by Donna Grant
She’d seen the way Balladyn watched Rhi when the Fae wasn’t looking. Balladyn wasn’t just smitten. It was love. Balladyn could’ve had any woman he wanted, but he’d set his sights on Rhi. Unfortunately for him, Rhi had fallen head over heels for a Dragon King.
Usaeil halted her thoughts there. She didn’t want to go down that road. It made her too angry.
She gazed at the empty spot at her door. Inen had once occupied that post, but she’d discovered his betrayal of her when he’d gone to Rhi. Usaeil knew they were conspiring against her, and that wasn’t something she could stand by and let happen.
Though she’d wanted to take her time and make Inen suffer, she hadn’t had the opportunity. Instead, she’d killed him quickly. Though she’d had him on his knees before her, he hadn’t begged for his life.
In fact, there had been defiance there. If there had been any mercy within her, it’d vanished the moment he’d said that Rhi would be the end of her.
Usaeil realized then that the only one who could captain the Queen’s Guard was herself. She couldn’t trust anyone else to do it.
She walked down the long corridor, turning corners and travelling down several flights of stairs before she entered the great hall. The moment she appeared, the crowd of Light Fae fell silent. She expected that. It was what they always did.
What she didn’t expect were the side looks, the Fae with doubt on their faces instead of the awe and fear she was used to. Something had happened here, and somehow, she hadn’t known about it.
She needed to find out what it was and fast so she could put an end to it before things got out of hand. Usaeil took a deep breath and stood tall. She let the Light have their look at her because she wanted to remind them of who she was—and why they should fear her.
“I notice some of the looks I’m getting. What is the cause of this?” Usaeil demanded.
No one answered her. Not that she expected anything different.
“You,” she said and pointed at the woman to her left, who looked anywhere but at Usaeil. She waited for the female to finally raise her gaze. Then she asked, “What do you know that you don’t want me to find out about?”
The woman swallowed and glanced at the man beside her, but he offered no help. Finally, the woman said, “We know.”
Usaeil wanted to roll her eyes. “I’m sure you know a great many things. What are you referring to now?”
“A-a-about the movies. We know you’ve been masquerading as an American actress.”
So. Someone had been among the Light telling her secrets. And she could imagine just who it was—the Reapers. They were too afraid of her, which was made obvious by their actions. She would have to do something about them soon. They were next on the list, and when she got to them, she planned to show them something they’d never seen before.
Usaeil slowly let her gaze move among the Fae. She dared any of them to say something more. When they didn’t, she shrugged. “So what? I got bored.”
The gasp that went through the hall made her grin.
“You’re surprised by this admission?” she asked them. “Since our war with the Dark came to an end, I’ve had nothing to do. I can only walk these halls so many times, talking with all of you, before I want to tear my hair out. Like many of you, I went out to see this world of ours. And I found something that interested me.”
“You didn’t tell us,” someone in the back shouted.
Usaeil raised a brow. “I don’t owe any of you an explanation for anything I do. Anything. I’m your queen. I rule you, not the other way around. Perhaps you need to be reminded of that. Or have you all gotten so lax on this realm that you’ve forgotten my strength and power?”
The fear that ran through the hall pleased her greatly. That’s how she wanted them.
“There have been a great many changes over the last few years, and there are more coming. First, I am calling up the Light Army.”
The Light began to talk among themselves, shock making their voices grow louder as each second passed.
“We’re going to war!” she bellowed.
The quiet that followed was eerie.
“That’s right,” she said with a nod of her head. “We’re about to be attacked. I could’ve stayed away and let all of you fend for yourselves, but I did what any ruler does—I returned to stand beside you.”
“Who would dare attack us?” someone asked.
Usaeil kept her smile from showing. “Rhi.”
The second gasp was louder than the first. It was like a shock wave moving through the castle. Several Fae could be heard saying, “No. Not Rhi.”
“She won’t be alone,” Usaeil said over their voices. “Some Dragon Kings will be joining her.”
Wide-eyed fear gripped the Fae.
This was entirely too easy. Usaeil nearly laughed at it all, but she managed to hold it together. “The Kings will be stopped.”
“How?” another Fae asked.
Usaeil paused for effect, then she said, “Because, Constantine, the King of Dragon Kings, and I are together. He stands with me. Together, we will defeat Rhi and prevent the Kings from harming any of us.”
Smiles of relief met her gaze. She soaked all of that in before she delivered the biggest bomb of all.
“There’s one more thing all of you should know. Balladyn, our brother that we mourned so long ago and knew as one of the bravest warriors and generals the Light ever knew, isn’t dead. In fact, he defected to the Dark and is now their king.”
The stunned surprise had the hall so silent that you could’ve heard a pin drop. Usaeil inwardly smiled. She had the Light just where she wanted them. It didn’t matter what anyone told them now, they wouldn’t believe a word from anyone else.
“Be prepared if you see or hear that Balladyn also stands against me. He wishes to start our civil war up again, and I’m not going to let that happen. We’ve had years of peace, and I will ensure that continues.”
“Hail Queen Usaeil!”
The chant went through the hall, becoming louder and louder until the castle rang with it. How dare the Reapers, Rhi, Balladyn, or anyone else think they could take the Light away from her? These were her people.
It didn’t matter that she didn’t care a fig about them. They didn’t need to know that. Nor did they need to know that the plans she had would ensure that half of them died. It was time the Light were culled. It was something that had been needed for a long time.
The same with the Dark. All Fae had been left to grow weak and complacent. She was about to shake everything up.
“The battle will happen here at the castle,” she told the crowd. “Those in the army need to get to their commanders and prepare. I expect the arrival of our enemies any minute.”
“Where is Constantine?”
She snapped her head to the right, but she couldn’t tell who had asked the question. “He’ll be here soon. Don’t worry about him.”
“Why isn’t he with the Dragon Kings now?”
Her gaze narrowed as she searched the crowd for where the voice had come from, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t pinpoint who had said it. She had the Light on her side, and as much as she wanted to lash out at whoever was asking the questions, she couldn’t. Now.
But she would later. Once she found out who it was.
“Con has been with me. The Dragon Kings aren’t thrilled with our union.”
“But isn’t one of them mated to a Fae?”
Usaeil fisted her hands in an effort to keep her cool. “None of that matters. We’re about to fight for our lives. I advise that anyone not in the army return to their homes. The Light Castle isn’t going to be a safe place.”
They stood staring at her until she slapped her hands together. Then chaos broke out in the castle as everyone rushed about.
Even then, she tried to see who had asked the questions earlier, but once more, she was denied.
* * *
Rordan walked through the doorway of Death’s realm a
nd sighed as his gaze moved to the tall, white tower. He wound his way through the maze of flowers. He’d only gotten a few hundred yards in when he saw Eoghan.
“How did it go?” Eoghan asked.
Rordan raised his brow for a moment. “As bad as we all thought it would.”
“So, Usaeil showed up just as Erith said she would.” Eoghan blew out a breath and shook his head.
“It’s worse than that. She got the Light to think that Rhi and the Dragon Kings are coming to attack her. Usaeil also told the Light that she and Con are together and that he is going to protect them.”
“Fek,” Eoghan said and ran a hand through his hair. “Let’s get to Death and tell her. No doubt she’ll want to try and find Con again.”
“I wish she’d let us join in the battle.”
“We’ll be there. Mark my words.”
Rordan cocked his head to the side. “Aye, but will we be fighting?”
Eoghan lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I doubt it. For whatever reason, Death is holding back.”
“I sure wish we knew why, but I trust her enough to know that she has a good reason.”
They turned together and made their way to the tower.
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Keltan could lay in bed with Bernadette for the rest of his days and be utterly content. He ran his fingers down her back as she snuggled against him, and he stared at the ceiling.
“Our time is up, isn’t it?” she asked sleepily.
In fact, he should get ready. He expected Usaeil soon. “Aye.”
Bernadette sighed loudly. “When will we get our time?”
“As soon as this is over.”
They were both silent then, neither of them saying that there might be another outcome.
“You might not believe me, but what I felt when we made love didn’t feel fake. It felt very, very real,” she said.
He squeezed her tightly against him. “Aye, lass, it did.”
“You don’t believe me, do you?”
“I do,” he insisted. “I just know how magic works.”
She sighed and sat up to look at him. “When Usaeil dies, will her magic continue?”
He shook his head. “Nay.”
“Good. Then you’ll see that when she’s gone, I’ll still feel this strongly about you.”
“I believe you,” he said and pulled her back down to his chest.
“Remember when we were in the library, and you said it was Fate that I was supposed to be there?”
“Aye,” he murmured and closed his eyes, thinking back to that day. It felt like months or even years had passed, but it was only a few days ago.
She caressed her hand over his chest. “I thought you were insane for saying that, but now, I can see it. All of this was supposed to happen. Just as I’m supposed to be right here in your arms tonight.”
“I quite like you here.”
“Good, because I don’t want to be anywhere else.”
He wished he could have another five minutes of just holding her, but Keltan knew he couldn’t. He reluctantly shifted, and she sat up with him.
“You really think she’ll come?” Bernadette asked.
Keltan shrugged as he climbed out of bed. He picked up the hand towel that he’d used to wipe his seed from her stomach. After what Usaeil had done to Claire and V, Keltan didn’t want to find himself or Bernadette in that same predicament.
“I think there’s a verra good chance she will,” he said and tossed the towel into the dirty clothes hamper. “But there’s also a chance that she willna.”
Bernadette licked her lips. “I know it would help you if she does come, but I hope she doesn’t.”
“I know, lass,” he said and bent to give her a soft kiss. “I’ll be here to protect you, and doona forget, the house is warded. As are you.”
“So, she can’t hurt me?” Bernadette smiled. “That makes me feel a whole lot better.”
Keltan, as well. After seeing her so ill, he didn’t want to ever witness anything like that again. It had been one of the most terrifying things he’d ever been a part of.
“How long do you think this war will last?”
He reached for his clothes as she drew her legs up to her chest and wrapped her arms around them. “It could be over in a matter of hours. Or, it could be like the Fae Wars that went on for decades.”
Bernadette’s eyes widened. “Decades?”
Keltan finished dressing. “I doona think that will happen. Usaeil seems to have a plan, and I think she’ll want to get to that sooner rather than later. Besides, a prolonged war means there will be more time for others to stand against her.”
Bernadette shot him a forced smile. “It doesn’t matter how long this takes, I’ll be here waiting for you.”
Just as Keltan was about to reply, Ryder’s voice screamed his name in his mind. Keltan jerked his gaze to the doorway and then looked back at Bernadette. He had to get out—and quickly.
“Bernadette!”
The sound of Usaeil’s voice was like nails on a chalkboard. Keltan winked at Bernadette before he gave her a nod. She flashed him a pointed look, reminding him that he was supposed to be outside.
Keltan shrugged. Things had changed, and he was rolling with the punches.
“I’m here,” Bernadette answered and scrambled from the bed.
As soon as her feet hit the floor, Keltan used his magic to dress her. She stumbled when she found clothes on her body, then she smiled.
He loved that grin. He loved the way her eyes sparkled and crinkled at the corners. He especially loved the way the expression lit up her entire face as if she wanted the whole world to know that she was happy.
Keltan stayed in the bedroom and listened, waiting for an opportunity to strike.
* * *
She wasn’t prepared for this. Though Bernadette had to admit that it didn’t matter how many times she faced Usaeil now, she would never be ready.
Bernadette rushed from her room to find the queen walking around the kitchen, looking in Bernadette’s cabinets. That seemed so … odd. “Can I help you find something?”
Usaeil spun around, her smile not quite reaching her eyes. “You changed up a few things.”
“I did.” Bernadette wasn’t sure why that mattered, but more importantly, why had Usaeil been looking in her cabinets?
“Why?”
Bernadette blinked at the question. “Why what?”
“Why did you change things?”
“Because I wanted to,” Bernadette said, suddenly wary.
Usaeil walked past her while nodding and headed straight for the desk. She touched the keyboard of the laptop to wake it and display the blank page she’d opened to write the article. “I see you’ve still not written anything.”
“I will.”
“How about you stop lying to me?” Usaeil said as she slowly turned her head to Bernadette.
Bernadette snorted and crossed her arms over her chest. “How about you stop lying to me?”
“About?” Usaeil prompted.
“The Dragon Kings.”
At that, the queen smiled once more. Except, this time, it was one of immense pleasure, as if Bernadette had walked right into a trap without even realizing it.
“Oh, the Kings are so predictable,” Usaeil said more to herself than to Bernadette. “I wondered when you would tell me that you knew who they were.”
Bernadette, for her part, decided to remain silent. Fear snaked down her spine when Usaeil smiled, and it took everything within her not to look toward her room for a glimpse of Keltan.
Usaeil tsked as she shook her head. “For so many eons, the Kings thought they could protect themselves from you mortals with a spell. And to my shock, it worked. Then, thanks to Ulrik, all that changed. One by one, the Kings found their mates. Don’t you think it’s curious that they’re only just now doing it?”
Bernadette shrugged, preferring to remain silent.
“I do,” Usaeil said. “Because
it wouldn’t have mattered if there were a spell or not. If one of their mates walked up, they would’ve felt it. It’s a wonder that none of them have stopped to consider why all of this is happening now.”
“Did you have something to do with it?” Bernadette finally asked.
Usaeil busted out laughing before putting her hand on her chest. “Me? Oh, you give me too much credit. I didn’t have any part in it. Maybe no one did.” Usaeil shrugged. “What I do know is that all those millennia when the Kings were unmated, they had no enemies. Then the first of them found their mate and look at all that has happened. Enemy after enemy after enemy. And now, the Kings have more than just themselves to worry about. They have their mates. It’s why I chose you.”
Bernadette’s knees barely held her up. She had to grab hold of the back of a dining chair just to remain standing. “What?”
“I’m not saying you’re a mate,” Usaeil hastened to add. “But I knew that since you’re fairly attractive and have a vulnerability that draws men in, you were the perfect candidate. Even if it was just a quick affair, I knew you’d catch someone’s eye. Imagine my surprise when it was Keltan.”
Bernadette’s stomach plummeted to her feet. “What?”
Usaeil rolled her eyes. “Did you really think I’d have you give a lecture and not be there watching? Of course, I saw it all. I witnessed the lecture, as well as Keltan coming up to you at dinner. Why do you think I said just the right things to get you to go to Dreagan?”
“You used me from the very beginning.”
“Yep,” the queen stated matter-of-factly.
Bernadette blew out a puff of air. “You have some nerve disrupting my life as you have.”
“Oh, please. Don’t play the hurt party with me. I know you’ve enjoyed the benefits of having a King pay attention to you. Trust me. I know all about it.”
“What happens now?”
Usaeil walked to Bernadette and stopped before her. “You can tell Keltan that if he and the other Kings don’t stand down, you’ll die.”
It was on the tip of Bernadette’s tongue to tell the queen that she couldn’t harm her, but she kept that part to herself. Instead, she made sure to show just enough fear that it was believable.