Rhi raised her brows and blinked before cocking her head to the side. “No? I thought that was fair.”
“I’m not going to tell you anything, but I do want to know what you are.”
“What,” Rhi repeated with a smile. She turned her head to look at Rhys. “Methinks she’s catching on quick.”
Rhys chuckled and said, “Doona get out of hand.”
Rhi stood and walked around the back of her chair to lean her forearms on it. “What am I? That’s something I seem to be answering quite a lot recently. It’s a fair enough question, I suppose.”
She stopped herself from looking to the corner at her watcher. It was becoming more and more difficult for her not to look his way. If she wasn’t careful, others would begin to suspect.
“Answer me this, Esther,” Rhi said. “Do you really believe the men here are dragons?”
“Yes,” she replied immediately.
“Do you believe they are the only other beings on this earth?”
Again Esther said, “Yes.”
“That’s … very na?ve. And you’re very wrong actually. Though to be fair, most humans are as mistaken. I’ve shown you who I was from the moment I walked in. I did magic, spoke of mortals, and even mentioned immortality. Is your brain unable to comprehend what’s right before you?”
Esther’s face lost a little color. “I thought the dragons were only male.”
Rhi squeezed her eyes shut briefly, trying for patience. “They are. I’m not a Dragon King. I’m a Light Fae.”
“Wh … what?”
Rhi turned to Rhys. “By that reaction, I’m inclined to believe she’s not had any encounters with Fae, much less Dark.”
When Rhi faced Esther once more, the mortal’s face was white and her eyes dilated. “That’s right. Fae. And if there’s Light, there is also Dark. The Dark are the ones who’ve been setting the cities on fire and doing all the killings. The Dark are also on the same side as you.”
“No,” Esther said with a small shake of her head.
“That’s a definite yes,” Rhi stated. “Henry has been working hard to track the Dark and keep other humans free from them, because you mortals are drawn to all Fae. But it’s the Dark who kill. You won’t even know it’s happening. You’ll be too attracted to them, too desperate to have them fill you to know that while they’re having sex with you, they’re draining your soul.”
“No,” Esther said again.
Rhi quickly took her seat again. “Tell me who you work for.”
“I can’t.”
“Perhaps I should call in a friend,” Rhi said. She used her magic and had an image of Balladyn fill the doorway.
Both her watcher and Rhys jerked, believing it was really Balladyn at first.
Rhi stood and moved the chair out of the way so Esther could get a full view of Balladyn. Rhi then used her magic to ramp up the desire within Esther.
Her eyes were wide with fear while at the same time she moaned with need.
It was beyond cruel for Rhi to do this, but the Kings needed answers. She walked to stand behind Esther, and then bent so her mouth was near the mortal’s ear.
“Isn’t he gorgeous?” Rhi whispered. “He wants you. And you want him.”
Esther tried to shake her head, but her legs spread instead.
“If he takes you, you’ll die. You’ll experience pleasure like you’ve never had before, but all the while, your soul will be sucked out without you even being aware. Until it’s too late. Shall I let him have you?”
Esther attempted to get to her feet, but Rhi put her hands on her shoulders to keep her seated. “No!”
“Then tell me who you work for.”
“No.”
Rhi moved the vision farther into the cavern, right toward Esther. “I’m going to let him have you.”
“Please no,” the human said, tears falling freely from her eyes.
“Then tell me who you work for. Now!”
“Sam MacDonald,” Esther yelled as he turned her face away from the approaching Balladyn.
Rhi waved her hand, and the image of Balladyn disappeared. She looked to Rhys. “Let Ryder know we have a name.”
“Balladyn?” Rhys asked with a frown.
Rhi shrugged and patted Esther’s shoulder. Henry’s sister had her face buried in her hands as she sobbed. “I needed a Dark Fae.”
“But Balladyn?” Rhys asked again.
Rhi would tell him of her relationship with Balladyn. But not yet. “He’s the first one who popped into my head.”
“Mmm-hmm,” Rhys mumbled. “Why do I get the feeling you’re keeping something from me?”
“I’m always keeping something from you,” she joked.
But there was no answering smile in return. Rhys took her hands in his. “Rhi, I want happiness for you, but it isna with Balladyn. He tortured you. He tried to turn you Dark.”
“I’m not Dark.”
“I know, but that’s no’ my point. You’ve been rejected for thousands of years by the one man who is meant to be yours. You want to have someone in your life again, but doona turn to Balladyn. I beg you.”
Rhi inhaled deeply. “Who should I turn to, Rhys? Another King? Or Henry, perhaps? How about Ulrik?”