WingsOfDesire-AriannaSkye (43 page)

~*~*~

“Duck!” General Windstorm’s voice rang out like a loud thunderclap.

Not one who liked to defy orders—especially in times of war—Aine flew to the ground. In an instant, a bolt of lightning shot through the air.

She sucked in a deep breath of relief. “Thank you, General.” Windstorm nodded and went back to slashing through the throng of ogres. Sparks flew from his sword as he cut away bolts of energy and averted the blows from a troll’s sword.

Aine lifted herself off the ground, brushed the dust off her gown, and flicked her wings. She craned her neck to see Rhiannon’s amazing display of magic.

Holy deities! Where did Tynan go? Hopefully the Outer Realm.
She shook her head.
No, not
there. Anywhere but there.
Tynan was better off dead, where he posed no threat to anyone ever again.

Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of an ogre swinging a large iron sword toward a downed White Faerie. Aine spun around, aimed her staff and shot a lightning bolt toward the vile beast. The giant ogre screamed in pain, and fell to his knees as fire licked his flesh.

“You’ll pay for this!” shouted another ogre. He waved a large battle-axe and rushed at her.

Aine moved forward, unsheathed her sword and blocked the blow, slicing through the wooden handle of the axe. The sharpened blade fell to the ground with a loud thud.

The ogre dropped the stump of his axe and rushed at her, his fists flying in the air. Aine gripped her sword and sidestepped his lunge. Searing pain shot through her wing as the ogre’s monstrous hands dug into her and wrenched her around to face him.

“Do you know who you just killed?” the monster growled, spittle forming in the corner of his mouth.

Aine gritted her teeth and shook her head. “No, and I don’t care either.” The ogre moved his hands to her throat. “Well, you should.”
Just who did I kill?
Aine refused to show this beast fear. It was what they fed off, the fear of those they terrorized. Even with his fingers tightening around her throat, she managed a smile. It was better to die for freedom than to die taking it away. Death would be a righteous punishment for the wrongs she’d committed aiding her sister’s cause.

“Kill me,” she gasped between squeezes.

“Gladly,” the ogre snarled. His grip tightened even more. “What the orcs?” he gasped, his hold lessening. He slumped to the ground, a large broadsword protruding from his back.

Windstorm strode toward her and withdrew his bloody sword, wiping it on the ogre’s soiled tunic. “You looked as if you needed some help.”

“Thank you, General.” Aine took slow, even breaths and rubbed her neck. She surveyed the

field of battle, noticing the middle flank was secure. “You’ve done a fine job protecting the middle. How fare the others?”

“Maeve and Belenus have also had luck, thanks to your earth movement.” Windstorm bowed. “We are ever grateful.”

“It’s my pleasure to serve you.” Aine reached down to grab her discarded sword and sheathed it. She opened her mouth to speak, but the words that filled her mind were not hers.

Ahh, the bitch of a princess still lives? It’s time to show her just who’s in charge.
The cackling laughter ensured Aine that Korrigan knew she could hear her.

She spun around, trying to locate her sister in the diminishing fray.

Look all you want, Aine dear. You won’t find me. No one can defeat me now. If you choose
to return to me, I’ll be merciful.

Merciful? You don’t have a merciful bone in your body.
“General Windstorm, the princess and her mate are in danger. I ask to take leave to help them.” Windstorm pulled out his spyglass and scanned the right flank. He closed the glass and raised an eyebrow. “It appears the dragon riders have dispersed. The danger is minimal, save for a few trolls and ogres.”

“My sister is near. I can hear her.”

Windstorm scratched his bearded chin. “How close?”

“It’s hard to say. Despite the maternal differences, we have a strong link.” She rolled her lips between her teeth. “It’s not something I’m proud of, let me assure you. She’s deliberately trying to goad me.”

Windstorm nodded. “It could also be a trap to leave the armies unguarded.”

“Are you truly unguarded?” She swept her gaze around the battle site, examining the aftermath. Most of the troll and ogre armies had been buried in rubble. Her Dark Faerie people lay in crumpled heaps of broken wings and bloodied earth. The White Faeries had won this battle, but not the war. As long as her sister still lived, the war would rage on. “Korrigan needs to be stopped. I’m the only one who can do it.”

“You’ll have to fight that out with Cerne and Rhiannon.” Windstorm crossed his arms.

“Both of them have an equal stake in Korrigan’s destruction.” Aine nodded. “Very true, General. But I have something neither of them do.”

“Oh, really? What is that?” Windstorm asked with an upturned brow.

“The same blood runs through our veins.” Aine shuddered at the thought. “Even though I’m not proud of that fact, it does serve some purpose.” She turned her head back toward the right flank. Cerne and Rhiannon seemed to be holding their own amidst a group of trolls. She sighed. Perhaps she was overwrought? She swept her gaze up toward the gray, clouded sky.
Perhaps not.

Even high above, Aine would recognize those wings anywhere.

She pointed toward the figure flapping across the sky. “My sister makes her way toward the princess and her mate.”

Windstorm muttered an oath. “I have no choice, Lady Aine. Follow her.” Aine nodded and bounded into the air. She followed her sister, keeping a safe distance so she wouldn’t be discovered.
I’ll do anything to keep the kingdoms safe.
She just hoped she wouldn’t have to.

~*~*~

“Watch out!” Cerne yelled, as a troll with a large, spiked mace in his misshapen hand rushed toward Rhiannon. She turned just in time to withdraw the staff at her back and shoot a bolt of energy at the offending beast. A ball of bright light surrounded the troll, sending him into oblivion.

Rhiannon slammed the staff back in the sheath and took a deep breath. “Thanks, hon.” She unsheathed her sword, gripping it tightly.

An ogre suddenly made a lunge toward her. Cerne’s breath caught in his throat as the beast rushed at her, but by a small act of the Gods, Rhiannon turned toward the ogre, swung her sword and deflected the blow of its wooden club.

“Wonderful performance,
mo cridhe
.” Cerne scanned the vicinity. The trolls and ogres who remained standing fought amongst themselves. He and Rhiannon were safe, until Korrigan’s reinforcements arrived.

Rhiannon held her sword in front of her, looking into the sky. “So what do we do now?”

“Wait.”

She raised an eyebrow. “Wait for what?”

“Reinforcements.” Cerne sheathed his sword. “I’m certain Korrigan won’t rest that easily.

Her men will regroup and attack.”

Rhiannon grumbled under her breath. “That’s comforting.” She slammed her sword into the ground below. “How long does it take for them to regroup?”

“An hour or two, sometimes more.” Cerne marched toward her. “Knowing the eagerness of Korrigan and her army, I’ll say it’ll be closer to an hour.”

“Or sooner,” Rhiannon breathed, pushing him out of her way.

Cerne shook his head and caught his footing. “What did you do that for?”

“Well, well. It seems you’ve spent too much time with me, Princess Rhiannon. Already pushing your man around, I see.” Thick sardonic laughter ripped through the air.

Cerne whipped around. Korrigan flicked her black, barbed wings while she lowered herself to the ground. Her black leather breeches and corset clung to her every curve as her raven mane whipped back and forth. The Mother Amulet rested on her neck, the red rubies emitting a faint shine while the malachite gave off a dark glow. She clutched a menacing cat-o-nine-tails in one hand, flicking it in the palm of the other.

“Do you like the whip, Lord Silverwing?” Her lips curved into a sadistic smile. “I assure you, your brother enjoyed it thoroughly.”

Cerne ground his teeth and clenched his fists. It took all the willpower he possessed to keep his hand from grabbing his sword and running the bitch through.

“Cerne, no.” Rhiannon gripped his shoulder and looked up at him with those pleading emerald eyes. “That’s what she wants. Don’t let her get under your skin.” Cerne wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword. “Someone has to stop her.”

“Yes, but she’s too powerful, especially with the Mother Amulet.” Rhiannon steadied her gaze toward Korrigan. “You have the Mother Amulet. What else could you possibly want?” Korrigan clucked her tongue. “Don’t play coy with me, Rhiannon. You already know what I want.” She folded her fingers together and cracked her knuckles. “And I cannot have it with you in my way.”

“Me?” Rhiannon threw back her head and laughed. “You think I want to be here? I was drugged and kidnapped. I didn’t ask to return to Fey, if this was where I was really born.” What in the deities was she saying? Cerne’s heart fell into his stomach. He ground his teeth and glared at Rhiannon.

Cerne felt the mind link open.
Just let me talk. I know what I’m doing.
Rhiannon flashed him

a surreptitious glance.
Feel free to play along though.

Play along?
He knew Rhiannon was an intelligent woman, but he wasn’t sure what to make of this.
I don’t quite understand.

Go along with whatever I say or do.

Even if I think it’s foolish?

Rhiannon kept her eyes fixed on Korrigan, and her mind with Cerne.
Especially if it’s
foolish. Sometimes the foolish plans are the ones that work the best.

I’d raise my eyebrow if I could.
He kept his eyes stony and glared at Korrigan.

“How horrible that must be, Lord Silverwing. Apparently your cock isn’t as talented as you claim it to be.”

“On the contrary. I’m the one who isn’t interested.” He turned his gaze to Rhiannon, hoping she realized he didn’t mean it.

Rhiannon rolled her eyes. “Please. A rock is more entertaining than your pompous ass.”
I hope you’re still playacting.
She was starting to convince even him.

You should know better. A rock ain’t got anything on you.

Korrigan flicked her whip. “Is that so? Then you won’t care if I do this.” She extended her hand, a spark forming in her obsidian eyes. The malachite stone grew darker.

Cerne tried moving, but his feet were locked to the ground.
This doesn’t look promising, my
love.

I won’t let anything happen to you.
He caught the strain in her thoughts.
I love you.

Watching the ball of light form in Korrigan’s hand as she aimed it at Rhiannon, Cerne began to sweat. For the first time in his life he was helpless. He would fail his princess.

With a jerk, Korrigan moved her hand and flung the energy ball toward him instead. He sucked in a deep breath and regret filled him. He’d never get the chance to tell Rhiannon he loved her.

Expecting the piercing energy to fill him, he closed his eyes. Fancy that. Getting struck by a bolt of energy felt a lot like getting knocked down by a battering ram—a soft, supple battering ram. The heady scent of lavender and vanilla wafted, filling his nostrils. Had he gone to the afterlife?

Korrigan’s loud cackling rang in his ears. No. She’d never be allowed entrance in such a peaceful place. He willed his eyes open, not wanting to see.

Korrigan clucked her tongue. “Such a foolish woman. I knew she’d do that. And now with the princess dead, Titania will finally fade.”

Cerne shook his head, fighting the tears threatening to spill. He must be brave for his beautiful Rhiannon. She wasn’t dead—couldn’t be dead. He took her in his arms and cradled her, brushing her hair from her cheek. By the Gods, he would find a way to save her. Determination coursed through his veins.

“You’ll pay for this.” Cerne glared up at the evil queen, his jaw ticking.

Korrigan threw back her head and chuckled deep in her throat, a menacing sound that only further irritated him. “Actually, you’ll be the one paying. I’ll use my staff this time. I want to leave my mark.” She reached behind her back and pulled out the gnarled branch. “Perhaps a family reunion? I can’t have you happy with your love in the afterlife.” Korrigan raised her staff high. Holding Rhiannon close, Cerne closed his eyes and gathered as much of his power as he could. He clenched his fist and let the warm energy fill his hand.

With an angry shout, he flung his hand toward Korrigan. Even with his eyes closed, the bright light flared through his lids. A loud scream rent the air followed by a soft thud. As quick as the light had come, it faded.

Behind the charred earth, Aine stood with a smoking staff in her hand.

Aine stepped toward where her sister’s staff lay. She reached down and picked up something from the ground.

Cerne shook his head with regret and gazed back down to Rhiannon’s still form. “You should’ve let her send me to my punishment for failing my princess.” He pulled Rhiannon’s face to his and rubbed his cheek against hers. “I’m so sorry, my love, for bringing you into this world.”

Aine strode toward him, gripping something in her hand. The green and red sparkles danced with each step she took. That damned amulet. What was she going to do? Finish him off? He hoped so.

“You haven’t failed her yet, Lord Silverwing.”

Cerne’s breath wracked. “She no longer breathes.” It was too late. He clenched his eyes shut, tears threatening to spill. She was gone from him forever. “She’s dead, Aine. Now let me grieve in peace.”

“She isn’t dead yet, but she will be soon if you don’t trust me. We don’t have much time.” She held the Mother Amulet out to him. “Put this around her neck.” Urgency swirled in her eyes.

“Quickly!”

Curse this damned magic!
“How do you know it will work? Your sister was a very powerful woman.”

“If she was that powerful, how was I able to defeat her?” Aine thrust the amulet in his hands. “Wearing the amulet weakened her. You cannot use something good to perform evil.” Cerne raised an eyebrow, but put the chain about Rhiannon’s neck. It was a part of her, after all. Even if this crazy plan Aine had come up with didn’t work, the amulet needed to remain with Rhiannon. Then again, if it worked, she could come back to him. “Fine. I’ll try it. What else do we have to do?”