Eggschange: Glitter Dragons, #4

By Jinx Jax

He thought everything would be easier once he found his mate…

 

Glitter Dragon Dakker has struggled with unbearable envy while watching his brothers get their mates. He vows that if his turn ever comes, he won't fight the compulsion or delay the announcement. Only, when he does find his mate, he's unprepared for a frustrating reality to block his path to happiness.

 

Concert violinist Joshua Rowe has spent his life half a world away from his family, returning to the states only after a catastrophic accident. In a matter of days, he'll have gathered a few mementos, and then he'll return to his sad but ultimately safe life overseas. Filled with unresolved grief, he puts his emotions into a composition, inadvertently calling a most unusual man to his balcony.

 

Drawn by the music, Dakker is stunned to discover the handsome and talented musician is his mate. The knowing fills him with great joy, but there is no answering awareness in Joshua's eyes. Worse, there never can be. Joshua is blind. Crushed, Dakker struggles to understand how they can fully mate when the knowing, the most basic part of their mating, simply can't happen.

 

This paranormal M/M romance contains a green dragon-shifter struggling to connect to his mate, an abused human determined to keep him at arm's length, stunning advice from an unlikely source, and a lot of coming to terms before a well-deserved happily ever after. 41,500 words or 166 pages.

 

Note: this story contains Mpreg elements, but does not contain Mpreg.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Jinx Jax
• Release date: Feb 17, 2024
• ISBN: 9798201848767

Book preview

Chapter One

Dakker thought if he exercised long and hard enough, he’d stop thinking about his greatest desire. His strategy had been a rousing failure so far. No matter how he tried to focus his mind, human or dragon, it kept wandering back to what he wanted more than anything in the world: a mate. It seemed unfair that he’d escaped the cruel king’s palace, where his circumstances meant he’d never find a mate, to come to Earth where he also seemed destined never to find a mate.

What had he done to the universe to make it so angry with him?

And what the hell is that noise? Dakker put the weights down, wiped the sweat off his brow, and then yanked open the screen door. A late Southern California evening filled the exclusive neighborhood with mellow darkness. Normally, all he’d be able to hear would be the waves washing along their private beach but the screeching noise drown out everything.

Dakker strained to find the source of what sounded like a whitting-brone being strangled by—

Abruptly, the squealing changed into high, sweet notes that affected his very soul.

Flabbergasted, he stood there trying not to utter a shocked cry. The music touched him in a way no other music ever had. He felt as if the source knew the pain he’d experienced, knew how desperate he was to find someone to share his life with, someone to hold, someone to tell his secrets to, and someone to do all of that right back with him. Whoever had created the song knew exactly what he’d endured. 

Dakker continued to try to find the source, only now he wanted to make sure whoever it was never stopped making noise.

Captivated, he wandered up the beach toward the music, peering at the houses opposite the ocean. Dark windows greeted his gaze. How strange that people had homes they hardly lived in. Then again, his brothers might be doing something like that very soon to protect themselves from curious humans.

When the music stopped, he cried out. Without the sound, he’d never find the source.

Don’t stop! Dakker yelled, expecting nothing. Why would the universe decide to be kind to him now? Only, the music started up again, louder this time, making it easier for him to follow the sound to the back end of a cream-colored house crafted of sturdy columns and lattice windows—dark windows, like most of the other houses, but the sound came from somewhere within.

Scudding clouds and a crescent moon made it almost impossible for him to see anything, but he knew the music came from the upper part of the house.

Determined to find the source, Dakker did the one thing he swore he would never do, the one thing he’d berated his brothers for doing; he turned into a dragon without knowing—absolutely, positively knowing—that doing so was safe. In his dragon form, his air magic allowed him to see the notes swirling on the currents, ebbing and flowing from the second floor balcony.

Since he’d already broken the rule by shifting within sight of the other houses that might have humans in them despite the dark windows, he decided he had nothing to lose anymore. Besides, he’d never be able to climb up to that balcony as a human, not without great risk, and possibly a visit from the police.

As a dragon, he flew up and landed on the far end of the balcony, changing to human before moving closer to the source of the music.

Damn the darkness! With just a little more light, he’d be able to see something besides vague shadow shapes. Mercifully, the clouds parted, allowing the sliver of a moon to shine. It took a moment for Dakker’s eyes to adjust. When they did, he discovered a young man in a white linen shirt and trousers playing a violin. He had his eyes closed as he moved the bow over the strings, swaying slightly to the music. Long tapered fingers pressed against the strings with a delicate precision that Dakker would give almost anything to feel against his own body.

Gentle puffs of wind from the ocean opened his shirt, revealing taut muscles and surprisingly pale skin. That Dakker couldn’t see all of him all at once only made him want to. The wind teased him by only revealing so much. If he transformed and used his magic, Dakker could increase the power of the wind, but that would be cheating. The universe had finally shown him some kindness. He didn’t want to get greedy. 

When the young man reached the end of the piece, he lowered the violin and strained toward the beach.

Dakker followed the direction of his gaze.

Well? the young man yelled.

You’re amazing.

The young man startled back against the wall, clutching the violin, protecting it with his own body rather than using the instrument to protect himself. Sputtering, he asked, How did you get up here?

Your music lifted me up. Dakker took a step closer. Play. Please. I’ve never heard anything so beautiful.

It’s supposed to be sad.

Sadly beautiful. Dakker briefly considered not sharing too much but decided if anyone might understand, it would be this man. Without words, it speaks to the pain in my heart, the longing.

The musician uttered a gasping sigh as if he also felt the exact same way, but instead of playing, he said, I think I should rest for a moment.

I’ll pay. Dakker would pay anything to hear more music from his talented hands.

He laughed. So you’re not a crazy psycho who hunts down violin players to do unspeakable things to them?

All the things I want to do to you are most certainly speakable. Dakker took another step closer, keeping his hands up to show he had no weapon.

Where did you come from?

Dakker could have told him he came from another world, one far away, but he didn’t want to say something that might spark the young man’s concern. Instead, Dakker said, I live in the house two houses away from yours.

Two to the north or to the south? He pointed using the bow.

North.

What a relief. Lowering his voice, he added, The guy from the house to the south is a walking cacophony.

What is that?

Noise. He’s always making noise.

You were making noise.

Seemingly startled, he asked, I thought you liked it?

I did. I do, Dakker hastened to assure him. But before the music, there was noise.

Ah, that. He chuckled. I was tuning up.

What is that?

I’d much rather talk about how you got up onto my balcony.

I’d much rather talk about why all the lights are off in your home.

I don’t need them. He turned and entered a lattice doorway. Come in if you’re going to. I suppose if you were going to attack me, you would have already done it.

I would never harm you.

Sweet words. He sighed. You have a silver tongue, you know?

I can assure you, my tongue is quite normal.

He laughed. What’s your name?

Dakker. He paused. And yours?

Joshua.

That’s beautiful.

Are you—never mind. He shook his head. Ah, damn.

What’s wrong?

I don’t need lights, but I imagine you do. Joshua moved through the darkness with confidence, stopping when he reached the far wall. He flicked a switch, bathing the interior of the room with golden light that highlighted his blond hair and showed off the cream and gold interior. Better? Joshua asked.

Much. Thank you. Dakker tried to grasp what this series of events meant, but when Joshua turned and looked into his eyes, Dakker couldn’t think. Held so thoroughly immobile by the truth, he couldn’t breathe, move, or do anything other than stare. His mate. After thinking he’d never find his destined partner, he’d found him in the most unusual way. Surprise, astonishment, and then profound joy almost dropped him to his knees.

I always forget about the lights. Joshua chuckled as he placed his violin in a velvet lined case then snapped it shut. Gently, he stroked over the top, as if petting the instrument within. I thought it would be more romantic to play on the balcony. He paused and then uttered a sad sigh. I had no idea it would bring someone to me.

Do you want me to go? Dakker asked, begging the universe that his mate wouldn’t say yes.

Not at all. Joshua smiled. Tell me, though. Are you young and handsome?

I think so. Dakker wasn’t sure how attractive he was to others.

Good. Joshua nodded and grinned. And you’re not arrogant about yourself, which is good too. He turned. Follow me down to the kitchen. I’ll make tea.

Barefoot, Joshua padded silently across the room then down a flight of stairs to the main level.

Tea? Dakker asked, following.

If you want something stronger, you’ll have to go to the liquor store. 

I don’t drink.

That must be hard on your kidneys.

It took a moment for Dakker to understand. I don’t drink alcohol, Dakker clarified.

Ah. At the bottom of the staircase, Joshua turned toward the beach. The darkness ate him up, but things became brighter once he entered the kitchen. A row of windows framed the ocean view. Dakker enjoyed barbecuing outside on the patio but if his kitchen had a view like this, he might change his mind about cooking indoors.

When Joshua didn’t turn on the lights, Dakker did.

Damn. Joshua laughed and shook his head. Thank you. Like I said, I always forget.

You forget?

I’m afraid so. Joshua took a gleaming copper kettle from the stove and filled it with water at the sink. It seems so pointless for me to be in this house with all these amazing views.

Why?

Joshua stopped midway to the stove. He tilted his head for a moment then straightened and kept going. Once he had the heat on, he turned toward Dakker but seemed to be looking beyond him. You haven’t figured it out? Joshua asked.

Figured out what?

After he spoke, Joshua adjusted his stance. Now he looked right at him.

What am I supposed to figure out? Dakker worried Joshua might be playing some kind of prank on him, as the king’s men used to do, but he didn’t seem the type. No man who made such soulful music could be purposefully cruel.

I’m blind.

Dakker almost scoffed. How could a blind man move about without running into things? Joshua hadn’t touched the walls or the banister to lead him down to the kitchen. He didn’t have a dog or one of those long white sticks like the blind man in the movie. He didn’t have dark glasses either. Only...the more Dakker thought about it, the more he realized blindness explained why Joshua didn’t need to have the lights on in the house. It also explained why he’d asked if Dakker were young and handsome. Without sight, he wouldn’t be able to judge for himself.

Blind? Dakker repeated.

Yes. Joshua’s proud posture slumped a little. I suppose you need to go now?

No. Dakker paused. I will if you want me to, but I don’t want to.

You’re not afraid of the blind man? Joshua seemed at once both surprised and disbelieving.

No. After a pause, Dakker asked, Should I be afraid of you?

Some people are. Joshua lowered his voice. They act as if blindness were catching.

Is it?

No. Joshua chuckled. They say when you lose one sense, the others are heightened. I supposed that’s true. I can smell that you’ve been working out.

I smell? Mortified, Dakker clenched his eyes closed and wanted to run away, but he didn’t know which way to go.

Trust me, Joshua said, his voice low and almost musical. It’s not a bad smell at all. Very manly. Very sexy.

Dakker stood staring at him, trying to think of something to say.

On the balcony I thought I smelled damp fur, but it must have been something caught on the breeze, one of the neighbor’s dogs, perhaps.

He’d certainly smelled the damp air on Dakker’s dragon fur. To get him as far from thinking about that as he could, Dakker said, When I heard your music, I was lifting weights.

Ah. Joshua smiled. So you lied.

No. But Dakker