Page 95 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
CHAPTERTHIRTY-SEVEN
It was a dream. What else could explain Nia standing before multiple Dragon Kings, a Dragon Queen, and the King of Dragon Kings, not to mention a Fae?
A Fae. A real Fae. Nia had been awestruck by Rhi’s beauty. Her inky hair and silver eyes were a beautiful combination. And she looked just like anyone else, just as Shaw said she would. Except more beautiful. Con was stoic, but there was no denying his passion for defending those he cared about. Con and Rhi made a striking couple as both were gorgeous. And Eurwen. Their daughter had a combination of both parents that made her just as stunning.
Nia’s gaze moved to Vaughn. While Shaw and Cullen had a wild, untamed look about them, Vaughn was the complete opposite. He was composed, unruffled. Though his love for Eurwen, and hers for him, was undeniable in the way they kept looking at each other, emotion shining in their eyes.
The same was true for Cullen and Tamlyn. Nia couldn’t wait to talk to the Banshee more. Tamlyn was a dark beauty with a quiet conviction that made Nia like her instantly. Since Tamlyn was also an outsider to the Dragon King world, Nia hoped they could be friends. Because she really needed one right now.
Shaw had surprised her by stating that he was staying at the canyon. The look that passed between him and Con was silent, but it held a wealth of meaning. If only she knew what had been shared between them.
Rhi walked to her and took her hands. The Fae shared a dazzling smile. “Thank you for helping us. If you ever need anything, all you have to do is call my name. I’ll hear you.”
“You can do that?” Nia asked, shocked.
Rhi’s smile broadened. “I’ve learned that Fae are a myth here, but we’re very real. We have different kinds of magic than the dragons. We might not be able to communicate telepathically, but a Fae can hear their name called over great distances. We can then find who called for us and go to them.”
That would’ve been helpful to know when Nia was battling Amsden. She had gotten out of that situation herself. Barely. But she had done it. “Thank you.”
“No one from Stonemore will harm you now,” Eurwen said.
Shaw grunted. “Nay, they fucking willna.”
Rhi shot him a dark look before squeezing Nia’s hands and releasing them. “Rest. We’ll return soon.”
Nia returned Eurwen’s small wave. Vaughn bowed his head to her, and then the four of them headed out the same way they had arrived.
“Hi,” Tamlyn said, drawing her attention.
She turned to the Banshee and looked into Tamlyn’s hazel eyes. “Hello.”
“You look like you’re about to pass out.”
Nia hurt everywhere. Her head pounded, and she didn’t know if it was from her fall, when Amsden attacked her, or because the very beings she had spent her entire life fearing were talking to her like old friends.
Shaw’s arm suddenly came around her. “Let’s get you inside,” he said softly.
She didn’t realize until he pulled her against him how much effort she had used just to stay on her feet. Shaw walked her slowly to the edge of the canyon. She looked down the hillside covered in vines, trees, and other shrubs and jerked back, dizzy. Any other day, she might be up for such a trek, but she wasn’t sure she could make it now. She had never been afraid of heights before, but being thrown from the balcony had changed that.
Shaw lifted her into his arms without a word. She met his gaze, and he winked at her as she wrapped her arms around him. She touched his face, delighted that he was with her. She didn’t feel like she had to be strong in front of him.
“Close your eyes,” he told her.
She quirked a brow. “Why?”
“I’m going to jump us to the bottom.”
Nia didn’t question him as she let her lids fall shut. An instant later, she felt a rush of cool air, and then the soft impact as Shaw landed. The way his arms held her securely made her never want to let go. She made herself look away from his handsome face to the canyon around her.
She had no idea where they were going. It looked like a dead-end until she saw Tamlyn and Cullen walk toward the rock face and vanish behind some large roots protruding from the canyon wall. That’s when she saw the hidden door.
Shaw gently set her on her feet and took her hand. They walked through the doorway into an alcove. There was so much to take in that Nia could barely register it all. Giant faces, a perfectly cut staircase of stones that led them deeper underground as torches lit the way. The sound of dripping drew her attention. That’s when she saw the network of tree roots high above them where water trickled down into a large pool. It was obvious that a civilization had once been here by the architecture alone.
“Is that a bruise?” Tamlyn asked with a frown.
Nia immediately reached up to hide the part of her face that had been backhanded. Shaw peered around from the other side, his face a mask of fury. “It’s fine,” she said.
“Sian can tend to your wounds.” Tamlyn waited.
Nia knew she could refuse, but she wouldn’t mind a few minutes alone to gather her thoughts. She pulled her hand from Shaw’s and turned to the Banshee. Tamlyn smiled as she motioned for Nia to follow. She forced herself not to look back at him. Instead, Nia focused her attention on the corridor Tamlyn led her down. It wasn’t long before she found herself in a kitchen.
The builders had made the ceilings high to give the illusion of space. Nia had to admit that it became difficult for her to remember that she was underground. The only thing missing was sunlight, but there was enough light to help.
“Sian is a wonder with her skills as an Alchemist,” Tamlyn said. She paused beside a long bench next to a table. “Sit while I get you some food.”
“I don’t think I can.”
