Darkest Flame, page 20
part #1 of Dark Kings Series
He was the evil in the darkness, the malevolence lurking in the shadows waiting to snatch unsuspecting females. He was death in disguise as pleasure, but she saw him for who he truly was.
And it terrified her.
She wished her clothes were still on. Denae felt powerless and incapable, helpless and weak. Instantly she thought of her sister and how her eyes had pleaded with Denae to believe her about her stalker.
Denae’s chest constricted as emotions tumbled upon her like an avalanche. Instantly, she shut off those memories and focused on herself.
There had to be a way for her to turn Taraeth off from her. Name-calling hadn’t helped. Neither had her aversion to them. In fact, that had seemed to set them off. The only thing left for her to do was to pretend to give in.
Taraeth took three steps toward her, his red eyes raking her from head to toe and back again.
“Are you done with me already?” Kellan asked.
Taraeth stilled, his advance halted with Kellan’s words. Denae had a reprieve, but she wasn’t sure it was going to be much of one based on the eagerness in the Dark leader’s eyes.
“Rest, Dragon. I’m going to take some enjoyment,” Taraeth stated with a wide smile directed at her.
Denae wrinkled her face. “I think you might be disappointed.”
So much for her pretending to give in. The thought of his hands on her made her physically ill, and the words tumbled from her lips before she could think better of them.
“Not in you.” Taraeth let the swords in his hands disappear and cupped his engorged cock. “I think we’re going to have a lot of fun, little human.”
“You misunderstand me. You’re going to be disappointed because I don’t want you.”
Taraeth was undeterred. “Maybe at first, but you won’t be thinking that after I pleasure you.”
Denae didn’t have time to form another response as he quickly closed the distance between them and kissed her.
* * *
“What do you mean you came for me?” Phelan asked Rhi.
The Fae had dark circles under her eyes and her skin was pale. The lines of fatigue around her mouth were another indication that she had pushed herself to the limits.
“You’re part Fae, Phelan,” she explained. “You can find the doorways and get inside.”
He turned his gaze to Aisley who looked at him with unblinking fawn-colored eyes. It was her silent way of telling him she would back him on whatever decision he made.
“I’ve never found a doorway before. How are you sure?” he asked.
Rhi’s smile was small. “The doorways were closed in Scotland. There are one or two in England, but if you really want to find one, you must go to Ireland.”
Phelan had never met Kellan or Denae, but the Dragon Kings had come to his aid, as had the other Warriors and Druids from MacLeod Castle on several occasions. How could he turn them away now?
“What do I need to do?”
Rhi briefly closed her eyes, relief pouring from her in waves. “This isn’t going to be easy, stud.”
“When has battling evil Druids been easy?” He gave her a wink and held out his hand atop the table to Aisley. Once she had taken it, he linked their fingers. “I thought you said the Dark Ones were in an abandoned manor?”
Rhi licked her lips. “They are. In order to get in, you’ll need to find the doorway.”
“He’ll walk into a slaughter,” Tristan said.
Phelan looked at the newest Dragon King again. He still couldn’t believe the face staring back at him. As much as he wanted to talk to Tristan about it, it would have to wait until this latest crisis had been averted.
Con drummed his fingers on the table. “Aye, he will. Is there another way, Rhi?”
“Yes,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “As if I would send my prince into a death trap. Give me some credit.”
Phelan coughed to cover his laugh while Aisley turned her head into her shoulder, her smile wide.
“Well?” Con asked, his voice laced with annoyance.
Rhi turned her silver eyes to Phelan. “The doorway you need will lead you to a maze of underground tunnels.”
“Aren’t the Dark Ones using it?” Aisley asked.
Rhi shook her head. “The tunnels yes, but not the doorway. I made the doorway before I came here.”
Tristan crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall. “What about these tunnels? You say the Dark use them?”
“Without the Fae, they would be nothing but underground tunnels shaped by water. However, the Dark Ones have allowed the wall between our realm and yours to…” She paused and shrugged. “It’s all but gone.”
Con let out a string of curses as he rose and began to pace. Phelan looked from the King of Kings to Rhi who was inspecting her nails.
“I gather there will be unsavory things in these tunnels?” Phelan asked.
Rhi gave a silent nod.
Con whirled on her. “How long have you known? Do you know what could happen if any of those creatures find their way to the surface? Or what about a mortal who decides to venture into those tunnels?”
As soon as Con began to yell, Rhi’s eyes narrowed on him. She pushed her chair back and stood while leaning her hands on the table. “I just discovered it. I didn’t even take the time to alert my queen on the matter, you asshat. I came here first, and yes, I know very well what could happen!”
Phelan looked at Aisley who gave him a small nod. He released her hand and stood. “The sooner I get there the better, but Rhi, you need to rest first.”
“There isn’t time,” she protested and turned her head away.
“I’m going to need you at your best.” He stared at her until she relented with a loud sigh.
Tristan pushed away from the wall. “I’m going with you.”
“As am I,” Aisley said.
Phelan walked around the table and drew his wife into his arms. “You know I want you with me, but no’ this time, beauty. If those Dark Fae got ahold of you, the Phoenix, I doona know what I’d do.”
“Phelan is right,” Con agreed. “It’s safer for you here, Aisley.”
Aisley lifted her head from his chest and sighed. “Find Kellan and Denae, kill as many of the Dark as threatens you or them, and then return to me as quickly as you can.”
“Always,” he promised and placed a kiss upon her lips.
Con speared Rhi with a look. “How long do you need to … recover?”
“I am recovered.”
“That’s shite,” Con said, distaste twisting his face. “I can see how puny you look. You wouldna stand a chance against a Dark Fae.”
“Want to test the theory? How about I drop your high-handed ass into a bunch of them and see how long you last before I have to save you?”
“What is it between them?” Aisley asked Phelan in a whisper. “Just the war?”
Phelan tucked her long hair behind her ear and leaned close to say, “From what I’ve pieced together, Rhi was involved with one of the Kings.”
Aisley’s eyes widened. “Was it Con? He sure does hate her.”
“No one will give me a name.”
Con pushed his chair in calmly, his face a mask of cool indifference. “You’re no’ indestructible, Rhi. You might want to remember that when you have your prince and a Dragon King in those tunnels.”
“Both Phelan and Tristan can take care of anything they encounter,” she retorted just as calmly as he had spoken.
Tristan frowned. “If we’ll be in the tunnels, where will you be?”
“With Denae and Kellan,” Phelan surmised as he looked at her. “The place they’re being kept doesna have access to the tunnels, does it?”
Rhi gave a slight shake of her head, sending her long black hair moving gently over her back. “No. I’m going to have to lead them to it.”
“While staying veiled,” Con added. He took a deep breath and slowly released it. “Can you do that again so soon?”
“I will.”
“Can you?” he repeated more forcibly. “I’ll no’ have Usaeil blame me for your death.”
Instead of answering him, Rhi turned to Phelan. “Give me fifteen minutes, and then we leave.”
Before he could answer, she was gone. Con turned and walked out of the kitchen, and Tristan followed. Phelan used that precious time with Aisley.
“Are you sure about this?” she asked.
“I’ve never been to the Fae realm. I doona know what to expect, or what we might encounter, but I have to do it.”
“I know. I’m just worried. If they can stop a Dragon King, what could they do to you?”
He looked down into her eyes and smiled. “I’m part Fae, remember? They’ll soon learn who they’re dealing with.”
There were no more words as they kissed, the world fading away with the passion that rose. He took her lips again and again, deepening the kiss each time.
Then, all too soon, Rhi returned.
“I love you,” Aisley said.
Phelan winked. “I love you too, beauty.”
He followed Rhi out of the manor to where Con waited in the next valley. They had barely walked up when a dragon with scales the color of polished amber dove from the sky to land softly before them.
“He can carry you in his hand, or you can ride upon his neck,” Con said. “Your choice.”
“I’ll ride,” Phelan said as he walked to the dragon.
Tristan looked at him with his apple-green dragon eyes and held out a thick arm with five digits and long talons extending from them.
Phelan climbed upon the proffered arm and settled at the base of his long neck. He glanced back and saw the tail, which had a stinger on the end.
“How you could’ve started out a Warrior and become a Dragon King is a mystery. For now,” he whispered.
Tristan swung his large head around and looked at Phelan before he snapped his wings open and closed.
“He’s ready,” Con said. “Are you?”
Phelan had barely given a nod before Rhi was gone. “How will Tristan know where to go?”
“He willna. You will,” Con said with a smile.
Phelan gripped the scales when Tristan jumped into the air and climbed high above the clouds as night descended.
CHAPTER THIRTY
It took every ounce of control, every iota of restraint for Kellan not to yank against the chain and try to reach Denae. The absolute fury that filled him, the sheer possessiveness that surged for Denae took him by surprise.
He couldn’t stand to see her stripped naked and leered at by the Dark, but worse than that was Taraeth kissing her. Kellan’s self-discipline was fast waning the longer he watched Taraeth with Denae.
Kellan had known this was coming, but he hadn’t expected to be so … affected by it. When Denae had been left in the same room as him, it was obvious they assumed she meant more to him than she did.
At least that was Kellan’s thinking.
Right up until Taraeth kissed her.
Then the only thing that remained was getting Taraeth away from Denae. And killing the Dark Fae leader slowly.
Kellan hid his frown when Denae opened one of her eyes and looked right at him. After the night they’d spent in each other’s arms, he knew her passion. And there was nothing in her whisky-colored eyes now.
Even though she was returning Taraeth’s kiss.
Kellan shifted his gaze to Emil and saw the Fae watching him with open malice. Kellan lifted a brow before he turned and walked to the wall where he was chained, the sound of the metal against the stone echoing in the chamber.
He sat down and leaned back. His heated skin came in contact with the cool stone and it helped him rein in his wrath. For the moment.
It simmered, festered.
Smoldered.
Denae was his to protect, his to defend. His to … touch. Kellan wasn’t the type to share, especially with a Fae. He understood the Fae’s interest. Denae was unique, courageous, beautiful, and altogether tempting.
It was her daring, her pluck that originally caught Taraeth’s attention, but now that the Dark One had seen the treasures of Denae’s body, there would be no stopping him.
Kellan concentrated on the breath leaving his lungs, and then filling them again. In and out, in and out. He felt his lungs expand as Denae returned Taraeth’s kiss. His lungs compressed when the air left his body as he saw Taraeth grab Denae’s ass.
“Is it difficult to watch?” Emil asked, a sneer causing his top lip to lift, show his teeth.
Kellan made himself look away from Denae to Emil. “I doona know. Is it? How badly does it sting to watch the human you want taken by Taraeth?”
“He’s my leader.”
Kellan thought of Constantine. He might be King of Kings, but Kellan wouldn’t stand by and allow Con to have a woman he wanted. Nay, he would fight Con for him.
“Just another difference between us,” Kellan said and faked a yawn. “We doona share our women, no’ even with Con.”
Emil’s gaze swung to Taraeth. “Not even if Con demanded it?”
“No’ even then.”
While Emil glared at Taraeth, Kellan was trying not to notice how Denae hadn’t turned her face away from the Dark Fae. Had the legendary attraction of the Fae finally broken through whatever had kept her from initially falling at their feet?
Kellan still didn’t understand why Denae had withstood their seduction. No other human had. Ever.
Taraeth ended the kiss and looked down at Denae as he tested the weight of her breast in his hand. “You kiss well, little human. I’m going to enjoy my time with you.”
Denae’s smile was wide as she gazed adoringly up at him. “Release your hold on my arms. Let me touch you,” she begged.
Taraeth chuckled and squeezed her nipple. “All it took was one kiss and now you’re mine.”
Nay!
Kellan held back the bellow. Barely. Many times he had seen human females fall helplessly under the Fae’s spell, but this time it cut deeper than any blade could.
After the fight Denae put up, Kellan had somehow expected her to continue resisting them. Had it really only taken one kiss? Was Denae now theirs to play with sexually and mentally until they destroyed her?
“I saw her first,” Emil stated. “I want her, Taraeth.”
Taraeth didn’t pay him any heed. “You can have her when I’m finished. If I ever tire of this little human. I think I may keep her for eternity.”
Kellan fisted his hand behind his back and imagined finding one of the Fae’s many enemies and handing Taraeth over to them. Let him see how it felt to be kept as a prisoner and tortured for eternity.
“Taraeth,” Emil began, his voice loud and hard.
Taraeth whirled on him, his red eyes glowing. “Dare you question my orders?”
“I want her,” Emil continued while his anger grew.
Taraeth glanced back at Denae. “But she didn’t want you. Remember? She turned you away.”
“You as well.”
Kellan smiled. It was so easy to divide the Dark Ones. If only the argument would evolve into a battle, and then perhaps Denae would be granted another reprieve.
When he looked to her, Denae’s eyes were on him. She stood with her head held high while the two Dark Fae argued over who would get to use her body.
Her whisky-colored eyes were clear as she held his gaze coolly. It was then he realized she had been acting with Taraeth. She had done such a good job that she had even convinced him.
Then she winked at him.
Kellan wanted to return the wink, but suddenly the argument ended and both Dark Fae were looking at him. He stretched his legs out in front of him and crossed his ankles. “It’s no’ a good sign when one of your men question you, Taraeth. No’ for someone who claims to have absolute control.”
“You like to pretend you don’t care for my little human, but I think you do,” Taraeth said. “I think you care a great deal. You go out of your way to bring our attention back to you time and again. Tell me, Dragon, how does it feel to know that you might have taken her, but I’ll be the one that remains in her mind?”
“You willna leave her a mind to have,” Kellan said succinctly.
Taraeth turned back to Denae and began to play with her hair. “I think I might. She’s exceptional, rare. She will please me greatly.” His red eyes shifted to Kellan. “I’ll wipe every memory of you from her until she believes she is a Dark Fae.”
Apprehension settled in Kellan’s gut. Once, so long ago it was just a distant memory, Kellan recalled the mention of a Fae wanting to turn a human. Kellan didn’t know if it was successful or not, but the mere fact Taraeth brought it up didn’t bode well for Denae.
“She would make an excellent queen,” Taraeth said. “But that is on your shoulders, Dragon.”
“How so?”
“You give me the answers I want, and I won’t have to hurt her. The more I hurt her, the less likely she’ll survive. I can’t make her my queen if her mind is gone.”
Denae was again looking at Taraeth as if he hung the moon just for her. Kellan knew Denae was strong, both mentally and physically, but under the onslaught of Dark magic? In the end, she was still mortal and weaker than a Fae. Could she stand against him?
“I willna tell you anything,” Kellan stated.
No matter how much he wanted to protect her, he wouldn’t betray his brethren. There was too much at stake. The very idea of the Dark Ones aligning with humans to capture him told Kellan something big was about to happen, and it hinged on knowledge that was hidden.
“Oh, but you will. One more chance. Tell me where it’s hidden.”
Kellan knew exactly what Taraeth was asking about. The very first King of Kings had found it and hidden it away. Not long after he was killed, so were the next three in quick succession until Constantine took over.
There were only two Dragon Kings who knew what the Dark searched for—he and Con. But Kellan had a suspicion the Dark—or whoever it was who aligned with them—wanted the Silvers who were caged and remained sleeping. The havoc those dragons could wreak upon the world would be catastrophic.
