Rhi licked her lips. “They are. In order to get in, you’ll need to find the doorway.”
“He’ll walk into a slaughter,” Tristan said.
Phelan looked at the newest Dragon King again. He still couldn’t believe the face staring back at him. As much as he wanted to talk to Tristan about it, it would have to wait until this latest crisis had been averted.
Con drummed his fingers on the table. “Aye, he will. Is there another way, Rhi?”
“Yes,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “As if I would send my prince into a death trap. Give me some credit.”
Phelan coughed to cover his laugh while Aisley turned her head into her shoulder, her smile wide.
“Well?” Con asked, his voice laced with annoyance.
Rhi turned her silver eyes to Phelan. “The doorway you need will lead you to a maze of underground tunnels.”
“Aren’t the Dark Ones using it?” Aisley asked.
Rhi shook her head. “The tunnels yes, but not the doorway. I made the doorway before I came here.”
Tristan crossed his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall. “What about these tunnels? You say the Dark use them?”
“Without the Fae, they would be nothing but underground tunnels shaped by water. However, the Dark Ones have allowed the wall between our realm and yours to…” She paused and shrugged. “It’s all but gone.”
Con let out a string of curses as he rose and began to pace. Phelan looked from the King of Kings to Rhi who was inspecting her nails.
“I gather there will be unsavory things in these tunnels?” Phelan asked.
Rhi gave a silent nod.
Con whirled on her. “How long have you known? Do you know what could happen if any of those creatures find their way to the surface? Or what about a mortal who decides to venture into those tunnels?”
As soon as Con began to yell, Rhi’s eyes narrowed on him. She pushed her chair back and stood while leaning her hands on the table. “I just discovered it. I didn’t even take the time to alert my queen on the matter, you asshat. I came here first, and yes, I know very well what could happen!”
Phelan looked at Aisley who gave him a small nod. He released her hand and stood. “The sooner I get there the better, but Rhi, you need to rest first.”
“There isn’t time,” she protested and turned her head away.
“I’m going to need you at your best.” He stared at her until she relented with a loud sigh.
Tristan pushed away from the wall. “I’m going with you.”
“As am I,” Aisley said.
Phelan walked around the table and drew his wife into his arms. “You know I want you with me, but no’ this time, beauty. If those Dark Fae got ahold of you, the Phoenix, I doona know what I’d do.”
“Phelan is right,” Con agreed. “It’s safer for you here, Aisley.”
Aisley lifted her head from his chest and sighed. “Find Kellan and Denae, kill as many of the Dark as threatens you or them, and then return to me as quickly as you can.”
“Always,” he promised and placed a kiss upon her lips.
Con speared Rhi with a look. “How long do you need to … recover?”
“I am recovered.”
“That’s shite,” Con said, distaste twisting his face. “I can see how puny you look. You wouldna stand a chance against a Dark Fae.”
“Want to test the theory? How about I drop your high-handed ass into a bunch of them and see how long you last before I have to save you?”
“What is it between them?” Aisley asked Phelan in a whisper. “Just the war?”
Phelan tucked her long hair behind her ear and leaned close to say, “From what I’ve pieced together, Rhi was involved with one of the Kings.”
Aisley’s eyes widened. “Was it Con? He sure does hate her.”
“No one will give me a name.”
Con pushed his chair in calmly, his face a mask of cool indifference. “You’re no’ indestructible, Rhi. You might want to remember that when you have your prince and a Dragon King in those tunnels.”
“Both Phelan and Tristan can take care of anything they encounter,” she retorted just as calmly as he had spoken.
Tristan frowned. “If we’ll be in the tunnels, where will you be?”
“With Denae and Kellan,” Phelan surmised as he looked at her. “The place they’re being kept doesna have access to the tunnels, does it?”
Rhi gave a slight shake of her head, sending her long black hair moving gently over her back. “No. I’m going to have to lead them to it.”
“While staying veiled,” Con added. He took a deep breath and slowly released it. “Can you do that again so soon?”
“I will.”
“Can you?” he repeated more forcibly. “I’ll no’ have Usaeil blame me for your death.”
Instead of answering him, Rhi turned to Phelan. “Give me fifteen minutes, and then we leave.”
Before he could answer, she was gone. Con turned and walked out of the kitchen, and Tristan followed. Phelan used that precious time with Aisley.
“Are you sure about this?” she asked.