Before she could say more, Adrian’s cell phone suddenly buzzed at the end of the breakfast bar. He’d abandoned it there the moment they’d walked in a week ago, and had only checked it a few times since – a distinct change from when she’d first met him. It hadn’t rung all week, but now it was ringing determinedly, and though Adrian scowled, he reached for it. Looking at the name, he scowled more. “Layla, hold that thought. I need to get this. It’s Rachida, and she hardly ever calls. Probably just a bit of clan business. I’ll be quick, I promise.”
“Sure.” Layla gestured for him to answer, curious. “Go ahead.”
“Thanks.” Adrian nodded, then slid his thumb over the touchscreen to answer. Holding it to his ear, his eyes glanced at Layla. “Rachida. What’s up?”
Layla couldn’t hear what Rachida Rhakvir, Adrian’s Clan Second and paternal aunt, said on the other end. But suddenly Adrian’s straight dark brows lifted as his gaze pinned Layla, his aqua eyes astonished. His handsome face with its high cheekbones, sculpted jaw, and soft black stubble was the picture of shock as he stared at Layla. “Tell them to stay back, give him space. He’s probably just disoriented – try ringing the crystal bowls from his old room to calm him. I know, I know. Rachida, I know he could bring the entire palace down. Have someone demonstrate deep breathing for him in Dragon-form; station people to ring the bowls non-stop. Keep your distance. We’ll be back as soon as possible. Yes, call Ghirard to get us the helicopter, stat. Yes, see you soon. Ok, bye.”
Layla’s attention sharpened as she sipped her coffee, trying to control a sudden hammering in her heart at Rachida’s news. As Adrian touched the screen to hang up, a swirl of hot cinnamon scent rioted off his skin. Layla watched him, trying to remain calm as Adrian curried his hands through his cropped black hair, though her heart was leaping inside her chest.
“What did Rachida say?” Layla hedged.
“Dusk’s awake.” Turning to her, Adrian blinked rapidly. “That pulse you and I felt, it was him, shattering his crystal cocoon and coming back to consciousness. But now he’s gone full-Dragon inside the palace and won’t calm; he’s trying to smash his crystal bower apart, where his sarcophagus was resting. No one can get near him, not even Rachida.”
Adrian bit his words, a tense conflict emanating from him as his eyes burned a vivid aqua-green. Layla knew that look; Adrian was trying his best not to cry. Rachida’s news had hit him hard, and though Layla was filled with joy that Dusk was awake, Adrian was filled with fear, rioting through him like a whirlwind. It alarmed Layla to the max as Adrian shoved back his barstool and strode to the balcony doors. Flinging them open as if he needed air, he strode out to the snowy balcony barefoot, gripping his hands into the icy railing.
Shock and fear rising through her at Adrian’s reaction to Rachida’s news, Layla followed. Steam rose from beneath Adrian’s hands on the snowy balcony rail and Layla heard the crisp report of ice cracking beneath his preternaturally strong grip as his hands tightened. Stepping up behind him, Layla wrapped her arms around his tall frame and laid her cheek on his sculpted back, kissing his skin. A shiver went all the way through him as he straightened in her embrace.
Heaving a sigh, he turned, wrapping her in his arms. “We’ve got to get back to Morocco as soon as possible, Layla. Today. Rachida’s calling the helicopter to come pick us up at once.”
“Is Dusk ok?” Layla spoke quietly, trying to contain her emotions even though fear was rushing through her now, her Dragon giving a strangled roar in her veins. “Adrian, talk to me. What’s wrong? Is Dusk going to be all right?”
“Rachida doesn’t know.” Reaching up, Adrian stroked back one of Layla’s curls, his face grim though the tension of tears had left him now. “Dusk’s locked in his beast mind, he’s not thinking straight. And he’s not been able to return to his human mind.”
“Shit.” Layla breathed, knowing what that meant. As if all the brightness had been sucked out of the day, the sunlight seemed to dim as her heart clenched. “Dealing with someone locked in their Dragon-mind is tough under any circumstances, but with a Royal Crystal Dragon newly opened to the full wealth of his earth-shattering powers—”
“This could be bad, Layla.” Adrian spoke, completing her thought as he gazed at her. “Are you ready for anything, with Dusk? Are you ready to put him down if he—”
“Shh.” Layla reached up, stilling Adrian’s lips with her fingers. “We’ll figure it out. Even if he’s an animal, even if he’s gone rogue, you and I can bring him back. I know we can. We should get dressed. If the helicopter arrives soon, we’ll get back to Riad Rhakvir by this afternoon. And then we’ll see what’s what.”
“I hope so.” Adrian spoke soberly, gazing down at her with a terrible bleakness in his eyes. But before Layla could say more, his lips descended, kissing her. It was slow and passionate, and contained everything their hearts had said to each other this past week. By the time he pulled away, Layla was breathless, staring up at him. He was gorgeous and intense as he gazed down at her with his perfect face and smoldering Mediterranean-gold eyes.
“I love you, Layla.” Adrian murmured, watching her. “Whatever happens… I want you to know this has been the best week of my life. Ever.”
Layla blinked. She knew her lips fell open, yet she couldn’t shut them. She blinked again and Adrian softened, beautiful in the morning. Crushing her close, he nuzzled her nose. “Come on, let’s get dressed and go save our Royal Crystal Dragon.”
CHAPTER 2 – BURN
The helicopter had taken them back to the Zürich airport, where Adrian’s Learjet waited on the icy tarmac. Hefting their bags out of the helicopter, Adrian gestured Layla on to the jet as its engines whined, heating up. Moving quickly through the biting cold, dressed in tan leggings now, fuzzy winter boots, a cream yoga top, and soft wrap sweater, plus her favorite navy peacoat, Layla was soon inside the plane. Comfortable in the cold in slim jeans, a navy v-neck shirt, and grey cowlneck sweater, Adrian followed Layla up as their French co-pilot moved through for the final check, locking the door as they settled.
Shucking her peacoat to an empty chair, Layla settled into a seat at the table, buckling her seatbelt while Adrian stepped to the mini-bar and poured drinks. Moving back, he deposited an Old Fashioned in Layla’s hand, keeping one for himself as he buckled in beside her. Adrian raised his glass with a sober nod and they clinked. He was tense as he sipped his cocktail, his jasmine-spice scent rolling through the plane as the engines roared and they began to taxi. Reaching out, Layla took his hand and he glanced over, his fingers curling sweetly around hers. He held her hand as the plane began to rush along the runway. Layla tensed as the jet left the ground; she couldn’t help it, she hated takeoffs. Adrian watched her with a kinder gaze in his aqua eyes now, and she felt a soothing energy pour through his touch like a summer wind as the jet began to rise to cruising altitude.
The rush of calming energy was something Dusk did to soothe her, something Adrian had discovered he could also do now that they were all sharing energy through the Bind. Taking a deep breath, Layla felt her tension ease as Adrian smiled at her. “Better?”
“A bit. Thanks.” Layla nodded, though she didn’t relinquish their touch. “Even though Dusk has been unconscious, you still have his ability in your magic – using your touch to calm me.”
“It’s gotten stronger, actually.” Adrian’s smile was wistful. “I’ve felt far more conscientious, more compassionate since you bound him, and I know it’s because of his energy inside me through the Bind. Sometimes I think…”
“You think what?” Layla prompted as Adrian trailed off.
“Sometimes I think Dusk makes me a better man.” Adrian’s eyes were honest as he held Layla’s gaze. “He’s always been a voice of reason in my life. And now I can feel his energy through the Bind, and I realize what he brings to the table, Layla. Despite his womanizing and outrageous bluntness, Dusk has a depth of love inside him I’ve never been able to match. But now, because you bound us… I feel like I can touch real love in a way I never have before. Like this week, with you.”
“Wow.” Layla sat back in her chair, though she kept Adrian’s hand. “That’s big, considering how much tension there can be between you two.”
“You have no idea.” Adrian spoke, his gaze still level with her. “As adopted brothers with decidedly big egos, he and I have always had disagreements. But Dusk comes through for me, Layla, he always has. In some ways, he’s come through for me more than anyone else in my life. And now, I want to come through for him. I need to bring him back from this Dragon-rage he’s trapped in.”
“I’m sure you’ve come through for Dusk numerous times.” Layla lifted an eyebrow at him, though she felt his deep care for his adopted brother. “Probably as much as he has for you.”
“I have. That’s true.” Adrian’s lips quirked as his fingers stroked hers, his handsome features serious but soft. “But this feels different. This feels bigger in a way I can’t describe yet. Dusk has a furious energy deep down, and it comes from his love. You saw how he brought down the cathedral of Notre Dame de Chartres when we were facing the White Chalice at Yule. Dusk loves so deep, he becomes everybody’s friend and sees ten steps ahead with people at all times. Dusk saw into me way back when. He was the reason I began to build my wealth in my early twenties. And he was also the reason I applied to become a Red Letter Hotel Owner.”
