Kiril hoped Farrell bought the lie, because it sat like acid on his tongue. If they knew how deeply Shara had wormed her way into his psyche, they would be more than willing to use it against him.
Farrell stared at him as the minutes stretched by. “I promised my father that I’d capture you, and I don’t give a vow I can’t keep.”
“You willna keep this one.”
“We’ll see about that,” he said and left the restaurant.
Kiril was finally left alone to eat his meal. Or so he thought. He was nearly done with the steak when he caught sight of a Dark standing outside the restaurant waiting for him. Kiril rose and walked to the kitchen where he handed his waiter a wad of money.
“Sir?” the waiter asked in confusion.
Kiril nodded to the money. “That’s for the meal, with a hefty tip. I need the back exit.”
The waiter pocketed the money. “Right this way.”
Kiril followed the man, palming the push dagger in his pocket. He gave a nod of thanks to the waiter as he walked through the back exit and softly closed the door when he spotted a Dark lounging against the corner of the building.
He walked up behind the Dark and plunged the dagger into his neck. The need for battle sat heavily on his chest, making Kiril long to shift and take to the sky, billowing ice and fire.
There would be no shifting, no air rushing along his scales. There was only darkness and evil, only rage and death. The Dark thought they could defeat the Kings. If Kiril had to take them out one at a time, he would prove that the Kings wouldn’t be defeated.
Kiril walked toward the front of the restaurant. He was nearly upon his foe when the Dark turned and saw him. The Dark instantly sent a ball of magic straight at Kiril, causing him to dive to the side. He came up on his knee as the dagger flew from his hand and embedded in the Dark’s chest.
He looked around, waiting for more Dark to attack. Kiril stood and retrieved his dagger, ducking into the shadows as humans came rushing out of the steakhouse at the sight of the dead Dark.
*
Shara smoothed her hands down the black gown that molded to her body like a second skin. The front draped becomingly at her breasts, showing just a hint of décolletage. Her hair was piled at the back of her head and fell in long, loose curls around her.
She looked in the mirror once more to check her makeup when she spotted Balladyn gazing at her in the mirror. Shara turned, surprised to see him since she hadn’t heard him enter.
Balladyn pushed away from the doorway and nodded in approval. “You look gorgeous.”
“Thank you for the dress,” she said, still nervous about being seen with him. It would cause an uproar in her family, but that’s not what she worried about.
It was Kiril. What if he was at the pub as he always was? Would she be able to ignore him, to pretend she didn’t know what his kisses tasted like, that she didn’t know how good it felt to have him deep within her?
Balladyn’s smile grew. “My pleasure. I enjoy giving you things.”
He had also changed into a black silk button-down shirt and black slacks. His hair was once more left down with only braids at his temples pulled back to keep it out of his eyes.
“Ready?”
He wanted a strong woman, so she couldn’t falter now no matter how frightened she was of the outcome. “Yes.”
She accepted his arm and walked from his chamber at his side. As soon as they descended into the great hall, Shara noticed that the cages filled with the humans were gone as were all the Dark lounging about. Dark soldiers—both male and female—filled the hall now.
“They’re for when the Dragon King is brought here. I’m not taking any chances,” Balladyn said.
“And Taraeth can’t afford to have another King escape his clutches.”
Balladyn gave a slight nod as they walked through the great hall and ten soldiers fell into step behind them. “There is that as well.”
“I don’t advise taking your men into the pub,” she said and glanced at them over her shoulder. “Farrell will attack you immediately.”
“I didn’t think your brother was that dumb.”
“He’s not usually, but he considers the pub his domain.”
“It’s about to be mine,” Balladyn stated as they reached the Fae door that would take them into the middle of Cork.
Shara took a deep breath and stepped through the doorway. Balladyn’s fortress faded as the sights and sounds of Cork filled her senses. The sun had set and the streetlights chased away the shadows. The pub was only a couple of streets over. She stood still while Balladyn directed his men to split up and surround an Doras.
While she walked with Balladyn to an Doras, her gaze darted about, hoping she didn’t see Kiril and wishing like hell that she did. Her heart thumped in her chest the closer they came to the pub. All she had wanted was to fit in with her family, but she learned too late that they wanted her to be something she wasn’t—something she couldn’t be.