Torched
Page 32
He turned and made his way back into the manor before climbing the stairs to his office. He was still uneasy about his conversation with Rhi. The Light Fae hadn’t taken the news about Usaeil well. Rhi didn’t utter a word in response, but he’d felt her rage in the way her silver eyes glared at him.
The battle with Usaeil was coming quicker than he wanted. It wasn’t that he feared fighting the queen. In fact, he was looking forward to it. What worried him was Rhi. Things could either go well.…
Or they could be disastrous.
If anything happened to Rhi, Con knew the other Kings would rise up. And so would the Warriors and Druids. Then the battle with Usaeil would turn into a war with the Light and even possibly the Dark.
Keeping that away from the mortals was a nightmare in the making.
He ran a hand down his face as he walked into his office. Then came to a halt when he found a petite woman with black hair standing near the window. She turned and pushed her glasses up her nose before straightening the jacket of her grey pantsuit.
“Ms. Engel,” he said as he walked around his desk and sank into his chair. “I didna expect you. Please sit.”
She clasped her hands before her. “I think I’d rather stand for this.”
Blossom Engel had been in his employ for years. She’d been a dedicated assistant each time he attended the World Whisky Consortium, and she’d graciously extended those duties to Asher this last time. Prompt, intelligent, and always thinking ahead, Blossom wasn’t exactly homely. She was simply someone who faded into the background as those in her position were supposed to do.
Still. There was something about her that ignited a spark of recognition, but no matter how hard he tried, Con could never figure out why. He’d even asked her once, but her replies had given him nothing to connect how he might know her.
“Is there a problem?” he asked.
She nodded slowly. “There is.”
He shifted his head to try and see her eyes, but the way her glasses sat on her face made it tricky. “Perhaps you’d better tell me.”
“It’ll be easier to show you.”
“Show?” he asked in confusion.
The word was barely out of his mouth before the dowdy Blossom Engel was gone, and in her place stood a striking woman with lavender eyes and long, thick black hair that fell to her waist. A black tulle gown accented with a pale green underskirt graced her amazing body.
He slowly got to his feet as his gaze ran up and down her. It was then he felt the magic. It was unlike anything he’d sensed in a very long time. There were hints of Fae in it, but also something different … something stronger.
This wasn’t the first time he’d felt such power. In fact, he had experienced it on multiple occasions. How had he missed it? How had he not connected the dots that led right to her?
“I wanted to get to know you before I showed you who I am,” she said. “I wanted to do it some time ago, but the longer I held off, the harder it became to tell you.”
Con narrowed his eyes at her, a mixture of anger and worry filling him. “And just who are you?”
“My name is Erith, but most know me as Death.”
“Death?” Reapers. Con should’ve known.
Her lips curved into a smile. “I’ve watched you for a long time, Constantine. A very long time. Even before I first came to you. That initial visit was more than I expected, and I tried to stay away, but you and the other Kings intrigue me.”
“So you returned without bothering to tell me who you were?” He didn’t care that his tone was full of indignation.
“It was never meant to be harmful or disrespectful in any way. I admire you. You’ve done well with what has happened to your brethren. I’m also pleased to see that you and Ulrik have set aside your differences.”
“What do you want?” he demanded. The idea that another being had been watching him and pretending to be an employee grated on his already stretched nerves.
“I know you’re angry,” she said. “I’m sorry for that. I come to you now for a couple of reasons. One, I want to help you. And two, my Reapers have already visited you.”
The Reapers again.
She sighed, her shoulders dropping slightly. “Cael.”
Con raised a brow. A moment later, the Reaper appeared by Erith’s side. Con glared at the two of them.
Cael looked between Death and Con before he told Con, “I did say I’d figure out a way to prove to you who we were.”
Fuck. Con missed the days when there was nothing going on, when there weren’t a dozen enemies coming for them, and the year stretched endlessly before him. “So you did.”
“Cael is only here to prove who I am,” Erith said. “Con, I—”
But Cael interrupted her. “Where have you been?”
She didn’t answer him, refused to even look at him. Con looked between the two. It made him feel better knowing that he wasn’t the only one who had problems with those he led.
Erith continued talking. “Con, people are starting to look hard at Dreagan. Everyone here is reclusive, but it’s making the mortals uneasy. You need to have some of the Kings get out and move among the humans, especially in the village. I’m afraid if you don’t, the mortals might become a bigger problem for you.”
Though he was loath to admit it, Erith had a point. He watched how Cael stared at Death while she continued to ignore him. The tension between them was palpable, and Con was interested to know what the story was between the two. But it would have to wait.
“Why do the Kings interest you?” he asked.
It was Cael who answered, “Because we’re battling an enemy that may very well find his way to you.”
“Bran,” Ulrik said from the doorway.
Con looked past Erith and Cael to Ulrik. “How do you know?”
“Balladyn,” Ulrik said as he walked into the office and came to stand beside Con. “And from what Balladyn told me, Bran is building quite an army of Dark Fae.”
Cael’s lips pressed into a thin line while Erith’s gaze lowered briefly.
“I’ll warn the others,” Cael said before he vanished.
Erith blew out a breath. Her gaze landed on Con’s wrists before she smiled slightly. “I hope my problem doesn’t become yours, but I thought you should be warned.”
“Can we help?” Con asked as he touched his dragon head cufflinks that she had given him. It wasn’t as if he wanted another enemy, but Death and the Reapers could be good allies, and right now, the Kings needed those. Especially now that Usaeil had declared war on him.
Death gave him a benevolent smile. “There may come a time we can help each other. If you ever need me, just say my name. Good luck, Constantine,” she said before she disappeared.
“Well, hell,” Ulrik said with wide eyes. “Reapers.”
“You’re stuck on that? I’m wrapping my head around Death.”
Isle of Eigg
The wind whipped around them as if attempting to remove them from the isle. But Henry knew that wouldn’t happen. He stood off to the side and watched as his sister, Esther, and her mate, Nikolai, spoke to an old man.
Henry wanted to ignore whatever prophecy had proclaimed him the JusticeBringer, but it was rather difficult when he’d seen firsthand that Esther was the TruthSeeker. Not to mention the dreams he’d been having.
It looked as if he didn’t have a choice now. Ever since he’d been brought into the Dragon King world, he’d encountered some horrifying beings, magic he could barely comprehend, and love that transcended time.
Esther had found her love. Now, Henry just needed to convince Rhi that she was his. But that had been put on hold while he figured out the JusticBringer thing.
In truth, he was terrified. Esther had readily accepted her role, but Henry wasn’t quite so thrilled. He just hoped he didn’t fuck anything up. So much seemed to ride upon his shoulders now.
This went way beyond tracking the Dark. At least now, maybe he could be a part of the war instead o
f standing on the sidelines. Perhaps then Rhi would see that he was worthy of her love.
Dreagan
The rusted length of metal warmed before it became malleable in his hands. Roman worked the strip of iron into a ball before laying it on the table. He shaped it into the form of a dragon that would replace one of those hanging on the outside of the manor.
In his workshop within his mountain, Roman could forget about the numerous enemies the Kings had. He could pour his worries and anxiety into the various works of art that were displayed around Dreagan, Laith’s pub, and the village.
Next up was the sign he’d been asked to make for the village’s Big Brother group. They’d tried to pay him, but Roman didn’t need money. Besides, the children needed it much more than he did.
He immersed himself in the metalwork, molding it this way and that until it formed exactly what he wanted. If he couldn’t have his Light Blues with him, he had to have something to focus on.
The art was a poor substitute for his dragons, but it was better than going insane.
Fae Realm
The darkness was going swallow her whole. Rhi knew it and accepted it. It was the price she’d pay for fighting Usaeil—and it would be worth it.
The queen had been her friend. It made Rhi sick to her stomach to think of all the times she’d gone to Usaeil with her troubles and listened to the advice the queen had given her. Now, Rhi knew everything Usaeil had said and done was to hurt her.
And Usaeil had accomplished that perfectly.
Rhi walked among the debris and ruins of the destroyed Light Castle. She’d hoped to never see another Fae castle destroyed. But it was bound to happen.
And she was the one who would bring it down. Piece by piece.
Stone by stone.
And Rhi would be smiling when she killed Usaeil.
Coming soon.…
DRAGON FIRE
A Dark Kings novel
Available in November 2018
Also by DONNA GRANT
THE DARK KING SERIES
Dark Heat
Darkest Flame
Fire Rising
Burning Desire
Hot Blooded
Night’s Blaze
Soul Scorched
Passion Ignites
Smoldering Hunger
Smoke and Fire
Firestorm
Blaze
Heat
THE SONS OF TEXAS SERIES
The Hero
The Protector
The Legend
THE HEART OF TEXAS SERIES
Christmas Cowboy Hero
THE DARK WARRIOR SERIES
Midnight’s Master
Midnight’s Lover
Midnight’s Seduction
Midnight’s Warrior
Midnight’s Kiss
Midnight’s Captive
Midnight’s Temptation
Midnight’s Promise
THE DARK SWORD SERIES
Dangerous Highlander
Forbidden Highlander
Wicked Highlander
Untamed Highlander
Shadow Highlander
Darkest Highlander
THE REAPERS E-NOVELLA SERIES
Dark Alpha’s Claim
Dark Alpha’s Embrace
Dark Alpha’s Demand
Dark Alpha’s Lover
Praise for Donna Grant
The Dark King series
“Loaded with subtle emotions, sizzling chemistry, and some provocative thoughts on the real choices [Grant’s] characters are forced to make as they choose their loves for eternity.”
—RT Book Reviews (4 stars)
“Vivid images, intense details, and enchanting characters grab the reader’s attention and [don’t] let go.”
—Night Owl Reviews (Top Pick)
The Dark Warrior series
“The world of the Immortal Warriors is a thoroughly engaging one, blending powerful ancient gods, fiery desire, and touchingly human love, which readers will surely want to revisit.”
—RT Book Reviews
“[Grant] blends ancient gods, love, desire, and evil-doers into a world you will want to revisit over and over again.”
—Night Owl Reviews
“Sizzling love scenes and engaging characters.”
—Publishers Weekly
“Ms. Grant mixes adventure, magic and sweet love to create the perfect romance[s].”
—Single Title Reviews
The Dark Sword series
“Grant creates a vivid picture of Britain centuries after the Celts and Druids tried to expel the Romans, deftly merging magic and history. The result is a wonderfully dark, delightfully well-written [series]. Readers will eagerly await the next Dark Sword book.”
—RT Book Reviews
“Another fantastic series that melds the paranormal with the historical life of the Scottish highlander in this arousing and exciting adventure.”
—Bitten By Books
“These are some of the hottest brothers around in paranormal fiction.”
—Nocturne Romance Reads
“Will keep readers spellbound.”
—Romance Reviews Today
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s the author of more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the bestselling Dark King stories. The acclaimed series features a thrilling combination of dragons, the Fae, and Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.
Want to know when Donna’s next book is available? You can sign up for her newsletter at www.DonnaGrant.com, follow her on twitter @donna_grant, or like her Facebook page at facebook.com/AuthorDonnaGrant, or sign up for email updates here.
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CONTENTS
Title Page
Copyright Notice
Dedication
Acknowledgments
Part One
Prologue
Chapter One
Chapter Two
Chapter Three
Chapter Four
Chapter Five
Chapter Six
Chapter Seven
Chapter Eight
Chapter Nine
Chapter Ten
Chapter Eleven
Chapter Twelve
Chapter Thirteen
Chapter Fourteen
Chapter Fifteen
Chapter Sixteen
Chapter Seventeen
Chapter Eighteen
Chapter Nineteen
Chapter Twenty
Chapter Twenty-One
Chapter Twenty-Two
Part Two
Chapter Twenty-Three
Chapter Twenty-Four
Chapter Twenty-Five
Chapter Twenty-Six
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Chapter Thirty
Chapter Thirty-One
Chapter Thirty-Two
Chapter Thirty-Three
Chapter Thirty-Four
Chapter Thirty-Five
Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Chapter Thirty-Eight
Chapter Thirty-Nine
Chapter Forty
Chapter Forty-One
Chapter Forty-Two
Chapter Forty-Three
Chapter Forty-Four
Chapter Forty-Five
Chapter Forty-Six
Epilogue
Als
o by Donna Grant
Praise for Donna Grant
About the Author
Copyright
This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.
TORCHED
Copyright © 2018 by Donna Grant.
Jacket design by Crystal Ben; man © FXQuadro/Shutterstock.com; smoke © Lifestyle Studio/Shutterstock.com; flame © Artpixelgraphy Studio/Shutterstock.com; fire © Bernatskaya Oxana/Shutterstock.com
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