Smoke and Fire: Part 3 (2 page)

“Why do I get the feeling there’s a ‘but’ coming?”

“Because there is. You’re going to find a woman to love you.”

Henry felt the fury rumble through him. “I already have.”

“She’s Fae. There can no’ be a relationship. With only one kiss you can no’ see anyone but her. If you take her to your bed, you’ll never be able to have sex with anyone else.”

“I don’t want anyone else.”

“Dammit man,” Rhys said as he moved closer, his voice no more than a whisper. “If she has sex with you more than once, it’ll begin to kill you. Can you no’ understand that?”

Henry had never wanted anything like he wanted Rhi. “I’d gladly die to be in her arms once.”

Rhys raked a hand through his long, wavy, dark hair. “You willna see reason.”

“There’s nothing to see.” Soon they would understand that. He and Rhi belonged together. They were perfect.

And she wanted him. She’d declared that when she kissed him. The Kings were just envious because she was finally getting over the jackass King who’d allowed her to get away.

Now that Rhi had him, she didn’t need a Dragon King. That made Henry smile. He would be all she ever needed, just as she was all he’d ever wanted.

Henry turned on his heel. It didn’t even faze him that Guy was standing behind him. Henry rammed his shoulder into Guy’s as he passed.

Yes, very soon Rhi was going to be his.

Chapter Twenty-five

“We’ve got a problem,” Rhys whispered in her ear.

Rhi blew out a long breath as she felt her watcher move from her side to the corner. She’d hoped the Kings would be able to talk some sense into Henry, but the human was in love with her.

Except it wasn’t real love. It was an imitation of the real thing, something a Fae forged within a mortal because the humans had no defense.

“I know. I’m going to talk to him,” she said.

Rhys gave her a look that said it was going to take much more than talk with Henry.

Esther chose that moment to clear her throat. Rhi faced the human and studied the straight back, impassive face, and confidence of Esther North. If the mortal thought she knew what was going on, Rhi was about to blow her mind.

“Oh. Are you ready?” Rhi asked in a sickly sweet voice, a smile on her face.

Esther’s smug expression intensified. “Henry is one of the best at what he does. If he couldn’t get anything out of me, neither can you.”

Rhi looked at her nails, admiring the black polish that covered her entire nail. From nail tip and fading toward her cuticles was an orange glitter polish called Orange You Fantastic. It went wonderfully with her sweater and shoes.

There was nothing like matching all over. Including the orange and black lace bra and panties she wore. Rhi never felt sexier—or more put together—than when she matched.

“I’m definitely what you mortals call a girly-girl,” Rhi said as she lowered her hand to her side and smiled once more at Esther.

She could feel her watcher’s grin as well. If only she knew what he actually looked like.

Rhi’s smile grew when Esther allowed a momentary lapse of uncertainty to creep into her hazel eyes.

“I do like my clothes and getting my nails done. I go often,” Rhi said matter-of-factly.

Rhys grunted and crossed his arms over his chest. “Nearly every day.”

Rhi threw him a wink. Then she focused on Esther. “The thing is, Henry
is
very good at what he does. So good that he was able to stop some very bad people within MI5. I helped as well. But that doesn’t change the fact you’re his little sister. It’s part of who is he that he wants to protect you. He can’t do that and interrogate you. Which is why we’re here.”

Esther lifted her chin. “I’m not going to tell you anything.”

With a snap of his fingers, Rhys removed the magic Con had used to mask the cavern.

Esther blinked and took in the stone floor and walls, the torches lighting the area, and the dragons etched into the granite.

“Dreagan,” Rhi said with a nod. “From the moment I first saw this place thousands of years ago, I felt the magic of it. It’s a special place, and not just because the Dragon Kings call it home. It’s unique because of the magic that flows through the ground and water and air. All the world used to feel like this, but now only Dreagan and a few distinct places manage to hold such magic.”

“What did you give me?” Esther demanded.

Rhi held out a hand and another chair appeared. She dragged it to Esther and set it directly in front of her. Then Rhi sat. She looked Esther in the eye and said, “You’ve been given no drug or herbs. The room was cloaked in magic so you wouldn’t know where you were. You’ve not been restrained because you can’t leave this cavern unless Con is with you.”

Esther jumped up and made a dash for the doorway. Rhi sat back and crossed one leg over the other, exchanging a look with Rhys. A heartbeat later, Esther let out a strangled cry as she was thrown backward at the doorway.

“Come resume your seat,” Rhi said. “It’s time we began our questioning.”

It took a moment for Esther to get to her feet and make her way back to the chair. She sat and pulled off the wig. Then she ran her fingers through her brown hair.

Rhi then said, “You’ve chosen your side in this war, and sadly, you’ve chosen poorly.”

“Anyone on the opposing side would say that.”

“True,” Rhi said with a shrug. “However, I’m speaking the truth. It’s a certainty because I choose to be a part of this. I’ve seen both sides, Esther. You’ve only gotten a portion of the reality.”

Some of Esther’s confidence returned. “And what is the truth?”

“I prefer that we discuss who you’re working for first. Once I get all the information we need, then I’ll tell you all that you want to know.”

“No.”

Rhi raised her brows and blinked before cocking her head to the side. “No? I thought that was fair.”

“I’m not going to tell you anything, but I do want to know what you are.”

“What,” Rhi repeated with a smile. She turned her head to look at Rhys. “Methinks she’s catching on quick.”

Rhys chuckled and said, “Doona get out of hand.”

Rhi stood and walked around the back of her chair to lean her forearms on it. “What am I? That’s something I seem to be answering quite a lot recently. It’s a fair enough question, I suppose.”

She stopped herself from looking to the corner at her watcher. It was becoming more and more difficult for her not to look his way. If she wasn’t careful, others would begin to suspect.

“Answer me this, Esther,” Rhi said. “Do you really believe the men here are dragons?”

“Yes,” she replied immediately.

“Do you believe they are the only other beings on this earth?”

Again Esther said, “Yes.”

“That’s … very naïve. And you’re very wrong actually. Though to be fair, most humans are as mistaken. I’ve showed you who I was from the moment I walked in. I did magic, spoke of mortals, and even mentioned immortality. Is your brain unable to comprehend what’s right before you?”

Esther’s face lost a little color. “I thought the dragons were only male.”

Rhi squeezed her eyes shut briefly, trying for patience. “They are. I’m not a Dragon King. I’m a Light Fae.”

“Wh … what?”

Rhi turned to Rhys. “By that reaction, I’m inclined to believe she’s not had any encounters with Fae, much less Dark.”

When Rhi faced Esther once more, the mortal’s face was white and her eyes dilated. “That’s right. Fae. And if there’s Light, there is also Dark. The Dark are the ones who’ve been setting the cities on fire and doing all the killings. The Dark are also on the same side as you.”

“No,” Esther said with a small shake of her head.

“That’s a definite yes,” Rhi stated. “Henry has been working hard to track the Dark and keep other humans free from them, because you mortals are drawn to all Fae. But it’s the Dark who kill. You won’t even know it’s happening. You’ll be too attracted to them, too desperate to have them fill you to know that while they’re having sex with you, they’re draining your soul.”

“No,” Esther said again.

Rhi quickly took her seat again. “Tell me who you work for.”

“I can’t.”

“Perhaps I should call in a friend,” Rhi said. She used her magic and had an image of Balladyn fill the doorway.

Both her watcher and Rhys jerked, believing it was really Balladyn at first.

Rhi stood and moved the chair out of the way so Esther could get a full view of Balladyn. Rhi then used her magic to ramp up the desire within Esther.

Her eyes were wide with fear while at the same time she moaned with need.

It was beyond cruel for Rhi to do this, but the Kings needed answers. She walked to stand behind Esther, and then bent so her mouth was near the mortal’s ear.

“Isn’t he gorgeous?” Rhi whispered. “He wants you. And you want him.”

Esther tried to shake her head, but her legs spread instead.

“If he takes you, you’ll die. You’ll experience pleasure like you’ve never had before, but all the while, your soul will be sucked out without you even being aware. Until it’s too late. Shall I let him have you?”

Esther attempted to get to her feet, but Rhi put her hands on her shoulders to keep her seated. “No!”

“Then tell me who you work for.”

“No.”

Rhi moved the vision farther into the cavern, right toward Esther. “I’m going to let him have you.”

“Please no,” the human said, tears falling freely from her eyes.

“Then tell me who you work for. Now!”

“Sam MacDonald,” Esther yelled as he turned her face away from the approaching Balladyn.

Rhi waved her hand, and the image of Balladyn disappeared. She looked to Rhys. “Let Ryder know we have a name.”

“Balladyn?” Rhys asked with a frown.

Rhi shrugged and patted Esther’s shoulder. Henry’s sister had her face buried in her hands as she sobbed. “I needed a Dark Fae.”

“But Balladyn?” Rhys asked again.

Rhi would tell him of her relationship with Balladyn. But not yet. “He’s the first one who popped into my head.”

“Mmm-hmm,” Rhys mumbled. “Why do I get the feeling you’re keeping something from me?”

“I’m always keeping something from you,” she joked.

But there was no answering smile in return. Rhys took her hands in his. “Rhi, I want happiness for you, but it isna with Balladyn. He tortured you. He tried to turn you Dark.”

“I’m not Dark.”

“I know, but that’s no’ my point. You’ve been rejected for thousands of years by the one man who is meant to be yours. You want to have someone in your life again, but doona turn to Balladyn. I beg you.”

Rhi inhaled deeply. “Who should I turn to, Rhys? Another King? Or Henry, perhaps? How about Ulrik?”

“Rhi,” he began.

She pulled her hands from his grasp. “I love you like a brother, and I know you mean well, but you don’t understand any of this. You fell in love once, and you got the girl. You and Lily will live happily ever after. I’m thrilled for you.”

“There’s someone out there for you.”

At this she smiled wryly. “That’s what someone in a relationship says to a single person. And it’s a load of shit. I’ve been alone for countless centuries. What does it matter who I take to my bed?”

“Because I know you,” Rhys said softly. “I know only the love you felt for your King will ever fulfill you as you need.”

Rhi raised a brow. “Not so sure, stud. I’m feeling pretty fulfilled now.”

“What the … ?” He trailed off in surprise. “Who is he?”

“None of your business.”

“It is my business. You’re my business. You’re family.”

That made her eyes sting with tears. Damn Rhys. “Don’t let Con hear you say that.”

“Fuck Con,” Rhys all but roared. “I’m no’ talking about him. We’re talking about you.”

Rhi put her hand on his arm. “I know what I’m doing, Rhys. I’m lonely, yes, but not stupid.”

“Loneliness can hit people hard. It can also mix up their feelings so they do things they normally never would.”

“Trust me,” she said with a smile. Then she winked. “And tell Con I said he’s welcome for getting his information.”

Rhi teleported out before she gave in and told Rhys everything about Balladyn.

Chapter Twenty-six

Kinsey was having a difficult time keeping her eyes open. It wasn’t just the long hours staring at the screen, frustration mounting with every search coming up empty. No, it was the dreams that plagued her sleep.

Dreams of Ryder.

Her stomach quivered with delight as she recalled one particular dream where she’d been sleeping on Ryder’s chest, his arm wrapped around her and caressing her back.

Then he began to talk, his words just above a whisper as he told her how much he missed her and how he wished he’d never left. He went on to say how many times he’d wished she were in his arms.

If only all of that were true. Kinsey tried to focus on the monitor as it scrolled through the e-mails, putting aside all those that were encoded—and there were dozens of them.

All of which were being deciphered by the software.

But it wasn’t the e-mails Kinsey kept thinking about. It was her dreams. They’d begun her first night at Dreagan. In the beginning, she wasn’t thrilled to have Ryder invade her mind again.

Perhaps it was because she was with him all day, but now she found herself eager for night so she could drift away to dreams of happiness with Ryder.

Though it was dangerous. Her fantasies were creating a life that could never be between them. Kinsey needed to keep herself grounded in reality.

She glanced at Ryder to find his short blond hair in disarray from him running his hands through it. He’d gone through two boxes of donuts already, with a third waiting.

Finally she understood how he could eat so much and stay looking so … spectacular. He linked his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair as he gazed at the screen. Every once in a while he’d glance over at the monitors to his left and check the cameras around the property.

His intelligence, honor, and compassion were what had hooked her. None of that had changed in the last three years. If anything, Ryder appeared as if he were the only one who was keeping Dreagan going with the computers, software designs, and hacks. At least one of the other Kings should know how to do everything Ryder was.