Chapter Thirteen
Elouan pulled his Harley over in front of Coffee, Tea, and More on Saturday, reminded of the holiday at hand when he spotted a barista in a gown and tiara, and someone in line dressed as an over-the-top version of a cowboy—complete with an entire craft store’s worth of rhinestones—holding the hand of a miniature version of himself in similar clothes.
The end of October already. How fortunate the weather cooperated for an outdoor date.
The trick-or-treaters would also have an easier time tonight.
The moment Jules appeared around the corner, Elouan wanted to question him. But no. Time enough later. Right now, he simply wanted to enjoy their time together before starting a possibly relationship-ending conversation.
Jules had strapped a violin case to his back instead of his usual backpack. “You said you wanted to hear me play.”
“I do.” How thoughtful of Jules to remember and to trust Elouan enough to show his self-taught talents.
Anrai studied flute for years before he let anyone besides family hear him play, even though he possessed undeniable talent. Yet Jules was sharing something so personal with Elouan. Quite an honor.
Elouan got off the bike, helped Jules with his case and helmet, then held the Harley still for him to climb on.
“I thought we’d go back to the lake today, if that’s all right with you.
I packed a picnic.” In a few more weeks, picnicking would be a thing of the past until spring.
Amazing the snow hadn’t started already.
“Sounds great.” Jules pressed his thighs to Elouan’s ass, though he’d grown comfortable enough riding not to need to cling. He’d been a natural on turns.
Elouan pulled away from the curb. Wait a minute!
Wasn’t that one of Curtis’s friends suddenly dipping behind a tablet?
And another dodging into the coffee shop?
Well, they were students at Jules’s university, so nothing weird with them hanging out where college students did. But why did they seem to hide?
Elouan’s shiver had nothing to do with the cold. Curtis didn’t like Elouan and Jules together. And what had the message said on Curtis’s computer?
I think we found them. If it’s true, they must be stopped.
Not conclusive. They could’ve meant anyone or anything. Still, Elouan would stay on his guard. Curtis hadn’t called since he’d left, which wasn’t unusual when he went away with his parents, but it would be nice to hear from him.
Elouan pushed aside thoughts of anything but the man behind him and the day he’d planned, heading for the lake again. He chose his usual spot, which Jules said he liked last time.
Hopefully, he’d answer a few questions.
Elouan wasn’t much use in a kitchen, so he opened deli containers that he placed on the blanket he’d spread on the ground. The cooler yielded several root beers. The sun beat down, warm enough for them to remove their jackets, especially with the ridge to block any wind.
“Wow! Potato salad!” Jules seated himself on the blanket, grabbing a spoon and a container. “I love potato salad.”
“Me too, but I’ve never tried to make it.” If Elouan planned to stay in the human world, he’d likely need to learn at least basic cooking skills. The idea of staying lost its appeal if he could take Jules back with him. “Do you cook?”
“I like to try,” Jules replied between bites, “but Moira thinks cooking is beneath me.”
“Beneath you?” Moira grew stranger and stranger with each telling of her antics. However, dragon guardians were usually beta warriors. Of course, she’d think cooking beneath an omega from a royal house.
A flash of alarm flickered across Jules’s face. “I mean, she likes to take care of everyone. Wants to do all the cooking.”
Elouan had also been told countless times that certain tasks were beneath him. He’d never paid much attention, taking royal privileges as his due. But what made him better than anyone else who had to feed themselves to survive? Father certainly hadn’t balked at menial tasks.
Another item on Elouan’s to-do list. He’d learn to cook after mastering being nicer to Curtis and working harder to be a better friend, even after he’d moved out.
Living six miles away couldn’t end their friendship.
Seeing Jules’s brilliant smile as often as possible was the first item on the list, however.
The roast beef sandwiches weren’t anything extraordinary, but the potato salad more than made up for any lack. They rounded off their meal with chocolate chip cookies.
Jules patted his stomach. “That was delicious. Chocolate chip is my favorite.”
“Mine too.” Elouan missed the apple pastries the cook back home used to make, but the cookies were exceptional.
A full stomach and a warm day made Elouan lazy.
If in dragon form, he’d sun himself. He leaned back against a tree, more content than he’d been in a long time, quietly watching Jules.
Would he give anything away? Seeing him here, Elouan could almost put his suspicions aside, believe Jules to be purely human.
Jules settled on the blanket with his violin. He played a few ditties before launching into the Game of Thrones theme song.
Jules didn’t play like an amateur, eyes closed, face rapturous as he lost himself in the music. His fingers danced over the strings, every movement precise. While Elouan didn’t know many violinists, he’d watched enough performances on TV to recognize Jules’s incredible gift.
The melody lulled Elouan almost to sleep.
His eyes flew open when he finally realized why the next song sounded familiar. He sat up, staring in disbelief at Jules, who continued to play. He added the words in his head.
When the storm rages,
Nestle close to my side,
Do not fear, little hatchling,
Under my wing, you can hide.
He hummed along with the rest, unable to recall all the words. Once the song ended, a frisson of alarm trailed up his spine. “What is that song? Where did you learn it?”
Jules shrugged. “It’s something Moira hums around the house.”
Elouan had sniffed Jules earlier, catching a whiff of his clothes and violin case. He smelled of soap and shampoo as usual, but with everything else and all the questions, Elouan still felt like there should be a natural scent.
Without a dragon, how did Jules know an old dragon lullaby Mother used to sing? Well, dragons came into the human world sometimes. Perhaps the song had grown popular in Terra, too.
The song. The dance.
There was so much at play here. Alphas possessed the keenest sense of smell of any dragon.
If there were any traces on Jules, he’d know.
Wouldn’t he? Could this mysterious Moira possibly know dragons?
She’d been here a while, according to Jules.
It was possible she’d made dragon friends, though most saw humans as inferior.
Elouan’s dragon clearly conveyed the message, You’re an idiot.
Jules stopped playing, looking expectantly at Elouan. “What do you think?”
Elouan pulled himself out of his thoughts enough to answer. “I love your playing.”
Jules ducked his head. “Having access to YouTube on my phone lets me watch other violinists. Some even teach techniques. But you’re just being nice.”
Elouan gave a mock scowl. “Don’t even start that rumor. You play very well. I wouldn’t lie to you.”
“Okay.” Jules didn’t appear convinced, though a hint of pink tinted his cheeks.
“Can I ask you something?” Elouan braced for potential fallout.
“Sure, anything.”
“You mentioned having a brother, but I don’t remember if you told me his name.”
“I didn’t?”
“I don’t think so.” Why wouldn’t Jules meet Elouan’s gaze?
“Donovan. His name is Donovan. I’m told I look like him, but I don’t know anything else.”
Donovan Craigh. Had to be. How Elouan wanted to tell Jules everything, but how did one simply blurt out, we’re both dragons? What if he were wrong in his suspicions? Or what if Jules somehow didn’t know?
Yet his own dragon had accepted Jules, had been urging Elouan all along to get closer.
Donovan Craigh. What if Jules really was the brother sent here for protection? An omega dragon, but also the brother of a king.
They packed to leave. Elouan asked, “Since your aunt and uncle are more open to you having friends now, do you think I could meet them?” Once he got in the door, he wouldn’t leave without the truth.
Or confirmation of the truth. Deep inside, he already knew. Panic and elation warred for dominance in his mind.
Jules stared off over the lake for a moment, scrubbing the toe of his tennis shoe in the grass. “Now isn’t a good time. They’re still in mourning. They told me to go out with friends today and give them some privacy. Maybe some other time.”
There. Elouan hadn’t noticed before, but Jules definitely squirmed when Elouan asked to meet his aunt and uncle.
Questions. Elouan had questions. The mysterious Moira and Ray might have the answers.
Elouan sat on his Harley across the street from Jules’s house. Groups of trick-or-treaters roamed from one house to the next, bypassing Jules’s undecorated house with the porch light turned off.
Jules turned at the steps and waved, then disappeared inside.
Taking a piece of Elouan’s soul with him.
A curtain flapped in one window. So, someone watched. Good that they cared about Jules, but no matter who they were, they couldn’t protect him as well as Elouan could.