Blood and Reign (Cassandra Myles Witch Series) (14 page)

“I…I didn’t know. I thought maybe Darwhal just took pity on me.”

“I am relieved. So relieved and I apologize, King Trehern, for jumping to conclusions. Now I want a list from the light and dark as to who has a title and what each title means. Until I know that, then I won’t be able to decide what to do.” Everyone nodded in agreement. I was on a roll.

“While I don’t appreciate fae magic being used to mess with my head, I am very happy that opening the door and reconnecting the fae world with mine seems to have worked. Besides the objects that have been used against me, the royal healer has told me that even though his powers are still weak
, they are returning. There are signs of new growth in the garden and forest. We can only hope that everything continues to improve.”

It was nice to see smiles on everyone’s face. Lord Eton had tears streaming down his face. He wiped them away quickly. “Excuse an old man of foolishness. These tears are happy ones. I just wish it had come in time to save my daughter. She held on for so long.”

“I wish that for you too, Lord Eton. That’s why I want this to work. You have all lost too much already. It’s time to rebuild and move forward.”

We covered a few other things and
, before I knew it, the day was gone and we were heading back to my room. Despite the monumental head fuck this morning, I was feeling optimistic. The fae were not ones for change, but I saw a glimmer of hope today and what more could you ask for?

When we got back to the room, I asked everyone to leave. It wasn’t easy to convince them, but after I agreed to let Ruby stay, they eventually agreed to give me some space. I wanted to think about everything that had happened. Decompressing was a must. I had a long bath and then lay down on my freshly made bed, reading some of Na’min’s books.

I
absorbed myself in the creatures and sacred animals of the fae world. I recognized Bhargest right away. The drawing was so lifelike; it looked like he might walk off the page at any moment. Then there was the great stag and he was a beautiful creature. He was said to appear when a woman was with child. As beautiful as he was, I didn’t want to see him anytime soon, if ever.

The words blended together and my mind drifted from the page to random thoughts flying in and out of my head. Dominick came into my mind. His soft brown eyes
haunted me. He had such a hard road ahead and behind him. I wanted to help him, but the decision to stay was his alone. The council and Lucius made an appearance in my mind too. I stayed that way, neither sleeping nor really fully awake.

“Your
Majesty, are you okay? I’ve been calling your name.”

Ruby was looking at me, a mask of worry painted on her pretty face. “Sorry, I was just thi
nking about the fae. They really aren’t different in any way I can detect.”

“I don’t
believe there is a difference, Your Majesty.”

I patted the bed and she came and sat beside me. “Was there a time when things weren’t terrible?”

“Not in my lifetime, or even the lifetime of any living
fae, but there was a time when there was only one fae. The Goddess made the fae beautiful and poised. She wanted a creation that could reflect her own beauty. I believe in that she did a very good job.

“Perhaps in her desire to see herself physically in the fae
, she forgot that her creations needed to be generous and giving like she is on the inside. Legend says that one day, before humans had even walked the earth, a babe was born. He was beautiful. So beautiful it was said he glowed like the sun. His parents were very proud and, at first, he brought joy to all fae.”

Ruby settled next to me. “As time went on
, he grew into a very handsome young man. Some thought the Goddess touched him at birth. Women swooned and men loved to be around him too. His parents were so proud of their son that they sang his praises wherever they went.

“One day
, his parents were approached by Prince Heyfedd and Princess Aine. They wanted their son to be betrothed to their daughter, Rhiannon. Besides the Queen of the Fae, they were the most powerful couple in the kingdom and that would have been a coup for any parent. It wasn’t for them. They couldn’t bear to part with him so soon; he was their life and he was such a lovely man. So they declined their offer. Now it is to be said that Rhiannon and Angwynn had no idea of the arrangement or lack thereof and they were innocent.”

“The prince and princess were enraged that this common couple had the nerve to refuse such a generous offer. They believed
the refusal meant that they thought their son was too good for their precious daughter. Rhiannon was beautiful in her own right and by all accounts the sweetest girl you’d ever want to meet.”

“
Day after day, the princess grew angrier and the prince grew more vengeful. They saw this young man as an affront. Their Rhiannon was deserving of only the best and these people were preventing her from having that. Finally, they could take it no more and they decided to act.”

“The
prince and princess conspired to kidnap the young man. They wanted the parents to suffer. They would marry him to their daughter and then it would be too late and they would have little choice but to go along. They went through with their plan, but in the process of taking him, he got away. They gave chase and, while trying to secure him, he fought back and was killed.

“When it was discovered what had happened
, the whole royal family was banished from the throne. Although they were allowed to stay in the realm, they were forbidden to be spoken to. It is said that family was the first dark fae.”

“Ruby
, is that true?”

Ruby
laughed and it sounded like the sweetest chimes. “Who knows? They also say the goblins and trolls have always been around and one day a fae was raped by one and that was the first brownie. That’s meant to hurt us, but it doesn’t. There is no tougher creature than the goblins and the fae gave us our beauty. So we made out like thieves.”

“It doesn’t matter
. I guess it is what it is and it will take a miracle to fix it.”

“You are our miracle.”

“I’m no miracle. Let’s just hope I can be enough to solve this problem.”

She smiled at me and I gave her a hug. She was so small in my arms, but she was muscular and I knew she could handle herself if she needed to.

“I should check on Killian before the others get here. I looked in on him earlier, but he was sleeping. He looked so peaceful, Ruby. It was so nice to see.”

“You are a good friend
, Your Majesty.”

“I am trying to be.”

Killian was sitting up, holding a book, and when I walked in, he tossed it to the bed and opened his arms. Tears of joy rolled down my cheeks. I gently sat on the bed, but then gave him the biggest hug. He looked so much better, but having my arms around him was the proof I needed. It was like a miracle.

“You look amazing.”
The haunted look he had was gone.

“I feel amazing
, Cass. It was horrible, but now I feel so much better. I didn’t want to say at the time, but for a little while… it’s just that the pain… well, I had wished that Quintus had gone through with killing me.”

I hugged him tighter. “I’m glad you didn’t. This world needs more people like you
, not less.”

“You can thank our favorite werewolf.”

“We can’t let him do anything stupid, Killian. He’s in so much pain and I don’t know how to help him.”

“Cass, I would do anything for Dominick. He has been my savior in many ways. He even tried to stop Quintus. I don’t want him to leave us. I really don’t want to think of him cutting off his human side, but in the end
, it’s his decision. He lives with losing his pack every day. I know he is here now only because he is worried about us.”

“I know
. He has lost everyone he loved, and his way of life too. Just before I opened the fae door, the wolves went on a hunt. I watched from afar, as they prepared to go. They were so happy. Everyone was joking and fooling around. Even Dominick’s father was happy. They changed as one. All those men and women becoming wolves all at once and then moving out like a sea of fur. They were a part of each other.

“I often wonder if a small part of him blames me. I opened the door. If it wasn’t for me
, he would still have his pack.”

“No
, Cass, he doesn’t hate you. He knows his own father made you do it. No one could have predicted what happened when you opened that door.” Killian was right; I knew in my head that I wasn’t to blame for what happened, but a part of me still felt responsible.

“I’m glad you feel better
. When will Eli do your legs?”

“A couple weeks at least. He wants me stronger.
He feels to do it too soon might kill me and since I like living and I’m feeling so much better, then I’ll wait.”

“Cass
,” Lucius bellowed from the next room.

“Please
, shut my door. I beg you.” He clasped his hands together in a mock prayer.

I stuck my tongue out at him, but did shut the door.

“Have you stopped wanting to be alone?”

“It depends on who is asking
.”

“The man who loves you.”

“Who is that again?”

“The one who had you screaming last night.”

“Oh, him. Yes, if you see him, then definitely send him in.”

He closed the gap between us, heat building with each step.
The fact that this man was mine was too good to be true. His arm circled my waist and pulled me into his hard body. Soft lips traced along my neck, sending a wave of pleasure down my spine. Fingers gently moving across my shoulders, pushing my robe to the floor. He stepped back. The dim light in the room was enough to see the lust in his eyes.

My fingers nimbly opened the buttons to his shirt, then made their way to his pants. I knelt in front of him and his eyes started to glow.
I had his length in my hand and he throbbed under my touch. Licking my lips with anticipation, I looked up to meet his brilliant gaze. I smiled as my tongue swirled around the tip, teasing him. I began to move my mouth up and down his hard shaft. Sucking and licking, enjoying the moans floating down from his lips.

“Fuck
, Cass, Ahhhh, oh…” he growled.

Suddenly
, I was lifted off the floor. “You keep doing that and this night’s going to be very short.”

He laid me on the bed. I circled my arms around his neck and pulled him to me. We kissed, enjoying the feel and newness. Our hands
explored every curve and crevice of the other’s body. We didn’t have the urgency of the night before. We took our time, reveling in every pleasurable sensation. His fangs grazed my neck and I ached to have them sink into my flesh.

“I want to drink from you
, Cass.” He pressed his mouth to my ear. “I want to claim you as mine.”

I nodded
, unable to speak. He kissed his way down my body, taking time to tease each nipple. Light kisses tickled my belly. His progress was achingly slow. Teasing was the name of the game. He spread my legs, exposing my inner thighs and running his fangs along my delicate flesh. I couldn’t take anymore.

“Please
,” I whispered.

His tongue darted out and found where I ne
eded his touch. I was so close and he knew it, backing off each time. His lips moved back to my inner thigh. A gleam of fang in the dim light was my only warning, before I was plunged into a rush of pleasure, filling every cell of my body.

I screamed
; his fangs deep in my thigh, every pull on the wound brought me over again. My voice gave out and when he pulled out and licked the wound, echoes of pleasure still vibrated through my body. I was spent. My mind was happy and that was all it knew for a while.

We snuggled for a long time before either of us wanted to talk. I had been a fool to turn Lucius away
; I was just lucky he hadn’t listened to me. We would deal with Quintus and everything else that came our way.

“
I was wrong before; you do know Quintus better than I do. If you say you can handle it, then I believe you.”

“Why do you always say these things when I don’t have a way to record it?”

I slapped his shoulder, which only ended up hurting my hand and I don’t think he even noticed I slapped him. “Ha ha. I can admit when I’m wrong. I love you, Lucius, with all my heart.”

“I love you to
o, Goldilocks. Your faith in me means everything.”

“You always have faith in me
; it’s the least I can do.”

I drifted off in his arms. I felt safe and happy. I didn’t care who knew if
I was with Lucius. He was mine and I felt like nothing could ever change that.

The days passed quickly after that. I met with my council every day. They worked hard to put aside their differences and old grievances so we could get things done and everything seemed to be falling into place. The fae were civil with each other, bordering on friendly. I was in awe of the change. The more they worked to bring about change, the more the lines between them started to fade.