
“Really?” Relief surged through her as she smiled. “I was waiting for you in your room.”
He strode to her and yanked her against him, holding her so tightly she could barely breathe. “I thought I’d lost you.”
“I was always meant to be yours,” she said and kissed the side of his neck.
He pulled back and looked at her. “I love you.”
“And I love you.”
“We’ll see your family as much as we can.”
She put a finger to his lips. “I know we will. I can talk to them often, too. As for children, what happens, happens. If it’s meant to be, then we’ll have them. If it isn’t, then it isn’t.”
“I doona know what I ever did to deserve you, but I’m so glad you chose me.”
Annita sighed in contentment as she smiled up at him. “And I’m glad you chose me, my Dragon King.”
Epilogue
Two weeks later…
Royden hadn’t thought he could get any happier. Yet every day Annita was in his arms as dawn broke, he found himself more and more delighted. He squeezed her tightly and kissed her temple.
“Hmm. Good morning,” she said in a sleepy voice.
“Morning.”
She lifted her head from his chest and looked at him. “Are you ready to leave Dreagan today?”
Royden chuckled and rolled her onto her back. “You say that as if we’re going to war.”
“To some people, going to see their future in-laws is exactly that.”
; “No’ for me.”
“I like that you like my family. And I still can’t believe you told my father everything.”
Royden shrugged. “He already knew so much thanks to your great-aunt. I know he’s a man I can trust with our secrets.”
“He is,” she replied.
“Come on,” Royden said as he got off the bed and pulled her after him. “It’s time to get dressed.”
Annita jumped up but wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. “I’ve told you this before, but I’ll keep saying it. I don’t care what enemies come out of the woodwork. I’ll stand beside you and everyone else here at Dreagan. Always. Whether I’m your mate or not.”
“I know,” he said as he gazed into her pale brown eyes.
“Good,” she said in her sassiest voice before she turned and began to dress.
Royden watched her, thinking about how things were heating up with the Others. He wouldn’t change anything with Annita, but that didn’t stop his worry about what could happen to her and all of them if the Others won. Which meant they couldn’t allow that to happen. No matter what they needed to do, no matter who they needed to align with, the Others would be defeated once and for all.
Annita looked up at him and smiled. He returned it, his heart swelling even more. He had his mate. It wasn’t something he’d ever believed would be his, but now that Annita was with him, he’d fight harder than ever before for their future—and the future of all the Dragon Kings and their mates.
A future for every human.
For every dragon.
Because the lines between dragons and humans were blurring more and more as the years passed. And that might not be a bad thing.
* * * *
Also from 1001 Dark Nights and Donna Grant, discover Dragon Claimed, Dragon Night, Dragon King, Dragon Fever, and Dragon Burn.
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