Torched

by Donna Grant

  Donal’s gaze jerked to Eilish. “Attacked?”

  “I’m fine,” she told him.

  Ulrik grunted. “She wasna. The bastard broke both of her legs and took her for Eireen’s sisters.”

  Donal remained quiet, his face ashen. “Her sisters?” he asked softly.

  “Mikkel made a deal with the Duffys,” Eilish told him. “I don’t know if it was before or after I decided not to kill Ulrik, but they gave him their magic to battle me, and in return, he promised to hand me over to them.”

  “I see.” Donal ran a hand over his mouth and down his jaw. “Did you find Eireen? Did you locate your mum?”

  Eilish looked away as tears gathered. And once more, Ulrik stepped in, relaying the story Patrick told him, as well as everything that had happened at the Duffy house. When Ulrik finished, Donal poured himself another drink and tossed it back. His eyes were red-rimmed when he looked at her, and he brushed a tear from his cheek.

  “I always knew if she were alive, she’d have found a way to me. I know she didn’t tell me what her family planned to keep me from getting hurt, but I would’ve gladly traded my life for hers.” Donal sniffed and blinked rapidly. “I’m glad those responsible for harming my Eireen are all dead, though I wish I would’ve gotten to exact some vengeance of my own.”

  Seeing how shattered her father was, Eilish lost her battle to keep from crying. First one tear escaped, and then a second. That’s all it took for her will to crumble.

  * * *

  Ulrik wanted to kill the Duffys all over again when he looked over and saw Eilish silently crying beside him. There was no messy show of emotion, no loud wailing. The sound of two hearts breaking for a woman they loved and would never see again was done quietly.

  He wrapped an arm around Eilish and pulled her against him. Ulrik didn’t realize what he’d done until she rested her head on his shoulder.

  But Donal’s keen eyes saw it all.

  Ulrik liked the mortal instantly. Though his white hair and beard made many mistake him for an old man, Ulrik saw much more. Donal was still fit, his mind sharp, and he would be around for many years to come. Which is exactly what Eilish needed.

  “I need a moment,” Eilish whispered.

  Ulrik stood to let her out. He watched her walk to the restroom before he sat down and looked at Donal. The two stared at each other. There were few humans who Ulrik respected, but Donal was one of them.

  Not just because he was Eilish’s father but also because Donal had his hand in everything. He’d make a great ally.

  “I will find my uncle,” Ulrik said.

  Donal clasped his hands together on the table. “I’m going to hold you to that.”

  “I was planning on it anyway. Then Mikkel made the mistake of going after Eilish.”

  “I realize I’m new to this father gig, but I believe I have every right to ask what you’re doing with her.”

  Ulrik looked into the mortal’s blue eyes. “You do have that right, and I’d do the same in your shoes. I wanted her to return to Graves, but she intends to go after Mikkel, as well. My uncle took her finger rings.”

  “I gave those to Eireen, and she made sure they ended up with Eilish.”

  “It’s just one of a long list of mistakes Mikkel has made.”

  “I owe Patrick much for taking care of both Eireen and Eilish,” Donal said as he turned the whisky glass around on the table. “I’d like to meet him. And I’m sure he would like to see Eilish again.”

  Ulrik nodded. “Eilish may have lost her mother, but she has two fathers. She’s lucky.”

  “Aye,” Donal said with a smile. It soon faded as he drew in a deep breath. “Why did you want Eilish to return to Graves?”

  “To keep her safe. The Duffys willna bother her ever again.”

  “And you thought that was all she was fighting for?” the human asked with a raised white brow.

  Ulrik hesitated before he gave a nod. “Aye. But she said if I doona take her with me, she’ll go to Dreagan.”

  There was a hint of a smile on Donal’s face when he said, “So she left you between a rock and a hard place.”

  “If she goes to Dreagan, the Kings will want their revenge for what she did to the mates.”

  “Perhaps.”

  “It’s a chance I willna take,” Ulrik declared.

  Donal’s head cocked to the side as shrewd eyes pinned him. “Why is that?”

  His mind went blank. He couldn’t form a thought, much less words. And the longer the silence stretched between them, the steelier Donal’s gaze became.

  “What’s going on?” Eilish asked as she walked up.

  Ulrik got to his feet, thankful for the reprieve. Though he knew it was a brief one.

  Donal gave her a smile. “Are you hungry? Let me feed you.”

  “I could eat,” she said, turning her gaze to Ulrik.

  Ulrik briefly nodded. “Then we shall stay.”

  He slowly sank onto the bench as Donal broke into a story about his first date with Eireen. Ulrik couldn’t take his gaze from Eilish, who stared, enraptured by the story.

  But all he could think about was Donal’s question—and his inability to answer it.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FOUR

  Somewhere along the Great Wall of China

  Beauty could be deadly. It was something Mikkel was counting on Ulrik discovering. Mikkel ran his fingers along the intricate design on the finger rings.

  He’d always assumed the power he felt from Eilish was all hers. How excited he’d been when he took the jewelry from her after breaking her legs and discovered they held their own dose of magic.

  Magic strong enough that it allowed him to teleport anywhere he wanted.

  He lifted his head and looked out over the mountains. This deserted, derelict part of the Great Wall offered him privacy. No one would ever think to look for him here. But he’d needed the distance to figure out his next move.

  Of course, he’d known Ulrik and Eilish would come for the Duffys. But he’d expected to easily defeat the Druid and use her to make Ulrik stand down.

  Unfortunately, that’s not how things worked out. To his shock, Eilish had gotten stronger. He’d caught a glimpse of what happened when she disappeared from the manor after the scream that busted his eardrums.

  Just as he’d felt the first time he met Eilish, he experienced a wave of power. It was how he’d known she would be able to weaken Ulrik enough for Mikkel to kill him. Same with Con. He needed Eilish’s magic.

  But he’d sensed a change in her that began in Venice. After Ulrik had gone to Graves and he and Eilish had their little chat. So, Mikkel had begun to keep a closer eye on Eilish.

  The fury he’d felt when she didn’t kill Ulrik and he hadn’t become a Dragon King exceeded anything he’d ever felt before. Thankfully, he had a backup plan—the Duffys. It was only by investigating Eilish that he’d learned of her search for her mother. That’s what led him to the Duffys. The natural thing for him to do was to ally with them.

  If only they’d died once they gave their magic to him, but since they were merely vessels and not the original owners, they were able to live through the ceremony. They were so magic-hungry that they’d consented to his plan without having to be talked into it. And after the two aunts had witnessed Eilish’s power firsthand at the manor, they’d been giddy to lure her to the house and take what they felt was theirs.

  Mikkel couldn’t stand them. Magic hadn’t chosen them so, in his mind, they had no right to it. The fact that they took it from others sickened him. Each of the Duffys got what they deserved when he left them behind with Ulrik and Eilish.

  He looked down at his palm where the finger rings rested. His dragon magic easily surpassed a Druid’s and matched most Fae. But now that he had the Duffys’—or rather what was left of Eireen’s—power mixed with his, he was easily three-times as strong.

  The Druid magic mixed with his, and they fed off each other, making him more powerful. To the point that he was confi
dent he could challenge Ulrik and win.

  Underestimating Ulrik had nearly cost Mikkel everything. Taraeth’s death, and Balladyn’s ascension to the throne of the Dark had been another hit he hadn’t seen coming. But Mikkel was nothing if not persistent.

  All was not lost.

  Mikkel smiled. Ulrik had made another fatal mistake because, apparently, he hadn’t learned anything from Nala’s betrayal.

  Mikkel closed his fingers around the rings. Eilish would want these back. Since Ulrik cared for the Druid, he wouldn’t allow her to search alone. No, Ulrik would be right beside her when they came looking for him.

  Yet Mikkel knew how to strike to inflict the most damage. A simple call to one of his many assassins would take Donal Cleary’s life. Learning her mother was dead and losing her father so soon would destroy Eilish.

  And with her off-kilter, Ulrik would be reckless. That would lead to him making a mistake, one that Mikkel was counting on to put Ulrik at a disadvantage. That’s when Mikkel would kill him.

  But … there could be another use for Donal, as well.

  It was all within reach. For too long, Mikkel had waited, biding his time for when he could become King. The fate of the dragons rested on his shoulders, and he was going to ensure they survived.

  For too long, he’d watched helplessly as the humans devastated each other. But that was never enough. They made weapons that could destroy everyone and everything. And all the while, they ripped the Earth to shreds, polluting the air, soil, and water.

  They cared nothing for the planet. So it was time they left.

  The first step was becoming a Dragon King.

  The second, removing Constantine.

  The third, returning the dragons.

  Then hell would be unleashed upon the humans.

  If the Fae wanted to join in, he’d allow them. After all, they would be helping him rid the realm of pests that had overrun everything.

  It was going to feel amazing to annihilate the mortals. Mikkel couldn’t wait to hear the screams of agony and terror. It would be music to his ears. And while the humans begged for mercy, he and the other dragons would roar their victory and wipe the putrid cities clean with dragon fire.

  Somewhere in Canada …

  “That’s a wrap!”

  Usaeil smiled as the cheers from the cast and crew of the movie filled the air. She could destroy a section of filming again to keep the production going, but she had other pursuits to keep her occupied.

  With a wink to Jason Statham, Usaeil made her way to her trailer before teleporting to Con’s bedroom.

  Except she was thrown right back to Canada.

  She clenched her fists and tried once more, choosing Con’s office. And again, she was returned to the trailer.

  Usaeil threw back her head and screamed. This couldn’t be happening.

  If Con wanted to play that game, then she was more than willing. He might be able to keep her out of his bedroom and the office, but he couldn’t keep her out of the little village he so loved.

  She snapped her fingers, replacing her movie attire with that of a short denim skirt and a purple shirt that fit like a second skin. Over-the-knee black boots completed the ensemble. Shaking out her hair, she fluffed the midnight tresses so they framed her face in wavy disarray. Then she teleported to the village.

  A smile formed as she walked the streets while the silly humans—both male and female—stopped to ogle her, their blatant desire obvious in the way they hungrily stared. She winked and waved at several on her way to The Fox and the Hound, owned by none other than the Dragon King, Laith. The question was, would the King of Blacks be working?

  No wards kept her from entering the pub. Not that she was surprised. The Kings were too confident that no Fae would ever have a need to venture so close to Dreagan.

  But they hadn’t counted on her.

  She made her way to the bar and sat on a stool. Linking her hands together, she placed her arms on the shellacked wood. Her gaze landed on a woman with wavy, blond hair just past her shoulders. The fact the human wasn’t smiling and flirting with her meant that she was looking at a Dragon King’s mate.

  “Hello,” Usaeil said.

  The music still blared from the speakers, but the conversation around the pub had gone silent. Not that she cared. She knew everyone’s attention was on her. And that was how she liked it.

  The mate tossed down the towel she’d been holding and put her hands on her hips. “You aren’t welcome here.”

  The hint of a Scottish accent made Usaeil smile. “Which one are you.”

  “None of your fucking business,” Laith said as he came from the back of the pub, his gunmetal gaze trained on her, and his long, dark blond hair loose about his shoulders. “Get out, Usaeil.”

  She looked around at the mortals who were gawking at her. “I’m having too much fun to leave.”

  “I can make you,” Laith threatened.

  Her gaze skated to him as her smile dropped. “You really want to make an enemy of the Queen of Light? You might want to rethink that. While you do, send for Con.”

  “Out!” Laith bellowed to the occupants.

  Without question or complaint, the patrons set down their drinks and food before departing.

  Usaeil blew out a breath as she rolled her eyes. “That was rude. I expected more from you, but we’ll deal with that later.”

  “We willna deal with a fucking thing,” Laith said, his eyes sparking with anger.

  She crossed one leg over the other, hooking her fingers together and holding onto her knee as she leaned back. “Con. Now.”

  “What’s the matter?” Laith asked sarcastically. “Is he no’ responding to your summons?”

  Usaeil was fast losing patience. “We can do this the easy way. Or we can do it the hard way.” She looked at the female as she said the last part.

  A growl sounded from Laith as his woman put a hand on his chest to halt his advance.

  The mate laughed. “I’ve heard an awful lot about you. Now, I totally get what everyone says.”

  “That I’m beautiful, powerful, and magnanimous?” Usaeil asked with a grin.

  The woman laughed louder, her head shaking. “Nope.”

  “What do they say?” Usaeil demanded, her gaze narrowed on the mate.

  There was movement toward the back of the pub, and then another form appeared. Usaeil grinned at Shara. “Ah. Finally, an ally.”

  The Fae slowly walked toward Laith and the female. “Usaeil, what are you doing here?”

  “I’m your queen,” she reminded Shara. “And let’s not forget that I’m the one who helped you become Light and shed the confines of the Dark you once were in order to be with Kiril.”

  There was a snort behind Usaeil. “I always knew you’d hold that over her.”

  Usaeil turned her head to find Kiril with his shamrock green eyes trained on her. “I don’t know why all of you are in a huff. Con and I are friends. We’ve long been friends. Actually, we’re more than that. Now, please get him here.”

  “No,” Laith replied, his hands clenched at his sides.

  It was Shara who said, “This wasn’t a good idea, Usaeil. You should leave.”

  “Why?” she demanded. “I’m a queen. I’m your queen.”

  “You sure the fuck are no’ mine,” Kiril said.

  Usaeil unclasped her hands and slid from the stool. “Each of you will rue the day you stood against me. Con and I are in love. We’re going to be mated.”

  As she spoke, she looked at each of them, but their reactions didn’t change. Though she expected some opposition, she was surprised by the lack of emotion.

  That’s when it hit her.

  “He’s already told you about us,” she said.

  Shara’s silver eyes widened as she looked askance at her. “What did you expect when you posted copies of that tabloid picture all over the Light Palace?”

  “He didn’t want to tell anyone,” Usaeil said. “But I’m not one to be k
ept hidden. We’re two of the most powerful rulers on this realm. It’s obvious we should be together.”

  Laith’s lips twisted in a sneer. “What about what Con wants?”

  “He needs a push, is all.”

  “He needs to burn his prick for ever sticking it in you,” Kiril stated.

  Her anger spiked. “And to think, I helped you. I came in peace, but you want a war. Well then, I’ll give you one. And after Con and I are mated, I’m going to make sure he kills all of you.”

  Usaeil turned and looked directly at Shara. “And I’ll deal with you separately.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

  Eilish had been on her own for so long that it had become a habit to do everything herself. But she was discovering that there were definitely more pros than cons to having someone like Ulrik around.

  He’d known she needed Donal before it even crossed her mind. The time they spent in England with her father had done her a world of good. And it had helped to heal her, just as she hoped it aided Donal.

  She stared at Ulrik’s profile as they once more stood within the Duffy house, she comprehended the steps he’d taken so they could be where they were—searching for a thread of Mikkel’s magic to follow to his location.

  “You’re staring,” he said without looking at her.

  She crossed her arms over her chest. “We didn’t have to leave here earlier. We could’ve been searching for Mikkel for the past several hours.”

  Finally, Ulrik looked up from the last spot Mikkel was seen and speared her with his golden gaze. My God, he was something to behold—both as a man and a dragon.

  He literally made her heart race.

  He was cynical, devious, and shrewd. Qualities that weren’t exactly bonuses. But added to his intelligence, his commanding presence, and his ingenuity and imposing personality, he was perfection in her eyes.

  “You needed Donal,” Ulrik said in a soft voice.

  “But it put us behind.”

  He waved away her words and returned his attention to the spot on the floor. “Doona worry.”

  There was no way for her to turn it off. How could she not concern herself? Mikkel now had Druid power added to his magic. “Should we do this alone?”