Page 60 of Dragon Mine (Dragon Kings 2)
“You’re so much like your parents, and you don’t even know it. Both of them turn to their duties before seeing to their own happiness. You’ve done the same.”
Eurwen dug her wet toes deeper into the beach, watching the sand cling to her feet and clump. “Yes, I have.” She looked at Eilish. “You’ve not asked the one thing I know you want to ask.”
Eilish swung her legs over the side of the hammock and sat up. Then she patted the spot beside her. Eurwen used her magic to return her clothes and dry her hair before lowering herself next to the Druid. They sat in silence for a while, watching the sky grow darker as sunset approached.
Eilish dropped her chin to her chest. “I like you, Eurwen. I’m not saying that just because of who you are. I’d like us to be friends.”
“I’d like that, too. I’ve never had a human friend before.”
The Druid turned her head to her and smiled. “We have so much catching up to do to remedy that.”
“I’m looking forward to it.”
“Me, too,” Eilish replied. Then, her smile died. “Your life is your business. I don’t want to interfere, but I also want you to know that you can talk to me about anything.”
Eurwen drew in a deep breath and released it as she pressed her lips together and looked at the sea. No matter what she had been doing the last couple of hours, she couldn’t stop thinking about someone—Vaughn.
“You know about Vaughn, don’t you?” she asked Eilish.
There was a small hesitation before Eilish said, “Yes.”
“What did you do when Ulrik told you that you were his mate?”
Eilish laughed softly and got a dreamy look on her face. “We went through quite an ordeal. Neither of us trusted the other, but we couldn’t ignore the attraction.” She turned her head to Eurwen. “It was always there, at the forefront. At first, I thought it was just lust, but the more time I spent with him, the more I began to care about him. It wasn’t long before I depended on him, and then I couldn’t remember a time when he hadn’t been a part of my life. He was there for me at my lowest point. He saved me. He loved me unconditionally. When he told me we were mates, I was overjoyed because I knew I wanted to be with him always.”
“And there’s the rub. I don’t know any of that.”
“I’m guessing you didn’t know how to respond to Vaughn when he told you?”
Eurwen shook her head. “I could’ve handled it better. I know that. I didn’t want to hurt him. I begged him not to say the words.”
“So, you knew?” Eilish asked, shock in her voice.
Eurwen thought about it for a moment and then shrugged. “I knew Vaughn wanted something I couldn’t give him.”
“I’ve seen the two of you together. There’s no denying the attraction.”
“That doesn’t mean we’re mates.”
Eilish nodded in agreement. “What do you think is keeping you apart?”
“We’re from two different worlds.”
“So were Ulrik and I.”
Eurwen rolled her eyes. “You two are from the same planet. That’s not true for Vaughn and me.”
“But you can overcome that. If you want to.”
“Then there’s the fact that I have to return to Zora.”
Eilish lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I don’t think Vaughn would mind moving.”
“We’re not allowing any Dragon Kings from Earth to reside there.”
“Oh,” Eilish said, her eyes rounding. “Really?”
Eurwen nodded. “Brandr would never agree to it. He doesn’t even want any more visiting. He also told me that if I choose Vaughn as my mate, he’ll banish me.”
“Damn. That could be a problem.”
“Exactly.”
Eilish flattened her lips for a heartbeat. “And you would never want to live here?”
“I have a duty to Zora. Just as Vaughn has responsibilities here.”
“It sounds like you’ve considered things with Vaughn then. You must feel something for him.”
Eurwen looked away. “It doesn’t matter what I do or don’t feel. It can never work.”
“If it’s meant to be, it’ll work. Somehow.”
“Spoken like someone who hasn’t had to make a choice like mine.”
Eilish shrugged, her lips twisting. “Maybe not like yours, no, but every mate has had to make a conscious decision to give up the lives we had—and sometimes even our families—to be with our King.”
“You didn’t have to give up family immediately, though, did you?”
“Others did. I’m not trying to make light of your situation.”
Eurwen dug her toes into the sand. “I realize you’re trying to compare what a mate goes through with what I’m dealing with, but it isn’t the same.”
“Do you want to be with Vaughn?”
