Dark Alpha's Embrace by Donna Grant

white hair and eyes. Kyran did it because of his family. Even though it had been over six thousand years since he was betrayed, he wasn’t going to take a chance of anyone recognizing him.
    With a nod, he and Fintan teleported to the Fae doorway on the edge of the cliffs in the city of Portpatrick. Across the Irish Sea, Kyran could see Northern Ireland.
    Fintan didn’t falter before he walked through the doorway, which would lead them to the Dark world. Kyran took a deep breath and followed him.
    As soon as Kyran entered the Fae doorway, he was surrounded by Dark. At one time, this had been everything to him. He’d put aside his own wants and needs for those of his family. The ever dutiful son.
    And look where that had gotten him.
    “You good?” Fintan asked.
    Kyran was in the heart of the Dark—Taraeth’s palace. He was far from good. It was a place he hated almost as much as his family home. “Nay.”
    “Me either. Let’s get this done and return to the others.”
    “Agreed.”
    They proceeded along the extensive hallway, passing dozens of Dark. Kyran spotted Balladyn talking to the Dark king, Taraeth, and halted. Balladyn was a legend among the Fae. He’d once been the Light queen’s most trusted and lethal warrior in her Queen’s Guard—until the Dark captured him and turned him.
    What made him of even more interest to the Reapers had to do with Rhi, the Light Fae Daire was following. Balladyn had been in love with her for ages. And he was endeavoring to win her love.
    But it was Balladyn who had ambushed and killed Kyran.
    Fintan blew out a breath as he too saw Balladyn. “I wonder how long it’s going to take the Dragon Kings to discover Balladyn is in pursuit of Rhi?”
    “Who says they don’t already know?” Kyran glanced at Fintan. “Daire would know, but we’ve not seen him for weeks.”
    “And likely won’t until Death has all that’s needed of Rhi.”
    Kyran stared at Balladyn and Taraeth. “Do you think either of them are involved with Bran?”
    “If Taraeth knew how strong Bran was, the king would have killed him already. Taraeth knows nothing.”
    “And Balladyn?”
    Fintan crossed his arms over his chest. “He could go either way in this. Balladyn could’ve helped Bran, but to what end?”
    Kyran cut a dry look to Fintan. “You know as well as I it’s only a matter of time before Balladyn takes over. I’m surprised Taraeth hasn’t killed him yet.”
    “Aye. Then again, Balladyn is the kind of Fae who does things himself. He wouldn’t rely on others to help him steal the throne.”
    Kyran nodded slowly. “Balladyn wouldn’t want to be indebted to anyone.”
    “Then there’s no reason for Balladyn to help Bran.”
    “How long until Bran focuses his intent right here?”
    Fintan released a long breath. “I’d rather like to believe we’ll kill his stupid arse before then.”
    “Aye.”
    They continued walking, neither speaking. Being back at the Dark Palace was like opening doorways to his past that Kyran would rather have kept boarded and locked forever.
    It never entered his mind to tell Cael another Reaper should be sent. He and Fintan were the only two Dark Fae. They knew how the Dark acted, how they thought. None of the other Reapers could learn to interpret the nuances of their behavior as he and Fintan could.
    In all the years Kyran had been away, he found it humorous that nothing had changed. There were still the immense areas where humans were caged, moaning and begging the Dark to take them.
    Even more mortals were on the floor, writhing in pleasure as Dark after Dark took them—killing them slowly. It disgusted Kyran.
    “Don’t look,” Fintan said.
    As if Kyran could ignore it. It had been part of his life once. Not looking at it wouldn’t change any of that.
    When Fintan stopped at the second of such areas, Kyran knew he was going in.
    “This is where the information flows,” Fintan said in a low voice.
    Kyran nodded. “Right.”
    Fintan went in