Page 68 of Dragon Mine (Dragon Kings 2)
Once in the trees, she slowed her steps even more. She meandered through the thick woods, listening to the birds and the other wildlife. All too soon, she stood before the doorway. She stared at it for a long time, wondering what awaited her on the other side.
The snap of a branch yanked her attention to the side and her gaze collided with Shara’s. Eurwen was surprised to see the Fae. She was one of the few Dark Fae who had turned Light. Usually, it was Light who turned Dark. So much so, that many Dark assumed they could never return to being a Light Fae.
“I didn’t mean to startle you,” Shara said in the Irish accent all Fae possessed.
Eurwen smiled in greeting. “I was lost in thought.”
“I noticed.” Shara tossed aside the stick she had been holding and straightened from where she reclined against the tree. The thick silver stripe on the left side of her long, inky hair was all that remained to prove that she had once been Dark. “I’m sure it seems like I was lurking, waiting for you.”
Eurwen raised her brows. “Were you?”
“I was,” Shara admitted with a smile.
They shared a laugh.
Shara walked towards her. “Are you going back already?”
“Yes.”
“That’s too bad. I hoped you’d stay longer. And I’m not the only one. Though, I’m sure you want to spend more time with Con and Rhi.”
Eurwen inwardly winced. She hadn’t thought too much about her parents. Thoughts of Vaughn and the conflicting emotions within her occupied her mind.
“I’ve heard from some Halflings that it’s difficult being from both the Fae and human worlds. I can only imagine it’s worse for you, coming from such worlds as you do,” Shara said into the silence.
“You could say that.”
The Fae’s silver eyes were filled with kindness. “You have friends here. Given who you are, Con and Rhi will ensure that you and your brother are always welcome.”
“Things are complicated.”
Shara shook her head. “No, they aren’t. We’re the ones who muddle things. Things can be as simple or as complicated as we want them to be. I hope you return soon.”
With a wave, the Fae teleported away.
Eurwen considered Shara’s words long after she was gone. There was truth to them. If she didn’t want a complicated situation, then she shouldn’t allow it to become so. She was in charge of her life. She could decide who she spent time with. It was no one’s decision but hers.
She felt infinitely better when she stepped through the doorway. However, the minute she returned to her realm, she frowned. Something dark and sinister rushed through her upon entering. It had been only a flash, but she was sure she had felt it. Yet, now that she looked for it, she couldn’t sense anything.
Eurwen looked around. Nothing seemed out of place. But she knew what she had felt.
“Brandr,” she said, calling for her brother.
The sound of dragons filled her ears. Eurwen sighed, not realizing until that moment how much she had missed their roars. Earth wasn’t silent, but its noises were the human kind. The more time passed without Brandr answering, the more concerned Eurwen got.
“Brandr,” she said through their mental link.
“Finally back?”
There was no denying his irritation. “I just came through the doorway. I felt something…off.”
“I’m aware of it.”
That made her frown. “For how long?”
“A wee bit.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I assumed you felt it, as well.”
She breathed out her anger, trying to stay calm. “Why didn’t you talk to me about it?”
“Maybe the same reason you didna tell me about Vaughn. Or about going to Dreagan.”
“You’re cross with me.”
“What I am, Eurwen, is doing my duty. Something you might want to remember.”
He severed the link before she could reply. Eurwen was just furious enough to immediately reopen it, but it wouldn’t serve either of them. This wasn’t the first tiff she and Brandr had had, and it wouldn’t be the last. They knew when not to push each other. This time, she relented to give him time to calm down.
