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CHAPTER TEN

H ow had he upset her again? His father had drilled into him the fact that ladies want only a man of wealth and status. And yet… he couldn’t forget the look in her eyes as she gazed at his painting.

Was she offended that he had dismissed his own painting? Yet they’d seemed to have a moment when she confessed to the emotion the piece evoked within her. Warmth filled him. Never had anyone else been so interested in his art.

He hadn’t known how to react. His father had always ridiculed his desire to paint, and even his mother seemed to view art only as an expensive hobby. But his father had hung his painting here in his beloved gallery, so perhaps he’d seen something worthwhile in it.

No! Aurie shook his head. He couldn’t compare with the greats.

He studied his painting again, recalling the look of awe and wonder on Melora’s face. It had almost rivaled the expression she’d worn when she first entered his house. Why had she found such a simple painting so captivating? His breath caught just thinking about it. Melora was the first person to see it—to truly see him .

He had longed to see that wonder in her face again, and he couldn’t imagine a more beautiful sight than sunrise over the gold of Everrose and the garden. Of course, he’d also hoped it would put Melora in mind of his wealth, elevating him in her eyes. He couldn’t imagine why she’d become almost angry at his suggestion.

“You may watch the sunrise over your wealth, but I will not.” Her words echoed painfully in his mind.

Was she truly as unimpressed with his wealth as she pretended? Perhaps it somehow made her feel inferior. If only he could make her understand how all of this could be hers. How his wealth meant nothing without someone in his life to make it matter…

He shook his head at the directions of his thoughts. She must have misunderstood something, for he simply couldn’t make sense of her refusal. He would give her one more chance before giving up. And if she still refused to view the marvel of his garden at sunrise, perhaps she would give him a reason.

Early the next morning he hesitated outside her door. Should he chance waking her up if she wasn’t a morning person? His fist hovered near the door. He longed to see her again. To impress her with everything that could be hers… Would he miss his opportunity if he failed to knock now?

Sucking in a breath of determination, he firmed his resolve and knocked at her door, his stomach clenching.

He heard only the stillness of the morning.

He knocked louder the next time, hoping he wasn’t waking her. “Miss Melora, if you are amenable, I’d love for you to join me to see the sunrise this morning.” He knocked again for good measure. “Melora?”

The minutes stretched until he finally heard some sound from the room. His heart felt ready to leap right out of him with excitement when she opened the door.

“What’s wrong? Why are you pounding on my door so early?” Tired eyes peered up at him from beneath a mass of adorably mussed hair. Charming tendrils escaped a long braid, and one of those locks curled under her chin, pointing up toward her full lips. Suddenly, all he could think about was kissing those lips and tangling his hands in her hair.

Don’t forget what your touch did to your mother! his own mental voice admonished him. Reining in those wild thoughts, he clasped his hands behind his back to prevent them from doing other things. Swallowing hard, he said, “I-I thought you’d like to watch the sunrise with me. It’s an exquisite sight—the way it crests the mountains and bathes the manor in brilliant light, setting it all ablaze.”

She groaned and pressed a fist to her forehead. “You woke me before dawn to see the sunrise I specifically told you I don’t want to see?”

How could his heart be galloping one moment, only to feel like it was falling out of his body the next? He swallowed three times before his throat could work again. “I, uh… thought you might appreciate the opportunity. I didn’t want you to miss it if my faux pas was the only thing keeping you— That is to say, I’m sorry.”

She groaned again, more dramatically this time. “Well, you should be. Your wealth and my obligation to be here do not add up to me being at your beck and call. Goodnight.”

The door snapped shut in his face. It felt as if his feet had been knocked out from under him. He couldn’t breathe as the flame against his heart pulsed. Of course she wasn’t opposed to the sunrise, she was opposed to him . His hand clutched at his heart as pain rippled down his body. His vision blurred, and he stumbled backwards, his hand hitting the wall to break his fall.

Not again!

He blindly staggered away from her door and down the stairs. Pins and needles prickled across his skin, cutting into his fingers as claws began to grow from them. He needed to leave the castle. The change was always better when he had more room. Except, there wasn’t time.

A groan of pain tore through his lips, turning into a growl as the pain intensified. Spines rose from his vertebrae all the way down his back and into his tail as it lengthened. He roared again as his limbs and body continued to expand to three times his usual size, shredding his clothing while his skin turned into iridescent scales.

Heaving a sigh of relief as the transformation ended, he lay upon the golden floor, feeling helpless and exhausted, his heart still racing. Any control he’d had over the timing of his transformations was completely gone. What reason did he have to be human, anyway? Melora obviously hated him. He closed his eyes, vaguely wondering what he would do now.

A rhythmic pattering descended the stairs. Was someone coming? Why? Melora had gone back to sleep. What if he’d awakened one of the servants? Moaning, he covered his face with a massive paw. How embarrassing!

“Dragon?” The sweet unexpected voice sent a shiver down his spine. “What has happened? Are you well? You sounded like you were in pain?” Soft hands stroked his scales, making his insides quiver. A year without any affectionate touch now melted him under her fingers.

He slid his paw from one eye to peer up at her gratefully, uncertain what to say. He couldn’t quite believe that she had come to comfort a dragon when he knew she had been angry. She continued her ministrations as she sat beside him, her hands stroking down his face and back, soothing away the pain he had just experienced.

He moaned softly.

“I’m sorry you are in pain. I wish I could do more to help you.”

More? Melora, you are a treasure. Your gentle touch is a healing balm. Especially after he’d frightened her the last time she’d seen him as a dragon.

She chuckled in a self-deprecating manner but didn’t stop stroking him. “Me? I doubt it. Nothing I do ever seems to make a difference.”

His ears pricked up at this absurd statement. You are making a difference to me right now. And I believe you made quite a difference to your sister. It was a brave thing for you to do, offering yourself instead.

Her hands stilled. She remained silent for so long that he was beginning to worry he’d somehow said the wrong thing. When he shifted his head to see her face, tears glistened upon her cheeks.

Blast. I’ve said the wrong thing, haven’t I? I apologize. I seem to keep making things worse. He lifted his large paw to wipe away her tears, thought better of it, and laid his head down with a huff. He was a dragon, for Vilastoria’s sake. Of course, he was making life worse for her.

Insecurities ate at him. Much as he would love to keep reveling in her touch, he should let her go back to bed, where she’d wanted to be when he’d rudely awakened her not once, but twice.

He was a putz.

Reluctantly, he sat up. Forgive me. I’ve imposed upon your good graces long enough. I’ll be fine now. You may go back to bed. I didn’t mean to wake you.

He began clambering to his feet.

“Wait!” Her soft voice gave him pause, her small hand pressing against his scales.

He looked down into her luminous eyes.

“Thank you.”

Thank you? What could she possibly have to thank him for?

“For what you said.”

He lowered his head so he could see her more clearly.

“No one has ever said anything like that to me,” she continued.

His large reptilian brow furrowed.

“My sister… I’ve done my best to care for her, but I’m afraid it will never be enough. I may have kept her from being sacrificed to a dragon, but for how long? What next? Perhaps I should have let her come here instead. You’re not that bad.”

His lips twisted. I’m grateful that I’m not that horrible of a host.

“Oh! I didn’t mean—” Then she noticed his expression and laughed, shoving against his leg. “You know what I mean. You’re a dragon! I had no idea what to expect.” A smile played at her lips before her expression became serious. “You see, he wanted to marry me off to that horrible man. I cannot bear for my sister to face that fate too.”

He bobbed his head up and down. I know. Hopefully, his mental voice wasn’t too gruff or forceful. Having seen what her father planned for his daughter, both daughters, he didn’t want to frighten her with his fury.

She peered up at him tenderly, making his heart take flight. In this moment, he would do anything for her.

“I don’t know if you realize this, but I also owe you my thanks for saving me from having to marry Sir Calix.”

His throat bobbed up and down at the kindness and—dare he hope?—affection, shining through her suddenly watery eyes.

“Thank you.” She sniffed and dabbed at her eyes before giving him a forced smile.

What should he do? He constantly seemed to make a mess where this woman was concerned. Even when trying to help her, he brought her to tears.

“I apologize. I didn’t mean to get all emotional. It’s just… when I think about what almost happened with Calix—I’m just so grateful that you showed up when you did.” Before he could think about what to say to that, she flung her arms around his neck.

He stood completely still as warmth rushed over him.

Was she reacting this way to his rescuing her or was it his earlier compliment that unleashed this affection? Either way, he planned to shower her with compliments. Also, he would rescue her anytime… provided she didn’t end up as his newest golden ornament.

Her eyes shone for a moment, making him forget everything but the molten honey of those gems.