Con’s black eyes glanced at Kinsey. “Sometimes our eyes deceive us. Sometimes even instincts we’ve relied upon for centuries get it wrong. The only thing that’s going to help is to get proof and answers.”
“You were no’ there when Ryder discovered her betrayal. I might no’ want a mate of my own, but now I understand why you’ve worked so hard to prevent us from having those entanglements.”
Con looked at him for a long time. “You think so?”
That was an odd thing to say. Dmitri had just given him a compliment and that’s how Con reacted. Then again, Con had been different of late. Perhaps it was the lover he’d taken.
“Aye,” Dmitri said.
Con was silent for a long while. Then he said, “Do you think we should live alone? To never have someone to share our beds and our futures?”
Dmitri stopped the frown that formed before it became visible. Con didn’t ask such questions. Ever. Was it some kind of trick? No. Con wouldn’t do that.
“We’re dragons, but we have needs, no matter what form we’re in. There are no dragons here, so we’ve no choice but to turn to the mortals. Or the Fae.”
“Hmm,” Con replied.
But Dmitri wasn’t finished. “I think we should remain alone. It’s no’ like we can have children. History has proven that no human can birth a baby by us that lives. We put our way of life on the line with every mortal we allow to know our secret.”
“What do you suggest?”
“I think if we need to ease our bodies we do so with the Light Fae.”
Con raised his brows. “Why the Light?”
“The answer is obvious. They’re no’ mortals. They already know of us, so we doona need to hide our true nature.”
“What if a King finds his mate with a Fae?”
Dmitri shrugged, confused by the question. “Kiril already has. The human mates might be immortal, thanks to the ceremony, but at least Shara can defend herself and Dreagan with her magic. What can the other mates do? Nothing.”
“You’d have us mix dragon and Fae?”
“Doona twist my words,” Dmitri said. “I merely suggested that if we had to mix with a race, the Fae are better than mortals.”
Con nodded as he continued walking around Kinsey back to his original spot. “That’s interesting to hear.”
“You can no’ tell me you have no’ thought of it.”
“I didna say that.”
Dmitri smiled. “So that’s who you have as a lover, a Light.”
“I didna say that either.”
“You didna have to,” Dmitri replied with a chuckle. “We’ve long thought it might be a Fae.” Then his smile died as he thought of Rhi. “You might want to keep it a secret from Rhi.”
“I’ve no’ admitted anything,” Con said. “About anything. You’ve come to conclusions I’d like verra much for you to keep to yourself.”
Dmitri heard the anger tingeing Con’s words. These weren’t speculations on Dmitri’s part. Whether Con wanted to admit it or not, he’d just revealed the truth.
Though Dmitri declined from asking if Con’s lover was in fact the Queen of the Light—Usaeil. Because if it was and Rhi discovered it—all hell would likely break loose.
And it was just a matter of time before Rhi found out.
Dmitri wanted to make sure he wasn’t anywhere near when Rhi did. Because the Fae was likely to go nuclear on everyone, leaving destruction much worse than what had happened at Balladyn’s fortress.
He eyed Con, wondering if Con knew how close to the fire he was playing.
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
Mikkel drummed his fingers on his desk. His office lights were kept dimmed, allowing for many shadows about the large room to hide all sorts of things.
He stared at Harriet Smythe for a long minute. The tall blonde had done wonders for his plans from the moment he’d begun tutoring her twenty years earlier. She wasn’t just a beauty that knew how to use it to her advantage, she was a quick learner and had a sharp mind.
However, right now, he was furious with her.
“It’s going to work out.” Harriet’s clear blue gaze held his, her conviction there for him to see.
But it wasn’t enough. “How can you be so sure? Both Esther and Kinsey are still alive.”
“We need Kinsey alive,” Harriet said. “That’s the only way you’ll get what you need from Dreagan.”
Mikkel sat forward in his chair and placed his forearms on his desk. Never far from reach were his six mobile phones placed in a neat row. “If you honestly think the Kings haven’t realized what’s been done to Kinsey, then I’ve given you more credit than you ever deserved.”
“Kinsey won’t fail us,” Harriet stated firmly.
There was a snort from the shadows behind him. Mikkel didn’t turn around to look at Ulrik, though he wanted to. Harriet for her part suddenly realized they weren’t alone in the office.
Mikkel smiled. He loved when those who worked for him were reminded of how lethal and dangerous he truly was. He enjoyed their fear. But it only partially made up for him no longer being a Dragon King.