Smoldering Hunger

by Donna Grant

  “Nay.”

  Con held up both his hands. “If you’re no’ going to send her to the dinner, then what?”

  “I’m going to go.”

  “He willna be happy. He could take it out on Sophie somehow,” Con cautioned.

  Darius smiled tightly. “He can try.”

  “Ulrik likes to think he’s in charge. Give him that,” Con said with a grin. “At least for the time being.”

  * * *

  Rhi was walking down the streets of Edinburgh with her mute—and veiled—watcher following her yet again.

  “This is getting old,” she said aloud. “I know you’re there.”

  Silence. She should’ve guessed.

  “Why don’t you just tell me what you want? If you’re spying for Usaeil, she can kiss my perfect ass, because I’m not going back to the Queen’s Guard.”

  More silence.

  She halted and turned around. Though she couldn’t pinpoint exactly where he was, she felt his gaze and knew he was behind her. “When I was a child, I didn’t like my brother following me around to keep me out of mischief, and I assure you that I’m becoming furious with it now. Reveal yourself and tell me what you want, or go away. The next time, I won’t be so nice.”

  Still nothing.

  With a roll of her eyes, Rhi teleported away.

  * * *

  Daire didn’t follow Rhi immediately. He dropped his veil as Cael stepped from the nearby shadows. Daire watched the leader of the Reapers and raised a brow.

  Cael shot him a look of interest. Then asked in the Irish accent all Fae had, “Have you spoken with her?”

  “You know I haven’t,” Daire answered. “I watch, which is what Death ordered me to do.”

  Cael gave a nod of acceptance. “Rhi is as strong as Death suspected.”

  “When is Death ever wrong?”

  “Never.”

  “Then why do you sound surprised?” Daire asked curiously. Every Reaper followed the orders of Death—or died. It was that simple.

  Every Reaper was chosen specifically by Death. The seven of them brought something unique to the group that was judge, jury, and executioner of the Fae.

  “Rhi could be trouble,” Cael finally answered.

  Daire flattened his lips as he recalled her with Balladyn. “More than you know.”

  “She’s been with that Dark Fae again.”

  “He wants her. And she…” Daire trailed off, unsure of how to put into words what he now knew about Rhi.

  Though he’d never tell her or anyone else, he felt sorry for her. She’d been gravely wronged by her Dragon King lover. Despite that she’d continued to love him throughout the centuries, waiting for him to return to her.

  But he never would.

  Daire wondered if Rhi finally realized that herself. Perhaps that’s why she was turning more and more to Balladyn. And Daire couldn’t blame her.

  A person needing love and desire would find it anywhere they could. Balladyn was giving Rhi exactly what she needed, and Balladyn knew it. The Dark Fae had waited patiently for Rhi. He wasn’t waiting anymore.

  “Daire?” Cael called his name.

  Daire looked into Cael’s silver eyes. “I applaud Balladyn for having the balls to go after Rhi.”

  “You know what’ll happen if they get together?” Cael asked in a voice filled with shock. “Rhi will turn Dark.”

  “You don’t know that. None of us do. She could return him to a Light Fae.”

  “If their love is true,” Cael pointed out.

  That was the catch. True love. Some scoffed at the idea, but it was out there. Most humans settled for the first person that came into their lives that they could see themselves with. Others didn’t know true love was standing right before them and kept looking.

  “Point taken,” Daire admitted.

  Cael ran a hand through his long black hair. “Stay with her. I don’t know what Death has in store for Rhi, but it’s important.”

  “And if she goes off with Balladyn?”

  Cael’s silver eyes narrowed. “Let’s hope that doesn’t happen. Though I can’t be certain, I’ve a feeling that if Rhi does, it’ll change things drastically.”

  “She will. Eventually.”

  “Let’s hope it’s not today.”

  Daire veiled himself as soon as Cael teleported away. It didn’t take Daire long to find Rhi. She was back on her island standing shin-deep in the turquoise water.

  Her arms were crossed with her long black hair lifting in the breeze. She wore a gray bikini that barely covered her shapely ass.

  That was twice now she’d worn a color other than black. Daire began to wonder if she was shaking off the darkness that surrounded her.

  He saw it because when Rhi was alone she no longer tried to hide it. The darkness was growing, slowly, but growing nonetheless. Even now it surrounded her like a haze.

  But this time it seemed … dimmed.

  Daire moved to stand next to a tree. He hadn’t been happy about his assignment at first. Who wanted to follow a sassy Light around instead of battling the Dark with the rest of the Reapers?

  Death had chosen him, however. The more Daire was around Rhi, the more he saw glimpses of greatness. It came naturally for Rhi to take charge, but she fought it. She didn’t want the responsibility.

  Just as Ulrik hadn’t wanted it with the Dragon Kings. Ulrik was regretting that decision now. Would Rhi?

  Suddenly the haze vanished—as did Rhi’s bikini. Rhi slowly turned and faced him. Daire’s breath locked in his lungs when he took in the sight before him.

  “If you’re going to watch, I figure you should get to see all of me,” Rhi said.

  Damn his body, but it responded to her.

  “Come on, stud. Don’t you want this?” she asked in a husky tone and held out her arms, her breasts out.

  He was Fae, of course he wanted it. Desperately. But he was to watch and only watch.

  “Or do you get off on spying? What about with Balladyn?”

  No, Daire definitely didn’t like seeing her with Balladyn and the way the Dark held her possessively.

  She walked out of the water to stand in front of him. “I’m offering myself to you. All you have to do is drop the veil.”

  Daire looked away from her splendidly made body and took two steps back. Somehow she always knew he was there—and where he was. She shouldn’t be able to do that.

  “I could kill you right now.”

  She could try, but Daire wasn’t that easy to kill. Something Rhi would most likely find out soon enough. She was getting angry with him following her, and she was obstinate enough to try and skewer him.

  Daire was actually looking forward to it.

  CHAPTER

  TWENTY-FOUR

  Sophie blew out a breath as she turned one way then the other in front of the mirror. The black dress was one of her favorites. Anytime she wore it, she felt sexy.

  And she needed something to bolster her courage.

  Her hair was down and pulled over one shoulder. Sophie wore only a pair of gold chandelier earrings, a gold ring, and a set of gold bangle bracelets.

  She glanced down at her black stilettos with the heel in gold and gave a nod of approval. Understated, but sophisticated. A perfect combination for meeting with a man like Ulrik.

  Sophie was nervous. And not just because she was going to meet Ulrik, but because she had yet to tell Darius. When he’d returned the night before, he was the one to send the response from her phone to Ulrik.

  Then there had been no talking with all the kissing and touching. After they’d made love, she’d fallen asleep in his arms.

  Waking up next to him was only making it easier to allow the feelings for him to grow. She closed her eyes. Who was she kidding? They weren’t growing. They were there—full blown and glorious.

  And it scared the hell out of her.

  The last time she’d opened herself in such a way had been the worst time in her life. Darius showed he
r time and again that he was trustworthy and a man of his word. But he was embroiled in something dangerous.

  She was about to put herself in the line of fire without even knowing the secrets Darius kept. That proved how she’d come to care for him.

  Even with all the intrigue, secrets, and peril, Sophie wanted a life with him. She wanted to have friends again, to decorate her house, to cook, to have dinner parties.

  She wanted to be a part of something important.

  She needed it.

  In a short amount of time Darius managed to get closer than anyone had in seven years. What was it about him? Why didn’t she turn her back on him as she did others? Why did she keep seeking him out?

  He had a past, but it didn’t define him as hers and Ulrik’s did. No, whatever had happened to Darius left him shuttered and aloof.

  But he still sought out others because he had no other choice. The complete opposite of her.

  “I’m no’ a good man.”

  Even now replaying his words in her head made her wish to know more about him.

  He didn’t think he was a good man, but he was. Why, then, did he think he wasn’t? She was curious to know the reason. Though she might never discover the truth.

  Sophie opened her eyes to the mirror and saw Darius standing behind her. She whirled around, a smile in place. He opened his arms and held her close as he kissed her.

  “You look stunning,” he murmured. “Going somewhere?”

  She took a deep breath. “To meet Ulrik.”

  “Nay.”

  Definitive. Authoritative. She normally detested men like that, but Darius wasn’t doing it to control her. He was doing it to protect her. Sophie recognized that and it made her smile.

  “You grin?” he asked in confusion.

  Sophie gazed up at him and nodded. “Because I know why you don’t want me to do it.”

  “Aye. You’ll no’ get anywhere near that bastard.”

  “But I have to,” she insisted.

  Darius dropped his arms and stepped away from her, raking his hand through his hair. “No.”

  “Yes.” She walked to stand in front of him. “You know it’s the right thing to do. I can get information from him.”

  “What you’ll be doing is playing right into his hands. He knows you’ll be there as bait.”

  Now she hadn’t thought about that.

  “I know him,” Darius continued. “He’s smart, Sophie. Smarter than even you. He’s thought all of this through, in every conceivable scenario, and he’s going to make sure he has the advantage.”

  She swallowed, more nervous now than before. “Even in a crowded restaurant?”

  “Even there. It’s too dangerous.” He tugged her back into his arms. “But I appreciate you wanting to help.”

  Sophie rested her head against his chest and soaked in his warmth and strength. “He wanted me, so I thought it would be the right move.”

  “No’ this time, lass,” he whispered and kissed her temple. “No’ with you.”

  Never had Sophie ever felt so cherished, wanted, or needed than she did in that moment. She wished they could stay just as they were, without interference from the outside world or anyone.

  Then it suddenly hit her. She raised her head to look at him. “You’re going to talk to Ulrik.”

  Darius looked down at her with his deep brown eyes and slid his fingers in her hair. “I am.”

  “I can’t lose you.”

  He silenced her with a kiss. “That willna happen. I promise.”

  “Everyone dies. What if you get injured? Let me be there so I can reach you quickly in case something happens,” she urged.

  He was so calm about their speaking of him getting injured. That either meant it happened often, or he wasn’t afraid. Since she knew every inch of his body, she knew there were no wounds from knives or bullets.

  That was odd for someone in his kind of work. In fact, there wasn’t a single scar anywhere on his skin. Everyone had scars.

  “You’re not afraid of being hurt,” Sophie said.

  He shook his head. “Doona do this. No’ now.”

  “Why? What aren’t you telling me?”

  “We both have secrets, Sophie.”

  “That’s true.” And maybe it was time she came clean with hers. “But I don’t want there to be any more secrets between us.”

  “Sophie,” he began.

  But she stopped him by saying, “I was engaged once.”

  Darius couldn’t have uttered another sound had his life depended on it. Of all the things he’d thought Sophie might be hiding, that wasn’t it.

  He let her go when she walked out of his arms to the sofa. She sat on the edge of the cushion and stared out her window, seemingly weighted down by the past.

  Darius ached for her, because he knew how that felt all too well.

  “You never asked about my past. Did you find out as Ulrik did?”

  “Nay.”

  She looked down at her hands clasped in her lap. “In the seven years I’ve been in Edinburgh, I’ve told exactly one person my story.”

  “Claire,” Darius guessed.

  “I didn’t want to be friends with Claire, but she was relentless,” she said with a laugh. “I had no choice where she was concerned. It’s sad, isn’t it, that I only have one friend? Seven years, and I don’t even know my neighbors.”

  He walked around the sofa and sat beside her. “You have a life and a verra important career. You’re a healer, Sophie. Every day people put their lives in your hands. So what if you doona know your neighbors.”

  “Yeah,” she murmured. Then she turned her head to him. “I was in a relationship for ten years with another doctor. We were engaged and living together.

  “I was in love with him. He made me laugh every day, and everyone liked him. He was the life of the party. We did everything together, spent every minute as one. Or so I thought.”

  When she paused, Darius knew she was going back through her memories. It killed him to know she’d suffered so, because he’d already guessed what she hadn’t yet said.

  “There was a new doctor Scott was helping out,” Sophie continued. “She was nice. I liked her. Not that I spent much time with her. What I didn’t know was that they began having an affair months earlier. All those texts from work were actually from her.”

  “The ultimate betrayal,” Darius murmured.

  “To give someone your love, devotion, trust, and your soul only to have them trample on it as if it meant nothing. That was awful, but it didn’t stop there. He shagged her in our bed and took pictures. They made me out for a fool, and I never expected any of it.”

  The solid, beautiful doctor was vulnerable, and he hated seeing her like that. Darius wanted to avenge her in some way. Because no one should have to suffer from such a fate. “Shall I kill him?”

  Sophie smiled softly. “Had I known you a few years ago, I might’ve asked you to rough him up, but now … I just want to forget all of it. I don’t care about Scott or what he’s doing.”

  He reached over and placed his hand atop hers. “He was an idiot to let you go.”

  “I kept what Scott did close to keep it from ever happening again. I expected to live my life alone. Then you walked out of the shadows.”

  Darius felt his blood heat when he saw the desire in her eyes. Did the woman not know what she did to him? Surely by now she had to, and perhaps that was the point. “For you.”

  She threaded her fingers with his. “I think that’s why I understand Ulrik’s need for revenge, because I got mine.”

  Darius’s brows rose. “How?”

  “I convinced another doctor to get Scott’s lover to have sex with him in his car. I was snapping photos of all of it, which I promptly sent to Scott. Their relationship blew up spectacularly all over the hospital.”

  “Did your retribution feel good?”

  “For a time. Then I felt slimy for setting it up. It would’ve eventually happened. Once a cheater al
ways a cheater, right?”

  “You just facilitated things,” Darius said.

  She chuckled wryly. “He tried to come back to me about a year later. It felt so good to tell him to kiss off and slam the door in his face. I’ve been broken for a long time, but I didn’t realize it until quite recently. Until you.”

  “I’m sorry you had to endure such a thing. You didna deserve that.”

  “Does anyone?” she asked.

  “Nay.”

  Her olive gaze searched his. “Where does that leave us? Whatever it is that we are.”

  Darius wanted to be with her—craved it actually. But he’d already been down that road. He’d already lost his mate. “I’m no’ sure.”

  “All right.”

  She began to pull her hand away, but Darius stopped her. There was a question in her eyes—and there was hope.

  He let his gaze roam over the lace of the dress that covered her arms just past her elbows and from her neck down to her breasts, showing just enough of their swells to make his cock twitch with longing.

  Her flame red hair was vibrant against the black, beckoning him to take a fistful of it and hold her steady while he kissed her.

  “I’ve kept my secret from you to keep you safe,” he said.

  “I want to know. All of it.”

  “I doona think you do.”

  She shifted so she faced him fully. “I’ve seen all kinds of trauma in the hospital. I can handle whatever it is you’re trying to protect me from.”

  Darius wasn’t so sure. Then again, he’d known all along she would learn who he was. Perhaps it was time. It would also keep her away from Ulrik, which was exactly what needed to happen.

  It would be neigh impossible to convince her of the Dragon Kings and Fae without proof. Sophie was practical. She’d already admitted she didn’t believe in any kind of fantasy things like dragons.

  How would a complete nonbeliever in such things react when she saw one? It wouldn’t be good, of that Darius was certain.

  “I can take it,” Sophie said with a firm nod.

  Darius rubbed his jaw, trying to think where to start. How did he tell someone he was immortal and had been around since the beginning of time?

  “I doona work for the government,” he stated. “The group I speak of is all I have left. They’re my family, my home.”