Page 2 of Rhadan

The rows of white shelves were cluttered with handmade soaps, creams, and pottery. Brown handwritten tags denoted the pride Mara and Natalie took in the store and the environment it created for those who needed it. The ladies didn’t need money; they kept this place for those in the community who needed a safe place. The people who felt different from those around them. Rhadan knew the feeling well.

The small cafe area in the corner had two older women sitting at a table drinking coffee and another younger blond woman was at the till as Tempest’s fingers moved over the keypad. Her fingers caressed the braille numbers softly as his dragon roared to the surface. His mate hadn’t turned around yet, and her long raven-colored hair cascaded down her back like silk ribbons.

She placed the items the woman was purchasing in a paper bag with the store logo on it as her customer turned to stare at Rhadan.

“Dear God. Let him be single,” she whispered.

Tempest turned toward the door as the older women glanced his way, but he was focused on his mate. Her milky green eyes glanced around the room, but seemed to overlook him. “I will be right with you.” She turned back to the customer. “That will be twenty-seven dollars and fifty-two cents.”

The customer handed Tempest a fifty but continued to watch Rhadan as he closed the door and approached the cashier’s counter. She held out her hand when he stopped beside the display case that contained an assortment of handmade silver jewelry and various crystals. “Hi, my name is Julie.”

Rhadan nodded politely, but did not extend his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Julie. I have come to see Tempest.”

Julie sighed and placed her hand on her purse. “Lucky Girl.”

Tempest frowned. “You are new. Are you newly...”

“I am new in town, yes. I’m staying at my family’s cabin.”

Tempest cleared her throat. “Right, Sorry. Legion has so many family members it’s hard to keep track.”

He detected the hint of irritation in her voice, and he could discern no admiration in her eyes, but Tempest was difficult to read because of her lack of sight. “May we go upstairs? We have... plans to make.”

She huffed. “I’m working. I realize your family likes to contribute at the store, but none of your brothers tried to tell me what to do. If you want to help, you can sweep the floor in the cafe. Cole didn’t get to it because Natalie wasn’t feeling well.”

He blinked several times. Had she refused him? Nobody had denied a request of his in centuries. He was careful not to ask anything of those around him. She should have jumped at his request. “I beg your pardon? You wish me to sweep?”

“You are not one of the lazy ones, are you? Legion can send another if you are. I need help, not a babysitter,” Tempest said, as she moved an errant strand of black silk from her forehead.

He wasn’t sure who was more shocked. Him or his dragon. While the three human women in the shop couldn’t keep their eyes off him, his mate, his future, turned away from him as if he were an annoyance she had little time for. “Tempest, I have come here for you.”

She turned back, but not before he saw her eyes roll. “I’m aware you have been... assigned to help me, but you have to understand that I know the store and the loft. I am safe here.” She tapped her temple. “I have every piece of furniture memorized. I don’t even use my walking stick here anymore.”

Julie continued to stare at Rhadan, and the adoration in her eyes was unsettling. He smiled at her and pitched his voice to the correct tone. “Julie, would you give Tempest and me some privacy?”

Julie nodded and grabbed her bag. “Sure. Anything you say.” She rushed over to one of the tables at the cafe and sat down, but she kept her eyes on Rhadan.

Tempest leaned over the counter. “What the hell was that?” her anger was barely leashed as her eyes flickered.

“You are immune. You sense nothing from me?” he asked in wonder.

Tempest frowned. “Immune to what? You being a jerk?”

CHAPTER 2

Tempest heard the sultry tone of Rhadan’s voice. She didn’t understand what he meant by immune to him, but Alana had told her that while all the dragons were good-looking, Rhadan was what she called stud material. Tempest had laughed, but hadn’t thought about it again until he showed up at the store. This new dragon’s looks obviously enthralled her customer, but Tempest was blind. Why would he think his great genetics would affect her?

Rhadan grunted. “Did you call me a jerk?”

“You just said something to make Julie go away. It wasn’t what you said; it’s the way you said it. I think you used a compulsion spell on her. She is one of my best customers and her mother doesn’t get out much anymore. She works two jobs to support them. I can’t believe you would use magic like that.”

“I did not use magic on her. The cadence of my voice is a natural gift. It has a certain effect on humans. All but you, it would seem.” His voice held an interest and an appreciation she wasn’t sure she was comfortable with. The parade of dragon babysitters was getting to be too much, and she had to put a stop to it.

“I appreciate why you are here. I liked having Thorn around when he was a wolf, but I don’t want another roommate. I will find one on my own.”

Rhadan huffed. “I am not here to be your roommate or to work in the store. It is unwise for me to remain in a location frequented by humans for too long.”

Tempest pulled the white cardigan she wore closed. She wasn’t sure why she felt exposed. She had no idea what she looked like anymore, but she could feel his eyes on her. The store was usually filled with chatter, but none of the customers spoke or took a sip of their drinks. It was as if they were holding their breath. “That makes little sense. All the... my friends are human.”

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