WingsOfDesire-AriannaSkye (45 page)

Being able to say those words made it worthwhile for him as well.

Rhiannon paced the royal chamber while a stone-faced Aine sat on the chaise with fingers clasped tightly on her lap.
Jeez, is she the one who will be paraded around the elder council, or
am I?

Rhiannon found some relief, however, when Maeve explained they could have a public or a private ritual. Frankly, as kinky as public sex sounded, it just wasn’t something that got her rocks off, along with food below the sunbelt and whips and chains. She thanked Korrigan for the latter.

With an unceremonious plop, she took a spot next to Aine. “What’s up?”

“Am I that readable, Your Highness?” Aine turned to face her, dark eyes sparkling with specks of green. She reached over and took Rhiannon’s hand in hers. “Councilman Evenspring gave me a stone he found—one of my sister’s. I still feel her energy inside it.” Her gaze remained somber. “Even though it’s only a small trace, it still unnerves me.” Rhiannon nodded. “It’s only natural for some residual energy to remain. Her power was strong. Besides, it’s Beltane. Cerne and I will get our wings, then Korrigan’s lingering energy won’t stand a chance.”

“You’ll be two of the most powerful faeries in all the kingdoms. With Queen Titania and King Oberon, you and Cerne will have no troubles at all.” Gaze softening, she took Rhiannon in her arms and hugged her tight.

Rhiannon returned Aine’s embrace. “And with the new Dark Faerie Queen as an ally, peace is no longer a dream, but a reality—for both our kingdoms.”

“I fear it won’t be that easy, Rhiannon.” Aine pulled away, running her fingers through her mass of corkscrew curls. “Korrigan had many loyal subjects who may not be so accommodating.

We have to build trust between the two kingdoms.”

A commanding knock sounded on the door. “Come in!” It was time to become one with her consort. She would have to continue her discussion with Aine later. Rhiannon took a deep breath as the door swung open.

Aine dropped to the floor in a deep bow and lowered her head. Titania and Oberon, dressed in matching crimson robes of velvet stepped into the room. Behind them entered Radan

Evenspring and Rowan Windsong, followed by Maeve, Belenus and the remaining members of the elder council.

“Please rise, Queen Aine. We are now equal,” Titania commanded. She reached down, offering Aine her hand.

“I apologize, Your Majesty.” Aine replied, allowing the White Faerie queen to assist her. “I never expected to be queen of my people. I haven’t any idea how a queen is to act.” Titania nodded, taking her king’s hand in hers. “You’re a born leader, Aine. You’ll do fine.

My people are forever grateful for your service and sorry for your loss.” Aine’s eyes clouded with sorrow. Rhiannon could only imagine the sadness the Dark Faerie felt. “You’ll always be our friend, Aine,” Rhiannon said, with a reassuring gaze.

“Will you be staying for the ceremony, Aine?” Oberon asked, wrapping his arm around Titania.

Aine shook her head. “I can’t, unfortunately. I have to take care of my people. I only hope they can live with me as their queen.”

Titania gave Aine a warm smile. “You’ll be surprised, Queen Aine. Your people are now as free as you. However, I do understand your need to be with them. Go with the Goddess, and keep safe.”

Aine nodded and turned to Rhiannon. “Please remember what I said.”

“Yes, I will.” She took Aine in another embrace and patted her on the back. With Cerne at her side, there wasn’t anything, or anyone, who could defeat them. “We’ll be safe.” Aine nodded. She had truly come a long way, yet sorrow still shone in her eyes. “If you need anything, I am but a messenger orb away.” She smiled softly at General Windstorm and nodded her thanks to Evenspring. Aine wrapped herself in a cloak of grey mists. When the mists cleared, she was gone.

“I’ll miss her.” Maeve nuzzled up to Belenus who wrapped his arms around her.

Windstorm chuckled. “I don’t think that’s the last time we’ll see her.” Maeve’s eyebrow jutted up. “Oh, really? Why do you say that, General?”

“Well, she’s our friend. Friends generally keep in touch with each other.” Maeve’s face fell. “Oh, I see.”

Great. Was she trying to play matchmaker now? Although Aine and Windstorm did seem connected somehow, it wasn’t a romantic bond. It was too weird to explain.

Radan blew out a breath of air, while his hand fumbled in his pocket. “Shall we get this over with?”

Titania blinked and then nodded. “I lost track of time.” She extended her arm to Rhiannon.

“It’s time to finish getting dressed.”

Rhiannon looked down at the beautiful pale violet silk and gossamer that flowed around her.

“Aren’t I dressed already?”

Maeve stepped forward holding an ornate headdress. Two knotted white branches protruded from it like deer antlers. Pre-Fey, she would have laughed herself silly at such a sight. Now, however, all she could see was its beauty.

Glittering heather stalks, lavender and lilacs surrounded them. From Maeve’s other arm hung a gauzy veil. “All faerie brides must wear these for the ritual.” She draped the veil over Rhiannon’s head and set the crown on top. Maeve twisted the headdress, adjusting the antlers on Rhiannon’s head. “There, you’re ready now.” She turned Rhiannon toward the mirror hanging on the wall.

Rhiannon gasped, taking in her appearance. The lavender gossamer flowed about her feet, swishing against her ankles. The headdress twisted in her hair and frosted flowers dangled at her shoulders.
Absolutely breathtaking
. “Wow! This looks gorgeous.” She grabbed her skirts and twirled around again.

Titania stepped behind Rhiannon and wrapped her arms around her, pulling the veil down over Rhiannon’s face. “The gown pales in comparison to your beauty. We had better go, before your consort-to-be gets nervous.”

Rhiannon chuckled. “We can’t have any of that now, can we?”

“Certainly not.” Titania laced her arm with Rhiannon’s. Turning, she led Rhiannon out the door to the fate she’d at first fought. Now, all she wanted was to run toward Cerne and never let him go.

~*~*~

Cerne paced inside the circle of stones.

Where in the deities is everyone?

He gazed at the altar draped in silver and bedecked with roses, lavender, heather and ivy.

Three silver candles sat in the middle of the altar, flanked by two ornate crystal chalices. The priest and priestess stood silent and waiting behind the altar. Were they as nervous as him?

Cerne raked his gaze toward the castle and his breath caught. Radan and Rowan led the procession, their torches held high. His heart raced as worry gripped him. “Where do I stand?” The priestess, the long, billowing gown of spun silver swishing at her feet, took a spot next to him. She pointed to the head of the altar. “Stand there, to the left.” The priest, wearing an equally opulent robe of silver came to stand next to her. “And fear not. It’s a rather simple ritual, my lord.”

Cerne chuckled. Hopefully simpler than this frock he wore. He tugged the violet cape closer to him, catching a glimpse of an amethyst sparkle. Not usually one to wear jewels, it was oddly pleasant. Then there was the ornamental silver sword at his side. Belenus had explained that the sword was a symbol of the consort’s love and defending of his princess’s honor. In that case, he would gladly wear a thousand.

Looking at the veiled figure approaching, flanked by Queen Titania to her right and King Oberon to her left, Cerne’s breath caught. Everything he’d ever hoped and dreamed of was soon to become a reality. All of it paled in comparison to the one thing he valued most—Rhiannon.

You’re not getting cold feet, are you?
Rhiannon’s soft seductive voice echoed in his head.

Cold feet? No! They’re sweating like mad.
He fidgeted his feet.
Or is that another of those
human euphemisms? I never grow bored of them.

That it is. It means, you aren’t going to call it all off and run away?

Cerne gasped into her mind.
Never!

Good.

The priestess bowed to the royal family. “Who presents this bride to be joined?”

“I do, Mother Priestess.” Titania lifted Rhiannon’s hand.

Oberon offered up Rhiannon’s other hand. “And I second.” It was now or never, Cerne thought, watching the priestess take Rhiannon’s hand and lead her next to him.

“I present your bride.” She turned to Rhiannon. “Bow to your consort-to-be.” Rhiannon nodded and bowed. A long gauzy veil held in place by an ornate headdress befitting a beautiful goddess flowed down over her face. The shimmering lavender and ivory gossamer gown flitted around her bare feet. Gods, how he wished he could see her beautiful emerald eyes under the

translucent veil.

The priestess turned to him and nudged him toward Rhiannon. “I present your groom. Bow to your life-mate, Cerne Silverwing.”

Maeve stood, held her sword high in the air, spun around three times, and faced the east.

“Riders of the four winds bear us tonight into the magical realm where time stands still.” She danced around her sword as she thrust it into the ground and then took her seat.

Aileana, the senior elder, rose with firestaff in hand and turned to the south sky. She held the staff high, fire bursting forth from it. In a clear, resonant voice, despite her age, Aileana said,

“Gods of blazing fire, phoenix that dies and is reborn, enchant our eyes with glory and delight.” She thrust the staff into the air and slammed it into the ground. She turned, bowed to Rhiannon and Cerne, and took her seat.

Belenus stood, bowed to them and turned to the west. He raised his hand, holding a fountain of water high in the air. “Goddess and God of the sea, winding rivers and streams, bring harmony to flow between us like sweet water and even sweeter wine.” Cerne stifled a chuckle, remembering the human swill Rhiannon had coerced him into drinking.

Don’t even go there.
She chided his mind and nudged his elbow.

Belenus threw the water in the air. Cerne watched in awe as the waterfall rushed on its own accord. He curtseyed to Rhiannon and Cerne, flashed a surreptitious grin, and took his seat.

Jonas rose and turned to Cerne and Rhiannon. He bowed deeply and gripped his staff.

Facing the north, he took his knotted staff and thumped it into the ground three times. Holding a crystal high he said, “Goddess of the earth, forest, and woods, bring unto us this miracle of light and love.” Jonas wedged the staff into the ground and balanced the crystal on top of it. He bowed again and took his seat.

Cerne wrapped his arm around Rhiannon’s waist and turned her to face the priest and priestess at the altar.
This is where it gets to be fun
.

Rhiannon gulped again. The first time had been when she first caught sight of Cerne in his wedding finery. The deep purple cloak swam around him, the amethyst jewels glinting off the torch light. Even with a wreath of heather and lavender, he looked sexy as sin. Truth be told, it amazed her that she hadn’t passed out yet. Her heart thumped a mile a minute. Nervous excitement coursed through her entire body.

It’s now or never, I suppose.
She smiled softly then sighed, knowing he couldn’t see it through her translucent veil.

The priest, taking position in front of them, closed his eyes and raised his arms up to the sky.

“God and Lord of the woods, be with us tonight and bless all us faeries who follow you, especially Lord Cerne Silverwing and Princess Rhiannon Nightwind, who stand before us tonight as an example of true love.”

The priest bowed and stepped back, allowing the priestess to step forward. She spoke in a clear voice. “Goddess of all the living, be with us and bless your people, especially Lord Cerne Silverwing and Princess Rhiannon Nightwind, who ask to be joined as one.” With a wide smile, she bowed. “Please turn to face each other.”

Say this out loud with me, Cerne whispered in her mind.

Rhiannon nodded and closed her eyes, melding her mind with Cerne’s. “We are the moon and the sun, the wind and the rain, light and dark. We complete each other.” She spoke the words out loud thinking, frankly, she would’ve re-written the ending so it didn’t sound so much like Jerry McGuire.

Cerne placed his hand on her shoulder, his jade eyes beseeching. “My love, you are the moon in the dark night, the dew on a newly sprouted fern. My heart,
mo cridhe
, is yours—

always.”

Rhiannon gasped, feeling a tear begin to roll down her cheek. How his words stirred her so.

With a shaky breath, she spoke her vows. “My love, you are the dawn that peaks my horizon.

You are the oak, sturdy with wisdom. My heart,
mo cridhe
, is yours—forever.” Rhiannon exhaled a deep breath as relief poured through her body. She’d said her vows perfectly.
Thank the Gods!

Kneeling before her, Cerne lifted her right foot and placed it in his palm. The brushing of his fingertips against her flesh sent shivers of pleasure spiking through her. He looked up at her with that heart-melting gaze and spoke. “You are my love, and I see the goddess in you. I swear upon my life to love and care for you—to defend you. This I swear upon every breath in my body.”

Cerne placed her foot back on the ground and rose, his gaze strong and serious. She loved the fire it stirred inside her. She followed the same procedure, kneeling before him and taking his foot in her hand. With a secret grin, she traced her fingers along his instep. Cerne gulped and

fidgeted in her hand.

Keeping her voice as steady as possible, despite the heat radiating through her, Rhiannon repeated the oath. She rose to her feet and smiled.
How much more
fun
do we have to go
through?

We’re almost joined, mo cridhe.
He nodded his head toward Maeve and Belenus who were making their way toward the altar carrying a cask of wine. Maeve turned to them and bowed, then turned back to the altar. She raised her arms to the sky and lowered her head to the altar.

She lifted the cask and poured the clear white wine into a crystal goblet.