Now that was the man she knew. Cold, shrewd, and cunning. This man she could understand. He was dedicated to the Kings, devoted to Dreagan, and single-minded with purpose for both.
She opened her eyes and slowly turned her head until she was looking at him. His celadon eyes were penetrating, pointed. He asked no questions, just stared. Then his head lowered slightly as if asking her without words if she was all right.
Denae took a deep breath and nodded. If she thought Kellan would pity her or show a hint of compassion, she was dead wrong. It was a good thing too, because she would have fallen apart if he had.
“Rhi, get this damn chain off me,” he said through clenched teeth.
The petite Fae ran to him and wrapped both of her hands around the manacle surrounding his wrist. Beneath her hands, coming from around the iron, Denae could have sworn she saw a bright light. Yet, not even that could release the chain.
Instead of getting angry, Kellan merely gave Rhi a gentle shove aside. The next thing Denae knew, Kellan had raised his hand, palm forward, right at her.
She winced as if expecting a blow. Instead, her arms dropped to her sides and she was able to move away from the wall. Her gaze jerked to Kellan.
Rhi’s silver eyes were large as she stared at him. “You can do magic while still being in their chains?”
“Aye,” he said angrily. “I just can no’ shift.”
Denae took the man’s button-down shirt Rhi had draped over her and put it on. It came to the top of her thighs, but at least she was covered.
She was in the process of buttoning it when she caught Kellan’s scent. This was his shirt. Rhi had given her his shirt. Her eyes lifted to his to find him staring at her.
The shirt reminded her of tangled limbs, long kisses, cries of pleasure, and desire unlike she had ever known. She inhaled his scent again and burrowed deeper into the shirt. It was her armor now.
Without words, without a touch, Kellan had given her the courage to stand tall once more. Denae took a step toward him. His gaze didn’t leave hers, and it gave her the daring to walk to him.
He met her as far as his chain would allow. She was promptly dragged against his chest and his arms tightened around her. Denae closed her eyes and buried her head in his neck as she held onto him tightly.
Rhi had been right. Kellan wasn’t one to show emotions, but if a person knew where to look, they could see or feel it. Like Denae did now. His arms shook, and his chest rose and fell rapidly. His hands gripped her firmly, as if he were afraid he’d never get to hold her again.
“It’s almost over,” Kellan whispered.
Before, his steely gaze and nod had let her stand tall. Now his touch and soothing words handed her the means to remember the trained professional she was.
One of Kellan’s hands slid into her hair and held the base of her head. He was holding her as if she were precious, as if he was as affected by what had happened as she was.
At that moment, all the fear that had been building dissipated as if it never was. Because of Kellan, because he was strong and powerful, resilient and dangerous.
And because he cared.
“Follow Rhi. She’ll lead you out,” he said.
Denae leaned back to look at him. “What? You’re coming with us. Just use your magic on the chains.”
“I’ve tried. These were made to hold a Dragon King. The Dark magic used doesna recognize my magic, or even Rhi’s. Only a Dark One can release me.”
Denae couldn’t believe what she was hearing. After all she had been through, it was Kellan who’d kept her holding it together. She wasn’t going without him.
“Take her,” he ordered Rhi. “Get as far from here as you can, and make sure they can no’ get to her again.”
Rhi’s forehead furrowed as she looked away. “Kellan…”
“I’ll withstand whatever they have in store for me,” he said. “Without Denae, they have no leverage.”
Denae waited to hear Rhi’s next argument, but the Fae merely grabbed her hand and led her to the back wall where water dripped down.
“No,” Denae said and tried to pull back, but the Fae was stronger than she looked.
Denae glanced back at Kellan. He stood solemnly, a glimmer of sadness in his pale green eyes just before Rhi yanked her through the wall.
She found herself standing on the edge of a stream that wound through semidark tunnels. The cold caused her to shiver, and while she rubbed her hands up and down her arms, Denae glowered at Rhi. “We can’t leave him.”
“We had no choice. If any of the Dark return and find you gone before we get out of these tunnels, you’ll know the full extent of just what they can do to you. Without you there, Kellan can endure anything. You’re a liability.”
“Because he cares?” she asked carefully, not sure if she wanted it to be true or not.