I had to be near you.
You spoke to me, albeit angrily. I didn’t care because you at least acknowledged me. I came so close to telling you everything that was in my heart. Had we been alone, I might have. I kept telling myself the timing was wrong, but the truth is that I feared you’d tell me that you didn’t love me anymore. That you’d moved on.
If that were to happen, there’s no way I could carry on. The Dragon Kings are strong, but much still needs to be done. And then there’s Ulrik. If I know there’s no future for us, there will be nothing to keep me going. It’s becoming harder and harder to face each sunrise.
Today, I would’ve exchanged a thousand years of my life just to touch you. I would’ve given up all that I am just to have you in my arms one more time.
Constantine broke away from Ulrik and flew to his mountain. It wasn’t a place he spent much time. He had kept away from it while the other Kings slept because he was tempted to do the same. Those first centuries after their clans crossed the dragon bridge and the Kings hid from the humans had been unbelievably agonizing.
But he’d had his brethren to focus on. He’d ignored his anguish over the dragons leaving to put all his thoughts and energy into finding a way to keep the Dragon Kings going. He shoved the fury, the bitterness, and the hostility he felt towards every mortal into a dark corner of his mind and then slammed the door shut on it.
Otherwise, he would’ve gone down Ulrik’s path and destroyed every one of them.
Con descended to land at the base of his mountain. He shifted into his human form, calling his clothes back to him as he did. He looked up at the impressive rock face. He loved every stone, every blade of grass on Dreagan. He’d chosen his mountain for its central location that made it difficult for mortals to access.
He walked to the hidden entrance and stepped inside. His fingers trailed along the tunnel wall as he moved deeper into the mountain. The past half-year, his life had taken a turn, and he actually found himself happy. The fact that he and Rhi were together was a major factor in that. Coupled with his victory over the Dragon Kings’ enemies, and he was ecstatic.
The only thing that put a damper on any of it had been finding out about the twins and not being able to see his children. But that was about to change.
Yet, today, he found his mind drifting to the past, and he wasn’t sure why. He entered the largest cavern in the mountain and sat upon a boulder near the wall, not caring about his suit getting dirty.
Instead of attempting to stop his thoughts, he let them drift to see where they took him. To his shock, they went to when the Warrior, Phelan, and the Phoenix, Aisley, had gotten married. Con and the other Dragon Kings had made themselves known to the Warriors of MacLeod Castle, thus becoming allies.
When the Kings were invited to Phelan and Aisley’s wedding reception, Con had decided to attend. He didn’t know why. He normally shied away from things like that. Avoided them like the plague. And yet, he went to the pub. The moment he walked in, his gaze had been drawn to Rhi where she stood off to the side, tapping a finger on the bar. It had been so long since he had laid eyes on her that his breath had left him in a rush. All the words he’d ever written in his journal bubbled to the surface and were about to fall from his lips when she shot him a disgusted look.
The music blared, laughter and conversation filled the space, and drinks flowed freely. No one noticed him. No one, that is, except for the love of his life—who clearly hated him. For several heartbeats, he’d been unable to move, unable to think.
Then, finally, he approached her. “What are you doing here?”
Her lip curled in annoyance. “Go away.”
Her words cut him like a knife, but given what he’d done to her, he deserved them and so much more. He knew he should leave her alone, but he couldn’t. Once he’d seen her, he had to be near her, needed to hear her voice and look into her stunning silver eyes. “I have every right to be here. Now, answer me.”
He inwardly winced at his harsh tone because he hadn’t meant the words to come out so. He was discombobulated, off-kilter at seeing Rhi after so many centuries. He could barely string two comprehensive thoughts together, much less words.
She rolled her eyes and cocked her head to the side as she raised her brows. “Sod off, dragon.”
The way her hair fell in a curtain made his fingers itch to slide through the silky length. Rhi had always been vivacious and cheeky. He loved that about her. But he also saw the hurt that lingered in her eyes despite her attempts to hide it.
And he was crushed. Because he was the cause of it. It didn’t make him feel better that she was hurting just as he was. In fact, it made him feel worse.
He had to change the subject. Needed to think of something else to say to keep her talking just a little bit longer. Once she left, he wasn’t sure when he’d get to see her again. “I didna believe it at first when I heard that a Fae had approached Phelan.”
In all honesty, he’d secretly hoped it was her.
She lost her attitude and faced him. “What do you want, Con?”
“What do you want with Phelan?”
“He’s a prince.”
Con grunted. “Tell me something I doona already know.”
She glanced down at the little box sitting on the bar. “That is for Phelan to tell you. If he chooses.”
Phelan and Aisley interrupted their conversation. Con barely heard any of the exchange as his eyes were glued to Rhi. He bit back a smile when she shifted so her back was to him, though she had no idea that her hair brushed his hand, and her leg came within inches of his. It was all Con could do not to spin her around and claim her mouth in a kiss that would leave them both breathless.
Con’s attention piqued when he realized that Rhi hadn’t explained something. “How is Phelan your prince?”
Rhi gritted her teeth, her annoyance plain as she swung her gaze to him. “He’s our prince because his male Fae ancestor happened to be the queen’s brother.”
Con knew that, of course, but he wanted Rhi to acknowledge him, even if it was in irritation. He sat back and listened as Rhi, Phelan, and Aisley continued speaking. Then, Rhi waved at them and walked out of the pub.
He wanted to call her back. To race after her. Yet, somehow, Con remained where he was, his heart breaking into a million pieces all over again. He said something to Phelan, but he couldn’t remember what it was, then he left the pub to find Rhi and tell her…everything. Except when he went outside, she was gone.
Con briefly thought about calling her name, but he wasn’t sure she would answer him. He should’ve told her that she looked beautiful. He should’ve said that he was a fool and regretted every day without her in his arms.
He should’ve told her so many things. But the opportunity slipped through his fingers.
You whispered into my heart. You kissed my soul.
Chapter Five
Rhi looked out the window for a sign of Con. He had probably returned while she was engrossed in reading the journal. The words had sucked her in, breaking her heart and making her love him all the more. She stretched her neck after one last look for her mate and returned to the chair.
She glanced at the fire that her magic kept going. Her mug was empty, but she wasn’t interested in drinking more tea when the pages of the journal called to her. Rhi kicked off her slippers and tucked her legs against her as she opened to the next page.