Soul Scorched

by Donna Grant

Her chest rose and fell rapidly as her blood pounded in her ears. Then his gaze lowered to her mouth, and desire pooled low in her belly. She wanted his kiss with a desperation that made her knees go weak.

  Then his eyes lifted. Their gazes clashed, held. There was no denying the sexual tension that filled the flat. It grew, expanded, with each breath leaving Darcy with chills racing over her skin.

  Her lips parted expectantly when she saw his eyes darken, the desire blatant.

  “I’m not interrupting anything, am I?” said a sensual female voice, with humor edging the words.

  Warrick’s nostrils flared as he pulled back from Darcy. “Rhi,” he ground out.

  Darcy whirled around to see a voluptuous raven-haired woman so gorgeous she could only gape at her.

  Rhi lifted her hand from the back of the chair at the table and waved her fingers. “I’m guessing I did interrupt something. My bad,” she said with a knowing grin.

  Darcy looked to Warrick to find him glaring at the woman. Darcy then looked at the front door to find it locked. Her spells were still in place, and none of the alarms were going off.

  She turned back to Rhi and pieced it all together. Black hair, silver eyes, and too gorgeous to be real. She was a Fae. She was also the one Warrick had told her about who’d had an affair with a Dragon King.

  “How the hell did you get into my flat?” Darcy demanded.

  Rhi’s smile widened. She looked at Warrick and said, “Oh, I like her.”

  “Rhi,” Warrick warned.

  The Fae rolled her silver eyes and moved to the stove to sniff the soup. “Believe it or not, chica, I’m here to help you. What are you cooking? It smells delicious.”

  “Take mine,” Darcy said as she handed Rhi the bowl. She watched Rhi take a bite and give an appreciative nod. Then Darcy said, “I need to know how you got in. I set up spells to keep the Dark out.”

  Rhi paused with the spoon halfway to her mouth. She frowned and turned to Warrick. “Didn’t you tell her the difference between Light and Dark?”

  “I did,” Warrick said between clenched teeth.

  Rhi shrugged and looked back at Darcy. “You’ll need to forgive him. Warrick tends to keep to himself. In case he didn’t explain properly, I’m Light Fae. All Fae have black hair, but the Dark have silver in theirs. The more silver, the more evil they’ve done. Then there’s the eyes. Mine aren’t red.”

  “Yeah, I got that.” Darcy took Warrick his bowl of soup since he was obviously not going to sit down. Their hands brushed, and her stomach quivered wildly. “It doesn’t explain why you’re here.”

  “Doesn’t it?” Rhi took another bite of the soup. “This is really good.”

  “It’s a family recipe.” Darcy didn’t know why she kept being so nice. She wanted to order Rhi out of her flat, but for some reason she didn’t.

  Darcy reckoned it had something to do with Warrick being agitated at Rhi’s arrival, but not in battle mode.

  “Am I some beacon to the Fae?” Darcy asked Warrick. “Why do they keep coming?”

  Rhi set down the bowl and faced Darcy. “You thought you could help Ulrik and not have everyone focused on you?”

  “That was almost three years ago!”

  It was the way Rhi frowned, a mixture of concern and wonder, that had Darcy swiveling her head to Warrick who was looking at her as if he’d just had the answers to the universe.

  “I’ll be damned,” Rhi said softly.

  Darcy looked between the two. “Someone please tell me what’s going on.”

  “It was you,” Warrick said and walked to set his bowl down on the table next to Rhi’s. “You’re the reason the Silvers moved.”

  If Darcy was confused before, she was sinking in a pit of puzzlement now. “Human needs an explanation, stat.”

  Rhi chuckled. “Oh, girl. We’re so going to have fun.”

  Was it Darcy’s imagination, or had Warrick just growled at Rhi? Obviously the Light Fae heard it too because she laughed harder.

  Warrick ran a hand through his blond locks and sighed. “After what Ulrik’s woman did—”

  “What’s her name?” Darcy interrupted.

  Rhi cocked her head to the side. “Ulrik didn’t tell you?”

  “He refuses to speak it.”

  “Not surprising,” Rhi said.

  Warrick shrugged when Darcy looked at him. “Honestly, I doona think I ever knew her name. It wasna relevant.”

  “Well. That answers that,” Darcy said, more to herself than the others.

  Warrick cleared his throat and continued. “After the mortal’s betrayal of Ulrik, Con feared it might happen again.”

  “Weren’t there already Kings mated to humans?”

  Warrick shook his head. “One or two, all of which died in the battle that split up the friendship between Ulrik and Con.”

  Darcy nodded in understanding. “So their mates died as well.”

  “Exactly. The other Kings who had mortal lovers pulled away from them. We had just sent away our dragons and so many others had died. We needed to disappear for a while.”

  “Which they did,” Rhi added.

  “We had to,” Warrick said. “The humans couldna kill us Dragon Kings, but we didna want them to know that. We wanted them to think we left with the dragons. While we hid on Dreagan and set up a perimeter so that no mortal would venture onto our land, we combined our magic once more to ensure that we would never feel deep emotions for humans again.”

  Darcy was taken aback. “Ever?”

  Rhi snorted loudly and tossed back her long black hair as she walked around the flat. “That was their plan. It worked for so many millennia that Con believed the spell would never be broken.”

  “But it was,” Warrick said. “Two and a half years ago, the Silvers moved. We had them caged in our mountain, sleeping. They’d no’ moved since we put them there. Then they did.”

  “Not long after that, the first Dragon King met an American and fell in love,” Rhi said. There was a smirk on her face when she said, “No matter how much Con tried to put the spell back into place, it wouldn’t work. Hal fell hard for Cassie.”

  “That moment changed everything for us.” Warrick’s cobalt gaze bore into hers. “It’s the same time you unbound some of Ulrik’s magic.”

  Darcy felt as if the world had been yanked from beneath her. Was she really the cause of a spell lasting thousands of years to be broken? Just because she wanted to help Ulrik? “I had no idea.”

  “No one did,” Rhi assured her.

  Warrick nodded. “We’ve never known until now what caused the Silvers to move and the spell to break.”

  Rhi came to stand beside Warrick, looking at Darcy, as she crossed her arms over her chest. “That’s really going to make Con like her.”

  “Great.” Darcy threw up her hands at Rhi’s sarcastic tone. “I did what I thought was needed. I’d do it again. Ulrik should be who he was born to be, not hindered because he made a mistake.”

  Rhi glanced at Warrick. “She’s got a point.”

  “She doesna realize she’s helping to destroy her world.”

  “And she’s right here,” Darcy reminded them, pointing to herself with both hands.

  Rhi laughed as she walked to the couch and plopped down. “Love the view, Darcy.”

  Darcy didn’t quite know what to make of Rhi. Why was the Light Fae there? She gave a shake of her head and got another bowl. Her stomach was growling when she ate her first mouthful.

  Warrick grabbed the two bottles of ale and opened them. He brought one to Darcy as they stood in the kitchen leaning against the counter while Rhi flipped through channels on the telly.

  “You know her well, don’t you?” Darcy asked.

  Warrick cast a quick glance at Rhi. “Aye. She’s helped us out on many occasions. The Dark kidnapped a King and his woman. If it hadna been for Rhi, the mortal would’ve died, and Kellan would still be held by the Dark.”

  “Wow.” Darcy peered around Warrick’s should
er to look at Rhi. She was dressed like a woman who loved clothes, and who knew what looked good on her. Darcy wished she could look that good in anything she put on, but the thought of Rhi being a warrior was what really made Darcy smile. “So she’s not just a pretty face.”

  “Rhi is part of the Queen’s Guard. It’s an honor few get, and it shows what kind of warrior she is to have achieved such a distinction.”

  “I think I envy her.”

  “For the love of all that’s holy,” he whispered, casting a furtive look over his shoulder. “Doona tell her that.”

  CHAPTER

  FOURTEEN

  Warrick worried about leaving Darcy with Rhi. It wasn’t that he thought Rhi would turn on them. It was more that he was curious as to what she was doing there. Con would never have sent her.

  There was a chance Rhys or Kiril might have told her, but then again, they would have let Warrick know she was coming.

  The Light Fae was an asset, no doubt. He just wished he’d had a chance to talk to her privately and find out how she learned of Darcy.

  “What are you doing out here?” Thorn asked and stepped from the shadows as Warrick exited Darcy’s building.

  Warrick sighed. “Rhi.”

  “She’s here?” Thorn asked and looked at Darcy’s windows. “I would’ve thought she would get as far from us as she could.”

  “She loves him. Love like that doesna just go away.”

  Thorn grumbled low. “Then I’d cut it out. She’s only hurting herself by continuing to come around. If he wanted her, he would’ve made his move by now.”

  “He’s an ass.”

  “Of the first order. I’m no’ debating that fact. I’m simply saying what I would do in her position.”

  Warrick walked across the street and climbed the ladder up to the top of the building. Thorn was right behind him.

  “When you see her, before you say anything stupid like that, you might want to remember that she helped save Kellan, Denae, Tristan, and Sammi. She was also there to help us battle the Dark with Isla and Laith.”

  Thorn held up his hands. “I get it, War. Rhi is a damned saint.”

  “I’m saying she puts her life on the line for us.”

  “And got caught by Balladyn in the process. Did it change her?”

  Warrick ran a hand down his face. “In some ways.”

  “How many more centuries do you think she’ll go before that love turns to hate?”

  “Balladyn may have given her that push. Rhys caught her and Henry kissing.”

  “Henry? The mortal working for MI5?” Thorn made a sound at the back of his throat. “Did Banan no’ talk to his friend?”

  Warrick’s gaze searched the streets for any Dark. “Of course, but a mortal can no’ deny a Fae. I fear Henry may fall hard for her.”

  “Rhi’s never messed around with mortals before.”

  “That we know of,” Warrick added.

  Thorn walked to the other side of the roof and peered over the side. “Did Rhi tell you why she’s here?”

  “I didna have a chance to ask her.”

  “But you’re worried.”

  It wasn’t a question. Warrick faced Thorn and nodded. “I am.”

  “Surely it’s no’ Balladyn.”

  Warrick faced Darcy’s windows to see her and Rhi on the sofa talking. “I hope to hell it isna.”

  * * *

  “So,” Rhi said when Warrick finally left. “How are you doing?”

  Darcy collected the bowls and rinsed them in the sink. “I’m fine.”

  “Riiiight,” Rhi said. “Let’s try that again. With honesty this time.”

  Darcy smiled and looked at Rhi. “I’m freaking the hell out.”

  “Better,” Rhi said. She snapped her fingers and the kitchen was clean. Then she patted the sofa cushion next to her. “Come sit.”

  With nothing more to clean, Darcy walked to the sofa. “It wouldn’t have taken me long to clean.”

  “Why do it at all? You’ve magic, chica.”

  Darcy took one of the accent pillows and held it against her as she sat down. “I was taught not to abuse my magic that way.”

  “It’s magic! Use it, I say.” Rhi’s smile was wide, her silver eyes trained on Darcy. “Want to talk about what I interrupted earlier?”

  Darcy ducked her head in the cushion. “No.”

  “Oh, come on,” Rhi teased, laughing. “Your lips were nearly touching. Was that going to be your first kiss with War?”

  Darcy looked up and nodded. “The first time I saw him was last night when he saved me from a group of Dark. I watched him battle them in the middle of the street stark naked.”

  “Oh, girl. You got to see the whole package right up front.” Rhi rubbed her hands together. “I gather you approved.”

  Darcy put her hands to her hot cheeks. “It should be a crime for a man to look that good.”

  “Have you taken a look at any of the other Kings? They’re all insanely gorgeous.”

  “True, though I’ve only seen Warrick, Thorn, and Ulrik.”

  “Trust me. They all make your mouth water.”

  Darcy licked her lips nervously. “I just found out about the Fae last night.”

  “And that’s when they told you about me.”

  Her smile was still in place, but Darcy heard the slight edge to her voice. “They did. I wasn’t expecting to meet you.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know, Darcy.”

  Darcy rolled her eyes. “Apparently. Corann knows of you, doesn’t he? And you know of him.”

  “You could say that,” Rhi replied. “The Light have always had a connection to the Druids on Skye. You have visited the Fairy Pools, haven’t you?”

  “The tourist attraction?”

  Rhi shook her head of black hair. “Nope. The real deal. If you return to Skye, you need to find it. I’ll make sure you do, and then Corann will have to tell you all he knows.”

  That was something to consider, if Darcy was going back to Skye. But she wasn’t. “You said there’s a lot I don’t know. Tell me. I want to know.”

  Rhi let out a deep breath. “I’ve known the Kings a very long time, and at one point I completely agreed with their decision regarding what they did to Ulrik.”

  “And now?”

  The smile was gone. Rhi sighed loudly. “I can’t imagine having my magic bound. In that instance, I feel Ulrik’s pain. But don’t let him fool you. Ulrik wants it all. He’ll challenge Con, and he may well win. If he does, the world as you know it will vanish. There is nothing you mortals have that will kill a King.”

  “What about the Fae? Can they kill a King?” she asked.

  Rhi’s silver gaze studied her for long moments. “We seem to constantly be embroiled in a war. If we’re not battling each other, we’re fighting someone else. We came to this realm ages ago when we discovered humans. The Kings weren’t happy.”

  “I bet not. First mortals, and then Fae.”

  “That was part of it. I’m sure Warrick explained why the Fae find this realm so exciting.”

  Darcy shifted, hugging the pillow tighter. “Us.”

  “The Kings were furious when they found out what the Dark—and the Light—were doing. We went to war with the Kings then in order to remain on this realm.”

  “They could’ve let you kill us. All their problems would’ve been solved.”

  “Ah, but then you don’t know the core of who a Dragon King is.” Rhi inspected the toe of her boot before she sat back. “This realm is their home. Whether they regret it or not, they made a promise to protect the other beings who also called this home—mortals.”

  “Warrick told me the Kings won.”

  “They did,” Rhi agreed with a nod. “The Light took advantage of the Kings’ momentum against the Dark and joined forces with the Kings. The Dark were beaten, but the Kings made a fatal mistake. They didn’t push us out as they should have. Con believed the Dark would honor the pact to leave humans alone. But the Dark
can never be trusted.”

  It was the perfect opportunity for Darcy to ask Rhi about her King lover. “Is that when you met your King, when you joined in the war?”

  Rhi’s smile froze in place. “Few have the nerve to even bring him up around me.”

  “I’m sorry,” Darcy said hastily. “My curiosity often gets me into trouble. Neither Warrick nor Thorn would tell me his name.”

  “Is that right?”

  Darcy quickly nodded. “They’re protecting you.”

  “And him.”

  “I don’t think so. I get the feeling Warrick and Thorn aren’t happy about the situation.”

  Rhi smoothed a lock of hair out of her face and back into place. “For someone who doesn’t know the story, you know an awful lot.”

  Darcy didn’t hide the grimace from her face. “I apologize. It’s a habit. I see things by reading palms and tarot, but there are times I can see other things if I look hard enough. Your story intrigued me.”

  “There isn’t much of a story. We fell in love. I thought he was my entire life, but in an instant he changed his mind and ended the relationship without an explanation.”

  Darcy was in turns appalled and angry at the Dragon King who had done something like that to Rhi. “I’ve heard of a lot of douchebaggery, but this one takes the cake.”

  For the first time since bringing Rhi’s King up, the Light Fae smiled. “I do like your way with words.”

  “You still love him, don’t you?”

  Rhi rose and walked to the door. She put her hands on either side of it, a soft glow showing beneath her palms. “I wish I could cut him out of my life like he cut me out of his. Perhaps one day.”

  Darcy watched as Rhi moved from the door to each window, repeating the same procedure. The Fae’s magic was visible by the glow. All Darcy knew was Druid magic until she met Ulrik. Dragon magic was immensely powerful, but she had a suspicion that Fae magic was as well.

  “Is that some kind of obstruction spell?” Darcy asked.

  Rhi shot her a smile. “In a way. I’m hindering the Dark’s ability to know if you’re here.”

  “There has to be a way to keep them out.”

  After the last window was finished, Rhi turned to Darcy, a troubled look on her face. “There is. We use it against our own, and it was to stay that way. Yet, I encountered it recently while helping another Dragon King, which means another Fae told our secret.”