Passion Ignites by Donna Grant Page B

hadn’t known why his blood had such power.
    But Rhi had.
    She had watched him for centuries before she finally told him that he was a prince of the Fae. His ancestor had bedded a Light Fae, who happened to be the queen’s brother, which is how his blood was able to cure anything but death. He was of royal blood on both sides of his family, with his mortal side being the rulers of Saxony.
    From the first time she and Phelan had spoken, there had been a bond that developed quick and strong. She had no more family, so she considered him a brother, and Aisley a sister.
    â€œCan I help in any way?”
    She smiled at Phelan’s words, finding tears gathering in her eyes. “You already are.”
    Rhi shared almost everything with Phelan. The one thing he didn’t know was who her Dragon King lover was. Because if he did … Phelan would go after him.
    She stepped out of Phelan’s arms and wiped away the tears that had fallen. With as much of a smile as she could muster in place, she met his blue gray gaze.
    â€œTell me his name,” Phelan said tightly. “Tell me who the bastard is so I can knock some sense into him.”
    â€œI would love to see that.”
    â€œI’d do it for you.”
    Rhi sniffed, feeling better than she had in days. “I worried you’d be angry with me.”
    Phelan’s gaze turned troubled as he led her inside the house. He ushered her to the two sofas where Aisley already sat with three glasses of whisky.
    â€œRhi,” Aisley said and stood. She rushed to hug her.
    It had taken Rhi the longest time to become comfortable with the affection Phelan and Aisley showed her. Until Rhi realized they were like family, and it was all right for her to love them as she did.
    Phelan’s frown made Rhi uneasy as she accepted the whisky and sat beside Aisley. “You are angry.”
    â€œNay,” Phelan said. “I’m worried.”
    â€œWhy didn’t you show up?” Aisley asked. “Did someone detain you?”
    It was there, the out Rhi could use to cover her ass. They knew she was a Queen’s Guard and was called away for duties all over. She could lie and everything could go back to the way it was.
    But she couldn’t lie. Not just because she would feel unimaginable pain—a trait she inherited from her mother—but because they were family.
    â€œNo.” The word hung heavy in the air. “I wanted to. I intended to. Then … I couldn’t.”
    Phelan set his untouched whisky on the coffee table between them and leaned forward. “Was it because Ulrik was there?”
    They had no idea how she had helped him and how he had held her. They didn’t have a clue of the shared kiss or how she found herself going to Ulrik again and again. And they wouldn’t. “No.”
    â€œI don’t understand.” Aisley’s troubled fawn-colored eyes looked from her to Phelan and back again.
    Rhi swirled the amber liquid in her glass. “I don’t really either. The one thing I do know is that ever since I was taken by the Dark and held by the Chains of Mordare, I feel … darkness within me.”
    â€œNay,” Phelan stated loudly. “You’re no’ Dark, Rhi.”
    She smiled at him. “I didn’t say I was. I said I felt a darkness within.”
    â€œFight it.”
    â€œPhelan,” Aisley admonished. She looked at Rhi and asked, “Is it too strong to fight?”
    Rhi shrugged. “Not exactly. It’s more that I’m not sure I want to fight it.”
    â€œI can’t lose you,” Phelan said.
    Rhi couldn’t look into his eyes. She dropped her gaze.
    Aisley’s hand covered hers. “You might not have been in Edinburgh to fight the Dark, but you sent us to help. You didn’t have to do that. You’re fighting the darkness, Rhi. All you have to do is not give in.”
    That was easier said than done. If she took