“Why Usaeil first?”
Noreen shrugged at Cain’s question. “Because Moreann recognized her power. Usaeil had just taken over as Queen of the Light.”
“Did Moreann know that Usaeil had her family killed?” he asked.
“She might have. I didn’t find that out until just recently, though it explains a lot about Usaeil.”
Cain’s deep green eyes slid from her to the blue waters of the lake. “I doubt Usaeil would’ve given up that kind of information, no matter who she aligned with. Usaeil and Moreann would’ve seen the possibilities each brought to the table. I can see why they teamed up. So, Usaeil was the original Light Fae.”
“Actually, Usaeil was the Dark.”
Cain’s head swung back to her. “Aye, I suppose she would’ve been. Do you know who the Light was?”
Noreen swallowed, unable to meet his gaze. “I do.”
“Are they still alive?”
“No.”
“I get the feeling you doona want to tell me who it was.”
She sighed and shook her head. “I really don’t.”
“Why?”
“Because it isn’t my part to tell.” She saw him frown from the corner of her eye.
Cain made a sound in the back of his throat. “What is that supposed to mean? The person is dead, so it shouldna matter if you give me their name.”
“But it does.”
“Why?”
There was no getting around it. If she didn’t tell him something, he would keep pressing. “Because they’re related to someone you know.”
Cain’s brow furrowed deeper. Then, suddenly, his face went slack. “Shite. It’s someone connected to Rhi.”
Noreen briefly closed her eyes. Then she met his gaze and nodded.
“Fuck me,” he murmured. “That explains why she acted so weird in Iceland and after. There was a huge wall of rock that had Light and Dark Fae writing on it, as well as Druid text. Our magic allows us to understand and read different languages. Still, neither V nor Roman got around to the Fae side where Rhi was. There was something there about this person, right?”
“There was. A name.”
Cain ran a hand down his face. “I doona know what to say. Rhi never told us she knew someone who was a part of the Others.”
“I think it’s because she didn’t know until Iceland.”
“I’d like to think so, but I would’ve thought she would tell us.”
Noreen rolled her eyes. “Seriously? Did you just say that? Knowing how everyone feels about the Others, why would Rhi give you a name that connects them to her?”
“We know her. We would’ve believed her.”
Noreen shot him a flat look. “At first, perhaps. Then you would’ve thought about it. After that, when something came up, you would’ve wondered if she was part of it, or if the Others had gotten to her and turned her.”
Cain’s lips twisted in regret. “You’re probably right.”
“Usaeil was the first to join Moreann. I don’t know how they got the Light Fae to be a part of it.”
“I gather this person was high-ranking?”
“Very. They held a lot of influence. When I first realized who it was, I was surprised. They weren’t someone I would’ve thought would join the group. But for some reason, they did.”
Cain leaned back on his hands. “And kept it from Rhi.”
“Once the Fae were on board, Moreann brought on her drough.”
“On Earth, the mie and drough doona associate with each other.”
Noreen lifted a shoulder in a shrug. “The Light and Dark Fae don’t really either, but there are a few instances where it happens.”
“Have you been to Moreann’s planet?”
“She won’t even tell us where it is.”
Cain made a face. “Why does that no’ surprise me?”
Noreen raised her brows and pressed her lips together. “Those four combined their magic and used it against your kind, but it did nothing.”
“Nothing?” Cain repeated in surprise.
“Moreann says it’s because the group needed six, but I believe it’s because the Druids from Earth brought magic from your realm. Without that, I don’t think the Others would’ve been able to harm you.”
Cain climbed to his feet and walked to the edge of the lake. He stood with his arms folded over his chest for a long while. Finally, he said, “One more reason why we never should’ve allowed the mortals to remain.”
She rose and walked to stand beside him. They had yet to put any clothes on, and she liked that. “We lost our home because of our stupidity. You lost yours because you did something right. You gave those who needed a home a place to put down roots. And despite what happened, you did it again for us.”
“I lay there last night with you in my arms, thinking how much the quiet and stillness of this realm reminded me of Earth before the mortals arrived. I kept thinking we should just leave our realm and find somewhere else to go.”
“What of the mates?” Noreen asked.
He briefly looked at her. “I didna think of them at first. I was only thinking of being free once more to be who I am.”
That wasn’t something she understood, because the Fae didn’t hide themselves unless they wished to. The Dragon Kings didn’t have a choice.
“I’m sorry,” she said and put her hand on his arm. “Some might say your kind have been dealt this hand because you deserved it. I think it happened because only the Dragon Kings are strong enough to come out of it on top.”
“I used to think that, as well,” he admitted as he dropped his arms to his sides. He blew out a frustrated breath and shook his head. “We doona know where our dragons are. We doona even know if they’re still alive. And now, we can no’ leave Earth because of the mates. How can we move forward? We will forever be hiding because we can no’ call the dragons home. And we can no’ go to them.”
“There has to be a compromise.”
“It’s a nice thought, but the reality is what it is.” He turned his head to her and forced a smile. “I’ve come to accept that.”
She made a disbelieving sound. “No, you haven’t. I see it in your eyes. You need to be free as you were yesterday. So, go be a dragon. Spend the day flying in the sun.”
His lips turned up in a rueful smile. “It’s a nice thought, but I can no’.”
“Sure you can. I won’t tell you anything else unless you spend at least two hours in the sky,” she stated, her chin raised.
This time, he chuckled and reached for her, pulling her against him. “Nice try. Will you finish your story?”
“There isn’t much left to say. The Others had to wait for the mortals to gain enough magic to become Druids on Earth. Then, Moreann recruited one from each sect.”
“Good and bad Druids and Fae,” Cain murmured. “A mix of magic few would think to try. And it worked.”
Noreen shrugged and looked up at him. “Yes.”
“And each time a member died, they were replaced?”
“There are always six.”
He was silent for a full minute before he asked, “And how did the Others know what traps to set or actions to take for things that would happen millions of years in the future?”