by Donna Grant
She winced when she thought of it as freedom. Sharing duties with Brandr on Zora wasn’t a punishment. She considered it an honor. But…this pull that Vaughn had on her was impossible to resist, even if it did anger her brother.
Vaughn opened the door. His lips flattened as he stared at whoever stood in the corridor. “We’ll be out shortly.”
“Right,” replied a sultry voice with an American accent. “We both know that’s a lie.”
Eurwen watched as a beautiful woman with curly, shoulder-length blond hair and hazel eyes pushed past Vaughn. The woman was dressed immaculately in couture, from her Chanel earrings and necklace to her Jimmy Choo shoes.
“Eilish didn’t lie. You’re stunning,” the woman said. “I’m Alexandra, by the way. My friends call me Alex.”
Eurwen glanced at Vaughn to see him rolling his eyes. She returned her gaze to Alex. “I’m Eurwen.”
“I’m sorry for intruding. I know both of you want some alone-time, but a lot of people are dying to meet you.”
Vaughn walked to Eurwen, his lips twisting. “We’d better go down before they come up here.”
Alex stopped Eurwen before she could walk out. “I’m not sure how long you’re staying, but we do girls’ days as often as we can. We’d love for you to join us if you’d like.”
“That sounds like fun.” And it did. More than Eurwen would have guessed. The invitation thrilled her.
A lot.
It must have shown on her face because as they walked from the room, Vaughn leaned down and said, “Of course, they want to spend time with you.”
“I wouldn’t know what to do.”
He winked at her. “Sure, you would.”
They followed Alex down the stairs, where another group waited. Eurwen went through, meeting Dragon Kings and mates. The Kings she knew, and some of the mates she recognized, but it was nice to meet them officially.
Everyone was nice. And she noted many accents—American, British, Scottish, Romanian, and even Greek. Everyone wore smiles. Happiness and love were in abundance at Dreagan. Somehow, she hadn’t thought about any of that when she thought of Dreagan. She should have, though.
Just because she carried around so much hate and anger didn’t mean others did. Being at Dreagan and meeting everyone had opened her eyes to that and much more. She couldn’t wait to tell Brandr. He wouldn’t believe her, not until he saw it for himself—if she could ever get him to Dreagan.
Eurwen had no idea how long she talked to the Kings and mates before Vaughn finally called a halt to it and led her away to the library. He closed the doors behind them and blew out a loud sigh.
“Thank you,” she said with a grateful smile.
“I knew you’d be a hit.”
His grin made her stomach flutter. “I’m a curiosity.”
“Doona sell yourself short.”
She sank onto the Chesterfield sofa and dropped her head back. “I’m Con and Rhi’s daughter. That’s all this is.”
“It wouldna matter whose daughter you were. You’re one of us.” He pushed away from the door and strode to her, a small frown furrowing his brows. “I hope you realize that.”
She shrugged. “I don’t know anyone here. I barely know you. What little time I’ve spent on this realm has been to observe mortals. And since I stick with the dragons and my brother on Zora, I don’t have anything to compare it to.”
“Then learn from those here.”
“I’m not going to live here,” she said as she lifted her head.
Vaughn shrugged and sank onto the cushion beside her. “I’m no’ saying live here, but you could visit. Often.”
“Do you remember ruling your clan?”
“Of course,” he stated, slightly offended.
She shifted to face him. “Did you like leaving them?”
“You know I didna.”
“How about if you did it over and over.”
His lips compressed.
“That’s how I feel when I venture away from Zora,” she told him.
“I see.”
She studied him, noting the hard lines of his face. “Do you?”
“Of course.”
“I think one of the reasons Brandr and I stayed away from Dreagan all these years is that we realized everyone would want something from us. I’m not talking about Rhi and Con. I mean every King. Every mate.”
He tilted his head to the side, confusion filling his eyes. “No one you met today wants anything from you. They only want to get to know you. No’ only are you a product of a great love that went through so much, you’re also half-dragon, half-Fae.”
“I’m not the only one of those.”
“Trust me. Everyone wants to learn about Melisse, as well. They’re curious and interested. I wouldna call that wanting things that you can no’ give.”
Eurwen shrugged. “And when I say it’s time to return?”
“Everyone will respect that.”
“This time. How many more times until someone asks me to make a decision?”
Vaughn’s face hardened for the briefest of moments. “You mean, how long until I ask you to choose?”
“I didn’t say that.”
“We both know that’s what you were alluding to.”
She licked her lips and tried to shift the conversation. “We’re having a bit of fun.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. This means much more to me.” Vaughn got to his feet and walked out of the library, leaving her alone.
When the door closed behind him, Eurwen stared at it. “Well. That didn’t go well.”
How had she expected it to go? She wasn’t sure. But she had thought to have a pleasant time with Vaughn, not argue. Though, she had suspected that he was more serious about things.
“Suspected?” she asked with a roll of her eyes. “No, I knew.”
Yes, she knew he thought that she could be his mate. Did she feel the same? Was it something she wanted?
“I don’t know,” she whispered.
And that was the rub. She didn’t know her feelings about anything. She knew what she should do, what others expected of her, and what the right thing was. But she hadn’t thought about what she wanted.
Chapter Seventeen
“Did she leave?”
Vaughn halted at the sound of Darius’s voice. He drew in a breath and got control of his irritation.
Darius came around to his front, his face lined with a deep frown, his long, blond hair pulled back in a queue. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar,” Darius replied without any heat to his words.
“Eurwen is still here. Or at least she was a moment ago when I left her in the library.”
Darius crossed his arms over his chest, his chocolate eyes intense. “I see.”
“She’s alone. Go talk to her.”
“I’d rather you come with us.”
“I doona need to be there.”
Darius quirked a blond brow. “Had a row, aye?”
Vaughn ran a hand down his face. “I’ve stood in front of entire boardrooms of people and never lost my cool. With her, one word sends my anger rising.”
“She’s your mate.”
Vaughn squeezed his eyes closed for a heartbeat. “I’ve suspected for a long time. I knew it when I saw her on Zora.”
“You’ve met her before?”
Vaughn inwardly winced. “It’s no’ something I told anyone. Con just learned of it. I didna know who Eurwen was when we shared that night eons ago. I’ve been searching for her ever since.”
“Now, you’ve found her. She just needs some time to see what you do.”
“It isna that simple.” Vaughn blew out a breath and leaned against the wall. “Neither her brother nor the dragons want us on Zora. No’ even to visit. They fear we’ll try to take over or want to live there.”
Darius’s face grew grave. “What does she want?”
“She’s the one who formed the doorway for Con and Rhi,
but I think Eurwen has doubts. Our arrival caused some waves throughout the realm. They’ve gone to great lengths no’ to repeat the mistakes we’ve made here on Earth.”
“And are probably making new ones.”
“No doubt. I’ve no’ mentioned that to them, and I doubt Con or Rhi have either.”
Darius shook his head. “Wise to keep it to yourselves for the time being. So they doona want us there. She’s discovering that she’s welcome here.”
“She made a point of telling me that she willna stay for long. Her place is on Zora.”
“If you’re no’ allowed there, and she doesna want to be here, how are the two of you going to be together?”
Vaughn twisted his lips and shrugged. “Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe she isna my mate. Perhaps I was so caught up in trying to find her after she disappeared that I’ve spent all this time only thinking she is mine.”
Darius dropped his arms to his sides. “The two of you have had verra little time together. Perhaps that is all you need to see the truth—whatever that may be.”
“That willna happen on Zora. She was uncomfortable with me there. It could’ve been because of Rhi and Con or Brandr. Her brother’s no’ our biggest fan.”
“Neither she nor Brandr were raised as a dragon should be. There’s much they doona know.”
“Ah, but they’re no’ only dragons. They’re half-Fae, as well. Who’s to say they’d even recognize a mate.”
Darius’s brows snapped together. “Bloody hell.”
“Precisely,” Vaughn said with a nod. “There’s a chance she doesna know we’re mates. If she’s against it, she’ll refuse me. I’m no’ as strong as Con. I’ll no’ survive without my mate.”
“We’re no’ there yet.”
Vaughn inwardly shook himself. “You’re right.”
“You and Eurwen need to spend more time together. Even if it is in the company of others. Sophie wants to talk to Eurwen. Why no’ join us?”
Vaughn thought about it for a moment, then gave in because he wanted to be with Eurwen. He wanted to spend time with her, listen to her speak, and watch her facial expressions. This might be the only time he got with her. He wouldn’t waste it being angry. “All right.”
“Good,” Darius said with a nod. “I’ll get Sophie and meet you there.”
Vaughn pivoted and returned to the library. He paused outside the doors, wondering if Eurwen would still be there or not. He steeled himself and opened the door. His eyes immediately went to the sofa, only to find it empty.
Disappointment filled him instantly. It churned violently in his stomach, mixing with sadness and anger at himself for snapping at her. She had been unsure of her role at Dreagan, and because of his worries, he had given her reason to leave when he should’ve done the opposite.
He sighed as he walked into the library. Vaughn debated whether to try and locate her when movement caught his eye. His gaze jerked to the second floor, where he spotted Eurwen’s pink skirt before it disappeared behind a bookshelf. The relief that surged through him was so intense, he became lightheaded.
At the sound of approaching footsteps, he looked over his shoulder and saw Darius and Sophie. He gave them a nod to let them know they could enter. Vaughn then returned his gaze to where he’d last seen Eurwen. He’d wanted to show her Dreagan so she could see what a beautiful place it was. He hadn’t thought about sharing her with everyone until it had been too late. One way or another, he would find a way to get some time alone with her before she returned to Zora.
“Eurwen,” he called.
She poked her head out from around a bookshelf. “I thought you left.”
“You have company,” he answered.
She stared at him for a heartbeat before her gaze slid behind him to where Darius and Sophie had walked into the library. “I’ll be right down.”
Vaughn didn’t take his eyes from her as she made her way to the spiral staircase and descended the steps. She smiled in greeting to the couple she’d met earlier before Sophie had left to continue Jeyra’s exam.
“How are you doing?” Darius asked Eurwen. “I hope we’ve no’ overwhelmed you.”
She smiled easily and shrugged. “I expected it.”
“Expecting it and going through it are two different things,” Sophie said in her cultured British accent.
Eurwen nodded. “Too true. How did things go with Jeyra?”
“It’ll take a bit before I know specifics.”
Darius looked at his mate with pride. “Sophie is great at what she does.”
“It helps to have my own clinic,” she replied after giving Darius a quick kiss.
Eurwen asked, “Doesn’t that hamper things? Eventually, those in the area will realize you don’t age.”
“We’ll face that when the time comes,” Sophie said.
Darius glanced at Vaughn before telling Eurwen, “We were hoping you might be able to help us.”
“Help with what, exactly?” Eurwen asked.
Sophie clasped her hands in front of her. “You’re half-dragon, half-Fae. There’s much I could learn from you in hopes of helping any mates who might get with child.”
Eurwen’s gaze slid to Vaughn. She stared at him for a long minute before returning her attention to Sophie. “What do you want to do?”
“Take some blood, do some x-rays. That sort of thing,” Sophie said with a shrug.
Vaughn couldn’t shake the feeling that this wouldn’t go as well as Sophie hoped.
Eurwen nodded slowly. “Have you done those tests on the Dragon Kings here?”
“Well, no,” Sophie replied hesitantly.
“What about with Melisse?”
“I–I’ve not had the chan—”
“But you felt you could come to me with this?” Eurwen demanded in a soft voice so like Con’s.
Vaughn stepped forward to dispel the growing tension. “I believe Sophie was more interested in the fact that you’re from another realm.”
“My brother and I were conceived here,” Eurwen said flatly.
Darius shrugged. “By two powerful figures.”
“Are you saying that Sophie isn’t powerful?”
Vaughn held up his hand. “No one said that.”
Eurwen’s silver gaze slid to him. “Actually, that’s exactly what Darius said.”
“She has a point,” Sophie interjected.
Everyone looked at her.
A short laugh escaped Sophie’s lips as she eyed Darius. “You’re a Dragon King.”
“I’m your King,” he told her.
She smiled and touched his face gently. “That’s true, but I have no magic. I’m not a Druid or Fae. I’m just me.”
“You have skills,” he insisted. “Look how you can heal.”
“With medicine, not magic.” She shook her head and glanced at Eurwen. “Shara is Fae. Rhi isn’t only Fae, she’s royal. Several mates are Druids or have Druid blood in them somewhere. I have no power. Perhaps that’s why we’ve not been able to get pregnant.”
Vaughn was so shocked that his mouth fell open. “You’ve been trying? Even knowing what could happen?”
Darius nodded without looking at him.
“Why would you do that?” Eurwen demanded. “Sophie, you were tending to Claire. You saw her fear. Her anxiety.”
Sophie turned her head to Eurwen. “Because we want a child. I’m fully aware of the risks.”
“No,” Vaughn said, louder than intended as he slashed his hand through the air. “You say that until you’re holding your stillborn bairn in your hands. That kills something inside of you. Something you can never get back.”
Sophie lifted her chin. “We’re aware of—”
“You’re no’!” Vaughn bellowed as he looked between Sophie and Darius. “You can no’ possibly fathom the depths to which you’ll sink. All of us have watched V and Claire go through this hell Usaeil put them in, none of us able to do anything to help.”
“They may yet have a child,” Darius stated.<
br />
Eurwen softly released a breath. “And they may not. Although, that could be said of any being who gets pregnant. There are numerous accounts of miscarriages and stillborn deaths between dragons and humans. As well as two instances of actual births between dragons and Fae. That isn’t enough data to put yourselves through what could be a traumatic event.”
“If Claire and V are able to have a child, then we’ve learned something,” Sophie said.
Vaughn’s stomach clenched painfully. “What’s that?”
“That we need Fae magic to help us conceive.”
Vaughn couldn’t comprehend what Sophie was suggesting. He lifted his gaze to Darius. “You’re in agreement?”
“Our dragons are gone. Forever now. Who knows if we’ll get to see them again? I suspect the Silvers will be sent to Zora, which is only right. What else do we have? I found my mate. That was a feat in itself. If that’s all we ever get, I’ll be satisfied. But there’s no harm in trying for a bairn.”
Vaughn briefly closed his eyes as he fisted his hands. “You’ll wish to take back that last sentence if you lose a child.”
“The important word there is if,” Sophie said.
Chapter Eighteen
Zora
* * *
Brandr paced his cottage until he could stand it no more. He walked out the door, and even though he told himself not to look toward Eurwen’s place, his head turned anyway. There was no movement outside. He didn’t know if his parents were there or somewhere else.
He was tempted to find Varek. He hadn’t wanted to like the Dragon King, but the simple fact was that he did. It helped that Varek had freed the dragons from imprisonment.
Brandr opened his mental link and reached out to his generals to see if they had learned anything.
“The four humans I’m following have remained on their side of the river. They’ve no’ found the crone as of yet.”
“Thanks,” Brandr said.
Nundro, another of his generals said, “More and more dragons are growing uneasy. Tempers are flaring. I’ve broken up two fights already.”
“Fights are no’ uncommon,” Brandr reminded him.
Nundro snorted. “These are no’ common skirmishes.”