WingsOfDesire-AriannaSkye (32 page)

black eyes swirling. Rhiannon cringed, recognizing the same look in Korrigan’s eyes.

“Aine, I think you’ve made your point. She can’t hurt you anymore.” Rhiannon turned as far as she could to face Aine and gave her a pleading gaze. She’d never been that good at psychology. That was more her friend, Lara’s, forte. Alas, Lara was on Earth, more than likely in an invigorating yoga class, while Rhiannon was here in the Dark Fey Castle, chained to a cold stone wall with her only chance of escape just about ready to have a psychotic break.
Yay! Me!

“If you help me, I can make sure she never hurts you again.” Korrigan cackled, the only thing she could do in her current state. She tugged at her chains, which prevented even her from using her magic.
Poor Korrigan.
Rhiannon was truly sorry for her—
not!

Aine looked from her sister to Rhiannon and back to her sister, who’d chosen the same moment to launch a ball of spit at Aine’s face. Aine narrowed her eyes but didn’t say a word as she wiped away Korrigan’s attack. She picked up Korrigan’s whip and held it in her hand, tight and frightening.

Rhiannon rolled her eyes. “How original, spitting in someone’s face?” She offered Aine a pleading glance. “She’ll get what’s coming to her. Put the whip away.” Aine twisted the handle in her hand, as if contemplating what to do with it. The sounds of heavy footfalls, however, made the decision for her. She dropped the whip to the ground and rushed to Rhiannon.

“We have to get out of here.” Aine gripped Rhiannon’s shoulders. “My sister won’t forgive me this time, I’m afraid.”

Rhiannon doubted Korrigan would ever forgive anyone who wronged her
.
“Where’s the key? I can get us out as soon as the chains are off me.” Aine fumbled for the key as the footsteps grew closer. Rhiannon’s breath caught. She turned to Korrigan who lounged against the wall with an evil smirk, as if she were silently saying they wouldn’t get away. What a truly twisted individual.

“Thank the deities.” Aine held up the key triumphantly. She shoved it into the shackle holding Rhiannon’s right wrist and turned. The cold metal slipped away, and Rhiannon shook her wrist, enjoying the freedom. Aine moved to the other wrist and put the key in the shackle.

Hearing the guard round the corner, Aine flew to the ground. She fidgeted with the shackle’s lock around Rhiannon’s ankles and turned the key. The metal fell away with a loud clank.

“What in Fey is going on down here?” the guard bellowed.

Rhiannon’s heart thumped in fear—fear of Korrigan’s wrath on her sister if they were caught. She prayed to whatever deities the faeries worshiped, begging for help.

Aine uttered something in the ancient language about freezing still. Man, Rhiannon loved the fact she knew a language and didn’t even need to take lessons.

The guard’s footfalls suddenly stopped. Aine breathed out a heavy sigh and unlocked the other shackle, freeing her completely. “Does your magic work?” Rhiannon rubbed her eyes. “I haven’t done much without the amulet.”

“Well, you must try!” Aine exclaimed. “I’m not sure how long I can hold the guard off.”

“The necklace. I need it.”

“We don’t have time for the necklace.” Aine’s eyes widened. Fear and a tinge of something else flared in their dark depths.
Perhaps encouragement?

Rhiannon closed her eyes and clenched her fists. She cleared her throat and spoke. “Be that it may, be that it might, grant me this I ask tonight. Light as a feather and quick as a deer, take us far away from here.” She lifted her hands up and threw her head back. Feeling the warm energy radiating from her body, she and Aine started to float. And then they floated right through the castle walls and into the darkened mists surrounding Korrigan’s fortress.

Where are we?” Rhiannon asked, looking at the mountains of rocks and cliffs before them.

To the south, Korrigan’s castle towered dark and foreboding even though they were far from it.

Lightning flashed and thunder rolled. Billows of smoke, black and ominous, clung in the air. It did not look good at all.

A shrill shriek rent the air. Rhiannon cringed. It didn’t sound good, either. “Your sister is angry, it seems.”

“Angry isn’t the word to describe my sister’s mood.” Aine turned to Rhiannon. “To answer your question, we are at the North Cliffs, the Dark Cliffs in your kingdom. Just over the divide lies the White Plains.”

Rhiannon’s hopes lifted. “We are almost home.”

Aine plucked a broken feather from her dark, velvety wing. “It isn’t that simple, I’m afraid.” She pointed to the ominous billowing clouds floating over the flat, parched plains. “The South Shires are under Korrigan’s control, and the shriek you heard was my sister calling forth the dragon riders. She’s out for blood.”

“I figured as much.” Rhiannon plucked a rock off the ground and examined it.
Black, like
everything else in this stifling kingdom.
“How can you live here? This is worse than Earth. At least the sun’s rays kept me from going insane.”

Aine shrugged. “The dark is comforting to us. Just as you absorb the light, we absorb the dark. It should remain a peaceful balance.” Aine heaved a sigh. “My sister would rather throw the world into chaos than keep the peace.”

“Kind of like yin and yang?” Rhiannon asked, smacking her own forehead in response to a blank stare. “Never mind.”

“I’ve been to Earth before.” Aine said, looking almost shameful.

“Oh, come on. It’s not that bad a place.” Rhiannon said, trying to lighten the mood.

“I went to Earth for my sister, to keep you out of Fey.” She turned to Rhiannon and gave her a full view of her dark obsidian eyes. The same eyes she’d seen on Lara in the restaurant.

“That was you in the restaurant, wasn’t it?” Rhiannon pulled what remained of her tattered

gown to her body and slunk to the ground. “You had me thinking I was one step away from the psych ward.” She gasped. “Is Lara okay?”

“Your friend is fine. I merely sedated her.” Aine stiffened. “I thought I was doing the right thing, but it wasn’t good enough for Korrigan. Nothing is good enough for her. She wanted you dead, and I let you live. I’m nothing but a failure in her eyes, no matter how hard I’ve tried to please her.”

Rhiannon glanced up at her. She contemplated mentioning Cerne’s brother, but noticing Aine’s pained expression, she decided to wait until they were no longer in danger. Aine’s black mop of curls blew across her face as the winds picked up.

The hair at the back of Rhiannon’s neck rose while she watched the jagged streaks of lightning race across the sky. Destruction was imminent. Korrigan meant business. Well, Rhiannon had news for her—she meant business too. If she wanted to survive, she’d have to fight, with or without the amulet. It wasn’t that she was completely powerless without it. After all, she’d transported both herself and Aine to the outer boundaries. Too bad Korrigan decided to extend those boundaries. She pulled herself from the ground and raised her chin, determination coursing through her veins.

“Your sister needs to be stopped.”

Aine nodded. “But she’s strong, and with your amulet, she’ll only be stronger. I should’ve killed her when I had the chance.”

Rhiannon blinked. “But she’s your sister, and you would’ve taken her powers. Would you really want that?”

“No,” Aine breathed. She turned toward the South Shires, scanning the distance. “No one knows for sure if the transfer of one’s soul is true. I’ve seen people kill, but they are usually darker in spirit than those they slay. ”

“I’m assuming the transfer is only one way?”

“Yes, as far as I know. I’ve not heard anything about a Dark Faerie turning pure from killing an innocent.”

Didn’t Aine realize she herself wasn’t all dark? “Have you killed anyone?” Not that she doubted Aine, but what’s not to say she hadn’t laid a hand to one of Rhiannon’s people and taken in their soul?

“What are you trying to imply, Princess?” Aine sighed, facing her. “I’ve never killed

anyone—intentionally.”

Intentionally? What the hell is that supposed to mean?
“How do you unintentionally kill someone?” Bad move, Rhiannon decided, seeing Aine’s lip quiver then set to stone. The gash on Aine’s cheek twitched.

“I sent someone I cared about to their death.” Aine’s dark eyes swirled and she drew her arms across her chest.

“Sorry to pry.” Rhiannon approached Aine, extending her arms out to her. “I’m here if you need a hug.”

“We don’t hug in the Dark Cliffs.” She rubbed her injured cheek, her body cringing.

“I can heal you if it hurts.”

“It’s nothing I’m not used to.” Aine stiffened her back and hardened her lips. Then her face softened and she lowered her gaze to the ground. She raked a hand through her hair and twisted a strand around her finger. “I’m sorry. If it will help you practice your skill you may heal my injury.”

Aine took Rhiannon’s hand in hers and placed it against the reddened wound. Rhiannon closed her eyes and visualized the redness fading away into her palm. Her hand warmed while she allowed her fingers to trace along the mark.

Rhiannon opened her eyes and gasped. Nothing remained of the wound. She reached out for Aine’s other cheek. Perhaps she could heal her scar as well.

Aine’s hand shot out and caught her wrist, holding it midair. “I’d like to keep this one.” Sorrow cracked her voice. “As a reminder of someone I could not save.” Rhiannon nodded. “I understand.” She liked Aine. She really did. Too bad she was the sister of someone who would’ve given Saddam Hussein a run for his money. “I’m sure he, or she, is proud of you for standing up to your sister.”

“I doubt he is.” She let go of Rhiannon’s hand. “Because Goddess knows, I didn’t do anything to save him.”

“Who was he, if you don’t mind me asking?” Rhiannon brushed a curl blowing against Aine’s cheek.

Aine skittered away. “Please forgive me. I’m not used to your people’s intimate customs. I’d also like to change the subject.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable.” Damn. Her sister must have done a

real number on her. Too bad Lara, Rhiannon’s super-psychology guru, wasn’t here. Lara would have Aine eating out of her hand.

“I’d like to try a hug,” Aine said unexpectedly. Rhiannon decided she probably felt guilty about blowing her off. “I remember receiving hugs as a child from my mother.”

“Do you and Korrigan share the same mother?”

Aine shook her head. “My father’s first wife was her mother. She died when Korrigan was one hundred and eighty. Some say she took her life while others say she was murdered.”

“Terrible.” She was almost starting to feel sorry for Korrigan.

“Some say it was Korrigan who killed her.”

Almost.
If she did the math, that would’ve made Korrigan ten human years old. The idea of a ten-year-old committing such a heinous act made her sick to her stomach. Even on Earth, when she saw a news story involving a child committing such a crime, she cringed on the inside.

“Can I try a hug now?” Aine looked at her, dark eyes sparkling with what could only be described as curiosity.

“Of course!” She opened her arms wide, welcoming Aine into an embrace. Rhiannon may not have been a psychologist, but she knew one thing; right now Aine could use a friend. With slow, tentative steps, Aine approached Rhiannon. As if deliberating each move, Aine wrapped her arms around her and pulled her close, relaxing into their friendly embrace. Rhiannon patted her on the back.

A shrill squawking alerted Rhiannon and she whipped around. Aine, equally alerted, scanned the skies with an intent gaze.

“She’s out for blood.” Aine pointed toward the ominous mass of mortar and stone clouding the horizon. A solitary beast flapped its wings as it took flight. Another loud screech broke through the air as the dragon soared higher. “Luckily, the rider is still far enough away. We need to get moving.”

Rhiannon wasn’t going to get out of this situation by cowering in a corner. She flashed a confident smile that betrayed the nervousness in her heart. Who knew that bravery and fear went hand in hand.
Then again, that’s what courage is—conquering your fears, right?
“If your sister wants a fight, by the Gods, I’m willing to give her one.” She closed her eyes and opened her thoughts, praying Cerne was close enough to hear them.

~*~*~

Cerne awoke with a start. Even though he was safely ensconced in his tent, he knew the foggy haze still surrounded them, shielding them from the beasts of the night. Something stirred in the corner of his tent. He focused his tired eyes and scanned the tiny square confinement.

“Cerne. Can you hear me?” Her voice sang in his ears. Was she here, with him? He rubbed his eyes, focusing on the corner of the tent where she floated. No doubt about it, he was dreaming.

He took in the sight of her. Her long waves of auburn curls bounced on her shoulders and her luscious rosy lips curved in a seductive smile. Those emerald eyes sparkled with desire—for him. He imagined all those delicious things she could do with those lips, and his cock sprang to life.

“
Trobhad, mo cridhe
.” She crooked her finger, beckoning him toward her. “I need you,
leannan
.”

He knew it was a dream, but even holding her in his dreams was welcome enough for him.

Every minute away from his princess ate away at his heart. He was falling in lo—he cut off his thought—into his role of consort.

“Let me kiss and hold you—make
love
to you.” She let her gauzy gown fall to the ground.

The rosy buds of her nipples peaked up from the perfect swells of her breasts. Gods, he longed to trace his tongue against those hard nubs.

As if sensing his need, Rhiannon’s apparition cupped one of the globes in her hand and brought the taught nipple to her mouth, taking it between her lips. She licked and flitted her tongue across the nub, soft murmurs escaping her mouth. Her other hand traveled down across her stomach to her waist in slow, sensuous circles.

“Oh Gods, I wish you were real,” he breathed, reaching down to stroke his erection through his tightening breeches. How he wished it were her soft hands cupping and massaging his hardened length. He closed his eyes, imagining her gripping and stroking his engorged cock and let out a moan loud enough to wake the forest, even through Maeve’s cloaking spell.