Torched

by Donna Grant

  “What did he say?” Hayden asked.

  “Not much,” Rhi replied.

  What had Con expected? That Ulrik would want to help? That wasn’t going to happen. And unless they learned which Druids and Fae were involved, there might not be a way to figure out why they had targeted the Dragon Kings in the first place.

  Or just what the group had planned for the Kings.

  Isla reached up and grabbed one of Hayden’s hands. “It doesn’t matter what Ulrik wants or doesn’t want. He’s involved now, and by the way the Ancients continue to shout his name, I think he’s closer to discovering something than any of us are.”

  “Or he could be involved,” Fallon said.

  Con gave a single shake of his head. “We’ve already ruled that out. Ulrik had his magic bound. There wouldna have been enough time for him to get from Dreagan to Fair Isle.”

  “If he isna helping them, then they could be targeting him,” Hayden said.

  Rhi’s brow knitted. “You talk as if this group is still around. The Druids would be dead.”

  “Druids pass down their spells,” Isla said. “They could’ve passed whatever intentions they had, as well.”

  Con clenched his fist. Something had to give soon. After all this time of protecting the realm and the mortals, why was everyone coming at the Kings?

  The door to the library was suddenly thrown open. Thorn strode inside, his dark eyes locked on Con. “We’ve a visitor.”

  “Who?” Con demanded.

  Thorn glanced at Rhi before he turned his dark head to Con. “A Light Fae.”

  “Here?” Rhi asked in surprise.

  Con glanced at her before he asked Thorn, “Who is it?”

  “Inen,” said an Irish voice as he walked into the library.

  Thorn spun around and glared at the intruder. “I told you to wait.”

  “This can’t,” Inen said with a frown.

  Con met the Captain of the Queen’s Guard’s eyes. “Inen, what brings you to Dreagan?”

  Inen blew out a breath and shoved a hand through the black hair all Light Fae were born with as he looked at Rhi. “I thought you should hear it from a friend.”

  “Hear what?” Rhi asked as she took a step toward him.

  Inen sent a quick look to Con. “Usaeil has banished you.”

  Con immediately turned to Rhi to see the color drain from her face. Rhi was suffering blow after blow from Usaeil, and Con knew it wouldn’t be long before the two clashed in a war that would devastate not just the Fae, but also the Dragon Kings and the mortals.

  “I’m sorry,” Inen murmured.

  Rhi simply stood there, dazed.

  Con looked at Inen. “Thank you for telling her.”

  “Usaeil … well, she’s not the same,” Inen said. Then he bowed his head to Con and disappeared.

  For long minutes, Rhi stood silently. Then she looked at Con. “I think it’s time for that confrontation with Usaeil.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY

  It was a glorious feeling to wake with a smile. A contented, pleasure-filled smile. But it vanished when Eilish opened her eyes and found her bed empty.

  She rose, walking naked through her flat, in hopes of finding Ulrik. The disappointment that filled her when he wasn’t there was sharp, acute.

  And centered right in her chest.

  Looking out the window, she spotted the dark gray skies and rain that fell in buckets. Which matched her mood.

  There was no use pretending she wasn’t angry. Not when she hurt so deeply. How could he make such sweet love to her and then leave? Then she recalled his trust issues and how she’d felt him rise from the bed right before she fell asleep.

  She should’ve tried harder to stay awake, not that it would’ve done any good. Ulrik still would’ve left, except she would’ve been awake to see it. At least this way, she’d been spared. Though she wasn’t so sure it lessened the sting.

  How could he touch her so tenderly, so passionately, and not feel anything? A picture flashed in her head of him leaning over her as he thrust inside. His gold gaze had burned with desire.

  He’d felt something, all right. Felt it so deeply that it blazed in his eyes.

  No doubt if she confronted him, he’d say it was nothing but lust. But she knew what that looked like, what it felt like. Their attraction was deeper than mere desire. Or was she just deceiving herself?

  Eilish lifted her chin. Perhaps she’d been the one played for a fool. Had Ulrik used her as he thought she did him? Had he betrayed her by awakening this yearning for him and forcing her to give in so he could leave her behind to deal with the aftermath?

  She knew he was broken. Yet she’d thought while they were making love that he might not be as destroyed as she imagined. And that’s where the betrayal came in. He’d made her believe he was something more, that they were something.

  Even putting that possibility together didn’t make her angry. It made her pity him. And it made her hurt even more because she’d felt something for him—still felt it.

  From the moment Mikkel spoke of Ulrik, she’d been intrigued by the Dragon King. Mikkel’s hatred for his own nephew only pushed her to learn more about Ulrik. Then she’d met him. And her heart had skipped a beat.

  Not because a Dragon King had come to see her—the one she was supposed to kill—but because he was nothing like she’d expected. He was … more. So much more.

  More gorgeous, more dangerous, more mysterious, and more mesmerizing. He was simply more of everything.

  She’d reminded herself about her role in his life when he first came to see her. Then he’d done the unexpected and brought Nikolai and Esther to her. That had thrown her for a complete loop. Just when she thought she had Ulrik figured out, he did something surprising.

  Was that what kept her enthralled with him? Was it because he was unpredictable? Or was it because he was broken?

  She’d never been one to want to fix people. She accepted them as they were, flaws and all. Yet with Ulrik, she felt an overwhelming urge to help him. Maybe she was the one going crazy.

  Eilish blew out a breath and turned toward the bathroom. There was no use attempting to return to bed. The sun was up, though she couldn’t see it behind the rain clouds. Besides, the sheets would smell like Ulrik, and she couldn’t handle that right now.

  After her shower, she returned to her bedroom and sat before her vanity to blow-dry her hair. The long, thick length always took forever, so she soon found herself reliving the night over and over again.

  The joy, the pleasure, the unadulterated bliss.

  She looked up after finishing her hair, and her eyes clashed with gold ones in the mirror. Her heart slammed against her chest at the excitement that swelled within her. She didn’t care how long he’d stood there watching her, only that he was there.

  Eilish turned on the stool to look at Ulrik. He was back. It didn’t matter why he’d left, only that he returned. His unreadable expression gave her a moment of worry, but she pushed that aside and got to her feet.

  Before she could utter a single word, he said, “Stop looking for your mother.”

  His statement took her aback. “Why?”

  “The past is better left buried.”

  Well, that wasn’t an answer. It was obvious that he knew something, and now he wasn’t going to tell her. “You have no right to say that since you’ve not let anything in your past stay buried. You keep it warm against you.”

  “I didna come to argue with you.”

  She raised a brow. “No, you came to order me about. This might come as a shock, but I don’t have to listen to you.”

  He grabbed her, spinning her until she was pressed against the wall. It happened so fast, she couldn’t stop it. His face was close, his eyes lit with some inner fire that caused her to hesitate.

  “What do you know?” she demanded in a soft voice.

  He gave a shake of his head and released her, stepping back. After a moment, he raked a hand through his hair and cal
med. “Leave the past buried, Eilish.”

  “It’s my family. I have a right to know.”

  “Sometimes, knowledge isna always good to have.”

  She pushed away from the wall and glared at him. “The more you say things like that, the more I realize you know something. And the more I’m determined to find out what it is.”

  His nostrils flared as he attempted to hold back his anger.

  “I bet you wish you could wipe memories, don’t you?” she asked saucily.

  “I thought life was precious to you,” he said. “Or was protecting the village just a way for them to ignore all the other mystical beings visiting.”

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “I do care about the village. I protect them to keep them from harm.”

  “Then think of them.”

  “You’re not making any sense.”

  Ulrik looked away briefly, a muscle jumping in his jaw. “Did you ever think there was a reason you knew nothing of your mother? Did it enter your mind for even a moment that it was done to shield you from something?”

  “What might that be?”

  He didn’t answer.

  It made her roll her eyes. She dropped her arms to her sides. “You’ve made me more determined than ever to find answers. I’ve already begun. I went to visit Donal. We had a nice talk.”

  “What did he tell you?” Ulrik asked, his gaze narrowed.

  She shrugged, shaking her head. “I know her full name now. I know she’s from Dublin.”

  “If you want to live, drop this. All of it. Doona talk to Donal again. In fact, you should return home.”

  “This is my home.”

  His brows snapped together. “Did you no’ hear me? You’re in danger.”

  “I’ve been in danger since I came to Ireland. First from the Fae, then from Mikkel, and then the Dragon Kings. So who am I supposed to fear now?”

  “Your family. Your mother’s family to be precise.”

  That made her laugh. “If I can handle the Fae, I can fight and win against other Druids.”

  “The strength of your magic makes you a target. It’s how Mikkel found you. It’s how I found Darcy. If you doona want to return to America, then go to the Isle of Skye. The Skye Druids will help you.”

  “I don’t need their help.”

  “Everyone needs help,” he argued.

  She smiled slightly. “Including you?”

  “This isna about me.”

  “No, it’s about me. My family, actually. You know I came here looking for my mother. I helped Mikkel because he has the information, and not once has he said anything about me being in danger.”

  Ulrik lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “That’s because he didna speak to Patrick.”

  Her eyes widened as his words sank in. “You talked to my dad?”

  “My people also found your mother’s name and place of birth. They detailed her family, as well, but I knew there was one person who likely knew the story that had been so well hidden—Patrick Flanagan. So I paid him a visit.”

  “And he told you everything?”

  “Aye.”

  She walked to her bed and sat. “I’m listening.”

  He shook his head. “I’m no’ telling you to forget your mother just to rile you. I’m telling you to save your life.”

  “Is my mother dead?”

  Ulrik shrugged and looked away. “That, I doona know.”

  “But you can find out, can’t you?”

  His head swung back to her, shock registering. “You want me to look for her soul?”

  “That would tell us if she is living or not.” And Eilish really hoped her mother was alive.

  Ulrik blew out a breath. “You’re like a dog with a bone.”

  “I’m going to find out about my mother one way or another. Mikkel has the information. So do you. Mikkel will only tell me after I’ve killed you and Con.”

  “Lass, you doona know what you’ll be up against with either of us,” he said in a low voice.

  “I could call Patrick,” she said. “But I’m sure he’ll refuse to tell me anything. So that leaves you.”

  He closed the distance between them. His hand reached out to her face, but he stopped just short of touching her. “Druids are losing their magic. Every time they mix their blood with that of a mortal, their power decreases. At one time, Druids were the most feared and respected of the humans. Now, everyone believes you’re a myth, just like dragons.

  “The power I feel within you is verra rare. I know what it’s like to watch my species leave. I know how it feels to know that I’m one of the last. So are you. Protect yourself as valiantly as you do this village.”

  She blinked up at him, his words touching her deeply. This was another new side of Ulrik, and she found she quite liked it. “I will protect myself, but I have to know what happened to my mother. Tell me.”

  His lips flattened briefly. “I fear if I do, it will only make things worse.”

  “You’ve no idea the thousands of different reasons I’ve thought of as to why my mother isn’t with me. I know from Donal that he loved her, and she, him. I know she was powerful, and that she feared her family.”

  “Aye,” Ulrik said. “She did. You should, as well.”

  She threw up her hands in defeat. “I have to know.”

  “And I’ll tell you,” he said. “Just no’ now.”

  “When?”

  “Soon. But I need something from you.”

  Eilish nodded eagerly. “Anything. What?”

  “Stay away from Mikkel.”

  Her head bobbed up and down slowly as she got lost in his golden depths. His eyes were blazing with desire again, and it caused her belly to tighten and her sex to clench.

  His knuckles caressed down her face. “I sense the darkness within you that matches my own. You keep it at bay, but one wrong move, and it will devour you.”

  “Did yours consume you?” she asked, her voice barely a whisper.

  His gaze lowered to her mouth. “I sought it, welcomed it. And that darkness changed me. It’ll do the same to you.”

  “Maybe not.”

  “It will,” he pressed. “And … I doona want to see that.” His arm dropped to her waist, and he pulled her against him, his lips hovering over hers.

  Her heart was racing, her body eager to feel his once more. “Why?”

  “Because you’re perfect.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE

  He knew it was a mistake. But Ulrik had to kiss Eilish. There wasn’t any other option. His need to taste her, to feel her against him was as strong as his need to fly.

  He savored the heady kiss, each seemingly relishing the fires of desire that roared to life. But he refused to let it overwhelm him again. Instead, he kept the embrace languid as he took delight in the way her breath fanned his cheek and how she dug her fingers into the backs of his arms.

  She ended the kiss and leaned back. “So you no longer think I’m a spy then?”

  Ulrik released her and took a step back. Why did she have to bring that up and remind him of his distrust? “I believe there is a significant threat to you.”

  “But do you still think I’m spying for Mikkel?” she persisted, a frown marring her forehead.

  Apparently, he took too long to answer because her eyes widened and she gaped at him. “You do,” she accused.

  Ulrik wasn’t going to apologize for what he’d been thinking. In all his dealings with humans and Fae, he’d been wrong exactly twice about someone betraying him. Twice out of eons of time.

  The odds were stacked against her, but there was no use rubbing it in.

  “How can you kiss me like that?” she demanded, hurt and anger in every syllable. “How can you touch me as if you’ve waited centuries to hold me, and still think I’m going to betray you?”

  “Past experience.”

  Her green-gold eyes flashed with anger. “So you’ve kissed many women like that, huh?”

  “No.”

 
; “As if I believe you.”

  He raised a brow at her flippant retort. “I’ve no reason to lie.”

  “Ha,” she said loudly. “How does it feel to not be believed?”

  “I—”

  She held up a hand, stopping him. “I can’t have you touching me as you did last night and kissing me like this morning while thinking I’m a spy. Get out.”

  Ulrik knew better than to try and argue with her. He’d give her time to cool down and return later—without kissing her—and convince her to give up looking for her mother.

  And to forget Mikkel.

  Ulrik touched his silver cuff and, with a nod to the Druid, teleported out.

  * * *

  Eilish was in turns furious and filled with pain. Damn Ulrik for kissing her in such a way. And damn her for forgetting who he really was.

  Why did she have to fall for him?

  Her knees buckled, and she sank onto the bed. No. Surely, she wouldn’t have done something so idiotic, so reckless as to fall in love with the very Dragon King who was supposed to kill her.

  Wasn’t it bad enough that she’d let him into her bed? Her head dropped into her hands. My God, she was crazy. That was the only explanation. No one in their right mind would’ve taken the path she had.

  But she’d run down it with a smile on her face.

  Ulrik wanted her to stop working with Mikkel. Funny thing was, she’d already done that. Mikkel might not know it. But he would soon enough when he didn’t become a Dragon King.

  That made Eilish smile. She’d love to be there and see Mikkel’s face when he realized Ulrik wasn’t dead. As tempting as that was, she had other priorities—like finding her mother.

  Ulrik’s worry over her safety gave her some concern, but she was a Druid. She’d be able to handle anyone she encountered. Of that, she was certain. And he kept telling her how powerful she was. So why was he so troubled?

  Because there was something he didn’t want her to learn.

  The same thing her dad, or rather Patrick, had kept from her.

  It all came back to her mother. And it was time Eilish discovered the truth, no matter how awful it was.

  She rose and put on the finger rings. Just as she was about to teleport to Dublin, pain exploded in her mind. She cried out and put her hands on either side of her head before she fell to her knees as the agony reverberated in her mind like the tolling of a bell.