by Donna Grant
Balladyn quirked a brow. “I’m their king.”
“You might bear the title, but you know as well as I how fickle the Dark can be.”
Fintan had a point, though it rankled Balladyn to admit it. Still, if he were going to gain the respect of his people, he needed to listen to the advice of others. And Fintan knew a lot.
“I might not have been Dark during our civil war, but even I know that every Dark out there will relish the opportunity to strike back at the Light. Particularly Usaeil.”
Fintan grinned slowly. “You’re not wrong, my friend.”
Balladyn didn’t so much as twitch at Fintan calling him friend, but Balladyn liked it. No one had called him that since he’d been a Light many, many thousands of years ago.
“You have a suggestion for me?” Balladyn asked.
Fintan twisted his lips and lifted one shoulder nonchalantly. “Perhaps.”
Balladyn leaned forward, his forearms on his knees. “I’m all ears.”
“You need to know that not all the Dark in your army will join you.”
“I expected that.”
“But they’ll be there watching the battle.”
Balladyn hadn’t considered that. He nodded slowly. “To see who is winning. If it looks as if I am, they’ll join me. If it’s Usaeil, then they’ll leave.”
“Aye. They’ll also want to know who you’re fighting with.”
Balladyn wrinkled his nose and sat back. “I wasn’t going to tell them about the Dragon Kings.”
“You should.”
“It would certainly be a change of pace from what they’re used to.” Balladyn scratched his jaw. “Many won’t like the idea of standing alongside a Dragon King.”
Fintan made a sound at the back of his throat. “You don’t.”
“No, but I’m doing this for Rhi.”
“Exactly.”
Balladyn got it then. “I need to give them a reason other than just fighting Usaeil.”
Fintan smiled widely. “I knew you were smart.”
Balladyn held the Reaper’s red-rimmed white gaze. “I don’t suppose you’ll fight with us.”
“If I could, I would. Death has decreed otherwise.”
“It would be pointless to ask for a reason, so I won’t. But all of you were once Fae.”
Fintan drew in a deep breath and released it. “We haven’t been Fae in a very long time. I’ll be watching the battle. Good luck, Balladyn.”
To his shock, the Reaper leaned forward and held out his hand. Balladyn didn’t hesitate to shake it.
Then, with a nod, the Reaper disappeared.
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Bernadette couldn’t sit still. She’d cleaned her house, but it was so small that it hadn’t taken her long at all. She couldn’t even go through her closet and toss out old clothes since she’d done all that before she’d moved.
She finally decided to take everything out of the cabinets in the kitchen and rearrange them. Only she put everything back exactly how she had it. She hadn’t seen that while she was doing it because her mind was on Keltan and the Kings’ approaching battle with Usaeil.
Every little sound made her jump since she was expecting Usaeil to make an appearance. She had mixed feelings about it, though. On one hand, she wanted to give the Kings some information to help them. But on the other, she’d be happy never to lay eyes on Usaeil again. Not to mention she wasn’t sure that Usaeil would tell her anything useful for the Kings. She was merely a mortal, after all.
Bernadette wiped the hair from her face with her arm as she scrubbed a plate for the third time. It wasn’t even dirty, but if she didn’t occupy her hands, she might go insane. This waiting was dreadful.
She finally gave the poor dish a break and rinsed it. It was while she was drying it that a knock on the door startled her enough that she lost her grip on the tableware and it crashed to the floor, breaking into pieces.
The door flew open, and Keltan stood there. She was so happy to see him that she couldn’t stop smiling.
“I thought you might be hurt,” he said.
He could’ve busted through the door for all she cared. “My nerves are just stretched thin.”
“Let me help you.”
Before she could stop him, Keltan was standing before her, picking up the largest pieces. Together, they cleaned up the mess. Then they were standing in the kitchen, staring at each other again.
“Oh,” he said and turned to shut the door that he’d left open.
“I didn’t think any of you were supposed to be here.”
He turned to face her. “I began to suspect that Usaeil’s interest in you was more than just bringing attention to us.”
“She used me for something else?” That was all Bernadette needed.
Keltan shot her a heart-stopping grin. “Me.”
She blinked, confused. “You?”
“Well, to be honest, any King who came to talk to you.”
Bernadette still didn’t get it. “What do you mean? She kept telling me to stay away from you.”
“That’s what Usaeil said, but she knew we’d come. She knew one of us would try to dissuade you from your task.”
Bernadette wanted to sink to the floor. “Are you telling me that she used her magic to make me attracted to you?”
“Aye.”
“Just perfect.” All this time, Bernadette had believed that the one real thing in her life at present was her feelings for Keltan. Not that she even understood the fierce and strong emotions.
Now, to find out that none of it was real …
“Attraction is something a Fae knows well,” Keltan told her. “They also like to use it with unsuspecting humans. I believe you mortals call it Cupid.”
This was just getting worse and worse. Bernadette walked past him to the table and pulled out a chair before she placed her elbow on the surface and propped up her head with her hand. “Cupid. Great.”
“What I’m trying to say, badly,” Keltan said with a grimace, “is that magic can manifest attraction and even desire. It can no’, however, force anything deeper.”
He meant love, but she couldn’t understand why he didn’t just say the word. Bernadette lowered her hand to the table. “Are you saying that we had sex because of Usaeil?”
“No,” he stated unequivocally.
Relief poured through her. Then she paused. “How do you know?”
“Usaeil was able to set the stage. She could use a spell for desire, and she could even make sure you came to Dreagan. She could ensure that you did whatever she wanted, but she doesna have that same power over a Dragon King.”
Bernadette swallowed heavily. “Are you trying to tell me that you weren’t spelled but that I was?”
“I think she sent you to Dreagan, and she might have made sure you found me attractive.”
“As if I needed help. You know how handsome you are.”
His grin made her heart skip a beat. “You find me handsome?”
“Yes. But it was the way you put me at ease that really drew me in. You didn’t seem to judge me, though I’m sure you did.”
“No’ in the way you think. The fact that you came to Dreagan told me you were open to learning the truth.”
Bernadette was pleased with his words. “You gave it to me without hesitation. You trusted me, which helped me to trust you.”
“Usaeil couldna have had a hand in any of that. Like I said, she can set the stage and move one component, but she can no’ move me.”
Still, Bernadette wasn’t entirely convinced. “What I felt, what I’m feeling for you now, is it real or magic?”
Keltan looked up at one of the cameras, reminding Bernadette that they weren’t completely alone. Then he cleared his throat. “What do you feel?”
“I don’t really know. I … well, I think about you all the time.”
“Is it because of the war and the fact that you’re in the middle of great danger?”
She shrugged. “That has s
omething to do with it, but it’s not all of it. When I think of you, I’m not thinking of the war. I’m thinking of you and me. Together.”
His amber eyes darkened with desire, causing her stomach to quiver. “What else?”
Normally, Bernadette wouldn’t dream of speaking so freely, but there was something about Keltan that made it easy to do. She didn’t fear his reaction or being laughed at.
“I think about your lips on mine, the way your hands moved over my body. I think about the way you looked at me right before you kissed me. I think of how it felt to have you inside me, to feel you moving.” She swallowed, growing bolder. “I think about the pleasure you brought me, and the way it felt to be held in your arms afterward.”
“That’s desire,” he whispered hoarsely.
She could see the ridge of his arousal in his jeans, but she didn’t mention it. Bernadette rose to her feet. “It’s more than that. I can feel it. Here,” she said as she put her hand to her chest over her heart. Then on her stomach. “And here.”
Without another word, he closed the distance between them and pulled her into his arms as his mouth descended upon hers. The kiss was scorching, the intensity blistering.
It was so easy to fall into the pleasure again, but in the back of her mind, a little voice warned Bernadette that it wasn’t safe. Somehow, she managed to pull her mouth from Keltan’s.
“What of Usaeil?” she asked between breaths.
He put his forehead against hers. “Shite. I forget everything when you’re near.”
That made Bernadette smile. “So, I’m not the only one?”
“Nay, lass,” he said as he lifted his head to look at her. “I doona know what’s happening with us. I doona know if it’s real or no’.”
“You mean you don’t know if my feelings are real or because of Usaeil’s magic.”
Keltan’s lips flattened as he nodded.
The elation Bernadette felt diminished instantly. But she couldn’t blame Keltan. Usaeil had used her in more than one way. For all she knew, the things she felt for Keltan were nothing more than a spell.
“You said that love can’t be forced, right?” Bernadette asked.
He gave a single nod. “Aye. Are you saying that…?”
“No,” she quickly said. “I’m just making sure.”
“Oh.”
Was that disappointment she heard in his voice? She really hoped it was. Just as she hoped that what she felt was real. If it wasn’t, she didn’t think she’d be able to stand it. Not after everything Usaeil had done to her.
“When will we know?” she asked.
Keltan lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I doona know.”
She wanted to ask him about his feelings because, obviously, his were real. But she couldn’t gather the courage. The fact that he was there, kissing her, said something.
“Did you come just to tell me all of this?”
He smiled at her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I needed to see you. Also, because I believed that there should be a King here guarding you. Usaeil would expect it.”
“No,” she said, fear and outrage making her voice louder than she intended. “It could be a trap.”
“I’m sure it will be.”
“Keltan, please. The Kings need you.”
He grinned and kissed the tip of her nose. “Lass, if she’s here, then we know where she’s at.”
“Ohhh,” Bernadette said. “I see. But it’s still dangerous. You said she already has Con.”
“And she might take me to him.”
“You’re playing with fire,” she warned.
Keltan briefly raised his brows. “We’d hoped to find Con before we went to war, but that isna going to happen. Usaeil’s connection to the Others has us worried because we’ve seen what their magic can do to a King.”
“Is it the Others? Or is it just Usaeil you’ll be fighting?”
“I doona know. None of us do. We have to be prepared for anything because the Others have come at us in ways we never expected.”
Bernadette ran her hands up his chest and over his shoulders. “That’s because you’ve been the biggest, baddest force on this planet.”
He laughed at that. “You have a point, but we’ve always known there was the potential for something else to come that could be stronger.”
“I’m scared for you.”
“Doona be, lass,” he told her and smoothed a hand down her cheek. “We’re Dragon Kings.”
“You said yourself, the Others have been able to use their magic on you. All of this,” she said, sweeping her arm out in front of her, “including everything Usaeil has done to everyone, might have all been a trap to get the Kings to attack.”
“You might be right. We doona have a choice, however. If we want to get Con back, then we have to bring Rhi to Usaeil.”
Bernadette shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.”
“Trust me, Rhi can take care of herself. We’ll be backing her. And we willna be alone.”
“I know. You told me the Dark Army would be there, and it seems that the numbers are in your favor. Maybe it’s because I’m new to this world, but I can’t help thinking that Usaeil has something up her sleeve.”
Keltan took her hand and led her to the sofa. “No doubt, she does. We can guess all day what it might be, but in the end, we just need to be prepared for as many outcomes as we can. She’s powerful, I’ll give her that.” He stopped and sat, then he pulled Bernadette forward so that she straddled him. “But she’s no match for the Kings when we fight together.”
“Am I ever going to get to see you?” She quite liked being in his lap like this.
“Do you want to?”
“Very much so,” she whispered while gazing into his eyes. “I want to know all of you, Keltan. The man … and the dragon.”
His gaze intensified. “Then I’ll show you.”
She didn’t stop him when his hand splayed upon her back, and he pushed her forward. His lips were firm and soft as they moved over hers. The moment his tongue slid into her mouth, she moaned, her body quickly heating again after their last kiss.
“I want you,” she said between kisses.
Keltan stood, still holding her, and walked into her room. By the time they were on the mattress, their clothes were gone. She sighed as they moved, skin-to-skin.
Then his hands were on her body, and her mind went blank as pleasure consumed her.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR
“Con?” Usaeil called. She’d been keeping a close eye on him because as much as she wanted to believe he was hers, she wasn’t a fool.
He turned in the all-glass shower, water dripping down his rock-hard body. “Aye?”
“You started without me?” she asked in a teasing tone.
He shrugged and grinned playfully. “I grew tired of waiting for you.”
How she loved his Scots brogue. It sent chills across her skin. He had no idea how he could make her melt with his voice alone—and she didn’t intend to tell him. Ever.
“I’m sorry. I had things I had to see to.” There was stuff Usaeil still needed to take care of, but she hadn’t been able to stay away from Con. He was her Achilles’ heel. And if any of her enemies ever found out, it would be the end of her.
Con’s grin widened as he opened the door. “What are you waiting for?”
With a thought, her clothes were gone, and she stepped into the shower. The rainfall showerhead pelted her skin, but she ignored it. Her attention was on the magnificent body of the King of Dragon Kings.
She ran her hands over his sculpted chest, admiring the hard sinew. “I can’t ever get enough of your body.”
“Nor I yours,” he murmured as his hands ran down her arms to her hips before grabbing her ass and yanking her against him.
Usaeil gasped as she felt his arousal. “You have no idea how long I’ve loved you.”
“I’m glad you helped me see the light.”
“We’re not d
one. There’s still much to do.”
He ground against her. “That can wait.”
How she wished it could. Every fiber of her being wanted to forget about everything else and stay right here with him. But she couldn’t. Not if she wanted to win. Everything was so close. If she didn’t stay on course, then it could all fall apart. And she’d suffered for too long, lied for too long, and pretended for too long to let that happen.
A frown formed between his brows. “You’re leaving.”
“It won’t be long before you come with me.”
“I’m tired of being left behind,” he said and leaned back. “I’m powerful, Usaeil.”
She patted his chest. “I know you are. And I want you with me. Remember when we discussed everything? You were on board with things then. I need you to trust me.”
“I do, but if any of my Kings harm you, I’ll never forgive myself.”
Usaeil wrapped her arms around him and folded herself against his thick chest. “Knowing that you have my back makes this easier.”
“You’ve done things on your own for too long.”
“I couldn’t trust anyone.”
He kissed the top of her head. “You’re no’ alone now.”
“Never again,” she whispered.
Then, reluctantly, she stepped out of his arms. “Know that I want nothing more than to stay here and wash you from head to toe before taking you to bed and making love to you all night.”
“Isna that my line?” he asked with a lopsided grin.
She laughed. “I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“Doona keep me waiting, lass.”
Usaeil rose up and gave him a quick kiss before she teleported out. When she appeared in her room at the Light Castle, she was dry and clothed as her people expected a Queen of the Light to be—in all white with accents of gold.
She was so tired of pretending to be someone she wasn’t. It was time she became who she’d always known she was. It was time she let everyone else know, as well.
And it all began with Rhi.
Usaeil drew in a deep breath and walked from her chambers. At one time, Balladyn had stood at her door, waiting for orders. His loyalty had been unflinching, but his love for Rhi had made Usaeil realize where his allegiance truly lay—and it wasn’t with her.