Page 76 of Dragon Mine (Dragon Kings 2)
“That isna a bad way to do things. However, new mistakes will inevitably be made. I’m no’ saying anyone has made a mistake. I’m merely pointing out facts.”
She let out a breath. “You’re right. It’s something Brandr and I have discussed. We do the best we can.”
“That’s all anyone can do.”
“If we learn that the mortals are responsible for Nundro’s attack, we will retaliate.”
Vaughn had feared she would say such words. “That isna the answer.”
“You think we should stand by and not punish the one who hurt one of us?”
“That isna what I said. You may no’ have made the same vows about protecting the humans as we did, but by wiping them out, you’ll change something within yourself—and every dragon who helps—forever. You’ll never be able to come back from that.”
She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “We don’t have the same magic you do on Earth. Nothing here will remove Brandr and me from our positions.”
“Your morality will be compromised. And if you doona think that’s a big deal, then it proves that you have no idea of the true consequences of what you’re talking about.”
“I won’t allow humans to jeopardize what we have here,” she argued.
Vaughn faced her. “I’m no’ asking you to. I’m asking you to find a way to make peace for everyone.”
“This is our realm. Why should we compromise?”
He could’ve given her a million reasons, but they all sounded hollow to him. Being with the dragons again had brought back all the Kings had sacrificed for the mortals to live. Being on Zora made Vaughn wish that things had turned out differently on Earth.
“I know what you’re saying,” Eurwen continued. “I’ve thought about it myself. But at the end of the day, I have to look out for the dragons. They shouldn’t have to find another home or fight for another one.”
Vaughn couldn’t argue with that. He nodded and faced forward. Then, he did a double take when he saw a speck of pink in the night sky. To his shock, there was more than one pink dragon. There were over a dozen.
“I can no’ believe my eyes,” he murmured.
“The Pinks?”
“We thought they were extinct, killed by humans.”
Eurwen shook her head. “Eggs were found on their land as the dragons were called across the bridge. The dragons gathered up all they could find and brought them when they left your realm.”
Vaughn’s throat clogged with emotion as he saw the Pinks fly around the mountain and then disappear. “All this time, we believed they were no more. We mourned them, wishing we could’ve done something to prevent their slaughter.”
“They’ve thrived here. All the dragons have.”
“The Pinks are alive. Varek said as much, but I didna truly believe him. I thought maybe one had managed to live, but an entire clan? It’s more than we could’ve hoped for.”
Eurwen hugged his arm against her. “There will always be dragons. I’m going to make sure of it.”
“Me, too,” he said as he looked down at her.
“Do you wish to stay out here tonight?”
Vaughn glanced at her cottage. “Your place is taken, and I think Brandr would rather eat glass than allow me inside his place.”
“You’re growing on him.”
He snorted. “I highly doubt that. However, he does know that us helping right now is for everyone’s benefit. I’m glad he accepted Con’s offer.”
“Me, too,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “I love my twin, but he can be obstinate at times. I wasn’t going to refuse Con. Brandr knew that.”
“Maybe us working together will create a bond. I know it will make Con and Rhi happy.”
Eurwen looked up at him. “And me.”
He swallowed and leaned down to press his lips to hers. “Let’s sleep under the stars.”
“So you can see the dragons?”
Vaughn shook his head as he grinned. “So I can see the stars shining in your eyes.”
“You know just the right things to say.”
“I’m saying what’s in my heart. The things I’ve wanted to say since our first night together.”
She cupped his cheek with her free hand. “You make me feel special. As if I’m the only woman in the world.”
“In the universe,” he corrected. “And that’s because you are.”
Her lips curved into a smile. “Let’s find someplace more private.”
“The loch?” he suggested.
“You read my mind.”
They ran to the edge of the cliff and jumped, shifting and flying toward the loch, side by side.
