Dark Alpha's Fury, page 15
“You’ll return soon.”
She didn’t want to leave him. Not now. Not ever. The same feeling that had caused her to leave the Reapers to look for Xaneth made her stomach clench now at the thought of departing.
“I’ll be fine,” he assured her. “Like you said, it’s just a few days.”
Aisling shook her head, waving away his words. “It isn’t that. I mean, it is, but it’s…I’ve got a bad feeling.”
“About?” he asked, his brows drawing together.
She squeezed the bridge of her nose with her thumb and forefinger. “I don’t know. It’s the same feeling that made me search for you to begin with.”
“Try to explain.”
Aisling quirked a brow at him as she dropped her arm to her side. “Did you not just hear me?”
“Aye.”
She could’ve sworn his lips twitched. She glared at him, daring him to laugh.
Instead, he calmly said, “What I mean is for you to look deeper into those feelings.”
Aisling immediately shook her head. “No.”
“All right.”
Once more, Xaneth surprised her. She expected him to push to know her rationale, but he gave her space. Time to consider the scenario, contemplate her reaction, and reflect on the motives behind it. “Damn you.”
It was his turn to raise a brow. “What did I do?”
“You didn’t push.”
He eyed her dubiously. “I don’t understand.”
“Most people would’ve asked me why I refused so quickly. Just like others would’ve prodded to know about my nightmares. You didn’t do either.”
“I figure if you want to talk about it, you will.”
She sighed loudly. “I bury my emotions. I’ve done it for so long that it’s second nature. Losing my daughter sank me into a deep depression. It was a long time before I could properly take my place among the Reapers. Erith never pushed me. She was there when I needed her and not when I wanted time alone. I knew I had a duty, so I did what I did best.”
“You pushed aside your anguish and grief.”
Aisling nodded. “I became what Erith needed—what I had promised. I know she would’ve given me as much time as I needed, but I also required something that I could hold onto just to keep going. Being a Reaper helped, but it also hindered me because I never let myself sit with those emotions, I never looked at their root cause. And I never let myself heal.”
“I understand. I did the same for many years.”
“How did you stop?”
His crooked grin was so boyish it made her heart skip a beat. “I’m not sure I have. But someone recently told me to accept all of myself. I’m trying to do that.”
She didn’t think, she just reacted. Aisling grabbed his face and brought it down so she could kiss him. His arms went around her. What she’d meant to be a brief kiss soon turned into a raging inferno as the flames of desire licked greedily around them.
Aisling was the one who ended the kiss. She fought to calm her breathing. When she finally opened her eyes, Xaneth watched her with such yearning in his silver depths that she sagged against him.
“I don’t want you to go,” he whispered.
Her stomach fluttered, his words making her feel as light as air. The feelings were so perfect, so pure, they would be imprinted on her mind and soul for an eternity.
“I pushed you away because you were a temptation I knew I wouldn’t be able to resist—or want to.” Xaneth gaze swept over her face softly, tenderly. “I knew it would only take one kiss. I was determined to keep that from happening. Then you kissed me in the maze.”
She smiled, thinking about it. “I did.”
“You have no idea how long I’ve wanted you, how much I’ve craved to know the feeling of your body against mine.”
Her smile slipped, but she was careful not to let him know. As wonderful and exciting as his words were, she also understood what they meant—she was indeed his weakness. If she’d ever had any doubt, she didn’t anymore.
Lena had killed her. It had happened so quickly that Aisling hadn’t been able to react. She wouldn’t be here now without Xaneth. Who could say if he would be able to do that again? And even if he could, should he if it meant choosing her over ending someone as evil as Lena?
“Stop,” he told her. “Whatever thoughts are going through your head, don’t listen.”
Aisling smoothed her hands down the sides of his face. “Can you read minds now?”
“I know you. I know every line of your face and the subtle expressions others miss because they’re not paying attention. The way you hold your body when you’re confident, happy, sad, angry. Or determined. I know how you press your lips together just a fraction when someone irritates you. I know the way your body tenses when you realize something you don’t like.”
She fought the sting of tears that burned her eyes. She loved him. Loved him with all of her being. That was what had brought her to him. That was what had made her follow him for weeks and allowed her magic to track him when she’d never been able to do such a thing before. It wasn’t the power Erith had given her. It was her love for Xaneth.
And that was why she didn’t want to be apart from him. She feared losing him and not being there to fight alongside him.
“Don’t,” he pleaded, his hold tightening.
“I’m not doing anything.”
“You’re pulling away. Putting up a wall between us.”
Aisling smoothed back a lock of hair that had fallen onto his forehead. “You would’ve killed Lena had I not been injured on Skye.”
“I made my choice. I’d make it again.”
“As I would for you. You’re my weakness, just as I’m yours. Lena will use me against you.”
Xaneth said nothing, simply stared at her.
“You can’t allow that to happen. No matter what.”
“Don’t ask that of me.”
“I am. Because if I don’t, and Lena gets away again, killing more, you’ll carry that around with you. It might take a while, but you’ll eventually come to resent me for it.”
“I wouldn’t.”
She nodded, smiling softly. “You would. I know because I would, too.” Aisling moved out of his embrace, instantly missing his warmth. “Perhaps it would have been better if we’d never experienced what’s between us. What I know is that what’s happening outside this cave is about more than the Fae Others. It’s about more than the Fae. It’s about this world and everyone in it.”
“I will kill her,” he stated flatly.
Aisling’s heart clutched painfully. “I know. I’m going to be right beside you when you do. But only if you give me the promise I’ve asked for.”
“I’m the happiest I’ve ever been, and you’re asking me not to come to your aid if you’re injured? To stand by and watch you die?”
“Aye.”
His nostrils flared as he stared at her for a long, silent moment. “Fine. I ask the same.”
“Agreed.” Though she wasn’t sure she could hold up her end of such a vow. But she would try.
Xaneth shrugged as he relaxed. “It won’t matter because you won’t be wounded again.”
She didn’t say anything since she knew Lena would come straight for her. It was no matter. Aisling would be prepared for the bitch.
“I know Erith wants the Reapers safe from Lena, but as far as the plan, I th—” Xaneth halted mid-word. A look of fury came over his face as he whirled around with a growl. Then, he was gone.
Aisling knew that sound. He’d smelled evil. The problem was, she didn’t know where he had gone. She had no idea how far away he could sense such malevolence, but she counted on him being close. Aisling veiled herself and jumped to the top of the cliff above them to look around. She saw nothing until a scream of fury had her jerking her head to the side.
“The lighthouse,” she murmured and jumped to the location.
A Dark female seduced a mortal male at the base of the structure. He was so enthralled with her that all he cared about was the pleasure she promised. He had no idea that he was slowly dying in her arms.
The scream had come from one of the two other Dark who fought with Xaneth. Aisling lowered her veil and went after the Fae with the mortal. She grabbed the female’s short hair and literally threw the Dark over her shoulder. The man bellowed in rage. He jumped to his feet, uncaring that his pants and underwear were lowered to his ankles and his shoes still on. When he tried to take a step toward Aisling, he fell flat on his face. She ignored him and faced the Dark she had just interrupted from enjoying her meal.
The female bared her teeth and then blinked, surprise coming over her face. “I know you,” she said.
Aisling motioned at the Dark with her fingers. “Then come and get me.”
Twin orbs careened straight for Aisling’s head. She dodged both, but as she straightened, another hit her in the abdomen. The pain of it took her breath. This wasn’t the first time she’d been struck in battle, and it wouldn’t be the last. She shoved aside the pain and kept her focus on her opponent as her body began healing.
Every time Aisling tried to close the distance between them, the Fae backed away. Aisling blocked a sphere coming at her chest and flipped forward to avoid the one aimed at her legs. When she landed, she shot six orbs at the Dark rapid-fire. Three found their marks. The Fae howled in pain, her red eyes blazing with hatred.
Aisling reared back her arm, getting ready to end the fight when the Fae vanished. She remained in position in case it was a ploy, but the female didn’t reappear. Aisling turned to Xaneth in time to see him finishing off the last of the trio. They shared a look before the mortal’s howl caught their attention.
He’d had sex with a Dark. There was no relief for him now. No matter how many times he sought out his own kind, he’d never find the release he had with the Fae. Aisling wasn’t sure how old the man had been when the three had found him, but he appeared to be close to sixty now.
“It would be a kindness to end his suffering,” Xaneth said as he came to stand beside her.
Aisling had seen dozens of people locked away in mental hospitals after encounters with the Fae. It would be a kindness to end the human’s life, but she wouldn’t do it. She looked at Xaneth. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught a blur of movement. They watched in astonishment as the mortal rushed to the edge of the cliff and threw himself off.
“Bloody hell,” Xaneth murmured.
Aisling was silent, her mind on the Dark who had gotten away. “The one I fought left. She recognized me.”
Xaneth nodded once. “Then we’d best prepare. They’ll descend shortly. We need to leave.”
A part of Aisling didn’t want to run, but now wasn’t the time to implement Xaneth’s plan. Or was it?
Xaneth frowned at her when she didn’t budge. “What?”
“Why not let them bring me to Lena?”
“Have you lost your mind?”
Aisling grinned. “Erith can track me. She can tell you where they’re holding me.”
“That’s assuming Lena doesn’t kill you the moment they present you to her.”
“She won’t,” Aisling stated. “She wants to make sure you come for me.”
“I don’t like it.”
Aisling shrugged one shoulder. “But it’s a good plan.”
“It’s a dangerous one.”
“Isn’t everything? It can work. You know it.”
Xaneth glanced at the water before nodding reluctantly. “We need to talk to Erith and the others. But here on this realm.”
“I know just the place,” she replied with a grin.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Xaneth breathed in deeply, contentment coursing through him as he stood atop a mountain deep in the Scottish Highlands. Dreagan, home of the Dragon Kings, was sixty thousand acres of pristine countryside with such rugged beauty that he was awestruck. There wasn’t a hint of evil for miles. The last time he had felt like this was before Usaeil captured him. He knew he couldn’t remain here forever, but it was tempting.
He turned his head to find Aisling watching him. Her crimson gaze gave nothing away. She had two plaits on either side of her head, running from her temple to her nape, where the rest of her hair was gathered and then braided together, leaving the length to fall over her right shoulder.
The sun managed to peek through the thick, gray clouds threatening rain, its rays falling on her. He wanted to take her and run as far as they could from Lena, the Others, and anything that could tear them apart. It was a dream, a fantasy, but he wanted it more than anything.
Yet the need to seek out and end evil was too much a part of him now to turn his back on it. Not to mention, Aisling was a Reaper, first and foremost. They could never run. They would never. But he let himself dream about the life they could have. The love, the happiness. Possibly children.
“I knew you’d like it here,” she said as she came closer.
Xaneth turned his gaze back to the view of the mountains. He’d seen a herd of red deer
galloping over a nearby slope. The cry of a golden eagle pierced the silence. He could envision
how Earth had been long before the humans and Fae came to disrupt the dragons’ world. “Makes
me wonder why the Kings ever leave Dreagan.” He looked at Aisling. “Or allow the Fae here.”
“Well, let’s not forget that three of the Kings are mated to Fae. Shara is with Kiril.”
“Ah. The Dark Fae who turned Light.” Oddly enough, his aunt had helped Shara make that
change—something Xaneth didn’t understand at all.
“Noreen and Cain.”
Xaneth nodded. “The Dark Fae who turned against her own to help the Dragon Kings.”
Aisling slid her hands into the back pockets of her black jeans. “Then there’s Rhi.”
“Rhiannon. Legendary Queen’s Guard, briefly Queen of the Fae, lover of Constantine,
King of Dragon Kings, and my cousin.” Something no one had known until right before Usaeil
died.
Usaeil had killed nearly all her children, but Death had stepped in and saved Rhi. Xaneth
wondered if Erith had known what that simple act would do in the years following. Every
Fae—Dark or Light—knew of Rhi. She was one of the most infamous Fae of all time. Not only
because of her love affair with Con but also because of her skills and power.
Rhi could’ve taken over the throne. The Light had begged her to do just that, but Rhi
realized the best thing for the Fae was a Council. She had helped to begin that process, but it
hadn’t taken off as most had envisioned once Rhi stepped back and focused on her life with Con.
“The Kings friendship with the Reapers is what grants us access,” Aisling said.
Xaneth grunted. “But I’m not a Reaper.”
“I don’t think you’re a simple Fae either.”
He glanced at her. “I think we’re going to find out soon enough what exactly I am.”
“You still aren’t thrilled with me and the others being here, are you?”
It wasn’t the Reapers he minded. It was Aisling. The thought of her intentionally offering herself as bait made his chest feel too tight, as if the world rested there, trying to crush him. He thought of the promise he’d given her. He wasn’t sure he could keep it. Even when he’d given it, it had left a sour taste in his mouth.
“They’re here,” Aisling said.
Xaneth turned around to find Erith, Cael, and Eoghan. Death’s petite frame strode toward Xaneth, her long, blue-black waves pulled into a high ponytail. She wore a solid black ensemble that fit her like a second skin and impossibly high stilettos. Her lavender eyes gave nothing away. Beautiful couldn’t begin to describe Erith. Cael, her lover and mate, was on her right. The tall Fae had once been a general in the Light Army before he’d been betrayed and killed. His once-silver eyes were now purple, though that was the only outward sign that he had become a god.
Eoghan stood to Death’s left. The Light Fae had been to Hell and back, literally. And he’d survived. His eyes were the color of molten silver from the experience, and moved like it, as well. He and Cael were the last two members of the first Reaper unit, and now each led their own team. Xaneth had learned about the Reapers when he met Eoghan, who had been searching for his mate, Thea.
The trio stopped before him and Aisling. Xaneth had never expected to work with the Reapers after waking up from his torture. He certainly hadn’t imagined that he would find himself wishing for a life with Aisling. He couldn’t help but wonder if he really was awake. The doubts he’d had about that returned. What if Usaeil still lived? What if this was just more torture? What if she instigated all of this? What if…?
He shook himself to hear Eoghan speaking.
“…know about your plan,” Eoghan told him.
Xaneth nodded, hoping he hadn’t missed anything crucial.
“I want to amend it,” Aisling said.
Cael lifted a hand. “We’ve told your team everything. They should be arriving shortly.”
As if on cue, they arrived. There were nine total. Xaneth recognized the original group that consisted of the Dark Fae: Dubhan, Cathal, and Balladyn, and the Light Fae: Bradach, Rordan, Torin, and the newest member, Ruarc. Some of them weren’t alone. Balladyn had brought his Druid mate, Rhona, with him. They had been the two who’d ultimately stopped Lena and the Fae Others on the Isle of Skye.
Next to Rordan stood Fianna. The Light’s brother had betrayed and murdered her while working with the Fae Others. She was now a Reaper. The Dark Fae, Breda, stood alongside Torin. Xaneth’s gaze landed on Chevonne next, who he had fought with against Lena, her aunt.
He and Chevonne had a lot in common. Their aunts had killed their families, tried to kill them, and sought the kind of power no single person should ever have. He bowed his head to Chevonne, and she smiled at him.
