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The pull of Nisha was magnetic. Yes, Ivor knew where she was, where she worked, but if he didn’t, he was sure his instincts would have drawn him to her.
He paced outside the store, reluctant to go in because he knew he wouldn’t get her undivided attention.
“Damn it,” he muttered. An itch spread along his spine, tugging at his tailbone. He wanted to shift, to become his dragon self and soar above the clouds. Shoot out great flames of frustration and emotion.
But shifting in the middle of the city was a last resort. When he’d taken his vows in Merlin’s Cave, he’d promised, to the best of his ability, to keep the secret of dragons in order to protect present and future generations.
Eventually, as the shadows began to stretch over the street and the shoppers dispersed, Nisha appeared chatting witha friend.
Ivor didn’t hesitate. “Nisha.”
“Ivor?” She stopped in her tracks, and so did her friend. “What are you doing here?”
“I need to speak with you.”
“You do? About what?” She glanced at her friend. “This is the guy who jumped in to help me last night.”
“He is, is he?” The friend’s eyes widened, and she surveyed Ivor with a slow nod of her head. She grinned. “Well, I reckon you should hear him out.”
“But we were going for—” Nisha started.
“See what he wants, I’m tired anyway.” The friend drew a circle in front of her mouth. “All that excitement at the dentist.”
“Good.” Ivor nodded. “So walk with me, Nisha. This way.” He nodded toward the castle. “It’s important.”
“I don’t know what could be important between us.” Nisha threw a wave at her friend and then drew up at his side.
“It’s about Rishi.”
“Rishi? What do you know about Rishi?”
A cyclist whizzed past. Quickly, Ivor reached for Nisha’s elbow and tugged her close to prevent her from being hit. Her body aligned with his.
The sudden physical connection with her had his heart thumping. He wanted everyone else to disappear so they could be alone, completely alone with no complications or interruptions.
He took a deep breath. “I bumped into him,” Ivor said and started to walk again. They needed to get somewhere more private.
“How could you have? You don’t even know him.”
“I know enough to know he’ll be a terrible husband to you.”
“What?” She stopped in her tracks, hands on hips. “Howcan you possibly know that?”
“I just do. But we can’t talk about it. Not out here.” He looked left and right then crossed the road in front of the castle. He steered her toward the huge wooden door that was open, letting the last of the tourists out.
“We can’t go in here. It’s closing,” she said as they slipped into the castle grounds.
“We can.” He urged her to take an immediate right, into the shadows of the towering walls. Once there and out of view of the pay booth, he set his palms on the huge stones.
“What are you doing?” she asked in a loud whisper.
“Wait a second. I know it’s here.”
“What is here?”
“Ah, this.” He found what he was looking for—a key shape carved into the stone. With a quick slide of his hand, he pushed it to one side.
“What the—?” She stared at the slim gap he’d created.
