Chapter 16
Eurwen didn’t know if it was hearing about what’d happened from Vaughn, being at Dreagan, or a combination of both, but the story impacted her in ways she hadn’t been prepared for.
She knew the story. Erith had told her and Brandr multiple times, but the goddess either hadn’t known some details or had chosen not to tell them. Whatever the reason, learning the specifics altered Eurwen’s perception. She had seen the pain in Vaughn’s eyes, heard the distress in his voice.
Felt the bitterness and ire through his grip on her hand.
Walking through Dreagan Mountain and looking at the dragon carvings had been like a punch in the gut.
They were so detailed, so beautifully done that even a blind person would’ve seen the hope and promise in them.
All of that, coupled with learning that Vaughn had had a stillborn with a mortal, nearly brought Eurwen to her knees.
The raw emotion as he spoke of that event, even so many millennia ago, choked her.
They stood with the Silvers for a long time, silent and lost in their respective thoughts.
Eurwen wanted to take the dragons back with her.
However, she wanted all the Kings to come with her to see her world—a place like they had once had.
She knew it wasn’t possible, but she wished she could make it happen.
Despite everything the Kings had endured, they remained optimistic and sanguine. She wasn’t sure she could in the same situation. And if she were to believe Vaughn, that was all because of her father. Constantine, King of Dragon Kings.
“Show me more,” she urged Vaughn.
With a smile, he turned and drew her with him as they walked from the cavern back to the tunnel. She glanced down at their joined hands, wondering why it felt so right that they were touching. Without Brandr there to judge her, she accepted not only enjoying Vaughn’s touch but also craving it.
He took her through a door out of the mountain that brought them to the conservatory in the manor. Eurwen was amazed at the number of plants in the room. Each was lovingly cared for. She walked through them, unable to contain her smile.
Vaughn grinned at her. “It’s one of my favorite places.”
“It would be mine, as well. There’s something peaceful about being surrounded by plants.”
Once they left the conservatory, he took her on a quick tour of the downstairs, showing her the enormous kitchen, the dining room with a table that went on for days, the jaw-dropping library, sitting room, and on and on.
Eurwen couldn’t wait to explore both the library and the kitchen more.
Though, she was curious about the dining room.
She’d like to take a closer look at the pictures and pieces of art.
But she forgot all of that as Vaughn led her up the stairs to the fourth floor. There were so many doors.
He pointed to the left. “Ryder’s computer room is all the way down there. He’s our computer and electronic expert, and his mate, Kinsey, is nearly as good. If you ever need something from him, bring him some jelly donuts, and he’ll do anything you ask.”
Eurwen laughed, wondering what the computer room looked like. Most likely, it held all the latest and greatest gadgets from the tech world.
“My chambers are this way,” Vaughn said as he led her to the right.
Eurwen’s blood pumped faster with every step. Finally, he paused midway down the corridor, stopping in front of a room on the left. His Persian blue eyes met hers as he turned the handle and pushed the door open. He swept his hand before her, urging to go first.
Eurwen stepped inside and let her eyes roam over Vaughn’s possessions.
To her right was a black marble fireplace with a jet-colored decorative mantel.
On it was a large picture of a beautiful stag with a dark background.
On the left side of the painting were two gold and two silver candlesticks with simple cream candles.
On the right side was a single gold candlestick and two silver.
The darkness of the frame and the picture sinking into the black fireplace made it almost appear as if the buck were jumping out at them.
Two striking and unique leather chairs with a lived-in and worn look were situated near the hearth.
Beneath them lay a simple cream rug that added texture to the wood floors.
Her gaze swept along the outside wall, painted an off-white, the windows framing a stunning view of the mountains.
A sword hung between the two windows, its blade pointed down, a focal point of the room.
The baseboards, crown molding, doors, and window trim were all done in a stunning shade that fell somewhere between black and charcoal gray.
Then she saw the bed. The king-sized frame sat large and impressive against the soft cream color of the walls. Somehow, Eurwen wasn’t surprised to find that his bedding was tweed. The texture and colors complemented Vaughn perfectly.
When she was able to tear her gaze away from the bed, she spotted two doors. One was most likely the toilet, and the other his closet. She wondered what kind of clothes he had within. As if reading her mind, he walked to a door and opened it with a smile.
Eurwen happily walked in, then came to a halt as she saw the size of it.
His suits were hung perfectly spaced apart and color-coded.
His dress shirts, regular shirts, jeans, and jackets…
everything was pristine. His sweaters were folded neatly and set on shelves.
His ties rolled and settled in a pull-out drawer.
But it was his footwear that awed her. One entire wall from floor to ceiling was filled with shoes.
She would’ve remained, opening other drawers, but he took her hand and led her to the other door.
Eurwen’s mouth fell open. Just like the bedroom, the bathroom was Vaughn.
The floor was white tile. A black clawfoot tub with a white interior rested against a black wall.
A black vanity with white double sinks sat below a mirror with a black frame that hung on a wall with tan houndstooth wallpaper.
Black towels hung on black rods near a shower of black tile with white and tan accents.
“What do you think?” Vaughn asked.
She turned to him. “It’s beautiful. And very you.”
“Will you stay with me here tonight?”
“Yes,” she replied with a nod.
There was no way she could refuse. She wanted it too badly.
Vaughn walked closer, his blue eyes catching her gaze. “We could remain here for the rest of the day.”
Eurwen’s heart leapt at the idea. She didn’t have to worry about Brandr walking in or what he might say because he wouldn’t know any of it.
This trip was a holiday of sorts for her.
She could forget who she was, the responsibilities she had, and who wanted answers.
For now, it was all about what she wanted.
And that was a glorious thing.
“No one will miss us,” Vaughn said in a whisper as his hands came to rest on her hips, and his head began to lower.
She lifted her face to his, needing his kiss more than she was willing to admit—even to herself. While she was at Dreagan, she would let herself feel everything for Vaughn instead of locking it away. Accepting and acknowledging it had a profound effect on her.
His lips pressed against hers, firm and insistent.
She placed her hands on his chest and leaned against him as she sank into the kiss.
Desire heated her blood as his arms slowly wound around her and pulled her tightly against him.
His tongue slid between her lips to duel with hers.
She felt his arousal against her stomach, making her sex clench in need.
A knock sounded, interrupting them.
Vaughn groaned as he ended the kiss and pressed his forehead to hers. “This better be life or death.”
Eurwen couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s fine.”
“It isn’t.” He lifted his head, a frown marring his face.
“It is,” she assured him.
When he turned to the door, Eurwen realized that she hadn’t decided how much time she would spend at Dreagan. However, she didn’t expect to spend more than one night. Any longer, and Brandr would likely start a search for her. That meant Eurwen really only had that day and night of freedom.
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.