Chapter 21
Ulrik stood in the Dragonwood with his arms crossed and his feet braced wide. Some might consider it a battle stance.
He would agree.
“This isn’t a good idea,” Eilish said from beside him. “No one interfered with us. We shouldn’t be interfering in someone’s life.”
He cut his eyes to her. “Every one of them meddled in our relationship. Even before it was one.”
“This just feels wrong, babe,” she said with a shake of her head.
“I might have been away from Dreagan for too many millennia to count, but some things doona change. Vaughn was always one of the steady ones. He was never quick to anger or to choose a side. He weighs everything carefully. It’s what makes him such a good attorney.”
Eilish clicked her finger rings together, something she did when she had a lot on her mind. “This isn’t about some legal matter. This is about his heart.”
“Which is worse,” Ulrik stated.
His mate blew out a breath. “I’m not trying to make light of the situation. I’m merely pointing out that you wouldn’t want anyone intruding in our relationship.”
He turned his gaze to her, meeting her green-gold eyes. “You’ve always been wise beyond your years. I value your opinion more than anyone else’s, but you doona realize what’s coming.”
“Con survived those years without Rhi.”
“Because that was Con. He did it because he felt he had no choice, that he had to lead the Kings.”
Eilish shrugged. “Vaughn is invaluable. Can’t we make him think the same?”
Ulrik dropped his arms and faced her. “Sweetheart, it isna that easy. Con survived without Rhi because he’s stubborn and shoved all his emotions away. He was a shell of a man. The simple truth is that a dragon can no’ survive without its mate.”
“What if Vaughn got it wrong?”
“You saw them together. What do you think?”
Eilish started to speak, then changed her mind. She blew out a breath. “I’ve never seen Vaughn look at anyone the way he does her.”
“See?”
“Yet I rarely see any Kings with just any woman. Usually, if they bring someone to Dreagan, it’s because there is already something between them that ends up being love.”
Ulrik frowned, confused. “Exactly.”
“You’re missing the point, babe. I’m saying that I don’t see Kings just dating. I don’t know how they interact with someone who isn’t a mate.”
“Oh.” She had a point.
Eilish touched his arm, her hand lingering on him. “Maybe Vaughn wants this so badly that he doesn’t realize the love isn’t there.”
“He’s looked for her for so long.”
“Precisely my point. He’s been so intent on finding out who she is, that his emotions have gotten all tangled.”
Ulrik slowly released a breath. “I know what you’re saying, and anything is possible. But I doona believe that is what’s going on with him.”
“What’s your plan, then? Do you really think you can stop Eurwen from leaving Dreagan? You do realize she can make another doorway and leave anytime she wants.”
“I was hoping to talk to her.”
Eilish wrinkled her nose. “I’m not sure that’s a good idea.”
“Then you talk to her.”
“What?” she asked in shock.
Ulrik grinned, the idea suddenly clear in his mind. “Aye. You talk to her. Female to female.”
“I don’t know her.”
“Neither do I.”
Eilish gave him a flat look. “You’re a Dragon King. You have more in common with her than I do.”
“She’s held a grudge against us for quite some time. Who do you think she’d readily listen to? Me, who she doesna trust nor care for? Or you, a female who came to Dreagan just as she has?”
Eilish rolled her eyes. “I hate when you’re right.”
Ulrik smiled and reached for her, pulling her against him so he could give her a quick kiss. “You love me.”
“I do. Don’t let it go to your head,” she teased.
“Too late.”
She cupped his face and gave him a lingering kiss. “All right. If this is going to work, you need to leave.”
“If she comes here.”
“She will,” Eilish stated.
Ulrik squeezed her hand before walking away.
There was much he wanted to say to Eurwen but now wasn’t the time.
Ulrik had faith that Eilish would be able to connect with Eurwen, even if it were only to keep her at Dreagan for a little longer.
He didn’t want to think about what would happen if she left.
Vaughn had been chasing a ghost for many lifetimes.
He’d finally found Eurwen, confirming what he’d believed all along.
The minute Ulrik had seen the couple together, he’d known that Vaughn had found his mate.
It was also obvious that Eurwen wasn’t aware of that yet.
It made sense that Vaughn would tell her while they were at Dreagan.
When Ulrik had seen Vaughn sitting forlornly on his mountain, he’d recognized that his friend had bared his soul—and not gotten the response he’d hoped for.
Ulrik had then left his position on patrol to seek out Eurwen.
When he hadn’t found her, he’d decided to wait in the Dragonwood.
Now, all he could do was hope that things worked out for Vaughn.
Ulrik couldn’t remember the last time a King had died from not having his mate.
They’d come close to losing Con. Too close.
Ulrik wouldn’t lose Vaughn.
Eilish looked around, feeling uneasy. She didn’t want to be here. She didn’t think talking to Eurwen would do any good, but she would do it for Ulrik. It was evident by her mate’s attitude and words that this was important to him.
She also wanted Vaughn to be happy, but she didn’t know how she could change things for him and Eurwen.
Especially when Eurwen seemed intent on refusing him.
At least, that’s what they thought. No one had actually spoken to either of them.
Vaughn because he refused to talk to anyone, and Eurwen because no one could find her.
Eilish wasn’t even sure this was where the Fae doorway was. She was sure it was in the area, but she hated not being able to see it.
She’d debated asking another of the women at Dreagan to come and help her. Too much rested on her shoulders when it came to keeping Eurwen on Earth. She had no idea what to say, and if she said something wrong, she could ruin everything. How could she face the Kings if Vaughn died because of her?
Eilish turned around to pace and drew up short at the sight of Eurwen. She stood as still as stone between two trees, her blush-colored clothes almost glowing. There was no moon that night, but it was as if a light shone directly upon Eurwen anyway.
“Hi,” Eilish said.
“You think to stop me?”
Eilish inwardly winced. “We both know that while I’m a powerful Druid, I don’t stand a chance against your dragon and Fae magic. I came to talk. Nothing more.”
“I don’t have anything to say.”
“Maybe listen, then?” Eilish offered.
Eurwen’s silver eyes regarded her silently for almost a full minute before she relented. “Fine. Talk.”
Yeah, this is going great, Eilish thought to herself.
“I remember the first time I came to Dreagan. I was overwhelmed by everything and everyone. They meant well, but they had no idea how disconcerting it was. Unfortunately, I was just like them for your arrival. We’ve been waiting a long time to meet you and Brandr. We might have ganged up on you. ”
“It wasn’t too bad.”
Eilish saw Eurwen relax a little and gave herself a small pat on the back. It was a tiny victory. “The mates hoped we’d get some shopping, eating, chatting, and all of that in. It might seem so mundane, but—”
“I’d like that. I really would,” Eurwen replied over her.
Eilish blinked in astonishment. “Really?”
“I don’t get to do any of that on Zora.”
“But you’ve come to Earth. Surely, you’ve done it while here.”
Eurwen shrugged and glanced away. “It isn’t nearly as fun by myself.”
“No, that it isn’t.” Eilish looked at Eurwen with new eyes. Here was a powerful being who ruled the dragons on another realm, but she didn’t have any female companionship. “We could go now. Just you and me.”
“Now?”
Eilish shrugged, smiling. “Why not? I can take us anywhere,” she said and wiggled her fingers with the finger rings that allowed her to teleport. “Your choice.”
“I wouldn’t know what to choose.”
“Oh, I have so much to show you,” Eilish said with a grin.
“The one thing a girl needs is friends. All of us here lean on each other a great deal. There have been times I wouldn’t have gotten through a day without the other mates.
I’m not saying we always get along. Quite a few of us have different personalities, but we’re a family. We always have each other’s backs.”
Eurwen’s lips softened in a sad smile. “That sounds amazing.”
“You’re part of that family, as well. You and Brandr.”
“My brother would never come here.”
“Things change. Give it time.”
Eurwen looked at the sky. “I can see the Kings on patrol. It’s heartbreaking that they have to remain quiet.”
“They’ve gotten used to it.”
“The longer I’m here, and the more I learn, the more I realize why they so desperately want to visit Zora.”
Eilish nodded. “To see the dragons.”
“How do they do it?”
Eilish thought about Ulrik. “Some days are easier than others. Some are very difficult for them. Dreagan allows them the space they need when it gets to be too much. They can go to their mountains and take to the skies at night. During a storm, they’re all up there,” she said with a smile, thinking about it.
“It’s a beautiful sight to see them together.
They don’t hold back their roars then. Con ensured a safe place for the Kings.
No matter what you think of your father, know that he always had the dragons’ survival at the forefront of his mind. ”
“I’ve learned much about the Dragon Kings as well as my parents over the last few days. I thought I knew everything. I’m ashamed to even admit that because no being can ever know everything. We’re all meant to grow and continue to learn. But Brandr and I judged Con and the Kings harshly.”
“And Rhi?”
Eurwen walked closer to Eilish. “Her, as well. How ridiculous is that? Neither of my parents had anything to do with what happened to us.”
“Children often blame their parents for things. I did. When I learned who my true father was, I couldn’t have been more shocked.
Then I learned the truth about my mother and what her family had done to her.
I looked for someone to blame. My parents seemed an easy target.
They were responsible for me, after all.
Then we learn they are much more than our parents.
They are people who live and love and make mistakes like everyone else. ”
“I’m coming to see that.”
Eilish wrinkled her nose briefly. “Your parents are amazing people.”
“Everyone keeps telling me that.”
“Because we want you to know that, without them, most of us would be dead. Rhi risked her life time and again for the Kings and mates. She nearly died in a couple of instances. Even as she battled personal issues, she was always there for us. Do you know she healed the Fae Realm? It’s habitable again.
A small portion of it, but it’s growing each day. ”
Eurwen’s face went slack. “She did?”
“She has the power to destroy worlds as well as heal them. In her darkest days, she could’ve destroyed all of this in a blink. But she was strong enough not to.”
Eurwen sighed softly. “Everything I thought or believed has been turned on its ear.”
“Sometimes, that’s the best way to find a new path.”
Eurwen was silent for a long moment. “Take me somewhere we won’t be disturbed. Somewhere we can talk.”
“I know the perfect place,” Eilish said as she held out her hand.