Yeah, but the only reason he kissed Kayla was he thought it would serve to protect her from the other dragons. Which she thoroughly appreciated.
As soon as she reached the dragon shifters, trying not to tremble and attempting to keep her heart from beating so spastically, so much for playing fae games—but there were five of them judging one golden fae and three of them knew for sure she was not what she appeared to be—she stopped in front of them and said, “I made it!”
She didn’t expect Alton’s next action—that he’d move forward so quickly and pull her into his hot embrace and then kiss her again! And kiss her…and kiss…her.
It wasn’t like it was before, hurried, worried, showing a brief claim to courtship. This one said he meant to kiss her longer, harder, showing her he wanted this to be real, not just some faux display of affection. Didn’t he?
Well, she wasn’t going to be startled into inaction either, and she wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him right back. His darkened eyes widened a bit, and she smiled up at him as she kissed him again. Two could play at this game. Yet, she’d never been kissed by any fae like this before, and she really didn’t want it to end.
Everything else faded into the distance—the dragons qualifying for positions in the trials, the fae standing near them, and goddess knew what they were all thinking, or how they were reacting. Especially Mr. Dragon at Arms who so very nearly arrested her the last time she’d seen him. Or even Ena, who had to know Kayla was a total phony. And since Halloran was her brother, she would surely side with him.
But for this moment in time, nothing else mattered.
Then Halloran said, “I’m not sure I understand.”
That was the understatement of the year, Kayla thought. She wasn’t sure she did either.
“They’re in love,” Willow said, her hands over her heart, her gaze cast heavenward. “What else?”
What else indeed.
“Uh, the line has moved up without us,” Ena said, hurrying to return to her place in line.
Olaf was smirking and motioned to the line. “Are you going to participate, Alton, or have you got better things to do?”
“Go,” Kayla said. “I’ll watch you.” She smiled brightly at him, though she really did want to watch him. But she was afraid Halloran was going to take her into questioning, and she thought the way Alton was still holding her hand, he thought so too, and he wanted to protect her more than participate in the games. Which really surprised her.
“Go, I’ll be fine. Willow’s staying with me.” Kayla hoped that if she had another dragon shifter friend, Halloran would be even more confused.
“You can stay with me while I’m in line.” Alton led her back to his place in line and ignored the way Halloran was staring after them.
But he wasn’t Dragon at Arms for nothing. He rejoined them as Willow hung around with them.
“Shift,” Halloran said to her in an authoritative I’m-in-charge way.
He must not have seen her flying or landing before she had shifted to see the boards.
She folded her arms, irritated with him. How could she have qualified without being a dragon?
“She’s qualified for the games, Halloran,” Alton said, his words clipped. He wished Halloran would just drop the issue, but he knew he wouldn’t.
Halloran cocked a brow. He was a couple of years older than any of the dragon shifters in the dragon fae territory because previous royalty had hunted their parents and other older dragons down. So he always thought he was in charge of the rest, even when he hadn’t been officially.
“We can do this here or—“ Halloran said, not to be thwarted.
“Oh for heaven’s sake.” Kayla shifted into the dragon.
On her, the color suited her. Alton noticed then that other dragon shifters glanced her way. Because of the novel color? Or because they were interested in her?
He let out his breath. He couldn’t be interested in her. So why had the kiss made him want to have even more with her? Like a real courtship? She was lightness and spontaneity. She was sweet, yet not so innocent. Rather a mystery to be unraveled. He never cared if anyone watched him in the trials or in the end game, but with her announcement that she wanted to observe him, he wanted to prove to her just how good he could be.
It was madness. Tonight after dinner, he was taking her straight to his piles of treasure, which was also something he would never have done, ever, in a million years. No one would dare try to steal from him, except maybe for one tempting golden fae, he thought.
Then she shifted back and Alton gave Halloran a dagger of a look. Halloran’s dark expression said he owed him an explanation, but for now, he was dropping the query. Now Alton would have to explain why he had told not only Ena that Kayla was a golden fae, but when he was under heavy duty pain killers too. Under the influence of the medicine, he could say he had been confused, but when he had told Ena that Kayla was a golden fae? That couldn’t be explained away.
Halloran stalked off, and everyone watched him go.
Ena didn’t say a word, just glanced at Kayla as if wondering how they were going to get away with the deception. Olaf was looking from one of them to the other, wondering what was going on. Willow was quiet and observing their behavior just as well.
Alton wrapped his arm around Kayla’s shoulders and kept her close as if protecting her. He couldn’t help it. She was here all because in the beginning she’d only been curious about him and Olaf practicing for the dragon games. Not to steal anyone’s gold.
When the line moved up enough, Ena and Alton would have to go to qualify for the trials, leaving Olaf behind for the next group, but Alton was going to stay behind and let Olaf go first.
Ena said, “Go, Alton. I’ll stay with her.”
“Hey, you want to go to the viewing stands to watch the expert dragons?” Willow asked Kayla.
“She’ll join you in a bit. I need to have a word with her,” Ena said.
“Okay.” Willow smiled, then left.
Alton was certain Willow was wondering why there was so much interest in Kayla. He hoped Ena wasn’t going to tell Kayla she needed to go home.
“Go, Alton, or you’ll miss your turn,” Ena said, in her commanding tone.
He glanced at Kayla. She smiled reassuringly. “I’ll be fine. See you when you’re through.”
He nodded, squeezed her hand, and took off with Olaf. They did have the routines they needed to do with a partner too.
“I can’t believe you’re dating a fae none of us have ever seen before. Except it seems Halloran knows her,” Olaf said cheerfully to Alton as they got to the starting area.
“He thinks she’s someone else.” Alton glanced back at her, but Kayla was talking to Ena and not looking at him. He hoped Ena didn’t give her a rough time. “Good luck, old man, on the trials.”
“Yeah, you too. If you’re hurting at all, back off. I don’t want to have to rescue you when I’m trying to come in at a good spot in the trials. And when we’re doing our routine together, well, just don’t push it. I don’t want to be the one responsible for you injuring yourself.”
Alton snorted. Yet, it was something that could happen. He just hoped if something like that occurred, Kayla didn’t see it.
As soon as Willow left them alone, Ena spoke low for Kayla’s hearing only. They still had contestants behind them, none ahead of them though. Kayla really wanted to see Alton in the trials, though from this spot, she could see them. But she didn’t want to be under interrogation at the same time.
“Okay, I know who you are,” Ena said, “a friend.”
Kayla shut her gaping mouth.
“You saved Muriel and for that she and I will be forever grateful to you. And—” Ena smiled warmly “—you’ve knocked Alton for a loop. Believe me that has never happened, ever. The entertainment has been vastly appreciated.”
Kayla smiled, glad Ena hadn’t been upset with her, but she knew the dragon fae shifter wasn’t through.
&n
bsp; “Since you’re here, and passing as—” Ena paused “—well, you’re one of us, I’d like to extend an invitation to my place for dinner tonight. I’m sure Alton wants you all to himself, but Muriel would like to thank you for saving her life.”
Kayla couldn’t believe it. She had been certain Ena was going to tell her to get out of here before her brother locked her up in the royal dungeon and threw away the key.
“What of your brother?”
“He will be a problem. There’s no denying that. Will you come? Alton can come too, though he doesn’t have to hug on you all night to protect you. You will be perfectly safe with us.”
Delighted, Kayla laughed. “I would love to. Thank you.” She had to admit she wouldn’t mind the hugging too. Even though she knew once she had her locket back, it would be over between them. “Will your brother be there?” Kayla thought how tense things could be if he was.
“Not if I can help it, but if he learns you will be there, he might show up unannounced. I never know with him.” Ena motioned to Alton as he flew across the sky. “He looks great, doesn’t he? But if he hadn’t been injured, he’d be flying even faster, taking more daring turns. I can tell he’s hurting, protecting his injury the best he can without straining himself too much. But he’ll pass with flying colors still. He’ll have to do better in the actual games.” She turned to Kayla. “He needs to rest, not to practice every minute he’s not in the games. He won’t listen to any of us. Maybe you can make him listen to you.”
“I’ll try. Though I’m afraid he’ll want to help me practice for the games too.”
“That would be fine. The paces he’ll put you through won’t test his endurance like the ones he has to do for his own games.”
“I’ll certainly try.” Kayla never imagined in her wildest dreams that she would be visiting with dragon fae shifters, considered a special guest even, and able to watch the dragon games. But not just that. She would be observing some that she even knew and would be rooting for them, which made it even more special. On top of that, she’d never envisioned she would actually be in the games herself. What an experience of a lifetime. Something she would cherish forever.
Suddenly, Brett stalked toward Ena, who quickly introduced her mate. He smiled warmly at Kayla, but she wondered if he’d feel differently when he knew what a fraud she was. Would Ena tell him?
“This is Kayla, I mean, Violet, and she’ll be having dinner with us tonight as our honored guest for saving Muriel’s life.”
Brett’s eyes widened. Then he considered Kayla further, and she wondered what the matter was now.
“Magic?” he asked.
He knew. She nodded, feeling the earth crumble beneath her. Since he knew, he could tell everyone.
Ena took Brett’s hand and kissed his cheek. “Brett is a wizard. He knows all about magic. I’ll fill you in later, Brett. But mum’s the word with you know who.”
“Yeah, gotcha.”
One of the game coordinators signaled that it was time for Ena and four more participants to move to their stations. “Will you stay with her until Alton returns?” Ena asked Brett.
“He doesn’t need to,” Kayla quickly said, not wanting him to feel obligated.
“I sure will. No problem at all. Do you want to go into the stands and watch Ena?”
“I’d love to.”
Brett moved her out of the line and toward the viewing stands, but paused where it was relatively free of people. “So is the magic inherent or something else?”
“A falcon fae’s magic.” She explained a little about what had happened and how she was trying to get her locket back from Alton.
Brett shook his head. “That’s where we differ. I would have given it right back to you. But it’s hard for me to believe that anyone can use magic to change a fae into a dragon.”
“Well, I’m a dragon, aren’t I? I mean, not this very second, but whenever I want to be.” That was obviously due to magic. “Do you know anything about Sigrid’s magic?”
“No.”
“Well, see? Just because you don’t have that power, doesn’t mean she can’t do such a thing.”
“I still have a lot of material to read and a lot to learn, but in my book, there’s nothing about changing a fae into a dragon shifter.”
“In your book. But in her book, she must have the spell for it. Or her ability was passed down from someone in her family or something.”
Brett paused and considered Kayla thoughtfully. “Do your scales change color also?”
“No. Just Alton’s.”
“Since he met you?”
“Since he took my locket.”
When Alton arrived at the reviewing stands after the prequalification trials, he hurried to join Kayla, and found Brett with her still, for which he was grateful, Willow, Olaf, and his friend, a red dragon, Kiernan. They were watching Ena flying in her trials, but Kayla quickly asked Alton, “Did you qualify?”
“Naturally,” he said, as if that was a no-brainer and smiled when she tilted her head to the side, folded her arms, and gave him a look that said it might not have been a sure thing. Feeling smug, he slipped his arm around her shoulders. Maybe she had worried about his injury giving him trouble. It had, but with the added incentive of her watching him, he’d gone all out to show off.
“I made it too,” Olaf said. “What about you, Kiernan?”
“I flew at the same time Brett did. Passing scores in all events. But did you see that old granddaddy of a dragon flying in the trials? He must be forty-five at least.”
It wasn’t that he seemed so old, but because they had lost all the elders under an earlier king’s rule, they weren’t used to seeing older dragons. Halloran was twenty-two and the oldest among them.
“Granddaddy? My mother is thirty-eight. Don’t ever let her hear you say that. And my friend’s granddad is seventy-five and as young as they come,” Kayla said, annoyed.
Everyone smiled at her.
“We’re not used to anyone being older than Halloran,” Alton said. “So how did the older dragon do? And what is his name?”
“Arne, meaning eagle. He beat us in strength and agility. He was actually amazing,” Brett said. “Though he was so blue, I didn’t see him some of the time as he matched the sky. Kind of like you, Alton, when your scales are that color. Even his eyes are blue, and they have a penetrating power behind them. As if he can read your every move.”
Alton pondered that, not believing an older dragon could best the younger dragons, but then again, maybe he wasn’t as cocky as some of the younger ones. They had never been trained by the older ones, because they had died before they could really teach them much. So they’d learned from experimenting and each other. It was the first time they’d even opened the games up to dragons located anywhere farther than about sixty miles.
“Just saying, we’re going to really have to push it if we want to beat him,” Kiernan said. “I’ve met Willow before. But…I haven’t met you,” he said to Kayla, curiosity in his expression.
Alton wondered if he’d heard something about what was going on with him and Kayla. Though even now, the way he was hugging her, Kiernan had to figure something was up. “She’s my girlfriend, Violet.” He’d never acted in such a way around any girl, including Ena. He kept telling himself he did so because he was protecting the golden fae from dragon shifters so they wouldn’t learn the truth about her.
Kiernan was smiling a little, and Alton knew he was dying to know just what was going on with him and the mystery dragon shifter and who she really was.
When Ena joined them, she was smiling. “We all made it. Ready for dinner?”
Alton thought he and Kayla would be having a private dinner with Ena and Brett and her staff. Instead, Kiernan jumped at the chance to join them, and so did Willow. Alton wanted to immediately uninvite them, even if he wasn’t the host for the dinner. Since Ena had made the comment in front of all of them, it was a little too late to do anything about it now.
When they arrived at Ena and Brett’s castle, Ryker greeted them, his eyes widening to see Kayla. He quickly looked at Ena as if he thought she was making a big mistake, but he wisely didn’t make a comment.
“This is Violet,” Ena said. “She saved Muriel’s life.”
Muriel must have heard from one of the back rooms and ran down the hall to greet them. “You’ve come back!”
“Violet, yes,” Ena said.
“Oh, oh, I wanted to thank you.” Muriel gave Kayla a big hug.
Alton was glad to see that Muriel was so happy to get to thank Kayla and Kayla likewise was thrilled to see the maid.
“Lila is serving the meal now,” Ryker said, casting a small smile at Kayla. “I’m glad to see you’ve returned.”
“I wouldn’t have missed it for the world.”
“She’s participating in the games,” Ena said, escorting them to her dining room.
“Is she,” Ryker said, making a statement, not asking a question and glancing in Kayla’s direction as if trying to figure out how she had become a dragon fae so all of a sudden.
“She and Alton are courting,” Ena said, motioning to the seats everyone was to take.
Ryker’s eyes rounded and he quickly looked at Alton as if to see if he agreed with Ena.
“She’s right.” After Alton’s telling Ryker to lock Kayla up because she would steal Ena and Brett’s gold, he was certain the butler was confused, to stay the least.
They had barely served up the pork roast, potatoes, loaves of sourdough bread, and turnip greens, when Ryker had to answer the door and returned with Halloran.
Alton had this covered.
Halloran took his seat opposite Kayla and Alton, his gaze shifting from Alton to the golden fae, though she looked like a dragon fae based on her aura still.
“So I’m confused,” Halloran said, placing a napkin on his lap. “You were Kayla, a golden fae, but now are Violet, a dragon fae?”
Before she could speak, or Alton could explain his mistake, Willow said, “She’s undercover.”