Chapter 33
The fear that rolled through Eurwen was cloying, like tar. The more she felt it, the more it clung to her. She’d known she wasn’t alone but hearing the laughter without seeing anything was…terrifying.
It wasn’t a reaction she was familiar with. The only thing that had come close was when she and Brandr had first come to Zora and had seen the dragons in such disarray. But this was different. Very different. She feared for her life now.
Being half-Fae and half-dragon meant there was much she didn’t know about herself. Dragons and Fae both lived extremely long lives. Dragon Kings were immortal until the magic found someone else to take their position. She didn’t consider herself a Dragon Queen, not like Melisse. But…maybe she was.
Eurwen frowned as something dark and malevolent went through her.
It was the same sensation she’d had after hearing the laughter and the voice after she’d been struck.
She wasn’t sure why her thoughts had gone to Melisse, but she didn’t like it.
She turned her thoughts away, thinking of the feel of the sun on her scales.
That’s when she sensed a light near her. She wasn’t sure how she knew it was Vaughn, but she did. Excitement rose, choking her as tears stung her eyes. She’d known he would come.
She waited to hear him, feel him, and as each heartbeat passed, she grew concerned.
Something was very, very wrong. How had she missed it?
She had gotten a touch of it a few times, but now that she took stock of her body, she was able to recognize what she’d missed.
Why hadn’t she fought to move her limbs more?
Why had she accepted that her eyes wouldn’t open?
Why had she allowed herself to delve deep into her thoughts when she should’ve been guarding herself?
A tear slipped out of her eye and fell onto her cheek to roll to her temple and then into her hair.
She and Brandr had ruled Zora for eons without many hiccups.
No other beings had attacked, and they had kept the mortals contained.
That had led her—and no doubt, Brandr—to believe that they were powerful beings.
They were getting a taste of what it meant to be attacked now—truly attacked.
And she was failing miserably.
She turned toward the light, instinctively reaching for Vaughn.
He had always been there. Even when she hadn’t realized it.
She had pushed him away, ignoring what her heart told her.
How could she have been so stupid? If only she could go back and change things.
All those centuries without him. Without hearing his voice, seeing his smile, feeling his arms around her.
Eurwen released a breath and felt another tear come. She didn’t deserve Vaughn. He should be with a woman who recognized his big heart, his gentleness, and his strength. He wasn’t showy. His vigor was subtle, and in many ways, more potent because of it.
He used his intelligence and ability to listen to do great things for Dreagan.
It was why Con always sent Vaughn to negotiate.
Anyone who believed they could take advantage of Vaughn was soon put in their place.
He was the type of man who would support her instead of controlling her.
He would have her back in all things because he knew that she would have his.
“Vaughn.”
As if her thoughts had conjured him, he stepped out of the darkness. “I’m here, lass.”
Her shoulders shook as more tears came. “I’ve been waiting for you.”
“You doona have to wait any longer.”
Eurwen was surprised to discover that she could move her arm. She reached out to Vaughn, needing his touch.
“Eurwen, no.”
She frowned as she saw a second Vaughn. She looked between the two. “What is going on?”
The first Vaughn caught her eyes. “You know me, Eurwen.”
“Lass,” the second Vaughn said. “Look at me. See me.”
As she looked between them, she realized that she wasn’t seeing them with her eyes.
They were in her mind. It caught her so off guard that she didn’t know what to think.
She had felt trapped, so she believed she was.
To the extent that she hadn’t thought to use her magic. Worse, she was afraid to try now.
Her gaze moved between the two Vaughns. She shook her head, unable to tell one from the other.
Then a third appeared. And a fourth. More and more emerged as if from thin air.
All identical to the first in every way.
She lost count of how many Vaughns there were. Each of them asking her to choose him.
Eurwen subtly called to her magic. It moved through her, answering her immediately.
Nothing felt amiss, but at the moment, she didn’t trust anything.
Eurwen surrounded herself with a shield of magic to protect herself from attacks.
Or, she should have. She still didn’t understand how she had been wounded.
Nothing should’ve gotten through her armor.
Regardless, she was going to use magic now. She had no other choice.
She tuned the numerous Vaughns out. It was obvious that whatever was with her used her thoughts against her. Well, she wouldn’t let it happen anymore. Whatever this was might hinder her movements, but she didn’t need her body or her voice to command her magic. She just needed her mind.
The Vaughns were incessant. She wanted to scream at them to shut up, but she knew it wouldn’t do any good.
They kept talking while trying to get her attention.
It was maddening and frustrating. As she turned away, she saw something.
She moved back a step and caught the sight of him through the others.
Their gazes locked. He was dressed differently, and he wasn’t talking.
This Vaughn winked at her. That’s when she knew it was the real Vaughn.
He stayed back, letting her find him on her own.
It was exactly something he would do. She wondered why he hadn’t tried to come to her.
So far, the Vaughns didn’t seem to notice him.
She debated going to him but ultimately decided against it.
It was possible the Vaughns might attack.
Eurwen had thought she was in her head, but if Vaughn were here, that meant this was a dream.
Erith had told her how Usaeil had trapped her nephew, Xaneth, in his mind.
Was that what had happened here? More troubling was that she didn’t know if her magic actually worked since this was a dream. Or where her body was in reality.
Her stomach tightened. Vaughn could manipulate dreams. Was he responsible for this? Surely, not. He cared for her. He would never hurt her. Would he?
Strong arms came around her from behind. Warm breath fanned her neck as his lips pressed against her skin. “You’ll never be lost to me if I can find you here.”
She looked to the Vaughn behind the others. He was gone. Was this him now? Eurwen turned in his arms and searched his face.
“It’s me,” he said as he held her gaze.
She wanted to believe him, but she had been wrong before. What if she was wrong again? It was as if she were in a maze that she couldn’t get out of.
“I spent lifetimes scouring my world for you,” he said.
“Anyone in my mind would know that.”
A small frown formed, but he hastily smoothed it away. “You doubt it’s me?”
“Look around,” she retorted.
His lips curved in a smile. “They’re gone, lass.”
A quick look confirmed that he was right, but she still didn’t trust him. “This could be a ruse like the others.”
“Nothing’s holding you here. You can wake up. Con healed you.”
She shook her head and stepped out of his arms. “I’ve tried. I’ve tried to move. I’ve tried to call out to you.”
“I’ve been by your side the entire time,” he said solemnly. “I came here, hoping to find you. The only place I’ve held you until recently was in my dreams.”
Eurwen shook her head. “Stop.”
“You’re going to have to trust someone if you’re going to get free.”
She hated that he was right. So much of her yearned for this to be the real Vaughn, but she couldn’t take that chance.
If she were wrong, she didn’t want to think about what could happen.
She didn’t even know all that had transpired since being attacked.
All she knew was that something held her, and she wanted free.
Eurwen squared her shoulders and lifted her chin. “You’re right. I do have to trust someone. And that someone is me.”
Vaughn grinned and nodded. “Exactly. What are you waiting for then?”
She couldn’t stop the smile his words brought.
“You’re a product of one of the most powerful Dragon Kings to ever be born, as well as a formidable Light Fae who never lets anything stand in her way. With the blood of those two flowing through your veins, nothing should hold you. No’ now. No’ ever,” he said, his words and gaze intense.
Eurwen realized the truth of what he said.
She hadn’t used her magic because something had told her she couldn’t.
She hadn’t been able to move because someone had put something in her mind that convinced her of that.
She hadn’t been able to open her eyes or call out for help because the entity had made her believe that it was impossible.
The more those thoughts occurred, the stronger her magic coursed through her veins.
She drew in a breath, feeling her magic take over every inch of her body.
Her eyes closed as she thought about breaking free, of eradicating whatever had trapped her.
She saw a bright light through her eyelids.
When she opened her eyes again, she realized that the light was her. She was glowing.
And it felt amazing.
With a shout, she shattered the bonds holding her.
Eurwen came awake, gasping for air as she sat up, ready to fight. There was movement beside her. She turned, trying to see through the glow of her body. Through the bright light, she saw Persian blue eyes filled with pride and love staring back at her.
“You did it,” Vaughn said with a smile.
She swallowed as the light dimmed and then faded completely. “Am I really free?”
“Oh, aye,” he said.
She threw her arms around him and held on tight. Everything felt real. She sank her hands into his hair, feeling the cool strands sliding through her fingers. She breathed in the scent of sunlight and pine from his skin and clothes. His arms held her firmly against him.
The door of the cottage flew open, and people spilled into the house. Eurwen and Vaughn released each other as surprised smiles greeted her.
“You did it,” Brandr told Vaughn.
Vaughn looked at her and shook his head. “Your sister did it herself. I simply reminded her who she was.”
Eurwen reached for his hand, needing to feel him.
“What happened?” Rhi asked.
Con added, “We saw glowing.”
“That was Eurwen,” Vaughn told them.
Eurwen knew that everyone wanted details. They needed it. But right now, she just wanted some time with her thoughts. “I’ll tell all of you everything, but I need a wee bit.”
“Of course,” Rhi said as they began walking out.
Vaughn rose to his feet, but she stopped him with her hand. “Not you.”
Surprise flashed in his eyes. “Oh?”
“We need to talk. There are some things I’ve not told you. It’s time you know everything.”