Beauka: The Draglen Brothers, #9

PROLOGUE

Iwas able to slip away from Gemi and Shalisi’s wedding celebration. Shalisi came through with the spell, and now I’m about to leave Kalin. Taking the witch was easy; when all the chaos happened with Gemi and Shalisi wanting to be mated, no one was paying attention. Though I’ve never caused her harm, I used her to my advantage to get Shalisi to help me with my plan. I never thought this day would come. I have asked one of my trusted servants, Mirak, to meet me in the field. She is the only one with whom I will keep in contact.

She is waiting for me, and I rush over to her.

Princess Beauka, she says, I have ensured all of your herbs have been sent to your new home - New Orleans on Earth.

Thank you, Mirak, I reply. Your loyalty will be rewarded. Please make sure that no one knows you spoke with me tonight.

Yes, Princess, she says. I will be leaving tonight, just as you ordered, and will not return until you give me the command.

I notice Domlen in the field, yelling at Tika. He doesn’t notice me, so I know this is my chance. The fact is my brothers have stopped noticing me. Ever since they started taking Wellas, I have become less important. Unless it’s to warn off the Wellas from having anything to do with me, they hardly see me. I never knew they were that afraid of me. I’m not the nicest female in the family, but I have my limits. I would never kill their mates, but if they cross me, I will let it be known I’m the true princess, even if it means inflicting pain. My brothers turned against me from day one, withdrawing their love, so I’ve been alone. Alone while everyone around me finds happiness. I have never been with a man sexually; I have no clue what all the excitement is over sex. I have never been allowed to have a Giver, even though my brothers have had many.

I F I’ M to find happiness, it will be away from Draglen Castle, away from all my brothers and my mother. Queen Nala has seen all of my brothers settled with a Wella, yet she has not seen to a Molla for me.

I want to have love and to be loved, even if it is only to experience the touch of a man. I will not return to Kalin until I have found what I’m looking for, and Earth is the place I think I will find it.

1

BEAUKA

I’m sure no one ever thought I would leave the castle. I never thought I would do it myself. Even when I spoke with Shalisi about the spell to protect me after I’m gone, still there was always a chance my plan could fail. Staying in Kalin would mean being around my brothers and their Wellas, and all that happiness makes it difficult for me. Everyone is having Youngs and being happy, and I can’t stand it. Even the brother I’m closest to I heard has found the dog, I mean of all the Wellas he could have found, it’s a damn dog, or wolf, which he would prefer I say. Well, it doesn’t matter now, I have started to make myself a life here on Earth.

Since I secured housing, it’s been getting better. As I look around my kitchen, the small space makes me shiver slightly, as I’m not used to it, but in order to keep myself off the radar of my brothers and mother, it’s best.

Once I’ve made a few changes to this place it will have to do, even if I know my brother had her in this place.

She was over in the castle with no problem as far as I’m concerned. Queen Nala still hates her soul and wishes her dead, but that would kill Layern, so she tolerates her.

As I walk over to the fridge to find something to eat, I hear his footsteps getting closer. Ever since I moved into this home, he’s been trying to make me comfortable. It’s been a shock that he’s been so accommodating. He also has been a little concerned about why I’m here on Earth, but it’s none of his business. On more than one occasion I've found myself wanting to serve him some of my special tea, but then I would have to explain to people why he's missing.

When he gets close, I hear his breathing accelerate. I can say he’s very handsome and does not show any fear about me being a dragon, in fact sometimes I think he thinks he’s better than me.

Before he can knock on the door, I rush to open it.

Why are you here? I snap.

I could ask you the same question,’ Paul replies, ‘but I’m not grumpy.

We stand there for a few seconds, looking at each other. He looks me up and down, then his eyes return to mine.

Let me in, Princess, he demands.

I think about it for a few seconds, and then he smiles. It’s very sensual. Even though my instincts tell me to stay away from him, I step aside and allow him into Reseda’s old home, which is now mine.

Paul don’t call me Princess. That’s Draken’s Wella’s name. I roll my eyes at the thought of the other princesses in the castle.

Jealousy does not look good on you. Besides, you’re too beautiful to worry about a woman outshining you. He gives me a cocky grin. Paul has the sexiest smile I’ve ever seen, even for a human.

You don’t have to say nice things to me,’ I say, looking away. I’m not going to hurt you." I can feel myself blushing at his kind words.

You don’t scare me, heartbreaker, but you do awake feelings inside me that I thought were long gone. He walks closer.

Keep your distance, Paul, I’m not what you think.

He walks past me toward the kitchen and speaks over his shoulder.

Beauka, come to the kitchen, I know you dragons like to eat, and so do I. He pauses as if waiting for me to follow him. I will come pick you up, Heartbreaker!

I smile again and can’t help but follow the human male.

Stop calling me Heartbreaker, I reply. Besides, I’m not breaking anyone’s heart.

He’s helping me get more acquainted with Earth, but little does he know he’s raising feelings inside me that I didn’t know even existed. I want to find love and enjoy life, but Paul is my brother Layern’s Wella’s friend. Layern hates him, Queen Nala will want him dead and once they find out Shalisi asked Paul to help keep her spell strong, this will surely force my family to choose. Yet as I stand here looking at him, he could be what I need to be okay with all the happiness I’m surrounded by in Kalin. Paul doesn’t have any magical powers, except that Shalisi says he comes from a line of witches, and she’s done something so that as long as he’s in my vicinity every day for at least an hour, my spell will stay strong, and I’ll stay hidden.

What made you want to leave your perfect life and come down here to this hellhole?

EXCUSE ME, what hellhole are you talking about?

Earth, why would you come to Earth? I mean, if the stories Reseda tells are true, why would you leave paradise?

Paradise is not always the same for everyone, now can you stop asking me questions?

He pulls out eggs, cheese, and meat. I watch all his movements as he prepares breakfast, even though he doesn’t have to. His comfort in the kitchen amazes and also confuses me. He doesn’t seem like the type to be able to cook, given what I’ve heard, but it makes me want to get to know him better.

It feels only right that I make some contribution to the breakfast.

I can make us both some hot tea.

He spins around. His eyes are big, and for a second, he looks frightened. He shakes his head no, and then turns back to finish the meat. Then it hits me - Reseda must have told him about my tea! I had only meant to make regular tea. She has him prejudging me too, exactly as my brothers do their Wellas. My eyes narrow with anger, and right now I want to set him on fire and see the ash hit the floor.

Quickly, I push that thought away, and remember being the bad dragon will get me nowhere.

Beauka, Reseda told me about your tea, and how deadly it can be, and hearing you mention it made me nervous, but I shouldn’t be worried unless you give me reason, so make the tea please… Heartbreaker.

All the anger goes away, and I want to hug him, but that would be too much. Instead, I join him near the stove. I open my sealed container and begin to make tea.

After we have eaten, and drunk some tea, I feel more comfortable with Paul. Even though he’s been coming over for a while, he has never stayed and cooked breakfast before; it’s always been just a weird flirty banter between us.

So, what really brings you down here? he asks.

Why are you so interested? Are you the Sheriff of this town or something?

No, but when the princess of the world’s most powerful royal dragons comes to hide in New Orleans, I think questions are to be expected, right? He raises a brow, still drinking tea.

This is when I should have spiked his tea, I think. He would be asleep, and I could be at peace.

I’M HERE for various reasons that I don’t want to, and don’t have to, disclose to you. And no, we don’t know each other well enough for me to tell you, and let me be even more clear, if I think you’re searching to find a weakness for Shalisi to get her out of this obligation she owes me, you will find I’m much more dangerous than my brothers. I’m not hiding, I just don’t want to be found because if my plans get interrupted there will be heads spinning, now get out of my house.

I didn’t mean to offend you or upset you.

I can’t respond or even look at him. The scales on my back are trying to come through. Changing into a dragon would destroy the house and I would make the news. Paul’s questions might be harmless, or Shalisi could be trying to find a way to get out of helping me. I’m not letting that happen. If I want to find a meaningful relationship with a man I need to be here on earth, dating, without anyone intervening.

He stands and starts towards the door, and I follow. As he opens the door, I want to change my mind, but I can’t because I’ve basically threatened his life. Once he’s through the door, because I’m an asshole, I shut it in his face and walk away without even a goodbye. Deep inside I want to say something and let him know I’m searching for someone to love me for who I am, and maybe even have sex before I return home. Yet I don’t know his true motives, and until I’m sure, he’s just not on the list. Shalisi could be using him as her spy for all I know; she wasn’t happy about what I forced her into doing, but to be fair she could have said no and told Gemi everything. She didn’t, and to tell the truth I’m grateful; for once, someone took my side regardless of the consequences. Now when Paul comes over here tomorrow it’s going to be all weird, because I threatened his life, but I did so with good reason. He may not see it that way, but it makes sense to me. Plus, it’s all I know and I’m a dragon. The risk of missing out on this experience of life is too great.

Once he’s gone, I make a fresh cup of tea and try to relax. As I clean the dishes, the silence of the house bothers me. I’m used to being in a huge palace filled with hundreds of creatures at all times, but above all my family is always there, and even though I needed to get away from them, I still miss them. Yet I know there’s no way I can have a life of my own if I stay surrounded by the Draglen beasts. My whole life, all I’ve known is my family, and that is how it will continue if I stay with them. I’m going to have to make up with Paul tonight on the phone, I want to go somewhere tomorrow night. I think it’s been long enough – I’m used to Earth now, and I think I’m ready to be exposed to the people of New Orleans.

I plan on dancing, drinking, eating everything in sight, and even getting my palm read by someone. No one knows me here and Paul is bound to secrecy, so as far as everyone is concerned, I’m just a tall stranger from out of town, with a foreign accent.

Before I close my eyes for sleep, I reach for my phone and text Paul, to do something that I hate doing - apologize.

There are better ways I can speak…

Keep going, you’re going to have to do better…

Ugh… I sometimes get in my mind and once that happens… besides I’m a princess explaining myself is all new

Here on earth, you’re just a sexy ass heartbreaker, so say the words.

Will you take me out tomorrow?

I wait for a response, but there’s nothing. I stare at the phone, thinking that maybe something could be wrong, and then it dawns on me. He’s not answering because I haven’t apologized to him. Even Earth men are assholes. He actually wants me to spell it out. That’s not going to happen; I’m not that sorry, so I must revert to threats, because that always works.

I’m sure Shalisi has told you about the risks.

I wait for the message to come through, but nothing. Shit, shit, shit! I kick the covers off, jump out of bed and snatch the phone off the stand. I stare at it, willing a message to come through, but nothing. My anger begins to turn to laughter at how this human man will not budge for anything, not even for me. Finally, after two hours have passed, wanting to go out tomorrow, I text him back what he wants.

I’M SORRY GOOD NIGHT.

Thank you, Heartbreaker.

He has finally responded, and I can go to sleep. Tomorrow is going to be an interesting day, that’s for sure.

2

PAUL

What am I thinking? Clearly, I’m not thinking at all. Pushing her like that is not the smartest, and on top of that, every time I’m in her presence all I want to do is kiss her. I should have learned my lesson after falling for Reseda and she turned out to be part dragon, now this girl is not even part, but all the way a dragon. This is when I wish I could be anything supernatural, because Beauka is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen, and she’s a damn dragon-shifter. That’s not the real issue, either; she’s bossy, spoiled, over-sensitive, and intimidating. Lastly, I would have blown everything if she hadn’t apologized. I’m not going to deal with her outbursts. If that’s what she’s used to doing, I can see why she’s having man problems. She doesn’t know, but Shalisi told me she’s here because she wants to experience life, and a man in particular. I only know that because when you deal with a witch they get in your head, and she told me, I guess so I can have some idea of what I’m dealing with. I can’t even imagine what could have happened if I had drunk her tea. Shit, I’m not drinking her tea. Everyone has said not to drink her tea, there are legends about Beauka’s Tea.

I’m glad it’s a