Torched

by Donna Grant

  Con grinned, the corners of his black eyes crinkling. “Then I should thank her.”

  Ulrik couldn’t quite believe he was welcome at Dreagan once more. He wanted to go to Eilish, but he couldn’t stop looking at the sky.

  “Fly,” Con urged. “You’ve more than earned it.”

  Ulrik didn’t need to be told twice. He shifted and jumped as he spread his wings. It only took a few flaps before he was in the air. He flew around mountains, dipped down to touch the tips of his wings in the loch, and dropped low in the glen. The joy that blossomed quickly spread, surrounding him.

  It felt so good to be flying that Ulrik didn’t think he’d ever touch the ground again. Then he thought of Eilish. She was the reason he would not only return to human form but also do it gladly.

  Movement came up on his right. Ulrik looked over when he spied gold scales. He met Con’s gaze as they maneuvered through the mountains as they’d done eons ago and watched the sun crest the horizon.

  To be flying with Con again was glorious. Somehow, despite everything, there had been forgiveness on both sides. Through sorrow and pain, their friendship, their brotherhood was stronger than ever.

  Their family was stronger, as well.

  “You do know we can be picked up by satellites,” Ulrik said through their metal link.

  Con laughed. “That was taken care of long ago. Besides, we have a friend in MI5.”

  “Ah. Henry.” How could Ulrik have forgotten the mortal?

  “He’s been a great asset. It’s something I never thought I’d say about a human.”

  Ulrik diverted and turned toward the manor and Dreagan mountain. They came in from the back, flying low. While Con flew into the cave opening, Ulrik took one more loop around. As he made his way to the entrance, he spotted Eilish. She wore a wide grin while watching him. But his heart ached for her because, while she wasn’t the only one who was at the cave opening, she stood alone, apart from all the others.

  There were many at Dreagan who wouldn’t want either him or Eilish there. While he could endure the anger, he couldn’t put Eilish through that.

  Ulrik landed just outside the cave. He motioned for her to follow him inside as he walked past the others to where Con was tugging on a pair of jeans.

  There was a part of Ulrik who still wanted to call to his Silvers and wake them. But he didn’t. Not only wouldn’t it be fair to the other Kings who didn’t have their dragons, but the Silvers wouldn’t be able to live freely. They’d be kept hidden, trapped in a world that could never know about them. It was far better for them to remain sleeping until another dragon bridge could be opened.

  While the Kings and their mates gathered around, Ulrik looked at Eilish. Who would’ve known that a mortal Druid would be the one to pull him back from the precipice of war?

  He shifted into his human form, ignoring the cheers from the others. Con tossed him a pair of jeans that he quickly donned. Out of the corner of his eye, Ulrik saw something coming at him. He raised his hand and snatched the object from the air.

  As soon as his fingers wrapped around the metal, he knew it was the cuff. Ulrik returned it to his wrist and gave Con a nod of thanks. Then Con called the others to gather around him.

  Ulrik made his way to Eilish. He slid his hands around her and pulled her close before kissing her deeply. Thoroughly.

  She pulled back, giving him a look as if he had just saved the world. “You didn’t challenge him.”

  “I couldna.”

  “I’m glad,” she said, running her fingers through his hair.

  Behind him, the conversation grew louder so that he maneuvered her to a secluded spot.

  She laughed and raised a brow. “What’s wrong? Shout your victory over Mikkel and the banishment being lifted long and loud, I say. Or you could fly around some more because that was hot.”

  “Is that so?” he asked with a grin.

  “Oh, definitely.”

  Though he’d known it for a while, it wasn’t until that moment that he knew he couldn’t part from Eilish. Ever. She was his mate, the one who would hold his heart for eternity. The love of his life.

  “You know, I’ve been lamenting everything Mikkel did,” she said. “But we can also look at it as a blessing. Without his interference, you might have challenged Con.”

  “And I wouldna have met you.”

  She grinned up at him seductively. “There is that, as well.”

  He blinked and looked at her jacket again. “Is that chainmail?”

  “Yep. My kind of armor,” she said with a slight lift of one shoulder.

  “You’re an amazing woman.”

  A dark brow arched as she gave him a scathing look. “You’re just now realizing that?”

  He chuckled at her teasing tone. “I knew it from the first moment we spoke at Graves. But I like to keep such things to myself.”

  “I know.” She spoke softly, all jesting gone.

  Ulrik shifted uneasily, not quite sure what the emotion was that made him like he might be sick. Then it hit him—nervousness. Nothing and no one had made him feel anything close to that in so long. It surprised him.

  “Your power intrigued me. Your beauty enthralled me. Your courage captivated me. I thought I knew all there was to know about mortals. Then I met you.” He swallowed as his heart rate increased, and he was struck by another dose of anxiety. “You acknowledge the darkness within you, but it doesna frighten you. Nor does it tempt you.”

  “You told me not to let it.” She cleared her throat and touched his tattoo when her gaze lowered to his chest. “I began having dreams about a man with a dragon tattoo—this exact tat—before I came to Ireland. I knew that man was going to end my life, though I didn’t know his face, only the tattoo.”

  Ulrik jerked at her words. “Why did you no’ mention this before?”

  “I didn’t know it was you until we had sex.”

  “And you didna push me away? I doona understand.”

  She licked her lips and looked up at him. “Because of the way you made me feel. I went in knowing that you could be the one to kill me, but I didn’t care. I wanted to know you. All of you. Then, last night, my dream became a reality.”

  “How?” he asked, his heart thudding in his chest.

  “You rushed me when Mikkel threw the knife that was meant for me. So, while I thought that you would end my life all of these years, you were actually my savior.”

  He cupped her face with his hands, utterly amazed by the woman before him. “I should let you go. I should send you back to Ireland and tell you to get on with your life.”

  “But you won’t.” Though her words were fierce, there was doubt in her gaze.

  “Nay, I won’t. Because I can no’. I need you.”

  Her eyes filled with tears that she hastily blinked away.

  To his shock, his throat clogged with emotion. “Doona be too happy. Our lives will be difficult. There will be some who doona want either us of here.”

  “I don’t care, as long as I’m with you. I’ll endure anything with you by my side.”

  “Hold your words until you’re faced with it.”

  She smiled and shook her head as more tears gathered. “My heart doesn’t change so easily. There isn’t much about my life that has been easy, but the one thing I know above anything else is that I love you.”

  Hearing her say it again now that he could admit that he did have feelings for her was freeing, as if all the chains around his heart had been shattered in one fell swoop. He suspected her words and actions had been chipping away at them for some time, but that didn’t matter. The important thing was that he was no longer dead inside.

  Because a Druid with green-gold eyes and steely determination brought him back to life.

  “I love you,” he whispered.

  The tears that she’d been holding back began to fall. But it was the joy on her face that had him smiling. He lowered his head for a kiss, sealing their words with desire.

  Suddenly
, there was a thunderous cheer behind them. Ulrik turned with Eilish still in his arms to see all of the Dragon Kings and mates shouting and clapping. For them.

  Con stood off to the side, smiling.

  Ulrik knew then that he’d never been meant for Nala. His true mate was Eilish. It had taken death, banishment, madness, and countless centuries for him to finally have the happiness and peace he’d always wanted.

  As the Kings and mates surrounded them, he exchanged a look with Eilish. When everyone began to talk at once, he started laughing and held onto her tighter. His brave, beautiful Druid was unwavering in her loyalty and steadfast in her courage. She might bend, but she would never break.

  The life before them would have its bumps, but Ulrik knew without a doubt that their love would only grow stronger.

  A Dragon King and a Druid.

  And a love for the ages.

  CHAPTER FORTY-SIX

  It had been a long time since Ulrik wore a smile. And he couldn’t seem to stop. He wasn’t even irked that Con had taken him from Eilish’s arms so early in the morning.

  His steps were light as he walked the tunnels to Con’s mountain. To say he’d been shocked to discover that Con had kept a room for him at the manor all these years was an understatement.

  After the cheers, Ulrik had issued an apology to all those he’d harmed in his quest for vengeance. He told Lily how he’d saved her and, to his surprise, she rose up and gave him a kiss on the cheek. Darcy and Rachel and even Sophie weren’t as forgiving. Though, they did accept his apology, which was a step in the right direction.

  There was a homecoming with the other Kings, and it was easy for Ulrik to put his old hurts behind him and look to the future. He’d looked over at one point and saw Eilish returning Kinsey’s memories, too.

  Then Ulrik saw Nikolai, who had hurried back to Dreagan with Esther and Henry. That’s when the celebration truly began. Barrels of whisky kept for special celebrations were taken out of storage.

  Amidst laughter and smiles, new memories were being made to wipe away the past. It was a fresh start that Ulrik hadn’t realized he needed or wanted. And it had all happened with Eilish by his side.

  As soon as they were able, they’d slipped away and spent the rest of the day and night in Ulrik’s chamber making love and talking. It had been a truly glorious day. One filled with wonder, contentment, love, and peace. He’d never had one like it before, but he knew there was more coming.

  Because he had Eilish.

  Ulrik had also searched out Eireen’s soul. He let her know that her daughter was safe and loved, and that the Duffys would never harm anyone else. He’d spent a long time with Eireen, speaking about Patrick, Donal, and Eilish.

  The tears Eilish had cried when he relayed the message of love from her mum were ones of love and peace. And closure.

  As he reached Con’s mountain, Ulrik began searching for him, going lower and lower beneath the ground until he finally found him in a small cavern. He sat staring at the weapon he kept hidden from all.

  Ulrik stopped at the entrance to the cave and leaned against the wall. “I should remind you that it isna verra nice to drag a man from the comfort of his woman’s arms so early in the morning.”

  Con didn’t turn to look at him.

  “If you wanted to show me the weapon, I already know about it. I found it years ago,” Ulrik said.

  Con had his hands in his pants’ pockets when he slowly turned to face Ulrik. “I know. I called you down here to show you this.”

  When Con took a step to the side, Ulrik’s gaze moved to where the weapon was supposed to be. Only, the spot was empty.

  He pushed away from the wall in shock and hurried toward Con for a closer look. “When? How?”

  “I was hoping you had it.”

  He shot Con a flat look. “I admit, I thought about it, but I didna take the weapon.”

  “Then who did?”

  “We’ll know soon enough.”

  Con raked a hand through his hair. “Just when I thought things would be better after taking one enemy off the list, it looks like we have another. And they have the weapon that can kill us.”

  “Notify the others. Everyone needs to be on high alert.”

  “I’d hoped to deal with Usaeil today. It looks like that will have to wait,” Con said and walked out of the cavern.

  Ulrik fell into step beside him. “Rhi willna be postponed much longer.”

  “I know.”

  “What happened after you and Usaeil vanished from the battle?”

  Con blew out a frustrated breath. “She brought us somewhere in Ireland. Then she got naked. When I showed no interest, she fought me again.”

  “She’s unhinged.”

  “She gave some of her magic to your uncle,” Con stated. “She’s more than unhinged. And you doona need to say it. I know it was a mistake to take her to my bed.”

  Ulrik glanced at his friend. “She’s been a hassle while trying to get you to make her your mate. When she stops that and decides war is the answer, then you need to worry.”

  “Well, then I’m worried. She officially declared war on me when I refused her this last time.”

  Ulrik halted and jerked his head to Con. “Why did you no’ say anything?”

  “We were celebrating your return.”

  “Con—”

  He hurriedly spoke over Ulrik. “You deserved the time. I just wish I had more to give you.”

  “I have eternity.”

  “So you’ve asked Eilish to be your mate?”

  Ulrik grinned as he thought about his Druid. “That’s my plan for today.”

  “Then get your arse to her and do it. Our enemies are no’ going anywhere.”

  Ulrik didn’t need to be told twice. Not wanting to take the time to walk back to Dreagan Manor, he touched his cuff and was once more inside his chamber.

  “There you are,” Eilish said as she stretched beneath the covers after briefly cracking open an eye.

  He walked to the bed and climbed in. Pulling her into his arms, he couldn’t stop staring at the sleepy look on her face. “Are you awake?”

  “Uh-huh.” She blinked up at him. “See.”

  “We talked about a lot of things yesterday.”

  She nodded, frowning. “Yep. Like the fact that you haven’t watched Guardians of the Galaxy. We need to remedy that. Like today. Actually, I need to baptize you in the entire Marvel Universe.”

  “As you wish. But … there is something else.”

  “Oh, yeah?” she asked with a grin. She rolled so that she rested her arms on his chest. “What’s that?”

  He tugged at her hair. “You being my mate.”

  “Mate?” Her face grew serious.

  “I want you with me for eternity, Eilish. I know it’s a big step, and we can wait if that’s what you want.”

  “No,” she stated and shifted so she was sitting cross-legged, facing him. “I thought it was what you’d want. You know, to make sure I didn’t change my mind or fall out of love with you.”

  Ulrik yanked her down atop him before rolling her onto her back. “I know what I feel. And I trust you.”

  “I love you so much.”

  “So, you’ll be my mate? My wife?”

  She nodded, her smile wide. “Gladly.”

  “Get ready, Druid, because now that I have you, I’m no’ letting go.”

  Hooking her leg over him, she flipped him onto his back to straddle him. With her dark hair in disarray, she looked down at him with desire. “That’s a good thing since I don’t plan on ever letting you go either.”

  “I love you,” he whispered. It felt wonderful to finally say the words.

  And the smile on Eilish’s face was even better.

  She leaned down until their lips were nearly touching. “I love you.”

  He captured her lips and let the outside world fall away. Con was right, their enemies weren’t going anywhere, and he had the most beautiful woman in the world in his arms.<
br />
  His woman.

  His Druid.

  His love.

  EPILOGUE

  Two days later …

  V stood with his arms crossed over his chest, his gaze locked on a golden eagle diving from the sky as it went in for a kill. At one time, the dragons had been so free. He’d never get used to how things were now, but he also knew there was very little hope of the dragons ever returning.

  But there was something he wanted, something that the mortals had taken from him.

  “V,” Ulrik said as he strode up.

  He dropped his arms and faced Ulrik. “How does it feel to be back?”

  “It’s no’ fully sunk in yet.”

  It was odd to see that easy smile back on Ulrik’s face. “I’m glad things have been mended. It was no’ the same without you here.”

  “I want you to know that I’m going to help you.”

  V frowned. “With what?”

  “Finding your sword. Con and I agree that it should’ve been seen to ages ago.”

  V glanced at the mountains, his hands fisted at his sides. He’d been planning to leave Dreagan in the morning to begin his search again. Now, he wouldn’t have to do it alone. His elation dimmed when he thought of the threats against Dreagan—especially the knowledge that someone had stolen the weapon that could kill them all.

  “We can no’,” he said.

  Ulrik clapped a hand on V’s shoulder. “We can, and we are. We may no’ be able to go after it right away, but Ryder is already searching. Roman has begun using his power over metals to search for it, as well.”

  V felt his lips curl into a smile. “I’m no’ complete without my sword.”

  “You willna have to wait much longer, my friend. You’ve suffered enough.”

  V nodded as Ulrik walked away. He had endured a lot since his sword was taken, and the humans responsible were long dead. But whoever was still hiding it would pay a heavy price.

  * * *

  Con watched Vaughn drive off with Harriett Smythe and Stanley Upton to meet up with Henry’s connection in MI5 that would see the two prosecuted for the murders of those who spoke against Kyvor. It was a good feeling to have another enemy—even a mortal one—removed from the playing field.