by Donna Grant
“This isn’t good,” Kinsey said as she looked while Esther and Denae quickly went to work on staunching the blood flow.
Eilish shifted on her feet. “It’ll be fine. It has to be fine.”
“You think she’s Keltan’s mate, don’t you?”
Eilish looked into Kinsey’s violet eyes and nodded. “I do.”
“Me, as well. If she dies—”
“She won’t,” Eilish said before Kinsey could finish the sentence.
Kinsey wrung her hands. “I should’ve known something was wrong the minute the cameras froze. None of Ryder’s creations go wrong.”
“This isn’t your fault. This is all on Usaeil. The bitch needs to die.”
“Without a doubt. Bloody hell. I wish I was on the battlefield with the others.”
Eilish fisted her hands. “You and me both.”
“The thing is, you can go.”
“I may want that, but I won’t leave. I’m not sure Usaeil won’t do something stupid and send others here to attack.”
Concern clouded Kinsey’s face. “You mean like mortals? Just like what happened to Bernadette.”
“I wouldn’t put it past her.”
“Shit. I need to warn Ryder.”
Eilish returned her attention to the bed. She hoped to get some kind of clue from Denae’s and Esther’s faces as to how Bernadette was doing, but she could tell nothing from their expressions. And there was no telling how long she’d have to wait before she found anything.
If only Sophie were there. But she was dealing with Claire, who had doubled over in pain before passing out. It was no coincidence that both Claire and Bernadette had been brought down nearly simultaneously.
Eilish sincerely hoped that Bernadette made it. No mate had died on the Kings, and she didn’t want this to be the first. Keltan, for all his talk of wanting to remain single, was someone who needed to find a mate the most. His belief that he was better off alone needed to be smashed.
Oddly enough, it had happened with Bernadette. The couple was so sweet together. Their love was so pure and beautiful, it was amazing to watch. The way they looked at each other, the way they both feverishly wanted to protect the other.
Everyone at Dreagan knew they were in love. Eilish suspected that Bernadette knew, as well. It was Keltan who was dragging his feet. She didn’t think it was because he didn’t want Bernadette, but because he feared what Usaeil might do if he did fall in love with the mortal.
And Keltan was right to have such a concern.
If Bernadette died, Eilish wasn’t sure what would happen to Keltan. The ones who shied away from love were the ones who fell the hardest. She should know. She’d been in his shoes not that long ago with Ulrik.
* * *
The battle raged endlessly. Keltan kept thinking that Con would show himself, but so far, the King of Kings had remained absent. Keltan was sure that had to do with Usaeil. No doubt she had some grand entrance planned for Con to cause shock and awe.
Keltan was surprised at how readily the Dark fought alongside them. He’d had to stop himself several times before he killed one, but that was because the Kings had fought the Dark for so long that it was ingrained in him to do just that.
Instead, he was slaying Light Fae. It boggled Keltan’s mind that they wouldn’t listen to anything being told to them. Whatever Usaeil had said to them worked. They were hers to control as she wished. The sad part was that the Light were dying for her, and she couldn’t care less about them.
He tipped his wing, ready to make another sweep over the battle when he spotted Usaeil. His gaze immediately went to Rhi. By her sudden change in direction, she, too, had seen Usaeil.
“Usaeil!” he said to the others through their link.
Everyone wanted a piece of the queen, but none more so than V. He actually started toward her, but Keltan knew that Rhi would beat him there. A part of Keltan wanted to unleash dragon fire on her, but he knew she would evade it just as she had with Cináed’s when he’d attempted it a few weeks ago during an altercation with her.
Keltan landed alongside Ulrik and shifted. He didn’t call for his sword, at least not yet. He didn’t need it to kill the Fae. He and Ulrik swept through a band of ten Light easily enough.
Even with the mass of people, Keltan could still pick out Usaeil. Her gold armor shone brighter than any other’s. She didn’t wear a helmet, but she did have a sword in each hand that she used with expert precision as she cut through the Dark who managed to get to her.
Just when Keltan thought he would get to see Usaeil and Rhi go head-to-head, the queen altered course at the same time a huge group of Light surrounded Rhi.
“Fuck,” Keltan said when he saw Balladyn casually walking toward Usaeil, his sword dripping blood.
Ulrik looked to where Keltan was and let out a string of curses.
Keltan glanced at the window where he’d seen Con, but there was no sign of him. He then looked at Rhi, wondering if he should help her out.
“Rhi is fine!” Ulrik shouted as they both dodged a volley of Light Fae orbs of magic.
Keltan agreed with Ulrik, and just as he was about to say something about them helping out Balladyn, Ulrik shook his head.
“Balladyn willna appreciate any help. No’ after what Usaeil did to him,” Ulrik explained.
Keltan ducked a blade swung at his head before he reached out his arm and twisted his hand, breaking the Light’s neck. “Rhi willna like it if Balladyn kills Usaeil before she does.”
“Neither will V.”
Keltan searched for V, only to find his friend doing his best to get to Usaeil.
“It doesna matter who kills Usaeil, as long as the bitch dies,” Ulrik said via the mental link.
Keltan knew that Ulrik had said that to everyone, but it was really for V. Keltan felt for V, he really did. Bernadette might not be carrying his child as Claire was for V, but Usaeil had nearly killed Bernadette—and that was even worse, in his book.
He wanted nothing more than to go straight for Usaeil, but Ulrik was right. It didn’t matter who got to her, only that she stopped breathing and her reign ended.
The Kings listened to Ulrik, but Rhi didn’t get the message. She fought off the thirty Fae meant to stop her and ran straight for Usaeil and Balladyn, who were already engaged in battle—with Balladyn getting the upper hand.
Keltan saw the moment Balladyn spotted Rhi. It was the same time Balladyn swung his sword. He pulled up, stopping the blade just shy of cutting Rhi as she reached them. But in doing so, he allowed Usaeil to move and get free.
Before anyone could guess what would happen, Usaeil had her sword at Rhi’s throat. The look on the queen’s face as she cut her eyes to Balladyn told anyone watching that this was exactly what she’d wanted.
Then, the entire battle came to a standstill with a new arrival—Con. He walked over the dead and through the Fae to get to the Dragon Kings. He locked gazes with Ulrik for a moment, but Con didn’t head their way.
“Did he speak to you?” Keltan asked.
Ulrik shook his head, a deep frown in place. “Nor would he answer me.”
“Perfect timing, my love,” Usaeil said as Con reached her.
Keltan winced when he saw Rhi’s eyes widen in shock.
“Fuck me,” Ulrik muttered.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
Just a few seconds earlier, the air had been filled with the sounds of battle. Now, you could have heard a pin drop. Keltan looked around at the other Kings to gauge their reactions.
They had expected something like this, so they hid their surprise well. Still, no matter what they had anticipated, to see Con choose Usaeil over them was … shocking.
And not at all something Keltan could comprehend.
“What did she do to him?” he whispered.
Ulrik lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I didna think her magic strong enough. I guess I was wrong.”
“This can no’ be happening.”
“Unfortunately, it is.”<
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Keltan met Ulrik’s gold gaze. “I’ll no’ stand with Usaeil. If I have to, I’ll challenge Con myself.”
“Every one of us will,” Ulrik replied.
What irritated Keltan the most were the smiles the Light wore as they looked at Con as if he were their savior. The Dark simply stood, waiting for Balladyn to tell them what to do.
“What fools all of you are,” Usaeil said to everyone. “You dare come to my home and attack me and my people? Who do you think you are?”
“Those wanting revenge,” V replied succinctly.
Usaeil didn’t hide her smile as she swung her silver eyes to him. “I thought you’d be happy, though I did warn you what would happen if any Kings attacked me.” Usaeil’s gaze then slid to Keltan. “I also gave another such warning.”
Keltan’s heart missed a beat.
“Doona listen to her,” Ulrik warned him.
Keltan knew that, but he couldn’t help it. Without hesitation, he opened the mental link. “Ryder? How is Bernadette?”
When there wasn’t an immediate reply, fear took hold of Keltan so strongly that his knees threatened to buckle. Nothing could be wrong with Bernadette. She was safe. They’d made sure of that. Usaeil couldn’t touch her.
“Keltan, I’m sorry,” Ryder finally answered. “Bernadette was stabbed by a human. We have her at Dreagan, and we’re doing everything we can.”
Usaeil started laughing. That’s when Keltan knew that he’d let his distress show on his face. He took a step toward the queen, but Ulrik quickly moved in front of him, putting a hand on Keltan’s chest.
“No’ yet,” Ulrik whispered tightly.
“Bernadette is hurt.”
“I know. Ryder just told me. She’s no’ the only one.”
Keltan frowned and looked at Ulrik. “Claire?”
“Aye.”
Usaeil then said, “There will be more. None of you has any right to be here, attacking us. If you doubt me, look to your King.”
Con had yet to say a word. Rhi’s fury could’ve scorched Con where he stood, but he wouldn’t look in her direction. Instead, he stared at Balladyn.
“Let Rhi go,” Balladyn ordered Usaeil.
The queen raised a black brow as she turned her head to him “Why would I do that? She attacked my home, intending to kill me.”
“Because you banished her simply because she quit her duties as Captain of the Queen’s Guard.”
“You don’t really believe I’m that petty, do you?” Usaeil asked Balladyn sweetly.
Keltan shook his head. “Do none of the Light see Usaeil for who she really is?”
“No,” Ulrik said sadly.
“They can no’ be that blind.”
But they were. Or at least they wanted so badly to believe their queen that they disregarded everything else. All they heard was hearsay. None of them had brought hard facts to the Light. If he were in the Lights’ shoes, he wouldn’t believe anyone either.
The standoff between Usaeil and Balladyn grew as the two glared at each other. Keltan looked around, waiting for the right moment to strike. He wanted the battle finished so he could get to Bernadette in case … He didn’t even want to finish the thought.
Keltan saw red well up on Rhi’s throat as Usaeil pushed the tip of the blade into her skin. The blood trailed down Rhi’s throat and into her shirt. Rhi stood still as stone, her eyes locked on Usaeil before she kicked out her foot and connected with Usaeil’s stomach.
The queen staggered backwards several steps before she gained her footing. Rhi ignored everyone who said her name as she advanced on the queen.
“You aren’t fit to rule,” Rhi told her. “I know none of the Light will believe me when I tell them that you created the Trackers who killed your family so you could take over. They won’t believe me when I tell them that you murdered every child you conceived. They won’t believe me when I tell them that you affiliated yourself with a group of Druids and Dark Fae to bring down the Dragon Kings. They won’t believe me when I tell them that you killed Inen, or that you asked Taraeth to kill Balladyn—only the previous king turned him Dark instead. They won’t believe that you went back to Taraeth recently and asked him to kill me. They won’t believe me when I tell them that you used a spell to make sure V’s mate conceived a child only for you to threaten that bairn’s life, as well as Claire’s, just because V stood against you.”
Keltan smiled when he saw that the Light were beginning to frown as Rhi listed off some of Usaeil’s crimes.
“They won’t believe me when I tell them that you’ve been killing Druids and taking their magic to add to your own,” Rhi continued. “And they won’t believe me when I tell them that you’re using glamour to hide the fact you’re really Dark.”
The last bit was the one that got the Lights’ attention and made the Dark glance at each other in confusion.
Usaeil issued a dismissive wave of her hand. “All you have are words. There is no proof.”
“It’s a long list of crimes against you. I don’t care if any of the Fae believe me or not. We both know the truth. And soon, so will everyone else,” Rhi said and raised her sword. “I’m tired of talking. Shall we get on with things?”
Usaeil grinned. “Let’s.”
Everyone on the field watched as Rhi and the queen collided, their swords clanging in the silence. Keltan knew that Rhi was an excellent warrior, but he hadn’t seen Usaeil in battle since the Fae Wars. He’d forgotten how good she was. In fact, it appeared they were equally matched.
That became apparent to everyone else, as well, including Usaeil. Her smile faltered, replaced by a determined frown. She tripped and went down on one knee, only to teleport behind Rhi at the last minute.
It was obviously a move Rhi was familiar with because she turned and raised her sword to block Usaeil’s blow before the queen ever appeared.
The two continued sparring, one gaining ground, and then the other taking it back. And neither showed signs that they were tiring.
Usaeil with her white armor against Rhi dressed in all black. Every eye was trained on the duo as they waited with baited breath to see who would ultimately win the skirmish.
Then, Rhi managed to knock one of Usaeil’s swords away. Two moves later, Rhi kicked Usaeil in the chest so hard that the queen landed on her back. Once more, Rhi turned, expecting Usaeil to appear behind her.
Instead, there was a quick intake of air. Except it didn’t come from Rhi.
Balladyn fell to his knees, Usaeil’s blade sticking out of his chest. He looked down at it, then slid his red eyes to Rhi. Usaeil yanked the weapon free of Balladyn and leaned over him to whisper something in his ear. Then she walked out from behind him and smiled.
Rhi rushed to Balladyn, catching him before he fell. Keltan and Ulrik quickly went to Balladyn’s side, as well. Ulrik was slower, his gaze on Con, condemning him for not doing something. When Keltan reached Rhi and Balladyn, he could see that the Dark’s wound was fatal.
“Con,” Rhi called. She looked at him, beseeching him with her silver eyes. “Please.”
Con hesitated but a moment before he started forward, but Usaeil moved to block him. “Where are you going?” she demanded angrily, her eyes flashing red.
“To help,” Con replied.
“I don’t want you helping him.”
Con gave a snort. “I doona care what you want.”
Keltan couldn’t believe what he was seeing, but he wanted more of it.
“Did you honestly think I was yours?” Con asked her, his eyes cutting her where she stood. “Did you really think your magic could control me? That I actually loved you?”
Her outrage caused her face to mottle red as she bit out, “You are mine.”
“That’s the sad part. If you had paid more attention, you would’ve noticed I never told you that I loved you. I was never yours, Usaeil, and I never will be. It was all a lie so I could see what you were up to. And in case it isna clear, I willna be stopping my brethren from tearin
g you apart. In fact, I’ll be joining them.”
“You’re making a big mistake,” Usaeil called after Con.
Keltan wanted to send up a cheer. He smiled and found his gaze lowering to Balladyn to see the Fae gazing up at Rhi as she watched Con and Usaeil. There was such love in Balladyn’s eyes that Keltan felt like an intruder watching something that shouldn’t be shared with anyone.
“I love you,” Balladyn said.
Rhi looked down at him. “I love you, too.”
Balladyn smiled sadly. “Like a brother.”
“I may not be in love with you, but I do love you,” Rhi whispered. “If you don’t believe anything else, believe that.”
Balladyn took her hand as he coughed. “Kick her arse, Rhi.”
“I’ll make sure she pays for what she’s done to you.”
Balladyn coughed again, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as Con reached him. “Do it for everyone she’s wronged, not just me. Do it for yourself. Do it for the love that was taken from you. Go now. I don’t want you to see me die.”
“But—” she started to argue.
Keltan understood what Balladyn needed. He touched Rhi’s shoulder and urged her to her feet. “Con’s here,” Keltan told her. “Let Balladyn see you finish with Usaeil.”
There were tears in Rhi’s eyes as she looked from Keltan back to Balladyn. She nodded to the King of the Dark and gave him a soft kiss on the lips. “You will be avenged,” she vowed.
Rhi softly lowered Balladyn to the ground and got to her feet without looking at Con. With her sword in hand, she turned to the queen. “You’re going to pay for that.”
“Pay for killing a Dark?” Usaeil asked with a laugh. “It’s what the Light have done for generations. You, yourself, have killed plenty. What’s one more?”
“That wasn’t just any Dark. That was Balladyn. The most famous general of your army, the one who was the most loyal to you, the one who was my friend!” Rhi bellowed, her anger growing with every word. “And you didn’t even give him the courtesy of an actual battle. You stabbed him in the back. Like a coward.”