But for how long would they have to endure being grounded? It would take decades before Dreagan stopped being watched—if they were lucky.

“Thorn,” Rhi said.

He turned to find Broc and Fallon following her. Thorn hurried to them, hope springing anew. “Did you find where Lexi is?”

“I did,” she said. “Taraeth doesn’t have her. None of the Dark do. She was given to a Dragon King as a gift.”

Thorn shook his head, unable to believe it. “Ulrik? They gave her to Ulrik?”

“It appears so,” Rhi said and turned to Broc. “I hoped I wouldn’t have to involve the Warriors, but I’ve no choice. Can you find Lexi?”

Broc turned his dark gaze to Thorn. “Of course.”

Thorn watched as the Warrior closed his eyes and used his power. Broc was able to find anyone, anywhere. As they waited, Thorn slid his gaze to Rhi.

Who had she spoken with to discover that Lexi had been taken to Ulrik? A bad feeling swirled that it was Balladyn. And if Rhi was going to Balladyn, did that mean she had given up on her King? If Balladyn told her Lexi was with Ulrik, why hadn’t he also told Rhi exactly where that was?

Rhi felt his stare and turned her head to him. “Don’t ask,” she said in a low voice. “It doesn’t matter who I got the information from.”

“It does if it puts you in danger.”

“I’m not in any sort,” she said. Her gaze skated away as if she were thinking of someone. “They won’t hurt me.”

Thorn’s lips flattened. It was Balladyn. If the Dark managed to get Rhi’s affections then it changed everything.

Thorn leaned down and whispered, “Be careful.”

“I’m always careful,” she said flippantly.

Thorn turned her to face him. He started to warn her against staying away from Balladyn. Then he remembered it was Rhi he was talking to. Nothing could break her love for her King.

“I know what I’m doing,” Rhi said before he could speak.

Thorn dropped his hands. “If Rhys were here, he’d know what to say.”

“Maybe. Maybe not.”

“What the bloody hell are you two going on about?” Fallon asked with a deeply furrowed brow.

Rhi turned away from Thorn and hastily replied, “Nothing.”

Thorn looked at Broc to find the Warrior straining, as if he were fighting against something. “Broc?”

“There’s magic,” the Warrior said through clenched teeth, his hands fisted at his sides and his muscles bunched. “They’re trying to hide her from me.”

“They?” Fallon asked worriedly.

Broc winced visibly. His skin turned indigo and huge, leathery wings sprouted from his back. He took a deep breath and released it along with a low growl.

“Shite,” Fallon whispered.

Thorn grabbed Broc and tossed him against the manor behind a tall screen of bushes in case there were humans watching, hoping to catch some paranormal event. The Warrior never opened his eyes. He was too busy fighting the magic blocking Lexi to notice they were dragging him inside the manor.

“Dragon magic,” Broc murmured hoarsely.

Thorn glanced at Rhi. He put his hands on Broc’s shoulders. “Hold on. I doona know how this is going to work.”

Then Thorn pushed his magic into Broc.

The Warrior bellowed long and loud in agony before he fell to his knees. Thorn looked up as a door flew open and others rushed to them.

Rhi stopped them, even as Con came down the stairs. Thorn met Con’s gaze, waiting for Con to order him to stop. Not that Thorn would.

Con merely closed the distance and asked, “What’s blocking Broc’s power?”

“Dragon magic,” Thorn answered.

Con nodded and stood next to Broc. “How much more can you handle?”

Broc lifted his head and opened his eyes to look from Con to Thorn. “I’m almost through.”

To Thorn’s surprise, Con put a hand on Broc and used his own magic. Broc’s face contorted with pain, but he pushed through it, even as his body shook.

“Aberdeen!” Broc yelled.

Thorn and Con immediately released him. Thorn caught Broc as he began to fall over.

The Warrior sat back on his haunches and raised his head to Thorn. “She’s in Aberdeen. Harkan Manor.”

“Thank you.” Thorn clapped him on the back.

Broc gave him a weary smile. “Just doona ever do that to me again.”

Thorn straightened and looked at Con. “I’m going after her.”

“I expected nothing less. However, I’m coming with you.”

“No,” Rhi said. Everyone in the room looked at her. “It’s a trap.” Her gaze moved from Thorn to Con. “For you. They know you’ll help any of your Kings.”

Thorn sighed as his eyes skated to Con. “She may be right.”

Con’s black eyes went hard and emotionless. “I willna remain here hiding. If they want me, they can try and get me.”

“Ulrik wants to kill you,” Thorn reminded him.

Con snorted in derision. “He’s welcome to try. You willna be going after Lexi alone. Ulrik has already done enough damage with his little stunt with Rhys. I’ll no’ have another of my Kings harmed.”

“Then it doesna matter who goes,” Fallon said as he helped Broc to his feet. “Ulrik will try to kill or capture whoever it is. It’s better if you doona go unaccompanied, Thorn.”

With that, Fallon teleported Broc back to MacLeod Castle.

“Thorn won’t be going alone,” Rhi stated.

Con’s gaze swiveled to Rhi. “No’ a good idea.”

“I’m not asking permission. You aren’t my king,” she said with a cutting glance. Rhi then turned to Thorn. “Ready?”

“All three of us are going,” Con declared in a cool voice.

Thorn pulled out the Fae knife at his waist. “The more the better.”

Rhi rolled her eyes and touched both of them. In the next blink, they were in a cluster of woods atop a hill looking down at a house.

“I’d like some warning next time,” Con said and shrugged off her hand as he turned his head away.

Rhi smiled and said in a high-pitched baby voice, “Aw. What’s the matter with the big, bad dragon? Is his tummy yucky?”

“Rhi,” Thorn said, shaking his head while biting back a smile.

The Light Fae rolled her eyes. “If I’d waited, every King there would’ve wanted to come. We needed to leave right then.”

Con turned and gave her a glacial stare. “You’re no’ in charge.”

“Keep thinking you are if it makes you feel better,” she said with a flip of her hair.

Thorn whirled on both of them. “Enough,” he ground out. “I’m here for Lexi. If you want to help, great. If no’, then shut the fuck up and leave.”

Both Con and Rhi stared silently at him.

Thorn let out a breath. “While both of you were arguing, I counted six Dark along the perimeter.”

“Seven,” Con said and motioned to the house with his head.

Thorn looked at the manor and saw another on the roof that he had missed. “Seven then. We need to take them out one at a time.”

“That won’t be easy,” Rhi said. She pointed to the back of the house with a jagged fingernail. “See how they stay within eyesight of each other?”

Thorn ran a hand down his face. “As much as I want to fight Ulrik, I’d rather get Lexi in and out without him even knowing we are here.”

“If anyone is fighting him, it’s me,” Con announced. “But it willna be here. We’ll get Lexi. I’ll have my day with Ulrik soon enough.”

Thorn’s gaze was on the manor. “Hold on, Lexi. I’m coming.”

CHAPTER

FORTY-TWO

Lexi paced the room. The food had been delicious, and she ate every bite. Exhaustion was wearing on her, however. Fear kept her stress levels high, knotting her shoulder muscles so she couldn’t relax.

She replayed the shadow’s words to her over and over in her head. Dragons and humans weren’t meant to mix. If that were true, why did Dragon Kings mate with humans?

The door was thrown open to reveal a young twentysomething man with dark hair. His eyes were filled with hatred, as if he couldn’t stand to look at her. He might have been considered attractive except for the blatant loathing.