Page 56 of Dragon Eternal (Dragon Kings 4)
“The Fae came to our world because of a civil war that caused their realm to die. Rhi returned to the Fae Realm because she was distraught, and was attacked and left for dead. Fae live verra long lives, no’ as long as dragons but much longer than humans. They can be killed, however. Erith found Rhi. She knew that Rhi wouldna survive long enough for Con to find her, and she couldna save Rhi and the babies.”
“Babies?”
“Rhi was pregnant with twins. Erith used magic to remove the embryos, which allowed Rhi’s body to begin mending itself. Con found Rhi and used his magic to heal her. She was still unconscious when he returned her to Earth and left her.”
A sound like a growl came from Nia. “He didn’t wait to talk to her?”
“Meanwhile,” Shaw said to get her attention, “Erith followed them and tried to return the babies to Rhi’s body, but they wouldna go. Erith ended up taking them to her realm until they were born. Then, when they were old enough, they left her and came here. They knew all along where the dragons were. The twins, Eurwen and Brandr, rule this realm. And they’ve only recently set aside their anger at their parents and allowed them to venture here.”
Nia crossed her arms over her chest. “I hope Rhi found someone else.”
“Actually, she and Con are happily mated now.” Shaw didn’t bother to hide his smile. He liked how Nia had immediately taken a liking to Rhi.
“I bet she made him grovel.”
“Oh, she did.”
Nia smiled as she dropped her arms, but the grin died. “When did you get here?”
“A few weeks ago. Con and Rhi only came a couple of months earlier. What some call an old crone somehow brought one of our Kings here. He was then captured by humans from Orgate and held there for a while. He freed himself, as well as two other dragons that had been imprisoned and tortured there for years.”
“So, the rumors were true,” she said, her forehead wrinkling.
Shaw nodded. “Varek was pulled here before Eurwen opened the Fae doorway and let Con and Rhi in. Vaughn came with them. Then, dragons started getting killed. Whoever did it attacked Brandr and Eurwen, too. That’s when the rest of us came to help look for the new enemy.”
“And that’s what brought you to Stonemore?”
“Cullen and Tamlyn alerted us to what was going on here. Merrill and I were sent to find out more about the city and the Divine.”
Nia blew out a breath and walked a few paces away. She stopped and turned back to him. “If Eurwen and Brandr wanted, they could wipe us out, just as you could’ve done with the humans on Earth, right?”
“Aye. But they willna. They know what happened on my realm, which is why they’ve set up land for all of you and willna give any more.”
“I can’t blame them for that.” She bit her lip as she thought. “You said that Erith created this world. Is she the one who brings the babies here?”
“No one knows why that is happening. Or why none of you can procreate.”
Nia cut him a look. “That’s probably for the best, actually. Can you imagine how many more of us there would be if we could have children?”
“I can, actually.”
She visibly winced. “Do the humans on your world have magic?”
“Some. They’re called Druids. We doona have Banshees, though. Tamlyn is the first I’ve met.”
“I know very little of what types of magic are on this realm. I had hoped that I would discover why we’re so terrified of dragons, especially Kings, somewhere in your story.”
He raised his brows. “And did you?”
“Nothing,” she said as she threw up her hands.
“We’re hoping to find the source, as well. It had to have come from somewhere.”
She quirked a brow. “Or someone.”
“We’re no’ here to take over. We’re no’ here to hurt anyone unless they attack us first. But we will stop the children from being murdered, whether they have magic or not.”
“You’ve come to the right place.”
Shaw watched as she came to stand before him. She had listened intently, even shedding a few tears. He hadn’t expected that.
“I feel safe with you,” she said.
“Because you are.”
“If we work together, there’s a chance we’ll be found out.”
He reached for her, shocked by his need to touch her. Shaw rested his hands on her arms. “No one will harm you.”
“I’ll do this on one condition.”
He imagined she’d ask that he help her escape, which he had already offered. So, he nodded before she finished.
“If I’m caught, don’t save me.”
“Have you los–?”
“It will only make others more fearful of dragons,” she said over him. “Look what’s happened since Cullen was here. All he did was fly over the city, and people keep looking up, expecting there to be another dragon ready to attack.”
Shaw shook his head. “I can no’ give you that promise.”
“It’s the only way I’ll do this. I lived my life in fear of dragons and magic. It wasn’t until I met you that I realized I have no basis for that feeling. Others need to learn the same thing.”
“That willna happen anytime soon.”
“It has to start somewhere.”
Shaw stared at her, trying to find a way to thwart what she asked.
“Take it or leave it,” Nia replied.
