A Dragon's Tale Read online

  “You never saw what it was?” Con pressed.

  Merrill shook his head. “I doona know how long Varek was gone before I noticed. From then on, I’ve been looking for him.”

  “Why did you no’ come to me?” Con asked.

  Merrill raised a chestnut blond brow. “You were dealing with something, and I thought for sure Varek had found some woman to occupy him. Then, when I heard your call to return to Dreagan, I assumed he’d be here. He wasna.”

  “I’ve been doing a facial recognition software search for him,” Ryder said.

  As the resident computer expert, if anyone could find Varek, no matter where he was on this planet, it was Ryder. Con gave the King of Greys a nod. “There is no threat on this realm that I’m aware of, but that doesna mean something hasna come up. If a Dragon King is missing, then we need to find him.”

  “We will,” Ulrik said. “It might be that Varek isna ready to return, though.”

  But Con knew that wasn’t true. Because when the King of Kings called a Dragon King, they obeyed. Varek might be a little wild at times, but he never ignored Con. Never. No, something was wrong.

  “We’re going to find Varek. Or whoever took him,” Con said, hoping that Varek hadn’t been taken. “But that isna why I called you here. All of you want to know about the dragons on this new realm with my twins. As you know, the twins have locked Rhi and me out of going to see them. We had just decided that we were no’ going to sit by and allow them to do that when I had another thought. The dragons on that realm are no’ the same ones we sent away. While dragons live a verra long time, they’re no’ immortal as we are.”

  “I’ve been so busy wanting to see my dragons, I had no’ thought of that,” Banan said.

  Con bowed his head in acknowledgement. “We doona know if the traditions we had in place have passed to these new dragons. As we’ve seen on this planet, things change. Sometimes, rapidly. No’ everyone wants to hold onto the old ways. What I’m saying is that there’s a really good chance these dragons willna answer to us. We doona know who led them when we sent them over the Dragon Bridge for their protection, but we do know that the twins have been ruling them for some time now.”

  He paused and blew out a long breath. “On top of all of that, we think there might be another reason the twins doona want us there. We’ve been Dragon Kings for much longer than we were meant to be. Had the humans no’ come, had we no’ gone to war with them, and had we no’ decided to honor our vow to protect them, we wouldna have sent the dragons away, and none of us would be standing here today. Because other, stronger dragons would’ve been born and challenged us.”

  “Fuck me,” Thorn said, his dark brows drawn together. “You think they would challenge us?”

  “There’s a good chance, aye,” Con replied. “Many of you have mates now. You know if you are killed, your mate also dies.”

  Sebastian crossed his arms over his chest, his topaz eyes blazing with anger. “In other words, we need to decide if we want our life here with our mates, or if we want to see our dragons.”

  “They’re no’ the dragons you knew,” Darius pointed out.

  V shrugged. “They’re still our dragons. Whether the same ones or descendants, they come from here.”

  “It’s something all of you need to think about. Hard,” Con warned them. “Because after the party, Rhi and I are going to the twins.”

  Chapter Seven

  December 29th

  * * *

  Rhi could barely contain her glee. She adored parties. She adored entertaining. There was just something so rewarding and gratifying about seeing the people you loved all gathered together. She let her gaze roam around the huge dining area.

  The room was awash in amber light from hundreds of candles and small twinkling lights the humans called fairy lights. The moment she had seen them, Rhi bought them. How could she not? Four trees of various sizes were in the room, each one with a different theme. One was a Santa Claus-themed with a Santa hat for the top of the tree and elf legs sticking out, as well as a variety of fun, red and green ornaments. Another had a music theme with instruments and musical notes as ornaments. Another was winter-wonderland-themed with snowy owls and polar bears. And the final one was a Candyland tree, featuring huge lollipops and candy canes of all colors.

  The table and settings, however, might be her favorite. She had merged modern and traditional for something uniquely Dreagan. The impossibly long, dark wood table was sleek and stunning. Along it sat a gold table runner with green foliage atop it, the vegetation interspersed with elegant golden twigs, black votive candles, and Christmas tree baubles of gold and black. Three large crystal candelabras with fluted pillars and curving arms brought in the old-world charm that also added some sparkle that reflected the candles’ flames and the fairy lights.

  Her gaze moved to the table settings. Gold chargers, black dinner plates with a gold design around the edges, white side plates with the same gold design, and black dessert plates the same as the large ones were stacked largest to smallest. Gold, black, white, black. Gold utensils lay on either side of the place setting. The stemware was simple, classic crystal. At the head of each setting was an elegant black napkin, cuffed in a thick gold band. And directly behind it was a gold cracker that popped when pulled and had some fun treats and jokes inside.

  She drew in a long breath and slowly released it while looking at her friends and family. At one time, she had believed that she was utterly alone in the world. Now, she looked at a roomful of people she knew without a doubt she could count on—and they could count on her. Then there was Con.

  Just thinking about him made her body heat with longing. She searched the crowd for him and spotted his surfer-boy blond hair to her left. He was in deep conversation with V. A heartbeat later, his head swung to her, their gazes meeting as if he had known that she was staring at him.

  He gave her a smile and a small incline of his head. She lifted her champagne flute to him, letting him know that she was fine. Rhi wasn’t sure what she had wanted out of the party when she first thought of it. Now, she realized exactly what she had desired—for everyone to be together. It didn’t matter where or what decorations were up. They were here…healthy, happy, and triumphant over their foes. What more could they ask for?

  A hand brushed against the small of her back, then Con’s deep brogue whispered in her ear, “That dress.”

  She couldn’t hold back her smile. The gold silk gown with its scoop neck hugged her curves. But she’d gotten it because of the back. Rows and rows of Swarovski crystals hung from shoulder to shoulder, draping, longer and longer with each strand until the last hung to her butt. “You like it?”

  “I’d say the dress is pretty, but you make it exceptional.”

  Rhi turned to him and grinned. “You do know exactly what to say.”

  His black eyes smoldered with hunger. Her body responded instantly as he pulled her to him to feel his arousal against her stomach.

  She shook her head. “Not yet, my King.”

  “There’s no way I’ll last the night with you looking like that,” he whispered seductively in her ear.

  “That’s the whole point,” she teased. Rhi put her free hand against his chest. “Everything all right with V?”

  “We were discussing Varek. V wanted to point out that he often ignored my calls to return to Dreagan, as well.”

  Rhi raised her brows. “That he did.”

  “Aye,” Con agreed. “V thinks I’m looking for something to be wrong when there isna.”

  “He has a point.”

  “Of which, I gave him. So, I’m going to stop worrying. At least, for tonight,” he replied with a grin. “Shall we begin the party?”

  Rhi tapped her fingernails on her flute to get everyone’s attention. Once the room looked her way, she shared a smile with Con before saying, “Thank you all for tonight. Some of you didn’t have a choice because you live here, but I would’ve hunted you down.”

  La
ughter followed.

  She swallowed and looked around the room. “In all honesty, this night is important to all of us. It marks a new beginning for the Dragon Kings, Fae, and the Reapers. We deserve some peace, and I’m thankful that we’re finally getting it. Tonight, we’re going to celebrate our family.”

  There was a round of cheers before everyone found their places and sat. Rhi opted to sit next to Con instead of at the other end of the table. She had wanted to give that place to Ulrik, and Con had wholeheartedly agreed. Erith and Cael sat on the other side of Con with the Reapers and their mates intermingled with the Kings.

  Course after course was delicious. There was much laughter as the night waned, as well as stories told by everyone. Rhi wondered if the manor had ever heard so much merriment in one night. She could well imagine the stones and wood smiling at the happiness that overflowed.

  While the holiday season technically wasn’t over since New Year’s wasn’t quite upon them yet, it was winding down. They’d had a respite of sorts, but the Kings’ power meant they always stood watch over Earth and those who called it home.

  Rhi’s gaze met Erith’s, and she smiled at the goddess. The relief in Death’s expression shook Rhi.

  “I wasn’t sure you’d ever forgive me,” Erith said.

  Rhi glanced at Con and shrugged. “Everything happens for a reason. Whether I like it or not, things happened. We can’t change any of it. The only thing we can do is determine how we react and the decisions we make going forward.”

  “You sound very wise,” Cael replied.

  Con reached over and took her hand. “That’s because she is.”

  “The past is gone. The future hasn’t yet reached us. We have this moment, and that’s what we need to embrace,” Rhi said. “To be fully present in this moment. Yes, Erith, I forgive you. Con and I have so much to look forward to, including getting to know our children.”

  There was a loud “hear, hear” from the entire table.

  Rhi hadn’t realized that everyone was listening, but she shouldn’t have been surprised. Everyone had known the heartache that she and Con had borne for months, trying to get to the twins, as well as deal with the knowledge of what Erith had done.

  Ulrik got to his feet and lifted his glass. “To the King and Queen of Dragon Kings.”

  The entire table rose to their feet and lifted their glasses in salute. Rhi turned her head to Con, and they shared a kiss before raising their glasses. Everyone drank as the conversation picked up again.

  With a slight tug on her hand, Con pulled her from her chair and into his lap. She wrapped her arm around him and looked into his midnight eyes. “I think tonight went well.”

  “Because of you,” he said.

  She made a sound in the back of her throat. “It went well because of us. I did nothing but decorate. Anyone could do that.”

  “I disagree. You put thought into everything you did, including the different dishes for dinner. Look around, my love. There are smiling faces here.”

  She had to agree. Though her heart hurt that Henry, Melisse, and Varek weren’t in attendance, she knew that each of them probably had something pressing that couldn’t wait. They always had next year.

  “I’d like to make this an annual event,” Con said.

  Rhi jerked her face to him. “Did you read my mind?”

  He chuckled. “What do you think?”

  “I love the idea. Gives us a chance to be together. Because I’m sure there will be times when we’re spread around the globe.”

  “Exactly.”

  Rhi breathed a happy sigh. “Tonight was amazing. I don’t want it to end.”

  “I’ve been impatiently waiting until this moment. I enjoyed every second of this evening, my love, but if we doona get to our chambers, I might take you on this table in front of everyone.”

  She giggled and threaded her fingers into his hair. “Is that right? How about I take care of that.”

  In the next blink, they stood in their chambers. Con moaned as he yanked her against him for an intense kiss. There would be no more talking for them for a while.

  Foreword

  Dear Reader –

  * * *

  Many of you have asked about Con’s red journals that he wrote in about Rhi. I thought I might get to put them in INFERNO, but that didn’t quite work out. I figured the next best thing would be to give you the journals another way. And what better way than to celebrate the month of love?

  We’ve had more than eighteen books to get snippets of Rhi and Con’s relationship. Some of it was obvious, some of it wasn’t. There were a few flashbacks throughout it all, giving us just a glimpse of who they were when they first met.

  In much later books, we discovered that Con wrote his thoughts in journals. The brown ones were about daily life and his struggles. The red ones were all about Rhi. They were, essentially, love notes.

  When I finally realized who Rhi’s Dragon King was, I knew that readers would have mixed feelings. I understood that some of you wouldn’t be happy unless it was Con, and others wouldn’t be happy if it was the King of Kings. An author can never please every reader. All we can do is write the books the characters and story tell us need to be told.

  Even if you don’t like how the couple came about, I hope you’ll enjoy reading the special holiday novellas I’m writing specifically for the King of Dragon Kings and his queen and those at Dreagan.

  Con and Rhi are special in so many ways. One, because they’re such strong individuals. And together, they’re an unstoppable force. And two, they’ve each made decisions they regret—just as we all have. No one is perfect, least of all any of my characters. These two have proven that the world isn’t black and white but rather many—and various—shades of gray. Most of all, I love how this couple showed what it means to forgive and let go of the past to move forward into the life they were always supposed to have.

  Join me as we peek into Constantine’s red journals and read about his heartbreak, his love, and, yes, even his hope of one day being reunited with the only woman he will ever love.

  * * *

  xoxoxo

  DG

  My heart will be your shelter, my arms your home.

  Chapter One

  Dreagan Manor

  February

  * * *

  After slipping her noise-canceling headphones over her ears, Rhi opened the playlists on her phone and scrolled through, trying to find something that appealed to her. She halted on Loreena McKennitt, a smile pulling at her face. Rhi hit play. When the first strings of The Mummers’ Dance filled her ears, she took a deep breath and then slowly released it.

  The haunting melody and soul-stirring lyrics called to her on a primitive level. Simultaneously soothing and exhilarating her. Con had told her it was because she was Fae and had a connection to the Earth. Frankly, she suspected that the singer/songwriter was a Druid. Maybe one day Rhi would seek out McKennitt and find out.

  She swayed on her feet in the middle of her and Con’s chambers. She had the day to herself since he and the other Dragon Kings were discussing the upcoming year and their plans for who would attend the World Whisky Consortium and other such meetings that required a representative from Dreagan.

  She didn’t mind having time to herself, especially after spending the previous week meeting with delegates from both the Light and Dark Fae, in hopes of moving her people forward to their goal of having a unified council that would serve both sides instead of a single king or queen who made all the decisions. Things were moving slowly, though—too slow, in her opinion.

  Con had suggested she take a day to do whatever she wanted. And so, she was. Rhi continued twirling slowly around the room as she briefly considered going shopping but then quickly decided against it. She could get her nails done. Rhi always loved chatting with Jesse as the nail tech came up with unique designs for her nails. But, strangely, not even that appealed to Rhi.

  She sank onto the thick fur rug, lying before the
roaring fire in the hearth. After stretching out her legs, she looked at her chestnut Ugg Scuffette II slippers with their plush wool lining, then moved her gaze up to the cream chenille leggings she wore. The beige tank was cashmere, as was the long cardigan that matched. The entire outfit had been a gift from Con this last Christmas. She lay back, sinking into the softness of her clothes and the rug as she closed her eyes and listened to the music.

  It felt nice not to have duties that needed tending or anyone expecting her. There wasn’t a war to fight or enemies to vanquish. The only thing she had to worry about at the moment was what she planned to say when she finally got to meet her children.

  She wrinkled her nose. Rhi didn’t want to think about the twins and that convoluted and difficult situation just yet. She had spent so much of the past few months angry that she hadn’t known about the twins and upset that they constantly refused to let her and Con enter their realm.

  This day was all for her. She had to remind herself that it wasn’t being selfish. Everyone needed time to themselves to do whatever they wanted without any interruptions or distractions—not even Rhi’s very handsome mate.

  Just thinking about Constantine brought a smile to her face. Whenever she thought about what each of them had endured while alone all those centuries, it boggled her mind. If Con hadn’t taken steps to rectify things between them, they wouldn’t be together now. She would’ve gone through the rest of her life loving a man that she couldn’t have.

  Even when he told her the truth of why he had ended things between them so long ago, she hadn’t immediately forgiven him, despite understanding why he did it. But Con had more than made up for all of it. Besides, it wasn’t as if he were the only one who had things to make up for. She had some atoning to do herself. But they had made a concerted effort after their reunion to put the past behind them.