by Donna Grant
“No, I’m sorry, you haven’t. You’ve kept repeating the same thing.”
“Which is all the answer you need.” Ana smiled. “Good luck.”
And just like that, Sabina was hurdled back to the present. She drew in a shaky breath as her eyes opened to find herself back in the fog. She had spoken to one of her ancestors. The one who’d made sure that V’s sword was taken far away.
Sabina looked at the mist. It parted just enough for her to get a glimpse of something beyond. There was a reddish-orange glow coming from off to her right. With the heat, she knew it was the magma.
But she wasn’t sure about the left side. It could be just more of the mountain, but she had a sense it was something else. If only she could see.
For all she knew, she was on a ledge, and if she stepped the wrong way, she could tumble down to … whatever was below. Regardless, she wouldn’t survive.
“Trust my heart, huh?” she murmured, thinking of Ana’s words.
Well, her heart was telling her she had to keep going—cautiously. Something waited for her. She had helped to set things in motion that would stop the Others from succeeding. And it had nearly destroyed V in the process.
But she would rather one King deal with his missing weapon than see all the dragons destroyed. The memory of the drawing of the dead dragons haunted Sabina. Because she had a feeling the Others weren’t drawing just any dragons, but the Kings.
She could hear her heart beating, and the rhythmic thumping helped center her. The Others had put spells in place to prevent her from getting the sword. Those Fae and Druids were like a group of toddlers. If they couldn’t have what they wanted, then they would make sure that no one got it.
But it still brought her back to why?
Why did the Others want this planet?
Why were they doing everything in their power to remove the dragons?
And how in the hell did Druids and Fae come together and decide that the Dragon Kings were the enemy?
Sabina clenched her jaw in determination. Then she climbed to her feet. As she straightened, the mist moved just enough on the left that her eyes encountered the most magnificent blue. A glacier.
“Fire and ice,” she said with a smile.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
As soon as he spotted the muted rays of light through the mist, Roman knew that Sabina was there. The movement of the fog prevented him from seeing more than the orb of light, but the light was meant to remain with Sabina even if he wasn’t there. He hadn’t wanted her to be stuck in the dark.
He looked at the bars of his prison. His first thought was to bust through and shift so he could get to Sabina. What held him back was that it was something a Dragon King would do. Which meant it was something the Others expected.
So he wouldn’t do it.
But he couldn’t remain in the prison either.
“Well, I have to say, I really don’t like this place.”
Roman stilled at the voice from behind him. He turned, shocked to see Rhi standing there with a smile and some seriously kickass black, stiletto boots with spikes on the heel. She was dressed in her favorite leather pants and a black corset over a long-sleeved black shirt.
“Is it really you?” he asked.
“You bet, handsome.” She eyed the bars separating them, her expression turning sour. “Same mix of magic as the wooden dragon.”
Roman nodded. “The Others.”
“Have you tried to break out?”
“Nay. I’ve a feeling that when I do, something worse will happen. Possibly to Sabina.”
Rhi’s silver eyes widened. “Ah. I see. Well, that makes things difficult. But then again, I live for difficult.” She winked at him before walking around the cage he was in, looking it up and down.
“You shouldna be here, Rhi,” Roman said.
She lifted a shoulder nonchalantly. “I shouldn’t do a lot of things, but I do. When Ulrik couldn’t get ahold of you, he called for me.”
“These Others are no’ to be messed with. Look what they did to V. Did Ulrik fill you in?”
Rhi halted before him and nodded. “I saw the drawings, and yes, I know about what’s going on. The fact is, you need help. And I’m willing to deal with whatever comes from helping you.”
“How’s V? Is he awake? Is he angry at Sabina?”
Rhi held up a hand. “Slow down there, stud. First, V did wake after Ulrik slapped him around a few times. He’s not exactly happy, but V is doing fine. The thing is, apparently, Camlo knew all of this would happen.”
“What?” Roman shook his head. “That can no’ be right. Surely, Camlo would’ve told his sister.”
“I’m just relaying what I heard.”
Roman glared at the prison. “I doona want to be here. I should be with Sabina.”
“What happened?” Rhi asked as she squatted down to look at the ground where it met the bars. “How did you become separated?”
Roman sighed loudly. “We were holding hands. She let go to put on her jacket. Next thing I knew, I was forcefully pulled from her. I countered it, and I was succeeding despite the pain it caused me.”
“Then why did you stop?”
“Because there were flashes in my mind of dead humans and how good it would feel to kill them.”
Rhi’s lip curled in disgust. “In other words, the same type of response that Dmitri and Con felt when they touched the wooden figure.”
Roman nodded. “Exactly. I didna want to chance returning to Sabina and then having to fight killing her.”
“Which is also why you haven’t busted out yet,” she said as she straightened.
Roman shrugged helplessly. “Pretty much.”
“I can tell you that V eradicated all the magic those jerkwads used on him. It took him time, though. He said there were layers upon layers of it, each one overlapping like a weave.”
“So how did he do it?”
“He found the weakest spot,” Rhi said. “It wasn’t easy, but he said if you can find that, it will unravel everything.”
Roman turned in a circle, looking at the prison, from the four sides to the ceiling, which was just more bars. “That was in V’s mind. This will be different.”
“But doable,” Rhi added. “You’re a fekking Dragon King.”
He glanced at her, smiling. “Did you think I needed a pep talk?”
“Oh, honey,” she said with a sigh. “All men—no matter the species—need a pep talk every now and again.”
Roman chuckled. The ball of light drew his attention again. “As much as I appreciate you coming to find me and passing on the information, there is someone else who needs you.”
“Sabina,” Rhi said.
He nodded, looking at Rhi. “She’s alone. She made it this far, but as you said, this place isna exactly friendly.”
“I’m not here by myself, Roman.”
He frowned, shock and anger mixing together. “This was a trap, Rhi. How do you know it isn’t one for you, as well? Bloody hell,” he said as he raked his hand through his hair. “Look where I’m at. Who knows what awaits Sabina, but I can guarantee you, it isna anything pretty.”
Rhi arched a brow. “Are you finished?” she asked testily.
He flattened his lips. “For now.”
“I’ll tell you what I told Ulrik and V. I know all of you believe that these Others somehow know each of your decisions and movements—”
“Aye,” Roman interjected.
“But why would they think another Fae or a Druid would help? That I—”
“Holy fuck. You brought Eilish,” he murmured.
Rhi gave him a flat look. “I hate being interrupted. And, yes, she’s here, but I didn’t bring the Druid anywhere. Ulrik can’t even tell her what to do. Now, as I was saying, that means that whatever spells these dirtbag Others put in place won’t affect either me or Eilish.”
“You’re both taking a huge risk.”
She moved closer to the bars. “It’s a risk you’d take with
out thinking twice.”
“That’s right.”
“Then why is it different for me and Eilish?”
Roman gawked at her. “You can no’ be that dense. You are needed. No’ just as a friend to us, but to your people. And then there’s—”
“If you say his name, I’ll leave your cute ass here,” she threatened.
Roman glanced away. “There’s you-know-who. And what do you think will happen to Ulrik if Eilish is taken from him? We just got him back.”
“I appreciate your thoughts, I really do,” Rhi said. She smiled softly, but it faded. “But give me and Eilish some damn credit. We’re smart and pretty damn powerful, if I do say so myself.”
“You’ve no’ encountered the Others, Rhi. Neither of you.”
“Then it’s time we do,” she stated, hands on her hips.
It was like arguing with a rock. Roman looked down at the ground and briefly closed his eyes. “I doona care what happens to me, but Sabina is important. She’s the only one who can get the sword.”
“What? Why? What don’t I know?” Rhi demanded. “Oh. It’s because her ancestor made her give him the sword.”
Roman lifted his head and twisted his lips. “Something like that. I think there’s much more to it. This is a complicated story we’re somehow just discovering.”
“Now you know how the Warriors felt when they learned about the Dragon Kings.”
Roman nodded, laughing softly. “Aye. The thing is, the Others want V’s sword. They’ve made finding it difficult and no’ something a human could do on their own and survive.”
“I know they wanted you with her. But why?”
“To trap me.”
She flattened her lips. “Again, why?”
“I’m no’ sure. Yet. I hope I can figure it out before it’s too late. Look, can you please find Sabina?”
Rhi rolled her eyes and reached back, winding her long, black hair up at the back of her head and securing it with what looked like a stick. “Did you miss the part where I told you Eilish was with me?”
“Right.” Shite. He had forgotten that.
“Hey, handsome. You need to focus.”
He threw out his arms. “On which part? The fact that I’m being held, the fact that the Others separated me from Sabina, the fact that the sword is close, or the fact that the Others planned all of this?”
“Fine,” Rhi replied testily. “Point taken.”
“I’m afraid of making the wrong decision,” Roman admitted. “I know they’ve somehow figured out our moves, and I doona want to do something they expect.”
Rhi met his gaze and nodded. “That I can understand. I’ve been on Skye searching through the Druids’ records there since they’ve written down everything since … well, forever. I can’t find any connection. I know there has to be one, and I was counting on finding the link with the Druids first.”
“Because the Fae doona keep such records.”
She gave a snort. “That’s part of the reason, but also because as much as I hate to say it, it would be relatively easy for a Dark and Light to come together and join forces. Our two groups are in a constant state of war, but there are places, like Eilish’s pub, Graves, that allow the Fae to mingle without fighting.”
“We’re never going to find the source, are we?” Roman fisted his hands. “We claim to have the greatest power on this realm, but we can no’ even figure out who our enemies are.”
“Because they remained dormant for so long. That’s another thing that confuses me. Why would they do that?”
Roman pinched the bridge of his nose. “I doona have any answers. I only wanted to give V back what was stolen from him.”
“Break free of this,” Rhi told him, waving at the bars in disgust. “Eilish and I can take you and Sabina out of here.”
“So we have to do this all again?” Roman shook his head in refusal. “I promised V his sword, and I’m no’ leaving without it. I doona care what spells the Others have waiting, but V has been without his blade for long enough. Whenever I think of what they did to him…” He trailed off, unable to finish.
Rhi nodded slowly. “I agree. We’re going to find the Fae, and we’re going to exact punishment. What I want to know is why the Reapers haven’t stepped in.” Her face furrowed in a deep frown. “Matter of fact, I want to know why Death hasn’t judged the wankers.”
“You have more of a history with the Reapers than we do. Hell, we’re just finding out about them,” Roman said. Then his face went slack. “You doona think they’re part of the Others?”
“Oh, Lord, no,” Rhi said with an exaggerated eye roll. “If you knew Death, you’d know that Erith is nothing if not about balance. She is meticulous in her judgment, and the Reapers are swift to carry out her punishment. I recently spoke with Daire. The Reapers have some ancient Fae books, so they’re going to look through them and see if there’s any mention of the Others or a pact with Druids.”
Well, that was more than they had earlier. Roman swung his gaze to the ball of light. It hadn’t moved since he first noticed it. “I care about her.”
“That much is obvious,” Rhi answered softly.
“I think … I think she might be my mate.”
Rhi exhaled. “I’ve seen a number of Kings fall in love over the past few years, and I do believe you’re going to be next, stud.”
“I didna want this.”
“It can be an amazing experience.”
Roman looked at the Light Fae. “What if she doesna feel the same? What if she doesna want to be mine?”
“Then she isn’t your mate.”
Roman thought about that for a moment. “She is. I feel it,” he said, placing a hand over his heart. “I want to show her everything about my life. No’ just me in my true form, which she seemed to enjoy, but everything else. I want to show her my sculptures, take her around Dreagan, give her a tour of the manor.”
“You’re going to get to do all of that, Roman. Because you’re going to break out of that damn cage,” Rhi stated. Then she smiled mischievously.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
One step. Another. One more.
Sabina wasn’t actually taking steps. They were more like shuffles, but at least she was moving. That was something.
She blew out a breath, watching as the mist moved away before curling in on itself as if trying to return to her. It was pretty, and she might actually enjoy it if she weren’t trying to remain alive.
Her body stilled when she heard a cough to her left that sounded distinctly feminine. She concentrated, listening for another sound. It came again, louder, along with a low mumbling that was definitely English, and definitely cussing.
“Sabina? Are you here?” asked the woman with an Irish accent. “Look, I know you’re leery of everything, but I’m a friend of Roman’s. We’re here looking for both of you.” The woman paused, perhaps waiting for Sabina to speak.
Sabina wasn’t sure what to do. Did she trust the voice? Or was it some trap set by the Others?
The woman sighed. “I suppose I should tell you my name. I’m Eilish. I’m Ulrik’s.”
There was a smile in Eilish’s tone, her voice rising in excitement when she said the words. Still, Sabina remained silent.
Eilish chuckled softly. “Sorry. I haven’t been saying that I’m his all that long, and if you knew what we went through to be together, you’d understand why I’m so … well, giddy about it. Oh, my God. I’m so glad no one else just heard me say giddy,” Eilish said more to herself than Sabina.
Unable to help herself, Sabina smiled. She liked Eilish. If only she could trust her.
“Damn this mist,” Eilish grumbled. She coughed again. “Sabina, please. We can’t reach Roman. V woke, and he broke through the Others’ spell. He remembers everything. Including the Others coming to his cave after the sword was taken.”
Sabina turned to Eilish. She couldn’t see her yet because the mist was so thick, but she really wanted to know what V said about the O
thers.
Eilish blew out a breath, her frustration evident. “I know you’re here. That light above you is from a Dragon King, and it follows you. If you don’t want to trust me, I understand. I’m a Druid. Rhi, a Fae and a friend of the Kings, is looking for Roman. We figured the Others wouldn’t think their own kind would help the Kings. Find V’s sword. I’ll be right here if you need help. Just shout my name. I’ll find you.”
Sabina bit her lip, weighing her odds of talking to Eilish. She was tired of being alone, but Ana had cautioned her about the spells the Others could cast. And, frankly, Sabina couldn’t take the chance.
She faced forward and continued shuffling along the path. It would be so much easier if she could see, but she supposed that was the point. Ana had said the Others would make it as hard as possible for Sabina to get to the sword. Because once she had it, she would return it to V.
And V could check on the dragons.
Maybe even call them home.
After watching them fly as she spoke to Ana, she wanted them back. Even as it broke her heart to know that the humans and dragons could never co-exist. Someone would have to give up their home.
She didn’t want to think about that right now. Instead, she focused on moving forward. She didn’t know how she picked the direction. But she had followed her heart, as Ana had told her to do. Repeatedly.
Shuffle. Shuffle. Shuffle. Shuffle.
She was about to take another step when the mist suddenly parted, and she was able to see the entire cavern. It was … colossal.
Her gaze moved from the domed ceiling above her that stretched for what seemed like miles, to the enormous glacier—and she suspected she was only seeing a portion of it.
The stunning variances of blues and white reminded her of the color of Roman in dragon form. The glacier was so beautiful. Her gaze followed it from the top down until she saw where the ice was melting, leaving a dripping runoff that fell into a pool about a hundred feet below her.
Her vision suddenly swam. She fought the rising panic and her churning stomach for a moment. Steam rose from the water, and she realized it must be a hot spring. Her head swung to the other side, and her knees nearly buckled when she saw the thick waterfall of magma that poured into the cavern below into its own pool.