And perhaps it would have, had she remained in Seattle even one more day.
That thought stilled her, and Layla finally felt the rage inside her listen. It listened to her fear; that she would have hurt someone she loved, badly. Her enormous rage suddenly slithered back and Layla felt it go somewhere deep inside, dormant – for now. Reginald must have felt it also, because he eased the roaring pressure of his blackwater oceans. With a severe eyeball, he let his magics go and Layla was suddenly clear of his restraint. The entire assembly watched her closely, but none moreso than Adrian, his beautiful eyes wary and something in them pained.
“You’re free to go, Layla,” Adrian murmured, his smooth voice killing her with soft conflict. “You don’t have to stay. You are free to reject my protection. Just say the word and I can return you to your world.”
“You know I can’t go back.” The words dropped from Layla’s lips like stones; each one perfect in its density, each one dead. “Not after what you did to me.”
Adrian said nothing. Watching her, his eyes were the most gorgeously pained color she had ever seen; bright and dark all at once. With a deep sadness he rose, standing tall before Layla inside the circle of chairs. In an elegant and arcane fashion, Adrian clapped the heels of his Oxfords together, bowing with his hand over his heart – though he pinned Layla with his searing aqua gaze so fervently that she felt her own heart stop.
“As Clan First of the Desert Dragons of Morocco and the Mediterranean, and Head of the Red Letter Hotel Paris, I give you my deepest apologies. As my mother Juliette once protected Mimi Zakir before me under the Magna Dicta, I sought to protect herChiari drachans-siaroffspring now. If you don’t want it – that’s up to you. But if you do want my protection, I swear I will do my best for you, Layla Price. Even if you hate me, even if you despise the way I’ve approached you. Even if your power grows to a place where it can utterly undo me, I give you this vow: that you are precious. That as the last of your kind and as Mimi’s kin, you are precious to my family. And I will do everything I can to protect you.”
Adrian’s aqua eyes pierced Layla. She could feel him as if he moved inside her, as if every inhalation she took was swamped in cinnamon and jasmine. She caught her breath and saw Adrian catch his also as he straightened, as if they were somehow linked. Silence devoured the drawing-room as Layla tried her best to not sear with passion again – either rageful or sexual. A million questions filled her, yet she was unable to utter a single one. All eyes turned to her and Layla knew she should speak, but Adrian’s gaze was so weighing that all words fell from her lips.
She said nothing, and Adrian said nothing back.
“That is enough for today.” The Madame spoke suddenly, breaking their tense silence. “Let us dismiss and discuss the remainder of this in private at a later time. We are all in need of refreshment, and I have a feeling Layla needs some time to consider all that has been said today.” Rising from her seat in a wash of golden Hollywood glory, the Madame looked to the Scandinavian Guardswoman, who had been silently evaluating the discussion this entire time, her violet eyes shrewd and arms crossed. “Rikyava, would you mind showing Layla to her room when she is ready?”
“Of course.” The Scandinavian Guardswoman spoke, rising from her seat with a hand to steady her rapier.
“I think that would be best, yes.” The Madame nodded to herself, then heaved a sigh, gesturing the Guardswoman to Layla with a regal beckon. “And please do fill her in on our culture if she has questions, so she can start her position early tomorrow.”
“Yes, Madame.” Rikyava nodded brusquely.
But before anyone could leave, Adrian spoke to the assembly, a dire warning in his molten eyes. “Before we adjourn, I take a moment to remind you all as Hotel Head that Ms. Price’s true reason for being here is not to be discussed on Hotel grounds. She earned her position here because she is qualified for it. That is all.”
“Yes, Hotel Head,” came from all around, their eyes meeting Adrian’s. His molten gaze penetrated those attending one more time as a solid wave of heat swept the room. At last, his piercing stare fell upon Layla.
“Layla Price. As the last of your Lineage, you are to be protected under our ancient laws. This is the safest place I can protect you, but no-one who sits in this room will go easy on you during your training at the Hotel. Listen well; learn fast. Trust no-one but the five you see in this room. As Head of this Hotel and Clan First of theChiari drachans-furi, the Desert Dragons of Morocco and the Mediterranean, I promise I will use every resource I have at my disposal to protect you. Unto my very life. If you will have me.”
Stillness enveloped the room. Without waiting for her to answer, Adrian gave one last nod to Layla, then tucked his hands in his trouser-pockets and swept out the double-doors – gone like a wind in the desert. Guardsmen returned as Adrian left, beginning to serve more moon-cordial and small bites as everyone rose. Suddenly, a whole flood of people were coming in the doors, and Layla was all at once clasping hands with numerous people she’d never met, all wearing the crimson and gold pins of the Hotel. Congratulations from strange-looking men and women swirled around her until Layla’s head spun. Music had started from a string quartet suddenly set up near the fireplace and an impromptu party began at the completion of Layla’sinterview.
Steaming dishes on gilded platters were brought in over the shoulders of liveried Guards. Fresh tablecloths were snapped out and tremendous vases of flowers set up, a veritable feast being assembled. The hall became packed as enormous crystal and gold candelabra were lit, throwing a dazzling light. The entire episode left Layla dizzy, her gut cramping as she nodded and smiled, barely able to answer questions. Her head began to pound in a full migraine from all the tension, the skin of her wrist searing beneath the hamsa-cuff and that strange, roaring sensation churning within her body. Her breath was high, her jaw ached, and she thought she just might scream – when a firm hand gripped her elbow, steering her out of the throng.
“Come on,” Rikyava the blonde Guardswoman spoke low, “let’s get you to your room so you can settle in. Thisreallyisn’t the time for a party.”
Layla couldn’t have said it better herself. Relief washed over her as she was escorted out of the drawing-room by the Guardswoman, then led up a grand staircase to the third floor and down an opulent hall. Layla’s head whirled as they walked; she barely realized where they were going until they stepped into a high-gabled room, Rikyava shutting a set of massive gilded doors behind them.
Sinking into a cobalt velvet chair beside a cold fireplace, Layla’s mind and body were so off-center that she didn’t even realize she’d sat down until she found herself staring at the marble hearth beneath her stiletto heels.
CHAPTER 17 –CHIARI
Sweeping forward, the Guardswoman Rikyava knelt before Layla, gazing at her with sympathetic violet eyes. Reaching out, she took Layla’s hand in a fierce grip and Layla felt something like a charring strength wash through her. Gradually her fugue began to ease until she could breathe and look up. Rikyava gave Layla’s hand a firm squeeze then released her, setting her hands on the armrests of Layla’s velveteen chair.
“You ok?” The Guardswoman asked, her vivid lavender eyes watching Layla intently.
“Not even remotely.” Layla blinked, not knowing what to say. “My head is pounding and my body feels fucking strange – like everything’s put on sideways.”
“Ha!” The tall woman laughed, her fierce violet eyes sparkling. Rising with a brisk motion, she strode to a dining table in Layla’s new rooms – a sprawling, palatial apartment – and poured a crystal chalice of water from a large silver ewer. Bringing it over, she held it out. “Silethwine does a number on Dragons. Here. Only Adrian can drink that crap with impunity, but he has a stronger constitution than most of us.”
Layla took the water, downing it gratefully. As she did, she felt her migraine roll back, her ears popping and her jaw loosening. She heaved a sigh, drinking until the burning in her skin diminished and she could think clearly again. Finishing the glass, she set it down on a gilded side-table with a wry smile. “Note to self – don’t ever drink that moon-shit again. My head felt like splinters the size of my fist were being shoved into it.”
“Doesn’t it just!” The blonde guard laughed, fetching a plate for Layla with cold meats and fruit from a spread on a gilded four-seat breakfast table. Realizing she was ravenous now that her headache was under control, Layla began to eat as the Nordic Guardswoman settled into a chair opposite hers at the unlit hearth. “I get headaches fromsilethwine, too,” Rikyava chuckled. “Fucking migraine from here to Timbuktu. Most Dragons do.”
“Are you a Dragon also?” Layla looked up, curious.
“I am.” The robust blonde nodded with a half-smile. “One of only a few on staff here. All four of which, including you, were in that room for your entrance interview. I’m not your clan though, I’m a Blood Dragon,Chiari drachans-sanguiri.My kind come from up north; Sweden, Norway, Denmark. We’ve heavily interbred with the human Viking population. You knowberserkers? Yeah, those are my people.”
“Berserkers? You mean the fighters of old Norse legend?” Layla perked as she ate slices of prosciutto with a salty manchego cheese. The quality of the cold cuts in her room were divine; Layla was devouring them, as good or better than anything she could get in Seattle even though Seattle was full of foodies.
