Dragon Mine Read online

  Dragon Mine

  Dragon Kings, Book 2

  Donna Grant

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

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  DRAGON MINE

  © 2021 by DL Grant, LLC

  Cover Design © 2021 by Charity Hendry

  Formatting © 2021 by Charity Hendry

  ISBN 13: 978-1-942017-72-1

  Available in ebook, audio, and print editions.

  All rights reserved.

  * * *

  Excerpt from: DARK ALPHA’S NEED

  © 2021 by DL Grant, LLC

  Cover Design © 2021 by Charity Hendry

  * * *

  Blurb from: DRAGON UNBOUND

  © 2021 by DL Grant, LLC

  © 2021 by 1001 Dark Nights

  * * *

  All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce or transmit this book, or a portion thereof, in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, without permission in writing from the author. This book may not be resold or uploaded for distribution to others. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

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  www.DonnaGrant.com

  www.MotherofDragonsBooks.com

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Chapter 32

  Chapter 33

  Chapter 34

  Chapter 35

  Epilogue

  Excerpt of DARK ALPHA’S NEED

  Next in the Dragon Kings Series…

  Don’t miss these other novels

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  Dreagan

  February

  * * *

  “Vaughn.”

  He turned to the seductive voice, seeking the supple body, the undeniable pleasure he knew awaited them both. His arms wound around her as his lips descended upon hers. The kiss was fire and flame, consuming and devouring.

  Desire and lust collided in a beautiful, timeless dance.

  They were skin to skin, their limbs tangled as they sought to get closer, ever closer. The passion had begun as a spark, but that had soon turned into a raging inferno. The intensity of what he felt, the force of his need, his hunger, left him shaking. Completely addicted.

  And she was his only cure.

  Her skin was as soft as silk. Her lips decadent and utterly erotic. Her long hair brushed against his body, teasing him. He couldn’t stop running his hands over her sensual form. There wasn’t another soul like her in the entire universe.

  She sighed as he kissed down her neck and cupped her full breast. Her breath hitched when his tongue flicked over her nipple. He could feel the heat of her body, hear the soft cries falling from her lips, and taste the sweat and desire on her skin.

  He groaned when her fingers wrapped around his arousal. She moved her hand up and down his length, bringing him closer and closer to orgasm. He didn’t know how many times they had shared their bodies. Whenever he was with her, time ceased, and he forgot everything else. There was nothing but her.

  His breathing hitched. He wanted to stop her, to wait to take his pleasure until he’d made her climax at least twice. Her lips traveled down his neck and lower to his chest across his tattoo. The skin beneath the tat warmed from her touch. Her lips wrapped around his nipple, and she flicked her tongue over the hard bud. He was powerless to resist her. Wherever she touched, he burned. Eager.

  Aching for more.

  With every pump of her hand, he felt his orgasm approaching. He tried to open his eyes and see her face, but he couldn’t. Then, it didn’t matter because his body flooded with ecstasy. He reached for her, needing to hold her, to feel her against him.

  Only she was gone.

  Vaughn wrenched open his eyes to find himself alone, his harsh breaths filling his bedroom. He glanced down at his stomach to see evidence of his dream.

  “Fuck,” he murmured and rolled out of bed to clean himself off.

  He tossed aside the towel and stood in the doorway of the bathroom, looking at his bed. The sheets were in disarray, the pillows on the floor. If he didn’t know better, he’d say he’d had a fun romp with someone. Only, there hadn’t been anyone but her.

  And, unfortunately, he hadn’t seen her anywhere but in his dreams in a very long time.

  When would this end? Vaughn wasn’t sure how much more he could take. It had been thousands of years since she had come into his life. One night. One beautiful, incredible night. Then, she vanished like smoke. No matter how far and wide he looked, he had yet to find her. He didn’t even know her name.

  Hell, he barely remembered her face. No matter how hard he tried to recall details of her, he came up empty. And the harder he tried, the more what little he did recall faded.

  Vaughn shook his head as he dropped his chin to his chest. He could remember every detail of her body. He knew her sighs, her soft moans of pleasure. He knew the smell of her skin, the feel of her against him.

  It was the other details he couldn’t recollect that made him want to bellow to the heavens in frustration.

  That night, so long ago, had been clear and sultry. Something had drawn him out. The full moon hung large and low in the sky as billions of stars watched from above. And the magic had been heavy and intoxicating.

  He had left Dreagan with no particular destination in mind, flying for miles until he spotted the fires. He’d landed unseen far from the village and walked there in his human form. The Celtic tribe’s cheers had been boisterous and infectious. They danced and celebrated their victory against an enemy around huge fires with flames that attempted to reach the moon.

  They welcomed him, shoving a horn of mead into his hand. Vaughn had always had a particular interest in the Celts. They were attuned to the Earth in a way that others weren’t. He’d been content to watch them despite their attempts to get him to join them.

  Vaughn had moved away from the group and leaned against an ancient, gnarled oak with limbs that twisted and reached outward. He watched the festivities with a smile, content to witness the celebration. The mead was particularly good. Or perhaps it was the magic in the air.

  The British Isle thrummed with magic. It was why the Dragon Kings had made their home in Scotland, where the heart of the planet’s magic sprang forth. Dragon Kings were especially in tune with magic in all beings and creatures. Many times, mortals had no idea that magic was there, sometimes even changing events. That was because the humans couldn’t feel it. But Vaughn did. It was thick, hanging heavily in the air like an invisible mist. Even if he had wanted to walk away, he wouldn’t have been able to.

  Then, he’d seen her across one of the great fires. She had stood staring at him. He’d immediately felt her pull, the attraction instant and irresistible. That’s when he realized that she was the reason he had been drawn from Dreagan. The firelight gave her blond locks a red-orange tint. They said no
thing as they started toward each other in unison, weaving through others and around the fires.

  Until they were face-to-face.

  For the first time in his life, he couldn’t find words. He didn’t know what to say. And yet, there was so much he wanted to say to her. She took his hand and, with a smile, led him to a cottage. The red-orange glow from a fire in the hearth coated the inside of the home. She faced him, and before he could speak, her mouth was on his.

  Everything he’d ever felt, ever would feel had been in her kiss.

  The emotions had been crushing and exhilarating at first. But it didn’t take long for them to consume him. Just as his desire did.

  He forgot about hiding who he was from the mortals, forgot about not showing his magic in front of them—because he had needed to feel her skin against his. Without hesitation, he used magic to remove their clothes.

  Vaughn had no idea how many times they shared their bodies that night. Passion had never overtaken him in such a way before. Not before then. And not since. It wasn’t until the sun woke him and he found himself alone in the bed that he realized he didn’t know her name. He hadn’t been too worried, at first. He’d assumed the cottage was hers.

  But as the hours passed, and she didn’t return, he decided to look for her. No one in the village knew of who he spoke. Worry crept in, but he didn’t give up. He spent over a week with the tribe, hoping to see her again. With each day that passed without her, Vaughn began to wonder if she had been real at all.

  He returned to Dreagan and tried to forget that night—and her. But it was impossible. That’s when his search began. He’d looked far and wide, combing through the tiniest villages to the biggest cities, to no avail. Even when he realized that she was most likely dead, he still looked. Hoping against hope that he would somehow find her one day.

  Perhaps that’s why he discovered her in his dreams.

  Vaughn blew out a breath and lifted his head, gently shaking the memories back into their corners. He couldn’t go on like this much longer. He didn’t know if this unknown woman he’d searched for through thousands of years was his mate or not. Maybe not knowing who she was had caused him to latch onto her and dream about her.

  “Then why are my dreams different each time?” he asked aloud.

  Vaughn made his bed, carefully pulling the covers taut and smoothing out any wrinkles in the tan tweed comforter. He meticulously placed the two black and tan windowpane-patterned euro shams in place. Next were the two copper suede shams, followed by an accent pillow in faux fur.

  He strode into his closet and looked at the rows of suits, dress shirts, and ties. It was rare that he went a day without wearing his uniform, as Rhys called it. Vaughn quite liked his suits, as was evident in the number of them he owned. Today, however, he couldn’t decide on one. Ever since he’d woken from the dream, he’d felt…off.

  To put off making a decision, he showered and shaved. After he put on underwear, he found himself back in his closet, still unable to pick out a suit. A knock on his door pulled his attention.

  “Enter,” he called.

  The door opened, and Kendrick came up behind him a moment later. “You look like shite.”

  “Thanks,” Vaughn replied without looking at him. Kendrick was silent for so long, Vaughn turned to him.

  Kendrick quirked a dark brow. “What’s going on?”

  “Nothing.”

  Kendrick’s green eyes regarded him solemnly.

  Vaughn sighed. “I had a rough night.”

  “That, I can believe.” Kendrick relaxed and leaned a shoulder against the doorway. “Since you are no’ dressed, I guess you’ve no’ heard.”

  “Heard what?”

  “Rhi found a Fae doorway on Dreagan.”

  Vaughn instantly went on alert. “Where?” he demanded.

  Kendrick’s lips curved into a smile. “You sure are in a hurry to get to the other realm.”

  “Because of our dragons.”

  “Others might buy that, but I doona.” Kendrick glanced at the floor. “The doorway is in the Dragonwood.”

  Vaughn watched Kendrick closely. “Why do you no’ believe me?”

  “We all want our dragons again, but these are no longer ours. There willna be any of ours left after so long. Who’s to say we’re no’ challenged when we get there?”

  “You think I’m ready to die?”

  Kendrick shook his head slowly. “I think there’s something else driving you.”

  “What?”

  “I’m no’ sure. Are you?”

  Vaughn stared at him before looking away. “I can no’ explain my need to get to the other realm.”

  “To look for the mystery woman you’ve searched for all these years, perhaps?”

  Vaughn’s gaze jerked to his friend. “How did you know about that?”

  “You got drunk one night long, long ago and spoke about her.”

  That was one of the reasons Vaughn didn’t like to drink in excess. Because everything always came back to her.

  “Is she your mate?”

  Vaughn shrugged. “I’m no’ sure. It could be nothing more than me wanting to find her.”

  “If she’s mortal, she’s long passed, brother.”

  “I know.”

  Kendrick’s brows drew together as he pushed away from the doorjamb and dropped his arms to his sides. “You think she’s more?”

  “I didna feel any magic, but then again, I wasna looking for it.”

  “Even if she was a Druid, her life span would still be that of a mortal.”

  Vaughn stopped him with a look. “I have no answers for you or me. You’re asking the same questions I’ve asked for far too long. I wish I knew why I couldna forget about this woman.”

  “If you want to go to the other realm, you’d better get dressed. Con and Rhi are headed there shortly.”

  Vaughn spun around and reached for a shirt and jeans, yanking them on. He was halfway down the hall before he realized that he didn’t have shoes. He used magic to call boots to him without breaking his stride.

  “Are you coming to the other realm,” he asked Kendrick.

  When silence met his words, he looked around to find Kendrick gone. Vaughn rushed down the stairs to look for Constantine. When he couldn’t find the King of Dragon Kings, Vaughn took the stairs three at a time to get to Con’s office on the third floor. The door was open when he arrived, so Vaughn walked in to find Con sitting at his desk, sorting through a file of papers.

  Con glanced up, then did a double-take and lifted his blond head. “Vaughn.”

  “I heard about the doorway.”

  Con set the papers and his Montblanc pen aside. “I can no’ remember the last time I saw you in jeans.”

  “What does my attire have to do with anything?” Vaughn heard the anger in his words, but he wouldn’t be refused. He was going to the other realm. One way or another.

  Con sat back in his chair and laced his fingers together over his stomach. “You do understand there’s a real possibility the twins may challenge any Dragon Kings who go through the doorway? My children might rule the dragons, but individual Kings going to their realm may shift the hierarchy.”

  “If I’m challenged, then I’m challenged.”

  “Every King wants to see their dragons again. Believe me, Vaughn, I und–”

  “It’s more than that,” he said over Con.

  The look in Con’s black eyes grew intense, though his calm expression never changed. “Explain.”

  It wasn’t a request, and Vaughn didn’t treat it as one. “I’m looking for someone.”

  “Your mate?”

  “I wish I knew. An eon ago, I happened across a celebrating Celtic tribe. I stayed to observe. The magic that night was…” He paused, searching for the right word. “Piercing. Its power felt by even the humans, though they had no idea what it was. We are made of magic, so you can imagine what it felt like.”

  “Euphoria.”

  Vaughn nodded and r
an a hand down his face. “Across one of the fires, I saw a woman. I’ve never felt such instant attraction and recognition before. It was a night I’ve never forgotten. In the morning, she was gone. Like she never existed.”

  Con said nothing as he stood and walked to the sideboard, pouring a dram of whisky. He turned to Vaughn and handed him the glass. “It’s early, but you look like you need it.”

  Vaughn accepted it and drank.

  Con poured another and took it back to his desk, setting it down. “I suppose you looked for this woman?”

  “Everywhere. I stayed a week with the tribe, hoping she would return. No one knew her. I continued my search, extending outward, bit by bit, thinking she might be in the next tribe. Years turned into decades. Decades to centuries. Centuries to millennia. I know if she was human, that she’s long dead.”

  “But you keep hoping.”

  Vaughn looked into Con’s eyes. “I know she’s out there. I feel it. Here,” he said and pointed at his chest.

  “You want to check another realm.”

  “Would you no’?”

  Con grinned. “You know I would’ve.”

  “I’m going to this new realm. You can try to stop me, but I’ll find a way.”

  “I never intended to stop you.”

  Relief poured through Vaughn.

  “Doona get too happy yet,” Con cautioned. “Only three of us are going. I doona want to overwhelm the twins or the occupants of that realm. I also doona expect we’ll stay long. This is the first time Rhi and I will have met our children. We’re hoping the doorway is their idea of a peace offering.”