Heat, page 17
He would search every realm if he had to in order to give Esther the peace she so desperately sought.
“Thank you,” Nikolai said to Donal as he gathered his pad and pencil. “We’ll be back with any news.”
He scooted from the booth and held out his hand for Esther. She took his pencil and jotted down her mobile number on a napkin before pushing it toward Donal.
“In case you want to contact us,” Esther said.
She took Nikolai’s hand and stood beside him. As they were turning to leave, Donal put his hand on Nikolai’s arm.
“You’ve got a good one,” the Irishman said.
Nikolai smiled because he knew more than anyone how special Esther was.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Somewhere in Canada …
With each breath that infused her body, her anger spread and intensified. And the darkness smiled eagerly.
If Rhi weren’t so furious, she might actually be afraid of how the darkness responded, but she had other matters to deal with. Like the fekking betrayal of a so-called friend.
From the tree line, she stared at the movie set and all the people milling about as they finished one last take for the day. It was high time to tackle the issue that was Usaeil—or Ubitch as Rhi had begun to call her. The queen had done enough damage. She needed to be removed from power so she couldn’t harm the Light anymore.
Phelan was the logical choice to take over since he had royal blood from both his human and Fae sides. Rhi had made sure Usaeil never knew of Phelan. Mainly because Rhi wasn’t exactly sure what the queen would do. Call it intuition.
That hesitation had been valid. Thankfully, Rhi listened to her instincts. Otherwise, there was no telling what Usaeil would’ve done to Phelan.
After all the years the Warrior had suffered being locked away by Deirdre because his blood could heal anything, he’d finally found peace and love in the arms of Aisley, who was a Phoenix. Rhi would never forgive herself if Usaeil killed Phelan.
But the question remained. Would he want to take over as King of the Light? He had a life among the humans, and a family of his own at MacLeod Castle. Not to mention that Aisley was human, even if she were a Phoenix. It was doubtful the Fae would accept her.
Rhi felt more than heard a presence come up behind her. She didn’t need to turn around. It was Con. His presence was … unique. He’d done a check of the perimeter because, well, that’s what Con did.
“You’re right,” he said. “No other Fae.”
She kept her gaze locked on Usaeil. “I once thought she was the most magnificent of us all. Kind and generous. She fooled me completely. I hate that.”
“You can no’ blame yourself.”
She shot him a wry look. “Well, I do.”
“The blame lies with Usaeil.”
“Exactly. But what happened to her?”
“There are many possibilities. She might’ve just gotten lonely.”
Rhi snorted. “She could’ve had any Fae she wanted. Everyone kept waiting for her to find a match and have children.”
“I can no’ imagine Usaeil with kids.”
“Me either, if I’m honest.” She looked over at Con, who had removed his suit jacket. His charcoal gray dress shirt was open at the collar, and the gold dragon head cufflinks flashed at his wrists. His black pants and shoes were untouched as if even the foliage and dirt knew to keep their distance.
Con turned his head toward her. His black eyes were fathomless as usual. “What were you thinking about when I walked up?”
“That Phelan should be king.”
Con raised a blond brow. “Phelan? You would take him and Aisley away from their world?”
“He’s the heir.”
“That may be, but he knows nothing of being Fae. He was raised as a human and only learned of his heritage when you sought him out. He’s meant to be with the Warriors as host to his primeval god.”
Rhi swallowed and looked away. “I realize that, but there’s no one else.”
“You really think Usaeil will just step aside?”
“Hell, no. She’ll fight to the very last, and she’ll make it bloody and long, taking anything and anyone near her down in the process.”
There was movement as Con faced her. “You plan to battle her.”
Rhi gave a slight shake of her head in irritation before looking at him. “You say that as if I have a choice.”
“You do.”
“I really don’t.” She turned to him fully and pointed toward the movie set. “She wants me dead. She went to the Dark Palace and asked Taraeth to kill me.”
“And we both know Balladyn isna going to let that happen.”
Rhi had told Con nothing of Balladyn’s plans, but she should’ve known he would realize what her lover planned to do. “He’s protecting me.”
“By removing Taraeth and becoming King of the Dark?” Con’s face was impassive as he stared at her. “Was it Balladyn’s idea for you to go after Usaeil?”
“How dare you,” she spat.
His tone was soft, calm. “How dare I what? Ask the obvious question?”
It was his lack of anger that outraged her. As if he’d been thinking about this for some time and had come to a decision, merely waiting until he could put it out there. It was so Con that she wanted to scream.
Instead, she crossed her arms over her chest and blew out a frustrated breath. “Balladyn wants me to rule with him.”
“Together?”
She looked at him as if he were a dunce and leaned back against a tree. “That’s usually what together means. He wants to unite our people.”
“What do you want?”
What did she want? No one had asked her that. Everyone made decisions that affected her or pushed her into a corner, giving her few options. She looked to the side where Daire stood veiled. Even the Reapers were part of the problem.
“It’s a good idea, but it won’t ever happen,” she said. “Nor will I give in and become Dark. I’ve told Balladyn as much. So, to answer your question, no, he didn’t send me. He has no idea I’m here.”
“With me,” Con added.
She glanced at him and nodded. “I’m not keeping it a secret.”
“If you didna tell him, you’re keeping it from him.”
He wasn’t right. Or was he? She didn’t have the energy or inclination to have this debate. She was too focused on Usaeil, and she wanted to remain that way.
Con let out a sigh. “The Usaeil we’re about to confront willna be the queen you once knew.”
“I’m prepared for that,” Rhi said as she opened her eyes.
“I doona think either of us is ready for it.”
That had her turning her head to him. They stared into each other’s eyes for a long minute as she tried to discern what he was thinking. “I don’t want to kill Usaeil. I want her to be the queen she once was.”
“Perhaps that’ll happen, but we should be primed for either eventuality.”
A male voice yelling, “Cut!” had both of them shifting toward the set. Usaeil walked to her trailer where a note from Con awaited her.
“It’s time,” he said.
Rhi looked over her shoulder at Daire. The Reaper’s earlier words, those warning her to be cautious, returned.
“What is it?” Con asked.
Rhi swung her head to him. “Usaeil will expect me.”
“It’s a possibility.”
“I want the advantage, and right now, she has it.”
A frown wrinkled Con’s brow. “What do you propose, then?”
“You go. Keep the meeting.”
“And you?”
“I’ll be there.”
“Veiled?”
“Yes.”
His forehead furrowed deeper. “What are you no’ telling me?”
“I have a … friend … who can help.”
Con’s gaze flashed dangerously. “If you tell me it’s Balladyn—”
“It’s not,” she interrupted.
“Then who?”
“A Reaper,” Rhi admitted after a brief hesitation.
Con’s face went slack. “Cael?”
“No.” Now it was her turn to frown. “How do you know Cael?”
“Is it Talin?”
“No,” she repeated, getting more agitated. “How do you know them?”
Con shrugged. “They paid a visit to Dreagan recently.”
“And you didn’t think to tell me?”
He didn’t reply, simply met her gaze.
Rhi blew out a breath. There was no use arguing since she hadn’t told Con about Daire. “Fine.”
“So, another Reaper,” Con said. “Are you sure he will keep you veiled from Usaeil?”
“Yes,” she replied.
“Then let’s go,” Con said as he turned on his heel and strode farther into the woods.
Rhi was surprised Con had given in so easily, but she didn’t complain. She turned to Daire as he dropped his veil and gave her a harsh look. “Don’t,” she warned.
“This isn’t a good idea. Usaeil is powerful,” Daire stated.
“Maybe, but you’re more formidable than she is.”
Daire ran a hand down his face. “This is a bad idea.”
“It’s a good one, and you know it. Now, stop stalling.”
The Reaper held out his hand. As soon as their palms were joined, they teleported to the meeting place Con had set up. Daire situated them about fifty feet away. No sooner had they arrived, than Usaeil appeared.
The Light Queen looked around, one hand raised, palm out as she used her magic to search the area for anyone veiled. Rhi tensed, waiting for Usaeil’s magic to find them.
Beside her, Daire chuckled and leaned down to whisper in her ear, “I didn’t think you were worried.”
She glared at him, then turned her attention back to Usaeil. After two sweeps of magic, Usaeil dropped her hands and veiled herself.
Holding onto Daire while he was veiled gave Rhi the ability to see Usaeil shrouded with her magic. It wasn’t something Rhi could do on her own, and it was an insight into just how powerful the Reapers were.
It wasn’t long before Con strode into the small clearing. He stood in the center and merely waited. He didn’t call out to Usaeil or look around.
Rhi heard Useail’s laughter before she dropped the veil and allowed Con to see her.
“I knew you’d come to me sooner or later.”
Con put his hands into his pant’s pockets. “I warned you that I doona like ultimatums.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Rhi wanted to gag as she saw how Usaeil blatantly put her hand on her hip and stuck it out. Con didn’t seem to notice her leather-clad legs or the thin, gold sweater that dipped down to show ample cleavage.
“Enough,” Con told her. “I’ve seen the picture.”
Usaeil laughed and walked closer to him. She put her hands on his shoulders and smoothed her palms down his chest. “What are you so upset about, lover? Your face couldn’t be seen.”
“We agreed that our affair would remain secret.”
Rhi heard the anger tingeing his words, but Usaeil seemed oblivious to it.
The queen lifted her face to Con and pressed her breasts against him. “You have what so many covet.”
He merely stared at her.
She rolled her eyes. “What’s wrong with letting the Dragon Kings know of our love?”
“And the Light? Who posted a copy of the picture all over the palace?”
“Oh, stop,” she said, laughing. “You act angry, but I know you aren’t. You didn’t want to tell anyone for fear of the repercussions, so I did it for us.”
Con grabbed her wrists and stepped back from her. “I warned you what would happen if you didna listen to my words. We’re done.”
Usaeil jerked from his grasp. Her smile vanished, replaced by a mask of rage that contorted her face into something hideous and evil. “I started this. I’ll be the one to end it.”
“Why? Because you’re queen?” Con asked. “Well, guess what? I’m the fucking King.”
Rhi wanted to clap her hands at Con’s little speech, but it was Daire’s tightening hold on her that prevented it. She glanced at the Reaper to see his brow puckered as he stared at Usaeil.
“What is it?” Rhi whispered.
Daire jerked his chin to Usaeil. “She’s dressed like you.”
Rhi blinked and looked from the queen down to herself. She had on her leather pants. Rhi had multiple pairs because she loved them so much. Today, she wore a sheer white shirt with a black tank beneath.
She tried to think back to the last time she’d seen Usaeil wearing leather pants. The queen preferred dresses because she thought them more revealing, and she liked to show off her legs.
“Whatever hold Rhi has over you won’t last much longer,” Usaeil stated to Con.
“This has nothing to do with Rhi.”
“In fact, it does,” she stated.
Con crossed his arms over his chest. “Why do you always believe everything is about Rhi?”
“Because it is. But I’m taking care of her. We’ll talk again when you can admit our love and are more biddable. Don’t worry, lover, I’ve already picked out my gown for the mating ceremony.”
“I’ll no’ be taking you as my mate, Usaeil. No’ now, no’ ever,” Con declared.
“We’ll see about that,” she said and vanished.
As soon as she was gone, Daire released Rhi. He remained veiled while she walked to Con. “Well, I think it’s safe to say that Usaeil is off her rocker for sure. Now more than ever, I know she needs to be removed as ruler of the Light.”
Con looked at her with a troubled gaze. “Her eyes began to change.”
“To what?”
“Red.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-EIGHT
As soon as Esther and Nikolai walked from The Porterhouse, she turned to him and said, “We found a connection to the Druid.”
“We doona know that for sure yet,” Nikolai cautioned.
She smiled at him. “We found a connection.”
They climbed into the SUV, but he didn’t start the engine. Instead, he placed his hands on the steering wheel. “If what Donal told us is the truth, we have a thread we can pull and see where it takes us.”
“It’s going to unravel all around that Druid bitch.” Not that Esther was bitter or anything. She just wanted to deliver her own kind of payback.
Nikolai swiveled his head to her. “I hope it does, but there’s a chance it willna.”
“I know you’re trying to stop me from getting my hopes up, but this is the best lead we’ve had.”
“And we’ve only been at this a few days.”
She laughed and looked out her window. “A few days of searching, perhaps. But I’ve been locked in torment for weeks.” Her gaze returned to him. “I need to cling to this thread, to grasp whatever hope I can.”
“All right,” he said.
Esther took a deep breath and fastened her seat belt. She felt good about the things Donal had told them. But it was the way the Irishman’s eyes had widened and the recognition on his face after looking at the drawing of the Druid that sealed the deal for her.
Donal and the Druid were connected. Esther would bet her life on it.
“On to the next pub?” Nikolai asked.
She would rather return to the flat and talk to Ryder, but even if Ryder found out the woman’s identity, Esther still didn’t know when or how she’d come into contact with the Druid.
“Sure,” she replied.
They drove to the next bar and repeated the same steps as the day before. While sitting in the Mercedes as Nikolai drew, Esther kept going over the images he had drawn of the man who’d been following her—the one Donal had confirmed was in The Porterhouse.
As a spy, she’d come to consider everyone a threat and would often check to see if she were being followed. She would use the screen on her mobile, or even the windows of shops to check. She would stop and talk to street performers, which gave her a chance to look around.
There were a thousand different ways she checked to see if she were being trailed, so there was no way she didn’t know about the man in the coat.
She turned her mobile over in her hand as she debated whether to call Stuart. She’d already read over the reports that she filed, so she knew there was no mention of a man in a black coat.
Nikolai broke into her thoughts by saying her name. She looked his way, their eyes clashing. The desire that flared in his blue depths made her heart skip a beat. The longer she was with him, the more he filled her life—and the more she craved him.
The need was so intense that it almost seemed unreal. Because, surely, something so tangible and physical didn’t exist. Not for her, a mortal who was as ordinary as one could get.
And yet … there was no denying it.
Nikolai reached over and took her hand, bringing it to his lips. Holding her gaze, he placed a kiss upon her knuckles. Something so innocent combined with the carnal look in his gaze had her wishing they were back at the flat so she could rip off his shirt again.
“Ready?” he asked.
Was he kidding? After that scorching look, she wasn’t sure her legs would hold her. But she nodded anyway. They got out of the vehicle and walked into the pub. When she started toward a table, Nikolai maneuvered her to the back near the restrooms instead.
The lights were dimmed to such a degree that she could barely see, but he didn’t allow her to run into anything. She turned to ask him what he was doing when he pushed her against a wall and silenced her with a kiss that curled her toes.
In an instant, her body was enflamed, need clawing through her that only he could quench. Even if she wanted to fight the temptation he offered, she couldn’t.
Someone bumped into Nikolai. He tore his mouth from hers and snarled as he looked over his shoulder at the intruder. The growl rumbled through his body, the sound primal and threatening. The man mumbled an apology and stumbled away.
The entire event only fueled her desire. She put her hand on Nikolai’s cheek and slowly turned his head back to her. With both hands cupping his handsome face, she looked into his eyes and knew one thing—she yearned for him.
