Page 7

Rachel

I t takes Zahraxis a few tries of exhaling golden breath to conjure clothing, only for everything to fade to shimmering wisps before our eyes. This prompts Finn to huff with impatience and blow a gust of red smoke at the other man. Once it finally dissipates, Zahraxis is clad in simple cargo shorts and a plain white T-shirt that hugs his cut torso. It offers a stark contrast to his dark skin and the gold band holding his coiled hair back from his face.

"Couldn't we just fly?" I ask after watching the whole production. Zahraxis sneers, earning a chuckle from Finn.

"He doesn't have the power to shift without losing his mind again, and he won't ride. It would be beneath him," Finn explains.

So we're walking.

The hike back down the mountain with the pair of men at my side feels like a dream, and I have to surreptitiously pinch myself to prove it's real. It's slow going, due to Zahraxis pausing to snack on berries and request words for every random object on the path.

"Where is he from?" I ask.

"He understands you. You can ask him," Finn says, nodding toward the other man.

"I'm not sure I can understand him, though," reply, cheeks heating. Languages were never my strength.

Zahraxis returns from up the path, grinning and holding up one of the ripest, juiciest blackberries I've ever seen. He holds it out to me and says, "Open, Rachel."

My stomach flips at the very idea that he wants to feed me. I open, and he gently places the berry on my tongue. The moment I bite down and the sweet-tart juice blasts across my tastebuds, his mouth is on mine, warm and sensuous, his tongue teasing past my lips to share the treat. My legs go wobbly and my entire body heats, but Finn is behind me, shoring me up against the onslaught of Zahraxis' power.

Finn utters a warning to the other man, and when I open my eyes after he pulls away, there's a faint wisp of shimmering golden smoke swirling around my head.

"Wh-what was that?" I ask.

"Feels good?" Zahraxis asks.

"Don't waste your power, brother," Finn says. "Let's rest first, okay?"

Zahraxis waves dismissively, glancing at me with renewed hunger. "She has more to give."

My panties are uncomfortably wet again, and I almost wish I hadn't put them back on, but the only thing less comfortable than wet panties are wet denim shorts. Zahraxis’ comment makes me wonder what my own aura looks like. When I activate my dragon sight to look at each of them, I'm met with banked desire from both men. Zahraxis' aura is an agitated crackle of red and gold lightning, volatile, but under control; Finn's is a steadier pulse of magenta—desire mixed with patience.

We start walking again, and I hesitantly touch Zahraxis' arm. "Can you tell me about your home?"

A shadow passes over his eyes, and I wince. It was entirely the wrong question, wasn't it?

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to pry," I say quickly, giving his arm a gentle squeeze. "You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to."

To my surprise, Zahraxis gives me a small, wistful smile. "It was... beautiful," he says, his voice low and melodic. "The Nile, flowing like liquid gold. The temples, reaching to the sky. And the people, vibrant and full of life."

He pauses, his gaze growing distant. "I was a protector, a guardian," he says in halting, but evocative English. "My purpose was to watch over the land and its people, not just rule. Then... the Ultiori came, and everything changed."

I listen, enthralled, as Zahraxis describes his homeland—the lush greenery, bustling markets, and intricate architecture. His words grow more confident as he continues, like a long-dormant muscle warming up.

"We were dragons, yes, but also builders, scholars, artisans. Our cities thrived with commerce and learning. The libraries at the capitol were the grandest in the world." His expression softens. "And there, in the palace gardens: my hoard... my mates.

"It was my home," he murmurs, deep sadness in his eyes. "And I failed to keep it safe."

Finn, who has been silent until now, reaches out to squeeze Zahraxis' shoulder. "You did all you could, brother. The Ultiori's evil was not your fault."

Zahraxis nods, but guilt weighs heavily on him. I take his hand, lacing our fingers together. His thumb caresses my skin as Finn's magenta aura pulses with a mix of empathy and caution.

"What happened?" I ask gently.

He draws in a deep, shuddering breath. "Nikhil came. Bringing shadows of death, they descended upon our realm. Took my mates... my freedom." His free hand clenches at his side. "I fought, but they overwhelmed me. Dragged me into darkness, trapped me in a cage. Experimented on me."

Tears prick at the corners of my eyes, the gravity of his loss overwhelming—his home, his mates, his very identity, all ripped away. I squeeze his hand and rest my other hand on his forearm.

"I'm so sorry, Zahraxis," I murmur, my voice thick with emotion. "But you're free now. And you're not alone."

He turns to me, golden eyes shimmering with a vulnerability that tugs at my heart. Slowly, he interlaces our fingers, his touch electric. "Yes, Rachel. Not alone. You and..." His gaze shifts to Finn. "...my brother, we are... family now. And now that I am free, I will make Nikhil pay."

I shoot an alarmed glance at Finn. His jaw is clenched, and he takes a steadying breath.

"I've already told you, Nikhil is not the enemy. He was under the control of a mad nymph for all those years. He has atoned. It was his blade that ended her life at the end."

Zahraxis emits a derisive snort. "I remember the scent of the nymph who came into my cell with him all those times. If he allowed himself to be controlled by her, then he is weak and should not be allowed to live."

Sensing the need to distract him, I slide my free hand up his biceps and squeeze. "You said you had mates. Does that mean you had children too?"

Finn's eyes widen in alarm, and I immediately realize my mistake. Zahraxis emits a low growl accompanied by flames licking out from between his teeth.

"My mates and children were captured by those monsters, my kingdom ravaged. You see why I must seek retribution."

Hoping for some way to defuse his rising anger, I glance at Finn. "How long has it been?"

"Over three thousand years. Some of his children survived. The youngest of them were among the dragons who built the first hibernation temple, and his grandchildren were part of the first generation to hibernate. You have a second chance, brother. Don't waste it chasing a man who is not your enemy. And I know it's likely not a consolation, but had you not been captured, you would have been bound by the laws of renunciation that came after the Ultiori's rise. You would not be alive to chase this misplaced need for revenge."

Zahraxis frowns. "A barbaric practice. It should never have become law.”

Finn nods gravely. "It remained so until after my generation's Ascension. Six generations of dragons committed ritual suicide to protect the next."

His voice is subdued, and I reach out to touch his hand. Some of his tension eases as he twines his fingers with mine, glancing down at me. His red eyes flicker with inner fire, and a tingle courses up my arm from where we touch. A mirror to that sensation travels up my other arm like their essences are speaking to each other through me.

Zahraxis stiffens, his grip tightening on my hand as he notices the dual energies flowing through me. "My treasure," he says, voice rough and possessive. When I peek at their auras, I see his golden energy surge outward, trying to overwhelm Finn's crimson essence where it touches me.

"Brother," Finn says carefully, "things have changed while you slept. The old ways?—"

"Dragons do not share treasures," Zahraxis cuts him off, his limited English precise and cold. "My harem was vast, my treasures many. But they were mine ." Pain flashes in his eyes. "All taken. But she..." He pulls me closer. "She is mine now."

"The island's magic wouldn't have let me through if that were true," Finn counters quietly. "Fate brought us both here?—"

"Fate brought me here," Zahraxis corrects. "You followed."

I try to maintain my grip on both their hands even as their energies war around me. There's something right about how their powers feel when combined, but Zahraxis' desperate need to reclaim what was stolen from him blinds him to it.

The school comes into view, and I reluctantly pull away from them both, trying to ignore how Zahraxis' aura follows me like a possessive shroud.

I lead them to the main lodge where the school offices are located on the first floor. Delicious scents waft from the kitchen adjacent to April's office, and both dragons falter, betraying their hunger. Honestly, after our marathon of epic sex on the overlook, I'm pretty famished myself. But first things first.

I knock on the door, and a male voice calls, "Come in!"

When I push the door open, a disheveled April is taking a seat behind a desk, while a smug-looking Stuart leans against the window frame, licking his lips like a cat who just polished off a saucer of cream. I school my expression, because who am I to judge?

"Hi, Rachel," April says. "What can I do for you?"

"It's not me, so much as them," I say, gesturing behind me, only to look back and find the hallway empty. Frowning, I step back out the door and peek around the corner. "Guys? Over here," I call to the pair who've strayed into the kitchen and stolen a basket of dinner rolls, much to the chef’s dismay.

They meander back and follow me into April's office, hands and mouths full of fresh bread. I grimace. "Sorry. I guess they're hungry."

She laughs. "There's no stopping a hungry dragon. I see you met our visitors, then?" Her gaze flits between the three of us, one eyebrow rising.

Stuart lets out a soft snort. "I'd say she's more than met them. So you're the reason these two made it through the barrier, then. I wondered who the lucky student was. Nice work, Rachel. I had a feeling you were powerful enough for multiple mates."

My cheeks heat. "I'm more surprised than you, I guess. But I was wondering if there's any visiting artist housing available? I don't think the dorm is the right place to take these two tonight. Zahraxis is going to need to rest and, um, replenish before they leave for …" I trail off, glancing at Finn. "Where is it you have to take him?"

"The queen's offices are in New York City." He eyes me as if there's more he wants to say, but refrains.

I cock my head toward him and look at April. "It's a long trip. Can you help?"

"Give me just a moment," she says, rising and leaving the office. She heads down the hall, where I can hear her knock at the door to one of the other offices. There are a handful of administrative staff who help manage the school, including April's mother, Cassandra, who is the head of security for the entire island, and the school's assistant director and facilities coordinator, whose offices are on this floor.

A moment later, she returns with a smile. "Eagle's Rest is empty for the next week. It's a little out of the way, but that might be preferred. It's cleaned and ready for guests, and the cupboards should be well stocked with non-perishables. If you need to stock up with more supplies for cooking, just fill out a form with the kitchen staff and they can get you what you need."

"We won't be staying more than a day," Finn says. "I don't like keeping the Court waiting. And if Rachel agrees, I'd like her to come with us."

My heart leaps into my throat. "Y-you do?"

"We can come back for you after, but I don't know how long it will take. They may have another task for me. They may want to keep Zahraxis longer. We just found you, Rachel." His gaze is imploring, uncertain.

Zahraxis reaches out and clasps my hand in his much larger one, his golden eyes fixed on Finn as he brings my knuckles to his lips. The gesture is deliberate, challenging. "Come," he says simply, his gaze shifting to me with an intensity that makes my breath catch. "We belong together."

When I woke up this morning, the last thing I expected was for the day to take me here. I planned to hone my skills in the hot shop. Work on the set of Venetian-style goblets I've been making to send home to my mom. Maybe sketch some new designs for a show the school is putting together at a gallery on the mainland. Not wind up being nailed on a bluff by two dragons who are probably my fated mates.

Two dragons.

I glance between both men, then up at April and Stuart, who seem to be waiting for my answer too. April offers a comforting smile. "It's both the easiest and most difficult decision you'll ever make. Trust me, I get it. It doesn't mean you have to give up who you are, Rachel."

Taking a shaky breath, I sit up straighter. "I want this. It's just that it's been so long since I got here, and I was starting to get comfortable. It was starting to feel like home."

"You can come back and teach, if that's something that interests you," Stuart says. "You've already outpaced the other students. Your skills are as strong as some of the best glassblowers I've met."

"Either way, we're not going anywhere," April says.

I swallow a lump in my throat, touched by their support. Turning to Finn, I say, "Let me have the night to think, okay?”

Before he can answer, Zahraxis says, "We will wait."

Finn's eyes narrow at the other man. Then he chuckles. "I guess we're waiting."