King of Khoth: (Dark Warrior Alliance Book 9)

by Brenda Trim

  “Shite,” Angus cursed. “Maybe you’re right, Lorne. My search is a fool’s errand. Keira may have left Earth by now. We’ve been searching for months. I know you are anxious to return home.” Angus watched Lorne’s jaw drop at hearing his words. “It’s no’ that I plan on ending the hunt because I willna ever give up my search, but withoot any clues, I think it might be time to return to Khoth and regroup.”

  Lorne’s slack jaw was accompanied by wide eyes, and his head shook back and forth. He swallowed hard and whispered, “Sire, I don’t think that will be necessary. And, you were right. Those witches are wicked powerful.”

  Angus cocked his head. The male was cracking under the pressure. It was time to put the search on hold. “We will head back first thing in the morning. You need to return to Khoth, but I willna be staying. I will find Keira, or die try–– what is wrong with you?” he asked when Lorne’s eyes practically popped from their sockets.

  “Sire,” the male whispered and pointed, his finger barely lifting from the top of the table.

  Angus followed Lorne’s stare, and his world dropped out from under him. Keira was standing at the entrance to the establishment. Angus’s body was moving before he knew what was happening. He hadn’t taken two steps before he went sailing through the air and landed with a thud in the corner.

  “What the fuck? Och, get off me, arsehole. I swear if she gets away again because of you, I will torch you,” he snarled in Lorne’s ear.

  “Stop and think this through, Sire. Look who’s with her,” Lorne whispered.

  Angus peered over Lorne’s broad shoulder and recognized the tall, muscular male whose black eyes were searching for the source of the disturbance. Cyril.

  The hum of building magic filled the room, sucking all the available oxygen. Cyril was primed and ready to attack. Angus stilled, not moving a muscle. One move would give him away, and a battle would surely follow. This was not the time or place.

  Tearing his eyes away from the sight of Cyril’s hand on Keira’s lower back, Angus met Lorne’s gaze and nodded, indicating he was in control of his temper. Just then, a large bouncer approached, and blocked them from onlookers.

  “Is there a problem?” The human’s voice boomed, bringing unwanted attention.

  “No. His drink went down the wrong pipe. There’s nothing to worry about,” Lorne responded with a quick excuse.

  “We doona tolerate bullshite here,” the bouncer barked with an aggressive finger stabbed in their direction. His native tongue was thick with anger, and Angus knew they needed to remedy the situation fast.

  “We willna cause any problems,” Angus promised as he got to his feet, and helped Lorne stand.

  As the bouncer stalked off, he glowered towards the patrons, causing everyone to resume their previous conversations. Angus glanced back to Keira and Cyril. They were walking to a table towards the back of the room.

  Easing into Lorne’s chair, Angus scrubbed his chin as he watched Keira’s back. His heart hammered in his chest, and he couldn’t catch his breath. He’d searched for a thousand years, and the only proof he had of her existence was a piece of navy plaid cloth. Now, she was within walking distance.

  Nothing about her had changed, and yet, she was different. At one time, her long green hair would’ve been cause for alarm among humans, but was acceptable by today’s standards. Sunglasses covered his favorite part, her beautiful turquoise eyes, and he longed to see them again. She was dressed in modern clothes instead of a long skirt and billowy blouse, reminding him again it had been a millennium since he’d seen her.

  Keira’s slender figure called to every cell in his body. Every ounce of blood shot south and his jeans became uncomfortably tight. A buried yearn pushed its way to the surface, gasping for air. He dreamed of this moment but never believed it would happen.

  Rubbing at the ache in his chest, he watched as she allowed Cyril to steer her to a seat. Her posture was regal, and her bearing shouted of her royal heritage. She still held her head high and proud, telegraphing her confidence and challenge.

  Angus recalled how angry Keira became when others underestimated her because of her stature. She loathed anyone that doted on her as if she couldn’t fend for herself. She may look the part of aristocracy but she rarely acted it.

  “What are you going to do?” Lorne asked, closely watching Angus.

  “I’m going to get my mate,” Angus declared.

  “Tell me you have a plan that involves backup of the supernatural type,” Lorne begged. Angus almost felt bad when he saw the tight set of Lorne’s shoulders and the pained expression on his face.

  Disbelief that Keira was within reach had Angus struggling to pay attention to the conversation. Reality was impossible to grasp.

  Keira was so close he could touch her.

  “I doona have time to wait for backup. Cyril could take off again. We canna allow that to happen.”

  “I knew you were going to say that. Why didn’t I volunteer to stay at Zeum? At least then I’d live to see my next meal,” Lorne sighed and shook his head. His whining was comical, and Angus grinned.

  “Doona worry. I plan on getting her and us home,” he reassured and clapped his friend on the shoulder.

  “I hope to hell these rocks don’t lose their power or our ass is grass,” Lorne commented as he shoved the bag of amulets in his pocket. “Is it too late to trade places with Nate? Don’t answer that. I know, I know. I’m doing my king a huge service. Blah, blah, blah,” Lorne murmured as he waved his hand through the air.

  Ignoring his pitiful speech, Angus remained fixated on the couple. “I must talk to her,” Angus blurted.

  “What?” Lorne blurted then lowered his voice. “That’s insane. Cyril is sitting right next to her.”

  As Lorne continued listing the reasons Angus was acting a fool, Keira removed the sunglasses and looked in his direction. Everything around him ground to a halt, and a smile spread across his face. Her bright turquoise eyes captured him as they’d done from the day he’d met her all those centuries ago. All the feelings from the past came rushing back to the fore.

  The burden of his mantle lifted, and his outlook brightened. When she gazed at him, everything was right with the world. There was no demon he couldn’t beat nor any Unseelie he couldn’t destroy. The plight of his people was a simple problem to solve instead of a catastrophe threatening to eliminate an entire race.

  Keira blinked slowly and turned back to Cyril, and a vice closed around Angus’s heart, crushing it. There was no recognition or reaction on her part. How the fuck was it possible that she didn’t know who he was?

  Chapter Two

  Keira shifted in her seat as heat filtered through her body. The male across the room had familiar green eyes, but for the life of her, she had no idea who he was. She was tempted to point him out to Cyril and ask, but instinct had her lips clamping shut as she schooled her features.

  She’d learned over the past several months that Cyril noticed everything and interrogated her anytime she mentioned anything that might trigger a memory. He claimed that he wanted to help her and Cyril had helped her learn and adjust to life, but he was holding back. He purposely left out important details and refused to take her home. Problem was, she was powerless to change her situation.

  Keira didn’t have all her memories, but she knew one thing. She never allowed anyone to stop her when she wanted something. It pissed her off that she was at Cyril’s mercy. If she knew how to locate the portal and travel back to Khoth, she would have taken off months ago.

  Her eyes drifted back to the intriguing male across the room. He carried an air of authority that was intoxicating. He didn’t look down on his companion or those around him, but it was apparent he could crush them with ease. She opened her senses, trying to determine his species, but didn’t detect anything out of the ordinary. There were a couple of sorcerers in another corner, but the male across the room was human.

  Apparently, her hormones didn’t care if he was h
uman as the insistent tug almost had her rising from her chair. The inexplicable urge to hear his Scottish brogue blindsided her.

  Since awakening, Keira decided her two favorite things were coffee and a Scottish accent. Luckily, both were aplenty in Edinburgh, Scotland, and she had fallen in love with the city’s rich culture. Modern technology, with its TVs and computers, was a huge adjustment from the simple life she remembered but the vibrant city spoke to her on a deeper level.

  Cyril told her Earth had changed drastically during her time in stasis and it had taken much of his power to keep her safe from encroaching humans. It made her wonder what changes Khoth had undergone. She’d been able to put some pieces of her past together and what she didn’t remember, Cyril had filled in.

  Realizing she was gawking, Keira turned away from the sexy human. Looking at Cyril, she took in his long blond hair and piercing black eyes. He was well built but not as muscular as the guy across the pub. That male had broad shoulders, and thick biceps which was surprising because she hadn’t come across many males that were bigger than Cyril. She assumed it was because he was supernatural, but the human with the gorgeous green eyes was making her question her size theory.

  “I’m going to take you to Hawaii tomorrow,” Cyril announced, invading her thoughts.

  He placed his order with the waitress but Keira was too distracted by the dark-haired human to make any decisions about what she wanted to eat and told the server she needed more time.

  A dissatisfied groan slipped past her lips, and Keira quickly grabbed her side to cover her reaction. Cyril refused to stay in one place for long, and over the past year, they’d been traveling non-stop. She was tired of it and wanted to go home, but saying so would incite his anger, and then he would lock her in a hotel room while he ‘tended to business,’ whatever that was.

  Clutching her side, she faked a pained expression. “That would be nice. My dragon is dying to swim in the ocean. I wish you’d take me out so I can shift.”

  Cyril placed his palm on her cheek, and her internal alarm blared. Not that she fully trusted him, but she’d never had this reaction to his touch. A low growl echoed around the room.

  Keira and Cyril scanned the room for the source, but other than the sorcerers in the corner, nothing was amiss. The supernaturals met their gaze and nodded before turning back to their conversation.

  “Those males best control themselves,” Cyril barked as he grasped the stone pendant hanging around his neck. She’d concluded it was his security blanket given he incessantly touched it. “They act like animals, half the time. It’s a wonder they’ve managed to remain a secret from the humans.”

  “It’s not easy when you have a beast within,” Keira snapped, hoping he’d catch the hint. She understood how they felt. There were times her dragon threatened to take over and tear into Cyril.

  It didn’t sit well to follow his orders. He’d been great so far, helpful and polite, but it was on his terms. Keira wasn’t an idiot and could sense he was hiding something important. There were undoubtedly serious reasons he refused to take her home. He claimed the portal was broken, but she wasn’t buying it. Unfortunately, Cyril was her only ally. She had no one else but him, and he liked it that way.

  And then there was this Angus. Cyril continually warned her about the male. Keira had no reason to doubt his claims, although, Cyril’s abhorrence for Angus raised questions. However, there was no hint of a lie when he talked about Angus trying to steal her from her family.

  No matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t remember anything about Angus, but the last thing she wanted was to end up in the evil clutches of the dragon responsible for destroying her life.

  “I’ll be right back. I need to use the restroom,” Cyril announced, and Keira watched as he stood and headed to the back of the pub.

  Angus’s fists clenched under the table. If the Unseelie bastard touched Keira one more time, he wasn’t responsible for his actions. He watched Cyril caress her cheek as if they were lovers, and it had taken all his strength not to pounce on the male.

  Without thinking, Angus was up and at Keira’s table before Lorne could intercede. He glimpsed the debate on his Máahes face and returned a shake of his head, warning him to stay put. Then he turned his focus on the female he thought he’d never see again.

  “Keira?” Angus asked.

  Curious turquoise eyes settled on him and her brow furrowed. “Do I know you?” she asked with a tilt of her head.

  Her silky green hair fell over her shoulder. As Angus stood there admiring her beauty and ogling like a stalker, he didn’t fight the effect Keira had on him. Everything about her, especially her lyrical voice, washed over him and his heart leaped in his chest.

  It had been too damn long since he’d heard her speak but hadn’t forgotten the timber or cadence that was unique to Keira. There was no voice in any realm quite like hers. It reached inside his cells and took root.

  This female owned him body, heart, and soul and she always would. Angus reminded himself to hold back and not pledge his undying love like an escaped lunatic. It was obvious Keira had no memory of him or their life together.

  He gave her a half-smile and enjoyed the way her breath hitched. It was about fucking time he saw a hint of the connection they shared, and it was all he needed. She was his and would be again.

  “Aye. We know each other verra well. I can see that you doona remember me. I’m Angus,” he murmured as he reached for her hand. Before he managed to make contact, she flinched and pulled her arm to her chest.

  She was frightened of him, and it made his dragon rattle beneath his skin. Angus was going to kill that motherfucker for tarnishing a love he held sacred. He should have suspected the Unseelie King of such treachery. After all, the male was vile enough to destroy an entire planet for his personal gain.

  “You…You’re. How did you find me?” Keira asked at the same time she shrank back in her chair. The Keira he knew would have slapped him across the face for the smallest offense. There was little evidence of that strength sitting in front of him.

  He expected the regal tilt to her chin and was disappointed when she tucked it into her chest. Her confidence had been one of her sexiest traits. Now, she was all but trembling in fear and Angus had done nothing but say hello. The creature sitting in front of him was not the female that had left the safety of her family to explore the ocean’s depths.

  Angus opened his mouth then closed it on a curse. Cyril was exiting the lavatory, and Angus was out of time. “I need to take my leave, but we will meet again. We are no’ finished,” he vowed and gave into his craving to caress her cheek.

  His eyes slid closed, and his dragon sighed its satisfaction. Her skin was as soft as he remembered and even more intoxicating.

  He recalled the description the Dark Warriors gave of electricity traveling through their veins when they touched their Fated Mates. Dragons didn’t have mates fated for them. They chose their mates, but dragons often described being burned when they touched the one for them.

  Angus’s fingers were on fire, and it was spreading to the rest of his body. Desire exploded, and he wanted to scoop her up and take her back to his room to make up for lost time.

  An insistent tug on his shirt brought his eyes open. “Sire, we need to go unless you are prepared to battle right here,” Lorne hissed. The male stood there glancing to the back hall as he took a fighting stance.

  The reminder broke the lust-filled haze, and he looked back to Keira, reluctantly dropping his hand from her cheek. The fire in her eyes told him she experienced the burn, as well. “Later,” he vowed and walked away from his future.

  Chapter Three

  Keira reached up and stroked her hot skin. So that was Angus, the evil male Cyril cautioned against. Given Cyril’s description, Angus wasn’t what she’d expected. By Cyril’s account, she should be terrified not only for her life, but that of everyone in the pub. Instead, Keira burned from the contact and desire bloomed. She understood th
e concept of arousal, and, more than likely, had sex before, but she had not felt anything like this since awakening.

  It was disturbing and thrilling.

  As Cyril approached their table, his power grated her nerves. That was odd. She had been neutral to his presence but now she wanted to run from him.

  “Did you order yet?” Cyril asked as he took his seat.

  Shaking her head, she opened her mouth to tell him Angus was in the pub but then quickly decided against it. “No. The waitress has not been by,” she answered.

  Instinct told her to keep the information on lockdown. There were so many unanswered questions, and the list was growing longer. This new development with Angus was the most disconcerting of all.

  Angus’s magic was powerful, but not something she had sensed before. In her first moments of consciousness, she memorized the details of the fading spell she had been under, but nothing about Angus felt familiar or similar. If he were behind the spell, she should remember some small commonality, but she didn’t.

  She recalled a night in Mexico a month ago when Cyril had whisked her out of a restaurant in the middle of their meal. She’d been enjoying a margarita when Cyril had grabbed her arm, tossed money on the table, and rushed her out the back door. A moment later magic tingled her senses right before Cyril teleported them to another tropical island. The enchantment of his power was almost identical to what she felt in the cave, and it confused and concerned her.

  “What’s wrong? Are you not feeling well? Your skin is so pale,” Cyril pointed out as he grabbed her hand and glanced around the pub. His grip was cold and clammy in comparison to Angus’s flaming touch.

  She recognized Cyril’s magic as it snaked through the restaurant, seeking danger and identifying the beings in their surroundings. He was extremely paranoid, always alert and searching for threats. Again, his hand went to the cobalt stone around his neck.