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  Dara’s make-up also matched Willow’s, as per the Dracol custom for a woman who stood for a friend during a mating. Small scrollwork in black lines swirled about her right eye and bright red lipstick stained her mouth in a swath of scarlet. Shades of black powder dusted her eyelids, giving them a smoky appearance.

  When Dara first caught sight of her image in a mirror, amazement had held her immobile. She’d tamed her black hair into a sleek wave back from her face, a single gold coin decorating one side to represent good fortune, according to Dracol lore. All together she looked different. Exotic.

  A murmur rose from the crowd interrupting her thoughts. Dara remained still, worried any sudden moves would see the silk ripped from her body to pool on the floor, giving the crowd of Dracol’s gathered for the ceremony a special sight.

  “All Hail the King!” Someone shouted as the door at the back of the room slammed open.

  Rylin. Dara’s heart raced as she spun around to observe her lover as he entered on a determined stride. The crowd parted and there was no missing the respect and space the Dracol gave him. Brows dipped low and mouth compressed in a tight line, Rylin’s fierce expression warned all to give him a wide berth.

  He wore an outfit similar to Willow’s groom—or mate as she referred to him but in unrelenting black. An accompanying black cape flared about Rylin’s shoulders and flapped at his sides. Gold bands bracketed his bare upper arms and wrists.

  Four men flanked him in black pants and matching sleeveless vests with ceremonial swords belted at their hips. Her heart thumped in her chest. They could have had a theme song playing in the background, their entrance was so dramatic.

  When Rylin reached the front of the room, their gazes met and time came to a sudden stand still. His steps faltered and eyes widened in surprise. Dara’s lips parted and her thighs quivered at the passionate heat that exploded between them.

  Rylin’s gold eyes flared and he slowed to a stop beside her, allowing his stern mask to slip. Dara licked her lips, unsure if speaking was allowed at this point. Willow’s instructions very clearly stated she wanted Dara to stand and say yes when she was asked if she supported the mating, but otherwise, silence was expected.

  Rylin touched Dara’s chin with a pointer finger and lifted her face this way and that, his amber stare burning a hole right through her. His gaze paused on the markings about her eye, darkening with an emotion she couldn’t decipher.

  He moved closer, their thighs brushing, and Dara’s core moistened in reaction to being in such close proximity to him after two days of silence. She wanted to be angry. Indignant at the lack of contact when he’d promised to come for her. But in this moment, her only thought was one of extreme desire.

  “Rylin?” Dara whispered, keeping her voice low.

  He shook his head abruptly in admonishment and she clamped her lips tight. His fingers trailed over her face. Everywhere he touched, small bursts of heat tickled her senses. His thumb brushed the dip in her bottom lip, but still he didn’t speak. In annoyance, Dara nipped his finger.

  Flames of passion lit his gaze even as his upper lip curled, revealing a hint of sharp teeth. Fear skittered along Dara’s spine. This was not a man to trifle with. She searched hard for a glimpse of the lover who’d held her tenderly and made promises. Only the eyes of a dangerous predator stared back. Dara flinched.

  At last, Rylin released her chin with a soft caress across her cheek and stepped back. Then, as if the moment hadn’t occurred, he wiped his face clear of all expression and took his place in front of the fountain.

  Silence fell about the room and Dara realized Rylin’s actions had shifted the focus from the couple to her during those brief moments. She shot him a glare, but his lips curled up on the side as he slid the hood of his robe about his face, obscuring his features, and raised his arms above his head.

  “Willow of the Black is here to accept the pledge of Arwen of the Silver. We wish her well on her journey. May she be his most treasured lira.” Rylin paused and his head shifted in Dara’s direction.

  Though she couldn’t see his face, she knew he looked directly at her. “On behalf of the Black, do you support Willow’s mating, Dara of Earth?”

  Dara nodded. “I do.”

  “Then let the Goddess of Fate bless the union.” Rylin faced Willow. “Do you give up your place among the Black, little one?”

  Willow’s gleeful smile split her face and she nodded eagerly. “Yes!”

  Arwen’s rich chuckle burst forth, as did others. Rylin lowered his arms and pressed his palms together. A fireball flared to life and hovered over his hands. Dara jerked and Rylin’s head tipped towards her again.

  Flushing, Dara ducked her head.

  Rylin continued. “By the power of the mantle, I declare Willow mated as lira to Arwen and under the Silver sect.”

  ***

  Ry passed the flame that represented Willow’s connection to the Black over to Arwen, who accepted it with a pleased grin. The orange glow flickered in Arwen’s palm before being absorbed beneath his skin and fading. From now on, Willow would not be under Rylin’s mantle and only Faris, King to the Silver, would sense her going forth.

  “It is done!” Ry shouted and shoved back the hood from his face.

  Willow and Arwen reached for one another to exchange a passionate kiss while cheers and whistles went up. When Willow’s parents drew near, Ry moved away to give them privacy, his gaze going to the woman who stalked his dreams.

  Nothing could have surprised him more than seeing Dara stand for Willow. He wasn’t sure how the two knew each other, but his Dracol pulled at Ry in an effort to get close to her. Giving in to the urge, Ry leaped the short distance between them and lowered his voice. “We must talk.”

  Dara’s chin tipped up and her brows narrowed. “You want to talk now?”

  She was angry about their time apart. Ry steeled his heart for what he needed to do. He’d thought long and hard over his plan after his conversation with Nolan last night. “Yes.”

  “What’s wrong, Rylin?” she whispered, dropping her annoyed tone. “Why didn’t you come for me?”

  “We need to talk,” he repeated.

  Her green eyes darkened and her lips firmed. A determined sniff preceded her sharp, “Fine.”

  Ry couldn’t resist a brief touch of his fingers gliding over her shoulders as he aimed her in the direction of his rooms. She shifted away and the first fissure in his heart slid through. She hadn’t pulled away when they last spent time together. He wanted to grip her tight and force her to remember that she’d craved his touch then. Begged for it. But that would go against his attempt to save her life.

  They made the walk in silence, Ry fighting his Dracol for control every step, when his essence only wanted to curl around Dara and keep her safe. He entered his suite but didn’t take them further than his office.

  As soon as the door closed behind him, Dara glared and put her hands on her hips. “So talk.”

  He didn’t waste time telling her the truth. “We can’t be together.”

  “Rylin.” Her tense posture fell, hurt flashing across her face as she hurried toward him.

  He easily stepped aside to avoid her touch. She couldn’t hide her flinch. “You should go. Return to your planet.”

  “What?”

  He’d shocked her with his words, her lovely skin going pale. Ry took a deep breath and kept his eyes on hers as he spoke in a softly determined voice. “I was impulsive when I asked you to be my lira. To stay and bond with me. I’m withdrawing the offer.”

  She jerked once more as if taking a blow and Ry had to clench his jaw to hold back a growl.

  “Did something happen? Is there more you aren’t telling me?” Dara extended her hand to reach for him.

  If she placed one hand on him, he’d cave. Ry turned his back on her and walked toward his desk, putting the furniture between them to still his own crawling need to pick her up in his arms and hold her tight. “There’s nothing more to tell. I�
��ve changed my mind. I believe you Earth females are familiar with that.”

  Dara’s sharp gasp had him glancing over his shoulder to witness how his words affected her. Only her right hand fisted, but coupled with her narrow stare, it was enough for Ry to determine her anger. And confusion. His gut churned in remorse.

  “So what we shared was...just sex?”

  Her words were like daggers to his heart as he lied. “Yes. I told you the Earth females who visited before you made it clear they expected nothing more from us.”

  “That wasn’t me!” Dara stormed over, standing on the opposite side of his desk, chest heaving. Her hands planted on the surface as she leaned forward. “We went over that. We laughed, we kissed.” Her words broke. “We made love, Rylin.”

  His chest tightened in response to her whispered words. Along with the glint of tears in the midst of her green stare, they created an ache deep in his core. He grappled with the urges of his Dracol, seeking to get near her and shoved back his instinctive need to soothe. Ry had to convince her he meant what he said and get her far away from the rogue killings. His voice dropped, became deeper. “And I’m saying we’re done. There’s no more for you here, Dara.”

  “I don’t believe you.” Her chin went up, shoulders rigid as she came around the desk and cornered him.

  Ry moved until he couldn’t go any further. With his back to the wall, he had no way to avoid Dara. Goddess don’t let her touch me, he mentally pleaded. His heart pounded like a drum.

  Dara traced his jaw line, her eyes following her fingers then she did something completely at odds with the conversation they were having.

  She kissed his cheek. He tensed, stomach knotting. Her lips pressed to his ear. Softly. Ry contained his shudder as despair welled. He eased around her, giving himself space, and slid his hands in his pockets to keep from reaching for her. The distance gave him the power to shut off his feelings.

  The corners of her mouth dipped down. “Rylin?”

  “Leave, Dara.”

  ***

  A coldness she hadn’t expected emanated from Rylin. His stony expression unnerved her as he basically told her to get out of his life. She placed her palm over her eyes in a futile effort to hide her tears.

  Devastated, she refused to let him see her hurt. His words burned with the same intensity his touch had during their magical night together but without the passion and love. No, this burn seared across her heart, leaving an aching void. Dara straightened her shoulders. She wouldn’t beg. She’d spent enough looking for a husband. Twenty grand was more than sufficient. This trip wouldn’t cost her her heart too.

  “Go!” He snapped and Dara jumped.

  Digging deep, she yelled, “Fuck you, Rylin!”

  She stumbled out of his office, barely able to stand straight but made a point to slam the door as hard as she could. Tears clogged her throat but she refused to let them fall. Dara made it a few steps before anger snapped her spine straight. No. She wouldn’t let him do this to her. To them. Her heart wouldn’t hurt any less by walking away without a fight. Damn him. This wasn’t the man she’d fallen for. He’d never have pushed her away with such ice in his eyes.

  Standing in the hall, her back to the wall Dara let her mind replay the last few moments. Nothing in his demeanor prior to Willow’s mating had hinted that he wanted to end things. What could have happened in that short frame of time?

  The murders. His people were being killed. Could this be Rylin’s effort to protect her? Her heart swelled at the possibility.

  Chapter 13

  The slamming of the door behind Dara echoed around his chambers. As soon as she left, Ry snarled and swiped his arm across the surface of his desk, sending everything crashing to the floor. It wasn’t enough. His essence ascended so quickly Ry had no time to brace and was swept beneath the force of his Dracol’s will.

  Rylin threw back his head, the muscles in his neck straining as he released another roar. Exhaling sharply, every breath hissed from his throat with a curl of smoke. The taste of ash was bitter on his tongue with the need to release the fire building. He lowered his head and stared at the spot where Dara last stood. He’d angered and hurt her with his words. It was necessary, he reminded himself. He had to hurt her enough to convince her to go.

  That had been his intentions, but it didn’t mean seeing the pain flash across her features had stung any less. Tipping his chin up to catch the slight breeze drifting through the open window Ry, blocked out the expression on Dara’s face. He couldn’t let his heart linger on what he’d done.

  But it burned. Burned all the way to his gut and Ry found himself gritting his teeth to keep from charging after her.

  “No,” he muttered under his breath. Then it would be for naught.

  Rylin walked toward the large plate window taking up one wall. Normally the sight of his fellow Dracol in flight would relax him. Inside he yearned to join them. Anything to escape the smoldering pain of not having Dara.

  It had been hard not seeing her for two days, but if she took his words to heart, he’d never see her again. Never gaze upon her beauty again. Two days would be a drop in time compared to the lonely decades ahead of him.

  Someone had covered her face in the tribal paint of a mating ceremony. Each line had drawn his gaze and Ry could imagine how she’d look with the added ink beneath her cheek to represent her own mating.

  Now he’d have none of that.

  ***

  Dara reentered the room unnoticed. Rylin stared out of the window offering a magnificent view of the sky and clouds, thanks to having his home built in the mountains. His pants molded to his taut butt and the muscles in his back flexed when he shifted to brace his palms on the glass.

  Her heart stuttered and Dara breathed slowly through her nose as she observed the fine form of the man who held her heart and pricked holes in it at the same time.

  As if sensing her presence at last, his head tipped to the side and without turning he asked in a low rasp, “Are you leaving? Going back to your world?”

  “I’m not letting you chase me away that easy.” Dara pasted a smile on her face despite her lip wobble.

  “Have your say, Earth woman and be gone.” The garbled words came out in Rylin’s voice and yet not. There was an edge of danger to the gravelly tone.

  “I’m not leaving.”

  He turned in one smooth motion and lifted a brow. “I didn’t expect you to be foolish. Is it so hard to believe I don’t want you?”

  Dara hated the sardonic smirk twisting his lips. This wasn’t the man she’d spent the night with. She moved closer. His body drew taut, resisting. But she continued. “You’re a liar, Rylin, King of the Black Dracol.”

  She ran a hand up his chest, lingering to prod his stiff nipples. “You want me. This is your misguided attempt to protect me.”

  “Then you don’t care if you live or die.”

  Dara slid to her knees, hands tracing over his quivering abdomen. “I can protect myself,” she whispered right before taking a firm grasp of his shaft.

  Rylin groaned, hips rocking forward. Dara opened the flap of his leather pants. His chest rose and fell in pants. “I trust that you’ll find who’s doing this and you won’t let them get me.”

  He hardened, pulsed in her hand. The spongy underside grew hot to the touch but Rylin’s silence was daunting. Dara’s heart pumped heavily. Fear, trepidation, so many thoughts coursed through her.

  “And if I fail?” he finally asked.

  Dara trembled beneath the power of the glare aimed in her direction. “We shared something special that night. I have faith in you.”

  His eyes glittered, but not once did she break his stare.

  Dara wasn’t ashamed to resort to pleading. “I want to be by your side. You said you wanted me as your lira. Your mate.”

  He grabbed her by the elbow and pulled her to her feet. “You want to die? Because that’s what the rogue wants. He’s attacking any lira and those close to the kings are espec
ially in danger.”

  Flames flicked from his fingertips and black scales covered one side of his face before fading back to the familiar skin tones.

  “Don’t push me away, Rylin.” Dara took a step in his direction, undeterred by the partial shift. Their bodies pressed tight together.

  His eyes brightened to a polished sheen. Dara squirmed beneath his cutting look but held her ground.

  “I’m staying,” she said again. Firmly.

  His hand whipped out and clasped her neck, the touch gentle despite the rapid action. “You’ve no idea what you’re doing. The danger is-”

  “To both of us,” she cut in. “You said this person is killing liras and now he’s looking to hurt you and your friends.”

  Ry gave a derisive snort. “The other Kings aren’t my friends.”

  She tossed her hand about. “You know what I mean.”

  “Yes, I do.” His head lowered and Dara held her breath until the first touch of his lips to hers. Whisper soft kisses floated across her mouth. Her cheeks then glided over her eyes until she closed them.

  “Rylin,” she murmured, bringing her arms about his neck.

  When his fingers tightened on her hair and tilted her head back, Dara gasped. The air crackled with energy, and not all of it good. He pressed his face into the side of her neck and breathed. Just breathed. Hot moisture dotted her skin as he dragged in a ragged breath.

  “Nothing,” he growled. “Nothing, must happen to you.”

  “It won’t.”

  Rylin straightened. “I swear on the Goddess of Fate that my wrath will have no bounds and blood will fill my belly if it does.”

  Dara shivered. “A girl couldn’t ask for more.”

  He snorted, but a small smile graced his face. “You’re a stubborn one. We need to return to the mating party. My presence is expected.”

  Dara clasped his hand and swung their arms. “I’m ready.”

  He snatched her up in his arms after a few steps outside of his rooms and raced back to the throne room.

  “Rylin!”

  People turned at their approach. Her cheeks flamed at his antics.