Cain shrugged. “She was born to Light Fae parents, who also had special abilities. Rhi’s mother was unable to lie without great pain. She passed that onto Rhi. Unfortunately, Rhi learned to harness the pain so she could tell untruths.”
Noreen gave a shake of her head, unable to actually believe that all of this was happening. “If what you say is true, then it could be Rhi’s power alone that caused Usaeil’s jealousy.”
“I’ve no doubt that played a huge role, but there were other factors, as well.”
“If Rhi really does have such potent power, then why have the Dark not heard of it?”
Cain squatted down to study the orb closer. “Because Rhi had no reason to use it.”
“To have such power and not use it. I can’t fathom the thought.”
Green eyes lifted to her, snagging Noreen’s gaze. “She is using it.”
“Now. She could’ve used it long ago. She could’ve saved our realm so we didn’t have to leave.”
Cain studied her for a long moment before he slowly straightened. “If Rhi had saved this realm, the civil war would’ve continued. And every time the realm was about to be destroyed, she would’ve had to step in and heal it. Would prolonging the war have helped?”
Noreen looked away, hating that he was right. “No.”
“I believe Rhi knew that, as well. She didna want to leave her home any more than any other Fae did. Because of the Fae Wars, she lost her brother, her parents, and Balladyn. And even her Dragon King lover. For centuries, she was on her own with no one but her one friend and queen.”
“Usaeil.” Noreen took a deep breath and turned her head back to Cain. “Which is why Usaeil’s many betrayals cut so deeply for Rhi.”
“Aye.”
Noreen looked at the glowing globe. “Rhi isn’t just a badass warrior, she’s also the strongest both mentally and powerfully among the Fae. She could step in and rule the Light. Fek. She could even rule the Dark if she tried hard enough.”
“Rhi has never wanted to rule. Her desires have always been simple. She wanted the Light to be safe, and she wanted to be loved by her King.”
Noreen knew exactly how Rhi felt. She hadn’t exactly been without her fair share of lovers, but Cain was different in all ways. With him, she actually looked to the future. With Cain, she wanted a future.
And this was just after being with him for a couple of days. What would it be like months from now? Years? Noreen’s stomach churned at the thought.
Would she end up like Rhi, alone? Without her King?
“Lass, what’s wrong?” Cain asked as he put a hand on her shoulder.
Noreen shook her head. She couldn’t exactly tell him what she was thinking. She would sound … daft to be sure. Instead, she shrugged and said, “I’m thinking about everything Rhi lost.”
It wasn’t a lie. In fact, Noreen found many similarities between her and the infamous Light Fae. Except Noreen didn’t have a sibling or a best friend/lover who had turned Dark.
“Despite all of that, Rhi didna succumb to grief. I wonder how she managed it, honestly.” Cain lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “None of that matters right now, though. I truly believe this is Rhi’s doing. I need to tell the others.”
Noreen’s heart skipped a beat at the thought of Cain leaving. She’d known it was coming, but she hadn’t realized it would be right then. Although, he did have all the information he needed to take to the other Dragon Kings.
She forced a quick smile. The last thing she wanted to be was a hindrance. The Kings had enough to deal with regarding Moreann and Usaeil still missing.
Cain didn’t rush off, however. He hesitated and reached for her hand. “Is there nothing I can say that will convince you to return with me?”
“No,” she said, though her throat was thick with emotion. “And you know why.”
“Because Moreann and the Others will come straight for you.”
“Exactly. You and everyone at Dreagan need whatever time you can get to form a plan. Take what I’ve told you and go with that.”
“I didna expect to leave so soon.”
“Perhaps it’s better that you do.” Better for her, because she was already getting attached to him.
He pulled her to him and wrapped his arms around her. Noreen closed her eyes as she nestled against him. She knew that in Cain’s arms, she was as close to Heaven as she would ever get.
“I doona want to leave you.”
His voice, deep and heavy with emotion, made her smile. “I don’t want you to leave either.” She pulled back to look at him. “But we don’t have a choice.”
“We do have a choice. You can come with me. We’ll protect you. Dreagan is a powerful place. I doona care how much Moreann and the Others think they can defeat us, they can no’ get to us on Dreagan.”
“I’d rather not tempt Fate.” The hardest thing Noreen ever did was pull out of Cain’s arms. She stepped back until they were no longer touching each other. “Your brethren are waiting.”
“Noreen—” he began.
She quickly cut him off. “Look at this place. It’s a wonderland of beauty. We’ve not seen anyone while we’ve been here, and you flew me over the entire space where the shield is. I’ll be fine.”
“What if I missed something? What if someone is here?” he asked.
That wasn’t something she wanted to think about, but she had to. “I may not be a trained fighter, but I can—and I will—protect myself.”
“I’ve no doubt.”
She swallowed and smiled then. It felt weak and shaky, but she held it in place. “I’ll be fine. Promise.”
“Walk back with me,” he urged.
The thought of spending more time with him was like grasping for air as she drowned. It was on the tip of her tongue to say “yes,” but she was barely holding things together now. “You should fly. You’ll get to the doorway faster.”
“Fly with me, then.”
Damn. How could she refuse that? She nodded. In the next instant, Cain had taken her hand, quickly dragging her into a clearing. The moment they arrived, he shifted, shredding his clothes.
Noreen drew in a breath as she gazed at the magnificent dragon before her. When his pale yellow eyes landed on her, she didn’t hesitate to rush to him and climb onto his back.
This time, the takeoff wasn’t nearly as scary. There was a smile upon her lips as the wind hit her face. Cain dipped one wing and swung them around to head back in the direction where they’d encountered the barrier.
She didn’t look at the ground below her. No, her focus was on the Dragon King’s back she rode on. She touched his warm scales and caressed a palm over him. In response, a sound rumbled through him that sounded very much like a purr. It made her smile grow. She liked that she could make him feel such things.
But the grin didn’t last. All too soon, they came to the edge of the shield. Noreen didn’t care that it would take her some time to walk back to the barrier alone, but apparently, Cain did. He dove toward the ground. They didn’t even reach it before he shifted, and she found herself in his arms just as his feet hit the earth.
“Wow,” she said as she looked into his eyes. “You certainly know how to show a girl a good time.”