Inferno, page 13
Now, the King of Kings isn’t ever excluded. The other Kings often try to bring him in on things, but he always declines. His responsibility isn’t to just his clan, but to all clans and the realm. That kind of responsibility could crush lesser individuals. I think that’s why I respect the King of Dragon Kings so much.
When he issues an order, the other Kings obey it instantly. But he doesn’t let the power go to his head. Instead, the Kings will often come together to discuss topics and vote on them. In the end, however, it is the King of Kings’ decision. Though I find it fascinating that he doesn’t mind when other Kings disagree with him.
If only the rest of those out in the many realms would model themselves after the dragons, so much could change.
Most importantly, the Fae.
Rhi blinked. She looked up from the pages, shock rolling through her. A Fae had come to Earth and seen the dragons before Usaeil? Before the Fae had destroyed their world? She’d never heard such a thing.
Her gaze dropped back to the pages as she reread the passage on the King of Dragon Kings. There was no way that whoever this Fae was had written about Con, but as the narrator spoke, that’s who Rhi envisioned.
Because she knew firsthand the lengths Con would go to for his Kings and the realm. He’d done it time and again. And he’d continue to do it until the day he breathed his last. Con was the epitome of honor. Rhi didn’t want to think that, and she certainly didn’t want to feel it, but she did. It was part of the reason she’d fallen in love with him to begin with.
She squeezed her eyes closed when she remembered the Fae writing about how the King of Kings stood apart from the other Kings. One of them, but separate. That was Con to a T.
Softly, she closed the book and returned it to the pedestal. She wanted to read more, but her heart couldn’t take it. Not after the day she’d had, and Con once more in her life—even if it was only to draw Usaeil out.
“Steady,” she warned herself. “You won’t be able to survive another broken heart.”
Especially since the one she had wasn’t yet healed.
CHAPTER TWENTY
Dreagan
Ulrik looked at the faces of the Dragon Kings, their mates, and Henry, who stood in the cavern of Dreagan Mountain. Silence filled the space as they all waited to hear why he’d brought them together.
His gaze shifted to his mate, Eilish, who stood to the side. She was the only one who knew what he was about to say. She gave him a smile and a wink as an offering of love and encouragement.
Before Eilish, Ulrik had been adrift. He’d thought he knew what he wanted, but he’d known nothing. Not until he held her in his arms and tasted her kiss for the first time. That moment of discovering that she was his mate still made his breath catch. She was his other half, the one who balanced him as no one else could. Eilish showed him love. She gave him the strength to see the path he really wanted—which had been home to Dreagan.
He wouldn’t be here without her. He knew that, accepted it then, now, and always. The thing was, she didn’t need him. She was strong in spirit, intellect, and magic. She could continue on her own without him. She often teased him that she didn’t need him, but said she wanted him, craved him, hungered for him.
Some Fae—and even a few Kings—believed mortals were inferior because they had such short lifespans. The truth was, they were stronger than the dragons or the Fae, even without magic. Because a King couldn’t survive without his mate, not once they had been found.
Ulrik had no idea how Con did it. He suspected that Rhi returning to Dreagan a few years ago had helped matters. Then again, the fact that Con had gone to Usaeil might mean that Rhi’s appearance had made things much, much worse for his friend. For a King to find their mate and not be able to have her was like being slowly flayed alive every hour of every day that he was without her.
The magic of the realm made the dragons the strongest magically, but it also made them the weakest when it came to love and matters of the heart. Something only dragons knew.
Ulrik blew out a breath and looked at the others. “We know Rhi has taken the Light throne in order to draw Usaeil out into the open. I wasna the only one who knew that wouldna be enough for someone like Usaeil.”
His head swung to Henry, who once more stood in the back. A part of the family, but neither a Druid nor a Dragon King. No doubt Con had a plan for Henry, the JusticeBringer. Ulrik really wished he knew what it was, because he suspected it was going to be epic.
Ulrik nodded to Henry before he continued. “There was an ulterior motive for Henry and I approaching Con. For too long, our King has suffered while we’ve found our mates and brought them to Dreagan.” Ulrik looked at Rhys. “Some of us know what it feels like to believe we’ve lost our mate, only to be lucky enough to get her back.”
Lily wrapped her arms around Rhys and hugged him tight as the King of Yellows kissed the top of her head.
“Con hasna been so lucky,” Ulrik continued. “We’ve kept his secret from mates, Henry, the Druids, and even the Warriors. Especially Phelan. We were no’ the only ones. Rhi never shared the truth, either. However, the time has come. The secret is out. Fallon knows the truth. More importantly, Con recently told Rhi the truth of why he ended things. Now, it’s time you all know what Con has held within him for so verra long. He ended their relationship for us. Because none of us had mates yet, and he didna want us to be jealous and have it cause a rift within Dreagan that couldna be mended.”
Ulrik had to pause as his throat clogged with emotion. He looked at Eilish again, who wiped away a tear and gave him a nod. “We’ve each nudged Con over the years to go back to Rhi, to mend what was shattered. He never did. Con hasna been himself for quite some time. He hid it well, but being without Rhi took a heavy toll. One that I fear he might no’ come back from.”
“How heavy?” Thorn asked.
Ulrik pressed his lips together. “The heaviest.”
“He can no’,” Darius stated.
Ulrik shrugged. “I’m in agreement. I doona think anything we could’ve said would’ve changed his mind. Circumstances, however, have changed. Henry and I realized that it would take much more than Rhi sitting on the throne to draw Usaeil out immediately.”
“But Con being with Rhi would,” Asher said.
“Exactly. Con seemed to see that our reasoning was sound. He went to the Light Castle to find Rhi a few hours ago, to try and convince her of the same thing. I expected it to take a lot more for him to swing her to the plan, but it didna. Rhi is on board. They’ve announced their relationship and upcoming mating.” Ulrik licked his lips. “Con has told me that Rhi is acting, but he isna. He plans to win her back, however long it takes.”
Dmitri rolled his azure eyes. “About damn time.”
“I second that,” Anson said.
Ulrik looked over the group, touching on each of them. “Rhi wants Con to remain at the Light Castle as a display for the Fae and Usaeil. Things will continue at Dreagan as they have. We’re still searching for Usaeil and Moreann.”
“What of the weapon?” Sebastian asked.
Ulrik looked at the King of Steels. “Henry has that well in hand, per Con’s order. Usaeil could arrive at the Light Castle any moment, so we must be ready. Then there is the issue of Skye and the missing Druids. There will come a time for us to rest, but that isna now. It’s going to take all of us to win against our enemies.”
Nikolai asked, “And Con? What can we do for him?”
“Support him as he’s always done for us,” Ulrik answered. “He willna survive without Rhi. No’ any longer. He’s desperate, and he’s even more cunning and ruthless when in that state. I doona imagine he’ll make it easy for Rhi, but we all know he has a lot to make up for.”
Dorian twisted his lips and held up his hand he had interlocked with Alexandra’s. “We’re ready and waiting.”
“We all are,” Roman said.
Cináed nodded. “If we can no’ help Con win back Rhi, then we can make sure Dreagan and all who are here are safe.”
“I dare anyone to attack Dreagan,” V said, his ice blue eyes filled with determination.
Keltan glanced from his mate, Bernadette, to the other Kings. “Con has sacrificed for us and Dreagan. It’s time we do the same for him.”
“Just what I was about to say,” Royden added.
Cain caught Ulrik’s gaze. “We willna let Con down. Whatever it takes.”
“Whatever it takes,” Ulrik repeated.
He’d known he would be able to count on his brethren, but hearing their words reinforced his thoughts. If Con only knew how much he was respected and loved. He had no idea, but they were going to show him.
It was Vaughn who asked, “What’s the plan?”
Ulrik grinned as he looked at the group. “We begin preparing for Con and Rhi’s ceremony. I want all the Fae—Light and Dark—to know that we support the couple’s union. That we want them together. A few of us need to go to the Light Castle.”
“I’ll go,” Merrill said.
Varek nodded in agreement. “I’ll join him.”
“I’ll let Con know the two of you are coming. We doona want to overwhelm the Fae or Rhi, but I think it’s good that we make an appearance there.”
Kendrick twisted his lips. “I doona want to be the one to bring down the group, but have we thought about what will happen if Rhi can no’ defeat Usaeil? There’s a good chance Usaeil and Moreann will team up and attack Rhi.”
“Then we’ll be there as backup for Rhi, just like last time,” Rhys stated.
Kendrick nodded. “Aye. I’d just like to point out that we need to take a page from what Con has always done. We need to think about all the scenarios.”
“He’s right,” Ulrik said, hating to even think about it. “Con is hanging on by a thread now. If Rhi dies … well, then there will be nothing holding him together. No’ even us.”
Kellan crossed his arms over his chest. “Then Rhi can no’ die.”
“I doona think she will, but we should be prepared,” Guy added.
Ulrik gave a nod. “Merrill and Varek will go to the Light Castle. Kendrick, you, Sebastian, Guy, and whoever else wants to join them, start putting a plan together for what needs to happen if Moreann is indeed with Usaeil when she attacks. Rhys, Kiril, and Banan, keep your attention on the Isle of Skye and the Druids there. We doona need Usaeil taking more of the Druids to boost her magic.”
“What of Erith and the Reapers?” Cain asked.
Ulrik released a breath. “You and I will have a talk with them.” He paused as his mind began to sort the rest into groups, each responsible for one part of the plan or another, be it guarding Dreagan or attacking when the time came—because it would come.
He even had the mates in groups. Those with magic guarding those who didn’t, with special attention placed on Claire, who still carried V’s child. Ten minutes later, everyone filed out of the cavern to begin their work. Eilish blew Ulrik a kiss as Bernadette reached her, and the two left together.
“You doona seem keen on talking to the Reapers,” Cain said.
Ulrik twisted his lips as he shrugged. “It all hinges on Erith. I understand her reasoning for keeping the Reapers secret from the Fae. If we want her help, then we need to have an option for them that will allow her to agree.”
“It’s Con,” Cain said with a frown. “They’re friends. Look at the lengths she went to just to help Con all these years. Why would she no’ do it now?”
“Because this goes beyond her.”
Cain’s brows rose briefly as he shook his head. “I say, let’s get this over with.”
“Erith. Cael,” Ulrik called.
In the next instant, the couple appeared before them. Erith’s lavender eyes were locked on Ulrik. She moved her gaze to Cain before returning her focus to the King of Silvers. She didn’t seem at all surprised to have been summoned.
“Thank you for coming,” Ulrik said.
Cael crossed his arms over his chest. “We were about to come anyway. Word reached us that Rhi and Con are back together.”
“It’s a ruse, at least on Rhi’s part,” Ulrik explained. “Con has every intention of winning her back.”
Erith nodded her head of long, blue-black hair. “I’m happy to hear that, but you didn’t call us here to celebrate.”
“Nay,” Cain replied. “We wanted to talk to you about joining us when the time comes.”
Erith and Cael exchanged a look. She released a long breath, her lips pressing together for a heartbeat. “There wasn’t a Reaper who agreed with my original decision to keep out of things. I had my reasons, but I was wrong. Had we joined the Dragon Kings sooner, there’s a chance that Moreann wouldn’t have gotten her hands on Usaeil’s body to bring her back, nor could Usaeil have saved Moreann from all of you. I won’t make that mistake again. Whatever you need, we will be there. The Dragon Kings shouldn’t be the only ones protecting this realm. Everyone who calls it home should. And that’s us. Specifically, me.”
“And me,” Cael added.
Ulrik grinned, relief pouring through him. “That makes me verra happy. I’m sure you’ve already thought of ways to help so the Reapers willna be seen.”
Erith’s smile was slow and filled with resolve. “Oh, we certainly have. I’ve already got one Reaper at the Light Castle, and two at the Dark Palace.” Her smile dropped. “Which brings me to the news I have to share. Usaeil has taken the Dark throne.”
Ulrik’s guts twisted. “We should’ve expected that. She wants to unite both the Light and the Dark under one ruler—her. Looks like she chose the Dark to rule first.”
“It’s her way of getting back at Rhi,” Cain pointed out. “With Balladyn gone, of course, Usaeil would take the throne.”
Erith laughed softly. “Usaeil has no idea what’s coming for her.”
“I can no’ wait,” Ulrik replied with a grin.
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
It wasn’t the first time Con had woken up somewhere other than Dreagan, but it was the first time he wasn’t in a hurry to return. And the reason for that was the Fae who had stolen his heart long ago.
He’d spent all night lying upon the bed, staring at the ceiling as he thought about Rhi and how he might win her back. It wasn’t going to be easy, but he didn’t care. He’d do whatever it took to have her. Because without Rhi, he was nothing.
The last time he’d truly been alive, actually felt anything, was when they were together. When he’d decided to end their affair and walked from his chambers a few days later, he was just a shell of the dragon he’d once been. He put on a good façade for the Kings. So good, in fact, that no one had questioned him until recently.
Then again, he had kept up the pretense until he couldn’t anymore.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed and stood to watch the sunrise through his window. Ireland was pretty, but it wasn’t Scotland. Then again, he didn’t care where he was as long as he was with Rhi.
What an utter fool he’d been all these centuries. He’d actually thought he could go on without her. The fact that he’d done it for so long was simply because of his brethren. Without them, he’d have ceased long, long ago.
He’d tried to put Rhi out of his mind. Some days, he actually succeeded, but those were rare and few and far between. He might have ended things, but a piece of her had remained with him, buried in his heart, reminding him of how happy he’d been. How happy they’d been.
After Darius told her the words Con hadn’t been able to, Rhi had left Dreagan. Con had thought it’d be easier if he didn’t see her again. And he tried, really tried. But only a short time passed before he went looking for her. That’s when he discovered that she wasn’t on the realm. She’d left.
There was only one place he knew where she would’ve gone. He’d searched all over for a Fae doorway, even knowing that they were only visible to the Fae. But he searched anyway because a knot of fear rode him. He’d known instinctively that she was in danger.
To this day, he still didn’t know how he’d found the doorway. He’d chalked it up to loving Rhi and using every bit of his magic to locate it. Once he did, he went through it without hesitation. It was the first time a King had left the realm, but he hadn’t thought of anything but her. When he finally found her, near death, what was left of his heart had shattered all over again.
He’d put every ounce of magic he had into healing her. He didn’t breathe easily again until he saw her wounds disappear. Then, he returned her to Balladyn. The Fae had said nothing, had simply taken Rhi from Con’s arms and walked away. He’d gone back to the doorway, intending to return to the Fae Realm to find out who had hurt his mate, but for some reason, the portal was gone.
The sight of Rhi that day had told Con just how much both of them were hurting. He knew then that he had to stay away from her. If he sought her out again, it would only hurt them both more. He had to let her heal and move on.
Though there was no moving on for him. She was his mate. It was as simple as that.
But he wanted her to be happy. The only way he got through the days was by writing in his journals. Centuries passed, but his love never faded. Many times, he’d wished he could see her, wanted to know how she was. Then he thought better of it, thinking that she might have found someone else. And that was something he couldn’t handle.
Then, one fateful day, he walked into a pub and saw Rhi at the bar with one of the Warriors. Con was gutted, his breath locked in his lungs while his body refused to do as he commanded. He wasn’t sure how he got any words out, but somehow, he managed it. With the way he acted, he was sure everyone there had known how he felt, but miraculously, they hadn’t.
After that, he began searching for any signs of Rhi. Con knew he was walking hand-in-hand with madness, but he didn’t care. Seeing her had revived something long dead inside him. His heart had beat once more, and desire had churned within him.
