Another conversation invaded his mind, this one with Teron.The boy would be about twenty now, I think. An omega. No one has seen him for over sixteen summers.
What had Sakaris said?You won’t be alone, Prince Elouan. Keep your eyes open. There’s no telling what—or who—you might find.
That blond hair. Those blue eyes. An older version of Jules came to mind, along with more of Teron’s words.Rumor says Donovan hid him on Terra to keep him safe.
Elouan didn’t recall Jules ever mentioning his brother’s name. Jules Carter. Nothing said you couldn’t change a name. Elouan didn’t use his family name here.
Wait! Hadn’t Jules called his brother Don? Short for Donovan? But not Carter. Donovan Craigh, perhaps?
Moira and Ray weren’t Jules’s blood kin and were protective of him. In fact, he still lived with them. What if they were more than simply caregivers? Donovan wouldn’t have sent a near-hatchling to Terra alone. He’d have sent guardians.
But Elouan would’ve sensed dragons, wouldn’t he?
Something Curtis said regarding Jules invaded Elouan’s thoughts.Everyone gives off vibes, human, dragon, or a mix like me. Him? A total void. How can you trust someone you can’t feel?
Elouan’s breath caught. Could Jules possibly be a dragon, somehow hidden from Elouan’s senses? He recalled the night he’d gotten a brief flash of Jules as a dragon, gone so quickly he brushed the image off as imagination.
So many things fell into place: how Elouan’s dragon reacted, the need to bite. It all made sense if Jules was indeed an omega dragon.
An omega for an alpha. If Elouan wasn’t losing his mind and Jules was a dragon, did he know? Could someone have hidden him so well, even from himself? Wouldn’t Jules know Elouan was a dragon? Was he playing innocent to win a king?
No, he’d never do such a thing, Elouan was certain. Still, maybe best to wait until Jules was ready to talk.
But, Goddess, he hoped Jules talked soon.
Chapter Thirteen
Elouan pulled his Harley over in front of Coffee, Tea, and More on Saturday, reminded of the holiday at hand when he spotted a barista in a gown and tiara, and someone in line dressed as an over-the-top version of a cowboy—complete with an entire craft store’s worth of rhinestones—holding the hand of a miniature version of himself in similar clothes. The end of October already. How fortunate the weather cooperated for an outdoor date. The trick-or-treaters would also have an easier time tonight.
The moment Jules appeared around the corner, Elouan wanted to question him. But no. Time enough later. Right now, he simply wanted to enjoy their time together before starting a possibly relationship-ending conversation.
Jules had strapped a violin case to his back instead of his usual backpack. “You said you wanted to hear me play.”
“I do.” How thoughtful of Jules to remember and to trust Elouan enough to show his self-taught talents.
Anrai studied flute for years before he let anyone besides family hear him play, even though he possessed undeniable talent. Yet Jules was sharing something so personal with Elouan. Quite an honor.
Elouan got off the bike, helped Jules with his case and helmet, then held the Harley still for him to climb on. “I thought we’d go back to the lake today, if that’s all right with you. I packed a picnic.” In a few more weeks, picnicking would be a thing of the past until spring. Amazing the snow hadn’t started already.
“Sounds great.” Jules pressed his thighs to Elouan’s ass, though he’d grown comfortable enough riding not to need to cling. He’d been a natural on turns.
Elouan pulled away from the curb. Wait a minute! Wasn’t that one of Curtis’s friends suddenly dipping behind a tablet? And another dodging into the coffee shop? Well, they were students at Jules’s university, so nothing weird with them hanging out where college students did. But why did they seem to hide?
Elouan’s shiver had nothing to do with the cold. Curtis didn’t like Elouan and Jules together. And what had the message said on Curtis’s computer?
I think we found them. If it’s true, they must be stopped.
Not conclusive. They could’ve meant anyone or anything. Still, Elouan would stay on his guard. Curtis hadn’t called since he’d left, which wasn’t unusual when he went away with his parents, but it would be nice to hear from him.
Elouan pushed aside thoughts of anything but the man behind him and the day he’d planned, heading for the lake again. He chose his usual spot, which Jules said he liked last time.
Hopefully, he’d answer a few questions.
Elouan wasn’t much use in a kitchen, so he opened deli containers that he placed on the blanket he’d spread on the ground. The cooler yielded several root beers. The sun beatdown, warm enough for them to remove their jackets, especially with the ridge to block any wind.
“Wow! Potato salad!” Jules seated himself on the blanket, grabbing a spoon and a container. “I love potato salad.”
“Me too, but I’ve never tried to make it.” If Elouan planned to stay in the human world, he’d likely need to learn at least basic cooking skills. The idea of staying lost its appeal if he could take Jules back with him. “Do you cook?”
