by Donna Grant
Ulrik pushed off the wall, a dark look coming over his face. “What does that mean?”
Rhi shook her head. “I need to calm down. I’ll be back.”
V watched her leave while Con turned back to the map. V jerked his head toward Rhi, letting Ulrik know he was going after her.
It didn’t take him long to catch up to the Fae. V fell into step beside her. “Slow down.”
“Go back to Con,” she told him.
“Rhi, stop.”
She came to a halt so fast that he had taken two steps before he realized she’d stopped. “Why? What can you say to me that is going to help? Huh?”
“I don’t know,” he admitted. “I’m no’ good at these things.”
She rolled her eyes. “Then why are you here?”
“Because someone needed to talk to you.”
“And you drew the short straw?” she asked sarcastically.
V drew in a deep breath. “You were in Iceland. You saw the extremes the Others have gone to. Can you stand here and tell me you are no’ a little worried? And I doona need to remind you about New York.”
“I don’t care that Usaeil is part of the Others. I just want her dead and gone before she does something to my people that will destroy them.”
“We agree that Usaeil needs to be dethroned but finding answers about the Others is important. We should be cautious.”
Her gaze snapped back to V. “Cautious? That’s the last thing we need to be. It’s what she expects. And she will be anything but.”
“You want a victory over her, right?”
Rhi gave him a flat look. “Obviously.”
“Then set aside the vengeance that rides you. And I can tell you this because I was in your shoes no’ too long ago. My rashness nearly ruined things. You’re too smart to make the same mistakes. And, as you say, it’s what Usaeil expects.”
Silence met his words before Rhi licked her lips and turned her head away, all the ire gone from her countenance. “You’re right.”
“We’ll win this. Just be a wee bit more patient. We have to take care of things here before we can set the battle in motion.”
Rhi smiled, though it was a bit forced. Her gaze met his. “I heard about your woman. Claire, right? Tell her I said hello.”
“She’s here. Why no’ go see her?”
“It’s not really the time.”
“Aye,” V said with a nod. Then he grinned. “She is great.”
This time, it was a genuine smile on Rhi’s face. “I can see the difference in you since she’s been around. Happiness looks good on you, V.”
He let that sink in as Rhi went back to Con and Ulrik. V’s thoughts turned to Claire. He was happy. Extremely so. And he never wanted it to end.
The smile faded as he thought of the Others. Going to Ireland was the wrong thing to do. He knew it in the pit of his soul. And yet, Usaeil needed to be dealt with in order to bring a blow not just to her, but also to the Others. Con might be able to lead Usaeil to some other location that could give them an advantage, but how much of one?
They couldn’t chance underestimating Usaeil. And the queen had shown the lengths she was willing to go to in order to get what she wanted. Taking the battle to the Fae’s land of choice would put the Kings at a disadvantage.
Or would it?
CHAPTER THIRTY-SIX
“It’s no’ a bad idea,” Ulrik said a few hours later.
V inwardly patted himself on the back. After another heated exchange between Rhi and Con when they couldn’t decide on who would go after Usaeil first, they had all decided on a little break. Except V and Ulrik stayed behind to keep planning.
“Of course, it isna,” V said.
“I’m no’ sure Con or Rhi will be happy about it.”
“I’d rather be prepared than sorry. And both will realize it’s a strategic move.”
Ulrik ran a hand down his face. “I had a tenuous affiliation with Balladyn. I’ll talk to him. But you’re coming with me.”
V didn’t even have time to respond before Ulrik put a hand on his shoulder and touched the silver bracelet on his wrist that allowed him to teleport.
When V blinked, he stood in a hallway with soaring ceilings and giant columns. It wasn’t overly decorated to show wealth, but anyone could see they were in a place of power.
“Welcome to the Dark Palace,” Ulrik said.
V cut his eyes to him. “How much time did you spend here?”
“More than you’ll ever know,” Ulrik mumbled before he started walking.
The hallway was wide and deserted, but V kept on the lookout just the same. They turned a corner and spotted four tall Fae guarding a set of double wooden doors.
As soon as the Dark noticed them, one knocked on the door and opened one of them wide enough to enter. He was back out a moment later. The four then turned to allow V and Ulrik entry.
Ulrik never slowed his steps. Nor did he give the guards even a glance. V followed his example and soon found himself in an opulent chamber that stretched far in either direction.
He stopped beside Ulrik, and his gaze landed on a tall figure dressed all in black. Balladyn had the unmistakable good looks of a Fae, even with his red eyes and the silver streaks in his long, black hair.
The King of the Dark stood with his arms crossed over his chest and his feet braced apart. There was no welcoming smile as he stared at Ulrik. “After your return to Dreagan, I never expected to see you again,” he said with a thick Irish accent.
“You know how quickly things change. I didna forget about our pact.”
Balladyn snorted. “So, you think that means you can visit whenever you want? And bring another King into my domain?”
“It’s about Rhi,” V interjected.
Ulrik’s lips flattened as he leaned sideways toward V and whispered, “I was about to say that.”
Balladyn’s red eyes shifted to V. “Who are you?”
“Vlad. But most call me V.”
The king dropped his arms to his sides. “What about Rhi?”
“She’s going after Usaeil.”
“Tell me something I don’t know,” Balladyn snapped.
It was Ulrik who said, “It’s happening soon.”
“I knew it,” Balladyn said to himself. He nodded and sucked in a breath. “If Rhi is planning with you, then I know she’s in good hands.”
It was obvious just how much Balladyn cared for Rhi, and V planned to use that to his advantage. “Rhi believes the battle should be here. In Ireland.”
Balladyn raised a brow. “Where else would it be?”
“It’s a big world,” Ulrik stated.
V wanted to return to Claire so there was no use drawing out this conversation. “We want the Dark to join us in this fight.”
Balladyn stared at him a moment before his lips curved into a smile. “I never thought I’d see the day a Dragon King would ask for my help.”
“We only do it because of Rhi and your feelings for her,” Ulrik said.
That wiped the grin from Balladyn’s face.
V lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “The move is yours. You know Usaeil and her tricks. Rhi is powerful. Will it be enough against Usaeil, though?”
“The Kings will be fighting with Rhi,” Balladyn said.
Ulrik nodded. “Aye. We will.”
“Then why are you concerned?” Balladyn looked between the two of them. “Because you are. I can see it.”
Ulrik sighed and glanced in V’s direction. “There’s a new enemy out there.”
Balladyn quirked a brow, his interest piqued. “Is that so? Who is it that can cause the Kings to show such worry?”
“We call them the Others,” V said.
By the muscle jumping in Ulrik’s jaw, he wasn’t happy that V had shared such information. But as he stood there, V realized there was a possibility that Balladyn might know something about this secretive group.
And since the Dark’s face had gone slack, V had been right.
Ulrik took a step forward and quickly said, “What do you know?”
Balladyn gave a quick shake of his head. “Not much. Very little actually. Just something written in one of my books,” he said and motioned behind him.
V looked beyond Balladyn to the shelves filled with books and scrolls that he hadn’t paid attention to before. “What did you find out?”
“Just the mention of them. The Others,” Balladyn said. “It was only once, written in the margin of a book.”
Ulrik walked past him to the bookcases. “Which one? Let us see.”
“Perhaps you’ve forgotten who rules here,” Balladyn said as he turned to stare at Ulrik.
V moved to the King of the Dark. “I apologize for our brashness, but this group is extremely powerful.”
“Don’t play that card with me. I know the Kings are the most powerful beings on this realm.”
Ulrik fisted his hands by his sides and turned his head to Balladyn. “The Others consist of mie and drough Druids, as well as Dark and Light Fae. They combined their magic.”
“Fek me,” Balladyn murmured, apprehension filling his continence.
“Precisely,” V said. “And while you may no’ understand how powerful their magic is, let me say that it was enough to get into my head and repress certain memories.”
Balladyn didn’t say another word. He walked to a bookcase and reached high above him to pull a small, green book from the shelf and set it on the table.
Ulrik moved to Balladyn’s right and V to the King of the Dark’s left as they watched him thumb through the pages until he came to it. Balladyn pointed to the script in a Fae dialect.
“There,” the Dark said.
Ulrik jerked his chin to it. “What does it say exactly?”
“The Others. Nothing more, nothing less,” Balladyn explained.
V looked over the pages, waiting for his magic to translate the words. He looked back at the margin and then, a moment later, he made out the two words.
When his gaze returned to the pages, he was also able to read them, but he didn’t want to take time to do it. “What is the passage about?”
“Nothing really,” Balladyn said with a shrug. “It talks about allies the Fae once had before we split into Dark and Light.”
“That couldn’t be the Others,” Ulrik said.
V nodded in agreement. “Because the Others have Dark and Light Fae. But there’s a connection here. We’re just not finding it.”
“Do you believe the Others might show up at the battle?” Balladyn asked.
Ulrik wrinkled his face as he shook his head. “I doona think so. Their focus is us, but we believe Usaeil is part of the Others.”
“I wouldn’t put that past her,” the Dark stated. He stepped back to look at both of them. “You know there are Dark involved in this group. Why would you take the chance that I’m not part of it?”
“Because of Rhi. You’d never do anything to harm her,” Ulrik said.
V leaned a hand on the table. “All we ask is that you have your army ready in case we need you.”
“I’ve already done it,” Balladyn told them. “But I won’t tell my men why I’ve called them. I’ve no doubt that Usaeil has spies here.”
“Just as you have in her court?” Ulrik asked.
Balladyn shook his head. “If I did have spies, I’d know what she plans. Trust me, I’ve sent countless Dark, and every one of them is caught.”
Ulrik raised a brow. “Can you no’ do the same?”
“I’m working on it,” Balladyn said tightly.
“Rhi says she can trust Inen. Is she right?” V hoped Rhi was right, because if she weren’t, then one of them would have to tell her.
Balladyn ran a hand over his jaw. “Inen coveted the position of Captain of the Queen’s Guard for centuries until he finally got it. He and Rhi butted heads often, but Rhi is usually right about people. Trust her.”
V held out his arm to Balladyn. “Thank you.”
The Dark looked down at it a moment before they clasped forearms, their grips tight. “This doesn’t mean we’re friends.”
“It means we’re allies. For now,” V said.
They shared a smile before Balladyn turned to Ulrik, and they repeated the gesture. V pivoted to leave when Con suddenly appeared.
The King of Kings stood as silent as stone, staring at them, unblinking.
“Con?” Ulrik called.
The King of Kings looked straight at Balladyn. While Con kept his face impassive, the anger rolling off him was palpable. V exchanged a look with Ulrik, who moved to stand between Con and Balladyn.
“Con,” Ulrik said again, louder this time.
Balladyn moved so he could see Con. “The only reason you’re not being swarmed by a thousand Dark is because you saved me.”
“You think I fear any Fae?” Con said in that soft voice that belied the fury inside him.
V had had enough. “Con! What is going on?”
Black eyes shifted to him. “Rhi is gone.”
Ulrik shrugged. “She probably went to calm down again. She did get a little riled when we were discussing how to attack Usaeil.”
Without a word, Con tossed a small piece of paper into the air. V caught it and read it before his gaze jerked to Ulrik and then swung to Balladyn.
“What?” the Dark asked.
V licked his lips before he read aloud. “This is my fight. As it always has been. Stay out of it. Rhi.”
“For fuck’s sake,” Ulrik said as he turned away, raking a hand through his black hair.
Balladyn held Con’s gaze. “And you think I talked her into that decision?”
“I came here to make sure you have her back. Whether she wants the help or no’. She may listen to you,” Con said.
Balladyn’s nostrils flared, and his red eyes briefly lowered to the floor. “I doubt it. But I’ll be there.”
“So will we,” Con stated.
V fought not to roll his eyes. “That’s great. We’re all going to be fighting alongside Rhi, just as we planned from the beginning.”
“We just need to know when she plans to make her move,” Ulrik said.
V squeezed his eyes closed a moment. “I might have told her no’ to do what she normally would because Usaeil would be planning on that.”
“With Rhi, she could do anything,” Balladyn said.
“Con,” Ulrik called and pointed to the green book. “You might want to see this.”
Several tense seconds passed before Con walked to one side of the table and reached for the book so he didn’t have to stand near Balladyn. His gaze lowered to the pages as his magic translated the words.
His head snapped up to look between V and Ulrik. “This is more than anyone else has found.”
“It’s all I’ve seen,” Balladyn said. “And I’ve read every book in here at least a dozen times.”
A muscle worked in Con’s jaw. Then, with great effort, he said, “Thank you.”
Balladyn bowed his head briefly. “I owed you.”
“You owe me nothing. That favor was for Rhi. No’ you,” Con replied and then disappeared.
V still hadn’t gotten used to knowing that Con could teleport just as Ulrik and the Fae could.
“We’ll be in touch,” Ulrik told the Dark.
Balladyn nodded. “Same here.”
V met the king’s red eyes right before Ulrik transported them back to Dreagan.
CHAPTER THIRTY-SEVEN
She really didn’t belong. That thought kept going through Claire’s mind while she sat beside Sophie and the other mates inside Dreagan.
Claire wasn’t even sure what room they were in. It was large enough to easily accommodate them, but she couldn’t remember if V had shown it to her or not. After all, she had been so wrapped up in him and the excitement of being shown Dreagan, that everything was a little hazy. Plus, there were a lot of rooms. Surely, she wasn’t expected to remember them all.
“I tell you, I’m going to figure
it out,” Kinsey stated confidently, breaking into Claire’s thoughts.
Sammie shoved aside her long, sandy blond bangs that hung in her eyes. “You keep saying that, but we’ve yet to find out who it is.”
“I think Kinsey will do it,” Faith stated in her Texas accent and swung her sherry-colored eyes to the computer guru.
Kinsey laughed. “I’ve not found anything to stop me yet. But I admit, this is more difficult than I thought it would be.”
Claire leaned close to Sophie on the sofa and asked, “What are they talking about?”
“I know what your mind is on,” Sophie said with a chuckle. “The (Mis)Adventures of a Dating Failure blog. We have an ongoing bet of where this woman lives. Kinsey and Ryder will figure it out soon enough.”
* * *
Claire sat back and tried to sink as far into the cushions as she could. She actually thought about telling the others she was the author, but she had gone to such extremes to hide her location that it seemed wrong to tell them now.
When she’d first put up the blog, it had been a way for her to work out her frustrations and fears while talking about an issue she knew many people dealt with. It had never entered her mind that her posts would go viral—and in a big way.
She had companies contacting her wanting to advertise on her blog, and while the added income would’ve been nice, it would have made keeping her identity a secret even harder. So, she declined every offer that came in.
It wasn’t long after that she realized that people were actively trying to track her down. Thankfully, she had some friends from University that specialized in computers, so she had gone to them for help. The two guys and one girl were so wrapped up in their online gaming that they were happy to take her money, give her what she wanted, and never ask what it was for.
Though, with everything she’d heard about Ryder, she expected him to have found her already. Kinsey, as well. And yet, everyone—including Kinsey—acted as if they didn’t know that she was the creator of the blog.
“Have you read it?” Gianna asked her.
Claire looked into the American’s emerald eyes and found the lie falling from her lips before she could stop herself. “Of course.”
Sophie laughed. “Of course, Claire has read it. We have discussions each time there’s a new post.” Sophie’s gaze then turned to her. “Where do you think this woman lives?”