Darkest Flame (28 page)

Then she gradually lowered herself onto his cock until he was fully sheathed. She moaned temptingly and her lips were swollen from his kisses, but it was her eyes glazed with pleasure and focused on him that stole his breath.

She began to rock her hips, the hunger pushing them ever onward. Her nails dug into his shoulders the harder she rode him. When she thrust a breast near his face, he eagerly took her turgid nipple into his mouth and suckled deeply.

The danger was an added element that sent them both careening toward a climax. His balls tightened when Denae whispered his name right as her body tightened around his rod. She stiffened with the force of her climax.

The instant her walls clamped around him, he welcomed his own orgasm as they traveled the road of pleasure together.

It took them, swept them into a paradise of light, the rapture, the ecstasy so forceful it shook Kellan to his very core.

They stayed as they were, breathing heavily, with Denae’s head on his shoulder. Reluctantly, Kellan lifted her head and kissed her slowly, languidly.

He wasn’t sure what had just happened to him, but he suspected it was profound. There wasn’t time to think on it now, however.

When she lifted her eyes to him, Kellan knew that somehow, someway he was irrevocably tied to her. It should have terrified him, but all he felt was … a rightness he couldn’t understand.

“You want to know why the Dark have no control over me?” Denae asked. “It’s you. I was in your arms. I had you inside me. You’re the one who kept me from falling under their spell.”

He slid his fingers into her coppery locks and yanked her against him. He liked her in control, but now it was his turn. “I’m going to take you again and again until that bastard is wiped from your mind.”

“He already has been. You let me do that,” she said with a small smile.

Kellan watched as she rose up on her knees and then climbed to her feet. He stood and helped button his shirt until her beautiful body was covered once more. He hadn’t expected her statement, and it did strange, amazing things to him. He cleared his throat to give himself time to gather his thoughts. “You shouldna have come back.”

“Shut up and help me figure out how to free you.”

He smiled despite himself. “There’s no lock, you stubborn wench. It’ll take magic.”

She cut her eyes to him and then stuck out her tongue. “I refuse to leave you, so just keep an eye out for those jerks to return and let me work.”

Kellan pulled up his jeans, not surprised to find he was already hard for her again.

Damn but she was beautiful.

*   *   *

Phelan dusted off his clothes and looked around the Irish countryside. It wasn’t that different than Scotland, but it lacked a … wildness that Scotland possessed.

A sound in the brush behind him had Phelan turning around. He spotted Tristan walking through the small copse of trees with nothing but a pair of jeans on.

“Next time, warn me before you decide to dive to the ground and then toss me off,” Phelan said.

Tristan shrugged coolly. “Stop your grumbling. I’ve never had anyone on my back before. Besides, you’re immortal. What do you have to worry about?”

“You obviously doona have a woman in your life. You get to explain to Aisley when we get back.”

“Explain what?” Tristan asked with a snort. “You heal, idiot.”

Phelan ran a hand through his hair. “No’ the point, Dragon.”

“It’s exactly the point.” He cut Phelan a look. “Now, why no’ stop your bitching and find the doorway. It’s why you’re here, is it no’?”

Phelan hadn’t known Duncan before he was beheaded, but he had spent enough time around Ian to recognize the stubbornness of the Kerr family running through Tristan. Phelan held back from stating it, however, since the subject of where Tristan had come from seemed to be a tricky one.

Pushing that aside for now, Phelan concentrated on the area. In the darkness he let his enhanced eyesight look over the terrain as if it were daylight. He didn’t spot anything on first glance, so he decided to walk around.

There was an abandoned manor over the next rise. Even up in the clouds Phelan had detected the thousands of Fae doorways throughout Ireland.

It wasn’t until they were over Cork that he sensed the ones below, but there was one that stood out brighter, as if Rhi had put flashing lights around it.

He held back a laugh knowing that’s probably exactly what Rhi had done. Leave it to her to do something outrageous.

“There,” Phelan said and pointed to the right. “It’s right there.”

Tristan scratched his chin, in need of a shave. “Let’s go then.”

They walked side by side to the doorway. Phelan paused outside of it and looked at Tristan. “Can you see it?”

“Nay.”

“How many Kings have gone through a Fae doorway?”

A muscle ticked in Tristan’s jaw. “Three. Two taken by the Dark that were later killed.”

“And the other?”

“He went in on his own.”

Phelan knew he was trying to keep something from him. “Who was it?”

“That I doona know.”

“But you know who he followed.” When Tristan wouldn’t meet his gaze, Phelan shook his head as he realized the answer. “It was Rhi.”

Tristan let out a sigh. “Aye. The King followed Rhi.”

“What happened to him?”

“That part of the story I doona know. I barely got the little information that I told you.”

Phelan thought of Rhi and how much she hated interacting with the Kings. Yet, she was helping them now. Just what was the story between Rhi and her King lover? He faced the doorway and drew in a deep breath. “Guess you’ll be the fourth King to go through one. Ready?”

“I’m ready to kill the Dark.”

“Follow me,” Phelan said as he stepped forward.

He took a step into the doorway and felt the magic shimmer around him. As soon as he was through, the damp foulness of the tunnels slammed into him.

Tristan was right behind him. He let out a muffled curse. “It reeks.”

“Aye. Rhi said there were Fae animals walking about, so let’s keep an eye out.”

“Fine. Which way do you want to begin?” Tristan asked, looking first one way and then the other.

Phelan threw up his hands. “I doona know.”

“You’re part Fae, right? Can you no’ sense them?”

“No,” Phelan ground out. If only he could it would make things so much easier. “We can no’ split up either.”

“This is more your territory than mine, so I’ll let you choose the way, Warrior. Just choose correctly.”

“You certainly have the disposition of a Dragon King.”

One side of Tristan’s mouth lifted in a grin. “Lead on.”

Phelan choose to go right. They had walked for about two hundred yards when they reached a fork in the tunnels. Phelan once more chose to go to the right, and as soon as they did they encountered a body of water running down the middle of the tunnel.

There was a small path on the edge of the water they traversed. Phelan’s foot slipped on a small rock and one foot fell into the water.

He glanced down to find his leg from the knee down fully submerged. He and Tristan exchanged a look. Just as Phelan was about to get out of the stream, Tristan’s gaze sharpened.

“There’s something in the water,” Tristan whispered.

The ripples fanned out over the water as whatever was beneath raced toward them. Phelan called to his god. His skin turned gold and claws shot from his fingers. He raised his arm, ready to swipe at whatever rose from the water.

All of a sudden, a large snakelike creature with a head the size of a small dog rose up and aimed its open mouth and impressive fangs at Phelan.

He jerked his arm down, his claws severing the head. When he looked up, Tristan had jumped into the water and found a second head that he ripped off with his bare hands.

Tristan released the severed head and limp body and made his way back to Phelan. “Let’s keep moving.”

“No wonder Con was so worried. If any of these creatures make it to the surface, the mortals doona stand a chance,” Phelan said as they started walking again.

“I’m still new to being a Dragon King, but learned more after Rhi’s visit. The Dark Ones shouldna be allowed as much freedom on this realm as they have. It appears as though the Kings assumed the Light were taking care to keep the Dark Ones in check.”

“It doesna appear as if that’s true.”

“Nay. And it’s troubling.”

“Verra. Just like the idea of the Dark Ones aligning with mortals, especially MI5. Who else have they aligned with?”

Tristan shrugged. “That’s a question I’d like answered.”

Phelan let the conversation lag as they wandered the tunnels looking for any sign of Rhi, Kellan, or Denae. “So you really doona remember anything from before you became a Dragon King?”

“Nay. Let me guess, you want to fill in the blanks?”

“Is it no’ odd that you come into a group of men who happen to know us Warriors? One of who is your twin?”

“I have no twin.” Tristan pushed past him when he paused. “I doona know nor care, Warrior, to answer any of your questions.”

“What are you afraid of, Dragon? You afraid to learn what happened to you? That you really are Duncan Kerr?”

Tristan halted and swung around to Phelan. “My name is Tristan.”

“What do you remember of your past before you became a King?” Phelan pressed.

There was a slight tightening around Tristan’s mouth. “Nothing. You say I have a twin. I’ve no memory of that. For me, my existence began when I landed atop that mountain naked in the snow. I may look like this Duncan you speak of, but I’m no’ him.”

“Ian will find out sooner or later. What will you say to him when he walks up and you find yourself looking into a mirror?” Phelan didn’t know what to make of Tristan. He was Duncan, of that much he was sure, but to have no memories of his past? That would hit Ian hard.

“I doona know.”

“I didna know Duncan. I do, however, know Ian well. He’s a good man who has suffered from the loss of his twin. You may no’ remember him, but he’ll remember you. Do everyone a favor and doona be cruel to him. He’s a good man.”

Tristan’s dark eyes narrowed. “You think I would be cruel?”

“Perhaps.” Phelan was beginning to think he wouldn’t. Tristan was so much like Ian in action and appearance, right down to their long hair, that it boggled his mind. “But if there is even a smidgen of the Kerr blood left in you, you’ll do the decent thing.”

“I make no promises, Warrior.”

Phelan slapped him on the back and grinned. “That’s all I can ask. Come, Dragon. Let’s find your friends. Maybe we’ll get lucky and find more creatures to kill.”

“Now that sounds like fun,” Tristan said as they fell into step together.

CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

Rhi lingered near Kellan and Denae. She knew it was suicidal, but for some reason she couldn’t leave the dragon behind.

“Stupid, stupid dragon,” she murmured as she walked the corridors outside the room they were being held in.

Rhi remained veiled. Though she thought to stay near the couple, it was the shouting coming from somewhere in the ruined manor that caught her attention.

Fae, by nature, were sexual creatures who could be benevolent, but normally weren’t. They thought of their own interests first and foremost, which meant that most times humans were casualties.

It’s one of many reasons the Dragon Kings had fought so hard to keep the Fae out of the realm. Rhi understood their arguments, but she would defend her people to her dying breath. No one was perfect, least of all the Dragon Kings.

As quarrelsome as the Light Fae were, it was nothing compared to the Dark Ones. The Dark were aggressive, belligerent, and confrontational. They searched out their quarry and thought out their torture, though the poor mortals never knew what hit them.

But when the Dark fought amongst themselves, it could get downright vicious. Based on the shouts she heard, there was definitely about to be a fight.

Rhi had to know if it was Emil and Taraeth. For many centuries she had been waiting for Taraeth to be killed, but so far no one in his group had managed to take him down. A few tried, but Taraeth quickly killed them.

It didn’t take long to find the group in what remained of some large room. Taraeth and Emil stood in the center while dozens upon dozens of Dark Fae circled around them hollering as they waited for the fight to begin.

Taraeth was the most powerful. He held his position only by taking down any opponent who dared to challenge him. And many had. The fact he had run away during the battle with the Dragon Kings and was scarred by one was a bane upon his existence. Despite that, he had managed to lead the Dark Ones ever since.

Rhi stilled when a Dark Fae came up behind her. She didn’t turn around, didn’t so much as breathe. She was veiled, but that didn’t mean she was invisible to a Fae. If they concentrated hard enough, some could detect another Fae.

“I know you’re here,” he said.

Rhi inwardly cursed at how close he was behind her. If she hadn’t been so intent on wishing Taraeth be taken down she wouldn’t have been caught unawares.

The last thing she wanted was to be caught by the Dark. They might be unkind to mortals, but they were deadly to one of the Light. Her torture would last to infinity, and it would be horrendous.

“Why not come out and play?” he coaxed, his voice laced with an Irish accent.

Rhi slowly moved to her right until she was away from him. She then turned her head to look at him and felt her stomach fall to her feet like lead as she recognized him.

Balladyn.

“There is only one I know who can remain veiled so long. What are you doing here, Rhi?” he asked softly, his red eyes darting around to try and locate her. “These are dangerous times.”

She swallowed and fought not to answer him. Balladyn had been one of her closest friends. He had been the only one who had helped her and her Dragon King lover. She thought he had died in a battle with the Dark Ones.

Now she knew the truth.

And it made her want to cry.

Balladyn, the stalwart one, the loyal one. Never would she have imagined him turning to the Dark.