Stealing Tranquility: Reverse Harem (Dragon Descendants Book 1)

by J. L. Weil

  The moment our lips met, all annoyance vanished from within me. My eyes fluttered closed as I fell into the blissful storm that was all Jase. His lips were soft… and skilled, expertly moving over mine. His hands came up to cup either side of my cheeks, and he deepened what was supposed to be a peck. My mouth opened, letting him in, and a purr sounded at the back of my throat as his tongue swept inside.

  I’d never been kissed like this before—so passionately and fervently. My fingers bunched his shirt, holding him in place just in case he got any ideas about pulling away. I wasn’t done yet. Honestly, I never wanted to stop kissing Jase Dior.

  Zade cleared his throat behind us. How had I forgotten about him? Jase pulled back, his breath as ragged as mine.

  I glanced up into his eyes, seeing the violet in them glowing brightly. “There. Are you satisfied?” I rasped, swallowing a knot of yearning. No more kissing dragons.

  “Not nearly.” Jase’s head dipped as if he was going to take possession of my lips again.

  My hand pressed against his chest, keeping him just out of reach. “Oh, no. I think I’ve kissed enough dragons today.” I could barely believe I had locked lips with two of them within minutes of each other.

  What is wrong with me?

  Even more surprising, my little stunt actually had defused the situation… sort of. Their eyes no longer glowed, they took a step back, and their puffed-out chests relaxed.

  “What do you have to say about not kissing her now?” Zade shot at Jase, looking damned pleased with himself.

  Jase’s spine straightened, and I thought for sure shit was about to get tense again. “No one but me gets the pleasure of tasting her.”

  Sometimes it sucked to be right.

  Anger quickly returned to Zade’s eyes, specks of gold flashing within them. “Hell no. I kissed her first.”

  I closed my eyes for a second, swallowing a stream of curses. “No one is going to kiss me!” I shouted before taking a breath. “I think I’ve had enough excitement for the day, and since I’m stuck here, I’m going to my room.”

  On my way back to the conservatory, I found Kieran leaning against the outer wall of the castle, watching the show with sparkling eyes. Issik stood next to him, frowning, his eyes like winter’s first frost. I brushed past them, not saying a word, not even when Kieran stepped in time beside me.

  Argh. I’d had my fill of hot-tempered dragons.

  Ten days seemed like a lifetime.

  Flying out of the garden and toward the stairs in the main hall, I made it two whole minutes before I broke my vow of silence. I’d never been able to keep my mouth shut, and that usually got me in trouble. My annoyed gaze traveled to Kieran, who still trailed me. “Why are you smirking?”

  He raised his brows as we ascended the winding stairs. “Zade and Jase never fight. That was the most entertainment we’ve had in… well, years.”

  I didn’t know if I was headed in the right direction, and was sort of relying on Kieran to make sure I got to the right room. “Glad I could be of assistance,” I grumbled.

  Devilishness glittered in his gaze. “I’m looking forward to seeing what happens next.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Don’t get your hopes up.” And I meant that beyond just my entertainment value. There was going to be buckets of disappointment when they all realized I wasn’t the one.

  “You might surprise yourself.”

  “Oh, I’ve had plenty of WTF moments since I got here.” I wrinkled my nose.

  He chuckled, pausing at a door I assumed was mine. “It’s true, you know—what Zade and Jase said; there is something unique about you. I can’t figure it out, but we all feel it, and it is the first drop of hope we’ve had in a very long time.”

  My face fell, displaying all the dread that had suddenly dropped into my belly like a boulder. A spark in Kieran’s emerald eyes cautioned me to be careful. “Good night,” I said before another dragon tried to kiss me.

  “Good night, Olivia,” he replied, winking.

  Holy crap. What kind of dragon drama had I gotten myself into?

  Shutting the door in Kieran’s face, I went to lie in bed, staring at the painting on the ceiling. The artwork centered on an angel with glittery wings of gold. The midnight sky behind her was dark blue with pops of maroon and a thousand sparkling stars.

  One thought circled in my mind before I dozed off to sleep. After the ten days, I had to find a way back home. Staying here with the four of them wasn’t an option.

  They can’t keep me here forever. Not like those other girls. I’m not one of those girls.

  Nine days to go… and so the countdown began.

  I pulled open the drawers in my room, rummaging around for something useful. I wasn’t sure what I needed, except for anything that might help me get out of here when the time was right. I hadn’t given up on the notion of returning home. Not yet.

  Nothing but clothes, extra blankets, and female essentials—including lotions, lip balm, makeup, and a toothbrush—were to be found. It alarmed me how the entire room had been set up for a woman. How many other rooms were there like this? How many other girls had stayed in this room?

  To be frank, I wasn’t sure I wanted to know. Sometimes ignorance was bliss. This might have been one of those times.

  Sighing, I padded across the room and pushed open the double doors, letting in the morning sun and the gentle breeze, as it carried in the scents of honeysuckle and sea salt. There was no denying that the Veil Isles was a mesmerizing place. Water lapped against the keep’s walls below, and in the sky, a flock of birds cawed.

  Securing my hair in a messy bun with a black hair tie that I kept around my wrist like a bracelet—for emergencies—my attention was pulled to the gloomy waters, and like yesterday, I couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something down there, something watching me.

  I would have expected myself to be creeped out, but I wasn’t. I was fascinated.

  Walking back into the room, I stuck my feet into a pair of slippers, and reached for the doorknob to the interior of the castle. I twisted, once again relieved to find it unlocked. Stepping out into the hallway, I examined my door, trying to pick out something unique to help me find it again. Two sconces on the wall across from my room highlighted a couple of paintings portraying fierce, proud dragons. I made a mental note and crept forward down the corridor.

  “A map would be damn helpful,” I muttered, and cursed under my breath as I turned down another corridor before finding the stairs. But that wasn’t all I found.

  A pair of girls turned the corner just as I reached the staircase. They both appeared to be a few years older than me—early twenties if I had to guess. One had the most gorgeous olive skin color with warm honey eyes. The other was fair skinned, curvy, and had legs that went on for days. Their gazes fell upon me.

  “You must be Olivia,” the one with dark hair said.

  “The keep has been buzzing about you,” Legs added, a gentle smile tugging at her lips.

  “Wonderful,” I replied dryly.

  “I’m Kaytlyn,” the one with the envy-inducing olive skin introduced herself. “And this is Davina,” she added, gesturing to the blonde.

  Standing awkwardly in the hall, I wondered what I should say to them. I came up blank. “Where’s the kitchen?”

  They both blinked at me before Kaytlyn widened her smile. “We’re on our way there now. We’ll show you.”

  I almost didn’t trust them being so nice.

  Kaytlyn and Davina started the decline to the main floor with me behind them. “I remember my first days at Wakeland Keep. It was so intimidating, and I could never find my room,” Davina admitted.

  “This place is a maze,” I agreed. “How long have you been here?” I asked, the question popping out of my mouth. I was curious about everything, but I probably shouldn’t have assumed everyone was okay with divulging personal information.

  “Four years,” Davina answered.

  “This will be my sixth,”
Kaytlyn replied.

  Luckily for me, Kaytlyn and Davina seemed to be chatterboxes.

  “And you’ve never wanted to go home?” This was the question I’d been yearning to know the answer to. Why did these women all stay?

  Kaytlyn shrugged, her hand running along the mahogany banister. “At first it was a lot to take in, but you’ll find living in the Veil is not so bad. I had nothing at home. Why not start over someplace new?”

  And dangerous, I mentally added.

  “They let you pick where you want to live afterwards,” Davina divulged. Right. After they brought me to the temple of their fathers.

  Our thin shoes clattered on the stone steps as we continued to descend the never-ending staircase. “You mean with one of the dragons.” I was testing their reaction to the still foreign word. They didn’t so much as flinch.

  Davina nodded, her blonde curls bouncing. “Most of the girls choose Jase’s or Zade’s kingdom.”

  “And why is that?”

  They both giggled. “Have you seen them?”

  Oh, yes, I have. Was that all these girls cared about? That they were extremely attractive? “So, they’re smoking hot,” I agreed. “But what makes Jase and Zade different?” I didn’t see how they could choose. Presented with the option to pick one of the four, I didn’t know which one I would rate higher than the others. Except for Issik. He had a tough exterior, but maybe under all that ice there was a heart.

  “I don’t know where you lived before, but we didn’t have guys like the descendants in Wyoming,” Davina explained. “Besides, it’s not just the guys, but also where they live. You just got here, but you’ll see for yourself. The other kingdoms tend to be harsher climates and landscapes.”

  “You have nine days until the full moon?” Kaytlyn prompted me. I nodded. “Soon you’ll be in the cave.” Her voice carried in an eerie tone.

  “What cave?” I automatically asked.

  Kaytlyn batted ridiculously long lashes, watching me with an expression that said she didn’t want to be in my shoes. “It’s deep in the Viperus Woods of Kieran’s kingdom.”

  She made the trip to the cave sound ominous, and I had to wonder if it was. “This is insane,” I muttered. Curses. Dragons. Wraiths. What else could I expect?

  Davina and Kaytlyn both nodded in agreement. “Yeah, it takes a while for that feeling to wear off,” Davina confessed.

  I wasn’t positive it ever would, and I didn’t plan to stick around to find out.

  The kitchen was bustling with people—mostly females. Different types of stones lined the walls and floors of the industrial-sized space, and the ceiling vaulted into a dome, giving the room a circular appearance. In the center was a long rectangular wooden island with storage underneath. Food was spread out on the countertop, filling the air with both sweet and savory scents, waiting to be delivered to the tables beyond in the great hall. My stomach growled as I glanced over the fare, fighting the urge to pluck something off the buffet. The variety of brunch foods was different, yet familiar—a combination of fruits, eggs, and sweet rolls.

  The lively chatter and shuffling died when I stepped into the kitchen, and all eyes swung towards me. I didn’t like the attention or the silence. Then the whispering started, and I hated that even more, knowing everyone in the room was talking about me.

  My back straightened, and I stiffened my chin.

  “They’re all wondering if you’re the one,” a cold voice whispered in my ear, sending a chill down my spine.

  Issik.

  My head turned a tad, finding him close. Too close. “What happens if I’m not?”

  I swore I saw the corner of his lips twitch, but it could have been a trick of the light. “We won’t let anything happen to you.”

  “Even after?” I pressed him.

  He turned me around, so I looked directly into his icy eyes. “Yes.”

  I didn’t know if I believed him, but what choice did I have in the matter? If this went badly in nine days, I would figure something out, because the only person who was going to truly look after me, was me.

  “Olivia, you’ll be eating with me and my brothers,” Issik announced to everyone.

  Thanks for singling me out, asshole. The last thing I wanted was to be treated differently or special. “Like I have a choice,” I mumbled, my tone flat. I really just wanted to eat in my room, away from the prying eyes and the glances of pity.

  His sharp, blond brow lifted. “You’ll thank me later.” He bent down, his breath cool on my cheek. Cold fingers wrapped around my elbow, causing a chill to climb over my arm, and spread through my body. I wanted to shiver, but I forced myself to stay still. Besides the coldness, I found it strangely comforting.

  The soft material of the pink dress I had worn today, swished over my bare legs as Issik and I walked into the great hall from the kitchen together. Staci would have gone gaga over the color. Would I ever get the chance to see my best friend again?

  Jase shot me a disarming smile, complete with dimples, as we joined his table, and my breath caught, wiping away every single coherent thought from my brain. “Good morning. Did you sleep okay?”

  Ugh. How did he do that? And with just a smile? A very sexy smile, my sort of functioning brain reminded me.

  It was too early to deal with all four of them, and I was beginning to regret leaving my room. I took an empty seat across from Zade and Kieran. Catching the scent of freshly brewed grounds, my eyes grew big. “Is that coffee?”

  Zade nodded and began pouring me a mug. “How do you like it?”

  “The stronger, the better.”

  Kieran wrinkled his nose. “Can’t stand the stuff myself.”

  I took the warm mug with both hands and brought it to my face, inhaling. “I can’t function without it. It smells amazing. God, I miss that.”

  “I’ll make sure the kitchen has plenty on hand for you,” Jase said, passing me a platter of what looked like diced potatoes with sautéed veggies.

  Setting the mug down, I kept my hands wrapped around it for the heat to counteract the cold remnants of Issik’s touch. “That’s not necessary. I don’t want to be any trouble. I’m sure I can manage brewing a pot when the mood strikes.”

  “If you change your mind, you only have to ask.”

  This feeling of being waited on was unsettling. I’d always envisioned having a massive house with cooks and maids to tend to my every desire would be glorious, but that wasn’t how I felt at all. I didn’t feel like a princess, regardless of my royal treatment.

  “I won’t,” I assured him.

  Forks clattered as breakfast resumed, and after piling a plate full, I took my first bite. The food tasted as exotic as the Veil, and I found it to be better, fresher, and more flavorful than earthly equivalents, including the coffee.

  “Can I ask you a question?” Kieran said, eyeing me from across the table. There was a glimmer of seriousness in his eyes.

  “Sure, fire away.” What did I have to hide?

  “Why were you living on the streets? Do you have no family who cares for you?” He hadn’t meant to drag up painful memories or judge me. I could see it in the softening of his eyes, but he was merely as curious about me as I was about them. And why shouldn’t he be?

  I swallowed. “I did have a family once. My mom… she was wonderful. She—” My voice hitched, getting stuck in my throat with the tears not far behind. “She got sick and passed away. I’ve been on my own since,” I rushed out before I lost it.

  “There’s a reason you were brought here. You won’t be alone ever again,” Jase offered matter-of-factly.

  Shit. They were going to make me embarrass myself. I wiped at my eyes, staring at my plate as I took a few minutes to gather my emotions.

  Kieran captured my stinging eyes. “We’ve all lost those we care about.”

  It was true. The five of us all had parents pass away. We knew the pain of missing those close to us. Was that a coincidence?

  A stirring wind came into the
room, rustling the plants out in the courtyard and blowing the curtains covering the open doors.

  “Tianna,” Issik announced.

  “It looks like we might be in for a storm,” Zade added seconds before the screams began, and a flood of darkness took over. It descended upon the sky, wiping out any light. Instinctively, my body tensed as worry and unease set in. Something was very wrong.

  “Blood bats,” hissed Issik.

  Uh. What?

  Before I got the chance to ask what blood bats were, in swooped a swarm of flying creatures as black as midnight, with eyes that glowed like the fires of hell itself. My hands mechanically covered my head as I curled down to hide under the table. I felt fleshy wings brush my hair and squealed.

  Nope.

  I don’t do bats, not of any variety.

  My head hit the edge of the table in my scramble to get to safety. I was a disaster magnet. A hand flew to my head, to rub the now tender spot on my forehead, and I gasped at a quick pain that sliced over my arm. Something bit me. Forgetting about my head, I cradled my arm, feeling the warm, wet flow of blood.

  The ground shook.

  My gaze shifted outwards to find that one of the descendants had transformed. Zade. His dragon form was tall and fierce. His neck lengthened as he straightened to his full, glorious height. The scales covering his body were a deep red, almost brown.

  Issik plucked me from my awkward spot, half under the table, and into his arms. “Hang on. Things are about to get toasty in here.”

  Bats circled the great hall with hunger in their beady red eyes. It was a damn good thing this room had vaulted ceilings. Actually, now that I thought about it, all the rooms in the castle had dragon-approved heights.

  Zade crouched in the doorway to the courtyard—his tail inside and his long neck stretching outside. Opening his mouth, he expelled fire, lighting up the bloodthirsty bats trying to get in. Their shrieks echoed throughout the Veil, and I huddled deeper into Issik’s chest.

  The creatures fluttering inside the hall were rounded up by Kieran and Jase. They herded them outside where Zade could finish them off.