“You’ll know. They’re too bloody curious as to how I got my magic returned. I’ve been evasive. But … they’ll find out.”
Darcy gawked at him. “Are you that stupid? They could’ve followed you.”
Normally, she wasn’t so idiotic as to call someone as powerful as Ulrik stupid, but she was more concerned with her life than his response.
“They’ll find you one way or another,” Ulrik said, though by his flat look, he wasn’t happy with her choice of words.
Darcy put a hand to her forehead. She and Ulrik weren’t exactly friends. He had needed something, and she was able to give it to him. In return, he’d paid her handsomely.
She dropped her hand to her side and studied the Dragon King. “You’re not warning me out of the kindness of your heart. That’s not you.”
“No,” he said, the barest hint of a smile upon his lips. “I’m warning you because I may need you in the future, and I doona want you harmed. I hope you’ll be smart enough to remain safe.”
“Who is coming for me?”
“An enemy.”
She blinked. The only reason Darcy knew Ulrik’s story was because she had seen his past while delving into his mind to undo what the other Dragon Kings had done to him.
Ulrik pushed away from the wall. “Close your mouth, Darcy. We all have enemies we’d rather no’ talk about.”
“I just … I just thought you were going to say the Dragon Kings,” she said and shrugged.
He blew out a breath, his nostrils flaring. “Who says I’m no’?”
“You should let your true accent come out more,” she said when he let it slip. “It suits you better than the fake British you use from time to time.”
He continued on as if she hadn’t spoken. “My enemies will kill you. They want to ensure I doona get any more of my magic returned.”
“If your enemy is anything like you, there’s nowhere I can go where I won’t be found.”
Ulrik stared at her for a moment. “You’re a Druid from the Isle of Skye. You touched upon dragon magic and walked away without it taking your life. If there’s anyone who can get through this, it’s you.” He pivoted to leave.
“I’ve been dreaming of dragons.”
Ulrik hesitated. Without turning around he asked, “Any particular color dragon?”
“Yes,” she said after a brief pause.
“What color?”
Darcy hadn’t told Ulrik she had seen his past. She had never mentioned Constantine’s name, nor would she knowing how much Ulrik hated the King of Kings. Ulrik wasn’t a man she would cross. Ever. As long as he needed her, she was useful. So she would remain useful.
Ulrik turned to her, a frown upon his brow. “Darcy? What color?”
“It’s not exactly clear.”
“Is he gold?”
She gave a shake of her head. “No.”
“If you see his color, call me immediately.”
“Why?”
“So I can tell you who to expect a visit from.”
With that, he turned on his heel and was gone. Darcy swallowed and leaned a hand on the table. Despite the danger that fairly radiated from Ulrik, she wasn’t scared of him. She had a healthy dose of respect, sure, but perhaps she didn’t fear him because he’d come to her before he had magic.
She saw the man struggling to deal with the life he had been forced into. When she saw his past the first time, she wanted to get as far from him as she could. Yet, she was intrigued by the world of the Dragon Kings.
Ulrik eventually told her a little about who and what he was, but he kept most of it to himself. It took her numerous tries before she was able to touch the thick and powerful dragon magic that bound his. At first, each time she came close, she was knocked unconscious.
She wasn’t the only one affected. By messing with the dragon magic, Ulrik experienced a tremendous amount of pain that left him weak and exposed. He held back as much of the bellows as he could, but eventually, they were released.
Both of them had seen the other in their weakest times, but she never thought of him as a friend. The fact he visited her after almost three years let her know he was serious about the threat.
It had been seven long years since she left Skye. Maybe it was time to go back. She had left seeking … something. She hadn’t known what, and she still didn’t. Darcy had had this urging to go, and she’d followed it, fully expecting to find whatever it was that sent her from her home.
She wasn’t exactly unhappy in Edinburgh. Her clients were many, and she enjoyed what she did. To return to Skye would mean returning to Corann’s fold.
That she wasn’t ready to do. Then again, she couldn’t remain in Edinburgh. Ulrik was right. She was a Druid. There were few places she could go that his enemies would never find her.
Skye was one of them.
CHAPTER
THREE