by Lola Gabriel
The door opened suddenly, and as Dax raised his gaze to the woman in the doorway, it all became clear to him.
She was beautiful, and for a moment, Dax’s world came to a complete standstill.
A pair of bright blue-lavender eyes gazed at him, framed with long, silky dark brown hair. Despite seeing her for the first time, Dax instantly felt as though he had known her his entire life, which was a strange feeling, but Dax knew what it was.
He had heard countless tales from both his mother and father about the moment when they had met. They instantly knew that they were destined to be together, mates for all eternity, although Dax had never truly believed that was possible. He had lived most of his life under the impression that he would never find his mate and also dismissed the idea of love. To him, it never existed, despite seeing his parents love one another no matter the circumstances.
Dax was also no stranger to the tales of the curse which was stricken upon them while they were still nestled inside their eggs, a curse cast upon the four princes to spend the next five thousand years alone, without their mates. Even if they managed to find their mates afterwards, it would be difficult to keep them, since the curse still existed, regardless if Rhaena the Wicked was dead or alive.
Curses that powerful, and filled with that much hate and disdain, lasted forever. Apparently, there was a way to break the curse, but those who attempted it perished a horrible death.
The woman’s lips parted slightly, as if she felt the same intensity inside her that Dax did, and he stood from his chair.
“You must be Ms. Dillon,” Dax said, holding out his hand towards her.
“Please, call me Becca,” she said with a smile, walking over to him. “And you must be Arlo’s son.”
“Dax Veskovic. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”
A bolt of electricity ripped through him as their skin touched, and he noticed her gorgeous blue-lavender eyes swirling with something he had only heard of in the old fables his mother used to tell.
It was real.
And it was terrifying to Dax.
“Likewise.” Becca motioned to the chairs, and they sat down at the same time, perfectly in sync with one another. “Your father told me that you’re planning the charity fundraiser for him,” Becca said.
“Clearly, my father has more faith in me, since it’s the first time I’m actually planning it for him,” Dax explained.
“So, you’re not in the event planning business?” she inquired, and he shook his head. “What exactly do you do then, Mr. Veskovic?”
“Please, call me Dax,” Dax insisted gently with a charismatic smile.
Becca held his gaze intently for a moment longer than what was necessary, and Dax’s whole body started to tingle.
“Alright, Dax,” Becca said. “What is it that you do for a living?”
“Well, that’s a complicated question.”
She cocked her head at him, and a lock of dark brown hair fell onto her face. “And why is that?”
“I do pretty much whatever I want, whenever I want,” he replied coyly, though he couldn’t help but include a tone of modesty.
Becca sat back in her chair and pouted her lips, which Dax wanted to kiss so badly his insides ached. It would be unconventional, and very unprofessional, but he couldn’t get the thought of her mouth against his out of his mind. He wondered how she tasted, and it only made matters worse.
“Oh, I get it,” she finally said. “You drive an expensive car and spend exuberant amounts of money every day on luxury items that normal people like me can only dream about.”
A crooked smile appeared on his lips, and he cocked his head. “Well, if you ask nicely, maybe I could make some of those dreams a reality.”
Was his response corny? Absolutely. Was it working? The jury was still out.
Becca raised an apprehensive eyebrow at him and cleared her throat. “Anyway, we’re not here to talk about me. Your father told me that you—”
“I am going to stop you right there, Becca,” Dax interrupted. “I am not sure what my father told you exactly, but you have to understand this. We’re two completely different people, him and me. We grew up in different times, different places. We have different ideas, and I don’t think that only hearing one side of the story is the best way to get to know me.”
Becca stared at him blankly and lowered her gaze. “That wasn’t what I was going to say, at all. I know you’re different people, and I would never judge someone by the things I have been told by others. If you think that I am someone like that, then aren’t you the one who’s judging?”
“Touché,” he said simply. “Tell me a bit about New Horizons.”
“Well.” She took a deep breath. “I started my organization because I noticed there wasn’t any non-profits for…”
“For what?”
“For Gifted individuals,” she answered carefully.
“You say that with both pride and caution,” he pointed out.
“It’s not always something that I can say honestly and outrightly. You know, since we’re living amongst those who either don’t believe us or want to kill us,” Becca said.
“Right. It’s really baffling to me that a species who is so weak and fragile wants to kill everything they don’t understand.” Dax chuckled bitterly, and his eyes darkened slightly. “They’re so easy to kill. You’d think that they’d stay in their lanes more.”
“We’re all easy to kill, once you know our weaknesses,” Becca stated.
“I don’t have a weakness,” he countered.
Becca seemed neither affected nor impressed by this statement and simply stared at him wordlessly.
“We’re getting off topic again,” Dax said as he shifted in his chair.
“Can I just ask a question before we get back to the charity ball?” she inquired.
“Of course.” His eyes sparkled with intrigue.
“Did your father choose my organization for a specific reason—” Becca looked down before finishing her sentence, “—or did it have more to do with me than New Horizons?”
“He knows you’re a dragon, if that’s what you’re asking, but it’s not the sole reason. My father knows what it feels like to have nothing, to rely on yourself to find food and shelter. He knows what it feels like to struggle; most of us do. He feels the need to give back to the Gifted and not allow them to lose hope or lose themselves like he did quite a few times.”
“That’s a pretty noble reason,” Becca breathed. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know about his past. He just stepped into the offices one day and wanted to know what we did. He’s such a kind man, with a big heart, although you wouldn’t say so just by looking at him.”
“Yeah, he’s quite the layered person, especially lately. It’s like his old age is finally catching up to him, and he feels he has to change the world before it’s too late,” Dax said with a frown. “I just think he misses my mother.”
Becca’s brows raised, and her eyes softened. “Did she…”
“Oh, no. She didn’t die. I’m sorry. I should not have been so vague,” he scoffed. “She is in London, visiting my older brother for a few weeks. My father feels a little lonely, and I am guessing he’s been hanging around your offices more than usual.”
“Not more than he usually does.” Becca shrugged. “But he’s always welcome here. It’s nice to have someone to talk to sometimes who is as objective and wise as he is.”
“He’d be happy to hear you say that.” Dax looked at her, studying her every move.
The rest of the meeting went smoothly. Dax learned that Becca was an orphan herself, but he didn’t ask for any more details regarding that, as he could sense the raw emotions inside of her.
This had been his blessing and his curse since the moment he was born. Emotions, which were in a large part controlled by the tides and the phases of the moon, he sensed all of them. It was overwhelming to him in his childhood, feeling the pain, sadness, and fear while they were in hiding, trying to su
rvive off little to nothing.
Dax, despite not getting along with his father at the worst of times, was deeply and sincerely grateful for everything he had sacrificed for him and his brothers. He could also clearly feel the passionate way in which Becca spoke of the difference she wanted to make in the group of Gifted orphans in the city.
He learned that for a number of years, and as the number of orphans coming to the special shelter behind their offices increased, Becca’s organization wanted to open a special home in the mountains for them, but the money was never there. That was why his father wanted to donate all the proceeds of this year’s Immortal Elite ball—which was how it was referred to in the Gifted circles—to New Horizons. It would finally be possibly for the organization to provide a home for these orphans where they would be safe and secure, as well as be under the supervision of other Gifted individuals who would show them how to develop and control their abilities.
Dax felt another shift inside him, one he certainly did not approve of.
In the past, or ever since he could remember, he had kept his own emotions locked in a steel box in his heart and had vowed to never open it. He was a free-spirit and didn’t want his feelings to tie himself down, to anything or anyone. But at that moment, the chains around that steel box started to rattle to the point of almost breaking open. He had to pace himself, because emotions were not something he had gotten the hang of controlling, especially his own. He could manipulate people emotionally, but that was about it.
It was definitely a daunting feeling for him, and it might be better if he withdrew from Becca, even though that would be impossible for him. Being close to her might also be catastrophic; it may even kill her. It wasn’t because Dax couldn’t control himself, but due to the harrowing effects of the curse cast upon the Dragon Princes the day they were born.
The lives of the Dragon Princes were at risk, since the curse was still active, unless it was broken by a member of the same family of the one who cast it, but Rhaena the Wicked’s bloodline was as scarce as snow in the desert.
The Dragon King had sent for many sorcerers to attempt to break the curse, and they had perished instantly. Rhaena the Wicked’s magic was too dark to be reversed by someone who was not worthy to do so, as she would deem.
The Dragon Queen blamed herself for not realizing Rhaena’s curse sooner. She could have put a stop to it, but her sole mission and focus in those moments had been to keep the four eggs safe. It had not been the first time that their palace had been under attack and their lives had been in danger, but somehow, the Queen still carried the loaded burden of guilt on her narrow shoulders.
Dax felt Becca’s gaze on him, and he snapped out of his daydream. How long had he been staring over her shoulder, lost in his thoughts of the past? His eyes met hers, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.
“Is everything okay?”
“Yes, of course.” He glanced at the folder spread out in front of him and realized that they had gone over everything about her organization and the things she had planned for it, but they didn’t go over anything with regards to the actual planning of the fundraiser ball. “Becca, would you like to have a drink with me later?”
“Do you really think that is a good idea?”
“Why not? We could discuss the fundraiser,” he answered as he looked down at his wristwatch, “since we’ve been in this meeting for over two hours.”
“I didn’t realize it was this late. I have to get down to the shelter.”
“So is that a yes for drinks?” he asked coyly.
“I don’t think so. Sorry.”
“Just tell your boyfriend it’s a work meeting,” he said with a wink.
The subject of Becca having a boyfriend didn’t come up in their conversation, but he wasn’t going to outright ask her. Judging from her face, she wasn’t going to tell him, anyway.
“It was great to meet you, Dax,” Becca said, standing from her chair. “If there is anything else that I can help you with regarding the fundraiser, please let me know.”
“Actually, there is.” Dax grinned and stood as well, gathering the documents into the folder. “You’re as much a part of this ball as I am, so I would suggest that we get together at least once a week to go over the arrangements.”
“I guess that’s fair.” Becca pointed her finger casually at him. “But, I am not getting drunk with you. Ever. I’m not something to be conquered.”
Dax knew his playboy reputation was not doing him any good in this situation. He pressed his hand against his chest in mock shock. “Do I look like the kind of man who would do such a thing?”
“I know your type, and before you say that I am being judgmental, I know I am right,” Becca told him.
He gave her a cocky smile, knowing she had him all figured out, and simply nodded. “You’re right, but…”
“But what?” She crossed her arms, swaying her hips as she shifted her weight.
“But people change, you know.”
“I know, and I guess if you live as long as we do, then you do get to see that happen.”
“It was great to talk to you, Becca.” Dax held his hand out to her.
She hesitated before taking it, as before, but she still stepped closer and shook his hand. Her smooth skin against his sent his senses into overdrive, and his blue eyes glowed so much that he saw it reflect in Becca’s eyes.
“Is it normal for your eyes to glow so brightly?”
“You don’t know the half of it, Becca,” he smirked. She chuckled as she slipped her hand out of his grasp and stepped away towards the door. “I know a great place in the West End where we can go,” he said, and she turned to him. “You know, for drinks.”
Her gaze rested on his for an elongated moment, and she nodded. “Sure. Text me the address and time. I’m sure you already have my number. Just to be clear, this is a business meeting.”
“And your boyfriend won’t mind?”
Becca opened the door of the small conference room and said simply, “Have a lovely afternoon, Mr. Veskovic.”
Dax gave her a nod and walked past her as he left the room. He knew she wouldn’t walk him out.
Had he overstepped a boundary with her? That couldn’t be the case, could it? He knew what it would feel like when he met his True Mate, but did Becca? She didn’t know about the glowing eyes, the strong sense of ‘all being right in the world’ that he felt, even though he tried with all his might not to admit it.
He walked along the hallway, passed a few people who carried files around, and they greeted him with friendly smiles and nods. There was one young woman in particular whom he found interesting. Her long black hair tumbled down in waves down her back, tendrils framing her face. She had a strange aura around her, but it wasn’t in the least bit threatening.
“Dax,” she said quietly and dismissively.
Dax nodded wordlessly, and he couldn’t shake a strange feeling which suddenly overcame him. Her tone insinuated she knew him, but he was sure he had not seen her before in his entire life. Surely, he would have remembered her. There was nothing remarkable about her that stood out—it was the way she made him feel. It was the same way he’d felt yesterday morning in the parking garage of his building: an unexplainable uneasiness that made him feel paranoid, as if he was being watched.
Maybe it had something to do with the emotions which now coursed through him, awakened by Becca Dillon.
Dax wasn’t ready to settle down just yet, but meeting Becca might have changed this. Sure, he was fighting with all that he had inside him not to tell her what he had experienced, but he had to tell someone. He just wasn’t sure who would believe him.
Rushing out of the building, the door slamming behind him, he grabbed his phone from his pocket and scrolled through his list of contacts. There were too many right now, too many to narrow down, too many who wouldn’t believe him if he told them, too many who would try to lecture him on the safety issues that came along with finding his True Mate.
He knew how his father and mother would react if he were to tell them about this, as well as two of his brothers. Oryn, on the other hand, would understand, because like Dax, Oryn had absolutely no intention of settling down, either. However, he was also the most rational of them all, given the element he was born into.
Dax stopped scrolling when he reached Oryn’s number and called him as he made his way across the street to the underground parking garage where he parked his car.
“Dax, you do know it’s the middle of the night over here, right?” Oryn’s raspy voice sounded over the phone.
“It obviously doesn’t matter, since you’re still awake.”
“You got me there.”
“How’s Auckland?”
“It’s green and beautiful, just the way I like it. Plus, I am a world away from Father and his power trip. Do you know he calls me every day, regardless of the time of day?”
“That sounds like him. He’s flipping out because Mother is still in London.”
Oryn scoffed. “That’s not our problem, though. Why doesn’t he just fly over there and spare us all the theatrics?”
“Because it’s Father we’re talking about,” Dax pointed out, which made Oryn laugh.
“How are things over there, little brother?”
“I wish I could say I’m fine.” Dax ran his free hand through his hair, stepping into the shadows of the parking garage.
“Why? What happened?”
“I have to tell you something, something big. Something I don’t even believe myself.”
“This sounds serious. You didn’t do anything illegal, did you?”
“Illegal is a very broad term, but no.”
“Tell me,” Oryn insisted.
“Father has me planning his annual Immortal Elite ball this year, and I just met with the head of the charity he wants as the beneficiary.”
“I’m just going to ignore the fact that you were reeled in to do Father’s dirty work and let you carry on with this story.”
“The moment I saw her, I…”
“You what?”