Passion Ignites (32 page)

“Aye, though I doona know if she'll have me. That matters no'. I gave her my protection. I promised her that she would be safe with me.”

Kellan nodded slowly. “She was smart to try and make them believe it was by coincidence that she was here. It might work. If they doona think she's a mate, then there's a chance they willna take her quickly.”

The thick board snapped in Thorn's hold as he imagined Taraeth—or any Dark—touching Lexi.

“If Rhi willna come, there's another way,” Kellan said. He looked over his shoulder to where Fallon stood leaning against the side of the manor.

The tightening around Thorn's chest eased a fraction. “Of course. Phelan.”

They were walking to Fallon when Rhi appeared in front of them. She put her hand on Thorn's chest to halt him, her silver eyes flashing dangerously.

“You'll leave Phelan out of this. The Dark don't know he's half-Fae, and it's going to remain that way,” she said in a voice thick with anger.

Thorn gently took her hand and removed it from his chest. “I must find Lexi.”

The Light Fae swallowed, a frown marking her brow. “I can find out where she's being held.”

Thorn wasn't a fool. There was some kind of price involved. “How much is this going to cost you?”

“I can handle it.”

Thorn grabbed her arm and looked into her eyes. “Nay. Just lead me to the doorway. I'll find Lexi.”

Rhi smiled sadly. “You could be searching Taraeth's palace for weeks and never find her. Not to mention the Dark guarding the doorways. You would do Lexi no good if they capture you.”

“Rhi, you doona understand. I—”

“I do,” she interrupted him. “I understand perfectly. They took Lexi on the off chance she was a mate. They're planning on you coming for her.”

“It's a trap,” Kellan said.

Rhi glanced at him and nodded. “We've been lucky in getting Kellan, Tristan, and Kiril out of the Darks' grasp. Do you really want to attempt a fourth try?”

“I doona know what to do. I just need her back.” Thorn released Rhi and turned away. He stared up at the sky.

Things used to be simple. All he'd cared about was keeping his Clarets in line and spending as much time as he could in the sky. There was nothing as wonderful as feeling the sun on his scales as he soared.

“I'll find where she's being kept,” Rhi promised.

He didn't need to look behind him to know she was gone. Thorn didn't like putting Rhi in that position, but he had to get to Lexi.

Once Lexi was back in his arms Thorn would help Rhi with whatever she needed.

*   *   *

Rhi returned to the desert and whispered Balladyn's name. She stood with her back to the Fae doorway, unsure how she felt about talking to Balladyn again so soon after their last encounter.

“Rhi.”

Her name was a caress falling from his lips. She closed her eyes, a mixture of feelings she was unsure of swirling through her as rapidly as a tornado.

It had been so long since anyone looked at her like Balladyn did. He didn't try to hide his craving. It was the love she still held for her King that kept her from him.

But Balladyn was whittling away at the wall around her heart.

He came up behind her and moved her hair over one shoulder. Her flesh tingled at his soft touch. Then his breath brushed against her bare neck.

How wonderful it would be to lean back against him, to lay her head upon his shoulder and feel his arms around her. She was a Fae who longed to be loved and held.

A woman who hungered to be needed.

To be desired.

His hands came to rest on her arms, caressing down to her hands. Her senses were in a riot as he leaned his head against hers.

She shivered when his lips brushed against her ear. A rush of breath fell from her mouth. No one had touched her as tenderly since … since her King.

It had been eons of time. She needed to be touched, to be reminded that she was a woman. The temptation to give herself to Balladyn was so strong. To have someone caress her body and bring her release was as enticing as Balladyn's seduction.

He placed a kiss against the side of her neck just beneath and behind her ear. “I dream of you,” he whispered. “Every night I dream of us together.”

This had to stop. She couldn't let him go on. Because if she did … she would give in.

If she let him take her, Balladyn would never be satisfied with just one night. He wanted it all.

She wanted … Rhi didn't know what she wanted anymore. The longer Balladyn touched her, the more clouded her thoughts became.

Rhi stepped away and turned to look at him. His red eyes blazed with desire, a need so deep and palpable that it made it difficult for her to breathe.

One side of his mouth lifted in a satisfied smile. “You're not immune to me then. Why fight this? You know we would be amazing together.”

“Stop,” she said and closed her eyes as she turned her head away.

“You called me, pet. You let me touch you. I can sense the need within you. Let me ease your body.”

She shook her head. “Balladyn. Please.”

If he pushed, she would give in. She was that close to the edge. Her loneliness and solitude had gone on too long. All these centuries she shunned everyone as she waited for her King.

And what had it gotten her?

Heartache. Despair.

Hopelessness.

“What is it, Rhi?” Balladyn pressed in a voice filled with tenderness and tinged with worry.

She nearly broke down in tears when his seductive voice was gone. The kindness she heard meant that he saw how she teetered, but he didn't take advantage. It was the perfect opportunity for him. Why didn't he swoop in for the kill?

Rhi looked at him in confusion.

Balladyn took a step to her and touched her cheek. “I want you with a desperation that saps my very breath. I've waited thousands of years for us to be together. I want you to come to
me
, sweet Rhi. It's your decision.” He wiped at the corner of her eye and the tear that gathered. “No more tears. Tell me why you called me.”

Ever since Balladyn had told her he loved her, she wondered how she had ever missed it. It was there in every action, every look. Every word.

No wonder he had hated her so fiercely when he turned Dark. That love turned to hate, and somehow, back to love again.

If she continued to think about Balladyn and his claim of love, she would forget why she called him. Rhi pushed aside her tumultuous feelings and focused on the task at hand.

“You said you would do anything to have me, right?” Rhi asked. If she was going to get her answers, she had to use his feelings against him.

Balladyn lowered his hand to his side. “I would.”

“What if I was taken by someone?”

His face went hard, rage barely leashed shone in his eyes. “Are you talking about the Reapers?”

“What if I was? Would you come after me?”

“Nothing would stop me from finding you,” he stated angrily.

She glanced at the ground, feeling her follower's eyes on her again. Was he enjoying all that he saw? “Then you can understand what a King is going through looking for Lexi.”

Balladyn blinked, his face going blank in a heartbeat. He took a step back as he looked at her in confusion. “You want me to betray my king?”

“I want you to help me,” she implored. “You were at Dreagan. I was told you carried Lexi out. You know where she is.”

For long moments, Balladyn stood staring at her. Finally, he released a breath. “It's a place a King would never expect to look.”

Rhi felt the tension ease from her shoulders. “I should've known Taraeth wouldn't bring her to his palace. It's too obvious.”

“Why do you continue to help the Kings, pet?”

She shrugged, wondering why there was no heat in his words. Rhi knew how deep his hatred of them went. “Probably the same reason I know I can come to you for help.”

“I'm Dark, pet. Or have you forgotten?”

Rhi looked into the face that had been a major part of her life. She walked to him and rested her hand on his cheek as she met his gaze. It wasn't hard to look past the red eyes and remember the Fae who had stood by her side for so many years.

She needed to remember the monster he had become in order to keep from throwing her arms around him. “How can I ever forget? You tortured me. You tried to take my Light.”

“Is this why you let me touch you? You were using me to get information?” he asked furiously.

Rhi dropped her hand and shook her head as she turned away. She took a few steps and stopped, wrapping her arms around herself. “No. I intended to ask you first thing, but then … you touched me.”

“I can't tell you where the mortal is being held. Even if I wanted to.”

“I know.” It had been a long shot, but she thought maybe Balladyn could help.

“Taraeth would know it was me. We're the only two who went there. He'd kill me.”

Rhi nodded. “I understand. There's someone else I can ask who will find her.”

Balladyn was suddenly in front of her. His grip was tight on her upper arms as he looked at her as if he couldn't decide whether to kiss her or strangle her. “You've always twisted me about.”

His head lowered and he placed a hard kiss against her lips. He held her there, breathing in deep, before he released her and stepped back.

“The mortal was a gift to a Dragon King,” he said. He touched her face with such longing that it took her breath away.

Then he was gone.

Rhi whirled around looking for him. She clutched her stomach, more confused than ever before. He had given her the information, but she wouldn't allow him to die because of it.

She teleported back to Dreagan Manor and appeared in the foyer where Fallon was talking to Larena. When the leader of the Warriors noticed her, Rhi said, “I need Broc.”

Without a word, Fallon was gone. Rhi looked up as she heard a crash above her. She took a moment and glanced around the manor. It was quiet, as if everyone was afraid to breathe. The tension in the manor was off the charts.

Rhi walked toward the kitchen and peeked inside to see the females sitting around the table talking in whispers. The strain on their faces spoke volumes.

She veiled herself and teleported to Con's office. He stood staring out the windows appearing as calm as he usually did. His office, on the other hand, was a different matter entirely.

The crash she heard was him. Papers littered the floor. His sword lay on his desk after he'd cleaved a chair in two. The crystal decanter and glasses were shattered.

“I know you're here,” he said.

Rhi unveiled herself. The sarcastic remark she had been about to make died on her tongue. “What happened?”

“You must be the only one who hasna seen it.”

“Seen what?”

Con pointed to the laptop on its side on the floor without turning around. Rhi picked it up and set it on his desk. She saw a video filling the entire screen.

“Play it,” he urged.

Rhi hit the play button. In moments, she saw Kellan flying around Dreagan. It just got worse from there as she saw herself, Malcolm, Shara, and more Dragon Kings. By the time the video ended, she couldn't find words.

“Everything I've done to protect us erased in a single night.” Con's voice held a barely restrained fury. “Every eye in the world is trained on Dreagan now. I had to pull the Kings off patrol because there are planes and helicopters flying over us since our restricted airspace has been revoked.”

Rhi closed the laptop softly. So this is what the Dark had been about. “What are you going to do?”

“I've two choices.” Con turned to look at her. “We can leave. Or we can fight.”

Rhi walked to stand before him and lifted a brow. “Fight. This is your realm.”

He studied her a moment, his face giving nothing away. “And the attention on us?”

Rhi rolled her eyes. “Always so dramatic. You might have enemies, King of Kings, but you also have allies. I shouldn't have to remind you to use them. Now, pull your head from between your ass cheeks, and get moving.”

She didn't wait for him to speak, but teleported back to the foyer where Fallon waited with Broc.

 

CHAPTER

FORTY-ONE

Lexi sat on the bed against the headboard with her knees tucked. The room had everything she needed. Except her freedom.

The shadow had brought her up here before giving her a shove inside. Lexi spun around to get a look at his face, but the door closed, lock turning, before she got that chance.

As soon as she spotted the windows, she ran to them and looked down. She was on the third floor. From her view, she could see miles of open land before her. All she had to do was get free.

Lexi prepared to jump from the window. Only when she attempted to open it, it wouldn't budge. She even threw a stool at it in order to break the glass, but the stool didn't put a dent in it. It was the same for the small window in the bathroom.

She was well and truly locked away.

With nothing more to do, Lexi took a long shower. When she got out, there were clothes and a tray of food on the bed.

She briefly thought of refusing the food, but if there was ever a chance of escape, she was going to need her strength. She devoured everything while she began to plot.

*   *   *

Thorn stood outside the manor and stared at the sky as dawn broke over Dreagan. They were grounded. Every Dragon King was prohibited from shifting and taking to the skies.

It happened once before during the war with the mortals. The Kings had taken to their mountains and slept. All of them except Con. He had remained awake and protected Dreagan.

Of all the Kings, he was the only one who had never slept. Thorn wasn't sure how Con got through the years. Sleeping away centuries was the only way Thorn had been able to deal with everything.