A Dragon's Tale

by Donna Grant

  Con kissed her palm. “Making us a stronger collective.”

  She smiled. “You’re pretty smart.”

  “I know how lucky I am to have you back in my arms. I love you more than you know.”

  Rhi slid her fingers into his thick hair. “Oh, I have a pretty good idea. You, my amazing Dragon King, are impossible, wonderful, vexing at times, and astonishing in all ways. You make me want to be a better person. You let me be who I am, never telling me I need to change. But most of all, you accept all of me.”

  “I’ve done all of that, love, because you showed me how. We’ve come a verra long way since the day we first met and were caught up in our love. There isna anyone else I wish to walk through life with. You make each day brighter. I never know what you’ll do or say, and I love that. You make me remember how to appreciate life and love.”

  Tears gathered as she gazed up at her mate, her husband. “I love you.”

  “And I love you,” he whispered right before he kissed her.

  She ended the kiss. “I forgot to tell you something.”

  “What?” he asked with a frown. “Can it no’ wait? I’d rather keep kissing you.”

  “I found a new Fae doorway.”

  He pushed up on his hands, his blond brows snapped together. “Where?”

  “In the Dragonwood. It wasn’t there a few days ago.”

  Con’s eyes widened. “Do you think…?”

  “That it’s from the twins? Yes, I do.”

  They shared a smile. It had taken months, but they were finally going to see their children.

  Foreword

  Dear Reader –

  * * *

  I’m sure many of you are wondering why this prequel novella is only now being published instead of during the release of the Dark Kings books. One of the things authors must contend with when writing any book is the delicate balance of how much backstory to add in—or delete. In the case of the Dark Kings series, each book contained very strong secondary characters that propelled the overall arcing storyline forward. I couldn’t put in backstory for these characters and take away from the hero/heroine of that particular book.

  It wasn’t until I was chatting with a good friend about the Dragon Kings—and specifically about how Inferno would end the series that she made mention of wanting to know Con’s, Rhi’s, and even Death’s side of the event that altered the course of all three of their lives. The moment the words left her mouth, I knew I had to write a story from each of those character’s POV to show how—and what—happened that fateful day. How their decisions and actions rippled across time, affecting more people than they could ever imagine.

  I knew when I sat down to write these stories that they would be difficult. I underestimated how much they would affect me. These characters all had their HEAs. I had gone on a very long journey with each of them through the Dark King and Reaper series, and I thought I knew them inside and out.

  I was wrong. So very, very wrong.

  By completely immersing myself into each character after one momentous decision, I was taken on a journey of heartache, anguish, and—finally—determination and strength of will that set these three pivotal characters on a path that would, ultimately, lead to something utterly amazing.

  This isn’t a normal story from me. This is a prequel set well before the Dark Sword, Dark Warriors, Dark Kings, and Reapers series. Just like the Constantine: A History short stories, this will answer some burning questions you’ve had about what happened when Con ended things with Rhi, how Rhi was nearly killed, and what made Death take the twins.

  I’ve spoken often about how I don’t plot books. I sit down and let the characters take me on a journey. You will find some interesting tidbits, facts, and even a few Easter eggs within the lines of this prequel that bring so many stories right back to the beginning.

  I’ve gotten hundreds of emails and messages from readers happy that they were still getting more Con and Rhi once Inferno ended. I can say with certainty that neither of those characters will be going away anytime soon. They were the cornerstones of the Dark King series.

  And they are crucial to the Dragon King series.

  So, sit back with your favorite beverage and get ready for an interesting ride!

  xoxox,

  DG

  * * *

  P.S.

  Some of you may notice some things from past books that don’t align with this story. As with any series that encompasses 13+ years, 62 (and counting) books, and multiple interconnected yet standalone series, no one can remember every detail of every character. Not even with the amazing team that I have, who goes through everything with a fine-tooth comb with me, the work comprising countless hours of many, many of Team DG’s professional publishing members’ lives.

  Even as a team, we are not infallible. Inconsistencies happen in even some of the most famous books. Sometimes, intentionally. Other times, unintentionally. And things that may bother you consistency-wise could simply be a matter of perspective, either from your views, the characters’, or the novel’s overall narrative. Even with the differences, I will not be changing Of Fire and Flame. That doesn’t mean the team didn’t value your input. It means we weighed everything and decided that the heart of the story is there. It flows. It is how Con, Rhi, and Erith spoke to me.

  Thank you for the wonderful passion you have and share for all of my books.

  Be kind to yourself and one another.

  RHI

  The promise broken…

  Blood pounded in her ears. Her lungs struggled to draw in air. A fat raindrop landed on her cheek. The world spun around her, out of focus. As if from a great distance, she heard her name as the skies opened, and a downpour ensued.

  “Rhi!”

  A crack of lightning split the air and startled her. She blinked. That one movement brought everything into harsh focus. The lightning storm was thunderous, but it couldn’t drown out the hammering of her blood.

  Or the shattering of her heart.

  “Rhi.”

  She lifted her gaze to find Darius before her. His pained expression conveyed how much he hated his involvement.

  “Say something,” he urged in his Scottish brogue as he shoved long, wet, blond strands of hair from his face. “Please.”

  Rhi swallowed, anger mixing with her disbelief. “I–I don’t understand.”

  “I know only what I was told to tell you.”

  It’s over didn’t seem nearly enough for the love she and Constantine shared. She turned her gaze to the east and the manor. She was on Dreagan land, which meant that Con hadn’t put up wards to ensure she couldn’t return. With water dripping from her lashes, she looked around, waiting to awaken from the nightmare.

  “I’m sorry, lass.”

  She shook her head, not accepting what had happened. “Everything was perfect yesterday, as it always is. He didn’t say anything, didn’t do anything.”

  Darius briefly lowered his head as he shrugged uncomfortably.

  The rain hid her tears that wouldn’t stop. She thought about going to the manor and demanding Con give her an explanation. But the fact that he had sent one of the Dragon Kings to do his dirty work was a blow that she couldn’t take.

  Rhi was too hurt, too upset to stay on Dreagan. Where could she go, though? Who could she turn to? Con was her best friend, her love, her…everything. He was the one she went to when she was distraught. Now, he was the cause of her anguish.

  Without a word to Darius, she teleported to the Light Castle in Ireland. As she stood outside, soaking wet, gazing up at the impressive structure, she didn’t know what to do. There was no one to talk to, no one to cry with. The only one that mattered no longer wanted her. And that’s what she couldn’t reconcile.

  Rhi briefly thought about going to Balladyn, but she didn’t want to hear that he had known this would happen. Her father hadn’t been pleased with who her heart had chosen either. Had everyone seen something she hadn’t?

  She spun aro
und, turning away from the castle, and started down the hillside to the cliffs. With Con, the world had been as close to perfect as it had ever gotten. They fit like puzzle pieces. She had loved him from the first instant she saw him flying, and she had seen that same love in his eyes whenever he looked at her.

  They had shared vows on a mountain at Dreagan, pledging their love for each other through eons of time. How could Con do that, only to end things so…callously…now?

  Rhi heard someone shout her name. She didn’t want to see anyone and have them ask what was wrong. How could she explain it when she didn’t understand it herself? There was too much turmoil in her mind and heart. She had to get away. Somewhere that didn’t make her think of Con, the Dragon Kings, or Scotland. She jumped to one location after another, but each one brought a different memory of Con.

  With a scream of heartache and despair, she dropped to her knees, her head in her hands as she sobbed uncontrollably. Darius’s words were on repeat in her head, but she didn’t hear his voice, she heard Con’s. Had she mattered so little that he hadn’t been able to face her and tell her that he was ending things?

  “I have to get off this realm,” she said as she suddenly got to her feet.

  And there was only one place she knew to go. It was hazardous, but she couldn’t remain on Earth. Not now.

  Not ever.

  Rhi squared her shoulders, even as the tears continued. She teleported to the hidden Fae doorway. But she hesitated in going through. If she left Earth, it would end a chapter of her life she had believed would continue into eternity.

  She looked over her shoulder into the distance as she pictured Dreagan—and Con. She knew that what they shared was true love, the kind that every being in the universe sought. Rhi wiped at her tears and jumped back to Con’s bedroom. She stood in the middle of it and stared at the bedsheets, still rumpled.

  How she hated that she hadn’t been with him the previous night. She’d had duties to handle for her queen that couldn’t wait. Rhi couldn’t help but wonder if things would be different if she had skirted her responsibilities and remained with Con.

  She thought back to when she had last seen him. They had laughed and talked like always. His behavior had been light and easy. Though Con had a knack for wiping all emotion from his face, he didn’t do that with her. They had always communicated well, talking about anything and everything.

  So, what happened?

  Rhi walked to the bed and lay in his spot. She breathed in the smell of him from the sheets. Her eyes closed as the tears came once more. She needed to talk to Con. Rhi sat up and got to her feet. He knew she was on Dreagan. Every Dragon King knew the instant she crossed the invisible magical barrier surrounding the sixty-thousand-acre estate.

  She dashed at the tears and strode from the bedroom. Usually, she ran into other Kings as she walked through the manor, but today, there was no one. Did that mean everyone knew what’d happened and was staying clear of her? If so, good. That ensured she would be alone with Con when she demanded an explanation.

  Rhi walked to his office to find the door closed. He was always at his desk working during the day. She tried the handle, only to find it locked. That never stopped a Fae. All she had to do was teleport inside. Except, the locked door was significant. It told her that Con wanted her out of his life.

  She placed a palm on the panel as her body shook with fresh tears. They fell rapidly down her cheeks as she leaned forward to place her forehead against the wood. Of all the people she’d thought would hurt her, she had never believed it would be Con. He had been the one to shelter her. Defend her.

  Love her.

  “Con,” she whispered, knowing he could hear her on the other side of the door. “Please. Talk to me. I deserve that, at least.”

  The silence that followed was like a knife twisting in her heart. Darius had delivered his words, but Con had made sure she got the message loud and clear with the locked door and complete silence.

  Rhi shoved away from the doorframe, stumbling backwards in incredulity—and even a bit of anger. Her vision blurred with her tears, her world gone flat. She had woken up believing it would be another great day with the dragon she loved. Only to discover that her perfect world had been ripped asunder. How was she to carry on?

  The other half of her heart, her soul, had turned his back on her. He had withdrawn his love. And she had no idea why. It was the worst kind of blow.

  Rhi stared at the wooden door that swam in her vision as she thought of all the happy times they had shared at Dreagan. But that was over now, no matter how much she wished it otherwise. She had come to Con to beg him to talk to her. Whatever had caused him to break things off hadn’t been because of her. She had given him everything she had.

  And it hadn’t been enough.

  Her face crumpled as a wave of grief tore through her. She bent at the waist, her mouth open on a silent scream of misery. It was all too much. She jumped back to the Fae doorway. This time, she didn’t hesitate to step through.

  Losing the way…

  Rhi hadn’t been back on the Fae Realm since her people had fled. The planet was dying. Or it had been. It was dead now. Lush forests, vast plains of grass, huge oceans, and grand mountains once covered the realm. Now, everything was brown from death or scorched black from the civil war that’d raged between the Light and Dark Fae.

  She gagged from the rotting smell and lifted her hand to cover her nose. The wind swept across the barren landscape, flinging dirt and debris at her. Tiny grains of sand stuck to her face, still wet with tears.

  Rhi walked a short distance before putting her back to the wind and letting her gaze move over the land. She was weary to her soul. She just wanted a place to curl up and cry for a thousand years and shelter her battered heart from any more hurt. Her vision blurred with fresh tears.

  With no destination in mind, she started walking. She knew some Fae still came to the realm to hide or for other nefarious reasons, but she couldn’t drudge up an ounce of concern. Not about danger or shelter. About anything.

  She walked the desolate countryside with her mind flipping through memories of all the wonderful days she’d had with Con—from their initial meeting to their first kiss to their exchange of vows. They had loved fiercely and argued just as passionately. She always knew he intentionally irritated her just so they could make up with hours of sex.

  One of the things he loved was cuddling in the mornings before they got out of bed. How she would miss the way he wrapped his body around hers, holding her tightly. Or when he pulled her to lay on his chest as he gently caressed her back.

  Rhi’s foot caught on an exposed root, and she fell to her knees. Her hands caught her before she could pitch forward. She hung her head and gave in to the tears once more. This time, she didn’t hold in her bellow of anguish. This time, she let out all the misery, all the sorrow.

  She brought her arms to her chest and rocked back to sit on her haunches as she bent forward and wailed.

  Rhi had no concept of time as she gave in to her misery. Eventually, the tears lessened, and she reluctantly climbed to her feet. The Fae had deserted the realm because it couldn’t support life. But where else could she go? Earth belonged to the Dragon Kings. The Fae were only there because Con and the Kings allowed it.

  There had to be another realm out there where she could live. Because she couldn’t go through the rest of her life on the same planet as Con. It would hurt too badly, and while she pretended that nothing ever got to her, the truth was that she was easily wounded. Others took advantage of her compassion, to her detriment. With Con, she had found a kindred spirit, someone who didn’t disdain the empathy she felt for every living thing.

  Rhi paused next to a tree that was leaning against another fallen trunk. She sniffed, swallowing through the lump in her throat. No soul in the entire universe besides Con had ever understood her or accepted her for who she was. It wasn’t fair that she had been shown real love, only to have it wrenched out of her
grasp so violently.

  If only she knew what she had done wrong. If only Con had talked to her. If only…

  She pushed away from the tree and continued on. The thought of returning to her homeworld had once filled her with dread. She hadn’t been born yet when her family left, but she had heard stories of the spectacular beauty and grandeur of the Fae Realm. All of it was gone now, stripped away because the two factions of her people couldn’t find common ground.

  Her gaze scanned the broken, cracked earth. The trees’ limbs were gone, leaving what looked like giant sticks poking out of the ground. The sun was no more, now hidden by thick fog or mist. She paused next to what had once been a riverbed. Bones of dead animals—and Fae—lay scattered haphazardly in the depression.

  This bleak, forsaken land matched her soul. There was no hope left. She had briefly held the most wonderful man in all the universe in her arms. She didn’t know how or why she had lost him. She didn’t know what to do without his love. How did she go on? How did she live without his smile, his kisses?

  His love?

  Her shoulders shook as fresh tears emerged. Rhi fell to her knees and lifted her face to the sky as she cried, looking for answers in the clouds, resolutions that would never find her. That kind of misery eventually turned to anger.

  She leaned forward and slammed her hands against the earth as she cried out, fury mixing with her ache. But that one outburst was all she had. She fell to her side, curling up in a fetal position, staring blankly into the valley. Her eyes stung. Her lips were chapped. Her body had nothing left to give.