Her mind screamed the word, and suddenly she envisioned herself wandering in never-ending circles across a barren moonscape. Saving Joey was the X she sought above all other destinations. Lucy’s mouth gaped open, and she shook her head like an AA first-timer, denial in every shake. But her mind knew the truth. Joey was her shorter leg. Even when she believed she plodded a straight line, she veered in endless circles, for him.
Always coming back for him.
Always.
The knowledge hit her with crushing sadness. Joey should not be first in her life anymore. Whatever was between her and Alec should be first. Alec was true. He understood her. He would never betray her for a handful of jewels. He would shield her, save her, love her.
But would he ever trust her again?
There was a brief knock at the door before Jane entered, carrying an armload of vibrant red and orange clothing. “The Jer’ol asked me to get you dressed for the ceremony.”
Lucy stood, needing to vindicate herself to someone, even the stony looking assistant. “I wanted to save my brother, give him a new start.”
“I don’t care.” Jane gave her a level glare.
“But…” Lucy’s explanations died on her tongue.
“Take off your clothes, there’s not much time.” Jane spread out a silk cloth that resembled an Indian sari. The colors twined in an intricate and beautiful pattern. She set several pieces of diamond jewelry on the bed and crossed her arms.
Lucy ran her hand over the jewels. They throbbed with the tang of cold water, and she didn’t need her jeweler’s loupe to know that they were real diamonds.
“These are lovely.” Her mind jumbled over the gems and Alec. “Will I be able to talk to Alec before the ceremony?”
“No.” Jane said the word with such certainty that Lucy knew she was a no longer a guest in anyone’s eyes. She was a prisoner playing dress up. “You’re to act the part of his mate during the ceremony so that he is not seen as weak by the visiting families.”
“Why would he been seen as weak?” Lucy pulled off her clothing and folded it neatly on the bed.
“He’ll likely die because of you.” Jane said the words with such vehemence that Lucy paused. “
“Dead?”
“Alec is very old. If the other families knew that he hadn’t found a
“He would die?”
“Yes.” Jane seemed absolute. “Take off your underwear, too.”
Lucy’s skin went cold. “Could I have some privacy?”
“No.”
Lucy unfastened her bra and stepped out of her panties. She set them on the bedspread with a shaky hand. “I’m sorry, Jane. Truly sorry. I didn’t realize. I didn’t believe Alec.”
“You’ve ruined everything.” Jane picked up the sari cloth and snapped it in the air. She spread the fabric wide, and in three twisting moves, she wrapped the cloth around Lucy’s body and secured it at the shoulder with a garnet pin.
Lucy stood still.
Jane shook her head but said nothing, not giving an inch of forgiveness.
“Remember the grand opening?” Lucy tried to meet her eyes, but Jane looked over her shoulder. “When you told me that it’s useless to try to control others.”
Jane frowned. “Yes.”
“You were right. I thought I could save my brother, but in the end, he always does what he wants.”
Lucy sat on the bed and shook her head. She had wasted so much time trying to corral Joey. No matter what she did, he was going to buck at the buzzer. It was what he loved. And she was nothing more than a silly rodeo clown, racing around the dirt with props, trying to safeguard his joyride.
“Please tell Alec that I want to talk to him.” Lucy looked beseechingly at Jane.
“I don’t carry your messages.” Jane pointed at the bed. “Fix your hair and put on the rest of your jewelry. Someone will come for you when it’s time.” She slammed the door when she exited the room. The silence in her wake was broken only by Lucy’s rapid breathing.
Lucy’s bare feet sank into the plush carpet like quicksand. On the bed, the diamond jewelry clustered in a pile. Lucy picked the pieces up and nearly dropped them as an icy rush pulsed through her skin.
In front of the mirror, she set the jewels down and examined her face. Her strained features were at least familiar. She finger-combed her hair into order and used her rubber band to make a messy looking bun, and then put on the diamond headband. The pulse of the jewels spread down her neck, pleasant and warm, like the sure stroke of fingers coated with hot oil.
Curiously, she fastened the jeweled belt around her waist and put on the necklace and dangling earrings. The magical tendrils spread just under the surface of her skin with tingly projections, making her feel more aware, as if someone had just given her the right prescription glasses.
In the mirror, the silken material of the exotic sari hugged her hips and the jewels sparkled. The black surgical stitches in her shoulder marred the picture somewhat, but who hadn’t survived a little pain?
She could do this. She could convince Alec to at least listen to what had happened…listen to how she wound up acting the thieving fool.
The door opened. Alec stood in the door frame. “It’s time.” He wore a black tunic and pants, and his feet were bare. He face was a mask of inscrutableness, and he seemed to lean away from her, toward the hallway.
Lucy hurried to him. “Alec, please listen to me.” She reached out a hand to touch him, but he froze her with a withering stare.
“If you want your brother released, you’ll act like we are a happily mated pair.” He turned on his heel and strode toward the elevator.
Lucy caught up to him, jogging on her bare feet to keep pace. “How can I do that if you won’t even look at me?”
“You’re good at acting. I’m sure you’ll figure it out.” Alec punched the elevator button and the doors slid open with a metal sigh. He stepped in and held the door while she followed.
“You said that you wanted me
“Not anymore.” Alec watched the lights for the changing floors.
Lucy stared at her painted silver toes. “Is it true that you’ll lose your dragon form and die without the mating bond?”
“You don’t need to play act when we’re alone.” The elevator clicked open and Alec stepped forward.
The roof patio was filled with human-formed dragons in exotic clothing, in the same style as hers and Alec’s. Above the courtyard, full-sized dragons flew in circles, like planes circling a runway. Some were brown and gray with colorful flourishes at their tails and eyes, others were vibrant hues of reds, blues, greens, and yellows. They flew toward each other in the air and then fell in a tangled mass before flying apart above the rooftop.
“Holy Mary, Joseph, and Peter…” Lucy huddled inside the elevator wall, and the cool intractableness of steel chilled her back. Her head spun and her heart pounded in her chest. This was more than theatrics. If she had had any lingering doubts about the beasts, they were gone now. This was for
Alec glanced at her and extended an open hand. “Let’s go.”
Lucy swallowed and stepped forward, but her legs shook so badly that she stumbled. Alec caught her elbow and brought her close to his side. His strength and familiar heat anchored her rattled nerves.
As they stepped forward, the human-formed dragons bowed to the floor. The flying dragons landed on the roof with soft thuds, changed into their human forms, and bowed to the ground.
Alec led her through the throng to a stage on the left side of the patio. At the edge of the stage, the lovelorn doctor nodded at her in recognition. Alec helped her up the steps and settled her on a seat at the back, next to Leo and the five men from the casino opening.
