“I’m saying she puts her life on the line for us.”
“And got caught by Balladyn in the process. Did it change her?”
Warrick ran a hand down his face. “In some ways.”
“How many more centuries do you think she’ll go before that love turns to hate?”
“Balladyn may have given her that push. Rhys caught her and Henry kissing.”
“Henry? The mortal working for MI5?” Thorn made a sound at the back of his throat. “Did Banan no’ talk to his friend?”
Warrick’s gaze searched the streets for any Dark. “Of course, but a mortal can no’ deny a Fae. I fear Henry may fall hard for her.”
“Rhi’s never messed around with mortals before.”
“That we know of,” Warrick added.
Thorn walked to the other side of the roof and peered over the side. “Did Rhi tell you why she’s here?”
“I didna have a chance to ask her.”
“But you’re worried.”
It wasn’t a question. Warrick faced Thorn and nodded. “I am.”
“Surely it’s no’ Balladyn.”
Warrick faced Darcy’s windows to see her and Rhi on the sofa talking. “I hope to hell it isna.”
*
“So,” Rhi said when Warrick finally left. “How are you doing?”
Darcy collected the bowls and rinsed them in the sink. “I’m fine.”
“Riiiight,” Rhi said. “Let’s try that again. With honesty this time.”
Darcy smiled and looked at Rhi. “I’m freaking the hell out.”
“Better,” Rhi said. She snapped her fingers and the kitchen was clean. Then she patted the sofa cushion next to her. “Come sit.”
With nothing more to clean, Darcy walked to the sofa. “It wouldn’t have taken me long to clean.”
“Why do it at all? You’ve magic, chica.”
Darcy took one of the accent pillows and held it against her as she sat down. “I was taught not to abuse my magic that way.”
“It’s magic! Use it, I say.” Rhi’s smile was wide, her silver eyes trained on Darcy. “Want to talk about what I interrupted earlier?”
Darcy ducked her head in the cushion. “No.”
“Oh, come on,” Rhi teased, laughing. “Your lips were nearly touching. Was that going to be your first kiss with War?”
Darcy looked up and nodded. “The first time I saw him was last night when he saved me from a group of Dark. I watched him battle them in the middle of the street stark naked.”
“Oh, girl. You got to see the whole package right up front.” Rhi rubbed her hands together. “I gather you approved.”
Darcy put her hands to her hot cheeks. “It should be a crime for a man to look that good.”
“Have you taken a look at any of the other Kings? They’re all insanely gorgeous.”
“True, though I’ve only seen Warrick, Thorn, and Ulrik.”
“Trust me. They all make your mouth water.”
Darcy licked her lips nervously. “I just found out about the Fae last night.”
“And that’s when they told you about me.”
Her smile was still in place, but Darcy heard the slight edge to her voice. “They did. I wasn’t expecting to meet you.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know, Darcy.”
Darcy rolled her eyes. “Apparently. Corann knows of you, doesn’t he? And you know of him.”
“You could say that,” Rhi replied. “The Light have always had a connection to the Druids on Skye. You have visited the Fairy Pools, haven’t you?”
“The tourist attraction?”
Rhi shook her head of black hair. “Nope. The real deal. If you return to Skye, you need to find it. I’ll make sure you do, and then Corann will have to tell you all he knows.”
That was something to consider, if Darcy was going back to Skye. But she wasn’t. “You said there’s a lot I don’t know. Tell me. I want to know.”
Rhi let out a deep breath. “I’ve known the Kings a very long time, and at one point I completely agreed with their decision regarding what they did to Ulrik.”
“And now?”
The smile was gone. Rhi sighed loudly. “I can’t imagine having my magic bound. In that instance, I feel Ulrik’s pain. But don’t let him fool you. Ulrik wants it all. He’ll challenge Con, and he may well win. If he does, the world as you know it will vanish. There is nothing you mortals have that will kill a King.”
“What about the Fae? Can they kill a King?” she asked.
Rhi’s silver gaze studied her for long moments. “We seem to constantly be embroiled in a war. If we’re not battling each other, we’re fighting someone else. We came to this realm ages ago when we discovered humans. The Kings weren’t happy.”
“I bet not. First mortals, and then Fae.”
“That was part of it. I’m sure Warrick explained why the Fae find this realm so exciting.”
Darcy shifted, hugging the pillow tighter. “Us.”
“The Kings were furious when they found out what the Dark—and the Light—were doing. We went to war with the Kings then in order to remain on this realm.”