Smoke and Fire by Donna Grant

like that she’d chosen Balladyn, but he understood why. Rhi was like any woman. She needed love and attention. She needed to know that someone wanted and desired her, that someone yearned for her and loved her.
    She hadn’t gotten it from her Dragon King. It was time she received that attention from someone. Daire wished it had been him, though it was forbidden.
    None of the Reapers could have relationships. Well … that was the rule since Death created them—until recently.
    He wasn’t jealous of Baylon and Jordyn’s happiness. In fact, he was glad that one of the Reapers had found some. Jordyn, a half-Fae, was now a Reaper herself, which allowed her and Baylon to be together.
    Daire was fine desiring Rhi from afar. She was someone he could never have, and not even Baylon’s coupling could give him hope that he might get the same.
    Never, he answered Rhi in his mind. It wasn’t his right to judge her—not after all he’d done.
    He couldn’t talk to her, wouldn’t talk to her. Nor was he allowed to show himself. His orders were to follow her wherever she went and determine who she was allied with.
    Death saw Rhi as someone important in the upcoming battle, and Daire had to agree. The more he was around Rhi, the more he saw the powerful magic within her.
    She might not always make the right decisions, but who did? No one was perfect. What kept Rhi off kilter was the love she had held onto for ages. However, it appeared she was letting go once and for all of whatever hope she had of a life with a Dragon King.
    It was the right move, of that Daire was positive. What that would mean for everyone else though, remained to be seen. He didn’t think Rhi knew her potential. Yet.
    Once she did, it would change the entire landscape of the current war.
    Daire walked to stand beside her. He was close enough to touch, but he kept his hands to himself. His gaze slid to the side and looked at her pink-tipped nipples and taut breasts.
    He’d seen her being goofy. He’d seen her focused as she shopped for shoes. He’d witnessed her mellow as she got her nails done.
    He’d seen her joy, her pain … and her sorrow.
    He had witnessed her bravery in battle, and her skill with a sword. He’d watched, mesmerized, as she put herself in harm’s way just to help a friend.
    It wasn’t surprising she was the only female in Fae history to join the Queen’s Guard. And she had been one of the very few who walked away from such an honor.
    No wonder Death took an interest in Rhi.

 
    CHAPTER TWELVE
    Ryder stood and watched Kinsey. The minutes ticked by as she slept the sleep of the dead. She’d always had the ability to be able to sleep anywhere, anytime. And once asleep, she was hard to wake.
    He briefly thought about taking off her boots, but her reaction when she found him carrying her kept him at the door.
    When he lifted her in his arms in the computer room, it had felt as if he finally had what was missing from his life. He’d simply held her as she rested her head on his shoulder, savoring the moment.
    It had felt like heaven. Ryder even contemplated lying next to her in bed. Then she had lifted her head and jumped out of his arms as if he were some monster.
    Except to her, he was.
    And that’s what hurt the most.
    Ryder looked to the side when he felt someone approach. Dmitri said nothing as he peered inside the room. Ryder knew he should shut the door and back away, but he couldn’t make his feet move.
    â€œIf you want her, fight for her,” Dmitri said.
    Ryder wished it were that simple. “She’s terrified of me.”
    â€œShe didna look too scared earlier when the two of you were talking.”
    â€œThat is until she remembers what I am.”
    â€œThen show her she has nothing to be afraid of,” Dmitri said, as if the solution was so simple even an idiot could figure it out.
    Ryder glanced at the ceiling in