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Night's Blaze: Part 2

St. Martin's Press

Henry wasn't sure if Rhi was a figment of his imagination or real. Since he was in Ulrik's home, he didn't trust anything he saw.

Rhi stopped next to the stuffed chair to his right and leaned an arm along the tall back. "Wow. And here I thought I'd get at least a smile from you, handsome."

"You aren't real."

She looked down at herself, then back up at him. "Pretty sure I am."

Henry lowered his gaze from her ethereal face to the white shirt that plunged low enough for him to see the swell of her breasts. He swallowed hard, his blood pounding. The shirt hugged her frame down to her small waist and the black jeans that fit her like a glove.

"If you're going to look me over, don't forget my new shoes," she said as she lifted her foot so he could see them.

He glanced at the tall heels with silver spikes. "Nice boots."

"Booties," she corrected. "They're Louboutins. The red sole is their trademark. Keep up, sexy."

Henry nodded in response. He couldn't care less about the damn shoes. "Why are you here? If it really is you."

"Trust me, stud. It's me," she said as she pushed away from the chair and gently sat beside him. Her face scrunched as she looked him over. "You look like hell. What did they do to you?"

"I don't recall much once the beating commenced."

"You're lucky to be alive," she said in a serious voice.

Henry shrugged then immediately regretted it. He gritted his teeth until the worst of the pain passed. "It was worth it if I can get the information I have to Banan."

Rhi set her hand atop his. Henry's skin warmed where their flesh met. In all his dreams, he would never have expected her to touch him. She was so far out of his league that he was content to just look at her. Oh, but to feel her. His pain was forgotten as desire flared thick and heavy.

"You're very brave," she said in a gentle voice.

Henry became lost in her silver eyes. He was floating, drifting. Soaring. "I did what I had to."

"No. You did what you could for your friends. You put your life in jeopardy for them."

"They deserve no less."

Rhi's smile held a hint of sadness. "You deserve life."

"I won't side with Ulrik," Henry said tightly. "It goes against everything I am."

"Of course you won't side with Ulrik."

Henry looked down at her hand atop his. "I'm prepared to die."

He wasn't just saying that because it was Rhi. Henry meant every word. Although having the Light Fae beside him bolstered his courage as nothing else could.

"I see that you are. A pity," she whispered and kissed his cheek.

Then she was gone, vanished as if she had never been.

It happened so quickly Henry could only blink in response. Then the door opened and Ulrik entered. His gaze landed on Henry before he walked to the chair he had occupied earlier. "It's morning. Time for a decision."

Henry couldn't believe the time had already come. Not that it mattered. His decision was made the moment Ulrik gave him the ultimatum.

"That's good," Henry said. "I'm tired of being in this room."

"Want out, do you?" Ulrik said with a smirk.

"I sure do."

"The promise you give can be put into your own words. I'll use my magic to bind your promise."

Henry chuckled, amazed to find his ribs didn't hurt as much as they had a few minutes ago. "You're a piece of work."

Ulrik's smile vanished, his gold eyes narrowing on Henry. "Is that some kind of joke?"

"Joke? Not at all. I'll give you my promise. I vow that I'll never join you in any endeavor. I pledge that I'll fight against you from now until the end of my days."

"Which is imminent," Ulrik interrupted in a tight voice.

Undeterred, Henry continued. "I promise that I'll do whatever it takes to bring you down."

Ulrik stood so fast the chair toppled over. His arm reared back, his palm out. Henry watched it all in slow motion. He lifted his chin and prepared to die.

* * *

"Isn't this great?" Denae beamed from the passenger seat of the helicopter.

Lily nodded, though it wasn't her first time in a chopper. She'd always loved air travel of any kind, but the helicopter was her favorite. So much so, she had her pilot's license. How she missed flying.

She loved seeing the world from the vantage point of the clouds. There was something that altered a person when they looked down upon the ground from such a lofty height and realized how small things really were.

Lily basked in the pleasure as they soared. For a short time, she was able to forget about Dennis, forget about Kyle being threatened, and forget about betraying her friends. The one thing she couldn't forget was Rhys.

No matter where she was or what she was doing, he was a constant in her thoughts. His gentle but firm touch, his soft but insistent kisses. Her stomach fluttered remembering how tightly he held her as they kissed. She wondered if Rhys would enjoy flying, or was he afraid of it as so many were? Would he feel the freedom of it as she did? Would he love the exhilaration of going fast?

Time after time, she found herself wishing he were beside her so she could point out something below them, or laugh at how sedately they were flying. It was ridiculous really. She didn't even know Rhys, and yet, he was part of her world. A part of her.

How sad was she? Thank God no one else knew, lest they pity her. It was bad enough she ran from an abusive relationship, but to set her sights on someone that could never be hers? He made her want to find her lost courage, to break the invisible shackles that linked her to Dennis.

The chopper dipped, signaling that their ride was coming to an end. Lily looked down at her clothes. They weren't her. Just as her life with Dennis wasn't her. It was time to do more than just buy a few new items. It was time to erase Dennis from her life entirely. And she was starting today.

When the helicopter landed, Denae opened the door and stepped out. Lily followed, holding her hair in one hand so it didn't fly everywhere. Denae was all smiles as she waited for Lily. Together they walked to a black Mercedes where two men waited beside it for them.

"I hope all of this doesn't make you uncomfortable," Denae said after they were in the car.

Lily looked at her. "This?"

"The helicopter and the car waiting for us. I know I was unaccustomed to such wealth when Kellan and I got together. It's amazing how quickly I adapted," she said with a laugh.

For a second, Lily thought about telling Denae who she really was, but then she decided it didn't matter. "This doesn't bother me at all. It's nice that all of this is available to you."

"Kellan is a bit overprotective, not that I mind."

Lily looked away when she saw the love shining in Denae's whisky-colored eyes. "You're very lucky, you know."

"You'll find love yourself. I truly believe that."

"Of course." What else could she say?

When they arrived at the first store, Lily was anxious to shop. It felt like eons since she'd bought anything she liked. They walked through the doors of the store, and Lily paused and took a deep breath. She wanted to feel good in clothes again, wanted them to fit her, but more than that she wanted to stop Rhys in his tracks so he looked her up and down.

"I know that look," Denae said. "I've seen it on Shara's face often enough. That's a look of a woman who's ready to shop."

Lily returned her smile. "Oh, yes."

"Where shall we begin?"

Lily pointed to the shoes. "You wanted shoes."

Denae was shaking her head before she finished. "No way. Let's look at clothes. Shoes and jewelry are last."

Lily almost couldn't remember the last time she felt so carefree as she walked through rack after rack of clothes. Before she had time to find anything, a store employee was beside her. It took just a few items that Lily pointed out before the employee put her in a dressing room and began to bring outfit after outfit to her.

Lily shed the long skirt and shirt, wadding them into a ball. She stood in her bra and panties when the employee walked into the dressing room. Lily handed the hated clothes to the woman. "Burn those."

The young woman with a blond pixie cut eyed the clothes. "Are you sure?"

"I've never been more sure of anything." Just before the woman walked back through the curtain, Lily said, "I'm also going to need new bras and panties."

"I'll see to it," the woman replied with a bright smile.

Lily looked at herself in the mirror. Staring back at her was a hint of the girl she'd once been. She thought being on her own would give it to her, but she realized it was Rhys. He embodied the strength and fortitude she wished for herself. He gave her the courage to take a stand for herself.

It wasn't until she put on the first outfit of a pair of dark jeans and a red long-sleeved shirt that accentuated her breasts and her waist that she knew she would find the person she'd been before Dennis. The confident person who made her own decisions and didn't let anyone push her around—or hurt her.

* * *

Rhys hated waiting. For anything.

It didn't matter how long he lived, he hadn't mastered the art of patience. So the longer he had to wait for Ulrik to arrive at The Silver Dragon, the angrier he got.

He drummed his fingers on the hood of his Jaguar even as thunder rumbled in the distance. The first drops of rain were an annoyance, but he didn't budge even when the droplets became a steady downpour.

His thoughts turned to Lily. He wondered what she was doing and if she was having a good time. Her safety never factored in, because Rhys knew Kellan would move the heavens if he had to in order to protect Denae. Since Lily was with Denae, Kellan would protect her as well.

That's the only thing that kept Rhys from losing his mind with worry. He kept going over in his head the look on Lily's face when he reached her flat and when he took her home. Something was bothering her, and he wished she would tell him.

Not that he was one for sharing. He had yet to tell anyone about what was going on inside him with not being able to shift. It was tearing him in two as he sank further and further into a pit of despair. The only thing that kept the desolation from taking him was Lily. Her light, her smile ... her kisses. She alone pulled him back from the edge simply by him thinking about her.

Rhys debated with himself whether to go after Lily as he wanted, or to be content to just look at her. Each time they kissed, it became more and more difficult for him to keep his distance. The fact he couldn't touch her without kissing her spoke volumes.

But he was no longer the Dragon King from before. He was ... less. All because of Ulrik. Anger burned through Rhys. Ulrik had damaged him, ruined him. Never mind that Rhys still wouldn't think himself good enough for Lily even if he could shift again. Ulrik prevented him from protecting her as he should be able to.

Two hours later, Ulrik finally pulled up in his ice silver McLaren 12C Spider. The supercar rumbled to a stop on the opposite side of the street from Ulrik's antiques store. The door opened and Ulrik stepped out with his long black hair held in a queue, uncaring that rain soaked him and his expensive tailored suit instantly.

Ulrik shut the car door and walked away, locking the car with his key fob. He was halfway across the street when he suddenly halted. Then he slowly turned his head and looked at Rhys.

A distance of fifty feet separated them, but Rhys still saw the spark of anger in Ulrik's gold eyes. Rhys wasn't going to wait for an invitation. He pushed away from the Jaguar and strode toward his enemy.

Ulrik continued on to his shop and unlocked the door. It shut behind him, but Rhys didn't care if it was locked or not. He was going in.

Imagine his surprise when he tested the door and it opened. He walked inside to find only a few lights on.

"I doona suppose you'd leave if I told you to," Ulrik said as he walked from behind a wall to his desk at the front. He had removed his suit coat and released his hair, but remained in the wet shirt and slacks.

"Nay."

Ulrik gave a bored expression and pulled out his chair before he sat. "Then get on with it."

"With what?" Rhys asked skeptically.

"Whatever you came to say or accuse me of. The sooner you get it out, the sooner you can leave."

"As if you doona know why I'm here," Rhys stated.

"I doona."

The fact he said it so casually, as if it didn't matter that he had nearly killed Rhys. "Liar."

Ulrik shrugged. "As usual. After all the years you've been around you should've come up with something better."

"The word fits you. I almost think when it was created, the humans had you in mind." Rhys smiled when he saw Ulrik's nostrils flare, a sign that he was growing angry.

"I can always throw you out, you know."

Rhys folded his arms over his chest, trying to determine what he wanted to ask Ulrik first. If the bastard was going to play stupid, then he'd let him. "Where is Henry?"

"Am I supposed to know the names of everyone that those at Dreagan know?"

"You know him. He was at your meeting with the Dark and MI5. He was spying on you, and somehow he was found out. Where is he?"

"I have no idea."

Rhys was undeterred. "Did the Dark take him?"

"Ask them," Ulrik said blithely.

"It was either the Dark or you. MI5 was too incompetent to even realize he was spying."

Ulrik raised a brow. "You seem to know quite a bit, though you're lacking relevant information."

"Henry is a good man."

"Who interfered in something he had no business with. As all humans do," Ulrik said with a sneer.

Rhys dropped his arms and walked to Ulrik's desk. He leaned his hands upon it and glared. "Then tell me why you felt the need to mix your dragon magic and Dark magic? Tell me why you wanted me to suffer! Tell me why you chose me to be stuck in a human form unable to shift!"

For long moments Ulrik simply stared at him. "Sounds like you got screwed. It sucks, does it no'? Tell me, Rhys, how does it feel to watch our brethren take to the skies now that you can no' join them?"

"It's hurts almost as bad as when we sent the dragons away." Rhys heard Ulrik's brogue slip back to his refined English accent, but he didn't mention it.

Ulrik pushed back his chair, the wheels rolling easily, and stood. "I want you to leave this store. Now."

"You did this to me for a reason. I want to know why."

"We all want something."

Rhys seriously contemplated killing Ulrik right then. He straightened, anger churning through him faster and faster. How dare Ulrik think he could do this to him and not answer for it?

"Your shadows doona scare me," Ulrik said with a hard look in his gold eyes.

Rhys hadn't even realized he'd called to his dragon power. All around him darkness billowed, shadows waiting to hide him—or devour an enemy.

"Did it ever occur to you that someone else could've done this to you?"

Rhys snorted loudly. He stopped his shadows from advancing, but he didn't pull them back. "All the Kings have been accounted for."

"Ah, but I'm no' supposed to have magic, remember."

"You do. We know it."

Ulrik simply smiled.

"Only you would be stupid enough to find an ally in the Dark to get back at Con."

"I want to kill Con, aye. But what makes you think I doona hold the rest of you accountable? You sided with him. You killed my woman together. All of you took my magic and stopped me from shifting. Each of you is responsible for what I am."

"So you turn the tables on me? Who's next? Is your plan to curse each one of us?"

Ulrik's smirk grew. "That is a nice idea. What would the mighty Dragon Kings do if none of you could shift?"

"You're one of us."

"No!" Ulrik exploded, his rage palpable. Gone was his mask of indifference. The fury clouded his face and darkened his eyes. "You made sure of that."

Rhys let his shadows grow closer to Ulrik. "What do you think happens to this realm if we are no' here to protect it?"

"I suppose we'll find out. Perhaps someone else will step in and take over."

"You?" Rhys asked skeptically. At Ulrik's shrug, he snorted. "Because if all of our magic is taken away, yours is restored. So you'll be the lone King who can shift. I'd like to see you battle the Dark alone."

"Who says I'd be alone or that I'll have to battle the Dark?" Ulrik's mask of coldness was back in place.

Now Rhys understood why Con wanted to kill Ulrik. Ulrik couldn't be reasoned with. He had a plan, and nothing was going to stop him from achieving it. "Why did you choose me?"

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Excerpted from Night's Blaze: Part 2 by Donna Grant. Copyright © 2015 Donna Grant. Excerpted by permission of St. Martin's Press.
All rights reserved. No part of this excerpt may be reproduced or reprinted without permission in writing from the publisher.
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