A Dragon Speaks Her Name: A Nocturne Falls Universe story

by Kira Nyte

  “I’ve had the pleasure, yes.”

  “Good.” The sheriff leaned back in his chair, his fingers tapping the blotter on his desk. His gaze shifted to Kaylae and softened. “My sister told me you fainted at her bar and Zareh rescued you. Did you know each other before that incident?”

  Kaylae turned to Zareh for direction. He gave a vague shake of his head.

  “We’d never met,” she murmured. “I’m glad for his assistance. Nowadays people are reluctant to give a stranger a hand. He could have very well saved my life.”

  Zareh refrained from smiling at his Doe’s sincerity.

  “My father and Zareh knew each other for years, or so it’s my understanding. I was coming to look for him after my father’s passing.”

  The sheriff’s hard demeanor softened further. “My condolences on your loss.”

  Even Hugh appeared to hold an ounce of sympathy in light of Kaylae’s recent loss. “If you don’t mind my asking, what happened to your father?” he asked. His voice was smooth with an English accent.

  “He was murdered,” Zareh answered, sparing Kaylae the heartbreak of speaking out loud the brutal truth amidst this chaotic night. “Last week.”

  “And now we have someone ransacking her room?” Julian asked. He tapped a finger to his chin. “Sounds to me like she was the one who got away.”

  “I don’t find this situation humorous at all,” Zareh bit out. There went civility, as he’d feared. Cade really needed to get his Viking tail here. Like, yesterday. “Her life is in danger.”

  “I never implied this situation was humorous. Stating a fact, is all.”

  “Do you know who is pursuing you, Ms. Dane?” Sheriff Merrow sidled into the interrogation as the tension ramped up. Zareh could feel Julian’s eyes burning into him and chose to ignore the challenge.

  Again, Kaylae glanced to him for guidance, which earned him a curious and inquisitive look from Merrow.

  Relief washed through him when he heard the front door to the station swing open. Heavy footsteps pounded toward the office. Everyone’s attention shifted toward Sheriff Merrow’s doorway as Cade appeared, swallowing the opening with his massive size.

  Unfortunately, the sheriff was not impressed, nor was he intimidated.

  “You must be Cade.” Sheriff Merrow motioned to an empty corner of the office. “Come in.”

  Cade’s fiery eyes turned to Kaylae and lingered. A smile softened his hard edges before he resumed the role of ancient Firestorm leader.

  “Cade Fenryn.” Cade shook hands with the sheriff and the two vampires. “Before you proceed with this, sheriff, we must discuss a few important details. This is for the safety of my dragons, and the safety of the residents of your town. I will not speak further on this topic unless it is agreed that what is discussed within these walls remains between us. Should any of our identities become common knowledge, the repercussions could be devastating.”

  “I’m willing to agree to these terms. Our goal is not to bring harm but to find a solution to the problem that has arisen,” Hugh said. Julian and Sheriff Merrow nodded. “You have our word that the details of this meeting will remain confidential. If further discussion is required, we will reach new terms at that time.”

  Cade crossed his arms over his chest. Zareh settled back in his chair, resting a hand over Kaylae’s. He put everything behind the look they shared to promise her things would be okay.

  “It is my understanding that Zareh and Alazar are fire dragons. Part of the…what was it?” Julian thought for a moment, most likely for effect. Zareh couldn’t help but snort. The big bang was bearing down on them. “Ah, that’s right. The Glor clan. Ember shifters, correct?”

  Cade cast Zareh a carefully constructed glance. Then he turned his attention on Julian, Hugh, and Sheriff Merrow.

  Smoke rippled from the top of Cade’s head to the tips of his toes. In the brief moment he projected that ghostly cloak, he exposed exactly the breed of dragon he was in a flash of ruby-red scales with onyx tips, teeth more deadly than any vampire’s or wolf’s, and a tall crest befitting his leadership. Wings stretched out in a veil of smoke, the walls and ceiling causing the illusion to fizzle.

  Kaylae grabbed Zareh’s wrist, blinking at the image Cade created of his real self without transforming.

  A slew of foul words, words he wasn’t particularly against using himself, escaped the lips of the three members of Nocturne Falls’ elite.

  “The Glor are distant cousins. Very distant cousins,” Cade said, dispersing the last of the smoky illusion. His smile was devilish, devious, and quite amusing. So were the looks on Julian’s and Sheriff Merrow’s faces. Hugh maintained his dignity, but the shock didn’t fully leave his eyes. “Oh no. We are definitely not Glor. We’re something far more unbelievable.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  “The Atlantis of dragons and sorcerers,” Julian said after Cade finished relating the details of their situation, in particular how rare Kaylae was and how she must be protected at all costs. Awe was evident in Julian’s voice and the spark in his eyes. Sheriff Merrow and Hugh appeared just as invested in Cade’s story.

  “We never resided in this human realm prior to the war the Baroqueth brought down on The Hollow. I assure you, we are who I claim, and the danger of the Baroqueth is as real as you and I. I’m certain it won’t be difficult to accept this particular Atlantis when the Atlantis of paranormal creatures resides in the quaint little town of Nocturne Falls. Hmm?”

  For the first time, Kaylae received a description of what a Baroqueth slayer might look like.

  The dragonstone was never mentioned.

  Sheriff Merrow jotted down the description. Hugh and Julian discussed potential scouting routines and promised the protection Cade sought for Kaylae.

  At some point, Zareh must have retracted his hold over the voices in her head, allowing her to hear those belonging to the men in the room. Between spoken conversation and mental wisps of thoughts, she was exhausted before their session ended at an absurdly late hour.

  However, she did get some key information from the Ellingham brothers regarding a witch who might be able to aid their cause. She also learned that, though they maintained their outward cool, both brothers and the sheriff held Cade in high regard. Apparently being the oldest member in the room, and having some impressive power, came with benefits. That regard carried over to Zareh and Kaylae.

  Kaylae had never felt more important in her life, or more of a burden.

  Now, at three in the morning, her eyes felt gritty and dry and her bones flimsy under non-existent muscle as Zareh carried her half-sleeping self into his house. She barely registered Alazar rushing toward them, rambling on about the meeting and asking what had happened. Zareh gave him the nutshell version, the rumble of his voice filling Kaylae with calm as it resonated through his chest.

  “Cade will be coming shortly. He’s decided it’s best if he remains until we can locate the Baroqueth and put an end to their latest foray,” Zareh told Alazar.

  “Good. We can use his brute strength. Do you need help?”

  “No. Go to sleep. I’m going to settle her in.”

  Kaylae nestled deeper into the cradle of his arms, her ear pressed to his chest. The strong thump of his heart eased her fears. Oh, she was a sucker for his voice, the strength in his hold, and the heat pulsing off him.

  Whatever. She was a sucker for him.

  Kaylae peeled her lids up as Zareh nudged open a door to a room at the back of the house. Familiar scents—subtle cologne, hints of fire pit smoke, and spice—wrapped her in the most decadent of blankets. She lifted her head from his chest and glanced around. It was a masculine room, smaller than she imagined for him, but rich and cozy. The king-sized bed swallowed most of the space, but dark wood furniture, a wall-mounted flat screen, and beautiful paintings hung with precision on the walls put every inch of space to use.

  “Mm, somehow it fits you,” she said softly, giving a little twist of her body. Zareh eased her
to her feet and held her waist until she was steady. “First things first.”

  Kaylae leaned down and unbuckled the ankle straps of her pumps. She kicked off her shoes and moaned. Her feet ached. It had been at least a year since she wore anything other than flip-flops or sneakers.

  Zareh scooped her back up and brought her to the bed, where he set her down on an incredibly plush comforter. For a long moment, he hovered over her, staring down at her without a word.

  “I’m sorry tonight ended the way it did,” Zareh said. “You didn’t deserve that invasion, or the fear.”

  “Who says it has to end?” The words left her lips on their own accord, but her body backed them up. She reached for him.

  “Do not make the suggestion, Doe. You have no idea how badly I want you.”

  Kaylae slipped her hands over his hard shoulders and locked them at the back of his neck. “Just a little taste. It’ll help me sleep better.”

  * * *

  A sliver of sunlight streamed through the pulled curtains, cutting across the foot of the bed. Kaylae stretched her arms over her head, her mouth consumed by a sleepy smile. Zareh, ever the perfect gentleman. They stayed awake until the sky started to lighten in the predawn hours, and in those few moments when she wanted everything from him, he refused. She probably wouldn’t have regretted it if they had sex, but his utter control was another hook in her heart.

  Oh, boy, did she have a great night’s sleep.

  Turning her head on the pillow, she found the space beside her empty. She reached over and patted the mattress. The sheets had cooled to room temperature, which meant Zareh had been up for a while.

  “If this is going to be a permanent arrangement, dragon, we’re having a talk about morning bed etiquette.”

  Kaylae climbed out of bed, grabbing up her discarded dress to hold against her while she picked out an outfit for the day—she had to search for her clothes, which Zareh must’ve put in his closet while she slept—and headed to the adjoining bathroom.

  Clean, dressed, and semi-presentable for the day, she left the bedroom and followed the sound of quiet voices to the kitchen.

  She came up short in the archway when she saw not only Zareh, Cade, and Alazar, but Willa with a big, muscled man.

  Zareh set his mug on the counter and came straight to her, greeting her with a shameless kiss. Kaylae pressed her palms flat against the slope of his chest where his shirt was unbuttoned.

  “Hello, Doe,” he whispered against her lips before leaning back.

  “And to you, dragon.”

  Yep, no regrets to be had.

  When she found the clock over the oven, she swallowed. Maybe one regret.

  “Two in the afternoon? Where did the day go? Why didn’t you wake me up?”

  “Ah, we weren’t doing anything today,” Alazar said, his lips curling in a brighter-than-the-sun smile. He pressed off the counter where he was resting and pulled a mug from one of the cabinets. “Zar said you’re a coffee addict. Fresh pot brewing for you. How ’bout food? What do you want?”

  “Al loves to cook. Humor him,” Zareh said before Kaylae knew she had a question brewing. “Like eggs benedict? He makes a killer plate.”

  “Home fries to go with it? Or sliced fruit? Willa, you want something? I’m not feeding your stone man. Last time I did, he spit the burger out.”

  Kaylae watched in amazement as Alazar pulled different ingredients from the fridge and cabinets without so much as stopping to see what he was grabbing. If that were her, she’d be reading every label alongside a recipe. She didn’t cook.

  “Seriously? I spit it out because you made me laugh.”

  Alazar rolled his eyes. “Whatever.”

  “I’ll take one of those eggs benedict and I’ll bet you a gold coin that—”

  “No,” Zareh, Cade, and Willa all snapped. Kaylae smacked a hand over her mouth, but a sharp chuckle managed to escape. Alazar went from bright-eyed anticipation to deflated boy in an apron.

  The man flicked his pointer finger at Alazar and winked. “Next time, but I still want your cooking.”

  Zareh brought Kaylae to the kitchen table where Willa and the man were seated. Alazar muttered under his breath as he spread his ingredients over the island. Willa straightened in the chair, her aqua eyes aglow and her fairy ears in plain view with her hair pulled back in a loose ponytail.

  “Willa. Nick. This is Kaylae,” Zareh introduced.

  Nick stood and leaned over the table, extending his hand. Kaylae accepted the shake, her hand dwarfed in his. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Officially,” Willa agreed, stunning smile confirmation and all.

  Kaylae took a seat in the chair Zareh pulled out for her to Cade’s right. She found an instantaneous comfort in the company of this particular group. Willa, beautiful and serene and magical, put her mind at ease. There was something about Nick’s hulking demeanor that said even when he smiled, his guard was never down.

  Cade?

  She would cut off her hand to stay on his good side. The guy was downright scary. He redefined ‘terror’ after his stunt with the smoke-and-mirrors dragon in Sheriff Merrow’s office.

  “We’ve been told you’ve had a very eventful time since arriving in Nocturne Falls,” Nick said.

  He took a sip of his coffee, glancing over her shoulder as he did. Zareh leaned against the back of her chair and lowered a cup of steaming coffee in front of her, light with milk and smelling of sugar. She took a small sip and sighed. Heaven.

  Kaylae leaned her head against Zareh’s hip. “Perfect. Thanks.” Wrapping both hands around the hot mug, she shrugged. “Eventful is putting it lightly. I’ve been on my toes.”

  “Zar’s been taking good care of you though?”

  “Don’t mind Nick. Ex Army-Ranger, rare leviathan gargoyle class, fae queen’s fiancé. He high-shines his mighty protector badge.” Alazar’s lighthearted rambling drew everyone’s attention. The guy had every burner loaded with pots and pans. Kaylae couldn’t even begin to make sense of what he was preparing. He stopped his super-speed dicing, brows furrowed. “Oops. Sorry, Willa. Didn’t mean to say that.”

  “I abdicated the throne to my youngest sister. I’m not queen anymore.”

  That drew Kaylae’s attention back to Willa and Nick. Willa covered Nick’s hand with hers, eyes glittering with raw love. Kaylae’s heart double-thumped and wings brushed the insides of her belly. She hoped that one day, that was how she and Zareh looked at each other.

  “Nocturne Falls is my home.” Willa turned back to Kaylae. “I love everything about it here. The Ellinghams helped me when I needed it most. I have my business and clientele. I have Nick. I’m happy. A throne and a crown couldn’t give me what I already had.”

  “So, you’re a fairy?” Kaylae asked.

  “Fae. Lapidus.” Willa laughed, an airy, musical sound, when Kaylae arched a brow. “Seems there are a lot of rarities in this room.”

  Only a fool would’ve missed the underlying implication to Willa’s otherwise harmless comment.

  “We’re all in good company,” Cade intercepted, leaning back in the chair. Kaylae silently thanked him for the interruption, although she cautiously eyed the legs of the chair beneath his immense size. The beast of a man needed a bigger chair. Heck, he needed a bigger table. For himself. “Al, how’s the food?”

  “Like anything in life, patience makes perfect.” A burst of sizzles flooded the kitchen, followed by the aromatic scents of herbs and peppers. “You already ate.”

  “My appetite is insatiable. And it’s ‘practice.’”

  “A restaurateur’s dream customer. Patience fits the situation more accurately. I’ve had plenty of practice.”

  Zareh finally settled in the chair beside Kaylae, his hand resting on her knee beneath the table. The simple touch warmed her insides and made her slosh coffee over the rim of her mug. He grabbed a napkin from the holder at the center of the table and dried her hand.

  “Willa, I was going to pay you a vi
sit today, but since you and Nick dropped by, I have a favor to ask.” Zareh crumpled up the napkin and pitched it at Alazar. The dragon ducked, scowled, and threw a slice of fresh-made bread at him. Kaylae wasn’t the only one gaping by the time the bread skidded across the table. Zareh had somehow turned it to toast. When he looked at her, the fire in his eyes banked and he smiled. “I’m looking—”

  “Hold up. What the heck just happened there?” Nick asked, pointing to the toast. Cade picked it up, scrutinized it front and back, then took a big bite. Crumbs trickled over his beard.

  “Good bread, Al,” Cade said, and took another chomp.

  “Zar?” Nick pressed. “I’ve see the fire come out of your mouth, but that was…I don’t know.”

  “Show off,” Kaylae said.

  Zareh laughed. “A little trick, that’s all. As I was saying, I was hoping to commission a piece from you, Willa. To protect Doe.”

  “Doe.” From Nick.

  “My nickname,” Kaylae clarified. She felt terrible that Willa and Nick looked as confused as she had felt after waking up in the clinic and being hit with information that simply should not have been real. “Courtesy of your living, breathing toaster.”

  Willa’s shoulders grew straight and stiff. Her lips pursed and her eyes clouded over for a brief moment. She shot Nick a lingering glance before her attention fell on Zareh.

  A strange, heavy silence fell over the table, except for the crunch from Cade finishing up the piece of toast. Nick grew edgy, shifting in his chair. Kaylae tried to decipher the unspoken conversation going on between Zareh and Willa—damn jealousy wanted a piece of the action, too—until Cade cleared his throat.

  “Zareh.” The leader spoke her lifemate’s name in a tone brimming with warning.

  “She…knows,” Zareh murmured thoughtfully. To Cade, he added, “She saw the jewel.”

  “What jewel?” Nick demanded. “Willa?”

  Willa’s head shifted enough to turn those eyes on Kaylae. “Pandora said that her stepdaughter-to-be couldn’t make sense of a customer’s aura the first day you came by my store.” Her eyes narrowed and her head tilted, slender shoulders relaxing slightly. The close scrutiny made Kaylae itch in her skin. Something told her this wasn’t a good thing. “Then you brought the stone over to me. I recognized the energy from that stone only from stories I heard when I was younger, but thought perhaps I hadn’t slept well or I was hungry. It wasn’t possible, but it is.”