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Namely, finding the man who was actually responsible for Rian’s predicament.
In the meantime, he’d rake in his millions and live a lavish lifestyle, all while he counted the days until he could destroy the man who’d ruined him.
And then, maybe, just maybe, he’d finally find the peace he so desperately craved.
Seeing the redhead approach, Rian finished his fresh glass of whiskey. Though alcohol didn’t have the same effect on him as it would humans, he could still get drunk if he committed himself to it — something which he did as regularly as he could.
“Keep the tab open. I’ll settle up at the end of the month,” Rian said.
“Aw, man, the night’s still young,” Cillian complained.
“It is at that. Have fun with it.” Rian nodded and left, not caring what Cillian thought. It was one of the attributes that made him killer in the boardrooms. He said what he meant and did exactly what he wanted. And now? He wanted away from all of these people. The music was too loud, the walls were too close, and too many women sought his attention. It made his skin itch.
Ignoring the redhead who had dropped her tray and was pushing through the crowd to reach him, Rian turned down a hallway and ducked out a side exit, gulping the cool night air as fast as he’d just gulped his glass of whiskey. When the door shut behind him, it softened the noise from the club, as though he was hearing the sounds through water. Worry that the redhead would still seek him out danced through him, so he made his way down the dark alley, unconcerned for safety. There wasn’t much that could hurt Rian, seeing as how his exile hadn’t included a stripping of his powers. Perhaps it had been a mistake, or maybe they’d forgotten but, either way, with his knowledge of magicks, Rian was the only real threat in any dark alley in the city.
There was a bite to the air this evening, and Rian relished the slap of wind on his face when he turned the corner and followed the river toward his town house. Dublin was never a quiet city, but Rian liked her most like this, in the wee hours of the morning when traffic had slowed and stray bits of music from rowdy house parties drifted through the air. It was these times that he missed the wilds the most because, no matter how much he fought it, he was still an Earth Fae at heart. He’d always be more comfortable in nature than walking on concrete paths, but his life was no longer about what was most comfortable for him.
A song rose, one that had been niggling around his brain for months now, and he was just drunk enough to sing it softly in the quiet night. The words seemed to take on their own life, dancing from his lips and swirling beneath a beam of light from a streetlamp. He watched, bemused, as the tendrils of the song took to the air and disappeared into the night sky as though he was writing a love letter to the stars. He might as well have been, for it was his heartsong he was singing through the clutch that whiskey had on his rationality.
Unbidden, Terra’s image rose to his mind.
He’d been thinking of her more of late, dreaming of her lush curves and the commanding tilt of her head. He hated her as much as he desired her, and his fingers dug into his palms as he walked, wishing to forget she ever existed. Terra was on his list for revenge, though he wasn’t yet sure how he’d play it with her. First, he needed to find out who was responsible for his exile, then he’d work his way down his list.
And Terra, of pouty lips and bedroom eyes, would perhaps make an interesting companion before he ruined her. Yes, maybe that was the angle he’d take … first he’d convince her to fall for him, and then he’d break her heart. It would be tricky, of course, if he was still in exile, but it would certainly be fun. Amused with his thoughts, Rian continued to hum his heartsong, no longer caring about the implications of sending his song out into the world, as it hardly mattered. No Fae could answer his heartsong if he was in exile.
Rian stumbled into his house, impatient with where his thoughts had gone, and slapped the switch for the lights. Instantly, he knew something was amiss. The energy of his home had shifted, a barely imperceptible disturbance in the force so to speak, and he held his hands in front of him as he scanned the room. A silvery glow emanated from his living room, and his heart sank.
Domnua.
It could only mean one thing — this night would end in battle. For while Rian didn’t care for the Earth Fae, he certainly wasn’t ready for the Domnua to take him down either. He’d fight until the end because, despite his unhappiness, he still valued his life.
“I see you, Dark Fae,” Rian called, edging closer to his living room.
“I wanted you to see me.” A sickly-sweet voice reached him, like strawberries gone sour, and Rian stepped into his sleek, modern living space to find the Goddess Domnu herself stretched across his sofa as though she owned the place. Behind her, several Domnua, their bodies silhouetted in a soft silvery glow, stood guard.
“The Goddess herself?” Rian laughed, rubbing a hand over his face. This night might turn out worse than he’d expected. Resigned, he met her eyes. “To what do I owe this displeasure?”
“You’re a cheeky one, aren’t you, Rian? But I like that about you. I’ve been watching you.” Goddess Domnu stretched, her silver dress rippling across her body, her hair moving of its own accord. Upon closer inspection, Rian realized her hair was thickly coiled snakes, the ends nipping at the others as though they’d willingly eat each other.
“Is that right? See anything of particular interest to you?” Rian asked, raising his chin at her. He remained standing, waiting for her to speak. He felt like a mouse, waiting for a cat to pounce, and it was a feeling that didn’t sit well with him. “If not, I’d really like to get some sleep.”
“Oh yes.” Goddess Domnu threw her head back and laughed, and Rian cringed when her hair laughed along with her. “I knew I’d like you. I’ll get to the point, Rian, as it seems time is not on your side. I’m here to make a deal with you.”
“A deal? That’s unusual, isn’t it? What could you possibly want with me? You’re a goddess. Aren’t you able to achieve anything you want with your level of power?”
“The true measure of power is knowing how, and when, to wield it. I require your services. In exchange, I’ll grant you a reward of your choosing.” The goddess crossed her arms over her voluptuous chest and pursed her lips. When the silence drew out, she arched a brow. “I’m surprised you’re not jumping at this offer. Have I misread the situation? I was under the impression you wanted to destroy the Earth Fae for your exile.”
“Ah, so it’s the Earth Fae you’re after.” Rian was just drunk enough to lower himself into a chair across from Domnu and steeple his fingers in front of him as he considered her words. “What do you want from them?”
“I want their amulet. With it, I can lead their people more easily. That’s all.”
“That’s it? You want the knife, and I get what I want? Anything that I ask for?” Rian cocked his head, considering.
“You’re still able to use their portal. Even in exile. Were you aware of that?”
At her words, Rian stilled.
“I was not aware of that,” he bit out. “Are you certain? It was made clear that I was not to return.”He could have gone to his mother despite his exile. Rage slid into his stomach, hot and sharp, and he stood to pace.
