by Donna Grant
“Aye. A couple of the mates gave her some clothes after she ate and had a shower. She didna want to go into the manor at first. No’ until I told her you were no longer banished.”
Even though he had been able to come and go at will on Dreagan for several centuries, to have the banishment lifted was … freeing. It was something Ulrik had longed for so desperately, he’d never thought it would happen unless he killed Con. And yet, somehow, it had happened.
Just as he and Con were talking as if several millennia hadn’t passed with them as enemies.
Bracing his hands against the wall, Ulrik sighed. “Eilish is as stubborn as they come. It’s what helped her survive when others would’ve crumbled beneath the weight.”
“You admire her.”
“Aye.”
“The others have mixed feelings about her.”
Ulrik dropped his arms and faced Con. “If they have a problem with her, they can come to me.”
The slow rise of Con’s brow spoke volumes. “If no’ for us, Kinsey and Esther would’ve killed each other. Eilish is the cause of that.”
“You could say that Mikkel is. Or, really, I am. Because had I no’ been banished, my uncle would’ve never come into power. Or we could say you’re the cause of it. Had you stood with me instead of against me, none of this would’ve happened.”
“And you’d never have known her.”
Ulrik studied Con. “What’s that suppose to mean?”
“Eilish is good for you.”
“Doona go down that road.”
Con shrugged. “Why no’? What are you afraid of? Caring?” He gave a lengthy pause. “Or loving?”
“I’ll no’ discuss Eilish with you,” he stated and turned his back to Con.
“It’s a pity. She was ready to fight like a she-devil for me to heal you.”
Ulrik leaned his head back and looked at the shadows on the domed ceiling above him. He didn’t want to hear this. It was hard enough to try and forget her saying that she loved him. It replayed in his head constantly.
He knew all of Eilish’s strengths, her faults, and her weaknesses. He knew the stroke of her magic—and the darkness that tinged the edges. It called to him. Both her magic and the darkness, where he had toyed around the edges for eons.
The taste of her, the feel of her, was branded upon him, sunk deep into his psyche, just as his tattoo was. She was a part of him. Whether he liked it or not.
And he liked it. Very much.
Too much.
“You had every right to hate the mortals back then. As well as today. Doona think it’s weak to care for one.”
“I did care for one,” Ulrik said and lowered his head. “I loved her, remember? And look where that got me.”
Con walked farther into the cavern. “Eilish isna Nala. You know that, even if you willna admit it.”
“I can admit that Eilish is different than anyone I’ve ever known—human, dragon, or Fae.”
“She loves you.”
Ulrik shook his head before he turned his head to Con. “Doona say more.”
A look of surprise shot over Con’s face. “She told you.”
“Aye,” he finally replied.
“You care for her. I can see that.”
Ulrik tried to deny it, but the words lodged in his throat. Finally, he ran a hand down his face and turned to lean against the wall.
“You can ask any King or mate here, but I didna want any of my men attaching themselves to mortals,” Con said. “No’ just because they could go insane as you pointed out once, but because I’ve always feared someone else would betray another of you. Yet I find that despite what Eilish has done, she’s partially redeemed herself by helping Nikolai and Esther. And you. She’s fighting against Mikkel. She told me you shared your story with her. Did you tell her all of it?”
Ulrik nodded, bracing one foot against the wall behind him.
“You wouldna have done such a thing if you didna trust her,” Con said.
Trust. Did he trust Eilish? To his surprise, he did. That put Ulrik in a precarious position—the kind he’d sworn never to be in again.
He looked to Con. His old friend was watching him carefully. Was Con looking for a weakness? Something to exploit? “You’re verra curious about my life.”
“No’ for the reasons you imagine.”
“Really?”
“Really.” Con twisted the dragon head cufflink at his wrist. “Do you want to know why I banished you?”
Ulrik snorted. “I figured that out.”
“I doubt it.”
“Then, please. Enlighten me.”
Con’s black eyes held his. “It would’ve been kinder had I killed you.”
“That we agree on.”
“But I couldna.”
Ulrik frowned at the unexpected admission. Unease ran through him as he watched his old friend.
Con lifted one shoulder, his lips twisting ruefully. “I sent you away the night we killed Nala because I wanted to spare you. You, of all the Kings, didna deserve such a betrayal by the woman you’d fallen in love with. I didna do it to be cruel. I did it as a kindness.”
“It took me a while to come to terms with that, but I do know you didna order her death lightly.”
Con looked at the ground. “I’d never seen such anger in you once you learned what we’d done. Even then, I think you knew we did it because you were our brother.” He lifted his gaze to Ulrik. “So you turned your anger on the only ones you could—the mortals.”
“Is that why you stood against me?”
“I wanted to join you. I fought that every day,” Con confessed.
Ulrik was confused by his words. “Then why?”
“We made a vow. If I disregarded it, it would set a precedent. So as much as part of me agreed with you—and wanted to join you—I had to stand against you.”
“Why did you no’ tell me?”
“Would you have listened?”
Ulrik knew the answer.
Con shot him a half-smile. “You had the majority of the Kings on your side at that point. You could’ve challenged me right then.”
“Why would I do that? I never wanted your position. I just wanted the humans gone. But you condemned me to walk as a mortal without any magic and banished me.”
“Aye,” Con said with a nod of his head. “You wouldna listen to me. You backed me into a corner and gave me no choice. If I could go back and change all of it, I would. If you want to challenge me, then we can fight.”
This might not have been in his plans, but Ulrik knew it was folly to pass up such an opportunity. Yet he found himself saying, “My focus is Mikkel right now.”
“I’ve already told the others, but as of the moment I healed you, your banishment was lifted. No matter the outcome of today, tomorrow, or next month. This is your home. I overstepped when I sent you away. I was angry that I had to take your magic, and then you were so defiant. And once it was done—”
“You couldna undo it,” Ulrik finished.
Con blew out a breath. “I had many siblings, but you were my only true brother. I’m sorry.”
Ulrik dropped his gaze to the ground. Over the past several hours, he’d learned a lot, and he wasn’t sure how to digest it all yet. After hating Con for so long, he couldn’t just put it aside. Could he?
Instead of thinking about it, he changed the subject. “I doona want Eilish with us when we face Mikkel.”
Con looked away, a flash of hurt in his black eyes that was quickly masked. “From what I’ve learned, she’s more than capable of handling herself.”
“He’ll harm her,” Ulrik said and raised his eyes to Con. “I know it. And it could put her in a position where she goes to that other realm again.”
That was one outcome Ulrik refused to allow to happen. No matter what he had to do or say, he wouldn’t lose Eilish to the mist again.
Con ran a hand over his chin. “You’re the strategist. Where will he do it? And how?”
�
��Mikkel will look for a weakness in all of us. Then he’ll use it. While Eilish’s magic is strong, she couldna hold him off the first time.”
“Weakness, aye?” Con murmured.
Ulrik lowered his foot to the ground. “Aye.”
“Then I know how Mikkel will do it, and I know how you’ve overlooked it.”
Ulrik threw up his hands in aggravation. “Care to share?”
“You.”
He cocked his head to the side, taken aback. “What?”
“Eilish is your weakness. That’s how he got to you in the forest. It’s how he’ll get you this time. He’ll go for her, just as he went for Nala.”
Ulrik pushed away from the wall with his shoulder and began to pace the cavern with long strides. “I didna think it was possible to hate anyone more than I hated you or the mortals, but Mikkel has claimed that spot.”
“Then use that.”
He halted and jerked his head to Con. “The hate?”
“Mikkel thinks he’s smarter than you, but he isna. We both know that. He believes he’s gotten one over on you all these years by convincing Nala to betray you. He expects you to be furious and to make mistakes. But he doesna know you well enough to know that when you’re that angry, it makes you more lethal, more dangerous. And before you forget, I’m going to be there to have your back.”
Ulrik found himself in the uncomfortable position of having his so-called enemy giving him praise and encouragement. “Mikkel willna come alone.”
“A coward like him never does.”
“He’ll bring his mercenaries.”
Con smiled then. “Do you no’ have your own?”
Ulrik found himself chuckling. Damn, he’d missed his friendship with Con. If only Mikkel hadn’t interfered. If he hadn’t, Ulrik would be mated to Nala.
His thoughts ground to a halt, the smile dropping. But then he never would have met Eilish. He wouldn’t have known the taste of her kiss, the feeling of her body against his, or the pleasure to be found in her arms.
“Do you remember when I told you I was taking Nala as my mate?” Ulrik asked.
Con nodded. “I do.”
“You told me it was a mistake. Why did you think that?”
“She wasna your match. Nala was pretty and sweet, but she didna challenge you, she didna push you. Nor was she in love with you. You saved her and her family from starvation. So while you might have loved her, she returned the affection out of gratitude. It’s why Mikkel turned her so easily.”
Ulrik raked a hand through his hair. “I would’ve been miserable with Nala.”
“No’ at first. It would’ve taken time, but she wouldna have adjusted to immortality.”
“I killed her.”
Con look askance at him. “Nay. We did that.”
“You doona understand. I found her soul and obliterated her so that she could never come back.”
There was a beat of silence as Con’s gaze briefly narrowed in surprise. “I didna know you could do that.”
He shrugged. “I wasna able to confront her in life, so I did it in death.”
“You’re going to win against Mikkel. Regardless, doona leave here without telling Eilish of your feelings.”
Ulrik shot him a dark look. “You’ve nerve to give me such advice.”
“Because we’re discussing you right now. When we’re talking about me, feel free to give me all the advice you want.”
Ulrik pressed his lips together. “I’ll no’ make Eilish happy in the long run.”
“There isna a Dragon King who deserves to find happiness more than you, my friend. You need to go to her. If you can no’ find the words, show her. Eilish is the kind of woman who will be loyal forever.”
That Ulrik knew. He wasn’t sure how. He just did. Just as his trust in her had come upon him unexpectedly.
“I’ll be ready to leave whenever you give the word,” Con said. “I’ll stand beside you as we fight Mikkel. And, when we return, I’ll be ready when you challenge me.”
Ulrik watched Con walk from the cavern, his thoughts no longer on killing the King of Kings—but on loving Eilish.
CHAPTER FORTY-TWO
Eilish stood in the giant cavern in awe of the four Silvers sleeping peacefully within their cage. Other than the Kings, these were the last dragons on Earth.
She walked slowly around the enclosure, noting the metallic silver scales just like Ulrik’s. The dragons were as large as he was, but Ulrik still managed to set himself apart. It was the strength and the natural authority and leadership he exuded.
Stopping, she bit her lip as she thought about touching one of the dragons. She’d seen Ulrik twice now in dragon form and hadn’t been able to get close to him yet. When he fought Mikkel, she’d been trying to protect Donal, but it had been thrilling to feel the ground tremble beneath her feet and bask in the power and might that rolled off him in waves.
“Touch them.”
Her gaze jerked to the entrance to find the very man she couldn’t stop thinking about. She shivered—and it had nothing to do with the cool temperature of the mountain and everything to do with Ulrik.
His inky hair was shoved back from his face and hung loosely about his shoulders. His gold eyes were piercing, as if they glowed from within. He’d found clean clothes, and the white Henley hugged every mouthwatering muscle from his shoulders to his waist. He gave a nod, his lips tilted slightly at the corners.
Eilish put her hand through the bars and laid her palm on the dragon. The warmth of the scales seeped through her skin. Magic swirled around her, greater than she’d ever felt in the stone circles.
Her eyes slid closed as she heard the distant beat of drums and chanting. The Ancients. They were with her once more. She didn’t know what was more exhilarating, hearing the Ancients again or touching a dragon.
Then a hand rested atop hers. She didn’t need to look to know it was Ulrik. He molded his body against her back, cocooning her. She held her breath when his free hand swiped her hair to one side. His lips pressed against her neck, causing her lips to part as the air whooshed from her lungs. He then anchored her against him with his free arm as his warm breath rushed over her skin.
“Your magic is moving around me like a caress,” he whispered huskily.
She couldn’t catch her breath. “What’s happening?”
“The Silvers feel you. Your magic touched theirs. And they like it.”
“And you?”
“You know I like it.”
Her heart skipped a beat. It wasn’t a confession of love, but then again, she hadn’t expected one. In many ways, this was so much better. “The Ancients are with me, as well.”
“That’s the kind of power you have,” he said, nuzzling her neck.
He spun her so quickly, it didn’t register until her back was against the bars, her wrists trapped in his grip near her head. She saw the desire in his eyes, and her body readily answered.
“I doona want you in this fight.”
She nodded, not wanting to talk, but to kiss. “I know.”
“You doona.”
It took her a moment to push past the fog of need for her to grasp that he was trying to tell her something, but she would have read between the lines.
“Tell me then,” she urged.
“Your darkness that called to me has grown. So has your magic.” His chin jerked to her arms. “The tats are proof of that.”
She shook her head, wanting him to stop.
In a blink, his shirt was gone. Ulrik brought her arm against his dragon tattoo. “Look, Eilish. Look at the coloring. They match. In all of my eons on this planet, nothing has ever had the black and red mix of our tattoos. Nothing.”
“What does it mean?” She was happy her voice didn’t quaver, because inside, she was a mess.
“I doona know. This is new territory, but Mikkel can no’ use you.”
She gave him a dark look. “I’ll never help that bastard again.”
“But I would.”
“If he had you, I would do whatever he wanted. And he knows that.”
Chills raced over her skin. She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t think. Had Ulrik just said what she thought he had? Could he actually mean…?
Abruptly, he released her and stepped back. “Please stay out of this fight.”
“You need those finger rings away from Mikkel. I’m your best chance for that.”
“I was hoping you wouldn’t realize that.”
Her eyes lowered to his tattoo. Her stomach fell to her feet when she saw it move as if turning its head toward her. And the tats all over her body warmed in response.
“Get the finger rings and get out,” Ulrik told her. “Promise me.”
She nodded, lifting her gaze to his face. He’d opened up to her, but now he was shutting himself off again. Since this could be one of the last times she saw Ulrik, she was going to take advantage of it.
In two steps, she was before him. She brought his head down and kissed him. His arms immediately came around her, holding her tightly as he plundered her lips in a kiss that made her toes curl.
She was the one who ended it, though it took all her willpower. With her hand on his cheek, she looked into his eyes. “I’ve given you a promise, but I want one in return. If Mikkel happens to catch me with the intent to use me against you, don’t agree to any of his terms. Kill him. Even if it means I die.”
Ulrik jerked back as if struck. “I can no’.”
“You have to. I know what I’m getting into. I need to do this for me and for the people I hurt. It’s my redemption.”
He stared at her a long moment before he grudgingly said, “All right.”
“Good,” she said and dropped her arms. “When does it begin?”
“Whenever you’re ready.”
That meant she had to leave Ulrik, and she wasn’t sure she could. She started to reach toward the cuff when he yanked her back against him for another scorching kiss that promised unrestrained passion and ecstasy.
The force of their hunger and yearning raged so hot, it could’ve scorched anyone who got close. There was desperation there, as well—from both of them. They clung to each other, using their hands and mouths to convey what neither wanted to say.
