Dragon Mine

by Donna Grant

  It reminded him of the Dark magic. He looked at his arm, but the black, misty smoke that had been there before he fell unconscious was gone. He didn’t feel it inside him, but he would be cautious, nonetheless.

  Brandr teleported outside to greet the day. The sun was just peaking over the mountain, its first rays lighting the area. He drew in a deep breath, still trying to decipher the confusing emotions swirling within him. Things had been simple once. Easy. Well, as much as they could be in his situation.

  As far back as he could remember, he and Eurwen had felt an overwhelming need to get to the dragons. They had been able to talk to each other, but not Erith. The time it took for them to grow and get to the point where they could communicate with the goddess had felt like an eternity. All the while, both Brandr and his sister had felt the cry of the dragons within them. It was almost as if they had been born to find the dragons and restore order once more.

  He had accepted that as his life. He thought Eurwen had, as well. It hurt deeply that she had kept secrets from him because he knew if she hadn’t told him about Vaughn, then there were other things she hadn’t shared.

  Obviously, she had sought something more. Why hadn’t she told him? But he knew the answer. Brandr didn’t question her loyalty or intentions when it came to Zora or the dragons. Or even him. Yet, something was missing from his sister’s life. Something he had missed. And he guessed he hadn’t seen it for some time.

  Was it the dynamic between him and Eurwen that’d altered things on Zora? Was that what he felt now? He wanted to blame everything on the Dragon Kings, but that was childish. Varek hadn’t asked to come to Zora. He’d had no hand in his arrival. Frankly, Brandr was impressed at what Varek had been able to do in the short time he’d been in the realm.

  Not to mention that the Dragon King had also found his mate.

  Brandr pushed aside the tightening in his chest each time he thought about a mate. He knew how dragons discerned their mates. For many, many years, he’d believed that he wasn’t ready to even consider a mate. Then, as more decades passed, he started to wonder if he would ever find one. He had no way of knowing if he would be able to recognize his mate or not. Had that ability been given to him since he was only half-dragon?

  He hadn’t talked to Eurwen about it because she hadn’t mentioned anything about being lonely. Brandr had taken that to mean she was content, and he didn’t want her to worry about him being unhappy. Because he wasn’t. At least, he wasn’t most of the time.

  Seeing Claire and V together, though…hell, even his parents, had brought out the staggering loneliness that sometimes overtook him. The yawning, cavernous void of emptiness that loomed ever nearer, trying to swallow him. He hated when it came because it clawed at him, dragging him down into an abyss that threatened to never release him.

  Everywhere he looked, beings were paired. None were meant to be alone. And yet, that’s exactly what he and his sister had been. Alone. The difference was, Eurwen had found some semblance of pleasure with Vaughn. Brandr couldn’t say the same. Instead of facing his feelings and confronting the root cause of his wild emotions, he’d buried all of it and focused on his duties and the dragons.

  Try as he might, he couldn’t ignore how similarly he had acted to Con. And Brandr wasn’t sure how he felt about that. It certainly wasn’t something he would discuss with Eurwen or anyone else.

  He ran a hand down his face, feeling weary to his very bones. Eurwen was at Dreagan, Dragon Kings were still in Zora, a half-dragon bairn had just been born, and more importantly, something was still off with the realm that he had yet to pinpoint. Not to mention, neither he nor any of his generals had found the crone.

  Brandr moved closer to the edge of the cliff and drew in a deep breath in an attempt to release the tension and anxiety building within him. He glanced to the right where Eurwen’s doorway was and saw Vaughn emerge. Fury spiked in Brandr with such intensity that he started to shift and charge Vaughn.

  Then Rhi was suddenly with Vaughn, enveloping him in an embrace. The sight of his mother stopped Brandr in his tracks. For all the pain she had suffered at the hands of her mate, she had forgiven and moved on. Brandr wasn’t sure how anyone could do that. Rhi not only did it with grace that spoke of her noble heritage but also with a smile and a generous heart.

  Brandr saw much of Rhi in Eurwen. His sister was more forgiving, more compassionate than he. He would say that Eurwen had gotten the best of both Rhi and Con in many instances, while he had gotten the worst.

  “Brandr.”

  The sound of Con’s voice in his head startled him. He thought about ignoring his father’s call, but no doubt Constantine was nearby and watching him. “Aye?”

  “I wanted to see how you were feeling after what you did last night.”

  Brandr looked away from Vaughn and Rhi and turned to look at Eurwen’s cottage. That’s when he spotted Con standing outside, watching him. “I’m doing fine.”

  “Thank you for what you did. I know V and Claire also wish to talk to you and thank you.”

  Brandr shook his head. “There’s no need.”

  “There is. And you know it.”

  “Why is Vaughn here?”

  Con raised a brow. “Ask him.”

  Brandr watched his father walk away. He almost called out to Con, demanding that he tell him what he wanted to know. But Brandr knew it wouldn’t do any good. Besides, he wouldn’t allow Con to know that he was irked about the situation. Not yet, anyway.

  He whirled around, intending to tear down the doorway when his gaze landed on Rhi before him. “Did you and Con plan this?”

  “No,” she said softly. “I’ve been waiting for you to wake so I could thank you.”

  Brandr shrugged off her words. “It was nothing.”

  “That’s not true at all, and you know it.”

  He clenched his teeth. “What do you want me to say?”

  She shrugged and smiled. “Nothing. Just listen.”

  He stared into silver eyes so like Eurwen’s that, for a moment, he almost imagined he spoke to his sister and not Rhi.

  “Please,” she urged, her gaze beseeching him.

  Against his better judgement, he gave in.

  Rhi’s smile was blinding. “Thank you.”

  “Not here,” he said before she continued. “I’d rather go somewhere more…private.” He tried not to notice the hurt that flashed in her eyes, but it was too late.

  “Wherever you’d like,” she said.

  “My place.”

  He turned and started walking, not bothering to wait for her. It was a wanker move, and Eurwen would’ve called him on it. Brandr slowed his steps until Rhi caught up with him.

  Once inside his cottage, she flashed him a smile. “Thank you for this.”

  He closed the door and leaned against it as he watched her look around his simple home. His cottage was identical in size to his sister’s. No one but Eurwen had ever been inside. It was disconcerting to have a visitor looking over his things.

  “You like to read,” Rhi said as she glanced at him over her shoulder.

  He nodded slowly. Two walls of his cottage were covered with bookcases.

  Rhi flicked her long, black hair over a shoulder as she faced him. “Have you been to the library at the Light Castle?”

  “No.”

  “I’d love to take you. It’s a spectacular place. The library at Dreagan is impressive, as well.”

  He crossed his arms over his chest, not bothering to answer.

  Rhi briefly lowered her gaze to the ground. “I understand.” She licked her lips and moved to stand before him. “I know you want us gone. Whatever you may believe, neither Con nor any of the other Kings intend to take over.”

  “They wouldna be able to.”

  “Spoken like a King,” Rhi said with a grin. Then she twisted her lips. “You might not want to hear it, but Con would’ve said those exact words.”

  Brandr didn’t want to be reminded, again, that he was li
ke his father.

  “We’re not bad people,” Rhi continued. “We’re not perfect. We’ve made some mistakes.” She grimaced. “I’ve made some doozies, myself. But I hoped you were the type of man who wouldn’t judge someone for their past or actions they didn’t have any control over. I hoped a child of mine would get to know someone before forming an opinion.”

  “I’m here, am I no’?”

  She scratched her head and swallowed nervously. “The first time I spoke with Eurwen, it didn’t go well, but we gave it a second try. I’m asking you to get to know us. Your father and I want nothing more than to learn about the children we didn’t even know we had. We’ve been waiting, not so patiently, for a chance to meet you both.”

  “I’m no’ sure what you want from me. You’re here, in our realm, moving about freely.”

  “I want to know my son.”

  Brandr dropped his arms and pushed away from the door. “I’m afraid that time has passed.”

  “It’s never too late to get to know someone.”

  “I doona know why Fate decided that you and Con wouldna raise Eurwen and me. Maybe it was because both of you were too caught up in the big picture of things to notice the details. Maybe it was to correct the colossal mistake Con made in sending the dragons away.”

  Rhi’s eyes grew frosty with annoyance. “You know as well as I that he didn’t make that decision lightly or on his own.”

  “He decided it. The other Kings merely followed along.”

  “They could’ve refused had they believed there was another option.”

  Brandr shook his head at himself for getting into this debate. “There was another choice. Ulrik made it. The other Kings sided with him until Con changed their minds.”

  “He reminded them of their true purpose.”

  “He chose the humans over his dragons!” Brandr jerked back, shocked by his outburst.

  Rhi lifted her chin. “If that’s what you think, then you don’t know your father or the Kings at all.”

  “I know all I need to know.”

  The disappointment on her face shook him. She said nothing before teleporting away, leaving him with only the silence of his cottage.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  “You did what?”

  Eurwen winced as Eilish’s voice rang with astonishment and exasperation, directed at her mate.

  Ulrik lifted his hands, palms out. “Sweetheart, please just listen.”

  Eurwen looked between them as they stood inside the manor. The other couples and Kings had quickly vanished the moment Ulrik had told them that Vaughn was gone, and Eilish’s fury filled the house.

  “When did he leave?” Eurwen asked Ulrik.

  The King of Silvers turned his gold gaze to her. He studied her for a moment. “Last night.”

  “Why did you send him to Zora?” Eilish demanded.

  Ulrik briefly pressed his lips together. “At first, I thought Eurwen had already left. It wasna until I couldna find you on Dreagan that I realized you two might have gone somewhere together.”

  “But you didn’t tell Vaughn that.” Eilish shook her head in agitation.

  Ulrik blew out a breath. “All right. I can admit. I didna think this through.”

  “It’s fine,” Eurwen said, cutting off Eilish before she could respond.

  The Druid’s gaze met hers, silently asking if Eurwen were really okay.

  Eurwen nodded and returned her attention to Ulrik. “Did Vaughn tell you?”

  Thankfully, Ulrik didn’t play dumb about the situation. “He told me enough.”

  “Sending him to my realm won’t change anything.”

  Ulrik reached for Eilish’s hand. Their fingers tangled as they smiled at each other, the look full of love. Ulrik’s gaze slid back to Eurwen. “As I’m sure my beautiful mate already told you, we’re a family here. Vaughn is my brother. He’s hurting, and none of us will sit by and no’ do something to help.”

  “There isn’t anything for you to do,” Eurwen insisted.

  Ulrik shrugged. “I disagree. Vaughn believes you’re his mate. A dragon willna live long once he’s found his mate if he can no’ have her.”

  “I’m aware of that.”

  Eilish tucked her hair behind her ear. “I think what Ulrik is attempting to say—badly—is that there may have been too much here for either of you to have any time alone together. Perhaps returning to Zora will give you both that. A chance to get to know each other better.”

  The fact that Eurwen didn’t know what to do was a first. Did she remain at Dreagan and see more of the amazing property? Did she return to her world and Vaughn and the turmoil his arrival brought?

  “We’ll give you some time,” Eilish said and started to turn away with Ulrik.

  Eurwen stopped them. “Wait. Vaughn, Con, and Rhi mentioned something to me. Since they aren’t here, I thought I’d talk to you about it.”

  “What’s that?” Ulrik asked.

  “The Silvers.”

  He blinked, his expression falling. “I see.”

  “They’ve been caged for a long time,” she continued. “There is a place for them on Zora. If you so choose.”

  Ulrik bowed his head in understanding, then walked away with Eilish.

  With nothing else to do, Eurwen walked up the stairs and didn’t stop until she found herself in front of the door to Vaughn’s rooms. She had thought to sleep in his bed with him, to have his arms holding her once more. How could she want to be with someone and yet know that it was the wrong thing?

  She put one hand on the wood and the other on the knob. Eurwen closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. As she released it, she opened the door. She didn’t open her eyes until she stepped into the room and softly closed the door behind her. She leaned against it and let her gaze move over the space.

  It felt like a lifetime ago that she had stood in this exact spot with Vaughn, though it had only been a day. She remembered his smile, the happiness reflected in his eyes. They could’ve had a grand time at Dreagan. She would’ve been free to do whatever she wanted without worrying about what Brandr might say or do.

  Why had Vaughn spoken about mates? Why couldn’t he have just left things alone?

  Because it wouldn’t have been fair to him. He wanted his mate. To hold onto what he had found. She would’ve done the same thing in his place.

  Eurwen pushed away from the door and walked to Vaughn’s bed. She ran her hand over his comforter. He was charming and gorgeous, and she liked how she felt when she was with him. It was a dangerous combination. If her situation were different, she might even allow herself to believe that he was her mate.

  The fact was, she had no idea.

  If she returned to her realm, Vaughn would confront her once more. He would want answers. Answers she wasn’t prepared to give. Then there was Brandr. He would likely be furious to learn that she had left without telling him. On top of all of that, her parents were there.

  Eurwen sat on the bed and curled up on her side. “What did I do?”

  How could she know that by creating the doorway for her parents, she would let in a world of apprehension and possibly heartache for all involved? All she had wanted was for Con and Rhi to see that she and Brandr thrived and that the dragons had prospered.

  She wanted to remain in Vaughn’s room forever, to hide away from everyone. But she couldn’t. She pushed up on her arm into a sitting position. Sooner or later, she would have to return to Zora and face her brother and Vaughn. The longer she put it off, the worse things would be.

  Eurwen got to her feet and turned to smooth out the comforter before she took one last look at the chamber just in case she never returned. Then she walked from the room and down the hall. She didn’t meet anyone on the stairs or along the way as she left the manor to walk to the Dragonwood. She opted not to teleport so she could savor the last few moments she had on Dreagan.

  She had dreamed of being there for so long. Of experiencing all that was the dragons and magic and
Kings. It had far exceeded her expectations, and she hoped that she was able to return and soak up more of it. She longed to shift and fly over the mountains, looking at them from above.

  Once in the trees, she slowed her steps even more. She meandered through the thick woods, listening to the birds and the other wildlife. All too soon, she stood before the doorway. She stared at it for a long time, wondering what awaited her on the other side.

  The snap of a branch yanked her attention to the side and her gaze collided with Shara’s. Eurwen was surprised to see the Fae. She was one of the few Dark Fae who had turned Light. Usually, it was Light who turned Dark. So much so, that many Dark assumed they could never return to being a Light Fae.

  “I didn’t mean to startle you,” Shara said in the Irish accent all Fae possessed.

  Eurwen smiled in greeting. “I was lost in thought.”

  “I noticed.” Shara tossed aside the stick she had been holding and straightened from where she reclined against the tree. The thick silver stripe on the left side of her long, inky hair was all that remained to prove that she had once been Dark. “I’m sure it seems like I was lurking, waiting for you.”

  Eurwen raised her brows. “Were you?”

  “I was,” Shara admitted with a smile.

  They shared a laugh.

  Shara walked towards her. “Are you going back already?”

  “Yes.”

  “That’s too bad. I hoped you’d stay longer. And I’m not the only one. Though, I’m sure you want to spend more time with Con and Rhi.”

  Eurwen inwardly winced. She hadn’t thought too much about her parents. Thoughts of Vaughn and the conflicting emotions within her occupied her mind.

  “I’ve heard from some Halflings that it’s difficult being from both the Fae and human worlds. I can only imagine it’s worse for you, coming from such worlds as you do,” Shara said into the silence.

  “You could say that.”

  The Fae’s silver eyes were filled with kindness. “You have friends here. Given who you are, Con and Rhi will ensure that you and your brother are always welcome.”