by Donna Grant
Con’s disastrous affair with Usaeil was what had him and Rhi working together now. Usaeil was smart enough to expect him and Rhi to team up to go against her. Which is one reason he’d been cautious about attacking the queen. They needed to be smart if they were going to win.
And he always won.
Con was prepared to do whatever it took to bring down the queen. Rhi was of the same mind about things, but she had been impatient to go after Usaeil. Con had kept putting her off. Not because he feared what might happen, but because he wanted to concentrate solely on the queen and not the other myriad enemies the Kings had.
But that wasn’t going to happen, it seemed.
He’d recently told Rhi that it was time for them to go after Usaeil. And he suspected that’s why the Light was there now.
“My thoughts are filled with only a few things now,” Rhi finally said into the silence. “Usaeil, Balladyn, my banishment, and the Fae involved with the Others. I miss the days where I had no such worries. But I fear they’re gone. Possibly for good.”
“They’re only gone if you allow them to be,” Con told her.
She nodded, her long waves of jet black hair moving against her back. “Such wants seem so frivolous now.” Rhi turned to face him then. “I don’t think I ever truly realized the weight you bear daily.”
“I’ve never asked anyone to grasp what this position holds.”
“I know.” She walked closer. “I’ve been on Skye continuing my search for any mention of Fae in the time before and during your war with the mortals.”
Con tamped down the hope that sprang up. “Did you find anything?”
“Unfortunately, no. However, I had a visitor.”
He raised a brow, waiting for her to tell him who it was.
“Death.”
The few times Con had interacted with Erith, it had been because she saw a need for it. Whether she saw the future or something else, Con still didn’t know. But Death didn’t pay visits lightly.
Rhi snorted softly. “I can see by your expression that you realize how important such a visit is.”
“What did she say?” When Rhi hesitated, Con said her name.
Rhi wrapped her arms around herself. “She said she had Daire follow me because she wanted to make sure I could handle the darkness growing inside me.”
For a moment, Con couldn’t think. He kept hearing Rhi’s words in his head and tried to remember if he had seen anything dark inside her.
“It was the Chains of Mordare that began it,” Rhi explained.
Con wished he had Balladyn before him right now because it would feel much better to punch the wanker than to hold it all in. “You broke them. Something that was impossible.”
“Apparently, that didn’t stop the darkness from taking root inside me.” Rhi shot him a look, shame filling her silver eyes. “I’ve known it was there. And I ignored it, but there are times that its call is … seductive.”
“It’s that way for everyone. We all have light and dark inside us. You know that. It’s a battle everyone fights. Some give in. Others never do.”
Rhi lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “Erith said she hasn’t judged Usaeil because the queen is mine to take out.”
“Good.”
“Death also said that she wouldn’t wait much longer.”
Con walked to stand before Rhi. “Then neither shall we. I think it’s time we begin our plans to go after Usaeil.”
Rhi’s face lit up as she smiled. “I’m ready.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
No matter how many times Claire tried to tell herself not to be too excited and not think about V every second of the day, she couldn’t help herself.
There were a few times over the years that she had met someone she really liked. Some had turned into brief relationships, but some hadn’t. What was exciting—and rather terrifying—was that she couldn’t remember ever feeling so at peace in all her life.
She thought it might be because V wasn’t a normal man. He was a dragon, which surely made a difference. Because it certainly had changed things while making love to him.
The man was an expert when it came to knowing how and when and where to touch her. His hands, his mouth, and, oh God, his tongue did such delightful, carnal things to her.
All before he’d even filled her with his impressive cock.
Claire’s mouth went dry, and she inwardly shook herself. It was only a little after two in the afternoon, but her entire day had been spent thinking the same thoughts again and again. And it left her body aching and so needy that she thought she might need to change her panties.
She couldn’t focus on anything properly. Thank goodness she was no longer at the hospital, but even so, she needed to get her head on straight and finish for the day.
But it was so hard when all she wanted to do was relive the night before—and dream about the night to come.
Claire found herself smiling as she stared down at the file in her hand. She then saw another hand grasping it and looked up to find Sophie staring at her with a knowing grin.
“I don’t need to ask what that smile is about,” her friend said. “Everyone in town knows you and V left together last night.”
Claire opened her mouth to say something, but she realized she didn’t have a clue how to respond.
Sophie laughed and tugged the file out of her hands. “Since I’ve never seen you so at a loss for words, I take it he was … adequate?”
Claire glanced around to make sure no one could hear. “Oh, more than adequate.”
“Ohhhh. Nice.”
Claire couldn’t stop smiling. She wanted to tell Sophie that she knew the story of the Dragon Kings, but something stopped her. The only thing she’d ever kept from her best friend was the Dragon Kings. And Claire hated that. She missed sharing everything with Sophie.
Even if Sophie now considered Darius her best friend. Claire wasn’t upset about that. Maybe it was because they still worked together, and she got to spend so much time with Sophie, but even she knew that couldn’t last forever.
“Was it just a one-time thing?” Sophie asked.
Claire licked her lips nervously. “Actually, last night was the second time.”
“Is that so?”
She narrowed her eyes at Sophie. While her friend tried to act shocked at the statement, it was obvious that she’d known. And Sophie hadn’t said anything to her.
“What?” Sophie asked the longer Claire stared at her.
“You knew about the first time.”
Sophie didn’t try to lie. Remorse filled her face. “Okay, but don’t be mad.”
“At what?” Claire asked, suddenly worried.
“Well, I knew the thing with Calvin was really messing with you, so we thought it might be nice to put someone near you to take your mind off him.”
Claire crossed her arms over her chest. It was a good thing all the patients were in the waiting room and not in the back to hear them.
“You’re mad.” Sophie’s face fell.
“Did you find the first available guy at Dreagan who didn’t turn up his nose at me?”
“It wasn’t like that.”
A retort filled her mind, but Claire didn’t say it. She realized she wasn’t upset. If it hadn’t been for Sophie and Darius, she might never have been able to experience being in V’s arms.
“Claire, I’m sorry,” Sophie began.
She held up a hand, stopping Sophie from talking further. “I know I should probably be upset, but I also know that you did it because you’re my friend. If I had been able to do something similar for you, I would have.”
“Really?” Sophie asked skeptically.
Claire then held out her arms, and they embraced. “Really.”
“I’ve been dying to tell you. I hate keeping things from you.”
Claire felt even worse since she had kept an important secret from Sophie for months. When Sophie pulled away, Claire knew she wouldn’t be able to look her in the eyes
and not spill everything.
Sure enough, Sophie caught her gaze, a frown forming.
Claire looked to the ceiling and turned away. “Don’t ask. Please, don’t ask.”
“Well, of course I’m going to ask now.”
Claire walked to her desk, trying to ignore Sophie. “We have patients.”
“One more for the day. It’s Mr. Brown, who I’m just checking to see how the medicine I gave him is working, and he’s not even here yet. Stop stalling, Claire, and tell me whatever it is you don’t want me to know,” Sophie urged.
Claire put her hands on the edge of her desk and hung her head. “I lied to you and Darius in Edinburgh.”
There was a beat of silence. “About?”
“What I remembered when I was taken.” Claire straightened and faced Sophie. “I can recall every detail. How I lost control of my body around the Dark Fae, and how Darius and the others saved us. I knew about the Dragon Kings, Sophie. And I thought if I told you what I remembered that those at Dreagan would take the memories away.”
Sophie reached behind her, searching for something to grab to steady herself. She swayed before finally finding a file cabinet. “All this time, you remembered? You never said anything about the Fae and what they did?”
“What was there to say? It wasn’t painful. Quite the opposite, but I’ve never been so scared in my life. I didn’t want them to touch me.”
“Some would liken that to rape.”
“They didn’t have sex with me,” Claire stated more firmly. “That’s why I was able to get past it. I also knew that the closer I stayed to Dreagan, the safer I would be from the Dark.”
“You aren’t wrong there.”
Claire swallowed. “I’m sorry for lying to you and Darius. The Dragon Kings saved both of us, and I owe them so much for that. I would never tell anyone about them, but I wasn’t sure if anyone would believe me.”
“I would have.”
“I know,” Claire said with a smile. “I told V last night that I knew.”
Sophie’s olive eyes widened. “Oh?”
“He filled in the blanks that I’ve been wondering about for some time.”
“So you know everything?”
Claire shrugged. “I don’t know about everything, but he did tell me some things.”
“And then?” Sophie asked while smiling.
Claire tried to look nonchalant but ruined it with a big smile. “He wanted to know when he could see me again.”
“Don’t make me ask,” Sophie demanded with a laugh.
“I’ll be seeing him when I leave tonight.”
“I’m ridiculously excited for you,” Sophie said as she rushed to her and enfolded her in another hug.
Claire held her tightly. “You’re the sister I’ve always wanted. It killed me to keep things from you.”
“Think of me,” Sophie said. “I had so much more I couldn’t tell you. But now we can share something other than the dating blog.”
The smile faded as they parted. Worry wound its way around Claire. “What happens if V doesn’t want to see me anymore? Will my memories be taken? He told me that’s what Guy does.”
“You’ve kept their secret this long. I don’t think they would do anything. Besides, why do you think V wouldn’t want to be with you?”
Claire shrugged, not wanting to put words to her feelings.
Sophie gave her a sad smile. “You can’t compare everyone to your past relationships.”
“Really?” Claire asked sarcastically. “You did.”
“True, but I did it the wrong way. Take it from me, you can’t compare a Dragon King to a mere man.”
“This I’m very aware of.”
Sophie held her gaze a long moment. “You haven’t asked for this advice, but I’m giving it anyway. However long this lasts with V, enjoy it. Take each hour, each day at a time, and savor it, whether it’s a week or an eternity.”
“Eternity? Wait. I just realized that he’s immortal. And I’m not.” Claire’s eyes widened. “Oh, no! Sophie. You’re not immortal either.”
If Claire expected her friend to look upset at the news, she was wrong. She took a good look at Sophie and finally shot her a look, waiting to get details.
Sophie rolled her eyes. “Obviously, V left out a few details.”
“You can fill me in, though.”
“A dragon mates for life. That’s what you need to understand first and foremost.”
Claire’s stomach fluttered at the news. She could almost imagine being V’s for eternity, always knowing that his love never wavered, never faded. How absolutely glorious.
“Are you listening?”
Claire jerked. “Yes. Sorry. Go on.”
“There is a mating ceremony. Once it’s done, each mate gets a dragon eye tattoo that symbolizes they’re joined. It also means that the mate is granted immortality, to live as long as her Dragon King.”
“You have this tat?”
Sophie laughed while nodding. “I do.”
“So you’ll live for … well, forever.”
Sophie shrugged. “I guess. It doesn’t matter to me as long as I get to spend it with Darius.”
Claire could certainly understand wanting something as simple as that. She couldn’t wait to see V again and see what else she might learn.
Their conversation was halted as they went back to seeing the last scheduled patient and two walk-ins. The next time Claire looked at her watch, it was time to wrap up for the day.
“No, no,” Sophie said when Claire started to clean the rooms. “Get back to V. I’ve got this.”
“I love you so much,” Claire said as she grabbed her purse and ran to the door.
She nearly collided with Darius, who caught her before she could trip. Claire smiled up at him and said, “I’m not mad. Actually, I should thank you!”
“What?” he asked with a frown.
“Talk to Sophie. I’ve got to go.”
Claire moved around him and jogged to her car. She had to make herself slow down and not speed on her way home. As soon as she pulled into the drive next to V’s car, she unbuckled her seatbelt. Within seconds, she had the car in park and the engine off.
Her steps were quick and light as she made her way to the door. When she tried to open it, she found it locked. Since she thought V would have left it unlocked, it was a little disconcerting. Undeterred, Claire found her key and released the lock. She stepped inside the house, expecting to see V.
Instead, she found it empty.
Had he gone and for some reason left his car? Her disappointment was overwhelming. She walked slowly to the table and dropped her purse and keys on it. She didn’t know why she’d thought he would be at her house. He hadn’t said anything of the sort. But he’d been there when she left that morning.
“Bad day?”
At the sound of his voice behind her, she whirled around to find him leaning against the doorway watching her. “No.”
“You looked upset,” he said.
“Because I didn’t think you were here.”
He smiled and pushed away from the door to walk to her. “I always keep my word, lass. Now come here so I can kiss you.”
As if she had to be told twice.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The taste of her lips was sublime. V had counted the hours until he could see Claire again. All he’d done was think of her throughout the day.
Her smile, the color of her eyes, the way her skin flushed when she was pleasured. She’d filled every corner of his mind and moment of the day. He’d helped in the distillery, did several loads of wash, and took Cassie’s dog Duke for a walk in the Dragonwood.
The Great Dane had bounded through the trees with such joy that V wished Claire had been there to see it. V hadn’t expected to come to love the dog so much, but he was a staple around Dreagan, and for some reason, Duke had taken an instant liking to him.
So much so that the dog scratched on V’s door at night to come in and sle
ep with him. They had fought over the bed at first, and though V would never tell anyone, the dog won. Now when Duke chose to sleep with him, V only had a sliver of the large bed to call his own.
V smoothed back Claire’s hair from her face as he cupped her head. “How was your day?”
“Long,” she answered. “But much better now that you’re here.”
He liked the way happiness flowed through him at her words.
“How about yours?” she asked.
“Verra long. All I could think about was you.”
Her eyes grew heavy-lidded as she pressed her breasts against him. “Hmm. Did you really?”
“Oh, aye.”
She rose up on her tiptoes and briefly pressed her lips against his before looking into his eyes. “I told Sophie that I knew about the Dragon Kings.”
“How did she take it?”
“With some shock, but it didn’t last long. Sophie said she was glad that she could now talk to me about everything that she had been keeping from me.”
V wondered what it felt like to have such a friend where there were no secrets. He didn’t open up easily to anyone, which was part of the reason he’d never become really close with any Dragon Kings. It didn’t help that he’d spent so much time in his mountain.
“What?” Claire asked, concern clouding her face.
He shook his head. “I was just thinking about how close you and Sophie are.”
“She’s my best friend. And while she might not say it, Darius is now her best friend. She’s still pretty partial to me, though,” Claire said with a grin.
“She’s verra protective of you. So is Darius, for that matter.”
Claire grinned from ear to ear. “That makes me happy because I love them both to pieces. What about you? Who is your closest friend?”
“I guess you could say it’s Roman.”
“You guess? You don’t sound too sure.”
V shrugged. “We went through quite a bit in Iceland. To be honest, I doona open up easily to others.”
