Firestorm

by Donna Grant

  Rhi followed them to a trailer parked amid a row of others. She ducked behind one of the mobile buildings and dropped her veil. Just as she was about to step out, someone grabbed her arm and jerked her back.

  She spun around, shocked to her core to find Con. He was dressed in one of his usual handmade suits, looking too good with his blond hair and midnight eyes. “What are you doing here?” she demanded.

  “Stopping you.”

  Admittedly, she was more than a little surprised by his words. She raised a brow. “You can’t be serious? After what she did?”

  “Exactly my point,” he said in a low voice, looking around.

  “Afraid she might see you?”

  “Aye,” he bit out. Then he sighed. “And I doona want anyone else to see us either.”

  Rhi crossed her arms over her chest. “No one else would dare confront her. So I will.”

  “No’ here. No’ now.”

  “Then where? When?” she demanded, her ire growing.

  He clenched his jaw, his nostrils flaring. “I doona know yet. I agree with you, though. She needs to be confronted.”

  Her arms dropped loosely by her sides. She blinked, dumbfounded. “I’m sorry. Can you say that again so I can record it?”

  “Verra funny,” he said dryly and took her arm to move them away from an approaching group.

  “I’m serious. I’ve never heard those words come out of your mouth about me before. I think it’s useful material. Perhaps to go into the human’s Guinness Book of World Records.”

  His face went hard. “Rhi.”

  She rolled her eyes. “What? I’m listening.”

  “Usaeil willna pay attention to me. I do believe she’ll hear what you have to say.”

  Rhi glanced at the queen’s trailer, and fury roiled within her, combining with the revulsion and disgust. “Oh, I have a lot I’d like to tell her.”

  “Can you do it now and no’ lose control?”

  She knew he was referring to her anger issue and how she’d begun to glow. She’d been known to blow up worlds before, so as much as she hated to admit it, he had a point.

  “I see that you understand,” Con said.

  That didn’t mean she was happy about it. “No one understands how vulnerable our people are.”

  “But you do.”

  She frowned, suddenly wary of the intense look in his eyes. “I’ve already thought about gathering the army. It won’t work.”

  “Hmm.”

  Was that really all he was going to say? She narrowed her eyes at him, wondering just what was going through that head of his. She wouldn’t admit it to him, but Con was a brilliant strategist. She just hoped he wasn’t planning something she didn’t agree with.

  Then her thoughts halted. Of course he was planning something she wouldn’t agree with. How stupid of her to think otherwise.

  She snorted, causing his brows to furrow as he gave her an odd look. Rhi ignored him completely.

  “I can get her alone,” he said.

  I bet you can. Rhi was so glad the words never made it out of her mouth. “Then you want me to approach her? She’s really going to be pissed at you.”

  “I can accept that.”

  “I don’t think you fully understand. Right now, she wants you as hers. She’ll do whatever you ask, whenever you ask it. In her reign, she’s rarely taken lovers that anyone knew about. She’s made it clear that she wants to be your mate, and you her king to rule beside her.”

  If it were possible, his eyes grew even blacker. “That isna going to happen.”

  “Be that as it may, once she realizes you don’t want those same things, you’re going to see the vindictive Usaeil. She’ll be vengeful and cruel in how she reacts to anything having to do with the Kings.”

  “What are you getting at?”

  Rhi sighed loudly in exasperation. “Ulrik. The Dark. Ring any bells?”

  A muscle twitched in his jaw. “Aye,” he bit out.

  “You’re going to need the Light. You’ll never get them as long as Usaeil is pissed at you.”

  “I’ll no’ continue as her lover.”

  “Hey,” she said and held up her hands, palms out. “You unmade that bed. You’ve got to lie in it.”

  “I’m no’ amused.”

  She shrugged as she dropped her arms. “I am.”

  He ran a hand over his jaw, looking away. “There has to be another way.”

  “Why did you take her as your lover?”

  His head jerked to her. “It doesna matter.”

  “It does. Your reasoning will have to come out. She’s going to speculate all sorts of wild things. In order to counter that, you need to give her the tr—”

  “I was in need.”

  She stopped mid-word at his interruption, so bewildered by his explanation that she literally couldn’t form a thought for several seconds.

  “You doona believe me,” he said and tugged at the sleeves of his dress shirt, the gold dragon head cufflinks visible.

  “Ah, nope. I sure don’t.”

  “Why?”

  She widened her eyes and held out her hands. “Have you looked in the mirror?”

  “Aye? What of it?”

  Rhi looked to the sky, shaking her head in exasperation. When she returned her gaze to him, he was watching her with what could only be described as confusion. “You’re a Dragon King. King of Kings.”

  “This I know.”

  “Are you really that thick?” She blew out an annoyed breath. “Fine. I’ll say it, but I’ll deny it if you repeat it. You and every King are gorgeous. You could have any woman you want.”

  “You think I’m gorgeous?” he repeated.

  She stared at him, trying to determine if he was teasing her or not. It was hard to tell since he kept emotion from his face and the tone of his words. Damn him!

  “My point is that you didn’t have to turn to Usaeil.”

  “I could be myself with her. No lies, no hiding.”

  That she could understand. “There’s another reason isn’t there?”

  He gave a nod. “I knew I wouldna fall in love with her.”

  “So you wouldn’t have to worry about bringing her to Dreagan and explaining to the others that despite you hoping they wouldn’t find happiness, you did.”

  “Aye.”

  “That’s … sad.”

  “The truth normally is.”

  Rhi looked at the white trailer as his confession repeated in her head. “I’ll hold off talking to her today, but we’d better come up with something soon.”

  “We will.”

  When she turned back, Con was gone.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

  Dmitri heard the chopper long before it came into sight. He stood with Faith, staring at the horizon. Her words were inspiring.

  He hadn’t known what she might say when he’d asked her what she saw. In truth, he hadn’t known what he wanted her to say. He knew what he saw—his home, his past, and now, his present.

  The future … that was something he hadn’t thought about in a very long time. As an immortal, it was best not to delve too far into the future or dwell too long on the past.

  Together, he and Faith watched as the black and white helicopter landed some distance behind them. The whirling blades began to lose momentum as Lily shut off the power.

  Dmitri kept hold of Faith’s hand as they started toward the chopper. The door opened, and Lily climbed out in a pair of jeans and a ruby red sweater while her long, black hair was braided and fell over one shoulder.

  Then another figure appeared from the other side of the helicopter—Rhys.

  “You’re no’ surprised,” Rhys said when they came together.

  Dmitri shook his head. “I expected you to be with Lily.”

  Rhys’s gaze lowered to Dmitri’s hand, which was joined with Faith’s. Dmitri waited for Rhys to make a comment, but nothing was said.

  Dmitri then smiled at Lily. “Thank you for coming. This is Dr. Faith Rey
nolds. Faith, this is Lily and Rhys.”

  “It’s such a pleasure,” Lily said with a welcoming grin.

  He felt Faith relax. She’d been more worried than she let on about meeting those from Dreagan. While he observed the girls greet each other, he couldn’t stop thinking how incredible Faith was.

  “Dude. You’ve got it bad,” Rhys said via their mental link.

  His gaze jerked to Rhys to find the bastard smiling and nodding. It was on the tip of Dmitri’s tongue to tell Rhys he was wrong, but he wasn’t sure if he could.

  Rhys then took Faith’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Dr. Reynolds.”

  “Thank you, but please, call me Faith,” she said, her smile wide as she looked from Lily to Rhys.

  When Faith’s gaze turned back to him, Dmitri basked in her glow. “I told you.”

  She laughed and briefly rested her forehead against his shoulder. “I know.”

  “You told her what?” Lily asked.

  Faith gripped his hand tighter as she said, “I was worried how I’d be received.”

  “You did nothing wrong,” Rhys told her.

  It was Dmitri’s turn to nudge her. “Did I no’ tell you that?”

  Faith’s smile melted away. “The fact is, nothing can be found involving dragons. Few believed what I’d discovered, which is why I wanted it kept secret.”

  “But word got out,” he finished. “No’ your doing.”

  Rhys crossed his arms over his chest. “Dmitri is correct again. You’re helping us, and for that, we’re eternally grateful.”

  “Yes,” Lily agreed in her English accent. “Very.”

  Rhys raised a dark brow, his aqua-ringed, dark blue eyes watching Dmitri carefully. “I suppose we’d best return to Dreagan.”

  “How are you thinking to bring the skeleton?” Faith asked.

  Rhys smiled knowingly while Lily’s eyes widened. She asked, “You haven’t destroyed it?”

  Dmitri looked around, thinking of the past before he slid his gaze to Lily. “This was my land. I checked each cave to make sure none of my Whites were left behind, but somehow, one was. He was killed by someone, and he’s remained here all these thousands of years. I’ll not burn his bones.” He took a deep breath. “I’m bringing the dragon back with me to Dreagan to be buried in my mountain.”

  Rhys slapped him on the arm. “I’d do the same in your place.”

  “I’m sorry,” Lily said, her big, dark eyes filled with anguish. “I didn’t know.”

  “Doona think twice about it,” Dmitri told her.

  Rhys bent and kissed Lily. “You two beauties remain here while we go do the dirty work.”

  “So,” he heard Faith ask Lily as he and Rhys walked away. “Are you the only one who’s a pilot?”

  “Denae is, as well,” Lily said. “She got her chopper first. It wasn’t long after, that Con bought one for general use,” Lily explained.

  Dmitri and Rhys hadn’t gotten twenty feet from the girls before Rhys said, “I like her.”

  “Aye. What’s no’ to like?”

  “Exactly. And she looks at you as if you hung the moon.”

  It took a moment for Dmitri to realize he was grinning like an idiot.

  Rhys laughed and slapped him on the back as they reached the edge of the cliff. “Welcome to the love club, brother.”

  He jumped off before Dmitri could hit him. Love? No, that wasn’t possible. He cared a great deal for Faith, but that’s where it ended. Wasn’t it?

  “Come on!” Rhys shouted from the outcropping of the cave.

  Dmitri looked back over his shoulder and locked eyes with Faith. They shared a smile before he stepped over the edge.

  The wind whistled around him as he fell. He waited until he drew close to the cave before he outstretched his arms. A moment later, he landed with bent knees.

  “Damn that felt good,” Rhys said with a laugh. “Con wouldna be happy about it.”

  “There’s no one looking.” Dmitri walked into the cave to the bones.

  As they passed the pallet, Rhys raised a brow. “Talk about privacy. I might have to do the same with Lily.”

  Talking ceased when they came upon the skeleton. Dmitri knew that taking the dragon from its home to Dreagan was the best thing, but it seemed wrong to do it somehow. Just as it had been wrong to send the dragons away.

  “We had no choice,” Rhys said as if reading Dmitri’s mind.

  “There is always a choice.”

  Rhys put his hand on the skull. “Every one of us—including Con—feels their loss, every second of every day.”

  “But you didna leave one behind.”

  “You said you searched the caves.”

  “I did. Twice.”

  Rhys’s eyes narrowed. “Why? Did you no’ trust yourself.”

  “I…” he paused, thinking back. Even though it had happened eons ago, he still recalled that day with clarity. “I had a feeling I was missing one. I was right.”

  “If you searched and didna find him, then he was hiding somewhere.”

  Dmitri squatted down and pointed to the neck bone. “There is one injury for sure. None of my Whites ever ignored my call. If he was hurt, I would’ve found him.”

  “It was a frantic time. We were in a hurry to save as many dragons as we could.”

  It still didn’t excuse what he’d done. Now he would carry that guilt through eternity.

  A sound behind them drew his attention. He looked back to find the girls. Lily walked slowly to the dragon and put her hand next to Rhys’s.

  “I wanted to get my things,” Faith explained.

  Dmitri wrapped an arm around her and held her tightly. The four of them stood in silence for a time. Then the girls stepped back so he could begin freeing the skeleton.

  He felt the rush of magic run through him as he channeled it into pulling the bones from the dirt and stone. After countless centuries of time and the elements, the brittle bones had to be protected lest they shatter as they were pulled from the ground.

  Rhys joined him, using his magic to help safeguard the skeleton while Dmitri did the rest. With every second that passed and more of the bones were exposed, Dmitri felt a curious case of urgency that he couldn’t explain.

  Finally, the entire skeleton was freed. He moved it over and gently set it down. Faith rushed to it, but he stopped her with an arm around her waist before dragging her back against him.

  “Nay.”

  “What is it?” Rhys asked, immediately on alert.

  Dmitri looked around. “I’m no’ sure.”

  “Well, let’s not find out,” Lily stated.

  Faith turned in his arms. “You killed the Dark.”

  “There were Dark?” Rhys demanded in a low tone.

  Dmitri took a step back from the bones, keeping Faith with him. “The operative word there is ‘were.’ I killed one, and Faith killed the other.”

  “Well done,” Rhys told her.

  Faith smiled, obviously pleased by his words. “Thank you.”

  Unable to look away, Dmitri eyed the skeleton. “We should leave.”

  “Aye,” Rhys said in agreement.

  “What are you going to do with the bones?” Faith asked. Then her eyes brightened. “One of the tarps.”

  Rhys was already walking away as he said, “I’ll get it.”

  “You took out the threat, Dmitri,” Lily said. “There’s nothing else here to harm Faith. It’s going to be fine.”

  But was it? Because he sure didn’t feel that way. The longer he stared at the skeleton, the more positive he was that something was definitely about to happen.

  The feel of Faith’s hands on his chest tugged his attention away from the dragon’s remains. He looked into her sherry eyes. At that moment, he knew, without a doubt, that he would protect her with his very life if he had to.

  He slipped his fingers into the cool locks of her sandy blond hair. She leaned against him and turned the corners of her lips up in a smile.

  “Got it
,” Rhys said as he jogged to them, holding a folded tarp in his arms.

  Dmitri reluctantly released Faith and waited until Rhys had spread the tarp. With his magic, he lifted the skeleton in midair before moving it to the tarp.

  Once the dragon had been set down, Rhys wrapped the tarp around it. He and Rhys then carried the bones to the entrance. After, with both of them using their strength and magic, they got the bundle to the top of the cliff and into the luxury chopper.

  “I’ll stand guard,” Rhys said.

  He nodded and pivoted to return to Faith. By the time he got back inside the cave, their pallet was dismantled and folded neatly.

  Lily was gathering all the lights, while Faith made sure she had her tools. That needling insistence that they leave immediately doubled.

  Dmitri gathered an armload and hurriedly made a trip back to the top. It took another two visits before the cave was as empty as when Faith had first found it.

  Lily was already climbing up the cliff when Faith halted and started to turn back.

  He grabbed her hand, stopping her. “What is it?”

  “I need to have one last look. I can’t leave anything behind.”

  “Hurry.”

  She shot him a grin. “Let go and I can.”

  With a sigh, he released her hand. He impatiently waited until she finally returned. Then he pulled her against him and said, “Hold on.”

  Once she had a firm grip, he jumped to the top. Rhys had loaded the chopper, and within moments, they were airborne.

  A shiver of trepidation ran down his spine as they flew past the cave. He wondered why he hadn’t felt anything remotely troubling until he’d used his magic to free the skeleton.

  He glanced at the bones wrapped in the tarp on the floor before them. Something wasn’t right. He couldn’t put his finger on what, but he needed to figure what it was and soon.

  When Faith leaned her head on his shoulder, Dmitri wrapped an arm around her and settled back against the black leather seat. At least he had her with him.

  That was enough to make him happier than he could ever remember being.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  Con stared at the papers in his hand, but he couldn’t concentrate. He tossed them down on his desk and leaned back in his chair with a sigh.

  After his chat with Rhi—which went better than anticipated—he’d returned to Dreagan. He walked the halls of the manor, hearing the voices and laughter of the women.