Page 3 of Purple Protector (Eiloren Clan #3)

A ARON WAS FREAKING out. He looked at his reflection in the mirror and snatched his phone from the dresser to call Lucy. He didn’t give her time to speak when she answered.

“I can’t do this. It’s going to be a disaster, and you’re going to hate me. You might even get fired because of me. I can’t have that on my conscience.”

“Breathe,” Lucy ordered.

Aaron forced himself to obey. He breathed in and out a few times, trying to calm his racing heart. It worked, but not completely. He was still a wreck, even though he was a wreck who was breathing easier.

“Why are you freaking out so badly?” Lucy asked

“I’m meeting the king in half an hour.”

“Which you knew would happen. That’s why you’re there, Aaron. You’re supposed to meet the king and his consort and talk to both of them. This is the interview?”

“Not yet. He wants to meet me first.”

“That’s a good thing. He wants to get to know you.”

“He wants to vet me. He has a family to protect, Luce.”

“And you have a job to do. You can be very charming when you want.”

“Never on purpose. This is going to be a disaster.”

“Not if you’re yourself and honest. I spoke with Killian through emails a few times, and he’s really nice.”

“I know.” Aaron huffed. “But he’s a king.”

“To a small clan of dragons. Yes, it’s important for you to talk to him, but it’s not the end of the world if he dislikes you.”

“I don’t know about that. He’s sending his personal bodyguard to escort me to his office. What if they make me disappear?”

“You’ll be fine,” Lucy insisted as someone knocked on the door.

Aaron started freaking out again. “They’re here.”

“They’ll take you to Killian’s office and back, and that’s it. They’re not going to drag you into a dark corner and kill you. The clan needs this as much as you do. Stop freaking out and do your job.”

Since Aaron didn’t want to get kicked out of the clan right away, he forced himself to do what Lucy had told him. He hung up, breathed deeply, and went to open the door.

Only to find himself face-to-face with Birch.

Aaron gaped. He’d wanted to see Birch again, but he hadn’t seen him in the dining hall yesterday evening when he’d had dinner there.

He’d hoped that Myra would sit with him, but of course, they weren’t friends.

She’d left him alone at the table, and he’d spent the evening watching the dragons around him.

Most of them had been watching him, which was awkward and uncomfortable, but he understood. He was a newcomer, and he was human to boot. Of course the dragons were curious about him.

Birch hadn’t been at breakfast, either. Aaron had started to wonder if it was because he was visiting the clan or something like that, but now, Birch stood in front of him. How had he found Aaron? Had he asked people about him?

“Hi,” Aaron said.

Birch smiled. “Hi.”

“I’d love to chat, but I’m waiting for someone,” Aaron blurted out. He hated that he didn’t have time to talk to Birch. Between his personal life and his professional one, though, only the professional one was important.

Birch cocked his head. “You’re waiting for one of the king’s guards, right?”

“Yes. They’re supposed to pick me up and bring me to the king’s office.”

Birch stepped away and gestured toward the end of the hallway. “If you’re ready, we can go.”

Aaron stared at him. “You’re the king’s guard?”

“Is that a problem?”

“No. I just didn’t expect you to be the dragon who picked me up today.”

“Who did you expect?”

“I didn’t realize that you were a king’s guard.”

“Well, I am, and since Killian’s waiting for you, we should probably go.”

Aaron hated how flustered he was and that it was because of a cute dragon. He needed to get a hold of himself and stop running his mouth. “Yes, I’m ready.”

He picked up his messenger bag, even though he wouldn’t be interviewing Killian today. He wanted to be ready for anything, just in case. “We can go.”

Birch’s smile was still very much present. Aaron hoped he was smiling because he was amused and not because he thought Aaron was an idiot who wouldn’t last three days with the clan. No, Aaron was aiming for at least four before he did something stupid that got him kicked out.

He eyed Birch. Maybe he could make it to five if it got him a chance to talk to Birch in a more personal setting.

* * * *

B IRCH DIDN’T MISS THE way Aaron kept glancing at him. He wasn’t sure if it was because the man was interested in him or because he was interested in dragons, but he kind of wanted to find out. He might have asked if he hadn’t thought it would fluster Aaron more than he already was.

In any other circumstance, that would’ve been cute, but Aaron was about to meet Killian. To Birch, Killian was a friend, but to most other people, he was a king. That brought a certain uneasiness and anxiousness when people had to meet him, and Birch didn’t want to make things worse for Aaron.

Besides, Aaron was working. He wasn’t here to have a fling, no matter how attractive he was or the way he was watching Birch.

They needed to keep things professional between them, and the easiest way to do that would be to ignore how cute Aaron was and focus on the reason for his presence with the clan.

“Are you excited to meet the king?” Birch asked because the silence between them was getting heavy.

“More than excited, I’d say I’m terrified.”

“You have no reason to be. Killian’s a good king.”

“Oh, I’m sure he is. I mean, everything I’ve heard about him points to that, including what my best friend said.

No, I’m terrified because this isn’t what I usually do.

Lucy was supposed to come, and she’s a great journalist, but I’m just me.

I mean, I wouldn’t say I suck at writing, but I’m definitely not at her level.

I told her that when she asked me to come in her place after she broke her leg, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer.

She’s very stubborn. We’ve been friends for a while, and I know better than to try changing her mind when she’s focused on something. ”

Aaron was babbling, which made him look even more endearing. How could one man be everything Birch wanted?

He shouldn’t be thinking about Aaron that way.

Aaron wasn’t here to stay, and sleeping with him would make everything more complicated.

Aaron didn’t seem like the kind of person who enjoyed one-night stands and not having feelings involved in bed.

Even if he was that kind of person, Birch didn’t think it would be easy to let him go.

No, it was better to keep his distance, even though Aaron made it incredibly hard.

“And, you know, I wouldn’t say I’m not a real journalist, but I also wouldn’t say that I am one.” Aaron was still talking. “I do write for an online magazine, but it’s nothing like what Lucy does. Mine are puff pieces. She deals with serious things.”

“Puff pieces?” Birch asked.

Aaron seemed almost surprised to realize that Birch was listening to him.

It made Birch wonder if a lot of people in Aaron’s life dismissed him.

From the way he spoke, he might be the first to do so.

He made it sound like what he did for a living wasn’t important, especially next to what his friend Lucy did.

“You know,” Aaron explained. “Articles about movies and TV series and about where famous people go to eat and things like that.”

“I agree it probably wouldn’t appeal to everyone, but the same goes for more serious articles, right?”

Aaron’s cheeks flushed. “I guess. I just never saw it as something as important as what Lucy does.”

“Would you want to do what she does?”

Aaron chuckled. “I am, aren’t I? I still don’t know why she decided to give this opportunity to me, but I’m grateful. I’m also extremely anxious about it. What if I fail? What if everything I write sucks?”

“I don’t think it will,” Birch said softly. He grinned when Aaron’s cheeks turned even redder. He was flustering the human without even trying.

Luckily for both of them, they’d reached the hallway where Killian’s office was.

When Birch stopped at the open door they needed to go through, Aaron snapped his mouth shut.

His eyes widened as he froze, and for a moment, Birch worried that he wasn’t breathing anymore.

Then Aaron shook his shoulders, squared them, and nodded.

“I’m ready,” he said.

Birch pressed his lips together so he wouldn’t smile like an idiot. The door was open, as it usually was, but he still quickly knocked before stepping in. Tito would have his ass if he didn’t respect protocol and general politeness.

Tito was behind his desk and looked up when he heard Birch. Aaron seemed confused at Tito’s presence, but he didn’t say anything. He looked around the room as if he expected Killian to be hiding in one of the closets or under Tito’s desk.

“You’re two minutes late,” Tito said.

Birch rolled his eyes. “Is Killian ready?”

“He is.” Tito turned his attention to Aaron. “I’m Tito, the king’s personal assistant. It’s a pleasure to meet you.”

Aaron rushed forward, tripping over his own feet. He shook Tito’s hand, as eager as a puppy. Birch didn’t miss the way Tito smiled. He’d been softening since he’d fallen in love, and it was good to see, even though he could still be a terror when he wanted to.