Soul Scorched

by Donna Grant

  Then her hand skated beneath his shirt. Her palm rested against his tat on his right side. Whatever thoughts he had of walking away vanished.

  Darcy was floating, soaring. Warrick’s kiss was sensual, carnal. It aroused her, inflamed her. His touch was just as wickedly delightful. His hands stroked her back, her butt, holding her tight, as if he couldn’t fathom releasing her.

  She never wanted the kiss to end. It was too good, too … perfect.

  A sigh escaped her when the kiss deepened. As soon as she felt his arousal pressed into her stomach, she clutched him, her own body responding wantonly.

  Desire pulsed, throbbed low in her belly. It intensified with each kiss, each touch until she was trembling with it.

  His hand moved over her shoulder and slid down her side, pausing to cup her breast. Darcy gasped as a fresh wave of need hit her.

  When his lips traveled down her neck, she dropped her head back. His hand massaged her breast before his thumb stroked over her nipple. Instantly her breasts swelled as the peak hardened through her shirt and bra.

  Suddenly, Warrick lifted his head. Darcy struggled to open her eyes and think through the fog of desire. She gazed into his cobalt eyes, her stomach clenching at the longing she saw reflected there.

  “There’s a Dark at the back,” he whispered.

  Darcy was so frustrated that she wanted to scream. Why couldn’t they have a few minutes of privacy? If it wasn’t Rhi popping in, it was the Dark after her. “Tell him to go away. We’re busy.”

  A sexy grin pulled at Warrick’s lips. “Gladly.”

  She dropped her forehead to his chest. After a few deep breaths, calming her heart and her body, she lifted her face to his. It was hard to think with his hand still on her breast, and her lips swollen from his kisses.

  “Perhaps he’ll go away.”

  Warrick sighed and gave her a soft kiss. “I need to check.”

  If Darcy didn’t hate the Dark before, she did now. She waited until Warrick disappeared into the conservatory before she touched her lips and closed her eyes.

  Romantic and dreamy were never two words she used with any man she attempted to date. Yet, Warrick embodied both of those terms to perfection. He might not have meant the kiss to be romantic, but it was. From the way he held her gaze, to the determined look in his eyes before he strode to her and wrapped his arms around her.

  She opened her eyes to find Warrick watching her. His cobalt gaze blazed with need that made her knees weak.

  “There’s another at the front door,” Warrick said in a voice laced with desire.

  Not once in her life had Darcy wanted to thumb her nose at danger and rip the clothes off a man, but she was contemplating that very thing.

  “Stay here,” Warrick ordered and walked to the front, clicking off the dimmed lights as he did.

  The minutes ticked by with Warrick remaining near the front door as the Dark tested the spells again and again. Darcy was sitting at her desk with Warrick dividing his time between the front door and the back.

  The night dragged on as the Dark continued to attempt to get through the spells. Darcy looked at her hands, wishing she could make them glow like Rhi and evaporate the Dark.

  Darcy wanted to stay awake. It’s not like she was completely helpless. She was a Druid. She had magic with which to defend herself. She almost told Warrick that on one of his trips back and forth from the front to the back, but then she recalled how the Dark affected her.

  It made her think about the desire she still felt toward Warrick. It was profound, meaningful, and acute. The feelings went soul deep, unlike those she felt around the Dark Fae.

  With the Dark, desire was there, but it was forced upon her, not something she felt herself. It overwhelmed and overpowered, subduing her. She didn’t think about the Dark, only of easing her body. Whereas in Warrick’s arms, she wanted to touch him, to please him as much as she wanted his hands on her.

  Even knowing that, she wasn’t sure she could withstand the Dark. Their magic was potent, and their will to take her staggering.

  It was scary to think the Dark had been around and she hadn’t known it. For all she knew, she’d walked past a Dark using glamour before and was just lucky enough the Dark hadn’t paid her any attention.

  Darcy bit back a giggle when she thought of all the humans worried about being attacked by aliens when their world was inhabited by Dragon Kings and Fae, and had been for thousands of years without the humans ever knowing it.

  Her eyes eventually grew heavy in the darkness of the room. Apparently Warrick had some type of night vision, because he didn’t stumble once around chairs or cabinets.

  She yawned and rested her head on her arms. Her eyes burned she was so tired. Darcy decided to close them for a moment, but she wouldn’t sleep.

  * * *

  Warrick watched Darcy drift off to sleep. In some ways he was glad. It was difficult to be so near her after their scorching kiss and not pick up where they left off. But there was the matter of the Dark.

  They tested the entire building, looking for weaknesses in order to break through the spell and get to Darcy. Luckily, there weren’t any for the Dark to find. That didn’t make Warrick rest any easier, however.

  It just meant that the Dark were devising another way to get to Darcy. Luckily, the following day was Sunday, and Darcy didn’t open the shop. If need be, they could remain there.

  All Warrick needed to worry about was getting Darcy food. Thorn couldn’t help, because he needed to remain hidden. They wanted the Dark to think Warrick was the only one who had remained behind to guard Darcy.

  Warrick rubbed his eyes with his thumb and forefinger. It went against his code to sit back and not kill the Dark. The fact they remained alive grated his nerves.

  He gave Thorn a mental nudge, and waited for Thorn to open the link. “Are they still there?”

  “Aye,” Thorn answered. “They’re also still circling the building. I think they finally realize they can no’ get to you.”

  “Depending on how many remain at dawn, we might be staying here.”

  “That’s what I would suggest. The Dark are looking for trouble, War. If they see one of us, this entire city will get to see a battle. As much as I want to kill these twats, even I think it would be a really bad idea in daylight.”

  Warrick had to agree. “Especially in the middle of Edinburgh.”

  “How is Darcy holding up?”

  “As well as can be expected. She finally fell asleep. I hope she stays that way for a while.”

  There was a beat of silence before Thorn said, “You kissed her.”

  “What?” Warrick was so shocked by the comment he didn’t know what to say in response.

  Thorn chuckled. “I knew it!”

  “You doona know anything.”

  “It’s a good thing you’re in there with her then. How long has it been, War?”

  Warrick closed off the link. He checked the front and the back before he returned to Darcy. It didn’t feel right unless he was with her.

  * * *

  Mikkel walked into The Silver Dragon. He glanced around, then made his way to the back where the hidden staircase led to the upper floors where Ulrik lived. He really needed to tell Ulrik to find a more secure place, but then again, it made his nephew easy to find.

  “It’s rather late,” Ulrik said from above him.

  Mikkel paused and looked up to where Ulrik kept the books and more expensive relics in his antiques store. “Night is the best time to conduct business.”

  Ulrik didn’t respond. He stared for long minutes before he gently closed a great tome of a book and returned it to its wrapping and removed his gloves. “What is it you want?”

  “I found your Druid.”

  “That’s nice.”

  Mikkel wasn’t deterred by Ulrik’s flippant response. “I’ve sent the Dark after her.”

  “That was rather stupid. I would’ve brought you to her had you but asked. Now you’ll bring the
attention of the Kings to her, and they’ll begin to wonder why I would have the Dark go after her.”

  “You worry too much.”

  Ulrik returned the book to its glass case. He descended the stairs and released the leather strap holding his hair back at his nape. “Perhaps. But you’re getting reckless. You want the Kings’ attention solely on me, which is what we agreed. It’s becoming difficult to do that when you go after someone I wouldna harm until I had everything I wanted from her.”

  “Ah, yes. Your magic.” Mikkel didn’t bother hiding his smile. “You’re still without much of it. It took you a long time to find the Druid, didn’t it?”

  “I see you’re no’ trying to hide your intentions.”

  “Why should I? You need to know where you stand in this relationship. I’m the Dragon King now. I’ll be the one to rule the Silvers.”

  Not a muscle moved as Ulrik returned his stare. “We already covered that.”

  “Removing Darcy Allen will cause you to remember your place,” Mikkel said.

  “It should’ve been done another way. You’ve brought Kings to Edinburgh.”

  “A King,” Mikkel corrected. “The other is gone. Only Warrick remains.”

  Ulrik walked to his desk and wrote something in a log book. “Interesting.”

  “What do you know of him?”

  “That he works alone. Always. He doesna do well with others.”

  Mikkel smiled, rubbing his hands together. “Then we don’t have to worry about any more Kings showing up.”

  “The Dark might try and take Warrick,” Ulrik said as he faced him once more.

  “Let them try. If they’re that stupid, it’s their own downfall.”

  Ulrik’s gold gaze was unmoving. “Why send the Dark after Darcy? Why no’ just have her killed?”

  Mikkel had expected this question. Ulrik hadn’t become King of the Silvers for nothing. If Mikkel was to remain a Dragon King, Ulrik could never have his magic returned. “To prove a point to you.”

  “That you can kill someone?” Ulrik asked in a bored tone.

  “That I control things. The Dark and I made a pact. They’re doing my bidding.”

  Ulrik slid his hands into his pants pockets. “The Dark can no’ be trusted.”

  “I never said I trusted them.”

  “So this attack is all for my benefit.”

  Mikkel chuckled. “I know you, Ulrik. I know how your mind thinks. Doona even attempt to oust me. I’m in charge now—and always.” He walked to the door, but paused when he reached it. “Besides. There’s nothing you can do without your Druid.”

  CHAPTER

  NINETEEN

  When dawn came, the Dark didn’t leave their posts. Warrick at least knew they couldn’t get to Darcy, which allowed him to relax a little.

  He gently lifted Darcy and set her on the floor so she wouldn’t have a crick in her neck. She rolled to her side with a sigh. After he covered her with a blanket, he sat in the office area with her. But that wasn’t enough.

  After much internal deliberation, Warrick lay down beside her. A few minutes later, he rolled onto his side so he faced her back. Then she scooted back as if seeking his warmth.

  He clenched his jaw at her nearness and her shapely bottom rubbing against his groin. Need rose swiftly within him again, but there was also a feeling of rightness as they lay together. He draped an arm over her, bringing her even closer.

  Warrick tried to pretend that he didn’t notice how good it felt to have her against him, or how his breathing began to fall in time with hers. But there was no denying that he liked the feel of Darcy next to him, that he craved her like no other.

  How odd it felt to not wish to be alone. Warrick didn’t just eagerly fall into conversation with her, he found himself actually starting them. He wasn’t sure what to think now that he didn’t long for the assignment to end so he could return to his solitude.

  No, he feared something much greater—the time when he might have to return to Dreagan without Darcy.

  And that shocked him as nothing else could.

  * * *

  Darcy stretched her arms over her head as she rolled onto her back. She felt the heat beneath her, proving that someone had been lying with her.

  Warrick.

  She sat up, looking around. The last thing she remembered was sitting at her desk. It didn’t take much for her to realize he’d moved her to the floor. Then he lay down with her.

  Darcy smiled at the thought. If only she had been awake to enjoy it. Though she wondered why he wasn’t still with her. Now that would have made for a great way to wake up.

  She rolled her neck from side to side working out the stiffness. Darcy then stood and peeked into the front of the store where she found Warrick standing at the door looking out while rain fell.

  “How did you sleep?” he asked without turning around.

  “Better than I expected.”

  He shifted toward her then. “You needed the rest.”

  “How are things?” she asked, motioning outside with her hand.

  “The same,” he said with a frown. “They’ve no’ left.”

  Darcy blew out a frustrated breath. “Figures.”

  “Thorn is making his way to your flat now. He’ll let me know if the Dark are still there as well.”

  When he once more faced the door, Darcy turned on her heel and walked back into her office area. She saw the pot of freshly brewed coffee and grinned. Warrick was certainly surprising.

  She stepped into the bathroom and turned on the light as she shut the door. It wasn’t until she saw herself in the mirror that she gaped in dismay, embarrassed to see her hair sticking out everywhere.

  Darcy pulled her hair free of the ponytail and tried to tug the curls back down, but her hair had a mind of its own. She wet her hands and dampened her hair, which helped some. She then pulled it all back and quickly braided it to hide most of the crazy curls.

  She splashed some water on her face and patted it dry. After smoothing down her clothes, Darcy walked out of the bathroom to find Warrick holding a cup of coffee.

  He handed it to her. “I’ve got bad news.”

  “What is it?” she said, wrapping both hands around the cup after she accepted it.

  “The Dark are at your flat.”

  Darcy took a sip of the hot liquid and let his words sink in. “In other words, we’re not leaving anytime soon.”

  “There are several reasons why I doona recommend that. First, there are too many Dark for Thorn and me to battle and keep you safe. We could bring in more Kings, but that would only make things worse.”

  “I gather it has something to do with the Dark.”

  “The Dark doona care if the mortals know of them. They flaunt themselves in Ireland just as they are, and the humans doona even realize they live so close to such evil.”

  There wasn’t going to be enough coffee in all of Edinburgh to help Darcy deal with this news. “You think they’ll do the same here.”

  “I know they will. If we try to fight them, they’ll no’ keep it secret as we do.”

  Darcy shrugged, knowing there was only one option. “Then we stay. The rest of the world doesn’t need to know of the Dark or the Kings. It would cause panic and chaos.”

  “And be exactly what Ulrik wants. The problem is that there isna food here for you. You didna have enough yesterday. I can no’ let you go without food.”

  “Yeah, I’m not all about starving.”

  His crooked grin made her smile with pleasure. Lord, the man had no idea how tantalizing he was. With just a lift of his lips, he made her body rush with warmth—and need.

  “I’ve a feeling we’ll need Thorn as a diversion later, so I doona want the Dark to realize he’s still here. I’ll be leaving to bring back food.”

  Darcy gawked at him. “Are you nuts? They’ll go after you.”

  “Nay. They’ll remain, thinking you’ll be an easier target alone.”

  Well that made sense, in
a twisted kind of way. “And do you think they’ll just let you back in without a fight?”

  “Oh, I’m counting on them trying to stop me.”

  Darcy shuddered at the rage in his eyes and his voice. There was no doubt, Warrick wanted blood, Dark Fae blood. And he was going to get it.

  She recalled how he’d said Ulrik mixed his magic with the Dark to hurt Rhys. There was a chance that Warrick could be hurt the same way. Just the thought of that happening sucked all the warmth from her body.

  “I’ll leave out the front,” Warrick continued. “Give me a list of what you need from your flat and what food you’d like. When I return, I’ll come in the back. That way it’s less likely for the humans to see us if there is a fight.”

  Darcy snorted. If. Not likely. There would be a fight. The Dark weren’t going to let Warrick back in to her shop easily. If only she didn’t need to have food, or if she could use her magic to conjure food.

  “I don’t want you to go.”

  His cobalt gaze softened. “I’m a Dragon King, lass. I can no’ be killed.”

  “Except by another King. Or one who mixes their magic with the Dark, which could do serious damage.”

  “Aye. There’s that chance.”

  Darcy shook her head in amazement. “Is it the fact that you’re immortal and unstoppable that gives you such confidence?”

  “I’m a dragon.”

  He said it as if it explained everything, and she guessed it did. Warrick was unlike any man she knew. He was quiet and taciturn one moment and amenable and tender the next.

  Right up until he kissed her.

  Then he was passionate and intense.

  The man was a roller coaster of responses. And she loved every moment of it.

  There was a split second where she almost asked to read his palm so she could look to see if she saw the outcome, but she held back. She knew better than to want to look at those closest to her. It never turned out well.

  “A list,” Warrick urged.

  Darcy sat at her desk and set her mug of coffee aside. She scanned her desk looking for a piece of paper to write on. “I can do without stuff at my flat.”

  “We doona know how long the Dark will surround us.”