Dragon Legacy (3 page)

“Sorry to keep you waiting."

Lukas noticed pretty turquoise butterfly bows tamed her hair. His fingers drummed against the door panels. He wanted her hair unrestrained so he could delve into its silkiness. "You look lovely. Your dress looks great." The color's vibrancy reminded him of the turquoise scales of his dragon ancestors.

*

Fleur blushed at the compliment. True, the expensive designer creation maxed out her credit card, but Lukas' masculine appreciation of her exquisite dress justified her impulsiveness. "I don't wear this color often. Megan Wilde demanded a vibrant dress.”

He moved sinuously away from the door and pulled her into his arms. The speed and grace of his movements reminded her of a powerful animal. Their desire swept them away. Needs spiraled as they focused on their satiation. Lukas ended the kiss. Dazed, his distracted state comforted Fleur. His regretful expression was little compensation for the loss of his closeness.

"We need to go.”

She couldn't focus on his words, her preoccupation with his mouth more important. Rational thought was overridden by his kiss and her subsequent explosion of desire. She saw her reflection, smudged lipstick. Wild hair cascaded over her shoulders. “Wait. I need to fix my hair."

*

Lukas caught hold of her hand as she turned away from him. “No, don’t! I like you this way.” He ran the pad of his thumb along her responsive lips. “Trust me. Everyone will like you as you are." She looked vivacious, like the color of her dress, with lush, pink lips and hair like golden rain as it slipped from its elegant restraints. He wanted her back in his arms. His arousal rocketed several degrees as the tip of Fleur’s tongue darted out and tasted his thumb. “Hell!” Another few seconds and leaving wouldn’t be an option. They needed to go now. With his free hand, Lukas wrenched open the door and pulled Fleur through it. It shut with a loud thud. She jumped and pulled away. He let go of her hand, and his gaze held hers. She searched in her bag and gave him the old key. After he locked the door and returned the key, his fingers grazed hers. “Let’s go.” He watched a brief mutinous look invade her lovely face. He frowned at her. Her gaze widened, but common sense prevailed. She dropped the room key into her bag.

“Yes, you're right.”

∞

Their powerful mutual desire stunned Lukas. They walked along the corridor in awed silence. Lukas frowned. He examined his feelings for Fleur against the importance of his mission. The future of humanity depended on him. He needed clarity. No chance. Rampaging hormones confused him. His head ached. His heart led his emotions into battle with his rationality. A voice whispered inside his subconscious,
soul mate
, the special person his life lacked. His logical mind ridiculed his hopes. Lust prevailed here, not love. He didn't know whether to trust his head or his heart. His rational side triumphed. The demon divined weakness in his opponents and used it against them. If his emotions ruled, he risked the dragon egg's abduction by Xavier. Unthinkable. His mission's success must prevail regardless of any personal cost. He crushed his hopes for a life with Fleur with brutal intent. The battle ahead was his focus now. Determined, he let go of Fleur's small, long-fingered hand as they reached the conservatory. “Sorry, Fleur, this won't work." He hardened his heart to her expressive face, the look of disappointment followed by acceptance, as if she didn't have a right to happiness. "I have an important mission. I can't afford distractions." Her teary gaze mirrored her confused state. "Go and find Jasmine. I need to speak to Zane." Lukas walked through the conservatory door in character as Nathan Ryder. His gaze sought Zane.

**

Zane paced and his silver gaze scanned the room. “Lost someone?” Xavier smirked. When Jasmine left him to avert a disaster with dinner, Xavier made straight for Zane, eager to discover what he knew about the dragon egg and his connection to Lukas. He smiled as Zane's mental hackles rose.

“
I'm looking for Lukas, my business partner.”

“You’re not in character.”

“Sorry?"

“Aren’t we all in character?”

“What, oh yes. My character is Nathan Ryder’s business partner, Jack Dexter.” Lukas stalked across the conservatory. “There he is.”

Xavier looked round for Jasmine. Fleur crossed the room. She stopped and made an abrupt change of direction away from Lukas, who didn't see her as he caught sight of Zane. Intrigued, Xavier watched the interplay of feelings on Fleur’s face and the subtle changes to her body language. He followed his prey with the deadliness of a true predator.

*

Lukas stopped in front of Zane. “I’ve been looking for you."

“Well, here I am. I'm shocked you're not with the lovely Fleur.”

“No, it’s too dangerous for her and the mission if I’m not focused. I’ve told her it's over.”

"You shouldn't make such a hasty decision. You're different with her. You shouldn't ignore serendipity."

"She can't help us defeat the demon."

"She's not your normal kind of woman."

"It's too risky. My role is to protect the dragon egg. Nothing else matters."

"It's your decision, but what about the witch? Is it the girl or the mother?"

"The mother, I remember her from somewhere."

"We need to protect the titan-haired temptress. Xavier is fascinated with her."

"See what she knows."

"What about you?"

"I'll speak to the guardian witch. Time's short." Lukas looked for Grace. Xavier honed in on Fleur and offered her a glass of pink champagne. "Fuck!"

Zane raised his eyebrows. Lukas never used profanity. He followed the direction of his gaze. “Not good. Did you warn her about him?”

“No need. She found him creepy.”

“Well, she’s smiling at him now; she could be a good actress.”

“Maybe, but it’s got more to do with my behavior. I wish I’d kept her close.”

“We’ll watch them. Fleur is strong.”

“She’s a human woman, and he’s been a powerful demon for over a thousand years. She doesn’t stand a chance against him!”

“Mmm, I’m not so sure. She captured you.” Zane saw Jasmine and headed in her direction.

Lukas ran his fingers through his raven-colored hair. He’d misjudged the depth of Fleur’s emotions. His behavior pushed her closer to the source of danger: Xavier.

*

The champagne's delightful bubbles fizzed on her sensitive tongue. First, Lukas ignored her. Now he conversed with his friend, Zane, and glowered at her. Fleur didn't understand the mercurial change in his behavior, so much for her new power to entrance him. Perhaps their passionate interlude was a pipe dream. One drink with Xavier wouldn’t do any harm, but Xavier moved closer. Too close. He breached her unspoken boundaries. Her stomach churned. She reeled as a wave of dizziness hit her. She'd made a mistake. She didn't even like Xavier. What did he want with her?

“How’s your champagne?”

“I’m not much of a drinker, but it's lovely.” She stepped back to reclaim her personal space. Lukas glanced in her direction, his face full of disbelief and anger. Her rebellious streak coupled with her need to prove her desirability overrode her unease over Xavier's motives. She dropped into her murder mystery character, laughed flirtatiously at his jokes, and playfully hit his arm when he made a risqué comment. She caught sight of Lukas' expression. His eyes glittered like molten gold, his mouth hardened to a thin red line in his pale face. She sensed his anger as if he'd shouted at her. Xavier's intent gaze imprisoned her like a mouse caught in his trap. He glanced behind him and returned his attention to her. He smiled a calculated expression on his face that she didn't understand but still made her uncomfortable. The bell rang for dinner. At least she could get away now.

"Shall we?"

"Sorry, I didn't hear what you said."

“Shall we go into dinner?"

Fleur hesitated. She hoped Lukas would rescue her. Instead, he turned away. Without a plausible excuse, she smiled and followed Xavier.

*

Lukas reached Grace as the bell for dinner sounded. They needed a plan for Xavier's destruction before his instability hurt Fleur. He smiled as he controlled his anger. "Clever casting Grace, it's easier for us to talk without raising suspicion." They reached the dining room's door and waited for the other guests. Lukas seized their last opportunity to talk in private. “Can we revert to our true identities for a moment?” Grace nodded her expression tense. Lukas opened his mind and shared her thoughts.

H
is eyes are almost reptilian. Too forthright and open about his power to be a snake. A snake would mask its power, not wear it like a badge of honor. The passion she witnessed in Lukas pointed to a mythical creature, a dragon maybe.

"You're right, Grace. Don't you recognise me from your dreams?" The witch's gaze filled with fear. Lukas held her hand as they stood in line. Her eyes dimmed and glazed.

She remembered their first meeting.
She tossed and turned as the nightmare invaded her sleep again. She relived the death of her lover at the hands of a demon every time she slept. Forced to watch his degradation before the demon came for her. This time Lukas saved her. They found solace in each other's company. The same demon killed his parents.
Lukas' final words to her:
When we meet again, I will need your help
. His last words rang out in her head. Lukas let go of her hand, and her eyes cleared. She shuddered even though the room was warm.

"I thought I knew you. Is it time?"

"Yes. The final battle draws near. Xavier is the demon's human persona."

"It explains why he's so interested in Fleur and Jasmine."

Lukas kept his face and voice expressionless. He didn't want Fleur involved. "Fleur and I have no connection. This doesn't concern her."

"I'm not sure I believe you, Lukas."

"Jasmine is different. She's your daughter. Xavier has sensed her power. He wants it. She needs to stay away from him." They walked into the dining room. He looked back into the conservatory. A person dressed in black caught his attention. The branches of a lemon tree obscured Jasmine and someone unknown, deep in conversation.

*

A flash of silver hair caught her attention as Jasmine carried a tray of clean glasses out of the conservatory. Zane, she ignored the unexpected hypnotic pull. She wouldn't turn round for another man in pursuit of her power. “Hi, shall I walk you into dinner?” Zane's deep voice forced her acknowledgement of him, so Jasmine smiled.

“
Thanks, but,” she indicated her outfit, glad of her watertight excuse, “as you can see I’m the hired help. I’ll be serving at the table rather than sitting at it.”

*

Zane returned her smile. Slippery little witch. Her avoidance tactics made him more determined to discover what she knew. “Perhaps I could have a quick word with you now?” Jasmine glanced at Grace, Lukas, and several other couples who waited at the dining room's door. He saw a look of resignation cross her expressive face.

“Yes, of course, I have a moment.”

Zane ushered her into the alcove, dominated by a beautiful lemon tree. Her stiff shoulders betrayed her annoyance, but her body relaxed as his warmth enveloped her. A small victory since Jasmine let his alpha behavior pass without comment. “You need to stay away from Xavier. He knows who you are. He wants your power.”

Jasmine's gaze clouded. "I don't understand. What do you mean, who I am?"

He didn't have time for games. "He knows you're a witch!"

"How do
you
know I'm a witch?" Jasmine's expression betrayed her fear of discovery.

"From Lukas. He knew your mother a long time ago. Ask her and she'll fill you in."

"I have to go."

Zane released her. Did she believe him? He cursed the rush of blood to his groin and growled with frustration. He hoped the feisty witch followed his advice. She intrigued him despite her obvious aversion. Calm again, Zane entered the dining room alone and updated Lukas.

*

Seated next to Xavier, Fleur abhorred her stupidity. Lukas showed no sign of jealousy. He hadn’t cast a single glance her way. She was thankful Xavier said little, but his gaze still disturbed her as it lingered on her breasts. She wished the turquoise dress revealed less of her. Xavier's dark, cruel stare made her want to cover herself. She shuddered. She couldn't survive dinner next to him, food the last thing on her mind. Jasmine rushed into the dining room. Zane followed her, his usual laid-back demeanor absent. He whispered to Lukas. Lukas glanced at her. His gaze hardened. He turned away. Fleur sighed. No help there. A flash of purple drew her gaze as Grace headed her way.

"I must borrow you."

"Yes, of course."

Fleur rose with such haste, her chair toppled backwards. She turned to pick it up. Xavier's malicious gaze imprisoned her. She gulped. Her lungs starved for air. Her body trembled as icy blood coursed through her vessels and left a chill in its wake. She stepped back; her empathic nature recoiled from the evil she sensed. Her legs trembled. Grace put her arm around her. The warmth she transmitted gave her strength. Fleur tore her gaze away from Xavier's obsidian eyes. Grace walked away, her arm shielding her from Xavier's hate.

"Come on."

"Yes."

"Don't go near Xavier again. He's toxic."

"I wanted Lukas' attention."

“You already have it."

“Maybe earlier; he's lost interest now.”

“No, he doesn't want you in danger because of who he is. He can’t share everything with you."

“I don't understand what you mean.”

“Be patient with him. I don’t know all the details, but he cares about you.”

Fleur stared at Lukas across the room. "I hope so."

“He wouldn't have noticed the problem with Xavier if he didn't."

Jasmine leaned in to remove the first course. “I need to talk to you, Mum. It's urgent.”

Grace nodded, her gaze sparkling with something akin to excitement. “We’ll meet straight after dinner. Ask Lukas and Zane to join us in the library.”

Jasmine nodded. Fleur watched the interchange, curious why they would be this serious about the murder mystery. She would find the library after dinner and find out.

*

After a successful dinner, the murder mystery guests drifted into the conservatory and chatted in small groups. Grace and the others disappeared. No one noticed or commented on their absence, not even Xavier who slipped into the garden. Fleur, anxious to avoid him if he returned, walked away from the conservatory and its noisy chatter. She could explore the other downstairs rooms. Familiarize herself with the house's layout before the 'murder' tomorrow night. She ignored the insistent voice which taunted her about the secret meeting in the library.

An imposing oak door; this must be the library, when she pushed against the panels; they opened far enough for her to squeeze through. She found herself surrounded by the musky smell indicative of old books, confirming the room's status. Curious, she walked further into the darkened room. Bespoke shelves laden with hundreds of books lined the walls. She noticed a book she wanted to read. Perhaps she could borrow it. She stopped and read the back cover blurb. Absorbed in her reading, the sound of hushed voices didn't permeate her concentration until she heard Grace. Fleur held her breath. She ought to leave. Still, what harm could it do? She wouldn't tell the other guests, or use any information she heard to cheat. Fleur leaned against the last bookshelf. Grace conversed with Lukas, as Zane and Jasmine sat in comfortable leather chairs next to a crackling fire.