Page 58 of Desert Dragon's Hunt
“This feels bigger than impossible.” Layla smiled with a wry humor now at Rake’s quip. “I’m going to have to grovel and eat shit with each of them for a while. I feel like we’re all going to have to do couples counseling for years to work all this out. Except I’ll have to do five times the couples counseling they do, because there’s only one of me and five of them.”
“Counseling’s helpful.” Rake smiled with kindness now, his jade-green eyes twinkling. “Besides, I’m an excellent couples therapist. We’ll set them all straight in no time, Layla. And get those Binds open and active once more.”
“Are they going to hate me forever?” Layla asked, something inside her suddenly quailing at the thought that her men might not be able to forgive her for everything that had happened with Hunter.
“They don’t hate you now.” Rake smiled gently, tucking her curls solidly behind her ear. “They love you, Layla – and it’s their love for you that makes them so hurt. Remember that, even if they put you through the ringer in the days and weeks to come. Just remember that each one is struggling with their desire to protect an enormously powerful drakaina who has lived life her own way for years, not to mention a Bind influencing their every move with someone who is their sworn enemy. Have a little patience as they sort all this out. You will all come to accord, I’m certain of it. And the Bind will flourish once more – even stronger than it was before. I can feel how strong you are in etheric magic now. And if etheric magic ever had a motto, it’slove conquers all.”
“Thank you.” Layla spoke softly, feeling currents of ether breathe quietly around herself and Rake in the night. “I never would have discovered this magic without you. It got me out of a bad situation with Hunter. I don’t know how I can ever repay you for that.”
“It was your power that did that, Layla, not mine.” Rake spoke quietly, though he squeezed her hand sweetly. “I’m just glad I’ve been here to see your journey, as a friend.”
“I’ll always value your friendship, you know. I always have.” Layla spoke truthfully.
“Just as I’ve always valued yours.”
With those sweet words, Rake lifted his lips, pressing Layla with a kiss. It was kind and didn’t linger, but it bolstered her heart. As he pulled away, his jade eyes twinkled like the world’s sexiest Buddha, and he reached out to open the door to her suite. Blowing her a kiss, he set a hand to her shoulder – and pushed her back inside her suite with himself outside it.
“Be well, drakaina.” Rake spoke as he set a hand to his heart with a gleam of readiness in his eyes. “Toss and turn in the night, but know there are stronger forces out there than Hunter, forces that love you deeply night or day. We surround you, we protect you, and we will always be there for you, because we love you, Layla Price. And love will always win. Because love is the element that forms all things; the ether from which we are all made. Meditate on that as you drift into sleep tonight and every night to come. Becausethatis the true power of the universe. Andyouare a part of it.”
With those vastly sage words, Rake André turned, giving Layla a beautiful smile in the night.
And then he was gone down the corridor, as Layla watched him go with a sweet pang of love in her heart.
