by Donna Grant
“I bet,” Eilish replied.
Con laced his fingers with Rhi’s. “Am I to guess the mates from America made a return trek?”
“Aye,” Ulrik said with a nod. “Alexandra’s assistant, Meg, had some things that Alex needed to be there for. Alex and Dorian used her private jet and offered a ride to Guy and Elena, Banan and Jane, Kellan and Denae, Arian and Grace, Thorn and Lexi, Asher and Rachel, Dmitri and Faith, and Sebastian and Gianna. “
Rhi exchanged a look with Con, her silver eyes holding regret. “We missed a lot.”
“Don’t do that,” Eilish told her. “I can’t imagine what I would’ve done or said had I been in your shoes. The fact that both of you managed to keep going says a lot. Nothing was going on. There is peace now, and while that won’t last forever, we can enjoy it in this moment.”
Con held his mate’s gaze. “Eilish is right. We were allowed the time needed. There’s nothing wrong with that.”
Sound reached them—others entering the manor from the side of the house where the garages were located. Con sighed, enjoying the noise filling the manor once more. He would never forget the weeks he and Rhi had at Dreagan alone. The memories would be treasured and revisited often, but this—the laughter, the conversation, the commotion—was what made Dreagan Manor come alive.
He and Rhi would get away again. That was something every couple needed as often as possible. Con would make sure that happened. As if reading his thoughts, Rhi turned her head and smiled at him. They shared a moment as the others greeted each other, everyone talking at once.
“That’s a sigh of relief I heard,” Rhi said with a wink.
Con chuckled and faced her, wrapping his arms around her. “Dreagan was built for the Kings to gather. As you said, it wasna meant for just one of us.”
“I can’t help but tease you. Yet, at the same time, I feel what you do. It’s like the manor itself is now breathing easier,” Rhi said.
Con realized then that the conversation had halted. He and Rhi looked over at the group and realized that more had returned earlier than expected. His gaze scanned the faces of Kings and mates alike. But they weren’t looking at him or Rhi. They were gazing in wonder at the decorations throughout the house.
The silence grew for another heartbeat before everyone began talking again, each pointing out something different they had spotted. And they hadn’t even seen half of it yet. Con stood with Rhi, smiling as the group split up and moved into different rooms on the main floor. There were many exclamations of shock, surprise, and joy.
It was Iona who finally glanced upstairs. She rushed up, pulling Laith with her. Rhi watched them go. Con’s gaze was on his mate and he saw the happiness that shone brightly in her eyes the moment Iona let out a shriek when she and Laith entered their chamber. That’s all it took for the others to make their way to their respective rooms, leaving Con alone with Rhi once more.
“I think they like it,” Rhi said as she faced him.
Con laughed and gave her a quick kiss. “They love it. You did good, my love.”
“We did good.”
“You’re the one who did the decorating.”
She wound her arms around his neck. “Hmm. You’re right.”
Con was lowering his head for a deeper kiss when the sound of footsteps approaching halted it. He glanced up to see Rhys and Lily making their way down the stairs.
“Rhi, the tree and decorations are incredible,” Lily said when she reached them.
Rhi preened at the compliment. “We wanted to do something special for each of you.”
“There was no need, but we appreciate it all the same,” Rhys said.
Their discussion was interrupted when Dorian and Alexandra returned with the others who had traveled to America. The previous conversation began all over again, but Con didn’t care. He was able to visit with each King for a moment. They would all get together later for a lengthy discussion about the future, but that would be after the celebration.
One by one, the Dragon Kings found their way back to Dreagan. Those with mates arrived earlier than those who had yet to find love. Con half-expected one of them to return with a mate. After all, it seemed the Kings were falling one after another. Rhi compared it to toppling dominoes, and she had a point.
“Oh, I see Keltan,” Rhi said. “I need to talk to him about food.”
Con watched her hurry to Keltan and Bernadette. Every King had a special gift along with their power. For Keltan, he could cook absolutely anything and make it taste divine. Con was about to turn away when he caught movement out of the corner of his eye. He turned his head and saw Vaughn walking into the manor.
Vaughn might be the King of Teals, but there wasn’t a smarter, more cunning attorney on the realm. Legal cases were what interested Vaughn, so it was natural that he handled all of Dreagan’s legal matters, as well as any for the Kings’ and their mates.
“Good to have you back,” Con said.
Vaughn shot him a crooked grin, his Persian-blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “It’s good to be back. I knew you and Rhi would sort things out. Have you seen the twins?”
“No’ yet, but that’s going to change.”
Vaughn’s gaze intensified. “I wasna joking. I need to go to that realm.”
“So do all the Kings.”
“Nay, Con. It isna a want. It’s something I have to do. I feel it here,” he said and touched his chest.
Con still remembered the conversation he’d had with Ulrik so long ago about knowing without a shadow of a doubt that his mate wouldn’t be a dragon nor a human. He hadn’t been wrong. Who was he to question what another Dragon King felt? Whatever pulled Vaughn to that realm wouldn’t be denied.
“I’ll no’ stand in your way if you have to go,” Con told him.
Vaughn blew out a breath, his shoulders drooping. “Thank you.”
“We’ll talk later.”
After Vaughn walked away, Con thought about the other Kings who most likely felt the same need to see their dragons. It was simply another reason for him and Rhi to put a stop to whatever was going on with their twins. The Kings had a right to see their clans, and the dragons had a right to see their Kings.
“I don’t like the frown I’m seeing,” Rhi said when she returned.
Con glanced around to make sure that no one was near. “We’ve been so busy being twisted up in knots about our children that I’ve no’ thought about the dragons or the Kings.”
Rhi’s brows drew together. “What do you mean?”
“It has been millions and millions of years since we sent the dragons away, love. While dragons live a verra long time, they doona live forever.”
Rhi’s face went slack. “The dragons had to have passed on that they followed the Kings. I’m certain the old traditions moved through the generations.”
“Are you sure?” Con asked skeptically. “Look at the Fae. Look at the mortals. How long do traditions last? Only until it stops mattering. For all we know, the dragons believed they would never see the Kings again.”
“And we can’t bring them back here.”
Con snorted, shaking his head ruefully. “Nay, we can no’.”
“What do you think we should do?”
“I wish I had an answer. I doona. The Kings’ existence has been for us to rule the dragons. I always expected the magic of this realm to take our gifts from us once the dragons were gone.”
Rhi smoothed away a blond lock that fell onto his forehead. “You and the other Kings are the only reason this realm remains as it is. Had you not fought against the Dark, the Fae would’ve taken over and wiped out the mortals.”
“And what happens when we send the Silvers to the other dragons so they can actually live?”
Rhi’s forehead furrowed. “Then the only dragons left will be the Kings.”
“And the Queen,” Con said, thinking about Melisse.
“There has to be a happy ending for this. You all deserve it. The dragons deserve it.”
/> Con ran a hand through his hair. “For all I know, none of the dragons will answer to us.”
“Oh, please,” Rhi said, irritation in her voice. “You’re the fekking King of Dragon Kings. The others are Dragon Kings, leaders of their clans. You were all chosen by the magic because of your strength and power.”
“And when we go see the dragons? Who’s to say we’re no’ challenged?”
Rhi’s eyes widened, and her face paled. “That wouldn’t happen. You’ve done so much for this realm.”
“It is our way. I became King of Golds because I challenged the dragon who led us before. He was strong and wise, and I looked up to him. I hated having to become King of Golds by ending his life, but it is our way. Same with being King of Dragon Kings.”
Rhi swallowed and glanced at the floor. “If none of the Kings go to the dragons, then none of you can be challenged. We won’t have to potentially see one of the Kings die, and his mate follow. The Kings, the mates, they’re our family.”
“I know, love,” Con said and pulled her against him.
He wouldn’t remind her that the first one to be challenged would probably be him—likely by none other than one of their twins. After so many years of pining for Rhi and wishing that he had his mate with him, Con might yet lose her.
Both of them wished to speak to their children. Maybe the reason the twins didn’t want to see them was because they knew it would be the end of Con, Rhi, the Dragon Kings currently in control, and everything Dreagan was.
Con had been alive for so long, he could almost understand the need. But at the same time, he inwardly bellowed that he needed more time with Rhi. That the Dragon Kings, their mates, and their allies had fought so many wars and had gone up against numerous foes to protect the realm and safeguard their lives surely meant they deserved some happiness.
But would they get it? He didn’t know, and he wasn’t going to drag down the celebration that was planned—and needed—with any of this. It would come later.
He leaned back and cupped Rhi’s face in his hands. He smiled down at her. “From now until the end of the year, we willna think about dark things. We’ll celebrate each other, the family we have, the friends we can turn to, and the love that binds everything together.”
“Have I told you how smart you are?” Rhi asked with a grin.
“No’ today, love.”
She rose to her tiptoes. “You’re amazingly brilliant, my husband,” she whispered right before she put her lips on his.
Chapter Six
December 28th
* * *
The next day, everyone settled back into life at Dreagan. The night before had been spent with a casual dinner of mainly finger foods while everyone opened the gifts that Con and Rhi had left under their trees. They were small things, but it pleased Con that everybody seemed genuinely pleased with them.
Con found himself spending less and less time in his office. Instead, he walked around the manor and the land, especially in the Dragonwood. Whenever he spotted Rhi, like he did now, he simply stopped and watched her, a smile on his face.
He imagined that a mortal might call this the honeymoon phase of a relationship, and he supposed it was. After all, he’d been without her for so long, it was almost like they were starting over again. Yet they had been through so much that their history set them on a path slightly different than before.
What he knew was that Rhi was happy, which made him happy. As he stood atop the stairs and looked down, he couldn’t take his eyes off her. The way she stopped and talked to everyone, her laughter and smile easy. How she intently listened to whoever wanted to bend her ear at the moment.
“Bloody hell.”
Con frowned and turned his head at the sound of Ulrik’s surprised voice. “What?”
“You’re smiling.”
“That’s usually what we do when we’re happy.”
“Aye. I know. I’m just getting used to seeing it.”
Con’s brows furrowed deeper. “Are you saying I was grumpy?”
There was a loud snort from behind him as Rhys walked up. “Grumpy is the right word.”
“You two can kiss my arse,” Con replied without any heat and returned his attention to his mate.
Rhys elbowed him in the arm. “You can no’ expect us no’ to rib you. The smile hasna vanished since you returned to Dreagan with Rhi. She has softened your edges.”
Con considered that for a moment. “Aye, I think she has.”
“Nay, she’s blunted them,” Ulrik corrected. “The edges are still there, and if anyone dares to come at us, they’ll sharpen once more.”
Con glanced at Ulrik and grinned. “I think it’s safe to say that applies to all Dragon Kings.”
“Aye,” Ulrik and Rhys replied in unison.
As much as Con wanted to push aside unpleasant things, he knew he couldn’t. He drew in a deep breath and slowly released it. “We need to have a meeting.”
“Wasna sure if you wanted to wait until after the celebration,” Rhys said.
Con turned to look at the two Dragon Kings. “I think this is something that should be addressed sooner rather than later.”
“So, this is about the twins?” Ulrik replied.
Con didn’t answer. Instead, he opened up the mental link shared by all dragons and sent out a message to the Kings. “Meet in the mountain for a meeting in thirty minutes.”
Rhys slapped him on the arm as he walked past and then down the stairs.
Ulrik remained, his gold eyes boring into Con. “Do you need me to do anything?”
“Just what you normally do.”
“Everything will work out. It always does.”
“One way or another,” Con whispered.
Ulrik cocked his head, his black hair falling to the side. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“I’m no’ so sure we should go to see the twins or the dragons.”
“Um,” Ulrik said as he slowly nodded his head, “I figured you’d come to that conclusion.”
“So you understand why I say that?”
“I do.”
Con ran a hand down his face. “And what’s your opinion?”
“I’m biased. Four of my Silvers are right here.”
“Aye, but you didna see them for several millennia. No’ to mention, they’re asleep.”
Ulrik gave him the side-eye. “They’re my dragons, Con. You know as well as I that if it were Golds in there instead of Silvers, you’d be talking to them just as I talk to mine.”
“Do they answer you?”
“They do. They know the situation. They also know how often you’ve come to see them throughout the years. How all the Kings have come to them. Did you no’ try to talk to them?”
Con glanced away. “I spoke to them, of course. Just as I spoke to every King when they slept. But I didna try to see if the Silvers could—or would—answer.”
“Come. Let’s get this done so you and Rhi can get back to being happy.”
Con looked down for Rhi once more, but his beautiful mate had moved on. No doubt the Light Fae had contacted her again, wanting more advice. A part of him wondered if it wouldn’t be better if Rhi had taken over as Queen of the Light. She was a natural-born leader, and she would’ve excelled at the position. Con hadn’t thought too hard about how it would’ve worked with her ruling the Light and him the Dragon Kings because Rhi had completely dismissed the idea of ruling the Fae.
Con made his way down the stairs, moving through the manor to the conservatory, and then into the mountain. As he walked down the hallways, he thought back to the days when he and the other Kings had begun etching the dragons on the walls. There was nowhere else on Earth he felt more at home than at Dreagan.
Con didn’t immediately go to the cavern. He meandered through the various tunnels, his mind going back to when their dragons had still been on Earth. It was so long ago that it sometimes felt like a dream. Then he would shift into his true form, and the past returned like it was
yesterday.
When he finally made his way to the cavern, the Kings were already there, waiting. Con jumped up onto one of the tall boulders so he could see everyone. As he met each King’s gaze, he realized two were missing. Melisse and Varek.
Melisse, he wasn’t surprised about. The first Dragon Queen, she had been held captive by the King of Kings long before Con took on the role. Unfortunately, he hadn’t released her when he took over leadership. When she finally got free, she could’ve wiped out all the Dragon Kings. She hadn’t. Instead, she had saved V’s mate, Claire, who was pregnant.
Despite Con letting Melisse know that she was welcome at Dreagan anytime, she had left after his and Rhi’s mating ceremony. He didn’t know where Melisse was now, and he wasn’t going to go looking for her. She had a right to explore the world as much and for as long as she wanted after what had been done to her.
But Varek? That was another matter entirely.
Con’s gaze slid to Merrill. If anyone knew where Varek was, it would be the King of Oranges.
Before Con could formulate the question, Merrill said, “I’ve been calling to Varek for days. He isna answering.”
“That’s no’ like him,” Warrick stated.
Other Kings shook their heads.
Con opened a direct mental link to Varek and said, “I doona care where you are at the moment, but I need you to respond.”
Silence stretched, causing Con great concern. “Does anyone know where he went?”
“He and I went to the Orkney isles,” Merrill replied.
Con thought about any dangers on the isles, but none would cause a King harm. “Did anything happen there?”
Merrill shrugged. “We met some women. Had some drinks, some wild sex—well, at least I did.”
That caused chuckles from some, but Con didn’t break eye contact with Merrill.
The King cleared his throat and continued. “We were there for two weeks, and nothing out of the ordinary happened. Varek told me that he’d found something interesting and wanted me to take a look at it, but I was otherwise occupied.”