"Dragons are remarkable beings." Tyr's voice held deep respect.
"But you said she spent a lot of her time as a human?"
A grin tugged at the corner of his mouth. "Absolutely. In fact, Kaylee was renowned throughout the region - her knowledge of herbs was unmatched, and everyone spoke of her gentle nature."
Beth's mouth dropped open. "Wait, what?"
"Mhmm." Tyr took another sip of his hot toddy. "She ran the healing house at the base of the Magi tower, treating both humans and Others. None of us knew what she truly was until that night. When she appeared in her dragon form, Alyssa cried out in recognition - it turned out she'd already known Kaylee was actually a dragon, apparently."
"Well, Lord Damien probably knew - he knows everything that happens in his territory. But the rest of us?" He shrugged. "We just knew her as Kaylee, the healer who lived in the city proper."
"But you must have noticed something different about her?" Beth couldn't imagine a dragon completely hiding their nature.
"Not really. Back then, vampires didn't mix with the city dwellers. We knew she was one of the Magi - magic users who helped maintain peace between humans and Others. But we had no real dealings with them."
"So she just... lived there in the city? Healing people?"
"Yes, exactly. But that night..." His expression shifted, wonder and something like awe replacing the casual tone. "When Kaylee descended from the sky and landed among us, Alyssa approached her, tried to communicate. Asked her to change so Kaylee could speak with us, but she couldn't. She was pure fury, completely consumed by her dragon nature."
"What we saw that night..." Tyr's voice held clear admiration mingled with awe. "I've never witnessed anything like it. The sheer power, the absolute fury..."
"She kept herself hidden for years," Beth said quietly. Part of her wished she could have witnessed that moment of revelation - seeing wisdom and fury combined in scaled majesty, goldenflames lighting up the desert night. Living among the city dwellers, healing them, and no one knew what she really was."
A dragon living peacefully among humans and Others, only revealing her true nature when absolutely necessary to protect the city. It painted a very different picture from the fierce, treasure-hoarding creatures of myth.
Beth drained the last sip of her now-cool chocolate, savoring the lingering hints of bourbon and spice. The night had grown colder, and even the plush robe couldn't completely ward off the breeze sweeping across the rooftop.
"Ready to head back?" Tyr's voice held gentle concern as he noticed her slight shiver.
Beth nodded, though part of her wanted to stay forever in this magical evening. "Probably should. I do have work tomorrow."
They shed their robes, hanging them on the rack near the elevator. Beth smoothed her hands over her new leather jacket, still amazed by its buttery softness. The elevator whisked them down to street level, where their driver waited with the Maybach.
"Thank you," Beth said as Tyr helped her into the car. "For everything. This has been the most incredible night."
"Thankyou…for letting me share this with you."" Tyr's cool fingers lingered against hers as he settled beside her. Something softened in his expression—a warmth lighting his ancient eyes that transformed his face from merely handsome to breathtaking.
While she'd noted that the traditional vampires of his clan seemed to maintain careful masks of indifference, Tyr had always worn his emotions openly, and now his usual playfulness gave way to something deeper, more genuine. The mischievous spark remained in his eyes, but beneath it lay an intensity thatspoke of centuries of existence suddenly brightened by their unexpected connection.
The Maybach pulled away from the curb, gliding through Manhattan's still-busy streets. Beth leaned back against the leather seat, watching the city lights blur past her window. Her body hummed with pleasant fatigue from ice skating, while her mind buzzed with stories of dragons and ancient battles.
She stifled a yawn, feeling the long evening catching up with her. The car's gentle motion and Tyr's cool presence beside her created a cocoon of contentment that made her eyelids grow heavy.
"Rest," Tyr murmured, his voice soft in the quiet car. "We'll be at the helipad soon."
Beth's head drooped against his shoulder as the Maybach carried them toward the waiting helicopter, the glittering city gradually fading behind them.
Chapter 19
Seven centuries in Lord Damien's clan, and Tyr had never requested an audience for something this personal. He smoothed his shirt front for the third time, then caught himself and forced his hands to stillness. The ornate doors loomed before him, their carved surfaces depicting ancient battles between vampires and demons—flights of fancy that had never taken place.
He ran his fingers through his fair hair, then immediately smoothed it back into place. The heavy wood paneling of the hallway seemed to close in around him as he turned for another pass.
Lord Damien's Steward emerged from the inner sanctum, his clothing immaculately starched, as always.
"Lord Damien and Lady Alyssa will see you now." Charles's cultured voice carried the weight of decades of service.
Tyr straightened his shoulders, squaring them as he had countless times before entering his lord's presence. His hand smoothed down his shirt front one final time before he stepped forward.
