Soul Scorched

by Donna Grant

  What a disaster that would be.

  Darcy lifted her head and wiped the tears away. She stood, shivering without Warrick’s heat and looked down at the fur rug. The tears started all over again.

  Why did she have to ask him why he was with her? Why couldn’t she have been content with the way things were? Why couldn’t she have left well enough alone and enjoyed their time together until she could leave?

  She hiccupped. Because she wouldn’t be leaving. As soon as she did, the Dark would descend upon her.

  Darcy reached for her clothes through her tears. Her foot missed the opening to her jeans three times. She fell back on the sofa as the tears came harder.

  Long minutes passed as she cried. When the grip on her heart lessened enough that the tears slowed, she sniffed and slowly dressed.

  Images of Warrick making love to her flashed in her head. He was a good man. And he might actually believe her. If he did, the other Kings and their mates would start treating Warrick as they did her. That wasn’t something Darcy could handle.

  However, if Warrick didn’t believe her, then he was once more doing what Con wanted. And he’d just lied to her. She wanted to be angry, and a part of her was. Another part understood.

  Ulrik was after the Kings, and he would stop at nothing to get what he wanted. It wasn’t just about revenge. Ulrik wanted to be King of Kings.

  Everyone at Dreagan was fighting for their way of life.

  Although she might appreciate their motives, that didn’t help Darcy in her own feelings. She knew she couldn’t remain near Warrick and not let him kiss and hold her again. It felt too damn … right.

  Darcy angrily wiped at her eyes in an attempt to remove any trace of her tears. But when she thought of her feelings for Warrick, they started all over again.

  She didn’t know how long she stood and stared at the rug before she heard a mobile chime a text. At the second chime, Darcy shook herself.

  Her hands went to her back pockets before she realized she didn’t have her phone. It had been left behind at the shop. Curious, she began to look for the phone on tables and on the mantel, but found nothing.

  The sound had been close, so she knew it was in the room with her. She removed the cushions on the sofa, looked in a vase, and even lifted the rug.

  When it chimed for a third time, Darcy followed the sound down to her hands and knees and looked beneath the sofa. That’s when she found the mobile. She grabbed it and saw the screen flashing a text. It was gone too fast for her to read. Darcy unlocked the screen and stared in stunned silence at the text.

  I’VE FOUND A WAY TO KEEP YOU AWAY FROM THE DARK. U.

  As if there were any confusion to what the U stood for. Ulrik. How did he get the number to the phone? More importantly, how did the phone get here?

  She hurriedly typed a response.

  WHY?

  Darcy knew she shouldn’t be talking to him, but if he could get her away from the Dark, then she could leave Dreagan behind—and Warrick.

  That way she might save her heart.

  I’M TRYING TO HELP. UNLESS YOU WANT TO STAY.

  As if. He must know how she was being treated. Everyone guessed it except for her. Warrick hadn’t treated her badly, and neither had Thorn for the most part. How stupid of her to think others would be just as understanding.

  I KNOW WHAT YOU’VE DONE.

  Darcy wasn’t sure why she wrote that text. Perhaps because she wanted Ulrik to stop lying to her, even if it was by omission. Part of the blame lay with her since she hadn’t dug deeper into his past. She’d been so amazed by his story and the glimpses she had seen, that she hadn’t stopped to think about what he might do with his magic.

  She knew he wanted revenge. She knew he wanted to kill Con, and for the few things she saw in his memories, she was sympathetic with his need.

  But the rest? All those killings? That she hadn’t ever considered on any level. She’d assumed Ulrik was just after Con, and that’s where she went wrong.

  I WOULD’VE TOLD YOU HAD YOU BUT ASKED.

  She snorted as she read Ulrik’s reply aloud. “Right,” she said to herself.

  THEN ANSWER ME THIS. DID YOU SEND THE DARK AFTER ME?

  She tapped her fingernails on the phone, waiting for his reply.

  NAY.

  Darcy expected just such an answer. She wasn’t sure if she believed him or not. He needed her, but how far would he go to ensure that he got what he wanted?

  CON WON’T STOP UNTIL HE HAS EVERYONE CONVINCED YOU’RE HELPING ME. DO YOU REALLY WANT TO BE THERE FOR THAT?

  “Hell no,” she whispered as she stared at the screen.

  If anyone knew what Con would do, it was Ulrik. Darcy had seen for herself how furious Con was, and how quick to judgment he was. However minute the proof was they found, it would be enough to convict her in his eyes.

  HE’LL KILL YOU, DARCY. YOU’RE THE ONLY ONE ABLE TO UNBIND MY MAGIC. IF YOU’RE GONE, THEN SO IS ANY THREAT I HAVE.

  Darcy swallowed hard. Ulrik’s words were easy to believe, because she saw Con’s hatred toward her. Whether they promised to protect humans or not, the Kings would protect themselves first and foremost.

  Where did that leave her? Would Warrick stand against Con and the other Kings? That was assuming he believed her. Most likely it would be her standing by herself. Even on the off chance that Warrick did side with her, it would mean his possible death as well.

  Neither scenario was one she wanted to be involved with. It had been too easy to think Dreagan would be the place she could be safe and free. She should’ve seen it coming, but she had been too filled with fear of the Dark Fae that she hadn’t thought it through.

  The only place for her now was Skye.

  DARCY?

  She looked at the rug and the roaring fire. If only time could’ve stopped for her and Warrick. If only she were still in his arms.

  Her gaze lowered to the phone as she began to type.

  HOW DO I GET OFF DREAGAN WITHOUT BEING SEEN?

  CHAPTER

  FORTY

  Warrick was about ready to explode. Con wouldn’t leave him alone, and now Thorn’s voice sounded in his head as well. All Warrick wanted was some time with Darcy. He wanted to calm her down and let her feel safe again.

  Only then would he even consider allowing Con to see her. The others, well they could just wait. Darcy had been through too much to be faced with such anger from the others.

  Everyone just needed to take a step back and consider the other side. He couldn’t say that to Darcy without her thinking he was doing Con’s bidding. It never occurred to her that Warrick was trying to help.

  He was walking in the Dragonwood trying to sort out the conversation he and Darcy had had when an arm reached out and grasped him.

  Warrick jerked out of the hold and spun, ready to shift when he spotted the culprit. He frowned, confused. “Thorn? What the hell?”

  “I said your name three times, and I’ve been trying to contact you through the mental link,” he replied tersely.

  Warrick relaxed his stance. “I didna want to talk to anyone.”

  “You’re going to change your mind after I tell you what Con has planned.”

  “More interrogating?” he asked wearily, using Darcy’s word.

  Thorn’s lips flattened as he glanced away. “He wants to kill her.”

  “What?” Warrick exploded. A mixture of rage and fear enveloped him.

  Thorn hastily looked around and held up his hands. “Quiet, War,” he said in a strained voice.

  Warrick drew in a deep breath as he stared at Thorn. He struggled to get his emotions under control. “Is this a joke?”

  “I wish.” Thorn ran a hand through his long dark hair. “Con isna going to wait to see if he can connect Darcy to anything else Ulrik has done. He wants her dead before she can finish unbinding Ulrik’s magic.”

  “And the others are accepting this?”

  Thorn gave a half-shrug. “Aisley is the only one vocally s
peaking out against it. Kellan is trying to talk Con out of it. The mates doona want to see her killed, but neither do they want Ulrik to have his magic restored. Too many have suffered from Ulrik’s quest for revenge to stand up and speak for Darcy.”

  “Then I will.”

  “I doona recommend that.”

  Warrick looked aghast at him. “I’m no’ going to stand by and let Con kill her.”

  “Neither am I. We need to get her away from Dreagan.”

  “Nay,” Warrick said as he looked to the mountains. “I’ll take her to my cave.”

  Thorn gave him a wry look. “How long do you plan on keeping her there? She’s human, War. She needs sunshine and fresh air, food, and to roam. None of them do well confined for any length of time.”

  “Rhi could get her out.”

  “Good luck with that. I’ve been calling for her for half an hour. She’s no’ responding.”

  Warrick looked helplessly around. This couldn’t be happening. He’d known Con would want to talk to Darcy, but never in his wildest imaginings did he think the King of Kings would want to kill her. Warrick would never have brought her to Dreagan if he’d had the slightest sense that Con would put such a plan into motion.

  “We’re her only hope,” Thorn said.

  Warrick put his hands on his hips as he briefly closed his eyes. “No’ her only one.”

  “You’ve got to be kidding,” Thorn said in outrage. “Ulrik? Really?”

  “He needs her.”

  “For now.”

  Warrick dropped his hands and paced. “We’ll have to tell her to drag it out until we can find another place for her.”

  “And you think she’ll believe us?”

  That brought Warrick to a halt. “She already questions why I doona treat her as the others.”

  “Did you tell her it was because she’s your mate?”

  Warrick dropped his head and shook it from side to side. “I didna want a mate.”

  “So you would let her go?”

  “I thought I could.” Warrick lifted his head. “But I can no’.”

  Thorn blew out a breath. “Looks like we’ve got some convincing to do in regards to Darcy.”

  “I need to talk to Ulrik first. He might no’ help.”

  “I’ve got a feeling he will,” Thorn said with a twist of his lips.

  Movement down the hill caught their attention. Warrick looked through the trees to see someone walking their way.

  “I’ll be damned,” Warrick said.

  Warrick wasn’t sure how he felt seeing Ulrik walking among the Dragonwood. He put that aside for the moment, because Darcy’s life was once more at stake.

  When Ulrik finally reached them, he stopped and leaned back against a thick oak as he regarded them. “I’m a Dragon King. Did you think I couldna come onto Dreagan?”

  “You were banished,” Thorn pointed out.

  “After my magic was bound.” Ulrik shrugged. “Things have changed.”

  That fact was becoming more and more apparent with each passing day. Warrick never thought he would go against Con. He also never thought he would take a mate either.

  Ulrik turned his attention to Warrick. “When is Con coming to kill Darcy?”

  “How did you know?” Thorn asked.

  Ulrik made a face. “Con is predictable. He feels threated, so he wants to kill the one human who threatens his way of life.”

  “You will destroy all of this as soon as you have your magic returned,” Warrick pointed out.

  Ulrik held Warrick’s gaze for a moment. “I’ll destroy Con, aye. As for Dreagan? I helped find this land. I helped build the caves well before I was betrayed. Why would I destroy it?”

  Thorn gave a loud snort. “Because you blame all of us as well.”

  “So I do.”

  Warrick scrubbed a hand down his face. If he let Ulrik take Darcy, he was sentencing them all to potential death. Ulrik might be focused on Con right now, but if he defeated Con, then Ulrik would turn to the rest of them.

  If Warrick kept Darcy on Dreagan, then he was condemning her to death.

  “What will it be, War?” Ulrik asked. “Will you send Darcy with me, or will you let Con kill her?”

  Warrick got in Ulrik’s face, his teeth bared. “Con willna lay a hand on her!”

  Ulrik smiled coldly. “I knew she was your mate. I wondered if you realized it yet back in Edinburgh.”

  “How did you know?” Thorn asked him.

  “Darcy,” Ulrik stated, as if it was obvious. “It was the way she looked at him, spoke about him. Cared about him.”

  Warrick turned away and walked in a wide circle to calm himself. His reaction to Ulrik’s statement confirmed what he was about to do. It was the only way to keep Darcy alive, but why was his stomach in knots over it?

  “How much time do we have?” Warrick asked Thorn.

  Thorn threw out his hands. “No’ long.”

  “I’ll get Darcy.” Warrick turned to retrace his steps back to the cottage.

  Ulrik’s voice stopped him. “You might want to bring Thorn with you. I’m sure Darcy is confused and a bit leery. She’s endured quite a lot these last few days.”

  Warrick looked over his shoulder at Ulrik. “We’ll meet you here.”

  “I’ll need to leave with Darcy straight away. Meet me at the border.”

  That was miles away, but Warrick would rather be the one getting Darcy through the Dragonwood than Ulrik.

  He nodded to Ulrik and looked at Thorn who moved to his side. They walked away, leaving Ulrik behind them.

  “I’m having a hard time deciding if we made the right decision,” Thorn said.

  “Ulrik knew Con would kill her. Ulrik knew and we didna.” Warrick shook his head in frustration. “How did I no’ see what Con’s move would be?”

  Thorn threw him a hard look. “I didna either.”

  “Do you believe Darcy?”

  “I believe all she’s done is unbind Ulrik’s magic. I doona think she had a hand in anything else he’s done,” Thorn added.

  Warrick breathed easier. For a moment, he thought Thorn might have been sent by Con. “Are we the only ones?”

  “I doona think anyone wants to kill Darcy, but the thought of ending all of this shite we’ve been going through is too good to pass up.”

  “Killing Darcy willna stop Ulrik. He still has magic.”

  Thorn nodded. “Aye. Without Darcy, he willna have the full force of his magic, but he has enough to still cause problems.”

  “Just no’ enough to challenge Con or come after the rest of us.”

  “It’s taken millions of years, but Ulrik found a way to get his magic back. How long do you think it would be before he found another Druid to help him if Darcy died?”

  Warrick glanced at Thorn as the cottage came into view. “Hopefully just as long.”

  Thorn chuckled. “Do you think we could get that lucky? Because I doona. We ran out of luck the day we bound Ulrik’s magic. It’s just been a matter of time before it all came back on us.”

  The conversation halted as they approached the cottage door. Warrick was the first to enter. He found Darcy sitting on the sofa dressed and staring into the fire.

  “That’s a lot of wood you found,” she said without looking at him.

  Warrick didn’t try to lie about not having any wood. He stepped aside to let Thorn enter. Warrick closed the door and said, “We’ve got a problem, Darcy.”

  “Oh? What’s that?”

  Warrick exchanged a look with Thorn. He didn’t like Darcy’s glib attitude. Warrick walked to the sofa and sat on the edge, facing her. “I know you doona believe me, but I’m on your side. I doona think you did anything more than unbind Ulrik’s magic.”

  She didn’t so much as look at him.

  Warrick took a deep breath and tried again. “Darcy, I brought you to Dreagan because I knew the Dark wouldna be able to get to you. Con wanted to talk to you, but I didna realize he would harbor such…” He p
aused, searching for the right word.

  “Hate?” Darcy supplied.

  Thorn moved to stand in front of the fire to lean a hand on the mantel. “Con has never been particularly happy that any of the Kings found mates. I’ve only ever seen him this angry at one other mortal.”

  Darcy slid her gaze to Thorn. “Ulrik’s woman. Con is going to kill me, isn’t he?”

  “He’s going to try,” Warrick said. As soon as her fern green eyes looked at him, he let out a little sigh. “I’m no’ going to let him hurt you.”

  “What do you suggest?” Darcy asked. “Have the Dark stopped looking for me? Can I leave?”

  Warrick took her hand in his. “Ulrik is here. He is going to get you away from Dreagan.”

  “Where can he take me that will keep me from the Kings and the Dark?”

  Thorn dropped his arm from the mantel and crossed them over his chest. “I’m guessing his shop in Perth for the time being.”

  “Just until I can talk some sense into Con, and then I’ll return for you,” Warrick said. “I’m no’ going to force you to go. This is your life. You need to dec—”

  “I’ll do it,” she said and got to her feet. “Take me to Ulrik.”

  CHAPTER

  FORTY-ONE

  It was everything Darcy could do not to break down in tears again as soon as Warrick returned to the cottage. His arrival wasn’t a surprise. However, she had been more than taken aback by his and Thorn’s talk of Con coming to kill her.

  Before she could get a handle on that, Warrick told her he wanted her to leave with Ulrik.

  Darcy had already decided to go to Ulrik after their text messages. Now she didn’t have to sneak out and worry about Warrick finding her. But that didn’t make leaving him any easier.

  She was under no illusions. Once she left Dreagan, she would never return. No matter what. She was putting Dreagan, Warrick, and her growing affections behind her.

  Nor was she idiotic enough to help Ulrik further. Oh, she would attempt to help him, but she wouldn’t actually do it. Eventually, she would be able to return to Skye once Ulrik realized she couldn’t unbind the last of his magic.

  Darcy reveled in Warrick’s hand on hers. For a few short moments. Then she stood and told them to take her to Ulrik. She was surprised her voice came out as strong as it did. Inside, she was shaking and nervous. And scared.