Chapter Two

Xavier tenderly lays Everleigh down on his bed, her luxurious brown hair spills over the pillows just like a river of molten chocolate. He carefully removes her running shoes one at a time, then her jeans, so she can rest comfortably. His fingertips brush against her skin as he gently tucks her in, giving her the comfort and warmth she needs. He feels the mate bond more intensely with every touch and longs for her to accept him. He knew from the moment he laid eyes on her, that he would treasure and worship her like the princess she is.

Xavier’s powerful dragon grumbles impatiently in his chest, aching for him to lay down next to the woman he loves, but he knows that it would probably frighten her away. Instead of feeling the heat of her body next to his, he quietly sits in a chair in the corner of the room and silently watches her peaceful slumber.

If Xavier’s parents were aware that he had discovered his fated mate, they would demand that he come back to the family home immediately. For a dragon shifter, their one true mate is undeniably the most precious thing in their life, and they have an innate desire to protect her and keep her close, wanting to savour every moment with her. If he makes his way back home now, his obligations will draw him away from her presence and he has only just found her. 

Xavier knows he will have to return to the dragon court eventually, his absence would not be tolerated for long, but finding Everleigh has strengthened his resolve to evade his parent’s guards for as long as possible. They have been growing ever closer to his location, and it’s only a matter of time before they detect the magic that hides his presence in the ancient cave.

Xavier finds himself daydreaming, imagining how Everleigh would look in the magnificent and ornate gowns that all the other ladies at court wear. He knows she would fit right in and be a beautiful sight to behold. Female dragons have been extinct for centuries, leading to the population of dragons becoming overwhelmingly made up of only males. This presents a huge problem, as the numbers of dragons are rapidly dwindling due to the danger that now exists in the human world. As all dragons must mate with human females, this danger has become an even more pressing issue for their survival.

The human world has long since forgotten the ancient magics that were once embraced by all cultures and no longer believe in the mystique of shifters and their fated mates. This disbelief often means that when a dragon is fortunate enough to find his fated mate, she rejects him due to the overwhelming fear of the unknown. Those who accept their mate are treasured above all, without them, dragons would undoubtedly become extinct within just a few generations.

As the night slowly passes, Xavier can barely contain his excitement as he impatiently waits for his beloved mate to wake. His dragon is positively elated, just like all shifters are when they find their other half, their instincts driving them to complete the bond in a mating ritual. He yearns to show her his incredible world and make her part of his life and the enchanting magical world that the humans exist in blissful unawareness of.

Everleigh stirs awake, her eyes slowly adjusting to the dimly lit room that she finds herself in. Upon further inspection, she realizes that the walls of the cave-like chamber are adorned with intricate carvings and designs that sparkle under the light of a few candles. The sight is mesmerizing, and she can’t help but feel a sense of awe and wonder at the unexpected beauty of her rugged surroundings. 

A relentless, throbbing ache causes her to gently raise her hand to the back of her head, a painful reminder of last night’s unsettling events. She remembers the handsome man who found her in such a vulnerable state and graciously brought her back to his home. If it hadn’t been for him, she is sure she would have been captured in the dragon’s treacherous clutches. His act of kindness and generosity has certainly saved her from meeting a grizzly end.

Xavier gracefully stands up from his chair, his movements captivating Everleigh with each step that he takes towards the bed. She sits up and watches dumbstruck, as a gold and green shimmering of scales appear to ripple up his tanned skin before vanishing back beneath the surface. Flickering candle light highlights the lines of his toned chest and rippling abs, and the leather trousers that start low on his hips look like they were painted on, leaving very little to the imagination. It takes a few moments for her to realise that her saviour is none other than the dragon itself, shifted into its human form. She is astounded at the sight and can barely believe that she is actually safe and in what she can only assume is his bed.

Even though it had terrified her before, in this moment she can’t help but feel a deep sense of appreciation and gratitude toward her saviour who has taken on a human form to bring her to safety. He could have easily left her in the dark, lonely forest, but instead he was willing to risk exposing himself to protect her.

The curious rune-like tattoos on Xavier’s chest and arms gleam with a beautiful green light like molten magma beneath his skin. Everleigh feels inexplicably compelled to reach out and touch them, she feels their powerful energy radiating through her fingers.

With a gasping breath, her fingers continue to trace the dazzling and brightly glowing glyphs. The heat emanating from them feels so intense it should be unbearable, yet when she touches them, she is unharmed. She suspects that this is due to the protection granted by the powerful mate bond her father’s stories spoke of. She quickly realises that if fire and heat are unable to inflict harm on her, it can only mean one thing, she must be the destined mate of this dragon shifter. This is a revelation that fills her with amazement and excitement, as it opens up an incredible new world of possibilities for her.

“What is your name little one?” Xavier asks her the question that has been burning in his mind.

“Eveleigh Byzantine.” She replies shyly, pulling the heavy blanket right up to her chin. The velvety covers glide up her bare legs and she realises he must have removed her jeans whilst she slept. She looks around the room and her gaze lands on them, neatly folded and placed on a dresser, right next to her runners.

“I thought you would be more comfortable.” Xavier explains when he realises what she is looking at.