Hot Blooded by Donna Grant Page B

her all along, she just hadn’t realized it. Laith turned to her then and waited. The room grew quiet as the group stared at her.
    Iona wrapped her arms around herself and lifted her chin. “You’re part of Dreagan too,” she stated.
    Laith gave a single nod. “I am.”
    â€œWhy not tell me from the beginning?”
    He glanced at the floor, a small frown furrowing his brow. “There is much more going on than you know, Iona. Those men in the forest for one. These are verra dangerous times.”
    â€œIn more ways than one,” she mumbled to herself.

 
    CHAPTER
TWELVE
    Rhi was thankful that she could remain veiled longer than most Fae. It allowed her a few minutes to wander her queen’s estate on the west side of Ireland to make sure there were few Fae about.
    Usaeil liked her privacy, and though she had a palace on the Fae realm, she spent a lot of time on Earth. Mostly because for the last five years she was posing as one of the most famous actresses in the world.
    Rhi waited until the antechamber outside of the queen’s throne room was empty before she dropped the veil and appeared. She took a deep breath and looked around at the high ceilings, ornate crown molding, and priceless art.
    The room was small and narrow compared to others throughout the estate. It was where all Fae came if they wished an audience with Usaeil, or if the queen requested your presence.
    It seemed like a lifetime ago that Rhi was there, when in fact it had only been over a month. She had been alive thousands of years, and yet one simple month drastically changed her life.
    Rhi remained on her feet despite the cushioned benches set along the walls in various places. There was no need to inform anyone of her arrival. Usaeil already knew.
    Almost on cue, the twenty-foot-tall double doors opened behind her. Rhi turned and stared through them to the throne room. There were two rooms in Usaeil’s estate that no Fae could teleport into—the throne room and Usaeil’s private quarters.
    Releasing a deep breath, Rhi clasped her hands behind her back and walked to the doors. Her steps slowed a fraction right before she passed through them, because once inside the throne room, the queen would decide just how long Rhi remained.
    Rhi spotted the white high-backed chair with a cream velvet cushion, but no Usaeil. She immediately halted, waiting for whatever punishment the queen deemed necessary because Rhi hadn’t come when summoned.
    â€œRhi.”
    She closed her eyes at the happiness she heard in Usaeil’s voice. The greatest day of her life had been when she had become part of the Queen’s Guard. Usaeil wasn’t just her queen—she was a friend.
    When Rhi opened her eyes, Usaeil stood before her wearing jeans and a flowing yellow shirt that set off her long black hair. Usaeil’s silver eyes were filled with tears while her smile was bright. She threw her arms around Rhi and held her tight. “We didn’t think we’d ever see you again. You don’t know how happy I am you’ve returned.”
    Rhi had never been very good with showing emotion, and she was always uncomfortable with displays of affection—except with him . She stopped that train of thought in its tracks. Thinking about her Dragon King lover wouldn’t help matters.
    She returned her queen’s hug and waited for Usaeil to pull back. Rhi let out a thankful breath when she finally did. Usaeil wiped at her eyes and studied her.
    Somehow Rhi remained still under the scrutiny. Only her family and Balladyn knew her better than Usaeil. Her family was dead, and Balladyn … she was going to kill him for what he did to her.
    Usaeil’s smile slowly faded. “I came for you.”
    Rhi frowned, unsure of what to say. No Light Fae, especially the queen, ever ventured into the Dark. For anyone.
    â€œI did,” Usaeil repeated. “I was with Con, Rhys, and Phelan. I wasn’t going