The Golden Dragon's Unexpected Mate: The Jeweled King's Curse Book One
Chapter 1
Miko
The fog cleared like magic. One minute, Miko Lannis was lost in the haze along with everyone else on the ferry. The next, it was as if they had crossed some invisible barrier. The fog dissipated, revealing a gorgeous tropical island landscape.
"Ladies and gentlemen, if you look just ahead you will get your first glimpse of Chryseum Island. Latin for gold, the island is named for the affinity of this tribe," the tour guide's voice spoke through the loudspeakers. Her speech sounded rehearsed, but Miko didn't blame her. Tours to Chryseum Island had only just begun, and this was the first ferry full of non-diplomats or governmental bigwigs. Other than Miko and George, these people were all here because they had the enormous funds to pay for the luxuriance of Chryseum Island.
"Once thought to be only legend, the inhabitants of Chryseum Island are verified dragon shifters. The entire island is thought to be a gold mine and the inhabitants make up the world's top one one-hundredth in terms of income and net worth."
"But what do they do with that power?" George Johnson, Miko's boyfriend and head reporter at the Portland Tribune mumbled as he hunched over his tablet tapping out notes for his assignment.
Miko tore his gaze away from the island in the distance and read over the dossier George had prepared on the Golden King. The nickname seemed a bit much to Miko, but it was what the papers were calling the ruler of the dragon shifters. Apparently, Chryseum Island wasn't just a gorgeous tropical landscape, but also home to the densest gold mine in the world. Despite only just announcing their presence, the Golden King and his people had apparently lived on that island for centuries and had had limited contact with the outside world. "It says here, that since revealing their existence, the Golden King has become the largest benefactors for basically all of the big foundations. He has a cancer research wing named after him in almost all the largest hospitals and his camp for underprivileged inner-city youths sent five thousand children to a five-star resort for free. He plans on continuing to do so for the next ten years."
George tore the folder out of Miko's hands. "That's just what you see on the surface, Miko. Don't be so naïve."
Miko faced forward once more, taking in the view of the island that grew ever closer. He understood George's suspicion--seemed to be an essential trait in a reporter--but the Golden King had donated most of that money anonymously until now. They'd had no reason, it wasn't like they got a tax break, and they didn't even pay taxes. Chryseum Island was considered its own sovereign nation.
"Something is going on here. He has an angle. I just need to find it," George muttered.
When George had told Miko about his next assignment on Chryseum Island Miko had exploded with excitement. Then, George had told him that the paper's usual freelance photographer, Jules, was away on a project; which meant George needed someone to accompany him and take pictures. Miko had dusted off his old DSLR camera excited to go, with the caveat that he wasn't allowed to embarrass George with any of his fanboy behavior.
It wasn't that Miko was obsessed. The world had just learned of the existence of dragons a little more than a year ago. Miko respected the fact that the dragons had kept themselves a secret from the world for years. They were there the whole time, making donations, sending children to camp. He'd heard the rumors. Most of what he'd heard had to have been exaggerated. There is just no way a man, or woman, could transform into a beast as massive as the first reports were reporting. Miko had even heard rumors that the dragons could fly and breathe fire.
George sighed, wiping back his curly brown hair from his forehead. "Why don't you go take some pictures? Get the arrival shots. I want plenty of choices, lots of wide angles." George leaned forward, giving Miko a light kiss on his forehead before returning to his tablet.
Miko stepped past a group of women, chattering with each other excitedly. "When Samria visited with her husband, he's a diplomat you know, she said that the Golden King was the most gorgeous man she'd ever laid her eyes on."
"Did she…?"
The group dissolved into laughter at the woman's question. "I wouldn't put it past her."
Shaking his head, Miko reached the railing at the front of the boat. He wiped his forehead. George's kiss had felt like a sloppy stamp on his skin, and then, after wiping his hands on his pants, lifted the camera from around his neck. He took a couple of simple shots over the railing of the ship. Using the autofocus, he attempted to capture the beauty and grandeur of the island despite how far away they were. The island was billed as an adult's playground full of decadence and indulgence. The public response to the hotel wing that the dragons had opened and designed for them had been explosive. George had told Miko that it was booked up through that year and into the next.
Miko could already see why. As the ferry brought them ever closer, he saw more of the island in detail. Lush and green, the island itself looked like it came out of a storybook. The closer they got, the bluer the water turned. Almost as if the seas were being artificially dyed a perfect turquoise. A rainbow arched over the east side of the island. Miko thought of old sayings about gold at the end of the rainbow.
After taking the standard shots that Miko knew George would want for his piece, he began playing around with the camera's settings and took a shot. The picture he ended up with was out of focus, and the colors were blown out and oversaturated, but Miko thought the picture did a better job of capturing the alluring nature of the island while also maintaining its mystery.
A shadow fell over his camera screen. "Oh God, please don't tell me you're going to be taking useless shots like this all weekend," George said over his shoulder.
Miko hurried to turn the screen off. "I already took your shots, these are for me. And they aren't useless," Miko said with a pout. He threaded his head through the camera strap. "They're a little different, but that doesn't mean they aren't—"
"Ugh, please don't go into lecture mode," George interrupted him. "You know I'm just stressed about this article. It's my first big travel piece. Of course, Jules had something else planned. I'm glad you're here to take the pictures, but you have to understand the whole fucking world is looking at these dragons, wondering where the dent is in their armor. You saw that coming out interview that Damari Chryseum made along with everyone else. He presents himself and his people as this unassuming entity. But, there's no way they've existed for as long as they have without having their hand and everything. We're talking Illuminati, Bilderberg group, the Freemasons. They may be the cause of the beginning and end of World War II, the Cold War, War on Terror—"
"Technically, that last one is ongoing," Miko said.
"It doesn't fucking matter, Miko, wake up. These people say they want to be treated like everyone else. Then why live isolated on an island surrounded by militarized fog?"
"It isn't militarized, it's because of the southern airflow heating the northern—"
"That's all bullshit. These people are hiding something, and we are going to figure out what." George pulled Miko into an awkward embrace. "Look at me, I haven't been so excited for something in a long time. Jesus, it's making me hard."
Miko thought he had felt something poking him. He wouldn't have called it hard. He blushed instantly and pulled away. "C'mon, George, stop, there are people around," he whispered.
"I know," George replied, letting his hands fall to Miko's ass.
Miko squeaked, attempting to pull away, but George only pinched his cheeks tighter forcing him to keep still.
"I said stop," Miko repeated, his palms flat against George's chest. The tips of his ears burned as he imagined every eye upon them, judging them. George had been by his side ever since Miko had graduated high school and been able to leave his cramped foster home. He should have realized how uncomfortable this moment would have made Miko. "You know I don't like public displays."
"Fine, fuck. I thought you'd be happy that I was turned on," George muttered, pushing away from Miko so hard that he stumbled back against the boat railing.
Miko knew what George wasn't saying. Since you haven't turned me on for so long.
Miko's stomach turned over with guilt and worry. His old demons, the ones that told him he wasn't good enough, reared their heads. "No, I am… It's just …"
The sound speakers crackled to life a moment before the tour guides voice piped through. "Take care as we near the dock. The approach can be a little bumpy, and I would hate for someone to fall over before they have a chance to see their first dragon."
A couple of the ferry goers chuckled, but their laughter was cut short as a mighty roar rumbled through them. People gasped reaching for their cameras. Miko jumped around and searched the skies. The next roar sounded as if it came from a closer distance and made his hair stand on and. As eerie as it was powerful, Miko felt a thrill flow through him from the tips of his toes to his pastel blue hair. He looked up at the sun, shielding his eyes, but the next moment there was no need. A huge winged creature blocked out the sun, creating a perfect silhouette.
A beast in flight, Miko thought before lifting his camera to capture the shot.
Everyone on the boat oohed and ahhed except the tour guide and George who had glanced briefly into the clouds but had decided the sight was not worth it.
Miko couldn't stop looking. Because of the glare of the sun, he couldn't make out any details on the dragon. He'd spent a lot of time at home wondering exactly what they would look like. There weren't any videos, at least none that Miko had seen. He understood why they might want to keep that part of them a secret, but he didn't even know if the dragons had feathers or scales. Were they brightly colored or muted? He might not know the answer to those questions, but he knew now that they were big. Bigger than the tiny still images Miko had seen on his ancient laptop.
"Please tell me you at least got that shot," George said as if bored by the whole business already. He glanced over at the camera screen and groaned. "Fuck Miko, I'll get fired if I use any of these pictures." George tossed the camera back to him, but Miko didn't manage to catch it. It dropped roughly down bouncing against his chest while the strap around his neck bit into his skin. "Now I'm going to have to pay one of these people for their shot. Great."
Miko studied the picture after George left. The image was a little blurry, yes, but he'd managed to capture the exact moment that the beast's wings had been unfurled in front of the sun. The lens flare had created an awesome effect near the dragon's head as if a burst of rainbow fire was coming out of his mouth. As Miko's eyes roamed over the picture, he felt an overwhelming urge to touch the image. Except touching the screen only brought up the option to delete or save the picture.
He felt his body tighten as if he was being asked to question much more important. His breath came quick, and his fingers shook. He didn't understand his body's reaction to the image almost as much as he didn't understand the pulse of pleasure between his legs as he pressed "save".
***
The tour guide had graduated to a megaphone. At least now Miko could see her. She was younger with a perfect ponytail of cascading blond hair. When she looked in their direction, Miko got a flash of copper. He straightened, listening more attentively now that he suspected her of being a dragon. "If everyone will please line up to the left when you disembark. Your luggage will be inspected and then placed in the correct rooms within the hour."
"Excuse me, but what are they searching for?" an old woman asked. Miko turned toward her, automatically wondering what it was that she was hiding.
He was impressed that the woman could still walk upright despite the fact that she was so adorned by jewels and pearls that the combined weight of them must've been at least half her body weight. He noticed then that many of the other tourists were dressed in the same way. As if the possibility of interacting with those of great wealth meant they had to also display how much money they had. It was a far cry from Miko's own black skinny jeans with frayed holes in the knees, black T-shirt so faded the logo was indiscernible and black scarf that he had knitted himself out of lightweight yarn.
The tour guide smiled pleasantly. Miko could see her bright copper eyes more clearly now. He hadn't seen eyes that color before. "You have nothing to be worried about as long as you abided by the list of restricted items given to you when you booked this trip. Security is looking for contraband, like fruits and vegetables that can disrupt our fragile ecosystem here on the island. It can be easy to forget that we have lived a long time isolated here. Because of that, we lack many of the diseases that ail other parts of your world."
"Or weapons to defend ourselves. Or perfume… I could write an entire article on that alone. Why ban perfume?" George asked from the corner of his mouth.
"Maybe they have allergies?" Miko offered. He watched his luggage along with everyone else's loaded on a cart and pushed down the path towards the castle. The security guard who checked his bag would likely be disappointed in how boring it was. He'd only brought the necessities, clothes and toiletries. He hadn't wanted to treat this trip too much like a vacation, and he didn't have that much to pack anyway.
"I hope they don't have a problem with sex toys," George muttered.
Miko felt his entire face burn red. "Why? You didn't pack one." His whisper managed to be so high-pitched it could have also been called a screech.
George gave him a sly smile. His brown curls had fallen back into his eyes. Miko remembered a time when he would have been free to reach forward and brush those curls out of his boyfriend's face. Now, he wasn't sure the gesture would be welcomed. "I didn't pack one, not exactly. I slipped it into your bag."
Miko felt like all his blood was rushing out of his body. He opened his mouth, but no sound would come out.
"You look like you're going to pass out."
Miko breathed in and out very quickly. "They… If… I… How could you?"
"Calm down, you're hyperventilating. I thought I was doing us a favor. I know we're here for work, but I thought why not take advantage while we're here?"
"Why didn't you pack it in your own bag?"
George shrugged. "I couldn't have them finding something like that in my bag. I'm well known in certain circles. No one here has any idea who you are."
Miko's vision blurred just as the people lined up in front of him began to move forward. He shuffled his feet in the same direction, breathing quickly through his nose as his head spun.
"Get a grip," George said rolling his eyes.
Miko tried but tripped over his own feet in an attempt to keep up with the group. Strong hands caught him out of nowhere, gripping his upper arms keeping his body steady so he would not fall onto the dock beneath them.
"Sir, are you okay?" A deep voice washed over Miko. The man waited for Miko to find his feet before releasing him.
Miko peered up, over the man's broad chest and muscled neck to his face that displayed a strong chin, rugged scruff and piercing copper eyes. Copper eyes, Miko thought. He must be one of them!
"Sir, are you well?"
"I-eeeee," Miko wheezed.
By now their interaction had garnered the attention of the guests around them. The handsome man who had caught him noticed the extra stares. "My name is Gabriel and I am head of security here on Chryseum Island. If you are not feeling well, I would be happy to bring you to our island's infirmary."
Miko knew the man was talking, heard his words and recognize them to be English. But that was as far as he could say. As enjoyable as the man was to look at, being near to him gave Miko a sense of being trapped.
Concern wrinkled the man's brow as Miko continued to spaz out in front of him.
"I'm so sorry, Mr. …?" George said his voice sounding too loud to Miko's ears.
Gabriel faced George. Miko noticed Gabriel's entire body changing, stiffening as he looked at George and noticed his press badge. "Gabriel Sine."
"Mr. Sine? Have you always been the head of security here on the island? Before us who exactly did you need to protect the island from?"
"Why do you ask?"
"It's just that, with a title like head of security, that makes me imagine that you and the inhabitants of this island have something you need to be secure from. Any comments on that subject?" George asked, reaching for his voice recorder and thrusting it under Gabriel's chin.
Gabriel pressed firmly on George's hand moving the recorder away from his mouth. "Interviews are arranged by request. Since you are here with the media, I can only assume you have filed the correct paperwork and will receive the time and date of your interview if you have not already."
George, who had looked a little like a kid sneaking cookies from the cookie jar frowned. "Of course."
"Perhaps you should be more worried about your traveling companion," Gabriel said harshly. "He looks ready to fall over. I recommend water and rest."
Miko gave the head of security a thankful smile despite the fact that he now felt fine.
Gabriel nodded once at Miko before leaving. Miko watched the man go.
"Can you at least try not to stare at the man's ass?" George hissed.
Miko straightened and blinked. He had been watching the man's retreat, but he hadn't been looking at his ass, rather he'd been watching the way the man walked, quite different from the way people normally walked back at home. Gabriel's movements were more fluid and graceful, like watching a hawk fly circles above a field.
The tour guide led them off the dock, her eyes lingering on Miko and George, a question in her face. Miko couldn't even look at his bag as he passed the dock. Perhaps George had been kidding. That was the lie he decided to believe so that he could enjoy his first look at the inside of the island. The dock path led them to a large set of golden gates.
"While not pure gold, this gate has been here nearly as long as the Golden Dragon tribe has called this island their home. Cast in a fire they created themselves, the founding dragons constructed this gate as a symbolic representation of our values, commitment and focus. This path we are walking on was constructed by my great, great, great grandfather."
Miko's eyes were wide as he took in the landscape. They walked through a meticulously manicured courtyard. Floral scents from the garden directly beside them drifted over as they approached the towering castle ahead. It seemed as though torn from the pages of a fairytale. So large, he couldn't view the entire building, the castle was adorned with golden embellishments along the windowsills and siding. The two towers that he could see were capped with a dome of bright gold that brilliantly reflected off the sun's rays.
"While we filled in the moat long ago, this castle is almost exactly as it was at the time of the Middle-Ages. Follow me through these doors where we can become better friends and allies."
"What is this drivel?" George hissed, seemingly unaffected by the grandeur. "The gates are symbolic for what? What are their values? What kind of allies? She isn't actually saying anything, just nice words that are supposed to make us smile and nod."
Miko shushed his boyfriend as the ornately carved, gilded doors shut behind them with a gentle slide. Their group stood huddled together in the foyer, taking in the elegant grand staircase, priceless art and tapestries that hung on the walls. The only time Miko had seen a place so extravagant was on television. Any of those places paled in comparison to standing in the middle of an echoing room lit by a gleaming candlelight chandelier and sconces on the walls carved to look like bouquets of beautiful flowers
"Is there a question in the back?" the tour guide asked with a smile that Miko could see was forced.
"Yes," George said, adopting his charming, cheerful tone that he used when trying to get his way. "My photographer had a question."
Every pair of eyes, normal and copper turned back to Miko. His throat tightened.