Page 80 of Dragon Mine (Dragon Kings 2)
“The general from yesterday? He didn’t lose consciousness,” Rhi stated.
Vaughn sat on the edge of the bed and took Eurwen’s hand in his. “Everything about today felt different.”
“Like a trap,” Con said.
Vaughn nodded slowly as he looked at Con. “Exactly.”
Rhi’s eyes widened. “Then we get back out there and find who did this.”
“That’s where Brandr and his generals are,” Vaughn said.
Rhi’s face went slack. “Alone? Are you kidding? After what happened with all of you there, why wouldn’t someone remain with Brandr?”
Con kissed her cheek. “I’m heading there now, sweetheart. I wanted to get our daughter here first.”
Rhi threw her arms around him. They exchanged soft words before moving apart.
“I’ll update you and V often regarding my location,” Con told him.
Vaughn bowed his head. “Be careful.”
“There’s a reason Eurwen was attacked, and we’re going to find out what that is,” Con promised before he strode out of the cottage.
Vaughn watched his friend go before his gaze slid to Rhi. Unease stamped her face. The last time Vaughn had seen such an expression was when his human lover had been giving birth. He had cared for the mortal, but he hadn’t loved her. Not as he did Eurwen. Vaughn returned his attention to his mate.
He couldn’t shake the apprehension, the worry that the Kings were somehow responsible for what was taking place on Zora. Whether it’d begun because Varek had been brought here, or whether it’d manifested once Varek arrived was trivial. Something malicious was in the realm. Was it after the dragons? Was it targeting Eurwen and Brandr? Or were the Kings the objective?
“We need to know if the mortals have also experienced such attacks,” Vaughn said.
Rhi started to pace. “I need to do something. I can’t stand just sitting still. I’ll go.”
“No,” Vaughn stopped her before she left.
Her head whipped to him. “And why not?”
“You’re too upset.”
She paused for a second. “Perhaps you’re right. But if they knew what Varek was, they’ll know you, as well.”
“That’s true.”
“There’s Claire.”
Vaughn snorted. “V willna let her out of his sight, and I doona blame him.”
“That leaves only one who can navigate the humans effectively.”
“Jeyra.”
Rhi nodded. “I’ll get her.”
“I had Eurwen remove the doorway in case whatever was here came from Earth.”
“I’ll be quick,” Rhi replied. She glanced at her daughter. “Don’t let her out of your sight.”
Vaughn bowed his head. “I willna.”
Once Rhi was gone, he rubbed Eurwen’s hand between his. “Wake up, lass. You’re healed. There should be nothing keeping you unconscious.”
Vaughn let his magic surround her, searching for anything that might stand out. No matter how hard he focused, he was unable to discern anything. He had hoped something would stand out, something they could remove so she would open her eyes and smile at him again.
“I got her,” Rhi said as she appeared in the cottage.
Vaughn looked to find Rhi, Jeyra, and Varek.
“What the bloody hell happened?” Varek demanded as he looked at Eurwen on the bed. “Rhi wouldna tell us anything. Just said Jeyra was needed.”
Vaughn didn’t release Eurwen’s hand as he faced the trio. “To summarize, one of the generals was attached yesterday. Con was able to heal him, and we searched the open field but saw no one.”
“No one?” Varek asked with a frown.
Vaughn shook his head. “Con offered our help, and Eurwen and Brandr accepted. We came up with a plan and implemented it this morning. Eurwen, Brandr, Con, and V stayed on the ground in human form while the four generals and I stayed in the air, drawing attention to ourselves.”
“You were on the border with my people, weren’t you?” Jeyra asked.
“The attack yesterday was done far enough from there that we would’ve seen anyone running away. But, yes, this morning, we were near the border,” Vaughn explained.
Rhi pulled her hair back and twisted it into a knot off her neck. “Someone or something attacked Eurwen. Con healed her wound, but she hasn’t woken since.”
“You know what this reminds me of?” Varek asked.
Vaughn nodded as he looked at Rhi. “That time Ulrik’s uncle attacked, and you wouldna wake.”
Rhi briefly closed her eyes. “That was Mikkel. This is on another realm. How could one have to do with the other?”
“It might have something to do with Eurwen’s Fae blood,” Varek pointed out.
Vaughn rubbed his thumb across the back of her hand. “Rhi eventually woke.”
“I didn’t want to,” Rhi admitted. “If it hadn’t been for Con, I wouldn’t have.”
Jeyra worried her lip. “What does any of this have to do with me?”
