by Rinelle Grey
Like her brothers.
She smiled at Damrian. “So I hear you’ve gone and found yourself a mate while I was gone?” she said teasingly. “I go away and suddenly everything is out of control.”
Her brother had the grace to look sheepish. “I know, I know. And you’ve only been gone a couple of weeks. But at least I knew Zara. Hayrian mated a woman he just met.”
Morian grinned. “Shifting the blame?” She wasn’t going to let him off that easily even though privately she agreed with him. “Well, Mum and Dad were pretty concerned for both of you. That’s why I’m back.”
Damrian frowned. He glanced back at the line of guests waiting and sighed under his breath. “We’ll, it’s probably safer here anyway.” He gave her a troubled smile, and Morian tried not to let his concern for her safety stir up her resentment again.
“I don’t know about that,” she teased. “Seems like I’m likely to end up mated if I hang around the two of you for too long.”
She’d expected Damrian to laugh that one off and tease back in kind, but instead, he frowned. “Now really isn’t the best time for mating, what with Mum and Dad away and all this stuff…” He glanced around then, as if suddenly realising they weren’t alone. “I can talk more once I’m done here. Zara’s out on the glass bottom tour boat for a few more hours, but Hayden should be up at the house if you want to go see him.”
Morian really felt like giving him a piece of her mind. If now was such a bad time for mating, why hadn’t he waited? Why hadn’t he told Hayrian to wait? But he was right. They could hardly talk openly here, as evidenced by the fact that he’d used Hayrian’s human name.
So instead of arguing, she said, “That’s the plan.” She gave Damrian a kiss on the cheek, then headed past the cabins, past the atrium where the guests filed in to collect their luggage and their keys, and up the path to the house.
She shrugged off her irritation at Damrian’s misguided attempt to protect her. She was used to it by now. Despite that, she was glad to see her brothers again. She couldn’t wait to ask them their mating stories, to see Zara again, and to meet Hayrian’s new mate.
“Anyone home?” she called out, pushing open the front doors.
Silence greeted her.
But not emptiness.
Hayrian was somewhere in the house, even if he wasn’t revealing himself.
By the time Morian was three, Damrian and Hayrian had both refused to play hide and seek with her. She always found them, no matter how good their hiding place was. As she’d grown older, she’d tried to suppress some of her life dragon powers in situations like that, but some things were harder than others.
“Hayrian? I know you’re here, so you might as well come out.”
Hayrian opened his bedroom door and peeked out into the hallway, wearing nothing but a pair of board shorts, probably hurriedly pulled on. “Mora? I didn’t know you were home.”
She didn’t need her life dragon magic, or even her knowledge of dragon mating customs, to know his mate was somewhere in the room behind him. Her sensitive dragon hearing picked up the shuffling of someone else pulling on clothes.
Morian couldn’t help giving a grin. She might not have experienced the mating bond herself, but she knew enough about it to know they wouldn’t be letting each other out of sight any time soon. “Obviously. If you had, you might have waited to have some private time with your mate.”
Hayrian gave her a disapproving look. “If I’d known, we would have come to the jetty to meet you.”
A woman peeked curiously over his shoulder then, her red hair mussed, and her clothes pulled on hastily. Hayrian glanced back at her, and the smile on his face was one Morian had never seen before.
The whole world was in his eyes as he stared at his mate, and her look was exactly the same as she stared back.
For some reason, Morian’s thoughts suddenly flicked back to the man on the ferry, to that moment of connection she’d felt with him. It was nothing like what she could see between Hayrian and his mate, it couldn’t be, she didn’t even know his name. But still…
She shook her head to clear the vision, frowning. She needed to watch herself. She’d come back to find out why her brothers were mated, not to get mated herself. She had enough things to worry about right now without dealing with that.
She pushed the thought away and focused on her brother. No doubt her mother would be shooting questions at her later, so she’d better have something to say.
Not that the conversation would be difficult. No matter what else, Morian was sure the couple were in love. The look that passed between them only confirmed that. Any fears their mother might have had of there being any other reason for the quick mating had to be unfounded.
“This is Audrey,” Hayrian said, drawing his mate forwards, but still keeping her protectively within the circle of his arms. “Audrey, this is my sister, Mora.”
“Hi,” Audrey said with a nervous smile. “I’m pleased to meet you. Hayrian has told me all about you.”
Morian looked from Audrey to Hayrian, who looked surprised at his mate’s words. Morian gave a grin. “Really? Just when did you find time to talk about me?”
Audrey’s face went bright red, and Morian felt a little sorry for her. “I… uh…” She glanced back at Hayrian, as though hoping he would save her.
He just grinned and shrugged. “Sorry. All dragons know what mating is like. Mora isn’t going to believe me, even if I make an excuse.”
His words didn’t ease any of the redness on Audrey’s face.
Morian felt guilty enough for her discomfort to give her a friendly smile. She waved back into the living room saying, “Come on, I want to hear all about it.
Hayrian followed her readily, drawing Audrey along with him as though they were attached at the hip. Morian didn’t comment on it though. She’d already embarrassed her new sister-in-law enough for one day. Now it was time to make friends.
As Hayrian and Audrey sat opposite her, she smiled at them both. “So, who’s going to start?”
She wasn’t surprised when it was her brother who spoke up. “I know things must seem sudden, but when I met Audrey, I just knew she was the one.” The two exchanged a loving smile. Apparently the knowledge hadn’t been one sided.
As Hayrian and Audrey took turns telling her their story, beginning with Audrey’s fiancé kissing another woman on her wedding day, Morian couldn’t help feeling a little jealous. Not of the bungled wedding, obviously, that sounded horrible.
No, she was jealous of her brother’s luck in finding his perfect mate. Hayrian had always been so sure he would never mate or settle down. And yet, seeing him patting Audrey’s hand as she spoke about how difficult it had been for her to trust again after her fiancé’s betrayal, Morian could see he truly was in love.
It had changed him. For the better.
It just made her parents’ excuse to send her home seem even more manufactured. Hayrian was blissfully happy, and Morian didn’t even need to see Damrian and Zara together to know that they would be the same. Her being here was pointless.
“That was when Mark arrived.” Audrey’s words caught Morian’s attention.
For some reason, she could suddenly feel a charge in the air, as though both Audrey and Hayrian were on edge. Something about this Mark was bothering them both. But what?
“Mark?” she probed.
Hayrian was nodding. “Her fiancé. Ex-fiancé,” he filled in. “And…” he stared at Morian as though he knew she could tell something was up. “He’s one of the senators on the dragon case.”
Morian’s sense of foreboding ramped up at his words. Was this why her parents had sent her home? Did they need her life dragon powers here?
But if so, why hadn’t they just told her?
“What happened?” she asked.
The more of the story Hayrian told her, the more certain Morian became that her parents hadn’t had any idea about Audrey’s former fiancé, just like the senator had no idea his
ex-fiancé was now mated to a dragon.
That had nothing to do with her being here, although the information could prove useful to them.
She was right back to being overprotected again. To not being able to do anything to help anyone. Morian heaved a sigh. Somehow she suspected, that was never going to change.
Not until she did something to change it.
Chapter 3
Finn waited patiently in the line of people picking up keys and being given directions to their rooms. He’d deliberately lingered, making sure he was at the back of the line, giving himself a chance to observe and study the man who had greeted them at the jetty.
He had some sort of connection to the woman, Finn’s target. Probably her brother.
He hoped it was her brother.
So long as that didn’t mean she had a mate back at the dragon clan.
Even if it would give her a valid reason for being at the lair. A reason none of his superiors could dispute. If he found out she had a dragon mate, his investigation would be done and he could go home.
He could go back to hiding at his desk like a failure. That was what he’d wanted this morning. To be left alone to wallow in pity, as far away from any dragons as he could.
But somehow, that thought had lost all appeal.
He could handle this. There were no dragons here. Just a fascinating woman who stirred all kinds of feelings in him. He needed to know if she had a dragon mate, and not just because that was his job.
And maybe she had some other reason for being at the lair. None of the other humans who had mated with dragons had left the lair for more than a few hours at a time. They’d been followed, of course, and had mostly gone to shops for supplies and the like.
No one had come this far. She was different, this one, in more ways than one. And Finn couldn’t help being intrigued, even though he knew he shouldn’t be.
Mora.
Even her name sent a shiver up his spine, and he couldn’t help hearing her voice introducing herself all over again, which was stupid, because he’d already known her name when he’d arrived at the ferry. It wasn’t as if it had been new information. Or even important. It told him nothing about her.
And yet, it kept rolling around and around in his head, keeping his mind busy until he was the only one still standing in line.
The man gave him an easy smile. “What’s your name?”
“Finn Harley.” Finn held out his hand.
The man hesitated for a moment, then he said, “Damien.” He shook Finn’s hand, his grip strong and sure. Then he looked through the list in front of him and said, “You’re in cabin six.” Damien handed him a keyring.
That settled that then. Damien was the name of one of Mora’s brothers. Finn couldn’t help feeling a surge of relief, as though a threat had just been eliminated.
Seriously, what was getting into him? Had that stress story held more truth than he’d realised? Was he losing it?
“Thanks.” Finn pocketed the keys, searching for something to say to keep the conversation going in the hopes of learning something more about this man. If he could strike up a friendship, he could be a source of information about Mora. For his report, of course, nothing more.
“So, what do you have to do to get a job around here, anyway? Seems like it’d be a pleasant place to work,” he asked casually. “Far less stressful than my job anyway.”
He wasn’t prepared for the man’s amused laugh. “Pleasant place to come for a holiday, but working here has its stressful moments. Hospitality is no picnic.”
Finn nodded easily. “That’s true of any job, I guess.” He filed that piece of information away to consider later, and instead reached for a pamphlet on the stand Damien manned. “Do you have any recommendations?” He waved to the list of activities.
“I’m rather partial to sailing myself.” Damien gave a grin. “It’s very relaxing if that’s what you’re after.”
Somehow, Finn couldn’t see it. Sailing seemed like nothing but frustration to him, all that waiting around to see where the wind took you. He’d rather take charge of his own direction.
But he didn’t say that. He just nodded. “Might have to give it a try, thanks.”
It wasn’t much, but he had an initial contact with the man now. If he saw Damien later, he could build on that. When you were undercover, there was no rushing things. He needed to take his time.
Right now though, he needed to get settled in, send off his initial report, even though he knew nothing new yet, and check out the lay of the land. So he said goodbye to Damien and headed off to check out his cabin.
Like most resorts—not that Finn had been to many, but he’d seen pictures online—it was simple, clean, and basic. The room had no cooking facilities other than a microwave and a kettle, probably everyone ate out at one of the many venues listed in the pamphlet. There was a neatly made double bed and a small table in one corner. The bathroom was small, but well appointed.
Most of the guests probably didn’t spend a lot of time in their rooms. Or if they did, they weren’t admiring the décor. But the room would do everything he needed.
Finn took a cursory glance out the sliding glass doors that led onto the veranda. From there he could simply step outside and walk the dozen metres to the water if he wanted to. He noted the view of the beach with couples walking along the shore, and then turned back to his room. He pulled out his laptop and sat down at the table, typing up his observations so far.
He'd only been writing for a few moments when an angry voice floating on the wind drew him away from the boring task. “It’s over!” A crash followed the words, and Finn winced. Not his problem. He needed to not get involved. This wasn’t what he was here for, and interfering could blow his cover.
But still, he couldn’t help getting up and walking over to the sliding glass doors to take a look.
The couple standing on the lawn were drawing plenty of attention.
The woman pointed her finger at the man, shaking it at him, her stance angry. “You think that just because we’re married now, you get a free pass to throw your washing on the floor and leave the toilet seat up? I thought you were different, but apparently you were just waiting until the deal was sealed, then you show your true colours, right?”
The man’s voice was soothing, placating. He held his hands up as if to ward off the woman’s fury. “No, Marie, I don’t think that at all. You know I don’t. I just… I forgot. That’s all.”
“That’s an excuse, and you know it,” the woman shouted back.
Finn glanced right and left, noticing several other couples standing around, watching the spectacle. A few more came up from the beach. Some were holding hands and looking concerned, but he saw a few shooting accusing glances at their partners.
He couldn’t help a slight grin. It was rather ironic, really, a lovers’ tiff setting off more of them.
“Well, it’s not like you haven’t had your share of excuses either, have you?” The man put his hands on his hips, apparently having had enough of placating. “You think I don’t notice you eyeing those lifeguards on the beach? Already looking for the next mark, huh?”
Both of them glared at each other.
“It’s fine to look. It’s doing something about it that’s the problem.” A woman from the crowd stepped up behind the arguing woman.
“Oh sure, you would say that,” her partner protested. He looked hurt.
This wasn’t amusing anymore. If this dissatisfaction spread, and it looked like it might, then it wasn’t going to be good for anyone. Finn bit back a sigh. Looked like he was damned if he did, damned if he didn’t.
He pushed open the sliding glass doors, hoping he could talk them down, when the crowd near the beach parted.
Mora.
“What’s going on here?” she asked cheerily. She looked from the woman to the man. “Is there a problem?”
“He thinks now that I’m his wife, I’m going to be his slave,” the woman started.
Finn folded his arms and leaned against the veranda post, watching. What would Mora do? You could tell a lot about a person by the way they responded to a crisis. What would this tell him about her?
If his earlier assumption that she was pampered and spoiled held, she’d probably leave someone else to deal with it. But Finn had already guessed that wasn’t who she was. She’d do something about it. The question was, what?
For the second time today, she turned and looked straight at him. It was more than a little disconcerting.
Finn stood up straight, a strange need to cooperate washing over him.
“Can you please move people on?” Mora said directly to him. She was on the other side of the circle of spectators, but he had no trouble hearing her quietly spoken words.
What’s more, he wanted to do what she’d asked. He wanted to help her.
The urge was at odds with his determination to stay out of it only a few minutes ago, and for a second, he had a strange feeling of dissonance, like something was wrong with the world. Then it vanished.
He turned to the couple nearest him. “You’re not helping,” he said roughly. “They don’t need an audience. Head back to your room.” To his surprise, though they looked a little disgruntled, the couple didn’t protest. And then they turned to go back to their room.
Finn moved on to the next couple.
Mora, meanwhile, was talking to the couple in the centre, the one who had started it all. “How long have the two of you been married?” she asked them casually.
“Two days,” the woman said sulkily. “Two days, that’s all it took for everything to change.”
“Of course it did,” Mora said reasonably. “You guys made a big commitment. Did you really think everything would just be the same?”
“Kinda,” the guy said with a shrug.
Finn kept moving the couples on, but he kept one eye on Mora, curious as to where she was going with this.
She smiled at the couple. “If you didn’t think things would change, then why did you get married?” she asked them both.
