“Indeed.” Rachida smiled peaceably. “But we are not here to talk about that son of mine, long dead and gone. We’re here to speak about my living sons. Though Adrian is not mine and neither is Dusk, they are as sons to me. And I wish to ask your intentions with both of them. And perhaps with my adopted son Adam, also.”
“Ms. Rhakvir—” Layla protested. “I don’t mean your sons any harm.”
“Royal Dragon Binds have a way about them, Layla Price.” Rachida lifted an eyebrow, her green eyes intense. “I’ve known quite a few in my lifetime. You flood my sons with power; don’t think I can’t feel your Binds on them. Adrian and Dusk hum like twin suns today, andyouare the source behind it. That talisman is a poor piece of trash in its ability to contain you. Ask yourself one question: did it Bind you to Adrian and Dusk because they touched it – or didyou Bind themthrough your talisman, because you wanted it to do your will?”
Layla was struck mute at Rachida’s words – though a little voice inside her had been wondering same thing. “I’m assuming you know the answer.”
“I do.” Rachida gave a vicious smile. “All talismans magnify the wearer’s deepest desires. This is something Adrian and Dusk chose to overlook when they went searching for yours. Adrian had heard stories of the Hamsa Bind’s uniqueness, and he can be very headstrong when he discovers something that will give him power. What he and Dusk would not listen to me about, is that talismans amplify the wearer’s inner urges. You wish to have your magic contained because it is wild and frightening; so it is contained. You wish to feel in control, because being out-of-control with passion and rage is terrifying; so you are controlled. But you also wish to be bound by men who strike you with fury and passion. Beautiful men who would go to the ends of the earth with you. And so the cuff Binds them for you – when you are too afraid to admit what you want and do it yourself.”
“And what exactly is it that I want?” Layla breathed, stunned.
“Two powerful Royal Dragons and possibly a third,” Rachida’s gaze was deep. “I’ve seen Dusk today. He is bedridden from the events of last night; how you bound him and flared him into a partial shift. My young Crystal Dragon can barely move, yet he stays abed with a tremendous grin on his face. Because you bound him; because he feels the golden light of your nature pouring through him still.”
“Dusk’s sick today?” Layla suddenly felt terrible, her heart aching.
“Adrian was the same after the art gallery.” Rachida gave Layla a knowing look. “He called me that night; he’d nearly shifted and did everything in his ability to stop it. He was in excruciating pain for days.”
“He never told me. He never let it show,” Layla breathed, feeling truly awful now.
“Adrian is a master at deception,” Rachida lifted an eyebrow. “But Dusk does not care for deception. And so he languishes in bed today, enjoying his day off and dreaming of a certain woman even though his bones scream like ground glass.”
Layla recalled the horrible sensation she had been beleaguered with after she had nearly shifted. Adrian and Dusk were powerful enough to stop their own shifts, but apparently it still cost them.
Layla rose, rolling up her yoga mat.
“Where are you off to, child?”
“I need to see Dusk.” Layla tucked her mat in its carry-bag and zipped it. “And if that happened to Adrian also when we met, then I need to apologize. If it’s truly my magic binding them rather than just the cuff… I need to make amends. And find a way to unbind them. If they want it.” Layla added, feeling terrible that they might choose to be unbound from her but wanting to give them a choice. If Rachida was right and it was Layla’s magic doing the binding rather than the talisman itself, then Layla had a lot of apologizing to do.
And a lot more control to learn.
“Good.” Rachida flowed to standing, taking up Layla hands. “If you wish my sons no harm and want to make amends for your wild magic, then your heart is worthy. I give you my permission to Bind and mate with my sons – all three of them if you like. And I am here, if you wish to learn the arts of war. Dusk is a challenging teacher, but what he cannot teach you is the prowess of fighting like a drakaina. A drake uses power and muscles when fighting; a drakaina uses cunning. Come to me if you wish to learn a little cunning, child. And I will teach you.”
Layla blinked, not sure if she should say thanks or if she should feel offended that Rachida felt she needed permission to date. “If I hadn’t gotten your permission, if you’d judged me unworthy of Adrian, Dusk, or Adam—”
“Then I would have torn you apart.” Rachida’s gaze was unapologetic, and terrifying. “Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow. But when your back was turned I would have ripped my talons through your chest and bitten out your heart, child. I shall suffer no weakling to Bind my sons. They may date and fuck as they like. But a true mate gives her partner challenge, heart, and strength. And only a true mate will do.”
Layla blinked, realizing that Rachida meant every word of what she’d just said. If she’d judged Layla unworthy, she truly would have killed Layla – no matter Adrian’s or Dusk’s feelings about it. And Layla realized suddenly that she was standing before a real Dragon matriarch. Others held stronger positions in the clan, but Rachida was the one they turned to when things went bad.
The one who wouldn’t hesitate to do what had to be done.
“Are we clear, young woman?” Rachida spoke again, lifting one russet eyebrow.
“Crystal.” Layla breathed, terrified of the Dragon matriarch yet also impressed.
“Speaking of crystals,” Rachida clasped her hands with a softer smile now. “I know a Crystal Dragon who would very much like to see you. I can show you to his rooms.”
“I would like that.” Layla tried to smile. Rachida intimidated her to no end, though she also realized the woman could be a powerful ally if Layla played her cards right.
“Come, then. You and I will speak of the arts of war at a later time.”
With that, Rachida turned, taking up her mat. In a short moment, the two drakainas stepped from the secluded patio, moving back toward the Hotel. They didn’t speak as they ascended to the fourth floor. Moving down the hall, they stopped at the third door on the left, carved with a crystal cavern scene. Rachida knocked and announced herself through the door, and they heard a muffled, “Come in.”
Moving into the apartment, Layla was surprised by Dusk’s decor. Modern and elegant, Dusk’s apartment was bright and clean, late afternoon sunshine flooding through the vaulted windows to highlight a pale ashwood floor. The space was done in blacks and taupes with accents of royal purple, saffron, and forest green. Ebony furniture in a 1930’s style decorated the space, the apartment fengshuied so it breathed with openness.
But what astounded Layla were the crystals. Enormous rock gardens of sapphire, jade, and amazonite surrounded pillars of rose quartz. Huge geodes of amethyst that Layla could have crawled into like a hot tub were nestled in groups of potted palms. Altars decorated every corner with smoky quartz, labradorite slabs, and living trees full of live orchids. An obsidian Anubis statue occupied a prominent spot, water flowing from its outstretched palms into a pond of lazy koi-fish. White crystals formed the basin, creating a starkly luminous effect against the effigy.
It was incredible, and Layla found herself amazed at the space Dusk had created. As she entered, she saw the vaulted apartment had a modern kitchen and dining area. And though Dusk’s four-post ebony bed was off to the left, it was artfully screened off by a wall of see-through shelves holding crystals and potted orchids. As Layla moved left with Rachida, she saw a white duvet with something purple beneath. Moving closer, Layla saw it was a pad of crushed amethyst crystals under the bedding.
