Page 45 of Dragon Mine (Dragon Kings 2)
Chapter Seventeen
“Did she leave?”
Vaughn halted at the sound of Darius’s voice. He drew in a breath and got control of his irritation.
Darius came around to his front, his face lined with a deep frown, his long, blond hair pulled back in a queue. “What’s going on?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar,” Darius replied without any heat to his words.
“Eurwen is still here. Or at least she was a moment ago when I left her in the library.”
Darius crossed his arms over his chest, his chocolate eyes intense. “I see.”
“She’s alone. Go talk to her.”
“I’d rather you come with us.”
“I doona need to be there.”
Darius quirked a blond brow. “Had a row, aye?”
Vaughn ran a hand down his face. “I’ve stood in front of entire boardrooms of people and never lost my cool. With her, one word sends my anger rising.”
“She’s your mate.”
Vaughn squeezed his eyes closed for a heartbeat. “I’ve suspected for a long time. I knew it when I saw her on Zora.”
“You’ve met her before?”
Vaughn inwardly winced. “It’s no’ something I told anyone. Con just learned of it. I didna know who Eurwen was when we shared that night eons ago. I’ve been searching for her ever since.”
“Now, you’ve found her. She just needs some time to see what you do.”
“It isna that simple.” Vaughn blew out a breath and leaned against the wall. “Neither her brother nor the dragons want us on Zora. No’ even to visit. They fear we’ll try to take over or want to live there.”
Darius’s face grew grave. “What does she want?”
“She’s the one who formed the doorway for Con and Rhi, but I think Eurwen has doubts. Our arrival caused some waves throughout the realm. They’ve gone to great lengths no’ to repeat the mistakes we’ve made here on Earth.”
“And are probably making new ones.”
“No doubt. I’ve no’ mentioned that to them, and I doubt Con or Rhi have either.”
Darius shook his head. “Wise to keep it to yourselves for the time being. So they doona want us there. She’s discovering that she’s welcome here.”
“She made a point of telling me that she willna stay for long. Her place is on Zora.”
“If you’re no’ allowed there, and she doesna want to be here, how are the two of you going to be together?”
Vaughn twisted his lips and shrugged. “Maybe I’m wrong. Maybe she isna my mate. Perhaps I was so caught up in trying to find her after she disappeared that I’ve spent all this time only thinking she is mine.”
Darius dropped his arms to his sides. “The two of you have had verra little time together. Perhaps that is all you need to see the truth—whatever that may be.”
“That willna happen on Zora. She was uncomfortable with me there. It could’ve been because of Rhi and Con or Brandr. Her brother’s no’ our biggest fan.”
“Neither she nor Brandr were raised as a dragon should be. There’s much they doona know.”
“Ah, but they’re no’ only dragons. They’re half-Fae, as well. Who’s to say they’d even recognize a mate.”
Darius’s brows snapped together. “Bloody hell.”
“Precisely,” Vaughn said with a nod. “There’s a chance she doesna know we’re mates. If she’s against it, she’ll refuse me. I’m no’ as strong as Con. I’ll no’ survive without my mate.”
“We’re no’ there yet.”
Vaughn inwardly shook himself. “You’re right.”
“You and Eurwen need to spend more time together. Even if it is in the company of others. Sophie wants to talk to Eurwen. Why no’ join us?”
Vaughn thought about it for a moment, then gave in because he wanted to be with Eurwen. He wanted to spend time with her, listen to her speak, and watch her facial expressions. This might be the only time he got with her. He wouldn’t waste it being angry. “All right.”
“Good,” Darius said with a nod. “I’ll get Sophie and meet you there.”
