Once Upon a Forbidden Desire, page 27
Aurora smiled. “That sounds lovely.”
If she could make her sisters happy, then she would be happy, too.
ROYCE LINDWARM SLIPPED out of the crowded ballroom of his home. Too many people. Too many false smiles and forced laughs. Stepping onto the terrace, he sought the little bench under the trellis and leaned his clockwork cane against the balustrade.
Sitting down, he rubbed his left thigh. He pulled up his tuxedo trousers and examined his mechanical leg. It was chafing at the knee attachment again. Though he was used to dealing with soreness, this felt different—something was off.
He grimaced and unfastened the prosthetic. Feeling around the saddle, he encountered the head of a spring poking out from the base. And everything was on a lean.
He ran a large mining operation—the largest in the county. But he couldn’t fix his mechanical leg. Bother! He fought the urge to throw the prosthesis off the balcony.
The voices in the ballroom rose and fell. Why had he offered to host the charity ball? Although these events were good for the family’s reputation, they were grueling social engagements for him. So lonely in a sea of people. Smiling and pretending everything was peachy, when only a mile away unspeakable horror lay underground. The dragon held them all in his thrall—and there was nothing Royce could do to stop it.
He was grateful they were alive. It wasn’t much of a life, though, when they constantly lived in fear.
He had spent years trying to find a way out of this mess. Years of researching mesmerism hadn’t turned up anything. He was well and truly submerged in the muck. And his sister—his heart stuttered when he thought of her stuck down in the cavern with the beast.
He rubbed his face and leaned back on the bench.
There was a rustle by the trellis beside him. Out stepped a goddess—a tall, dark-haired, graceful woman shining in the moonlight. Long hair done up in elaborate coils, silky beige skin, indigo evening gown—she was made to be worshipped. She sighed, turned, and saw him.
“I beg your pardon, sir! I didn’t see you.” Her voice was like velvet.
His face growing hot, Royce moved quickly to re-attach his mechanical leg and smooth down his trousers.
The woman approached, her green eyes flickering over the prosthetic. “Is it listing? Or is the saddle chafing?”
“Yes. And yes,” he said, basking in the glow of her gaze.
“May I?”
When he nodded, she knelt in front of him and helped him pull the trouser leg back up around his thigh. Her touch made him shiver.
“It’s too bad my sisters are inside. Leandra is a mechanical whiz. She fixed her friend Maya’s clockwork hand the other day so it was better than new.” Her hands moved swiftly and confidently, assessing the mechanisms and checking springs.
Every time she brushed against him, the hairs on his neck stood up. Although her off-shoulder gown was last season’s fashion, she wore it well. When she leaned forward, he glimpsed the swell of her breasts, her creamy skin making his breath catch.
“My sister is a Weaver,” he said, trying to regain control.
She looked up. “My other sister—Talia—she’s an emotional empath, not an intuitive one. She can’t link people together like a Weaver does.”
“It takes a toll on her,” he said.
It had been a long time since a woman had been so close. He couldn’t stop his body from responding. It didn’t matter that she was only examining his mechanical device. The rest of him reveled in the attention of this gorgeous creature.
“Talia says being empathic sets you apart from others. She overcompensates by being a people-pleaser.” She looked at him and shrugged. “I don’t know why I’m telling you all this.”
“I don’t often have a chance to talk about my family,” he said. “I’m grateful.”
She smiled up at him and his heart stopped. She was beautiful, kind, and smart. Everything he wanted in a woman.
“I can see a couple of places where the mechanisms could be tightened up. I wish my sister had brought her tools to the party. But I told her no.”
When she leaned her head forward, he caught the scent of caramel and vanilla. Heady, delightful—just like her. His arms and legs tingled and he chastised his body for its unseemly reactions.
“I wouldn’t want to impose,” he said, keeping his voice steady.
“Nonsense. May we call on you tomorrow?” Her gaze locked on his.
“Yes.” He wanted to see her again, more than anything.
Her fingers brushed against his skin as she rolled down his trouser leg. The hairs on his legs and arms stood up. Electrifying, that’s what she is.
She planted her hand on the arm of the bench and prepared to stand. “What is your—”
He reached over and laid his hand over hers. She looked up, still kneeling in front of him, and his heart lurched.
“Your kindness—” he said, losing himself in the green pools of her eyes. He picked up her other hand, raising it to his lips. Is it too much? He hoped not.
When she inclined her head, cheeks glowing a bright pink, he pressed his lips gently upon the back of her hand. His fingers brushed against a ring on her finger.
The ring wasn’t on her left hand, though. Good, she isn’t married. Yet there was something strange about the piece of jewelry. Familiar. Was it the setting? He pulled back to look at it.
She smiled at him and sat on her haunches. Her free hand moved to rest against his leg, sending shivers through him.
He inspected the ring. There was a black orb shot through with white swirls. Dark as night, it called to him. His heart thudded in his chest.
When he touched the sphere, a shock of electricity went through him. He gasped. “Where did you get this ring?” He stood up suddenly, almost knocking over the woman in front of him.
“I—I don’t know.” She wobbled, and he helped her onto the bench. “Have you seen it before?” Her eyes were bright, cheeks flushed.
He sat down beside her, a knot forming in his stomach.
It looked exactly like the one his sister wore. A bronze ring with a circling dragon. Ouroboros. And when he touched this one, he could feel the dragon through it. Calling him—and the woman. Her pupils were dilated. She could feel it, too.
This was bad.
He took a deep breath and let go of her, trying to inch backward on the bench. “You can’t …” He didn’t know what he was telling her. He wanted her to stay. But he had to get her away. His head ached as he tried to sort out his thoughts.
“I don’t understand,” she said, eyes shining. She squeezed her hands together.
A buzzing started in his ears. The dragon was trying to get in. He shook his head, but he couldn’t stop it.
Seduce her, the voice whispered.
The voice was so strong. Smoke and fire in his veins, he needed this woman. There was no way to prevent the pull toward her.
He reached forward with his free hand and touched her cheek. She closed her eyes, lips parted slightly. The buzzing increased. Caressing her jawline, his fingers traced to her chin. She lifted her hand to his cheek and sighed. He tried to stop himself, but he couldn’t. He rubbed his face against her palm, the soft pads of her fingers grazing his skin ever so gently.
He pulled her mouth to his and kissed her. Sweet and tart, like cherries. He was falling down into the dragon’s desire, drowning in the warmth of their need for this woman.
As he crushed her body against his, she moaned and ran her hands along his back.
How could he resist? He didn’t have the will to fight it.
Let go and take her …
He kissed her deeper, exploring every nook and cranny of her mouth with his tongue. Groaning, he tried to clear his head.
What was going on?
It was the dragon pushing them together. Maybe it was simply lust.
Or was this feeling something more?
Mustering the last of his strength, he pulled away. “We have to stop,” he breathed, struggling to maintain control.
“Who are you?” this strange woman asked as she panted against him.
“I’m Royce Lindwarm.”
Her eyes went wide. “No.” She jerked upright and stood, a look of disbelief on her face. “You’re the mine owner.”
He rubbed his temples, fear gnawing at his gut. “You shouldn’t be here.”
“You’re hiding something. Tell me what’s going on down there.” Her eyes flashed.
“It’s too dangerous. Stay away from the mines.” He had to convince her to go away. The dragon would pull them both under.
She pursed her lips and backed up. “You’re the problem. What are you keeping down there?”
“You don’t know everything.” The buzzing came back, and he rubbed his temples. “You must leave. Don’t come back.”
He stood up and called a servant from the ballroom. Where is my cane? No matter.
After a groomsman appeared, Royce spoke. “Please escort Miss—?”
“Lady Aurora McQuestern.” She refused to look at him, head held high.
He nodded and rubbed his temples. “Please take Lady Aurora to her sisters and find their carriage. It is time they left.”
Without a word, she turned on her heel and followed the servant into the ballroom.
Royce stared after them.
So her name was Lady Aurora McQuestern. She was a splendid, fiery creature. Passionate, strong, and stunning. Everything he could ever want in a woman.
He had felt a connection to her. And he had sent her away.
AURORA FUMED ON the carriage ride to their hotel while her sisters talked about the party.
That man. He was gorgeous and kind.
Too bad he was holding the dragon captive. And he tried to seduce me to cover it up.
He wanted them—her—gone. But there was no way she was going to leave without fulfilling her task.
Talia tapped her shoulder. “Was that Royce? He’s delectable!”
“Yes, it was him. But he didn’t tell me his name at first.” Her blood boiled.
“Devious!” Leandra frowned. “I dislike him already.”
“Maybe he doesn’t go around announcing himself to pretty young women.” Talia sighed. “He’s lonely.”
“Or maybe he’s hiding something,” Leandra said. “Secret business deals, a dragon hoard, a gang?”
It wasn’t only that he’d tricked Aurora. Or that his lips were so soft. She was also angry at herself for not suspecting what he was doing. This wasn’t supposed to happen to detectives. Her observational powers had let her down. She cleared her throat. “He’s the one we’ve been looking for.”
“Are you sure?” asked Talia.
“He recognized the ring.” Everything had fallen apart when he touched the orb in its setting. Until that point, they had been having a regular conversation.
“What did he do?” Leandra asked.
Aurora rubbed her eyes. “It was confusing. We were talking. Then he saw the ring and practically bowled me over.”
“He attacked you?”
“No, he was startled. Then he kissed me and I was kissing him back. We couldn’t stop ourselves—it was like the ring was making us do it. But that’s impossible.” Aurora squeezed her hands together and remembered the warm tingles spreading through her at his touch. Then the dragon’s voice, urging them on.
“You kissed? What do you—” Talia began.
“Talia! Don’t interrupt!” Leandra scolded her sister.
Talia closed her mouth, brow furrowed.
“When we broke off, he told me to stay away. Go home.” They had connected—she had thought he was handsome and caring. Someone she would like to know better, even if it was only for a few days. But it had all come crashing down.
“You touched a nerve, Aurora,” Leandra said. “He knows you have something on him.”
“Maybe we should go home.” Talia’s eyes were wide and her face drained of color.
Aurora shook her head. “I’m not ready to leave yet, no matter what he said.” She couldn’t let that man scare her off. Even if it was dangerous. She had her professional reputation to uphold.
“What if he sends someone after us?” Talia asked. “What if he hurts the dragon?”
“Did you sense anything from him, Talia?”
“When we were leaving, I sensed fear and concern. Not real danger. But the ballroom was crowded. That always makes it hard for me to get a good read,” Talia said.
“He’s still a problem. And what about the workers at the mine? Something’s going on there.”
Talia sighed. “Why are the handsome ones so much trouble?”
“We can’t stop now,” Aurora said. She knew they had to solve the mystery.
“Are you angry because he lied to you?” Leandra asked, her eyes boring into Aurora’s soul.
“No.” Aurora shook her head. “Well, yes. It’s not about that.” At least, that’s what she was telling herself. “I need to know what is going on with the dragon. He led us here. I want to know why.”
The sisters sat for a moment as the carriage putted through the moonlit countryside.
Leandra broke the silence. “What should we do?”
“We have to go down into the mines.” Aurora knew this was the only way to uncover Royce’s secrets.
“I would like to find out about the workers and help them if they want us to,” Talia said reluctantly.
“We’d have to be armed—either with weapons or my gadgets.” Leandra pulled out her notebook and started to make a list.
“Why don’t we plan a reconnaissance visit tomorrow—just to look around. What do you think?” Aurora looked at her sisters.
They nodded, neither of them looking too pleased. But Aurora was happy enough for all of them. She would expose Royce’s secrets and save everyone at the mine. She would leave the infuriating landowner—and his beautiful hair and sweet lips—in pieces.
AURORA AND HER sisters had walked into the mine with the workers for the afternoon shift. It was busy, lots of people—humans, dwarves, and fae—traveling by foot, cycle, and steam-powered trolleys in and out of the large compound. Wearing the coveralls from Leandra helped them blend in.
After passing through the imposing gates and by the equally imposing guards, they moved with the crowd through the cavernous Great Hall into the locker area, where incoming workers were storing personal possessions and outgoing miners were showering and dressing after their shifts. Talia searched out some hard hats and other “accessories” for them to add to their disguises.
“They’re not accessories,” Leandra grumbled. “These people work for a living and need this equipment to keep safe and do their jobs properly.”
Aurora shushed them before an argument broke out and shooed them into a quiet corner. The atmosphere in the room was uncomfortable. Eerie. The dozens of miners didn’t banter or share small talk like Aurora had expected. They left the locker room in silence, looking straight ahead. When the space was almost empty, she looked into the Great Hall. Workers quietly waited by several creaky lifts for their turn to descend into the caverns.
Aurora shivered. When the last group left, they waited another ten minutes before venturing out to the lifts.
As soon as the door to the elevator was closed, Talia began complaining about the grime on her coveralls.
Leandra shushed her, but she wouldn’t stop.
Talia whispered, “Why are we doing this? Royce told you to go home, Aurora.” She pulled a kerchief from her pocket and wiped her hands on it.
“The dragon needs us,” Aurora reminded them. “I bet Royce has gotten rid of anybody who tries.”
“Won’t Royce try to get rid of us, too?”
Leandra interrupted. “I’ve given both of you a dampener to help you resist any attempts at compulsion. And I brought my tools in case we need them.”
“I brought my pistol,” Talia said.
Aurora’s heart sank. “Where did you get that?”
“My friend Joshua loaned it to me before we left.”
Leandra scowled. “Keep it in your reticule, Talia. I don’t want anyone using it against you.”
Talia sighed and nodded.
“I shouldn’t have brought you two.” Aurora’s stomach was in knots and she squeezed her hands together.
“You know we wouldn’t have let you go on your own,” said Talia.
“I know, it’s just—”
At that moment, the lift whined to a stop and the doors opened.
Pulling out one of her throwing knives, Leandra peered out of the elevator. When she was satisfied, she nodded. They exited the lift and looked cautiously around. Everything was quiet in the dark tunnel.
Leandra took out a small device and stashed it on the side of the entrance to the lift. “Aurora, if you get lost, home in on the compass and return back here.”
Talia snorted. “That’s an odd thing to use. Perhaps we should have brought a long thread, like Theseus and the Minotaur.”
“This isn’t a story,” Leandra shot back.
“Quiet! I need to concentrate,” Aurora said. She closed her eyes and focused on her Seeking ability. Listening, feeling. For what, she wasn’t certain. A hum or buzzing? There was something there. She reached out with her mind, looking for a path or direction.
It was fuzzy, but she felt something beside the lift. There was a small staircase with a hidden entrance about two paces from it. She opened her eyes and sought out the place. Locating the mechanism, she asked Leandra to unlock the entrance.
Leandra sprung the lock and fished out her electric lantern. Aurora and Talia followed her down the dark staircase until they reached a small, wooden door. Leandra pushed it open to reveal a hidden lower level. Torches lined a circular space carved from the rock. There were several tunnels leading away from the entrance. Aurora stifled a cough from breathing in the dank and musty air.
They heard voices down the hallway on the farthest left, with some light coming from that hallway.
Talia closed her eyes and reached out with her empathic link. “There are three guards playing cards and drinking ale.”
