Smoke and Fire: Part 1 Read online

  She swallowed and looked down as his hand took hers, their fingers lacing together. “For a long time I fooled everyone into thinking I had my life under control. It’s all been a lie. When you captured me and tortured me—”

  “I’m sorry,” he interrupted her.

  Rhi paused. The depth of sadness in his words touched her deeply. “Something snapped inside me. Suddenly there was this darkness that felt like it was swallowing my light.”

  “That’s my fault,” Balladyn said and looked away, desolation lining his face.

  Rhi didn’t deny the statement.

  “I wish I could undo it all.”

  She put her other hand atop their joined ones. “I don’t. Because of that time I discovered new power within me. Perhaps it was always there and just needed a reason to break loose.”

  Balladyn’s gaze swung back to her. “You would’ve found that power eventually. I don’t like knowing I hurt you.”

  “My life is more out of control now than ever before. I don’t know which way is up anymore. I feel like I’m falling, and I’m desperately trying to grab ahold of something.”

  “Then hold onto me,” Balladyn said.

  She looked into his red eyes, his plea reflected there. Rhi didn’t know what the future held, nor did she try and find out. What she did know was that having Balladyn by her side was what she wanted. “I won’t turn Dark.”

  “I know.”

  “But you want to rule the Dark. This will never work between us.”

  “Why not give it a try and see?” he asked. “We’ll never know if we don’t try.”

  Rhi lowered her gaze to the white sand. “If anyone ever discovers us, it won’t be good.”

  “Are you frightened of what the Dragon Kings might say?” he asked in a hard voice.

  Her eyes jerked to him. “No. But some of them are my friends, and if they need me, I’ll be there for them.”

  “And your King?”

  Rhi was thankful Balladyn didn’t say his name. “He hasn’t been mine in eons. He’s already moved on.”

  Balladyn searched her eyes. “Have you?”

  “Yes.”

  He leaned forward and gently placed his lips on hers. Then he rested his forehead against hers and sighed. “I’ve loved you for so long that I feared this would never come to pass. Now that I’ve had you and tasted you, I’ll never get enough.”

  Rhi closed her eyes and smiled, even though her heart was heavy. She didn’t understand the feeling, nor could she discern what was causing it.

  “You’re all mine now,” Balladyn whispered.

  Rhi’s smile grew. “Yes, I am. And you’re mine.”

  “Nothing will ever tear us apart.”

  She lifted her head to look into his eyes. There, just around the edges, the red was fading to a brilliant silver. Rhi didn’t mention it. Whatever it was that pulled Balladyn back to the light was enough for her.

  Balladyn went to kiss her again, when he turned his head to the side and let out a string of curses.

  “What is it?” Rhi asked worriedly.

  He blew out a breath. “Taraeth is calling for me.”

  “Then go,” she urged. “You’re his right hand, Balladyn. Remain that way.”

  “Just until I take over as King.”

  She gripped his hand when he got to his feet. As she looked up at him, she hated the fear that suddenly enveloped her. “Be careful.”

  “Always.”

  “You don’t have to be king of the Dark.”

  He squatted in front of her, a half grin in place. “I most certainly do, my love.”

  With a wink, he was gone.

  Rhi dropped her hand to the sand. She’d known something was developing between her and Balladyn. He’d professed his love earlier, and she had kissed him a few times.

  It was how she found herself thinking of him more and more that pushed her to consider letting go of the past and her Dragon King lover. Before her stood a Fae who was willing to do whatever it took to have her.

  Why should she pine for a King who would never give her the time of day again? She’d wasted thousands of years of him. She deserved happiness, to be loved and worshipped, and to have a future.

  Rhi stood. Behind her, she felt her watcher’s eyes on her. She didn’t bother to put clothes on. He’d seen all there was to see of her.

  For far too long she’d felt the need to hide herself—her feelings, her wants and desires, dreams and wishes. No longer. She was done pretending. Whether anyone liked it or not, this was who she was.

  * * *

  Daire couldn’t take his eyes from Rhi. She was stunning standing glorious in the moonlight. The breeze lifted her long hair so that it billowed out behind her, as if reaching for him. She stood straight and tall at the foot of the ocean.

  Her bronze skin glowed a soft blue from the light of the moon. The only sound was the waves crashing onto shore and the palm trees swaying.

  Rhi hadn’t spoken since Balladyn’s departure. Though Daire smiled when she turned to look his way. She knew he was still there, and she didn’t seem to mind.

  “Are you judging me?” she asked softly.

  Daire knew the question was directed at him. He didn’t 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.

  Read all four parts of this sensational e-series—and look for the full volume of

  Smoke and Fire in April 2016 from St. Martin’s Paperbacks.

  Don’t miss

  The Reapers

  A New Series in the Dark Kings world!


  Dark Alpha’s Claim, available 11/17/15

  Dark Alpha’s Embrace, available 2/16/16

  Dark Alpha’s Demand, available 5/17/16

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Donna Grant has been praised for her “totally addictive” and “unique and sensual” stories. She’s the author of more than thirty novels spanning multiple genres of romance including the bestselling Dark King stories, Dark Craving, Night’s Awakening, and Dawn’s Desire. Her acclaimed Dark Warrior and Dark Sword series novels feature a thrilling combination of Druids, primeval gods, and immortal Highlanders who are dark, dangerous, and irresistible. She lives with her two children, a dog, and four cats in Texas.

  Want to know when Donna’s next book is available? You can sign up for her newsletter at www.DonnaGrant.com, follow her on twitter @donna_grant, or like her Facebook page at facebook.com/AuthorDonna Grant. Or sign up for email updates here.

  Thank you for buying this

  St. Martin’s Press ebook.

  To receive special offers, bonus content,

  and info on new releases and other great reads,

  sign up for our newsletters.

  Or visit us online at

  us.macmillan.com/newslettersignup

  For email updates on the author, click here.

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright Notice

  Dedications

  Acknowledgments

  Prologue

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  About the Author

  Copyright

  This is a work of fiction. All of the characters, organizations, and events portrayed in this novel are either products of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously.

  “Smoke and Fire Part 1” Copyright © 2016 by Donna Grant.

  All rights reserved. For information, address St. Martin’s Press, 175 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10010.

  www.stmartins.com

  Cover design © Conrado/Shutterstock

  Author photo © Kim Rocha

  Our e-books may be purchased in bulk for promotional, educational, or business use. Please contact the Macmillan Corporate and Premium Sales Department at (800) 221-7945, extension 5442, or by e-mail at [email protected].

  eISBN 978-1-4668-8380-2

  First eBook Edition: March 2016