Smoldering Hunger

by Donna Grant

  HIDING IN YOUR OFFICE? THAT’S NOT NICE.

  Her gut clenched at the words. She wanted Darius. And she wanted as far from Ulrik as she could get. How did he know she was in her office?

  She didn’t bother to answer his text. Sophie dropped the phone back into her pocket and closed the blinds at the window. If he was watching her, then she was going to close off any avenue he had.

  Ten minutes later there was a knock at the door, then Claire’s voice. Sophie hurried to unlock it and allow her friend inside.

  “Everyone knows,” Claire said. “Including the hospital administrator. I saw Ulrik walk away from the hospital myself.”

  Sophie took out her mobile and handed it to Claire to show her the text.

  “Shit.” Claire took Sophie’s hand and walked her to the chairs in front of her desk. She gently pushed Sophie before taking the other seat. “It’s time you spit it all out.”

  “The gist of it all is that Ulrik wants to get revenge against Darius.”

  “Through hurting you.” Claire’s lips twisted in agitation. “How far do you think Ulrik would take it?”

  “As far as he needs.”

  “Bloody hell, Soph. Wouldn’t it be easier to let the police handle this and get away from all of it?”

  She smiled sadly and shook her head. “It might, but it’s not what I want to do.”

  “Stubborn,” Claire mumbled. Then she took a deep breath and tried another tack. “What has Ulrik done to threaten you?”

  “Nothing.”

  Claire looked at her funny. “Nothing?”

  “He came to the hospital and had coffee with me. It was before I knew who he was.”

  “What did he say?”

  “Only that he wanted me for something, but he never said what. That’s when Darius told me who he was. He invited me to dinner, but I didn’t go. Darius went in my place.”

  “Ballsy,” Claire said in approval. “What happened?”

  Sophie shrugged. “Ulrik told Darius he’d get me one way or another.”

  “I think that’s threat enough. Add in the text, and you definitely need to stay away from him.” Claire glanced at her watch. “My break is almost over, and you can’t stay in here all day. You have rounds.”

  “I know.”

  Claire got to her feet. “Looks like I’m your shadow today, doctor.”

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-TWO

  Darius searched but hadn’t found a single one of Ulrik’s men at the hospital. That wasn’t to say there weren’t any there. Ulrik had proven to have a vast collection of people, and they were most likely walking beside Sophie without her even realizing it.

  It wasn’t like Ulrik to give the appearance of giving up. His death strike would come swiftly. Darius just had to figure out when that might be so he could save Sophie.

  Darius walked to the corner of the street. He remained there watching the hospital. Sophie only had a little more time before her shift was over.

  With a sigh he turned around, then stilled as his gaze landed on Rhi.

  The Light Fae wore a long black coat with a white fur collar. The coat was open, showing a black shirt, jeans, and black boots. Her hands were in the coat pockets as she stood staring at him in the snow.

  For a moment, he wasn’t sure if Rhi was there to talk or to fight. Both knew she couldn’t kill him, but that wouldn’t stop her from inflicting some major hurt.

  Her beautiful Fae face was devoid of expression. In many ways, the silent way she stood watching him reminded him of Con. He squared off and met her silver gaze.

  Thousands of years ago, Rhi caught the Dragon Kings’ attention because of her skill as a warrior. She’d been the brightest light of her people. Her beauty, her happiness, and her loyalty captivated everyone who saw her.

  It was no wonder that a King was drawn to her. In truth, he hadn’t been the only one. All of them had wanted Rhi, but she’d only had eyes for one of them.

  Everyone knew Rhi hated Darius. She’d hate whoever told her such devastating news, even if it had been Rhys doing the deed. But it hadn’t been Rhys. It had been him.

  Rhi made a point of never being alone with Darius, so he was unsure of what she wanted. It was true she’d been erratic of late. Rhys was positive of her loyalty, but Darius wasn’t.

  Rhi had helped Ulrik and was known to visit Balladyn—two of their enemies. She wasn’t herself, and hadn’t been since Balladyn tortured her. For all they knew, she could be turning Dark.

  A gust of wind howled through the buildings and into them, but neither he nor Rhi moved despite the force. Her black hair lifted before falling back into place.

  Darius released a breath. “If you’ve something to say, then say it.”

  She remained as silent as a statue.

  He shifted his feet. Rhi was never one to hold her tongue on any occasion. The fact she was now told him either she was that angry. Or that calculating.

  “You still hold anger toward me,” Darius said with a nod. “I ken that.”

  “You know nothing.”

  Her tone was calm, too calm for the Rhi that he knew. Darius studied her. “Granted, I doona know you as Rhys or others do.”

  “You’ve never known me. Nor did you approve of me.”

  Ah. The root of the issue. “Need I remind you about the Fae Wars?”

  “The Fae Wars,” she said with a laugh devoid of humor. “Your dragons were sent away because of the war with the mortals, and yet many of the Kings take them as mates. You’ve been bedding one as well.”

  Darius lost any hint of composure as he stalked to Rhi and punched a finger into her shoulder. “Leave Sophie out of this.”

  “I’m not doing anything to her,” Rhi replied coolly.

  He frowned. Where was Rhi’s temper? Darius lowered his hand to his side. “Are you helping Ulrik?”

  There was a flash of irritation in her silver eyes. “Would you believe anything I said?”

  “Aye. You can no’ lie.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That’s the only reason you’d believe me? Not because I’ve sacrificed many times in order to help the Kings.”

  “I wasna there. I only know the stories.”

  “Odd how quick you are to believe the stories that I’m helping Ulrik, but you’re hesitant to accept the ones about me aiding the Kings as truth.”

  Darius shrugged. She had a point, but he wasn’t going to admit that. “Answer my question.”

  “Why should I?”

  “Then why are you here?”

  Her gaze swung to the hospital. “I was curious.”

  “Doona be,” he said and stepped into her line of vision. “Sophie is no concern of yours. Stay out of her life.”

  “Why? She knows all about me.”

  Darius ground his teeth together. How did Rhi know that?

  Rhi smiled at his silence.

  He narrowed his gaze on her. “Have you sided with Ulrik?”

  “I haven’t, but you don’t believe that. Stop asking questions if you won’t believe the answers.”

  “Then why are you here?”

  “You.”

  That took him aback. Darius didn’t need to ask why she sought him. The reason was crystal clear.

  “Nothing to say?” she asked with a raise of her black brows.

  Darius shrugged. “What is there to say? What’s done is done.”

  “You make it sound as if you carried a jug of milk from the store. It was much more than that.”

  “We had this conversation long ago,” Darius said. Actually they hadn’t. It had been one similar, but she’d been too hurt and shocked by his words to ask anything specific.

  Darius had known this day would come as long as Rhi was friendly with the Kings. He’d be lying if he said he hadn’t hoped she would sever all ties with them.

  Rhi leveled a baleful look with her silver eyes. “I’ve often wondered what type of slime would willingly help out a friend and deliver such … heinous words with such j
oy.”

  “You just said it. A friend.”

  “A friend,” Rhi repeated softly and glanced at the ground. “He should’ve told me himself.”

  Darius didn’t respond. Anything he said might be taken the wrong way. It was better to let things continue as they were.

  “No reply. I didn’t expect anything else.”

  The more she spoke, the more her Irish accent deepened. Darius would never tell her, but she had every right to be furious over how things went down. What he’d done, he did for another King. Period.

  “You really don’t get it, do you?” Rhi asked with a snort. “One day, Darius, you’re going to be in a similar situation, and you’ll have words delivered to you via your lover’s friend. Then you’ll know how it feels.”

  “I doona owe you any kind of explanation.”

  “Don’t you?” she asked with a raised brow. “Why did you offer to tell me my relationship with him was over?”

  Darius shrugged. “I saw a friend in need. I did what he couldna.”

  “He’s a coward.”

  Darius didn’t bother to reply. There was nothing that he could say. If she had seen him that day, she’d know that his decision had been the hardest thing he’d ever done. He had been torn in two about it.

  It’s why Darius offered to go to Rhi. Because if Darius hadn’t, the relationship wouldn’t have ended. Darius hadn’t understood the attraction between his friend and Rhi—until he met Sophie.

  “I’ve hated you a long time,” Rhi said.

  “I know.”

  “But I’ve recently realized that though you’re the biggest ass for taking such pleasure in telling me that news, the real blame lies with him.”

  Darius frowned. He hadn’t delighted in telling Rhi it was over. It had been horrible. He might not have particularly cared for her, but he hadn’t wanted to hurt her. Now that he knew all she’d done to help the Kings, he felt even worse.

  He breathed a sigh of relief when Rhi teleported away. He dropped his chin to his chest, her words echoing in his head. Rhi’s threat worried him—because his feelings for Sophie were deepening by the minute.

  He looked at the snow covering the streets, imprints from shoes marring the pristine white. Temperatures dipped lower as mortals huddled in their coats, scarves, and gloves. They paid him no heed as they hurried from one place to another seeking warmth.

  Darius made a round of the hospital as he waited for Sophie. She enticed him to a degree that he was still wrestling with. It had been less than twenty-four hours since he had tasted her, been inside her. Felt her pleasure.

  And he ached for more.

  It was a yearning that went deep inside him. One that he couldn’t shake no matter how hard he tried—and he had tried.

  Darius passed an alley and glanced inside. He halted when he spotted the white-haired man talking to three other Fae—two of which were Dark.

  He turned down the alley intending to take them all on. It didn’t matter that one of the Fae was Light. If he was talking to a Dark, then he was considered an enemy.

  As one, all four looked at Darius. And then vanished without a word.

  Darius stared at the spot where he’d seen them. The white-haired Fae had looked right at him. It wasn’t red eyes Darius saw, but white. Just like his hair.

  He didn’t retreat, because he had a feeling the Fae weren’t gone. Darius sent a small push of his dragon magic toward the spot where the Fae had been. It encountered something, but then that too quickly disappeared.

  “Who are you?” Darius demanded.

  He stood there several minutes, waiting for them to show themselves, attack, or even give him an answer. But nothing happened.

  Darius blew out a frustrated breath and returned to walking the perimeter of the hospital.

  * * *

  “That was close,” Fintan said from the rooftop.

  Cael looked down at Darius and nodded.

  Fintan gawked at him. “You wanted the Dragon King to see us?”

  “I wanted to see his reaction,” Cael explained.

  “Why?”

  Cael scratched his chin. “I don’t know exactly.”

  “That makes no sense if you doona want the Kings involved in our business.”

  “I know this.” Cael turned his head to look in Fintan’s white eyes.

  “What does Death say?”

  “Nothing.”

  Fintan made a sound at the back of his throat. “It’s a mistake. The Kings have their own war, as do we. We don’t need to be combining them.”

  “Don’t we?” Cael’s head swung back to Darius. “We’ve a common enemy.”

  “We know our enemy is Dark. That doesn’t mean it’s the same as the Kings’. Who, I might add, also have Ulrik as an enemy. One of their own.”

  “You’re not telling me anything I’ve not told myself. I don’t know what the right move is, but I’ve a feeling that eventually the Kings will need us as much as we’re going to need them.”

  Fintan crossed his arms over his chest. “Can they know of us?”

  “Good question.”

  “They’re not Fae, which means they don’t have to be killed if they learn who we are. But neither are they human.”

  “What they are are the first inhabitants of this realm. It’s theirs. The mortals and the Fae are living here by the Kings’ permission.”

  Fintan chuckled wryly. “Let’s hope they don’t kick us out.”

  “Yes. Let’s hope.”

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-THREE

  Sophie walked out the back entrance of the hospital. She saw no sign of Darius as she carefully picked her way through the snow.

  Then out of the shadows near the spot where they’d first made love, moved a figure. He stepped into the light of the streetlamp, a smile on his face.

  “Hello,” she said.

  “Hello, yourself.”

  Sophie hurried to him. His arms wrapped around her, holding her tight. She closed her eyes, enjoying his warmth and his arms.

  “How was your day?” she asked, then laughed.

  He leaned back. “What’s so funny?”

  “It seems odd to be asking you such a mundane question when you are anything but.”

  Darius gave her a quick, hard kiss. “Neither are you, doc.” He took her medical bag from her and laced his free hand with hers. “As for my day, it was quiet.”

  “That’s good. Right?”

  He nodded as he glanced at her before returning his gaze to observing everything around them.

  Sophie had to smile. Her life used to be simple. Boring to most, but she’d been content. Or at least she’d thought she was content.

  Then Darius strode into her life with the force of a whisper and altered everything.

  “What about your day?” Darius asked.

  “The usual.” Then she halted as she remembered Ulrik’s visit. She quickly recounted the event, including what she’d told Claire.

  Darius’s face was grim. “Claire can no’ know of us, Sophie.”

  “I know.”

  “We’ve survived because few know our secret.”

  “Why did you tell me? You could’ve lied.”

  He touched her face, his fingers warm despite the weather. “I wanted you to know who I was. The real me.”

  “I won’t until I see the form you were born to.”

  His lips softened into a smile. “If I shift, it’s because I’m protecting you. Let’s hope it doesna come to that.”

  “Ulrik isn’t going to give up, is he?”

  “Nay.”

  “You can’t be with me every second of every day.”

  He glanced at the ground. “There’s a place I could take you to keep you safe.”

  She knew it was Dreagan without having to ask. As much as she wanted to be with him, she didn’t want to give up her career. It never entered her mind that she might have to choose one over the other.

  “Aye,” he said with a nod. “I figu
red you’d wish to remain.”

  “I love what I do. I have commitments here.”

  He placed a finger over her lips. “You doona need to explain. I ken what you do is important. I’d no’ want to take that away from you. If you doona want to go with me, then I’m going to have to be with you at all times.”

  Sophie was going to enjoy that. The question was, would Darius? He wanted to fight Ulrik. He couldn’t do that when he was babysitting her.

  “You could still use me as bait.”

  “Out of the question,” Darius said with finality. “Come. We need to get you out of this weather.”

  Sophie followed, her mind now wondering where things were going to go with her and Darius once Ulrik was dealt with. Would Darius leave? Would he ask her to go with him?

  Would she say yes?

  Sophie glanced at him as he walked beside her, his tall form throwing off vibes that had people giving them a wide berth.

  She didn’t want him to leave. Ever. But she couldn’t leave her job either.

  But she knew one thing for certain—she was in love with Darius.

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Rhi stood in the store gazing at all the bottles of nail polish from her favorite brand—OPI. There were many she hadn’t gotten while she’d been in her funk.

  That wasn’t entirely true. She’d bought every shade of black, silver, and white there was. And really, it was surprising how many ways they could concoct a black to make it look different.

  Since she was wearing color now, she needed to begin adding in all the bottles she didn’t have. The problem was she couldn’t decide on anything.

  She changed three times because she kept putting on black. If she was going to make everyone think she was the old Rhi again, then she needed to dress the part. Except, she wasn’t the old Rhi—or the new Rhi that had been around lately. She didn’t know who she was.

  Rhi chose a shimmering golden red OPI nail polish titled Go with the Lava Flow. Some days she felt like wearing black, and then she surprised herself by wearing color like she did when she woke at Dreagan.

  She knew she wanted so much more than she’d had for the past few millennia. She also felt like something big was coming. Almost as if she were in limbo, waiting.