Rhi sighed and shook her head. “He gave you a promise. Kellan will see it fulfilled regardless of what it costs him. He also made a vow to his brothers. Dreagan and all Dragon Kings are to be protected no matter what. The two oaths could tear him apart.”
Denae should have known she didn’t mean anything to Kellan. It was silly to be so upset, especially when he chose his people and his way of life. Their night together had meant something to her. It had changed her.
And regardless of how he felt, she didn’t regret any of it.
“They’ll torture him more,” she said. “Will they use the females on him?”
Rhi looked first one way down the tunnel and then the other. “Probably. We need to go this way,” she said and pointed to the left.
“No.” Denae crossed her arms over her chest. “I’m not leaving unless Kellan is with us.”
Rhi slapped her hand on her thigh. “Damn it, Denae. Don’t be stupid. Being out here isn’t exactly safe. This tunnel allows the Fae world to bleed into yours. There is danger everywhere, including behind that wall where Kellan is. He’s trying to save you so that both of his promises will be kept. Don’t let that be in vain.”
Denae dropped her arms and looked at the wall they had just walked through. “There has to be a way to unlock his chains. Everything has a weakness. Locks can be picked, metal corroded.”
“If you go back in there, I don’t know if I’ll be able to get you back out.”
“Then don’t.”
Rhi rolled her eyes. “Really? After the episode with Taraeth you want to go back for more? There’s a very real possibility you’ll never have another chance at an escape. Trust me when I tell you that if Taraeth takes you, he’ll never let you go.”
“By take you mean if he has sex with me.” It was enough to cause Denae to hesitate. The aftermath of her assault would be with her for many, many years.
She didn’t want anywhere near Taraeth again.
As if sensing her uncertainty, Rhi said, “Yes. You’ve been strong so far, but you saw how easily he used your body against you. Think of that, but multiplied by a hundred. That’s what it’ll be like.”
“If I can’t resist him.”
“The more you resist, the more he’ll push until you go insane.”
“He mentioned turning me into Fae to be his queen.”
Rhi look aghast. “What? Are you sure that’s what he said?”
“Yes, I’m sure. Can he do that?”
“It’s just another reason to get you far from here.”
“He’ll still come for me, won’t he?”
Rhi rubbed her temples, agitation causing her to stamp her right foot. “Yes, he will, damn it all. As long as you’re somewhere he can find you.”
“Which means what?”
The Fae turned her silver gaze to Denae and looked her squarely in the eye. “Anywhere that isn’t with Light Fae or the Dragon Kings.”
For several seconds Denae simply returned the stare as her mind went over everything piece by piece. She looked at it as she would a mission from MI5. “You’re telling me that I can’t live my life now? That I’ll have to be at the mercy of your people or the Dragon Kings? Based on what I’ve heard, I don’t think your people will take me in, and if I leave Kellan behind, I don’t imagine the Kings will be pleased to see me.”
“They’ll protect you. For Kellan.”
“Wow. That makes it all better.” Her voice was heavily laced with sarcasm. “I don’t want to go back in there. Taraeth and every one of the Dark Fae scare me to death. But I can’t leave Kellan. He wouldn’t leave me.”
“He would if it meant the other Dragon Kings and Dreagan would be left alone.”
Rhi’s statement hurt, more so because Denae knew it to be true. But she was a highly trained operative with MI5. She had faced scary scenarios before. This—whatever was going on—was more important than anything she had ever been a part of.
“I’m just one human. I matter little in the grand scheme of things. The Dragon Kings are needed. Kellan is needed. Regardless of what he would do, I’m going in after him.”
“You’re a fool,” Rhi said, but there was a grin on her face. “I liked you from the moment I met you, Denae Lacroix, and right now is exactly why. I wish every mortal was like you.”
Denae laughed, the sound full of fear and anxiety. “I could be walking to my death.”
“You won’t die in pain at least.”
After what Matt and MI5 had had in store for her, that was a plus. “I don’t know if I can face Taraeth again.”
“You will. You’re strong, just as Kellan said. A survivor. Don’t let him touch you. You’re not you when you’re with him. You’re on a mission, and you’re just playing a part.”
That might work. It was a way for Denae to distance herself from her attacker, but she’d much rather kill him. “It’ll take every ounce of my training to fake wanting Taraeth’s touch.”
“You’d better if he gets ahold of you, because if he suspects you’re immune to his charms, he’ll turn you over to the rest of the Dark.”