Page 16 of Rhadan

It isn’t your power; it is you.

She felt him tense beside her. Had she made him mad? His lips touched her cheek, and he whispered in her ear. “You have no idea how long I have waited to hear those words.”

She shivered, and it wasn’t from the cold. She didn’t have a chance to respond as someone approached the couches. “Hi, my name is Nancy. I have to tell you that I have never seen a man as good-looking as you. Are you a model?”

Rhadan’s fingers stilled over her wrist. “Thank you, but no. I work for Tempest. I am her... fiancé.”

Tempest huffed. Are you serious?

The wards will not protect the humans for long. As soon as Mara and Legion arrive, we should move upstairs. Prolonged exposure is unwise.

Nancy sighed. “You are so lucky, Tempest. Wherever did you meet him?”

“We met here. At the store.”

Nancy giggled like a schoolgirl. “Do you have any brothers Rhadan?”

“Aye, I have many.”

“You’re Scottish?”

Rhadan cleared his throat. “I immigrated quite some time ago, but I do have some Scottish heritage.”

Tempest’s hands fisted at her sides. Nancy continued to comment on Rhadan’s looks, and Sam moved restlessly in her chair. The girl wanted to run from the awkward situation, and Tempest longed to join her. Can you strengthen the wards around the shop, so she tones it down? I expect her to give you a lap dance any minute, and I am sure her husband wouldn’t be impressed.

I sense your jealousy, but I only have eyes for you.

Cheesy much? And I am not jealous. It’s ridiculous how she is throwing herself at you.

She can’t help it, and neither can I. The only recourse is to remove my presence. Legion will alter the memories of the women, except for Sam, to forget this occurrence. I do not want them to regret their actions, he messaged.

Everyone fawning over you. This is Allorin’s wet dream.

Rhadan grunted, and she heard his dragon growl in anger. Do you think I don’t know this? I barely woke since Elia’s death because I feared turning dark. I didn’t believe I had a future, and it was the only way I could help my clan. Can you imagine the destruction a dark dragon could do with this power?

Tempest sucked in a breath. A dark with radiance was unimaginable. While a dragon could influence one or two people, Rhadan could control a room, a stadium of humans, and they would be little more than slaves until they went mad.

What you are envisioning is my worst fear. Or it was until I walked into this store.

You are sure you won’t turn dark?

Not now. Now that you exist.

She could feel his gratitude. There was some kind of bond forming between them. He said he wouldn’t touch her without permission, but she feared she would allow access to her body, considering the things he made her feel. Sex didn’t scare her. Dependency on a man, on anyone, was the one thing she promised she would never allow to happen again.

The tentative push into his mind wasn’t intentional. Her curiosity got the better of her and he opened the door of his emotions as if she had knocked. He held nothing back. His loneliness. The need for a real connection. Not one that was manufactured by his power. His gratitude that she existed. His love for her, despite having just met her. He gave her access to every dark corner of his soul. He let her feel what he did. He wasn’t obsessed with her, but he did worship her. Fear had her pulling back. How could she take everything from him and expect to give nothing in return? Who was the hypocrite now?

Sam stood up. “Hi, Nancy? My name is Sam. I just started working here. Will you allow me to refill your and your friend’s coffee? I will grab you both a free cinnamon stick.”

Tempest smiled at Sam. “Thank you, Sam. Mara and Legion will be here soon, and Rhadan and I have some errands to run.” She breathed a sigh of relief when Sam led Nancy back to her table in the cafe.

“Sam is pouring the ladies some more coffee. I couldn’t read her mind, but she was uncomfortable with Nancy’s overtures. I think she will work out well at the store. I do not need to read her mind to see her kindness.”

“That’s a relief. I wish I could see her myself. I always wonder if a voice matches the person I envision,” she said with a wry smile.

“Would you like to?” Rhadan asked.

“Would I like to what?”

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