“Shite. Brandr,” she mumbled, thinking about her brother.
If she had reacted this way when she wanted to meet her parents, she couldn’t imagine how bad things could go with Brandr. She would have to keep her brother away from Con and Rhi. Or things might just turn into the war Brandr feared.
Chapter Five
Vaughn fought against wanting to talk to Eurwen and allowing Rhi and Con some time with their daughter. After the Teals left, Vaughn continued flying with no destination in mind. He took in the beauty of Zora and reveled in the ability to be his true self without worrying about humans seeing him. It wasn’t long before he heard a familiar voice in his head.
“Vaughn? When did you arrive?” Varek asked.
Vaughn smiled. “No’ long ago. It’s good to hear your voice, brother. Where are you?”
“To your right. Come meet my mate.”
Vaughn turned his head in Varek’s direction and saw his friend standing in a glade. Vaughn swooped over the forest and landed in the opening before shifting to human form, being sure to clothe himself as he did.
“It’s good to see you,” Varek said as he rushed him, embracing Vaughn while pounding on his back.
Vaughn returned the hug before leaning back to get a good look at Varek. “You’ve changed. I’m no’ sure how, but you’re different.”
“It’s this place,” Varek said with a wide smile.
“Aye,” Vaughn said, thinking of the Teals and how just the sight of them had lit up his soul.
Varek quirked a dark brow. “You saw the Teals?”
“I even got to fly with them for a short time. They doona seem too keen on me being here, however.”
“Give them time,” his friend cautioned. “The Lichens are the same.”
Vaughn sensed movement to his left. “And your mate?”
“Here,” said a woman, who walked from the forest.
Jeyra emerged with her head held high, her red hair pulled into a braid that fell over her shoulder. She wore a golden-brown sleeveless shirt and dark brown breeches, along with knee-high boots. Thick, silver armbands encircled both upper arms. Her amber eyes looked Vaughn up and down, but her lips held a smile.
“Varek has told me about each of the Dragon Kings,” Jeyra said once she reached them. “Let me see if I can guess who you are.”
Vaughn exchanged a glance with Varek as he grinned. “All right.”
“Light brown hair and blue eyes. That narrows things down a bit.”
Vaughn quirked a brow and looked at Varek again.
“She’s got an amazing memory,” Varek answered.
“Varek said that Merrill’s eyes are dark blue. Yours are brighter, so I’m going with…Vaughn,” Jeyra said.
Vaughn was completely taken aback. “Impressive.”
“Not really,” Jeyra said with a shrug. “Not too many Kings have your particular coloring.”
“Your accent is different,” Vaughn said, trying to place it.
Varek shook his head. “Doona even try. It drove me nuts for weeks. I’ve come to realize it’s a combination of various accents from Earth.”
Now that wasn’t something Vaughn had expected. “How?”
“Those like Jeyra were brought here as bairns,” Varek explained.
Jeyra moved closer to Varek. “Even today, babies continue showing up. We don’t know how or why.”
“How is the population here?” Vaughn asked, thinking of how quickly the mortals doubled their populations.
Jeyra’s face was grim. “Mortals are unable to have children here.”
Vaughn blinked in shock.
“There’s a lot we need to catch you up on. I’d like to only tell the story once. Did any other Kings come with you?” Varek asked.
“Just Con and Rhi. They’re with Eurwen now.”
Varek’s eyes widened. “Really? We’ve no’ gotten to meet her. I’ve only spoken to Brandr.”
“How was he?”
“Intense. He gets it honestly from Con, that’s for sure.”
They shared a smile before Vaughn said, “This place is incredible. I understand now why you didna want to leave.”
“I willna lie, being near the dragons is something I’m no’ quite willing to let go of yet, but I also wanted some time with Jeyra.”
She playfully elbowed Varek. “I did tell him I would go with him anywhere. My home is where he is. It isn’t a place or a realm.”
“You say that now. You might no’ be so inclined once you see our world,” Vaughn cautioned.
Jeyra shrugged and smiled adoringly at Varek. “I’m anxious to see the things he’s told me about. The planes and such.”
Varek put his arm around her before looking at Vaughn. “Go explore while you can. Though stay away from the barrier. You’ll feel it as you get close. The twins erected it to keep the humans on their side. The dragons have the majority of the planet to themselves.”
“I’ll see you two later, I’m sure,” Vaughn said before shifting and taking to the sky once more.
He wasn’t sure how long he flew before he saw the loch. It was so still, it looked like glass. A mountain stood on one side, a thick forest on two others. The last was undulating fields. It was simply too beautiful to pass up. Vaughn landed and took in the area. The sound of dragons nearby made him sigh in contentment. He waded into the water and swam around the large loch first as a dragon and then as a human.
When he finally came onto shore, he lay naked near the forest beneath the bright sun. He laced his hands behind his head and closed his eyes as he enjoyed the silence. There were no planes, no cars, no trains, no horns, no people talking on their mobiles. No hum of electricity ran through the wires strung around the world. The wonderful, blessed peace lulled Vaughn.
How would he ever return to Earth after this paradise? It wasn’t only because the dragons were here—although that played a big role. It was because he could live as himself—a dragon. He wouldn’t have to pretend or hide who he was. He wouldn’t have to worry about humans learning that he had magic, or only flying at night during a storm because the mortals might see.
Then there was Eurwen.
Vaughn opened his eyes as he thought of her. He wasn’t sure what to make of her. She had haunted his thoughts and dreams for centuries. He had searched Earth for her again and again, and he would’ve kept searching. Because he knew he had to find her. Somehow.
Some way.
He spotted a dragon flying by itself. At first, he couldn’t see its color because the sun cast a shadow. He slowly sat up, staring in awe at the metallic peach scales and gold wings. He caught sight of two gold horns curling outward and straight up from atop its head. The long, peach tail had a gold tip. It was Eurwen. He was sure of it.
Vaughn didn’t know when he had gotten to his feet. He was about to shift and fly with her, but something stopped him. He knew the minute she spotted him. His heart thumped, wondering if she would come to him. One way or another, they needed to talk. If she wouldn’t come to him, then he would go after her.
He took a step, ready to shift, when he saw her turn slightly and head in his direction. He couldn’t look away from her. He’d never seen a more beautiful dragon. Then again, Eurwen and Brandr weren’t just any offspring. They were descended from Fae royalty and a Dragon King, who was the epitome of nobility. How could Eurwen be anything but exquisitely regal and utterly unique?