“And it wasna that long ago that she was in Balladyn’s prison with the Chains of Mordare around her wrists being tortured. That’s how the Light become Dark. Can you honestly tell me you’ve no’ seen a change in her?”
“Aye, I’ve seen it. There isna a being alive that wouldna have been affected by what she went through. Rhi has had plenty of opportunities to screw us, and she’s no’ done it.”
That was true. Warrick’s head began to ache as he tried to sort through all of this. “Who else is there?”
“The Dark wouldna listen to MI5, but we could ask Henry. He’s still keeping tabs on them.”
“No need. The Dark doona care about MI5. If the Dark are doing a favor—or taking orders—who could it be other than Ulrik?”
Ryder’s hazel eyes narrowed. “Another enemy we doona know about.”
“Someone after Ulrik as well as us,” Warrick said.
“That means someone who wants to bring down all the Dragon Kings.”
Warrick sat up, grateful that the pain was diminishing and the feeling was returning to his limbs. “Another enemy? Do we have any idea who it could be?”
“I can try and find out,” Ryder said as he stood. “You want to break the news to Con?”
“He wouldna listen. He believes everything is laid at Ulrik’s feet. Until we have proof, that is.”
CHAPTER
THIRTY-FOUR
Rhi was standing in the desert thinking of her conversation with Balladyn. She shouldn’t care about what he said to her. It was all rubbish.
Why then was she there?
She sat and took her boots off to let her toes sink into the hot sand. The sky was cloudless and a startling blue. The sun was unforgiving, and soon she was feeling the heat bake her.
The old Rhi, the one before the torture and Chains of Mordare, would’ve been with the Druids and Warriors helping Darcy and the Kings. In fact, Rhi had been in Edinburgh watching it all, though she was veiled the entire time.
She’d even contemplated helping. Why hadn’t she? What stopped her?
The darkness inside her was growing. She could feel it. Could that be what pulled her toward Balladyn?
There was no point in asking him. Balladyn would tell her whatever he needed to in order to get her to turn Dark. That Rhi would never do.
Yet … there was something wrong with her.
Looking back, she couldn’t figure out why she had protected Darcy’s flat and didn’t do the shop as well. She also hadn’t responded to Warrick’s call.
At least she went and got Phelan and Aisley. Darcy was at Dreagan and safe from the Dark.
Rhi put her head in her hands and closed her eyes. She wanted to throw off the weight that had settled over her. She wanted to be as flippant as she used to be. To drive her Lamborghini around Austin and shop.
She wanted to bask in the warm sunshine on an Italian lake and soak in the beauty. She wanted to enjoy life again.
Truth, Rhi. When was the last time you enjoyed life?
Rhi could pinpoint the exact day, the exact hour and minute. It was right before her lover ended their relationship.
She had been curled in his arms after hours of lovemaking. Her hands had been in his long bl—
“Rhi?”
Her heart stopped at the sound of Balladyn’s voice. “Go away.”
There was movement in the sand as he sat beside her. “What brings you here, pet? Were you looking for me?”
“Go. Away.”
“What’s got you in such a mood?”
Rhi lifted her head to find him a mere inch away. His legs were bent with his arms around them and one hand clasped his other wrist. He wasn’t looking at her, but had his eyes closed and his face lifted to the sun. It was something he used to do as a Light Fae.
For an instant, Rhi thought they were back in time before he turned Dark. It was the Balladyn who had never let her down beside her. The Balladyn who came up with the dirtiest jokes just to make her laugh.
The Balladyn who had loved the feel of the sun.
“Who am I?” she asked.
His eyes opened as he turned his head to her. “You know who you are, pet. You always have.”
“Not anymore. Not after what you did to me. I’m not the same.”
He glanced away, a slight frown crinkling his brow. “We all change.”
“Nothing has changed for me in … eons.” She fell back on the sand and threw an arm over her eyes to shade them from the sun.
Suddenly, Balladyn was leaning over her, his hands on either side of her head. “I’d say something has changed. You’re talking to me.”
“I shouldn’t be.” She moved her arm to look at him.
“But you like it. Tell me, did you like my kiss as much?”
Rhi didn’t have time to respond as he placed his lips on hers. The kiss was slow, searching. When she responded, a moan left him. He deepened the kiss and shifted his weight to one hand.
She knew it was wrong to kiss him, much less talk to him. But Rhi was tired of being alone. She was weary of holding love in her heart that was endlessly being rejected.
Balladyn kissed her with abandon, without restraint. He silently told her his feelings while taking every opportunity to kiss her. He made her feel wanted.