by Kira Nyte
Apparently, this news was shock-worthy. The dragon leader’s eyes widened. A subtle ripple of scales rode up the muscles in his arms. His eyes flashed fire before his shoulders straightened and his chest puffed out.
“A female Keeper?” Lifemate?
Zareh caught the unasked inquiry behind Cade’s words. He nodded once.
“And where is she?”
“At one of the dead-and-breakfasts in town. I’ll be picking her up in a little while.” Zareh hitched a thumb toward the kitchen. “Mind if we take the conversation closer to the beers? I’m getting the feeling I might be needing one.”
As Zareh moved toward the kitchen, the huge bulk of ancient dragon at his back could have been the world coming down on his shoulders.
“Why is she alone?” Cade demanded in a growl. “You know how rare a female is.”
“This is all very new to her, Cade. Talius kept her heritage a secret from her. I’m trying to give her a little space while she adjusts to a life she doesn’t understand. Don’t worry.” Zareh pulled open the fridge and reached for a beer, then thought better of it. He didn’t want to go to his date with Kaylae a few drinks under before their night started. Besides, he didn’t care to mask his life’s situations with alcohol. He opted for a can of soda and snapped open the seal. “Nothing will happen to her.”
“That might explain how the Baroqueth traced you.”
“Through her?” He shrugged. “There’s a very good possibility.”
“How did she know where to find you?”
“She wasn’t searching for me. She didn’t know I existed until I saw her come into Howler’s.”
Funny how life works out.
Zareh filled Cade in on the events of the past day or so, including Kaylae’s lack of knowledge surrounding her Keeper lineage. He explained the new identity documents Talius had prepared for his daughter. Cade appeared as disturbed as Zareh felt when he mentioned his little Doe was never trained to control the barrage of outside thoughts.
“Talius did everything he thought he could to protect her, but at great disservice to her,” Cade said. Alazar just stared, all dreamy-eyed.
Zareh reached over the counter and snapped his fingers in front of his friend’s face. Alazar jerked and blinked several times.
“What?”
“You’re off on another planet.”
“I still can’t believe you have a potential lifemate. I’m jealous. I’d give my hoard to have my lifemate. Sorry, pal, but there are things that you just don’t give me that my lifemate can.”
“I have a great idea. Start looking for a woman instead of looking for gold. You have enough gold for several lifetimes.” Zareh took a hearty drink of soda. To Cade, he said, “If I were in Talius’s shoes, I would’ve done the same thing—keep all connection between me and my daughter as difficult to trace as possible. Schizophrenia is a better diagnosis than female Keeper. Not that she was diagnosed. Talius knew she really was hearing voices. But female Keeper? That places an automatic target on her back.”
“The lack of knowledge regarding her birthright could have placed her in unwitting danger. Had Talius told her what she was, if she were attacked before coming in contact with you, she would have understood why.” Cade tugged on his beard, the hard lines of his face set and creating deeper shadows in his cheeks. “This begs the question of how many other Keepers have children we aren’t aware of.”
“That it does.”
“Do you think there are other females?” The edge of hope in Alazar’s voice touched a sympathetic nerve in Zareh. They were practically brothers. Alazar understood the significance of a lifemate to their relationship. Despite Zareh’s loyalty to his friend, his priorities had taken a sharp turn the moment he met Kaylae and knew her for his own. Kaylae came first, just as any female Keeper would to her dragon. “I mean, maybe the Keepers discussed this among themselves. Siring females. Maybe they all agreed to keep them secret until the threat of the Baroqueth is eliminated.”
Cade nodded slowly, thoughtfully. “There is a possibility. The last time our dragon clan was on the brink of extinction, we did see an increase in female Keepers being sired. It’s a blend of the gods and nature’s powers to preserve our breed. But if the Baroqueth suspect Talius had a daughter, that would put all of the Keepers in imminent danger.” He turned his full attention on Zareh. “How old is Kaylae?”
“Twenty-eight.”
“Within two years after the war, Talius sired a daughter.” Cade dropped his hands on the countertop and growled. “I’ll have to make some calls. Some visits. I need to find out if there are any more females. It may be time we bring everyone back to The Hollow.”
Any other moment, Zareh would have been thrilled by the news. He missed his home tremendously. However, a mass exodus to their homeland was blatantly asking for a repeat of the war three decades ago.
“It might be in our best interest to assess the situation before making any moves. Let’s find out if there are other females and what their statuses are. Let’s try to find out how many Baroqueth have survived the last few decades and what forces we’ll be facing. We may be fine remaining spread out, but all Keepers and Firestorm clan dragons need to be made aware of the potential threat. I’ve lost my Keeper, but I’ve been rewarded with something of greater meaning. Other dragons may not be so lucky should their Keepers meet a brutal end, as Talius and Herald did.”
“You’re right, Zar.” Cade stood up. “Let me get to work. I’ll be in touch with you in the next few days. If I receive more leads about the Baroqueth slayers’ whereabouts, I’ll notify you. In the meantime, I’d suggest you bring your female here where you can better protect her.”
Zareh couldn’t agree more. “I’m planning on it.”
“Lovely.” Alazar sighed. “I’m going to have to deal with you two tongue-dancing and touching and doing all those lovebird things. Ugh.”
Zareh and Cade watched Alazar trudge out of the kitchen, shoulders slumped, and disappear down the hallway to his bedroom.
“Do you know if Kaylae’s mother maintains involvement in her life?” Cade asked.
“She doesn’t.”
Cade considered. “Time to do some detective work. If you need anything, call.”
Cade let himself out. Zareh rapped his fingers over the countertop, contemplating the impending danger. He could easily abandon Nocturne Falls, but after Kaylae’s week on the run, he doubted he’d be able to convince her to leave just yet. He would not leave without her. Besides, he rather liked this quaint little town. He and Alazar had friends and their side business, which kept them amused and occupied. Unless it was to return to The Hollow, he didn’t care to ponder the idea of leaving.
Chapter Eleven
The butterflies were relentless. Kaylae finished the final touches on her makeup, which wasn’t much, and looked herself over in the full-length mirror on the armoire door. Each minute closer to her date brought on a new flutter of those darn butterflies in her belly until she feared she’d be sick.
“This isn’t the first time you’re seeing him, girl.” She twisted to get a view of her backside. “And he’s seen you at your absolute worst.”
She was pleased with the dark blue halter dress and hoped Zareh would like it. Her heels were simple black pumps with a single ankle strap. Nothing too fancy, but nice. She had no jewelry aside from her earrings and a ring her father had given her. She kept her hair simple, partially pulled back with shorter strands brushing her cheeks.
Overall, she was a pretty simple woman.
A knock on her door alerted her to the time. She grabbed a delicate black cardigan off her bed and answered it.
Zareh’s appreciative smile warmed her cheeks, as did his gaze when he took her in slowly from head to toe. By the time he finished his perusal, a familiar lick of fire had crept around the green of his eyes, and his smile had dimmed.
Kaylae would be lying if her own once-over of the ridiculously gorgeous man in front of her didn’t le
ave her star-struck. Black pants and a charcoal-colored button-down shirt looked anything but simple on him.
Zareh cleared his throat. “Well, not exactly how I had envisioned my greeting for you.”
She frowned, glancing down at her dress. “Is it too much?”
“Oh, no, Doe. Not too much at all. It’s just that…” He gave another cough. “You look absolutely stunning.”
“Really?” She smiled up at him, doubt washing away when his smile returned more brilliantly than before. “I wasn’t sure where we were going.”
Zareh drew his arm from behind his back and held up a single red rose. Kaylae’s heart did a little double thump. She took the flower and brought the velvet petals to her nose, inhaling its sweet scent.
“Thank you.” She pressed up on her toes and placed a soft kiss to Zareh’s lips. “Its beautiful.”
“Nothing compared to you tonight.” He held out his arm. “Ready?”
“Of course.” Kaylae closed the door and hooked her arm through Zareh’s. “Show me the way.”
Kaylae couldn’t believe the turn her life had taken. At a point when she thought she was crawling around at the bottom of her life’s deepest, darkest pit, she stumbled into Zareh. Despite knowing the man for only a couple of days, she had never felt she knew someone better. He was perfection, a match that fit just right. For the last hour and a half, she’d pondered her time in his company, and realized his presence alone washed away the crippling effects of her anxiety. She sensed his emotions, his thoughts, his worries and his joys like an intimate lover might her partner of years.
Being around him calmed the voices.
Everything from the subtle spiced scent of his cologne to his gentle demeanor captivated her.
When he pulled up next to a restaurant called Guillermo’s with its pretty red awnings and sidewalk dining behind a cute iron gate, she couldn’t help but feel special. The topiaries on either side of the building twinkled with fairy lights similar to those in the courtyard at the dead-and-breakfast.
Enchanting. Everything about Nocturne Falls, about Zareh. Enchanting.
“I hope you like Italian,” Zareh said, helping her down from the SUV.
“Who doesn’t like Italian?”
Zareh laughed. “Good answer.”
With her rose in hand and Zareh’s arm about her waist, they headed toward their first official date. Each step eased her nerves as she sank into Zareh’s supportive hold. By the time they reached the restaurant’s door, she was all warm and tingly from being so close to him. Her lips ached for another kiss, as her fingers itched to discover just how muscly he was beneath that shirt.
Bad, bad Kaylae. Don’t be thinking like that. Not yet, at least.
“Welcome to Guillermo’s,” the hostess greeted with a bright white smile. Beneath her spill of wavy brown hair, Kaylae caught the hidden points of ears. “How many in your party?”
“I have a reservation under Luther,” Zareh said. Kaylae shot him a surprised glance, one he answered with a sexy smile and a wink. He leaned over, his lips brushing against her ear and sending warm chills to wreak havoc on her body. “Even I use an alias.”
She had to bite back the moan those whispered words and his gentle nip on her earlobe brought about.
“Ah, Mr. Luther. Follow me.”
A hand on her lower back, Zareh guided Kaylae through the restaurant in the hostess’s footsteps. At seven thirty, it was past the dinner rush and many of the tables were empty.
Kaylae glanced at her date when the hostess proceeded through a door, leading them onto a brick-laid patio. Zareh did his gloriously sexy grin thing, the one that made the world disappear and left Kaylae on the verge of making a swooning fool of herself. She averted disaster by a hair, turning her full attention to the courtyard dining space’s alluring ambiance. The soft dribble of water from a three-tier fountain at the center of the courtyard laid the groundwork for a soothing experience. Luscious ivy wove through a trellis overhead. Fairy lights blended like twinkling stars in the ivy, and along the perimeter of the patio. A soft melody played from unseen speakers, the essence of intimacy flowing through the notes.
Kaylae rested a hand over her chest, mesmerized by the beauty. She had slowed her steps to take in every little detail. A few other tables were occupied, but overall, the tables were situated so each offered some degree of privacy.
No one had ever treated her to something so romantic.
Zareh came around her when the hostess stopped beside a table near the back of the courtyard. He pulled out a chair facing the fountain and spread his hand in mute invitation for Kaylae to sit. She thanked him as he pushed her into the table and accepted the menu from the hostess.
Kaylae couldn’t wipe the smile from her face as the hostess left them. Nor did she want to. She laid her rose beside her place setting and drank in the view from across the way. Zareh arched one of his sloped brows and handed her a wine menu.
“You have this dreamy look about you, Doe.”
“I feel like I’m in a dream.”
Zareh tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. “This dream, sweetness, is your reality, should you wish it. Not just for today, but every day.”
Kaylae flipped open the wine list and went to task determining a good wine to hide the rose that surely deepened her cheeks. Zareh spoke the words she secretly wished to hear a man speak. He did all the right things, acted all the right ways. The sincerity behind his actions resonated in the depths of her mind, a fleeting connection between them that only grew stronger the more time they spent together.
Waiting for him to pick her up at the bed-and-breakfast had been agonizing. She never believed it could hurt to be away from someone, but it pained her to be separated from Zareh. To have him touch her, hand on her back, fingers against her face, was a gift. A drug she was hooked on.
That this dragon man went out of his way to woo her instead of taking it for granted they were lifemates…well, it damn near stole her heart.
Their server came by, introduced himself, and went over the specials. When he inquired about drinks and Zareh gave her an inquisitive eye, she let out a breathy laugh and shook her head.
“I’m going to trust your taste in wine is better than mine.” She handed the list back to Zareh. “Pick one you think I’ll like.”
He watched her for a long moment, a mixture of admiration and appreciation in his expression.
“All right then.” To the server, he said, “A bottle of your best elegant red. Something with a hint of cherries and chocolate, if possible.”
The server’s eyes lit and he left on his errand. Kaylae leaned an elbow on the table, resting her chin on the back of her hand.
“I don’t take you as a wine guy, but that was impressive. Elegant. Cherries and chocolate. Should I expect dessert in my glass?”
Zareh chuckled. “You can expect only the best in your glass and on your plate.”
“How about in my company?”
She was playing with fire and enjoying it. Flirting was not a natural quality of hers. Neither was confidence. Many of the qualities she found natural in Zareh’s presence had never been natural before.
“Now, now.” Zareh busied himself opening his menu, but peered at her over the top. The votive candle on the table lit his eyes at the same time it added a dark and seductive edge to the glow. Kaylae held back the urge to sigh. “I’m not egotistical. That’s for those young boys still trying to fit into their bulky skins.”
“And how old are you?” Now seemed a good time to broach the subject.
“Doesn’t that ‘don’t ask’ rule apply to men, too?”
“You know my age.”
“You’ve got me there.” Oh, when he moistened those lips, she could feel his tongue along her own lips. Bad, bad Kaylae. Wine might not be a good idea. “I’ll tell you only if you promise that you’ll compliment me on how young I look.”
“Not egotistical, huh?” Kaylae laughed and picked up her menu. “Deal.”
“I was born in thirteen ninety-two. Medieval times, and not the jousting horse show.” He did not look at her when he disclosed his birth year, sparing Kaylae the embarrassment of him witnessing her jaw drop. Apparently, he didn’t need to see it to sense it. “Doe, no need to be aghast.”
Kaylae shut her mouth, her teeth clinking together. She lowered unseeing eyes to the menu, trying to wrap her head around Zareh’s age. He was a dragon, she got that. Things worked differently when you had scales beneath all that nice, tanned, muscle-molded skin. She got that, too. But…over six-hundred years old?
“Yep.” It was a raspy sound and she immediately cleared her throat. Zareh snickered. Damn man. “You look pretty delectable for your age.”
And she just dropped the “D” word out loud. She needed to find a filter for her mouth. Fast.
She ducked behind her menu but it didn’t keep her skin from burning beneath Zareh’s humored perusal.
“Delectable isn’t a term used on me, but I think it fits you to a fault.”
Oh, sweet heaven. She was melting. A few more compliments like that and Zareh would need to mop her up off the floor, bottle her up, and cast some dragon spell to make her return to her bodily self.
“You never told me how you ended up in Nocturne Falls. I’m sure it wasn’t by happenstance.”
Maybe the change in topic meant he sensed she needed a reprieve from his persistent adoration. Not that she minded it. Just not while they were in public.
“After my uncle made me leave, I found a note on the steering wheel of the car. That note started a scavenger hunt of sorts. I punched in the address listed and when I arrived, a new address was in a new envelope. My first stop was at a family friend’s house. She gave me the envelope with my false documents, a new phone, and new credit card. Other documents are in there as well, birth certificate, passport, the basics.” Talking about her father and her uncle helped cool her libido. “When I showed up, the woman didn’t ask a single question. She handed me the envelope, wished me luck, and shooed me on my way.”
