Page 61 of Dragon Mine (Dragon Kings 2)
Eurwen hesitated, unsure of how to answer that.
“All right,” Eilish said. “Let’s try this a different way. Do you like being with him?”
That was easier to answer. “I do.”
“That’s a step forward. Tiny steps are still steps.”
Eurwen smiled at Eilish. Was this what having a friend was like? If so, she had missed out on a lot. The topics she and Eilish discussed now were things Eurwen would never be able to talk about with Brandr because of his hatred for the Kings and everything they represented.
“That smile didn’t last long,” Eilish pointed out.
Eurwen wrinkled her nose. “Vaughn and I met a very, very long time ago. I knew who he was, but he had no idea of my identity. I made sure of it. We had an incredible night together, and I left while he slept so he wouldn’t start asking questions.”
“I take it there wasn’t much talking that night,” Eilish said with a knowing smile.
Eurwen chuckled. “Not a single word. The attraction was too intense.”
“So…no talking during cuddling? Surely, the two of you cuddled after.”
Eurwen thought back to that night and sighed wistfully. “When we finally grew exhausted, yes, he pulled me into his arms.”
“Oh, my God,” Eilish exclaimed with wide eyes. “That does sound like an incredible night.”
“More than you could possibly know.” Just thinking about it made Eurwen long to return to it. Things had been so simple then. Or perhaps she hadn’t realized the complications that she and Vaughn spending time together could cause. Most likely, she was just naïve.
Eilish let out a long whistle. “Sounds like Vaughn made an impact.”
“In a manner of speaking.”
“How long until you saw him again?”
Eurwen adjusted her hands on the edge of the hammock. “Not until he came to Zora.”
“I don’t understand,” Eilish said, a deep frown creasing her brow.
“Brandr and I made a pact to never interact with the Kings.”
Eilish shook her head, her confusion evident. “Any King?”
“Any.”
“Ever?”
“Ever,” Eurwen confirmed.
Eilish blinked and looked out at the water. “The attraction you spoke of with Vaughn must have been great for you to ignore your pact.”
“It was.”
“What did your brother say when he found out?”
Eurwen was glad that Eilish wasn’t looking at her. “I didn’t tell Brandr until Vaughn was in our realm.”
Eilish shook her head again as she briefly closed her eyes.
“Exactly,” Eurwen said. “If Vaughn is my mate, would I have been able to stay away from him all this time?”
“I wouldn’t have been able to stay away from Ulrik,” Eilish said as she turned her head to Eurwen.
Eurwen raised her brows, nodding.
“Damn.”
The two were silent for a long time. Eurwen kept thinking about Vaughn’s face when he left the cavern. The last thing she wanted to do was hurt him, but she should’ve known it would come to that. She had known he wanted something more. It felt nice to be with him, but by going with him to Dreagan, she had allowed him to think there could be something between them.
“Things change,” Eilish said. “You opening the doorway between our worlds and allowing your parents—as well as Vaughn—into Zora might have altered things.”
Eurwen looked at Eilish. “I wish it were that simple, but it isn’t.”
“It all comes down to what you want. Not what your brother wants for you, or even what happens on your world. It’s what your heart and soul need. What you can’t live without. I think that has already begun to change. You just haven’t noticed yet.”
“Maybe.”
Eilish flashed her a smile. “You did come to Dreagan. With Vaughn, I might add.”
