Passion Ignites (15 page)

Ian stood from his spot at the long table where they all had gathered for many meals. “I spoke with Tristan yesterday. He and Dmitri are in Aberdeen fighting the Dark. He's worried.”

The Dragon Kings and Warriors had a unique bond. Tristan was their newest King, having dropped from the sky a few years earlier. Before that Tristan was known as Duncan, Ian's twin, who unfortunately had been killed by one of the evil Druids they had fought. All were happy to learn that Duncan had returned, even if he didn't remember his brother.

“The Dark feed off humans,” Charon stated. “We can no' leave our women alone.”

“Or Aiden and Britt,” Marcail said.

Charon nodded, repeating, “Or Aiden and Britt.”

Ramsey ran a hand over his chin. “They'll come here.”

Isla looked at him from next to Hayden. “Let them try.”

“I second Isla,” Tara said and elbowed Ramsey.

Fallon raised his hand for silence when everyone began talking at once. “We've been through a lot as a group. We've lost family,” he said, glancing at Ian. “We've lost friends.”

“That's what happens in war,” Broc stated.

“That it does.” Fallon took a deep breath. “We had a few years of peace. It was … refreshing. Many of us started families. There are now children to consider.”

Larena looked at Fallon. “What my dear husband is trying to say is that each of you must decide to join this fight. No one is pushing another into this.”

“Exactly. As Charon pointed out, the Dark feed off humans. Since we're immortal, I doona know how that changes anything. And as Ramsey said, the Dark will come here. We can no' leave the castle unprotected.”

Malcolm chuckled. “Fallon, we're Warriors. We have primeval gods inside us who demand blood and death. I'm fighting.”

“Damn straight,” Evie said to her husband with a nod. “I don't want to have to worry about Dark Fae with little Malory.”

Lucan and Cara shared a few whispered words before Lucan said, “I'm in.”

“I'm in,” Quinn stated.

Fallon had known his two brothers would be some of the first to agree. He wasn't surprised at Malcolm's response either.

“As if you have to ask,” Hayden said when Fallon looked his way.

Galen nodded, as did Broc.

Logan made a face. “I'm hurt you'd even ask.”

“You know my answer,” Ian said as he put an arm around Dani.

Camdyn grinned. “Of course.”

“I'm a mixture of Druid and Warrior. The Dark will get a surprise when they encounter me,” Ramsey said when Fallon came to him.

Arran gave him a thumbs-up even as Ronnie wiped a tear from her face.

“We're in,” Phelan said for both him and Charon.

Fallon had expected no less from his men. “We'll need a plan. What the Kings are doing by splitting up and staying hidden as they kill the Dark is working. I say we take their plan and use it.”

“And what of us?” Reagan said. She glanced at Galen before looking around the table at the other Warriors. “You men don't expect us to just wait here for you.”

Laura looked pointedly at Charon as she said, “I agree with Reagan. We've proved our magic is powerful enough to be used in battle.”

“Aye, sweetheart,” Charon said as he cupped her face and gave her a light kiss. “But you've no idea what would happen to me if I lost you.”

“How do you think I'd feel?” she asked.

Larena poked Fallon. “We're a group. We're stronger together. We need to use everyone.”

Fallon raised his voice and said to the great hall, “I know what it's like to fight alongside my wife. We're immortal, but we can be killed. She just reminded me how strong we are together. So, together we will remain.”

“Let's go in shifts,” Lucan said. “We'll rotate who stays here to look after the children and who fights.”

Hayden nodded eagerly. “That sounds like a solid plan. It will give us a rest and allow everyone some downtime before we fight again.”

“It'll also allow us to know what's working and what's not,” Gwynn said.

Saffron then added, “That way we can quickly shift our attacks.”

“And if someone is hurt?” Tara asked. “All of you know I'm a realist. We need to think of this.”

“Isla willna be out there without me,” Hayden stated.

Quinn looked at Marcail. “I think we're all in agreement to that when it comes to our wives.”

“We'll go out in two pairs at a time,” Fallon said. “Since the children will be here, this place has to be well fortified.”

Phelan lifted a hand in the air. “Once the Druids are done adding more spells, I'll call in Rhi.”

“We start tomorrow. Take the night. We meet here at dawn,” Fallon said.

*   *   *

Ulrik entered the Fae doorway into Taraeth's palace. He was a regular in the king of the Darks' residence, so no one paid him any attention.

He strolled down the corridors until he came to a small alcove. It was tucked away at the end, hidden from the eyes of others, but gave him a great view of anyone who ventured down the hallway.

A smile formed when he saw bare legs. Muriel leaned forward and winked at him, her dress sagging at the front to give him an ample view of her breasts.

The night he'd spent in her arms had been nice, but he couldn't let himself relax. He still didn't trust the Dark. After what happened to him, trusting wasn't an option. Ever.

Then there was the fact Mikkel was looking through his place. Not that his uncle had a chance in Hell at finding anything. It was the point of it all that irked Ulrik.

“You're late,” Muriel said.

Ulrik lifted a brow. “I'm right on time.”

“I don't like to wait then.”

“Then doona get here so early.”

“I had to make sure no one was around.” She sat back and patted the area beside her. “Sit, lover.”

Ulrik unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat, shifting so that one arm rested on the back of the pillows as he half-faced her. “Tell me you have something for me.”

“Oh, I do.” She all but purred. “Mikkel plans to kill you.”

“Tell me something I doona already know.”

She blinked and looked affronted. “How would you know that? He just shared that with Taraeth last night.”

“I know my uncle. He's a conniving, shrewd arse. He's dreamed of being a Dragon King. He'll do whatever it takes to see that it happens. It was simple deduction.”

Muriel's face lost all of its fake seduction. “Ulrik, he has many allies.”

“And many enemies.”

“As do you.”

He grinned at her logic. “I've had thousands upon thousands of years to think of every conceivable way to solve problems.”

She looked down at her hands, a frown marring her features. “Taraeth agreed to help Mikkel.”

“Mikkel doesna need any help. He wants to find out what side Taraeth is on. Besides, if Taraeth really was on my uncle's side, would your king have sent your sister to seduce Mikkel?”

Muriel shrugged one shoulder as she fiddled with the hem of her dress. “There's more.”

“Oh?”

“Mikkel doesn't intend to let you kill Constantine. He'll let you fight Con right up until you're about to defeat him, then Mikkel will step in.”

There were few things that could break his calm, but that was one of them. When it came to his revenge against Con, nothing was going to stand in his way.

That was one item he assumed Mikkel would keep to their pact. Mikkel might talk big, but he was afraid of Con. He didn't stand a chance going against the King of Kings.

“Let my uncle be that stupid.”

“I've kept up my side of our arrangement,” Muriel said, raising her red eyes to him. “Have I not?”

Ulrik stood and held out his hand. He saw someone approaching out of the corner of his eye. “That you have, lass. Where would you like to go?”

“I was think—”

“I see someone has caught your attention,” Mikkel said as he walked up. “Why not bring her to my house, Ulrik? We'll all have dinner together.”

Ulrik had been too intent on Muriel to see his uncle in time. He hated how Mikkel went out of his way to sound English instead of Scots. Ulrik used accents on regular occasions when doing business, but that was different. Mikkel was trying to pretend on multiple levels.

Ulrik faced Muriel and forced a smile. “It's up to you. Would you like to have dinner with my uncle and his … friend?”

“It would be an honor,” Muriel said while batting her eyes at Mikkel.

Mikkel smiled and slapped Ulrik on the back. “Be there at seven.”

Ulrik waited for him to walk away before he dropped his smile. He swung his gaze to Muriel. The Dark wasn't just a temptress, she was a good actress.

“I'm not playing you,” she said while meeting his gaze. “I keep my word.”

Ulrik had done his research on the Dark Fae. She and her sister were orphans, having lost their parents during the Fae Wars. Taraeth had taken them in, but only to work in the palace as nothing more than slaves.

Her sister, Sinny, found a knack for spying that Taraeth cultivated. As for Muriel, her petite frame and mouthwatering curves caught the eye of everyone who visited Taraeth. But neither of the women were free. Taraeth owned them.

“Before we go further, I want to know why you picked me to help you,” he demanded.

Muriel's eyes crinkled as she smiled. “That's easy, lover. Look in the mirror.”

“Muriel.”

She ran a hand over his jaw. “Because you're hard and unforgiving. Because I knew that if anyone could help me, it was you.”

Ulrik gave a bow of his head. It was enough. For now. He would want to know more later. “You were choosing a place to go?”

“Your bed.”

 

CHAPTER

NINETEEN

Thorn rose from the table after Fallon and the Druids teleported back to MacLeod Castle.

“Con willna be happy we agreed to let the Warriors help,” Darius said.

“Con can bite my arse.”

Darius's gaze never wavered as he studied him. “What is it?”

“I can no' do this.” Thorn turned his head to look at Lexi lying so still upon the bed. She had just gotten well, and now she was injured in a war she should know nothing about.

Darius followed his gaze. “Ah,” he said slowly. “She's going to have questions when she wakes.”

Thorn inwardly grimaced. He wanted nothing more than to see Lexi sit up and her gray eyes look his way. After their kiss—their scorching, soul-stealing kiss—he could only think of caressing her skin, of learning every curve … of making love to her.

It seemed that rarely did he wake from dragon sleep and there wasn't a war. Thorn was tired of it all, but most of all he was weary of having to hide who he was.

“Take care of her, will you?” Thorn asked as he faced Darius.

A frown married Darius's brow for a moment before he nodded. “You're leaving.”

“Aye. I'm going to contact Guy. Lexi's mind needs to be wiped of everything involving us or the Dark.”

“You should be here with her when Guy comes.”

“I can no' do this again. When she wakes, take her to the airport. Guy will be there to erase us.”

“I'll see it done,” Darius promised.

Thorn took one last look at Lexi before he walked from the flat. By the time he exited the building, he was looking for Dark Fae. He was angry and frustrated and desolate. They were the perfect outlet.

*   *   *

Darius watched Thorn stride down the street. He had an idea of what Thorn was feeling, because it hadn't been that many centuries ago when Darius had searched for something to kill.

He almost felt sorry for any Dark who got in Thorn's way that night. None ever stood a chance before, but that night, they would die slowly. There would be lots of pain involved.

It had taken Darius a very long time to realize others' pain didn't dim his own. He hoped Thorn found that out earlier than he did.

Though with the war, it might not be a bad thing to have Thorn in that frame of mind. All the Dragon Kings were angry at the state the Dark had pushed them to, but Thorn's fury went to another level.

Darius didn't worry about Thorn. He might be working through things, but he wasn't a fool. Thorn knew his limits. Because even though Thorn had left, Darius knew Thorn would be watching Lexi from afar the next day.

When Thorn was out of sight, Darius turned to retrace his steps to the table. He pulled out a deck of cards and began to play solitaire when he felt a push in his mind.

He opened up the link when he recognized Constantine's voice. “
Aye?
”

“
I need an update on the situation there.
”

“
It hasna improved. No matter how many we kill, more Dark arrive daily.
”

Con sighed. “
It's the same all over Scotland. Have the Dark discovered either of you?
”

“
Nay. The few that do doona live to tell it.
”

“
Good.
”

Darius snorted loudly. “
Ask the question you really contacted me for.
”

“
Thorn helped Ulrik, Darius. Even you should see how that put him in a bad light.
”

“
Warrick helped him as well
,” Darius pointed out.

“
Warrick was helping his mate.
”

“
And Thorn was doing what he could for Warrick.
”

There was a pregnant pause. “
Darius, this war could be the end of us. I need to know I have every King with me.
”

“
Then stop being an idiot. Thorn would never betray us.
”

“
You're sure?
”