WingsOfDesire-AriannaSkye (26 page)

“Viviane.” He kept his tone curt. “I could ask you the same thing.” Viviane flashed a smile that bordered on seductive, but missed by an inch. Her once sought after charms left him empty inside, thanks to the pleasures he’d experienced at the hands of Rhiannon.

“I’ve been looking for you,
leannan
.” Hearing her endearment caused his stomach to roil.

Viviane heaved, causing her breasts to push against her bodice even more. Perhaps a trip to the palace seamstress would help with her problem.

Cerne raised an eyebrow. “Pray tell, why are you looking for me?”

She fluttered her right wing and then the left. “Don’t you miss our couplings?” She traced a finger along the swell of her breasts. “I know I do.”
Gods!
Would she ever learn? “Viviane, we’ve gone through this already. I am to become the consort. Our days of pleasure have passed. It’s time to move on.” Viviane huffed. “I don’t want to move on. My cunt aches for you and you alone.” She traced her tongue against her lip in an all too experienced swoop. “I need you.” Her turquoise eyes flickered and pleaded with him. “Just one more tumble for old time’s sake? I’ll make you float.” She had at one time, but could she now? “There are hundreds of men here who would be more than willing to float with you, Madam Viviane.” Her eyes flashed, and she flung herself into his arms. “Please, Cerne.” Her hot breath in his ear sent shivers of revulsion through his body. She rubbed her breasts against his bare chest and scraped her fingers against his nipples in slow circles.

He cursed himself for not putting his shirt back on before his hasty retreat from Rhiannon’s chamber. “Viviane, you need to stop this,” he ground out.

“I can’t.” Her tongue traced along his neck up to his earlobe.

Cerne pushed her from him. “That’s quite enough, Viviane.” He spun away. “Go back to the courtesans’ chamber.”

With more force than he thought she possessed, she wrenched him back around to face her.

“I won’t be denied.” Reaching down to stroke his surprisingly flaccid cock, she growled. “Has that bitch of a princess taken away your manhood?”

“No.” He managed a smile. “She keeps me harder than a rock. You, on the other hand—” Her lips came crashing down to his as her arms wrapped about his neck. She fisted his hair, pulling him closer. He tried fighting against her, but it was no use. Something had taken over her body and given her strength. She licked, sucked and bit his lips hungrily. Her tongue ravished his mouth. It made him want to wretch.

“Please,” he demanded, against her unyielding lips.

“No,” she said, in an unfamiliar voice.

Gods, he should’ve known! Viviane wasn’t Viviane at all. She must be one of Korrigan’s minions.

He struggled against her, twisting his body against her hold. However, the more she kissed him, the weaker he became. She drugged him with her mouth.

“I won’t be any use to you passed out in your bed,” he breathed out.

“Oh, you have your use, Cerne.” She wrenched him around. Standing at the far end of the hall stood Rhiannon, her emerald eyes flashing with anger.

“Thanks for the memories.” Viviane brushed her fingers against his lips, sobering him. She flitted her wings and floated into the shadows.

“Rhiannon. It’s not what you think.”

“Yeah, right. If you expect me to believe that shit, you’re dumber than any human man I’ve met.” She spun around, not giving him a second glance. The last thing he glimpsed were the iridescent folds of her silken negligee flowing behind her as she scuttled down the hall.

His hopes for convincing her to stay in the White Plains just went up in flames. Now would’ve been a perfect time for wings. Without a second thought, he chased after her.

~*~*~

Rhiannon refused to look back. All she could do was run—run to the nearest hole and crawl into it. No wonder he didn’t want to leave Fey. He couldn’t leave his palace prostitute and harem of horny faeries.

“Rhiannon, please!” she heard him call. His footfalls echoed closer.

She didn’t want to talk to him—not now. Maybe later, after she’d had time to cool off.

Perplexed at her overwrought behavior, she shrugged. She searched her mind, trying to come up with answers. The biggest one stuck out like a sore thumb—she loved him. This fairy tale couldn’t get any more fucked-up, even if she tried.

She rubbed the stone and chanted, hoping it would transport her somewhere safe, away from him, away from her heartbreak. “Take me to a special place, somewhere far from disgrace.” The fog started to swirl around her as Cerne rounded the corner. “Rhiannon, let me explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain,” she whispered, as the fog carried her away. She closed her eyes, allowing a tear to trickle down her cheek.

She opened her eyes to find herself hovering over her mother. Titania lay in her bed, a peaceful expression swept across her sleeping face. Rhiannon reached down to caress her mother’s pale cheek. “I’m sorry, Mother.”

Maeve’s voice echoed in her ear. “Why are you sorry, Princess Rhiannon?”

Rhiannon spun around to see Maeve sitting in a high-backed chair in the corner. “W-What are you doing here?”

“I was checking on your mother.” Maeve pulled herself from the chair and made her way toward the bed. “You’ve been brave. You’ve made the elders proud.” Rhiannon sighed. “Cool.”

Maeve blinked. “Is something troubling you, Rhiannon?” She took Rhiannon’s hand in hers.

“No.” Rhiannon managed a weak smile. “Nothing is wrong.” Maeve patted her hand. “I may not be able to read your mind, but I can still sense something is bothering you. And you have tears in your eyes.” Rhiannon turned her gaze to her mother and wiped a tear from her cheek. “Cerne and I...we made love.” She sucked in and exhaled a breath of air.

“Was it such a horrible experience that you need to shed tears?” Maeve shook her head. “I find that hard to believe.”

Rhiannon managed a laugh through her tears. “It was wonderful. But I’ve made such a mess of things. I told him I wanted to go back to Earth and asked him to come back with me.” She sniffled. “He got mad and left.”

“Oh, dear.”

“It gets worse,” Rhiannon continued. “I went after him and...” She shook her head, trying to erase the memory of Viviane in Cerne’s arms.

“And?” Maeve reached out and brushed a strand of hair from Rhiannon’s cheek.

Rhiannon took another deep breath. “I found him and Viviane...kissing.” She cringed.

Watching Viviane shove her tongue down Cerne’s throat caught her completely off guard, especially so soon after the passion Rhiannon had shared with him. What came next was an unexpected and completely overwhelming feeling of jealousy.

Maeve arched her brow, bemusement spreading across the elder faerie’s face. “Cerne and Viviane? Ridiculous.”

“I saw it with my own eyes.” Rhiannon gnawed her lower lip. “She was playing tonsil-hockey in Cerne’s throat.”

“Tonsil-hockey?” Maeve continued her look of confusion.

“French kissing?” At the shake of Maeve’s head, she laughed. “Her tongue was in his mouth.”

Maeve’s eyes widened. “Really? I still find this hard to believe.” She turned Rhiannon to face her. “And if it’s true, I can assure you Cerne wasn’t willing. He values his kingdom—and you.”

“Not after tonight. He thinks I used him.” Rhiannon crumpled onto the bench next to Titania’s bed and shook as she broke down into sobs.

“That’s silly. I think you’re overreacting,” Maeve said, taking the seat next to her. She patted Rhiannon’s leg reassuringly. “You have a huge responsibility and you’re just nervous.”

“I wish it were just that.”

The sound of Titania’s murmurs turned their focus of attention. “Rhiannon, my lovely daughter. You won’t fail.” The Queen reached out a trembling hand.

“I’ll protect the kingdom.” Rhiannon left her seat to kneel at her mother’s side. She took Titania’s hand in hers and brought it to her lips.

Titania caressed Rhiannon’s cheek. “You’ll make an excellent leader. You have nothing to worry about. I may be ill, but my mind is still intact.” Rhiannon sighed.
If it were that easy
. “I’ve screwed up big time.” Titania chuckled. “Don’t mind Viviane. She’s troubled but poses no threat. Cerne has no interest in her.” Her eyes sparked with life. “She’ll be dealt with.”

“I saw them kissing.”

“Things are not always what they seem.” Her mother managed a soft smile.

Rhiannon played with her lip between her teeth. “I know what I saw.”

“You think you know what you saw, dear.” Titania’s gaze offered comfort. “In time, you’ll see the truth of things.”

Maeve reached over and gave Rhiannon a hug. “Your mother is right. Cerne is a man of duty. His honor demands he remain faithful to that duty. Besides, what would he want with Viviane and her waning beauty, when he has you?”

Should she mention all the gorgeous men on Earth who dated the ugliest women? After all, her last boyfriend had been a prime example. His secretary wasn’t the most beautiful woman, unless you thought a pit-bull with coke-bottle glasses was beautiful. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.”

“Behold this. I saw the way your consort gazed at you during the feast. He adores you, and you adore him—more than you both realize.” Titania took a deep breath. “I realize you’ve had so

much put on your shoulders. Regardless of those decisions, I won’t love you less, nor will your father. And even though he doesn’t show it—or know it—Cerne will also support whatever decision you make.”

She wouldn’t deny her mother on one thing. She did adore him. But after tonight did he adore her? She reached down and patted her mother’s hand. “Thank you, Mother. Even though we just met, I feel I’ve known you forever.” She leaned over and wrapped her arms around Titania’s neck.

“Things will work out, my dear,” she whispered and placed a kiss on Rhiannon’s cheek.

“But we both need our rest. We need to conserve our energies.” Rhiannon nodded. “Sleep well, Mother.” She brushed a wisp of hair from Titania’s cheek and kissed her forehead. “I love you.”

“And I, you.” Titania turned to Maeve. “Could you send for my king? I’d love to sleep in his arms tonight.”

“I would be happy to, Your Majesty.” Maeve stood and bowed to Titania. She turned to Rhiannon. “Would you like to say goodnight to your father?” Rhiannon gave a weak nod. “I’d love to.” She allowed Maeve her arm, gazed one final time at her mother and smiled. Titania’s apparent confidence in her daughter’s abilities made Rhiannon’s decision easier. She would fight both Korrigan and her dark army, that much she owed to herself and her people.

~*~*~

After meeting with Oberon, Rhiannon made her way back to her chambers. Things had gone well. Her father’s sentiments echoed her mother’s, further confirming her convictions. She would lead their army and fight the Dark Faeries.

Her thoughts drifted back to Cerne as she neared her chamber. Maybe he’d be waiting for her. Maybe they should talk. Maybe he’d finally understand. She chuckled. Maybe she would too.

She’d chosen to walk instead of using her newly discovered teleporting skill to save her magical energy. Plus, taking a leisurely stroll was an excellent way to reflect on her choices. She hoped Cerne would understand. She grasped the gold gilt knob and opened the door to her

chamber.

“Hello, Your Highness.” Onora sat in the chair in the far corner of the room, with needlepoint in hand. “I’ve drawn a bath for you.” She pointed to the marble tub, steam and bubbles billowing from its deep recesses. As inviting as it looked, Rhiannon had no desire to bathe. She smiled, despite her disappointment at the lack of Cerne’s presence. “Thank you, Onora. I think I’m just going to go to sleep. I’m too tired. Feel free to use it.” Onora frowned. “I took one already in the servant’s quarter. I just thought after your evening with your betrothed, you may wish to freshen up. It is a huge tub. We shouldn’t let all that water go to waste. ”

“I don’t feel all that dirty.” Bringing her nightgown to her nose, Rhiannon sighed. She still smelled his spicy, woodsy scent on her skin. No way in the underworld did she want to wash off his scent as it could be the last time she enjoyed his erotic aroma.

Onora took a deep breath, her lip quivering. “I’ll get one of the palace men-at-arms to come take care of the tub. I apologize, Your Highness.”
Wonderful, we’re back to this Your Highness crap.
“Rhiannon, remember? And don’t ever apologize for being kind.”

Rising from her perch, Onora nodded and made her way toward Rhiannon’s bed. “I’m happy you’re my mistress, Rhiannon.” She scratched her head, as if in thought. “I’m going to see Tynan tomorrow.”

“Wonderful! Don’t be afraid to let him know how you feel.” Rhiannon managed a smile. If she couldn’t have her happily-ever-after, she’d make sure at least someone did. “How old is Tynan? Is he planning on joining the fight?”

Onora wrung her hands. “I...am not sure. His family needs him to tend their fields. His father was killed in a Dark Faerie raid.”

“That’s horrible. Tell Tynan not to worry. His father’s and everyone else’s deaths will be avenged. I guarantee it.”

Onora nodded. “Tynan would appreciate that, as do I.”

“Thanks.” Rhiannon took Onora into her arms. “It’s good to be appreciated.” Did Cerne appreciate her? She desperately wanted to call out to him, but he didn’t wait for her. It was late anyhow. She was certain he’d gone to bed by now. Hell, she should be asleep herself. After all, she had an army to lead into battle. Rhiannon laughed at the irony. Even

though being here felt so natural now, weeks earlier she would’ve thought this whole thing surreal.

Onora shrugged. “I wouldn’t know. I haven’t had much experience with appreciation.”

“I appreciate you, Onora. I’m sure Tynan does too.”

“Thank you, Your...Rhiannon.” Onora blushed. “I’m sorry. I keep forgetting.”

“You’re forgiven. It’s late, and we both are tired.” Rhiannon plumped the pillows on her bed. “Enjoy your slumber.”

“Thank you, Rhiannon.” With a quick bow, Onora smiled and took her leave.

At the snick of the door, Rhiannon sighed. She wrapped her arms about her pillow and snuggled up to it. Why couldn’t she keep her big mouth shut? Now she was stuck snuggling with a lifeless—albeit soft—pillow instead of Cerne. Oh well, she had made her bed and it was time to lie in it. She stared at the ceiling with wide, open eyes. Sleep would not come. “Damn him!” Punching her pillow, she twisted and turned.
Why can’t I fall asleep?