“What do you have for me?” he commanded.
The Dark smiled, his red eyes glittering with delight. “I just came from an … interesting … scene. The Dark female sent to seduce Kiril? It appears she has done just that.”
Ulrik chuckled. “A Dragon King succumbing to a Dark Fae? Does he know what she is?”
“Yes.”
“That is interesting, and possibly something I can use to my advantage.”
The Dark clasped his hands behind his back. “There’s more.”
“More?” Ulrik asked with wide eyes.
The big male nodded, causing his long ruler-straight black and silver hair to move with him. “I followed the female yesterday as she visited Balladyn.”
That caused Ulrik to raise a brow. The famous Light Fae warrior who had turned Dark. “And?”
“As I informed you earlier, he’s the one who kidnapped Rhi.”
“I know.” Ulrik got to his feet and came around the front of the desk to lean his hips back against it as he crossed one ankle over the other. “Did he turn Rhi over to Taraeth as you suspected he might? Or did he keep her as I thought?”
“He’s keeping her.”
Ulrik took a deep breath and slowly released it. “Where is she?”
“Balladyn is holding her in his compound on the Fae realm.”
“Draw every detail of this place.”
The Dark Fae hesitated. “It’s too late. Once a Light is taken by the Dark they’re never the same.”
Ulrik moved with lightning speed as he grabbed the Dark by the back of the neck and forced him to bend over the desk. “Draw!”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
Kiril stood staring out the windows of his bedroom without seeing the magnificent sunrise and the fusion of colors scattered across the sky. Any moment now he would hear Con in his mind. The question was, did he tell Constantine his plans? If he did, Con would likely come to Ireland just to ensure Kiril didn’t carry them out.
He looked at the bed, still rumpled from the hours spent in it with Shara. It had been only a few minutes since she’d left, but he felt her absence keenly.
In between their bouts of toe-curling sex, he and Shara had come up with a plan. She’d be waiting for him at her family’s house to let him in so he could reach the doorway to Balladyn’s.
No longer did he doubt her. At least his heart didn’t doubt her. His mind was another matter entirely.
Kiril sent a quick text to Phelan telling him he was headed back to Dreagan and that he should also return home. Hopefully Phelan would buy the lie, because Kiril didn’t want to have Phelan’s capture by the Dark on his conscience.
“Kiril?” Con’s voice asked.
He sighed deeply and opened his mind to the King of Kings. “I’m here.”
“Any news?”
“I know where Rhi is being held.”
There was a pregnant pause before Con asked, “Where?”
“In Balladyn’s fortress somewhere on the Fae realm.”
“I feared as much,” Con said wearily. “It was too much to hope they had her in Ireland.”
Kiril ran a hand over his jaw. “Everything has gone to hell in a matter of hours. Balladyn discovered what Farrell had planned for me and stepped in.”
“Has Balladyn come for you?”
“He will soon.”
“Get home. Now.”
Kiril hated lying to any of his brethren, but what he was going to do was better done alone. “I’ll be there soon.”
“If you’re no’ here by noon I’m coming for you,” Con threatened.
“The Dark female that was sent to seduce me? Her name is Shara. She is the one who found Rhi and told me where she’s being held. If Shara comes to Dreagan, I want your word that you’ll protect her.”
“A Dark? You want me to protect a Dark Fae?” he asked incredulously.
“Aye, Con, I’m asking that.”
“Do you love her?”
“I think I could love her.”
Con blew out a harsh breath. “Kiril, the Dark can no’ be trusted.”
“You said the same about the Light at one time as well. And yet we’ve always trusted Rhi.”
“Rhi is different.”
“So is Shara. Your word, Con.”
“Dammit, Kiril. Please.”
Kiril remained silent.
“Fine,” Con said despairingly. “You have it.”
“Thank you.”
“You can thank me when your ugly arse gets home.”
Kiril smiled despite himself. “You better have that ninety-year-old bottle of Dreagan out when I do.”
“Consider it done. Now hurry home.”
Kiril remained at his window long after the link between him and Con had been severed. He glanced down at the pool remembering the night. Never had a woman ever looked so good in the water.
He turned and exited his room and then descended the stairs. Soon, Dark would descend upon him. He could battle them, but they would eventually overwhelm him, and then he would find himself as their prisoner.