Page 3 of Rhadan

“You know there is a difference, and your sisters have a barrier to my power.”

She heard the shuffle of feet and was surprised when Camilla spoke. “Hi. I couldn’t help but notice you. I have never seen such an attractive man. I’m married, but I would consider an upgrade.”

Tempest’s jaw dropped. She had met Camilla’s husband, and they seemed like the perfect couple. How dare this dragon try to ruin a happy marriage? Her lips thinned, and she stared in the direction she had heard Rhadan speak. “Stop it. Leave her alone.”

Rhadan sighed. “Camilla. Your husband is a lucky man, but I am spoken for. Please have a lovely anniversary dinner this evening. I’m sure Dan will love the gift you purchased for him.”

Camilla giggled as if she were half her age. “He is lucky. You could be too.”

Tempest blew out a breath. Why would Legion saddle her with a dragon with sex appeal for a power? It was wasted on the blind and in this case, she was glad. If she ever turned into a lovesick puppy like her mother had been for Devlin, she would pack up and move to a monastery.

“That is not the future before you, Tempest,” Rhadan said.

She could almost feel his eyes on her. Had he read her mind? She was aware the dragons had telepathy with their mates and one another, but she had never communicated that way. Was this a result of getting older? The beginning of her power maturing. God, she hoped not. “Camilla, can I get you anything else? Do you or Nancy want a refill?”

Camilla chuckled. “The thing I want isn’t on the menu.”

Tempest faked a smile. “I can’t see him, but I heard from Alana that Rhadan is a looker. But your husband is one of the nicest men I have ever met. He stops by the store to pick up your favorite soap when you are busy at work.”

“Dan is a peach. He volunteers at the senior center I manage,” Camilla said. The love in her voice was obvious and at odds with her blatant overtures toward Rhadan.

“Tempest, we must speak privately,” his tone held irritation, and it was obvious he was unused to not getting his way. Spoiled dragon, anyone?

Tempest crossed her arms. “Alana said you were extremely attractive, with a god-like physique. Whatever that means, but I am blind, Rhadan. Your sex appeal is wasted on me.”

Power rippled in the air, and the women in the room sucked in a breath. She didn’t see anything, but she felt him come closer to her. As if her soul recognized his. “Sex appeal? You think that is my power? I wish it was so trivial.”

“Trivial?” What did that mean? Heat flooded her body, and she wasn’t sure if it was dragon pheromones or her own. She avoided the opposite sex. She would never be used for her power or by a man. One that held every woman’s attention was about the worst-case scenario. How did she get rid of him? There had to be another dragon Legion could send.

“There will not be another!” he growled.

Camilla cleared her throat. “On second thought, I think I will take a glass of water. It’s hot in here and it’s not just the stud at your counter.”

When she moved to fulfill Camilla’s request, Rhadan grabbed her wrist. Her first instinct was to pull away, but her chest flooded with warmth as if a fire had been unleashed. It started at the pit of her stomach and boiled over like a cauldron, racing to the surface. She swayed on her feet before Rhadan issued a command.

“Remain unseeing,” he said, then cursed under his breath.

The darkness remained as it always had, but there was something beyond. A flicker in the distance she couldn’t quite make out. Was that him? Her?

What started as a slow rising of power whipped out like a lasso, latching onto the presence closest to her. It took no more than a millisecond for her to recognize the power of a dragon when she was attached to it. Her magic formed fingers of power that attempted to create a bond with the being beside her. It tried to mesh with the white filaments of his magic, and she cried out when she realized what was happening. “Stop.”

Rhadan grunted under the assault. “I am trying. You must pull back. You are not ready for the bond.”

This was her. She was doing this. Assaulting him! What was wrong with her? She didn’t want a mate. She wasn’t sure she wanted a human husband. Especially not one every woman on the planet would hit on. This was worse than the nightmares she had of Devlin.

Rhadan scooped her up when she grabbed the counter for support. While she was always aware of her surroundings, the store was eerily silent, and she felt dizzy and disorientated. He placed her on the couch and her fingers slipped over the fabric as she attempted to anchor herself.

“What just happened?” she asked.

“Your magic surfaced. It is too soon for such a thing. It must be a reaction to the danger hunting you.”

She huffed. “The dark dragons are always looking to get to me. That isn’t new.”

“Something has changed.”

She turned to listen to her surroundings, but the store was silent. “Where is everyone?”

“I placed them in a form of stasis. We need to talk, and I have little patience for their adoration,” Rhadan said.

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