Soul Scorched

by Donna Grant

  Thankfully, it didn’t happen often. Most times the Kings fought the Dark in dragon form. If he didn’t care that the mortals discovered them, Con could have urged Warrick to shift and put an end to most of the Dark in Edinburgh.

  But he hadn’t.

  “Where’s Darcy?” Warrick asked.

  Thorn stood with his arms crossed against a wall across from the bed. “She’s fine, War. She’s with Lily, Iona, and Shara.”

  “She willna understand Shara,” Warrick said and tried to rise.

  Kiril put his hand on his shoulder. “I’ve taken care of it.”

  Con had to be blind not to see the worry Warrick had for the Druid. Surely Warrick wasn’t foolish enough to feel anything for the mortal. She’d aided Ulrik, and in Con’s mind, that made her an enemy.

  If only he could put the spell back in place that would stop the rest of the Kings from falling in love. It was only a matter of time before another betrayal happened.

  That time could be now.

  “You’re frowning,” Kellan said as he moved to stand beside him.

  Con smoothed out his features. “I doona like to see any of us brought low by the Dark.”

  “Horse shit. You’ve taken notice of how Warrick keeps talking about Darcy.”

  Con didn’t bother to tell Kellan he was wrong. Kellan was the Keeper of the History for the Dragon Kings, and that allowed him to be privy to important incidents and happenings regardless of whether the other Kings wanted him to know or not. Kellan was shown what happened in his mind, and he then recorded it.

  His job brought him and Con close simply because Kellan had information about a weapon hidden on Dreagan that could be used against the Kings. The Dark were after it, but Con had yet to share what it was with the other Kings.

  Nor would he.

  Kellan stared at Warrick who was talking to Guy and Tristan about the Dark attacks. “You can no’ keep sending Kings out to watch over females and no’ expect something to happen.”

  “Of course I can.”

  “Then you’d be an idiot. We’re no longer spelled, in case you need reminding.”

  Con cut his eyes to Kellan and met his celadon gaze. “If I need reminding, all I have to do is look around at all the mates roaming Dreagan.”

  “You really hate it, don’t you?” Kellan asked with a hard look.

  Con returned his attention to Warrick. “Nay.”

  Kellan issued a grunt. “Doona bother lying to me, Constantine. Remember. I know your secrets.”

  “You know some of them.”

  “I know the biggest ones.”

  “Is that a threat?” Con asked and turned his head to Kellan.

  Kellan didn’t bother to look at him. “Nay. Just a reminder. You know, you might no’ be such a wanker if you would but—”

  “Doona even say it,” Con cut him off in a hard voice.

  Kellan shrugged. “Denying it willna change things.”

  Con walked away from Kellan to stand next to the bed. “Who sent for the Warriors and Druids?”

  “No’ me,” Warrick said. “I didna even think of them. I wouldna have agreed to let Ulrik help if I knew they were coming.”

  Con felt as if someone had just punched him in the gut. “What did you say?”

  “Ulrik helped.” Warrick struggled to sit up and lean back against the wooden headboard. “He arrived and offered his services. Darcy accepted.”

  “And you didna stop her?” Con demanded.

  Thorn dropped his arms and moved to the other side of the bed. “It was Darcy’s life. She was the one to decide.”

  “Nay,” Con said angrily. “We’re Dragon Kings. We decide.”

  Warrick traded a look with Thorn. There was something in Con’s voice that told him he was barely containing his anger. “You didna see the Dark that were there, Con. Darcy decided to allow Ulrik to help, and since we wanted her out safely, I didna see another choice.”

  “Neither did I,” Thorn added.

  Con’s cold black eyes stared at Warrick. “You know what he is.”

  “Aye,” Warrick agreed. “Darcy isna blinded, Con. She might have seen his memories, but she knows there’s more to him.”

  “How did he help?”

  Thorn spoke before Warrick could. “Warrick was the distraction. He went into the street to lure the Darks’ attention to him. It worked, allowing Ulrik to climb the building behind Darcy’s shop, with her hanging on. I kept watch on Ulrik, keeping close in case he tried something. He never got the chance to make it down the other side of the building and beneath the city because the Warriors arrived with the Druids. Once Fallon brought Darcy here, I went to help War.”

  The room was silent as they all watched Con. Finally, Con said, “You should’ve killed Ulrik right then.”

  “Without my sword?” Warrick asked angrily. “Or perhaps I should’ve shifted, letting the humans see me.”

  Con’s shoulders relaxed as he took a step back. “I’ll need to talk with Darcy.”

  “No’ without me,” Warrick ordered.

  Con glanced at his legs. “You’re still recuperating.”

  “Con!” Warrick bellowed.

  But the King of Kings walked from the room without a response.

  Thorn put his hand on Warrick’s shoulder when he tried to rise. “I’ll be there until you can.”

  “I willna be long.”

  Thorn flashed a quick grin before he followed Con.

  Warrick could already feel the effects of the Dark magic wearing off. He wished it would hurry so he could get to Darcy.

  “She’ll be fine,” Kellan said.

  Guy glanced at the door. “I’ve no’ seen Con that angry toward a mortal in a while.”

  “He wouldna harm her, would he?” Tristan asked.

  Ryder stepped into the room with a gloomy look. “Con had me pull everything on Darcy before you were sent to Edinburgh, War. Since then, he’s had me dig deep.”

  “That’s no’ unusual,” Kellan said.

  Ryder made a face. “No’ really, except that he was trying to connect her to Ulrik. He wanted me to see if she was anywhere near certain places like Iona’s land, London during the fiasco with PureGems, or the like.”

  Warrick didn’t like the implications. He liked the idea that they could be true even less. “And?”

  “I’ve no’ found anything. I told Con that as well, but he’s no’ satisfied. He’s determined to link her to Ulrik more than she already is,” Ryder said.

  Guy gave a shake of his head. “If he finds that link, he’s likely to throw her in the dungeon.”

  “Or kill her,” Warrick said.

  They all shared a look as each recognized the truth in his words.

  “Shite,” Kellan said as he pivoted and walked from the room with long strides.

  Guy, Kiril, and Tristan followed him, leaving Warrick alone with Ryder.

  Ryder walked inside the room and softly closed the door. “It should’ve been more than just you and Thorn in Edinburgh.”

  “Thorn had to keep hidden as it was. If the Dark knew there were other Kings, they would’ve attacked more mortals than they did. We saved some, but we couldna help all of them.”

  “Should Con no’ be thinking of retaliation against the Dark instead of concentrating on Ulrik?”

  Warrick ran a hand down his face. “Aye. Those buggers knew we wouldna do anything to them. Trust me, they’ll be all over now unless we do something about them.”

  “I willna be the only one game for that.”

  “We’re being divided just as Shara warned us that the Dark would try to do.”

  Ryder rubbed the back of his neck. “Right now we doona have another choice. There’s the Dark, Ulrik, and Darcy.”

  “We’ve yet to figure out who sent the Dark for her.”

  “The Dark, of course.”

  Warrick wasn’t so sure. “They let Ulrik walk right through them and into Darcy’s shop. Why would they do that if they were upset he g
ot some of his magic unbound?”

  “I doona know.” Ryder sank into the chair in the corner and popped his knuckles. “The Dark seem the most plausible, because they’re the Dark. Why would they be upset? Ulrik is against us, just as the Dark are.”

  “Exactly,” Warrick said. “If anything, they should be ecstatic that there’s a Druid who can help him. They wouldna kill her.”

  Ryder leaned forward in the chair. “Shit, War. Then that just leaves Ulrik.”

  Warrick was shaking his head before Ryder finished talking. “Nay. I saw Ulrik with her. Regardless of what we think of him, he needs Darcy. He went so far as to ask Rhi to watch over her.”

  “If it isna the Dark, and it isna Ulrik, then who?”

  “That’s what I’ve been asking myself for days. Could it be the Light?”

  Ryder thought for a moment before he said, “What do they care? That would be like the Light minding if we could shift or no’. Besides, would Rhi no’ have said something?”

  “She did only protect Darcy’s flat and no’ the shop,” Warrick pointed out.

  Ryder made a face. “It’s Rhi, War. She’s always been there to help us.”

  “And it wasna that long ago that she was in Balladyn’s prison with the Chains of Mordare around her wrists being tortured. That’s how the Light become Dark. Can you honestly tell me you’ve no’ seen a change in her?”

  “Aye, I’ve seen it. There isna a being alive that wouldna have been affected by what she went through. Rhi has had plenty of opportunities to screw us, and she’s no’ done it.”

  That was true. Warrick’s head began to ache as he tried to sort through all of this. “Who else is there?”

  “The Dark wouldna listen to MI5, but we could ask Henry. He’s still keeping tabs on them.”

  “No need. The Dark doona care about MI5. If the Dark are doing a favor—or taking orders—who could it be other than Ulrik?”

  Ryder’s hazel eyes narrowed. “Another enemy we doona know about.”

  “Someone after Ulrik as well as us,” Warrick said.

  “That means someone who wants to bring down all the Dragon Kings.”

  Warrick sat up, grateful that the pain was diminishing and the feeling was returning to his limbs. “Another enemy? Do we have any idea who it could be?”

  “I can try and find out,” Ryder said as he stood. “You want to break the news to Con?”

  “He wouldna listen. He believes everything is laid at Ulrik’s feet. Until we have proof, that is.”

  CHAPTER

  THIRTY-FOUR

  Rhi was standing in the desert thinking of her conversation with Balladyn. She shouldn’t care about what he said to her. It was all rubbish.

  Why then was she there?

  She sat and took her boots off to let her toes sink into the hot sand. The sky was cloudless and a startling blue. The sun was unforgiving, and soon she was feeling the heat bake her.

  The old Rhi, the one before the torture and Chains of Mordare, would’ve been with the Druids and Warriors helping Darcy and the Kings. In fact, Rhi had been in Edinburgh watching it all, though she was veiled the entire time.

  She’d even contemplated helping. Why hadn’t she? What stopped her?

  The darkness inside her was growing. She could feel it. Could that be what pulled her toward Balladyn?

  There was no point in asking him. Balladyn would tell her whatever he needed to in order to get her to turn Dark. That Rhi would never do.

  Yet … there was something wrong with her.

  Looking back, she couldn’t figure out why she had protected Darcy’s flat and didn’t do the shop as well. She also hadn’t responded to Warrick’s call.

  At least she went and got Phelan and Aisley. Darcy was at Dreagan and safe from the Dark.

  Rhi put her head in her hands and closed her eyes. She wanted to throw off the weight that had settled over her. She wanted to be as flippant as she used to be. To drive her Lamborghini around Austin and shop.

  She wanted to bask in the warm sunshine on an Italian lake and soak in the beauty. She wanted to enjoy life again.

  Truth, Rhi. When was the last time you enjoyed life?

  Rhi could pinpoint the exact day, the exact hour and minute. It was right before her lover ended their relationship.

  She had been curled in his arms after hours of lovemaking. Her hands had been in his long bl—

  “Rhi?”

  Her heart stopped at the sound of Balladyn’s voice. “Go away.”

  There was movement in the sand as he sat beside her. “What brings you here, pet? Were you looking for me?”

  “Go. Away.”

  “What’s got you in such a mood?”

  Rhi lifted her head to find him a mere inch away. His legs were bent with his arms around them and one hand clasped his other wrist. He wasn’t looking at her, but had his eyes closed and his face lifted to the sun. It was something he used to do as a Light Fae.

  For an instant, Rhi thought they were back in time before he turned Dark. It was the Balladyn who had never let her down beside her. The Balladyn who came up with the dirtiest jokes just to make her laugh.

  The Balladyn who had loved the feel of the sun.

  “Who am I?” she asked.

  His eyes opened as he turned his head to her. “You know who you are, pet. You always have.”

  “Not anymore. Not after what you did to me. I’m not the same.”

  He glanced away, a slight frown crinkling his brow. “We all change.”

  “Nothing has changed for me in … eons.” She fell back on the sand and threw an arm over her eyes to shade them from the sun.

  Suddenly, Balladyn was leaning over her, his hands on either side of her head. “I’d say something has changed. You’re talking to me.”

  “I shouldn’t be.” She moved her arm to look at him.

  “But you like it. Tell me, did you like my kiss as much?”

  Rhi didn’t have time to respond as he placed his lips on hers. The kiss was slow, searching. When she responded, a moan left him. He deepened the kiss and shifted his weight to one hand.

  She knew it was wrong to kiss him, much less talk to him. But Rhi was tired of being alone. She was weary of holding love in her heart that was endlessly being rejected.

  Balladyn kissed her with abandon, without restraint. He silently told her his feelings while taking every opportunity to kiss her. He made her feel wanted.

  It was a heady sensation, especially mixed with such hot kisses that seemed to never end. It wasn’t until his hand cupped her breast that reality struck.

  Rhi gripped his wrist to halt him.

  Balladyn lifted his head and looked down at her. “Tell me you’ve not thought of this.”

  Since she couldn’t lie, she didn’t respond.

  “They why stop me? We were meant to share our bodies.”

  Kissing was one thing, but Rhi couldn’t let another touch her as he had done.

  Balladyn grew angry, his face hardening. “It always comes back to him, doesn’t it, pet? He’s told you he doesn’t want you. He ignores you. When will you let it go?”

  “I’m trying.”

  “If I had kissed you before him, would you have let me love you?”

  Rhi placed her hand on Balladyn’s cheek and looked into his red eyes. “I might have.”

  “You’re strong, Rhi,” Balladyn said. “Let go of him and come to me.”

  “I’m not Dark. I won’t ever be.”

  Balladyn smiled softly. “You’ll realize who you really are soon enough. Until then, I’ll be waiting.”

  The sun blinded her as Balladyn teleported away. Rhi rolled onto her side, hating the sting of tears as they fell hot on her cheeks. She should’ve been done crying for her lover. His soft promises and declarations made her lose centuries as she waited for him. How had he repaid her?

  With contempt and disdain.

  Another piece of her heart hardened against him.

  And the d
arkness within her grew.

  * * *

  Darcy had a towel wrapped around her as she stood in the bathroom after taking the longest shower of her life. She wasn’t about to put her clothes back on again.

  She combed out her hair as she looked around at the white bathroom that was accented with black. In the middle of the room, the white tiles on the floor were dressed up with an outline of a rectangle with smaller black tiles.

  Curious, Darcy walked into the bedroom and got her first look at it since she’d been too interested in a bath when she first entered.

  The bathroom colors were carried over into the bedroom, except in reverse. The metal bed frame was black, as were the two bedside tables, though each table was a different style.

  The comforter was a black on black paisley design with a small white stripe along the outside edge. Three pillows—one small white fur one, one small white satin, and a large black and white polka dot one—were on the bed. A black and gray shag rug covered most of the wood floors. Also in the room was a black armoire and a white and black armchair.

  Darcy sat in the chair and looked out the window to the pasture where Highland cattle grazed. The sky was clear except for an occasional puffy cloud that drifted lazily by.

  All in all, she should be completely relaxed.

  Except she was wound tighter than when she was in Edinburgh.

  Her head swung around when someone rapped on her door. She glanced down at the towel about her as she got to her feet. Darcy checked to secure the towel and walked to the door.

  She opened it to find a tall man with golden blond waves and cold black eyes. Con.

  “You know who I am?” he asked.

  She nodded. “I do.”

  “Because you saw Ulrik’s memories?”

  There was movement behind Con, and Darcy spotted Thorn. She returned her focus to Con. “I’m not exactly dressed for this.”

  “There’s a robe in the bathroom. I suggest you put it on,” Con said as he pushed past her and strode into the room.

  Darcy waited for Thorn to follow before she made her way to the bathroom and found the robe on the back of the door. She belted it tightly and returned to the bedroom. “How is Warrick?” she asked.

  Thorn smiled. “He’s getting better.”

  “Why did you help Ulrik?” Con demanded.