Page 2 of Dragon Mine (Dragon Kings 2)
For the first time in his life, he couldn’t find words. He didn’t know what to say. And yet, there was so much he wanted to say to her. She took his hand and, with a smile, led him to a cottage. The red-orange glow from a fire in the hearth coated the inside of the home. She faced him, and before he could speak, her mouth was on his.
Everything he’d ever felt, ever would feel had been in her kiss.
The emotions had been crushing and exhilarating at first. But it didn’t take long for them to consume him. Just as his desire did.
He forgot about hiding who he was from the mortals, forgot about not showing his magic in front of them—because he had needed to feel her skin against his. Without hesitation, he used magic to remove their clothes.
Vaughn had no idea how many times they shared their bodies that night. Passion had never overtaken him in such a way before. Not before then. And not since. It wasn’t until the sun woke him and he found himself alone in the bed that he realized he didn’t know her name. He hadn’t been too worried, at first. He’d assumed the cottage was hers.
But as the hours passed, and she didn’t return, he decided to look for her. No one in the village knew of who he spoke. Worry crept in, but he didn’t give up. He spent over a week with the tribe, hoping to see her again. With each day that passed without her, Vaughn began to wonder if she had been real at all.
He returned to Dreagan and tried to forget that night—and her. But it was impossible. That’s when his search began. He’d looked far and wide, combing through the tiniest villages to the biggest cities, to no avail. Even when he realized that she was most likely dead, he still looked. Hoping against hope that he would somehow find her one day.
Perhaps that’s why he discovered her in his dreams.
Vaughn blew out a breath and lifted his head, gently shaking the memories back into their corners. He couldn’t go on like this much longer. He didn’t know if this unknown woman he’d searched for through thousands of years was his mate or not. Maybe not knowing who she was had caused him to latch onto her and dream about her.
“Then why are my dreams different each time?” he asked aloud.
Vaughn made his bed, carefully pulling the covers taut and smoothing out any wrinkles in the tan tweed comforter. He meticulously placed the two black and tan windowpane-patterned euro shams in place. Next were the two copper suede shams, followed by an accent pillow in faux fur.
He strode into his closet and looked at the rows of suits, dress shirts, and ties. It was rare that he went a day without wearing his uniform, as Rhys called it. Vaughn quite liked his suits, as was evident in the number of them he owned. Today, however, he couldn’t decide on one. Ever since he’d woken from the dream, he’d felt…off.
To put off making a decision, he showered and shaved. After he put on underwear, he found himself back in his closet, still unable to pick out a suit. A knock on his door pulled his attention.
“Enter,” he called.
The door opened, and Kendrick came up behind him a moment later. “You look like shite.”
“Thanks,” Vaughn replied without looking at him. Kendrick was silent for so long, Vaughn turned to him.
Kendrick quirked a dark brow. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
Kendrick’s green eyes regarded him solemnly.
Vaughn sighed. “I had a rough night.”
“That, I can believe.” Kendrick relaxed and leaned a shoulder against the doorway. “Since you are no’ dressed, I guess you’ve no’ heard.”
“Heard what?”
“Rhi found a Fae doorway on Dreagan.”
Vaughn instantly went on alert. “Where?” he demanded.
Kendrick’s lips curved into a smile. “You sure are in a hurry to get to the other realm.”
“Because of our dragons.”
“Others might buy that, but I doona.” Kendrick glanced at the floor. “The doorway is in the Dragonwood.”
Vaughn watched Kendrick closely. “Why do you no’ believe me?”
“We all want our dragons again, but these are no longer ours. There willna be any of ours left after so long. Who’s to say we’re no’ challenged when we get there?”
“You think I’m ready to die?”
Kendrick shook his head slowly. “I think there’s something else driving you.”
“What?”
“I’m no’ sure. Are you?”
