by Donna Grant
Vaughn shifted his shoulders, the jacket feeling tight. The sun was setting, the sky streaking in the most amazing colors, but he didn’t see any of it. His eyes were locked on Eurwen’s cottage as he waited for her to appear.
He stood at the outcropping of the mountain at Cairnkeep. Dragons had begun pouring in hours ago. The sheer number of them kept most of the Kings in awe. Vaughn popped his knuckles and adjusted the sleeves of his dress shirt beneath his tux jacket. Other Kings, also dressed in their finest, surrounded him.
Suddenly, voices quieted. Vaughn turned to find Rhi making her way toward him. Her long, black hair was pulled away from her face to cascade down her back. She wore a black sleeveless tulle gown with a plunging neckline and a fitted waist. Gold metallic leaves grouped tightly together at the top and spread apart the farther down the dress they went.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you fidget so much,” Rhi told him.
Vaughn swallowed hard. “I’m worried she willna come.”
Rhi flashed him a wide smile. “She’ll be here. Now, I wanted to do this privately, but you were already out here.”
“What?” he asked worriedly.
Rhi held out her palm to reveal a black velvet box.
Vaughn blinked at the unexpected gift.
“Kings have never been gifted anything for their matings before, but that’s because a King has never married a Dragon Queen before.”
Vaughn reached for the box, his hand shaking. He opened the hinged lid to find a gold dragon head torc bracelet with Celtic knotwork.
“Eurwen told me how the two of you met. I felt it fitting that a nod should be given to the Celts.”
Vaughn put the bracelet on and bowed his head to Rhi as he placed his right hand over his heart. “I’m honored and touched by such a gift. Thank you.”
“Get ready,” she said with a knowing grin. “You’re about to get your socks knocked off.”
No sooner were those words out of her mouth than the dragons surrounding them went silent. It was so quiet, a leaf falling could have been heard. Vaughn didn’t need to ask what had caused it. He knew.
He spotted the top of Con’s head. Thankfully, Vaughn didn’t have long to wait until he got to see his mate. When he did, his lungs seized at the exquisite woman making her way to him through the throng of people and flowers.
Eurwen’s golden hair was pulled back in a messy style with wavy locks framing her face. The teal gown was a masterpiece of lace and tulle. The upper bodice dipped into a low V in the front and back with wide floral lace edged in beaded teal fringe four inches long that brushed against her arms. The waist was cinched tight before the polka dot tulle and floral lace fell gently to her feet. A three-foot skirt train trailed behind her. The dress was feminine and unique, just like his mate.
It wasn’t until she reached him that he saw the gold multi-strand head chain that adorned her hair along her center part before draping into two separating parts across her forehead to meet at the back of her head.
Vaughn didn’t wait for Con to bring Eurwen to him. He met her halfway and gazed into her silver eyes with wonder and joy. When she put her hand in his, he felt something on her finger and looked down to see the full finger ring of Montana sapphires, a gift from Con.
“Wow,” she said as she looked him over. “Can you please wear that more often? I like you in kilts.”
He grinned and tightened his fingers around hers. “You are exquisite. And, aye, I’ll wear it anytime you want.”
“Everyone is watching us.”
“I only see you.”
Her smile widened.
They walked to the outcropping together where Con awaited them. Vaughn glanced out over the mountains to see the dragons watching them. Before, only Kings were allowed to witness ceremonies, but it seemed fitting that the dragons were present.
Con drew in a breath. “It wasna that long ago that Rhi and I learned we had children. I’m happy to be at a binding ceremony with my daughter and Vaughn, King of Teals. I couldna imagine two people more worthy of each other than you.”
Vaughn faced Eurwen and took her hands in his. They stared into each other’s eyes, smiles upon their lips.
“Vaughn, do you bind yourself to the Dragon Queen, Eurwen?” Con asked. “Do you vow to love her, protect her, and cherish her above all others?”
“Absolutely,” Vaughn replied in a clear voice.
Con turned his attention to his daughter. “Eurwen, do you bind yourself to the Dragon King Vaughn? Do you swear to love him, care for him, and cherish him above all others?”
“Oh, yes.”
Vaughn glanced at her left arm, but no dragon eye tattoo appeared, which proved that Eurwen was, indeed, a Dragon Queen. A King and Queen mating, which was a first for all of them.
Con raised his voice for all to hear as he said, “I present our first mated Dragon King and a Dragon Queen!”
Vaughn vaguely heard the Kings’ cheers and the dragons’ roars as he pulled Eurwen into his arms to seal their union with a kiss. When he pulled back to gaze down at his mate, she was smiling brightly.
“You are being heralded,” she said.
Vaughn frowned, then turned when she pointed over his shoulder. All the Teals flew in a circle, their roars louder than any others.
“Go,” Eurwen urged him.
Vaughn linked his hand with hers. “We go together.”
Her smile proved that he had said the right thing. Together, they moved to the edge of the cliff and stepped off, shifting into dragon form and going out to meet the Teals. As they flew, the tips of their wings brushed.
Vaughn had never thought to see his Teals again, much less fly with them. The dragons welcomed him, their voices congratulating him and filling his head. He was with his dragons and his mate. Life couldn’t get any better.
Thank you for reading DRAGON MINE! I hope you loved Vaughn and Eurwen's story as much as I loved writing it. Next up in the Dark World is the Reaper book, DARK ALPHA'S NEED.
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Excerpt of DARK ALPHA’S NEED
Reapers, Book 12
New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant returns to the Reaper world with a passionate new installment in the thrilling Reaper series.
There is no escaping a Reaper. I am an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I’m coming for you…
The latest threat uncovered, it is my honor and duty to oust those responsible for the slaughter of so many and make the Fae Others pay for their crimes. However, nothing could have prepared me for the stunning and curious female that crosses my path. She’s an enigma: equal parts strength and vulnerability. She quiets the rage I’ve carried within me for so long and makes me question Death’s directives for the first time ever. Her tragic, emotional story touches something deep within me, and her bravery is awe-inspiring—which makes it doubly hard to let her return to the enemy and the dangers that await. I never expected her, but I need her. She is everything to me, and I will do whatever it takes to make sure she’s safe and by my side. Forever.
Sly Stag Pub
Dublin
Nothing about the mellow music drifting from the speakers calmed Torin. He hadn’t been able to shake the dark feeling hanging over him since Rordan’s last mission. Something wicked was co
ming, and for the first time since becoming a Reaper, he was worried.
Torin sat at the bar, his gaze moving across every face in the tavern. The Fae Others were targeting Reapers. He and his brethren wouldn’t stand by and wait for the Others to find them. No, the Reapers were going after the bastards—on Death’s orders.
His gaze met those of his fellow Reaper, Aisling, across the bar. Her long, black and silver hair hung down her back in dozens of small plaits. She wrapped her fingers with their long, red nails around her glass. Her disinterest in those around her had males and females alike doing everything they could to get her attention. Aisling lifted the glass of whisky to her lips and took a long drink before winking at him, even as a female Light rubbed her breasts against Aisling’s arm.
Torin hid his smile and gave a slight shake of his head. They weren’t here for fun. They were at the Sly Stag to find someone. Being out among so many Fae—both Dark and Light—was dangerous for them now. Once, the Reapers had been dismissed as monsters that Fae children’s parents used to keep them in line.
The Reapers had hidden in plain sight for centuries, walking among Fae and humans alike without anyone the wiser. When they became Reapers, they left their lives, families, and friends behind, allowing everyone to believe they had died. Secrecy was imperative. Death made sure of that because she had foreseen that some might take advantage of knowing a Reaper.
Torin finished off the last of his ale and leaned his arm on the bar as he shifted sideways to look at those behind him. This wasn’t the only Fae pub in Dublin. There were others in the heart of the tourist area where mortals walked in without realizing just what type of establishment it was.
Fae had mingled with humans since first coming to the realm. Some Fae—as well as a few Druids—had created certain places that were deemed neutral ground so the Dark and Light Fae, as well as drough and mie Druids, could mingle without fear of being attacked. The Sly Stag was such an establishment. Torin had visited it before becoming a Reaper. He hadn’t liked it then.
He didn’t like it now.
If the Fae Council came to fruition, they wouldn’t need places like the Sly Stag. Light and Dark had been getting along fine in neutrally defined pubs for eons. They could get along outside of them, too.
Well. Most could.
The bartender caught Torin’s eye and jerked his chin toward the door. Torin’s gaze fell on the Dark female as she came to a halt just after entering. Her gaze darted around quickly as if searching for someone.
Or hiding.
When she ducked into one of the back hallways, Torin knew she was hiding. From what, was the question. He slid his gaze to Aisling to find that his fellow Reaper had seen their target, as well. Torin tossed money onto the bar to pay for his drink and walked to where the Dark had gone. Aisling untangled the Light Fae from her arm and made her way toward the other hallway.
This wasn’t the first tip they had tracked down in an effort to find the Others. Fae everywhere were talking about the group, many touting that they were involved when, in fact, they weren’t.
The original Others had been comprised of a drough and mie Druid from another realm, a mie and drough Druid from Earth, and a Light and Dark Fae. The six had combined their powers to wipe out the Dragon Kings and take over Earth to claim the magic. Ultimately, the Dragon Kings had triumphed, though it had been close. The Reapers had joined in to help the Kings defeat the Others. When the Others were all gone, everyone believed the threat was over. Unfortunately, the Fae, as well as a group of Druids, were attempting to form their own factions.
Torin was ready to find the Dark female and get whatever information she had—if she had any at all. He wasn’t optimistic after so many failed missions. On top of it all, they had to keep an eye out for the Fae Others, who were most likely trying to track the Reapers and do away with them.
The hallway made a U, complete with private rooms. Light and Dark lovers often met there for dalliances they didn’t want their kind to learn about. The rooms were locked with magic, preventing anyone but those renting them from entering. Thankfully, that didn’t stop Torin and Aisling from finding their target.
Death, whose real name was Erith, was a goddess. She only had two requirements for someone to become a Reaper: they had to be skilled warriors, and each of them had to have been betrayed—the betrayals leading to their deaths or murders. Erith would come to them right before their last breath and offer them a second chance as a Reaper to do her bidding without question or fail.
Upon acceptance, Death gave a tiny portion of her power to enhance what each already had. A Fae could veil themselves for seconds at a time. A Reaper could veil themselves indefinitely. Their magic also exceeded that of any other individual Fae. The Others combined their magic, which was why the Reapers were concerned.
Erith was the judge and jury for all Fae. She decided when it was time to reap a soul, and that’s when she sent the Reapers. It was Death who kept the balance within the Fae. Disrupting that in any way could have dire consequences.
Torin waited until he was in the hallway alone before veiling himself. The Fae could teleport into the pub but not into the rooms. It was done to guarantee the privacy of those renting the spaces. However, that didn’t stop a Reaper.
He jumped into each room, searching for the target until he finally found her in the back corner. To his surprise, she was alone on the bed with her back pressed against the headboard, staring at the door as if she expected someone to come through it at any second. Her black and silver hair hung past her shoulders and draped over one side to show that the lower half was shaved. To his amusement, he spotted silver stud earrings in the shape of mushrooms. She wore a white tank top beneath an oversized dark gray sweatshirt that hung off one shoulder. The sleeves were rolled at the cuff and pushed haphazardly up both arms to reveal several bracelets on each wrist, varying from beads to silver and gold. Black jeans were tucked into knee-high biker boots, complete with silver buckles at the ankles.
She had a classic, delicate beauty that unnerved him. Her large eyes were framed with thick lashes and gently arching eyebrows. Her high cheekbones seemed to have a sheen that made them stand out even more. Her full lips were a deep mauve color. She was unbelievably stunning.
The longer Torin watched her, the deeper his frown grew, and the more rattled he became—though he couldn’t discern why. He stayed until Aisling appeared. As another added benefit of Erith’s powers, Reapers could see each other while veiled. They couldn’t, however, speak, or they would be heard.
Aisling jerked her head to the side, motioning for Torin to jump back into the hallway so they could talk. He found himself hesitating after Aisling left. Something about this Dark female didn’t sit right with him. It could be her fear. It was so obvious, he could almost reach out and touch it.
“About damn time,” Aisling said when he met her in the hallway with their veils dropped.
Torin glanced at the door that led to the room. “What do you think of her?”
“I think I’m tired of spying on people.”
Torin jerked his head to Aisling, her quip not what he’d expected. “What?”
“Nothing,” she said with a shake of her head. “She looks petrified.”
“Aye.”
“Want me to talk to her?”
Torin thought about that for a moment. “She might respond better to you.”
“But?” Aisling asked, her brows raised.
“I don’t know. There’s just something…off…about her.”
Aisling rolled her eyes. “Here we go again.”
“I know what you’re thinking, but it isn’t going to happen.”
She snorted. “You, Balladyn, and I are the only Reapers who haven’t found our mates. The last time I went on a mission with Cathal, he found Sorcha. He also kept saying there was something about her.”
“I’m not Cathal, and I’m not looking for anything.”
“Yeah, well, it doesn’t matter if you’r
e looking or not. When love comes, it’ll knock you off your feet whether you’re prepared or not.”
Torin studied Aisling. They all had pasts. Once they became Reapers, they were no longer Light or Dark. They did, however, keep the coloring of their former lives. Aisling had been a Dark Fae. She never spoke of her past. Hell, none of them did. But if the nightmares she had meant anything, then she had one hell of a former life that hadn’t loosened its hold.
Yet, he didn’t think her comment about love had anything to do with her past. In fact, he suspected it had something to do with Xaneth, though Aisling would probably never admit to it. She, even more than Death, was intent on finding the royal Light Fae who had been tortured by his aunt and Queen of the Light, Usaeil.
Aisling put her hands on her hips and sighed as she looked around. “Stop it.”
“Stop what?” Torin asked, frowning.
“Looking at me like I might fall to pieces any second,” she answered as she glared at him with her red eyes.
Torin bowed his head in acknowledgement. “We might not be blood, but we’re family. We look out for each other. Always.”
“You think I don’t know that?” she asked, a tinge of anger in her voice.
“I think we all need to be reminded that we aren’t in this alone. That we have others to lean on.”
“I’ve always been alone, Torin. I’ve only ever been able to depend on myself—until Erith offered me a position as a Reaper. Death may have found us, but it was Eoghan who brought us together.”
Torin smiled, thinking of that day. “We’ve survived so much. We’ll get through this.”
“First, we need to see what information, if any, our target has.”
“I’ve a feeling she won’t open the door.”
Aisling twisted her lips. “We can’t wait for her to come out.”