Smoke and Fire: Part 3 Read Free Page A

you’re keeping something from me?”
    “I’m always keeping something from you,” she joked.
    But there was no answering smile in return. Rhys took her hands in his. “Rhi, I want happiness for you, but it isna with Balladyn. He tortured you. He tried to turn you Dark.”
    “I’m not Dark.”
    “I know, but that’s no’ my point. You’ve been rejected for thousands of years by the one man who is meant to be yours. You want to have someone in your life again, but doona turn to Balladyn. I beg you.”
    Rhi inhaled deeply. “Who should I turn to, Rhys? Another King? Or Henry, perhaps? How about Ulrik?”
    “Rhi,” he began.
    She pulled her hands from his grasp. “I love you like a brother, and I know you mean well, but you don’t understand any of this. You fell in love once, and you got the girl. You and Lily will live happily ever after. I’m thrilled for you.”
    “There’s someone out there for you.”
    At this she smiled wryly. “That’s what someone in a relationship says to a single person. And it’s a load of shit. I’ve been alone for countless centuries. What does it matter who I take to my bed?”
    “Because I know you,” Rhys said softly. “I know only the love you felt for your King will ever fulfill you as you need.”
    Rhi raised a brow. “Not so sure, stud. I’m feeling pretty fulfilled now.”
    “What the … ?” He trailed off in surprise. “Who is he?”
    “None of your business.”
    “It is my business. You’re my business. You’re family.”
    That made her eyes sting with tears. Damn Rhys. “Don’t let Con hear you say that.”
    “Fuck Con,” Rhys all but roared. “I’m no’ talking about him. We’re talking about you.”
    Rhi put her hand on his arm. “I know what I’m doing, Rhys. I’m lonely, yes, but not stupid.”
    “Loneliness can hit people hard. It can also mix up their feelings so they do things they normally never would.”
    “Trust me,” she said with a smile. Then she winked. “And tell Con I said he’s welcome for getting his information.”
    Rhi teleported out before she gave in and told Rhys everything about Balladyn.

Chapter Twenty-six
    Kinsey was having a difficult time keeping her eyes open. It wasn’t just the long hours staring at the screen, frustration mounting with every search coming up empty. No, it was the dreams that plagued her sleep.
    Dreams of Ryder.
    Her stomach quivered with delight as she recalled one particular dream where she’d been sleeping on Ryder’s chest, his arm wrapped around her and caressing her back.
    Then he began to talk, his words just above a whisper as he told her how much he missed her and how he wished he’d never left. He went on to say how many times he’d wished she were in his arms.
    If only all of that were true. Kinsey tried to focus on the monitor as it scrolled through the e-mails, putting aside all those that were encoded—and there were dozens of them.
    All of which were being deciphered by the software.
    But it wasn’t the e-mails Kinsey kept thinking about. It was her dreams. They’d begun her first night at Dreagan. In the beginning, she wasn’t thrilled to have Ryder invade her mind again.
    Perhaps it was because she was with him all day, but now she found herself eager for night so she could drift away to dreams of happiness with Ryder.
    Though it was dangerous. Her fantasies were creating a life that could never be between them. Kinsey needed to keep herself grounded in reality.
    She glanced at Ryder to find his short blond hair in disarray from him running his hands through it. He’d gone through two boxes of donuts already, with a third waiting.
    Finally she understood how he could eat so much and stay looking so … spectacular. He linked his hands behind his head and leaned back in his chair as he gazed at the screen. Every once in a while he’d glance over at the monitors to his left and check the cameras around the property.
    His intelligence, honor, and compassion were