Daisy’s head was spinning, and not just from the previous night’s wine. Who was that woman and why was she there? Was it an ex of his or something? The other woman’s beauty was intimidating, and she looked like she could seduce any man with a single look. What had she meant by his parents asking her to help? She sat on Nyle’s bed with her legs crossed and her hand covering her mouth as she tried to think. What in the world had Daisy gotten herself into?

The bedroom door opened, and her eyes lifted to see Nyle’s face heavy with emotion. Even with her conflicted feelings, she couldn’t help but admire how handsome he looked shirtless with those baggy joggers on. The swirls on his skin were more noticeable with the morning light hitting him from the open window.

“Morning,” he said weakly with a forced smile as he closed the distance between them, sitting next to her on the bed.

“Good morning,” she replied in a mumble, her eyes falling to the duvet.

Daisy didn’t know how to feel or what to do. Things were so impossibly weird. They had just met, and she felt so attached, though she didn’t feel as though she should be.

“I know that must have confused the hell out of you…” he sighed. “How much did you hear?” he asked with a frown.

“From about ‘Nyle, please’, and on. I hadn’t been there but a moment… I didn’t mean to eavesdrop or anything. I heard a commotion and came to see what was going on.”

Nyle picked up her chin and turned her face to look at him. “Don’t apologize, Daisy. I’m just sorry you had to hear all that nonsense. Please don’t think that woman has any place in my life. It’s complicated, but I assure you, you’re the only woman on my mind.” He tried to convince her as he reached for hand and grabbed it gently.

“Good to know.” Daisy smiled weakly as her eyes lifted from the blankets. “What did she mean by your parents asking her to help? Help what?”

He froze up for a moment and looked away with a sigh. “My family is extremely convoluted… And there are certain aspects of our family dynamic that I can’t really put into words right now.”

“Could you try?” Daisy frowned.

She didn’t like feeling that he was hiding something important from her. They had talked for so long the night before, and their conversations had been deep and personal. While she knew it wasn’t possible to get to know someone in a single night, whatever he was hiding felt like it should have come up.

“Daisy…” Nyle sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “All right… Just… Just know that my family isn’t normal. We’re intertwined with traditions and laws that other people aren’t.”

He watched her give a nod of understanding before he tried to start again.

“My father... He’s been ill for a while now, and he’s been able to hide it, but now he’s growing sicker and weaker. Before it becomes too apparent and our enemies discover he’s ill, he wants me to get married and become the new head of the family in order to keep up appearances. It’s important that our family unit is strong and relevant.”

A million thoughts ran through her mind, unsure of what to say to his explanation. Well, there was one thing she knew for sure to say.

“I’m sorry about your father, Nyle,” she said to him, giving his hand a squeeze.

All he did was shrug and look away from her, though his hand remained holding hers.

“What do you mean enemies?” she asked.

Another heavy sigh escaped him. “That’s the complicated part. Well, the whole thing is complicated, but… I…” Nyle was at a loss for words, sucking in a big breath as he searched for what to say.

Even though she was dying of curiosity, she didn’t want to force him to talk about something that made him uncomfortable—especially since it pertained to his family.

“It’s fine. You don’t have to explain it to me, but can you tell me what all that has to do with that woman?”

“It’s a woman my parents are trying to arrange for me to marry,” he said bluntly, knowing there wasn’t exactly a delicate way to phrase it. Saying ‘my parents want me to marry her’ would be selling the intent short. They didn’t care in the least if Nyle cared for the woman; they didn’t even care much about the woman at all—they just needed him betrothed to another Royal Dragon.

Her jaw dropped. “They are trying to force you into an arranged marriage?”

Nyle nodded. “Yes, but like I said, my family isn’t normal. It isn’t exactly normal for us either, but they feel as though the difficulties we are going through call for it.”

“I see,” she mumbled, though she didn’t understand at all.

His father was dying so that meant he had to get married? That didn’t make sense. Was it because they were worried about the fate of the La Flamme Corporation?

“Where does that leave us, then?” she asked.

“I don’t know,” he admitted, his expression growing long as he studied their hands. “But I promise you, I’m going to figure it out. All I ask of you is to not give up on me or the connection we have. Things may get insane for a while, but it will all be worth it to spend my days getting to know you.”

Daisy lips pulled into a smile. “You’re such a smooth talker.”

Nyle glanced over to her with a smirk on his lips. “I have to have some sort of talent, don’t I?”

“I suppose,” she teased, leaning in and giving him a soft kiss on the lips, feeling the same static sensation she had every time they kissed.

Nyle’s thumb grazed against the skin of her cheek. He was always so gentle and attentive, pulling her deeper and deeper into the emotions he had stirred up in her.

He finally peeled back from the softness of her lips, though he kept his mouth hovering above hers.

“You’re so understanding and patient… You amaze me,” he said as he gazed into her eyes.

“You’re just trying to make me blush,” she giggled as her cheeks turned scarlet.

Nyle was grinning ear-to-ear. “Perhaps.”

“Well, I guess it was a good thing, in retrospect, that she came over. At least we’re awake now. I’m already late for work, and I’m never late,” she sighed, standing from the bed.

A musical, hearty laugh sounded from Nyle. He stood as well, wrapping his arms around her, “Oh, Daisy. You don’t have to go to work. Let’s spend the day together.”

“Are you crazy? There’s an entire gala to plan, and it’s only a month away. Which, by the way, is an insane deadline.”

He shrugged. “I didn’t make that decision. And they don’t need you, your coworkers can hire a whole team of temps. I want you with me. You can be my personal assistant for the day.” He grinned with a wink, meaning it was just an excuse for her to be with him.

While Daisy felt bad about abandoning Wren and Trey to deal with the details, she couldn’t pass up an offer like that up.

“I suppose I need to do whatever it takes to make the client happy,” she teased, a smile on her lips.

With a wicked look in his eye, he began to pull her backward toward the bed with him. “I believe that’s sir to you,” Nyle challenged.

“I thought it was Nyle?” Daisy rebutted, mentioning when they first formally met.

He fell back onto the bed, pulling her with him, making her laugh joyously. “I’ve decided sir is allowed,” he grinned.

She dramatically rolled her eyes. “Yes, sir.”

“I’m just going to text my team and let them know that I’m spending the day with you, and they can move forward with the details.”

And just like that, Mylora and his family problems didn’t exist. He was utterly charmed by Daisy. He pulled her down against him, holding her to his chest as he captured her lips in an affectionate kiss. And Daisy’s concerns melted away as well as the tender skin of his lips brushed lovingly against hers, leaving her reeling and wanting more.

After spending the remainder of the morning in bed, they finally left his apartment and to get a bite to eat. At lunch, Nyle discovered she was a vegetarian, which he wasn’t sure would play out with his family either. Dragons tended to be more carnivorous than even omnivorous. Her reasoning was that if she didn’t have the heart to kill an animal, then she didn’t have the heart to eat them either. He couldn’t relate to that notion, but he found the sentiment beguiling.

They spent the afternoon walking around the city with his arm around her waist, deep in conversation. Nyle couldn’t keep his hands off her, feeling possessive and protective of the beautiful woman. He worried about how he would feel when they would have to part ways again, knowing the entire time he would be thinking about her and worrying over her well-being. But as much as his mind liked to wander to the ‘what-ifs’, Nyle wanted to live in the moment and enjoy her company. She had such a bubbly, but calm personality. She radiated happiness and purity, making his soul feel cleansed just by being in her presence. And of course, as they walked around the shops, he couldn’t help but buy her the things that caught her eye.

Every time her face lit up, his credit card was out. Daisy tried to urge him not to buy anything for her, but it was a pointless fight. Money wasn’t an issue for Nyle, so seeing her happy over something as simple as him buying her some trinkets, clothes, and books she liked, was worth more than the money spent on the items.

She was wearing the same outfit from the night before, so he bought her a few new outfits. She changed into a light blue sundress and tan gladiator sandals that complimented her skin tone. He asked the store to have the remaining clothes he purchased for her to be delivered to his penthouse. He hoped that she would keep the outfits at his house, since he figured she’d be staying with him regularly.

Nyle brought her to a quaint bookstore, which he knew would excite Daisy. He watched with glittering eyes as she enthusiastically explained her excitement over each book she had read and wanted to read. Before they left the store, he had purchased enough books to keep her occupied for days.

Nyle cherished each tight hug and passionate kiss she gave him as gratitude for each gift. Daisy was just the woman for him. All Royal Dragons were rich, and it was an important part of their culture. The entire clan was jaded by money, even himself. It was refreshing and humbling to be in the company of someone so grateful for every single dollar spent.

Nyle teased Daisy that the books would have to remain at his apartment so that she had to be with him to read them. Walking over to his Range Rover, he loaded the bag into the back of his SUV before turning to her.

Daisy wrapped her arms around his neck. “Are you tired of hearing me say thank you?” she asked.

Nyle couldn’t help but grin as his hands trailed down her back. “Not in the slightest.”

“Well, thank you for all the books… and the clothes.”

“And for the hundredth time today, you’re welcome,” Nyle replied before giving her a gentle kiss on the lips.

He leaned her against the SUV, kissing her intensely before pulling back.

“What would you like to do now? Continue shopping, or maybe go for a long drive? Catch a movie?”

“I don’t know… I’m your assistant for the day, aren’t I? So, doesn’t that make you the boss?”

Nyle ate up her playful banter, loving how carefree he could be in her presence. He didn’t feel the stress to be the strong, unwavering prince of the Royals, but rather just a man getting to know a gorgeous woman.

He looked up and down the street as he held her, trying to decide if there was anywhere else nearby they should check out. He didn’t want the day to end. As he read the store signs, his eyes were drawn to a still figure on the sidewalk. A man with long raven hair and silver eyes was staring right at them. Nyle’s eyes went wild, his arms tightening around Daisy. An Elemental Dragon, enemy to the Royals.

The two clans used to be one and the same, but when the now-Royals decided to merge with the humans and climb social and economic ladders to control them, the now-Elementals wanted to reject the humans to protect the land from the vile beasts. They split into two clans over this disagreement. The Elemental Dragon had seen Nyle kiss a human, and Nyle was nervous about the consequences of his actions.

What is he doing here? Nyle thought.

Elementals weren’t supposed to be in Royal territory, which ran along the east coast from Pennsylvania to northern Canada. Fifty years ago, Pennsylvania had been Elemental land, but Thalydias had conquered the state, and it became Royal territory. The Elementals were supposed to stay in their territory from Ohio, down to West Virginia, and over into Indiana. Nyle knew the Elemental dragon was there for a reason. He was after him.

“We have to go,” Nyle said, opening the passenger door and ushering Daisy into his SUV.

“Are you okay? You look like you just saw a ghost.” Daisy said, looking confused.

Nyle shut the door and hurried to the driver side before answering her.

“I don’t want you to panic, but there is someone following us,” he responded, throwing the car into drive and speeding down the road.

“Following us?” she gasped, her head snapping to look out the window, as if she could spot who it was. “Why would someone be following us?”

“Well, perhaps not exactly ‘us’, but at the very least me. And I have no idea,” Nyle explained as honestly as he could.

“Do you know who it was?”

“No.”

“Then how do you know we’re being followed?” she quizzed, clearly trying to make sense of the situation.

Nyle was slow to respond, having to think of an explanation that didn’t involve the word ‘dragon’.

“I don’t know him personally, but he looks like he’s kin to the enemies of my family. And the safest thing for us to do is to get as much distance as we can between us and him.”

He then stomped on the gas, gunning through a red light before turning down the next street, weaving in and out of traffic as fast as he could. Every time he glanced in the rearview mirror, Nyle saw the same black car in the distance. They were definitely being followed.

“Are they going to hurt us?” Daisy asked, the worry and fear in her voice clutching his heart.

All he wanted to do was assure her that everything was going to be okay, but he couldn’t lie to her, not when she was in danger.

“I honestly don’t know,” Nyle confessed. “But I swear, I’m going to keep you safe no matter what.”

He glanced over to see her trying to hide a scared expression, killing him inside. Nyle was an idiot for letting his heart take over his common sense. He had just spent an entire afternoon walking around with her in public. What had he been thinking? How was he going to shake this guy? If he were alone, he would have headed to his parents’ place since there was no way the Elemental would go so close to the heart of the Royal Dragon Kingdom. It shocked him that an Elemental was in the city. However, he couldn’t risk bringing Daisy to his parents’ home.

Right at the apex of his anxiety, his cell phone vibrated in his pocket. Hoping that on the off chance it was one of the guards he could trust, he dug into his pocket to retrieve his phone. His looked inquisitively at the number on the caller ID; it wasn’t one that was saved in his phone. He thought perhaps it was the dragon following him. There was only one way to find out. Picking it up, he put the phone to his ear but didn’t say a word.

“Hello, Nylyrias,” a sultry female voice cooed into the phone.

His jaw clenched tight, grinding his teeth before growling, “Mylora. How did you get this number?”

“That’s not what’s important right now, is it?” she chuckled. “Did you get a chance to talk to him, or did you run away like a little girl?”

What in the hell is she talking about? Nyle thought. But as soon as the thought formed, he realized what she meant. Mylora was behind the man following him.

“You did this?! What the hell, Mylora? Get him off my ass,” he demanded.

“Is that any way to talk to your future wife?” she pouted.

“I already said I’m not marrying you,” Nyle stated firmly. “Idle threats aren’t going to work on me.”

“Oh, believe me, it isn’t idle. You think I only sent one to do the job?” she questioned with a falsely honeyed voice. “I suggest you get back to your apartment so we can talk about this. If you don’t, I won’t call them off, and you can only run so long with that little human before you have to go to daddy, or surrender.”

An angry snarl passed his lips, his eyes narrowed in anger and nostrils flared. He couldn’t believe she was doing this, and more importantly, Nyle couldn’t believe he had gotten himself into this situation.

“Fine, I’m coming. Now get him off my ass. I don’t want him following me home. They don’t have my address, do they?”

“Of course not.” Mylora retorted.

He hung up his phone, slamming it into the steering wheel.

“God-fucking-damn it!” he cursed.

Daisy flinched from his outburst.

Nyle ran a nervous hand through his hair before finding her hand and squeezing it. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to scare you; that’s the last thing I want to do. I just… I really didn’t want to drag you into this kind of mess. Yet, it’s already too late.”

“What’s going on? I don’t understand,” Daisy asked with a wavering voice, her nerves getting the best of her.

“Mylora, that woman who came by the apartment this morning, sent that guy to follow us. Just to intimidate us,” Nyle grumbled, trying his best not to get worked up all over again.

It was getting hard to control his temper, his body temperature already rising.

“Guess it worked,” she said with a deep frown.

Nyle sighed. He hated that she was frightened, but frankly, she was supposed to be. How else could she really feel? There was so much Daisy didn’t know but needed to know.

“We’re going back to the place,” he informed her in a low tone, his hands gripping the steering wheel.

“Isn’t that dangerous if they’re following us?”

“She’s going to call them off. Mylora’s doing all this just to make me talk to her. I’m assuming she wants to blackmail me into marrying her,” Nyle grumbled.

There was silence in the air, torturing Nyle with every empty moment that passed as he sped toward the apartment.

“Blackmail you with what?” she finally whispered.

“With you,” he answered honestly.

“With me?”

Nyle let out a heavy breath, feeling that it was harder and harder to control his temper. If he didn’t calm down, he was going to be forced into a shift. He ran a hand over his face and brought his mind to a peaceful place before placing his hand back on hers.

“I promise you that once I’m done meeting with her, I’ll explain everything. Okay? Let me get through this meeting, and then we’ll talk,” Nyle practically pleaded with her, needing her to be patient a little while longer.

He couldn’t have the whole I’m a dragon-shifter-and-the-reason-you-are-a-problem-is-because-you’re-human talk with her in the time span he had before meeting Mylora. He wanted to tell her the right way—not in a rushed situation when he would have to leave her alone with her thoughts right after telling her.

His eyes gazed over to her; Daisy’s stormy eyes were wide, and her brows lifted with concern. It was clear on her face that she wanted to protest or to leave the situation entirely. As terrible as it was, though, he couldn’t just let her go at that point. If that Elemental had gotten a good look at her, they could track her down. And if they got to her when he wasn’t around… Nyle couldn’t finish the thought.

“Okay,” Daisy finally let out, relief instantly washing over him.

Nyle didn’t give a damn about the speed limit, ripping through the city streets as fast as he could, his eyes continuously going to the rearview mirror. Eventually, the black car was gone from sight and didn’t return. He pulled into the private garage at his building and got out of the car. Daisy joined him at his side as they walked over to the elevator. Nyle placed his fob over the sensor, and the elevator ascended to the penthouse.

Both were silent and completely enveloped in their thoughts. As he stared up at the lights dreading his meeting with Mylora, two slender arms wrapped around his ribs. Nyle glanced down; Daisy hugged him with her cheek to his chest. A warm smile spread over his face, one arm going around her. He felt lucky. Even though she was his soulmate, he was certain many women would have run for the hills after being chased down the second day they knew each other. While she was scared and uncertain of it all, Daisy was hanging in there. Nyle there was something special between them, something that would be worth the trials they had to go through.

The elevator opened to his floor. Much to his dismay, Mylora was waiting for them by his door.

This is going to be a nightmare.