Inferno, page 26
Finally, his thoughts came to Rhi. If he put aside the fact that she was his mate, he knew how powerful her magic was, how strong she was physically, mentally, and emotionally. Erith had been right. Everything that had happened to Rhi had been to get her ready for this day. All the triumphs, all the trials, all the heartache—it had made her into the mighty, forceful queen that she was now.
Con wanted to protect Rhi because she was his mate, not because he believed she couldn’t handle herself. She had proven that she could, time and again—and he’d ignored it many times. Rhi needed no one. She could do anything she wanted, which she had proven by healing the Fae Realm as well as claiming the Light throne.
If he had been smitten with her when she was carefree and mellow, then he loved her beyond all comprehension now as the queen and protector of not just the Light, but of all beings. She didn’t need him, but she wanted him. That meant more to him than anything now that he understood it. She had chosen him, not because he was King of Kings, but because she had seen him. Just as he had truly seen her all those years ago—and again now.
He opened his eyes and looked at Erith. “Usaeil doesna stand a chance.”
“Exactly. I’ve known that for a long time, but I needed you to see it.”
“Does Rhi know?”
Erith shrugged. “I can’t guess at her thoughts. Based on what Torin saw, yes, I think she does.”
It wasn’t Con’s duty to go after Rhi. He would remain at the Light Castle and protect her people as she had done for him countless times.
Erith smiled and nodded. “There’s the Con I know. Ready?”
“Everything has led to this moment. I thought I’d be going up against the Others and a host of other enemies, but it’s just Usaeil.”
“I never had any doubt that you and the Kings would prevail.”
He chuckled. “Even I wasna sure.”
“The Others hit all of you like you’ve never been hit before. But look where the Dragon Kings are now. You’ve survived one enemy after another. Ulrik is back at Dreagan where he belongs, and you’ve told Rhi everything.”
“You speak as if we’ve won.”
“You have, in many ways.”
“And if Usaeil wins? You know I have to ask. We wouldna be good leaders if we didna consider all outcomes.”
It took Death a few moments before she said, “If Usaeil wins, then the Reapers are going for her.”
“I thought she shielded herself from you.”
“I know where Rhi is.”
His gaze narrowed on her. “Meaning you’re heading there now. If Rhi loses, you’ll call the Reapers to take Usaeil right then.”
“Yes.”
“And Moreann? Xaneth?”
“We won’t stop looking for Xaneth. Usaeil is keeping him prisoner somewhere because she wants to hurt him. Killing him would be too easy. As for Moreann—”
Con smiled as Ulrik’s words filled his head. “She’s dead. The Skye Druids killed her.”
“A fitting end for the empress.”
Con blew out a breath as he got the rest of the news from Ulrik through their mental link. “Usaeil killed Corann. She has his magic as we feared.”
“I’m not worried at all for Rhi,” Erith said as she winked at Con.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
A shiver of apprehension ran through Rhi as Usaeil appeared before her. The Queen of the Dark wore all black, including the same boots Rhi had. No doubt Usaeil had chosen the outfit and boots to get a rise out of Rhi, but it wasn’t going to work. Rhi held in the quip that nearly got past her lips.
Usaeil smiled. “I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
“We’ve already done this. I won,” Rhi stated.
Usaeil smiled wider and shook her head. “You got lucky last time, but as you found out, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Not to worry. You won’t win this time.”
“Actually, you’ll be the one who discovers that the supposed tricks you have won’t work. Your reign is over. Everyone knows it but you.”
“Little Rhiannon, who always wanted to run with the mighty,” Usaeil taunted. “Someone told you that you had what it took to lead, but we both know the truth. You’re scared of everything and look to others for validation. How many times did you come asking for my advice?”
Rage rumbled through Rhi. “You were my friend. Of course I wanted your advice. That doesn’t mean I always took it.”
“One of your many mistakes. Had you listened to what I told you, you never would’ve had your heart broken by Con. You wouldn’t have been banished, and you wouldn’t be about to die.”
“That’s your problem. You think you can do no wrong.”
Usaeil smiled confidently. “I ruled the Light for millennia. I’m Queen of the Dark now. And soon, I’ll be Queen of the Fae. I know I can do no wrong. This is my destiny.”
Rhi snorted loudly, her grip tightening on the hilt of her sword. “You killed your entire family to take the throne, even though it wasn’t meant to be yours.”
“And look what I’ve done for the Light!” Usaeil bellowed, her anger finally showing. “I found us a new home here. I built us a life. And I even found a way to make peace within the Dark.”
At this, Rhi laughed. “You? You didn’t do shite. That was all Con and the Dragon Kings. You only joined forces with the Kings because you realized that the Fae were about to be tossed from this realm, which meant that your alliance with Moreann as an Other would cease. And it was your grandfather, your family, who built the castle. They got us here. Not you.”
“Your point?” Usaeil asked, her expression bored.
Rhi rolled her eyes. “You’ve been Dark since you had your family killed. Your entire reign as queen has been tainted.”
“I never hurt any of you. In fact, I made us strong.”
“You destroyed us. You’re everything the Light isn’t.”
Usaeil lifted one shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. “None of you knew. Not even you.”
“Balladyn did,” Rhi guessed.
The queen’s gaze narrowed. “He was getting suspicious, yes. I saw him watching me. I might have let it go, but then I learned that he was in love with you.”
“So?” Rhi shook her head. Then she decided it was time to see if Usaeil had read the book or not. “What does it matter who loves me or doesn’t?”
Usaeil lifted her chin. “I’m a queen with power, who makes others quake in fear. There isn’t anything I can’t do. Or men I can’t make fall in love with me. I shouldn’t be jealous of anyone, much less you.”
“Because others respect me? Or maybe it’s because you know I can rule better than you.”
“That’s right. Keep guessing,” Usaeil said sarcastically. “You know nothing.”
Rhi drew in a deep breath. “Or is it because you know that every time we meet on the battlefield throughout the ages, I always win?”
“You always did think you knew what you were talking about, but it’s nothing but gibberish. You try to appear intelligent, but, like always, you’ve missed the mark.”
Rhi nodded, twisting her lips. “Maybe. Tell me, why did you kill every child you conceived?”
“Because I didn’t want anyone taking the throne from me.”
“You can’t live forever.”
Usaeil grinned. “Watch me.”
Rhi pressed her lips together. “But … you didn’t kill all your children. There’s Thea.”
“I might have had a moment of weakness that allowed her a chance at life as a Halfling in the mortal world, but I found her and killed her.”
It was Rhi’s turn to smile. “Did you? You’re sure of that?”
“Trying to make me doubt myself. How … petty.”
Rhi shrugged, still grinning. “Did you ever wonder why the Reapers and Death didn’t go after you?”
“How do you know about that?” Usaeil demanded.
“I know quite a bit, actually. Answer the question.”
Usaeil’s nostrils flared as she glared at Rhi. “They didn’t come after me because they knew they couldn’t best me.”
“Bless your heart,” Rhi said in a sing-song voice and placed her left hand on her chest. Then she gave Usaeil a flat look. “That’s … utter shite. You were so wrapped up in yourself, you didn’t realize that Thea and one of the Reapers had fallen in love. And it wasn’t just any Reaper, it was one of their leaders.”
Usaeil’s face went blank, then she shrugged. “So?”
But Rhi could see that Ubitch was nervous. “Death is a goddess. That means she’s stronger than Con. Let that sink in for a second. Now, tell me, did she not go after you because she couldn’t claim your soul? No. She didn’t go after you or send any of the Reapers because, apparently, it’s my destiny to end your reign. Oh, and as for Thea, she’s very much alive.”
“I felt the life fade from her.”
“That’s right. You did,” was all Rhi said as she grinned again.
Usaeil’s red eyes flashed with fury. “Then how is she alive?”
“You’d need to ask her, although that’s pretty impossible because if Thea sees you, she’ll kill you. That is if Eoghan, her husband, doesn’t do it first.”
Usaeil shook her head and rolled her eyes as she laughed. “Trying to get under my skin. Nice try, but it’s not going to work.”
“The way you’re standing with your hands clenched says otherwise.”
“Why do you even care about my children?”
Rhi blinked, understanding in that instant that Usaeil hadn’t read the book. For all Rhi knew, the queen might not even know of its existence. “It takes someone without a heart to kill the way you have. Women throughout the universe are desperately trying to have children, and you kept getting pregnant and ending the babies’ lives as if they meant nothing.”
“Because they didn’t.”
“Oh, but they did. You see, you knew that if even one of those children lived, and you raised it, it would grow tired of waiting for you to die and kill you like you killed your family.”
Usaeil confirmed the statement with a nod. “As any good ruler would do.”
“Then there’s Thea.”
“She was half-human. I knew she posed no threat.”
“But you didn’t want her with the Fae.”
Usaeil sighed loudly. “As I said, she was half-human. She didn’t belong with us.”
Rhi twisted her lips. “She didn’t belong with the mortals, either, but that’s where you sent her. Although, I have to admit, she was better off in an orphanage than with you.”
“You can’t hurt me when none of your words mean anything,” Usaeil said with a cackle.
“Did you ever think what might happen if one of your offspring was Fae and grew up Fae?”
Usaeil briefly closed her eyes. “I’ve already answered this. Is this your attempt to kill me with boredom because you’re afraid to fight me again?”
“Oh, I’m not afraid to fight you.”
“Then let’s fight.”
“Answer my question,” Rhi pressed.
Usaeil threw up her arms in agitation and let her hands slap against her legs. “None of my children besides Thea ever lived, so it doesn’t matter. And if one had survived, they would likely come for my throne, and I’d have to kill them. It was better to do it in the womb.”
“Or you actually had the child but tossed it into the sea.”
Usaeil’s face paled. Several seconds passed in silence. “You can’t know about that.”
“But I do.”
“How?” Usaeil demanded through clenched teeth.
Rhi smiled tightly. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“That child died. I watched it sink beneath the waves.”
“You weren’t the only one watching that day.”
Usaeil’s lips thinned as she pressed them together, her chest rising and falling quickly. “Are you telling me that child lived?”
Rhi didn’t answer, merely stood there.
“Tell me!” Usaeil shouted, spittle flying from her lips.
Rhi glanced at the ground between them. “You thought you did everything perfectly, made sure that no one had a claim to your throne. Not only did you allow Thea to live, there is also the babe you threw into the sea. And then there’re your Trackers, who failed to kill Xaneth.”
“You don’t need to worry about Xaneth. I’ve got him taken care of.”
“Perhaps. Maybe you don’t. His friends are looking for him. Not only are the Dragon Kings searching, but so are the Reapers.”
Usaeil shrugged and blew out a harsh breath. “As if I care. No one will find him, and even if they do, they’ll never be able to save him.”
“You give yourself far too much credit.”
“Really?” Usaeil asked with a laugh. “Were you able to find me? Or the Druids I took from Skye?”
Rhi forced a smile at the mention of the Druids. “You believe that you’re more powerful than Death herself, but you kill countless innocent Druids to take their magic so you can stand against your enemies. For someone who thought she had made sure no one would knock her off her throne, you sure have created some very powerful, very pissed-off enemies.”
“You say that as if I care. I have Moreann. If we want, we can organize the Others again.”
“You can try, but I doubt you will. In case you’ve forgotten, there is the child we were just discussing.”
Usaeil slashed her hand through the air. “That child is dead, and I’m done talking about it.”
“Why did you throw it into the sea?” Rhi pressed. “You wanted him or her, didn’t you?”
“No.”
“Then why didn’t you kill it when it was still inside you? Why did you wait until it was born?”
Usaeil tossed her silver locks over her shoulder. “That’s how I did it for the first couple of babies. Then, after that, I killed them in my womb.”
“Hmm,” Rhi said. “You could’ve strangled it, plunged a knife into its heart, or even smothered it. But you threw it in the sea that fateful day.”
“You want me to believe the child is still alive. It isn’t.”
Rhi raised her brows. “Oh, but it is.”
“Then where is it so I can kill it?” Usaeil demanded.
Rhi lifted her sword. “Right here.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Usaeil laughed at Rhi’s statement. “You? Do you really believe I’m that stupid?”
“I found the book,” Rhi said.
Usaeil’s heart skipped a beat. There was only one book Rhi could be referring to—the one hidden in the library. “So?”
“I’m guessing you tried to read it. The moment you touched it, the words began moving.”
There was only one way Rhi could know that, and that was if she had indeed found the book. “You think you know so much. When in fact, you know nothing.”
“The words returned to normal for me.”
The calm way in which Rhi spoke only aggravated Usaeil more. How could the bitch be so calm when her nerves were vibrating with the need to plunge her sword into Rhi?
“I see that surprises you,” Rhi replied, a hint of a smile curving her lips. “Ever wonder why you couldn’t read it?”
“Again, you think you know what you’re talking about.”
Rhi tilted her head to the side. “You know the book I’m referring to, right?”
“Of course. My grandfather showed me where he hid it.” Usaeil finished the sentence with a roll of her eyes.
“Did you read it?”
Usaeil blew out a breath. “No. I don’t care to, either. Now, can we get on with things?”
“That’s too bad, because there was so much to learn from it.”
“So what if it talks about the Dragon Kings?”
Rhi’s grin grew. “So you did try to read it.”
“My grandfather told me what it was about,” she lied, happy that she could cover her arse so quickly.
“I’m fairly certain that he knew neither of you could read it. I bet he tried to tell you that, but you didn’t have time to hear him.”
It vexed Usaeil that Rhi knew her so well. Instead of retorting with some sarcastic comment, Usaeil merely raised a brow. “If you have something to say, spit it out.”
“I already did. I’m the child you threw away.”
“As if I’d ever believe such a claim. I knew your parents, Rhi. You forget that. I remember when your mother was pregnant with you, how proud she was. If only she knew the truth about your father.”
Rhi’s gaze briefly lowered to the ground. “The woman who raised me had been pregnant. She went into labor the same day you threw me out.”
“Are we going to fight? Or are you going to bore me with more details?”
“The one who saw you, got me from the sea and brought me to them. There were complications with the delivery. The babe died within her. I was put in its place, and that’s all it took to absorb some of her magic.”
Usaeil wanted to deny all of it, but she couldn’t. Though she didn’t believe for a second that Rhi was her daughter. She’d have known if a child of hers had survived.
Rhi blew out a breath. “The book goes into great detail about how the child was saved from the waters.”
“And you believe all of this nonsense?”
“Do you know what the beginning of the book was about? The Dragon Kings. The one who wrote the book was here. They saw Con becoming not just King of Golds but also King of Dragon Kings. They spoke about how the dragons lived, the different clans, wars, marriages, and the arrival of the mortals.”
Usaeil swallowed, suddenly intrigued. “Who was it?”
“The writer called themselves a Fae.”
“It was my grandfather, wasn’t it?” Usaeil pressed.
Rhi’s brows came together in a frown. “You think your grandfather saved me from drowning and didn’t return me to you?”
“Not that,” Usaeil said angrily. “I’m talking about the information regarding the Dragon Kings. Who wrote the book.”
“Despite all that’s happened, you still believe you will be with a King?”
“Not just any Dragon King. Con,” Usaeil replied, confidence in every syllable. “I know this game you and he are playing now. Go ahead, play it. But in the end, he’ll be mine.”
Con wanted to protect Rhi because she was his mate, not because he believed she couldn’t handle herself. She had proven that she could, time and again—and he’d ignored it many times. Rhi needed no one. She could do anything she wanted, which she had proven by healing the Fae Realm as well as claiming the Light throne.
If he had been smitten with her when she was carefree and mellow, then he loved her beyond all comprehension now as the queen and protector of not just the Light, but of all beings. She didn’t need him, but she wanted him. That meant more to him than anything now that he understood it. She had chosen him, not because he was King of Kings, but because she had seen him. Just as he had truly seen her all those years ago—and again now.
He opened his eyes and looked at Erith. “Usaeil doesna stand a chance.”
“Exactly. I’ve known that for a long time, but I needed you to see it.”
“Does Rhi know?”
Erith shrugged. “I can’t guess at her thoughts. Based on what Torin saw, yes, I think she does.”
It wasn’t Con’s duty to go after Rhi. He would remain at the Light Castle and protect her people as she had done for him countless times.
Erith smiled and nodded. “There’s the Con I know. Ready?”
“Everything has led to this moment. I thought I’d be going up against the Others and a host of other enemies, but it’s just Usaeil.”
“I never had any doubt that you and the Kings would prevail.”
He chuckled. “Even I wasna sure.”
“The Others hit all of you like you’ve never been hit before. But look where the Dragon Kings are now. You’ve survived one enemy after another. Ulrik is back at Dreagan where he belongs, and you’ve told Rhi everything.”
“You speak as if we’ve won.”
“You have, in many ways.”
“And if Usaeil wins? You know I have to ask. We wouldna be good leaders if we didna consider all outcomes.”
It took Death a few moments before she said, “If Usaeil wins, then the Reapers are going for her.”
“I thought she shielded herself from you.”
“I know where Rhi is.”
His gaze narrowed on her. “Meaning you’re heading there now. If Rhi loses, you’ll call the Reapers to take Usaeil right then.”
“Yes.”
“And Moreann? Xaneth?”
“We won’t stop looking for Xaneth. Usaeil is keeping him prisoner somewhere because she wants to hurt him. Killing him would be too easy. As for Moreann—”
Con smiled as Ulrik’s words filled his head. “She’s dead. The Skye Druids killed her.”
“A fitting end for the empress.”
Con blew out a breath as he got the rest of the news from Ulrik through their mental link. “Usaeil killed Corann. She has his magic as we feared.”
“I’m not worried at all for Rhi,” Erith said as she winked at Con.
CHAPTER FORTY-ONE
A shiver of apprehension ran through Rhi as Usaeil appeared before her. The Queen of the Dark wore all black, including the same boots Rhi had. No doubt Usaeil had chosen the outfit and boots to get a rise out of Rhi, but it wasn’t going to work. Rhi held in the quip that nearly got past her lips.
Usaeil smiled. “I’ve been waiting for this moment.”
“We’ve already done this. I won,” Rhi stated.
Usaeil smiled wider and shook her head. “You got lucky last time, but as you found out, I have a few tricks up my sleeve. Not to worry. You won’t win this time.”
“Actually, you’ll be the one who discovers that the supposed tricks you have won’t work. Your reign is over. Everyone knows it but you.”
“Little Rhiannon, who always wanted to run with the mighty,” Usaeil taunted. “Someone told you that you had what it took to lead, but we both know the truth. You’re scared of everything and look to others for validation. How many times did you come asking for my advice?”
Rage rumbled through Rhi. “You were my friend. Of course I wanted your advice. That doesn’t mean I always took it.”
“One of your many mistakes. Had you listened to what I told you, you never would’ve had your heart broken by Con. You wouldn’t have been banished, and you wouldn’t be about to die.”
“That’s your problem. You think you can do no wrong.”
Usaeil smiled confidently. “I ruled the Light for millennia. I’m Queen of the Dark now. And soon, I’ll be Queen of the Fae. I know I can do no wrong. This is my destiny.”
Rhi snorted loudly, her grip tightening on the hilt of her sword. “You killed your entire family to take the throne, even though it wasn’t meant to be yours.”
“And look what I’ve done for the Light!” Usaeil bellowed, her anger finally showing. “I found us a new home here. I built us a life. And I even found a way to make peace within the Dark.”
At this, Rhi laughed. “You? You didn’t do shite. That was all Con and the Dragon Kings. You only joined forces with the Kings because you realized that the Fae were about to be tossed from this realm, which meant that your alliance with Moreann as an Other would cease. And it was your grandfather, your family, who built the castle. They got us here. Not you.”
“Your point?” Usaeil asked, her expression bored.
Rhi rolled her eyes. “You’ve been Dark since you had your family killed. Your entire reign as queen has been tainted.”
“I never hurt any of you. In fact, I made us strong.”
“You destroyed us. You’re everything the Light isn’t.”
Usaeil lifted one shoulder in a nonchalant shrug. “None of you knew. Not even you.”
“Balladyn did,” Rhi guessed.
The queen’s gaze narrowed. “He was getting suspicious, yes. I saw him watching me. I might have let it go, but then I learned that he was in love with you.”
“So?” Rhi shook her head. Then she decided it was time to see if Usaeil had read the book or not. “What does it matter who loves me or doesn’t?”
Usaeil lifted her chin. “I’m a queen with power, who makes others quake in fear. There isn’t anything I can’t do. Or men I can’t make fall in love with me. I shouldn’t be jealous of anyone, much less you.”
“Because others respect me? Or maybe it’s because you know I can rule better than you.”
“That’s right. Keep guessing,” Usaeil said sarcastically. “You know nothing.”
Rhi drew in a deep breath. “Or is it because you know that every time we meet on the battlefield throughout the ages, I always win?”
“You always did think you knew what you were talking about, but it’s nothing but gibberish. You try to appear intelligent, but, like always, you’ve missed the mark.”
Rhi nodded, twisting her lips. “Maybe. Tell me, why did you kill every child you conceived?”
“Because I didn’t want anyone taking the throne from me.”
“You can’t live forever.”
Usaeil grinned. “Watch me.”
Rhi pressed her lips together. “But … you didn’t kill all your children. There’s Thea.”
“I might have had a moment of weakness that allowed her a chance at life as a Halfling in the mortal world, but I found her and killed her.”
It was Rhi’s turn to smile. “Did you? You’re sure of that?”
“Trying to make me doubt myself. How … petty.”
Rhi shrugged, still grinning. “Did you ever wonder why the Reapers and Death didn’t go after you?”
“How do you know about that?” Usaeil demanded.
“I know quite a bit, actually. Answer the question.”
Usaeil’s nostrils flared as she glared at Rhi. “They didn’t come after me because they knew they couldn’t best me.”
“Bless your heart,” Rhi said in a sing-song voice and placed her left hand on her chest. Then she gave Usaeil a flat look. “That’s … utter shite. You were so wrapped up in yourself, you didn’t realize that Thea and one of the Reapers had fallen in love. And it wasn’t just any Reaper, it was one of their leaders.”
Usaeil’s face went blank, then she shrugged. “So?”
But Rhi could see that Ubitch was nervous. “Death is a goddess. That means she’s stronger than Con. Let that sink in for a second. Now, tell me, did she not go after you because she couldn’t claim your soul? No. She didn’t go after you or send any of the Reapers because, apparently, it’s my destiny to end your reign. Oh, and as for Thea, she’s very much alive.”
“I felt the life fade from her.”
“That’s right. You did,” was all Rhi said as she grinned again.
Usaeil’s red eyes flashed with fury. “Then how is she alive?”
“You’d need to ask her, although that’s pretty impossible because if Thea sees you, she’ll kill you. That is if Eoghan, her husband, doesn’t do it first.”
Usaeil shook her head and rolled her eyes as she laughed. “Trying to get under my skin. Nice try, but it’s not going to work.”
“The way you’re standing with your hands clenched says otherwise.”
“Why do you even care about my children?”
Rhi blinked, understanding in that instant that Usaeil hadn’t read the book. For all Rhi knew, the queen might not even know of its existence. “It takes someone without a heart to kill the way you have. Women throughout the universe are desperately trying to have children, and you kept getting pregnant and ending the babies’ lives as if they meant nothing.”
“Because they didn’t.”
“Oh, but they did. You see, you knew that if even one of those children lived, and you raised it, it would grow tired of waiting for you to die and kill you like you killed your family.”
Usaeil confirmed the statement with a nod. “As any good ruler would do.”
“Then there’s Thea.”
“She was half-human. I knew she posed no threat.”
“But you didn’t want her with the Fae.”
Usaeil sighed loudly. “As I said, she was half-human. She didn’t belong with us.”
Rhi twisted her lips. “She didn’t belong with the mortals, either, but that’s where you sent her. Although, I have to admit, she was better off in an orphanage than with you.”
“You can’t hurt me when none of your words mean anything,” Usaeil said with a cackle.
“Did you ever think what might happen if one of your offspring was Fae and grew up Fae?”
Usaeil briefly closed her eyes. “I’ve already answered this. Is this your attempt to kill me with boredom because you’re afraid to fight me again?”
“Oh, I’m not afraid to fight you.”
“Then let’s fight.”
“Answer my question,” Rhi pressed.
Usaeil threw up her arms in agitation and let her hands slap against her legs. “None of my children besides Thea ever lived, so it doesn’t matter. And if one had survived, they would likely come for my throne, and I’d have to kill them. It was better to do it in the womb.”
“Or you actually had the child but tossed it into the sea.”
Usaeil’s face paled. Several seconds passed in silence. “You can’t know about that.”
“But I do.”
“How?” Usaeil demanded through clenched teeth.
Rhi smiled tightly. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“That child died. I watched it sink beneath the waves.”
“You weren’t the only one watching that day.”
Usaeil’s lips thinned as she pressed them together, her chest rising and falling quickly. “Are you telling me that child lived?”
Rhi didn’t answer, merely stood there.
“Tell me!” Usaeil shouted, spittle flying from her lips.
Rhi glanced at the ground between them. “You thought you did everything perfectly, made sure that no one had a claim to your throne. Not only did you allow Thea to live, there is also the babe you threw into the sea. And then there’re your Trackers, who failed to kill Xaneth.”
“You don’t need to worry about Xaneth. I’ve got him taken care of.”
“Perhaps. Maybe you don’t. His friends are looking for him. Not only are the Dragon Kings searching, but so are the Reapers.”
Usaeil shrugged and blew out a harsh breath. “As if I care. No one will find him, and even if they do, they’ll never be able to save him.”
“You give yourself far too much credit.”
“Really?” Usaeil asked with a laugh. “Were you able to find me? Or the Druids I took from Skye?”
Rhi forced a smile at the mention of the Druids. “You believe that you’re more powerful than Death herself, but you kill countless innocent Druids to take their magic so you can stand against your enemies. For someone who thought she had made sure no one would knock her off her throne, you sure have created some very powerful, very pissed-off enemies.”
“You say that as if I care. I have Moreann. If we want, we can organize the Others again.”
“You can try, but I doubt you will. In case you’ve forgotten, there is the child we were just discussing.”
Usaeil slashed her hand through the air. “That child is dead, and I’m done talking about it.”
“Why did you throw it into the sea?” Rhi pressed. “You wanted him or her, didn’t you?”
“No.”
“Then why didn’t you kill it when it was still inside you? Why did you wait until it was born?”
Usaeil tossed her silver locks over her shoulder. “That’s how I did it for the first couple of babies. Then, after that, I killed them in my womb.”
“Hmm,” Rhi said. “You could’ve strangled it, plunged a knife into its heart, or even smothered it. But you threw it in the sea that fateful day.”
“You want me to believe the child is still alive. It isn’t.”
Rhi raised her brows. “Oh, but it is.”
“Then where is it so I can kill it?” Usaeil demanded.
Rhi lifted her sword. “Right here.”
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Usaeil laughed at Rhi’s statement. “You? Do you really believe I’m that stupid?”
“I found the book,” Rhi said.
Usaeil’s heart skipped a beat. There was only one book Rhi could be referring to—the one hidden in the library. “So?”
“I’m guessing you tried to read it. The moment you touched it, the words began moving.”
There was only one way Rhi could know that, and that was if she had indeed found the book. “You think you know so much. When in fact, you know nothing.”
“The words returned to normal for me.”
The calm way in which Rhi spoke only aggravated Usaeil more. How could the bitch be so calm when her nerves were vibrating with the need to plunge her sword into Rhi?
“I see that surprises you,” Rhi replied, a hint of a smile curving her lips. “Ever wonder why you couldn’t read it?”
“Again, you think you know what you’re talking about.”
Rhi tilted her head to the side. “You know the book I’m referring to, right?”
“Of course. My grandfather showed me where he hid it.” Usaeil finished the sentence with a roll of her eyes.
“Did you read it?”
Usaeil blew out a breath. “No. I don’t care to, either. Now, can we get on with things?”
“That’s too bad, because there was so much to learn from it.”
“So what if it talks about the Dragon Kings?”
Rhi’s grin grew. “So you did try to read it.”
“My grandfather told me what it was about,” she lied, happy that she could cover her arse so quickly.
“I’m fairly certain that he knew neither of you could read it. I bet he tried to tell you that, but you didn’t have time to hear him.”
It vexed Usaeil that Rhi knew her so well. Instead of retorting with some sarcastic comment, Usaeil merely raised a brow. “If you have something to say, spit it out.”
“I already did. I’m the child you threw away.”
“As if I’d ever believe such a claim. I knew your parents, Rhi. You forget that. I remember when your mother was pregnant with you, how proud she was. If only she knew the truth about your father.”
Rhi’s gaze briefly lowered to the ground. “The woman who raised me had been pregnant. She went into labor the same day you threw me out.”
“Are we going to fight? Or are you going to bore me with more details?”
“The one who saw you, got me from the sea and brought me to them. There were complications with the delivery. The babe died within her. I was put in its place, and that’s all it took to absorb some of her magic.”
Usaeil wanted to deny all of it, but she couldn’t. Though she didn’t believe for a second that Rhi was her daughter. She’d have known if a child of hers had survived.
Rhi blew out a breath. “The book goes into great detail about how the child was saved from the waters.”
“And you believe all of this nonsense?”
“Do you know what the beginning of the book was about? The Dragon Kings. The one who wrote the book was here. They saw Con becoming not just King of Golds but also King of Dragon Kings. They spoke about how the dragons lived, the different clans, wars, marriages, and the arrival of the mortals.”
Usaeil swallowed, suddenly intrigued. “Who was it?”
“The writer called themselves a Fae.”
“It was my grandfather, wasn’t it?” Usaeil pressed.
Rhi’s brows came together in a frown. “You think your grandfather saved me from drowning and didn’t return me to you?”
“Not that,” Usaeil said angrily. “I’m talking about the information regarding the Dragon Kings. Who wrote the book.”
“Despite all that’s happened, you still believe you will be with a King?”
“Not just any Dragon King. Con,” Usaeil replied, confidence in every syllable. “I know this game you and he are playing now. Go ahead, play it. But in the end, he’ll be mine.”
