Page 67 of Dragon Mine (Dragon Kings 2)
Chapter Twenty-Five
“You did what?”
Eurwen winced as Eilish’s voice rang with astonishment and exasperation, directed at her mate.
Ulrik lifted his hands, palms out. “Sweetheart, please just listen.”
Eurwen looked between them as they stood inside the manor. The other couples and Kings had quickly vanished the moment Ulrik had told them that Vaughn was gone, and Eilish’s fury filled the house.
“When did he leave?” Eurwen asked Ulrik.
The King of Silvers turned his gold gaze to her. He studied her for a moment. “Last night.”
“Why did you send him to Zora?” Eilish demanded.
Ulrik briefly pressed his lips together. “At first, I thought Eurwen had already left. It wasna until I couldna find you on Dreagan that I realized you two might have gone somewhere together.”
“But you didn’t tell Vaughn that.” Eilish shook her head in agitation.
Ulrik blew out a breath. “All right. I can admit. I didna think this through.”
“It’s fine,” Eurwen said, cutting off Eilish before she could respond.
The Druid’s gaze met hers, silently asking if Eurwen were really okay.
Eurwen nodded and returned her attention to Ulrik. “Did Vaughn tell you?”
Thankfully, Ulrik didn’t play dumb about the situation. “He told me enough.”
“Sending him to my realm won’t change anything.”
Ulrik reached for Eilish’s hand. Their fingers tangled as they smiled at each other, the look full of love. Ulrik’s gaze slid back to Eurwen. “As I’m sure my beautiful mate already told you, we’re a family here. Vaughn is my brother. He’s hurting, and none of us will sit by and no’ do something to help.”
“There isn’t anything for you to do,” Eurwen insisted.
Ulrik shrugged. “I disagree. Vaughn believes you’re his mate. A dragon willna live long once he’s found his mate if he can no’ have her.”
“I’m aware of that.”
Eilish tucked her hair behind her ear. “I think what Ulrik is attempting to say—badly—is that there may have been too much here for either of you to have any time alone together. Perhaps returning to Zora will give you both that. A chance to get to know each other better.”
The fact that Eurwen didn’t know what to do was a first. Did she remain at Dreagan and see more of the amazing property? Did she return to her world and Vaughn and the turmoil his arrival brought?
“We’ll give you some time,” Eilish said and started to turn away with Ulrik.
Eurwen stopped them. “Wait. Vaughn, Con, and Rhi mentioned something to me. Since they aren’t here, I thought I’d talk to you about it.”
“What’s that?” Ulrik asked.
“The Silvers.”
He blinked, his expression falling. “I see.”
“They’ve been caged for a long time,” she continued. “There is a place for them on Zora. If you so choose.”
Ulrik bowed his head in understanding, then walked away with Eilish.
With nothing else to do, Eurwen walked up the stairs and didn’t stop until she found herself in front of the door to Vaughn’s rooms. She had thought to sleep in his bed with him, to have his arms holding her once more. How could she want to be with someone and yet know that it was the wrong thing?
She put one hand on the wood and the other on the knob. Eurwen closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath. As she released it, she opened the door. She didn’t open her eyes until she stepped into the room and softly closed the door behind her. She leaned against it and let her gaze move over the space.
It felt like a lifetime ago that she had stood in this exact spot with Vaughn, though it had only been a day. She remembered his smile, the happiness reflected in his eyes. They could’ve had a grand time at Dreagan. She would’ve been free to do whatever she wanted without worrying about what Brandr might say or do.
Why had Vaughn spoken about mates? Why couldn’t he have just left things alone?
Because it wouldn’t have been fair to him. He wanted his mate. To hold onto what he had found. She would’ve done the same thing in his place.
Eurwen pushed away from the door and walked to Vaughn’s bed. She ran her hand over his comforter. He was charming and gorgeous, and she liked how she felt when she was with him. It was a dangerous combination. If her situation were different, she might even allow herself to believe that he was her mate.
The fact was, she had no idea.
If she returned to her realm, Vaughn would confront her once more. He would want answers. Answers she wasn’t prepared to give. Then there was Brandr. He would likely be furious to learn that she had left without telling him. On top of all of that, her parents were there.
Eurwen sat on the bed and curled up on her side. “What did I do?”
How could she know that by creating the doorway for her parents, she would let in a world of apprehension and possibly heartache for all involved? All she had wanted was for Con and Rhi to see that she and Brandr thrived and that the dragons had prospered.
She wanted to remain in Vaughn’s room forever, to hide away from everyone. But she couldn’t. She pushed up on her arm into a sitting position. Sooner or later, she would have to return to Zora and face her brother and Vaughn. The longer she put it off, the worse things would be.
Eurwen got to her feet and turned to smooth out the comforter before she took one last look at the chamber just in case she never returned. Then she walked from the room and down the hall. She didn’t meet anyone on the stairs or along the way as she left the manor to walk to the Dragonwood. She opted not to teleport so she could savor the last few moments she had on Dreagan.
She had dreamed of being there for so long. Of experiencing all that was the dragons and magic and Kings. It had far exceeded her expectations, and she hoped that she was able to return and soak up more of it. She longed to shift and fly over the mountains, looking at them from above.
