Witch Fairy book 3 (7 page)

“With my girlfriend.”

A green eye almost identical to Kallen’s, but not quite the same vivid green, opens a fraction.  “Seriously, who would date you?”

Turning to me with the beginning of a smile on his face, Kallen says, “Perhaps I should have let you finish the job after all.”

The guy’s eyes fly open now.  “You were not joking?”  He pushes himself up from the floor as his eyes find mine.  His widen into a beautiful ocean of green.  “Hello,” he manages after several long heartbeats.  I can’t read the expression on his face, but I can definitely read the admiration in his eyes and it makes me feel self-conscious.  “Please excuse me, I have never before heard Kallen use that word when referring to a woman.  And it is hard to believe that a woman as beautiful as you would be interested in such a bore as my cousin.”

“Back off,” Kallen practically growls.  Turning to me again, he says, “Xandra, this is my cousin, Kegan.  What is left of him, anyway.”  A smirk finds its way to his face as he says the last part.  Apparently, he’s gotten over being mad at me.

“You certainly do pack quite a punch with your magic,” Kegan says as he rubs the back of his neck.  “It felt as if an army of Pooka warriors attacked me.  I would love to see what else you could do to me.”

Kallen slaps the back of his head, which makes him swear as he now rubs there instead of his neck.  “I meant with magic,” he clarifies.

“Sure, you did,” Kallen says as he stands up and holds a hand out to Kegan, pulling him to his feet.

When Kegan is finally upright, standing almost as tall as Kallen, he holds his hand out to me.  “Xandra, I am charmed to meet you.”

I shake his hand, which he holds just a fraction too long, and I can’t help notice the tiny bit of jealousy in Kallen’s eyes.  Interesting.  “Nice to meet you, too,” I say, extracting my hand from his.

“Kegan, how lovely to see you,” Isla says as she breezes into the room.  Her tall frame is now clothed in a long, flowing dress the color of the sea on a sunny day.  The bodice is empire style and hangs loosely over her hips.  Her long, graying black hair has been swept up in an intricate braid at the back of her head.  “I see you have met our house guest.”

Kegan inclines his head in greeting.  “I did, and welcome home, Grandmother.”  He smiles as he flashes a quick look in my direction.  “And I have learned that I must tread lightly when I am here, for her magic is formidable when one is on the receiving end.”

Isla raises her brows as she looks at me.  “Indeed.”  Instead of asking for an explanation, she says to Kegan.  “You will be dining with us this evening?”

“I would be honored,” he replies and I’m pretty sure he flashes a quick look in my direction again.  Kallen’s face hardens as he stares at his cousin, so he must have noticed, too.

Wanting to interrupt the sudden tension, I say, “You two look more like twins than cousins.”

“Kallen’s father was twin to Kegan’s father,” Isla explains.  “The resemblance was passed down to their sons, and even their grandmother has trouble on occasion telling them apart.”  She looks at both of her grandsons affectionately.  I’m pretty sure she can tell them apart just fine.

Turning to me, she says, “If these two have been up to their normal behavior, I am sure that you have not been shown to your room yet.  Let me take you there now.”  She turns and walks toward the wooden door at the far end of the room, away from the terrace.  I follow reluctantly.  I was kind of hoping to sneak in a kiss or two with Kallen, since I’m sure there will be limited opportunity for that in Isla’s house.  The door swing open and I can see a foyer with a set of wide stairs that break apart at the first flight and then continues up separately.  It’s all white marble with several different mosaic patterns dispersed around the floor.

“Where ever did you find such a beautiful creature,” I hear Kegan ask Kallen.  “And how in the world did you get her to fall for such a proud, conceited Fairy such as yourself?”

A quick look over my shoulder as I walk through the doorway shows me the look of pain on Kegan’s face as Kallen’s fist connects painfully with his arm.

Chapter 6

After climbing three sets of stairs and walking down a brightly lit hall with floor to ceiling windows at either end, Isla opens the last door, which is to be my room while I am here.  I gasp in surprise as I look around.  First of all, it’s gigantic.  I’m sure half of my house back home could fit in this room.  It’s situated in the corner of the mansion, so two walls have wide openings leading out to the terrace that wraps around the corner.  Yellow silk, sheer curtains are gently blowing in the breeze.  Along another wall, is a king sized canopy bed carved to resemble drift wood and it’s absolutely gorgeous.  It must have taken someone forever to carve the intricate curves and grooves.  Yellow netting hangs from the canopy and the bed is covered with a lightweight comforter.  Another wall has a large bureau situated between two doors, and in its center, there is a mirrored dressing table with a small silk covered bench in front of it.  Two overstuffed chairs with sunny yellow upholstery sit in front of one of the openings to the terrace.

Isla opens the first door and I have to be careful not to trip over my jaw as I take in the sunken, walk-in tub of marble.  A statue of a goddess pouring from a large urn is adding a constant flow of water into the tub.  It’s more like a swimming pool, actually.

“Here is your bathing room,” Isla says needlessly, and then she moves to the next door.  Opening the door, it’s pretty apparent what this room is.  I’m so relieved to see that the Fae realm has indoor plumbing.  “I will have Tabitha lay out your toiletries in the cabinet above the sink.”

“Tabitha?”

Isla smiles fondly.  “Tabitha is the dear woman who keeps this house running as smoothly as it does.  If you have need of anything, Tabitha will see to it.  Now, I’m sure that you would like to get out of those heavy clothes.”

I nod because I’m still incapable of coherent words as I absorb the fact that I’m really in this beach paradise.  But, I am getting awfully warm in the winter clothes I put on after my shower.  In a blink, my heavy clothes are gone and I’m now in a flowing dress similar to Isla’s, but mine is emerald green with rich forest green stitching in the bodice.  My dress is also more form fitting than Isla’s, as it hugs my curves just past my hips and then flows out in loose folds.  There’s as much cleavage showing as there was with the purple shirt I wore yesterday.  Definitely not like a nun’s dress. 

I smile as I swish it gently.  Looking up at Isla, I say, “It’s beautiful, thank you.”

She inclines her head with a warm smile.  “As is the person wearing it.”  Wow, I think that was my first real compliment from her.  Maybe she’s nicer when she’s in her own realm.  “Now, I will leave you to explore as I have to prepare for the coming days.  Tomorrow, you will meet Dagda.”

I try not to groan out loud but the rise of her brows tells me I didn’t succeed.  “Sorry, just not looking forward to meeting him again.  I’m sure he’s still pretty upset about the last time.”

She smiles again.  “Yes, I suppose he is.  Dagda is a reasonably intelligent man, though.  He will be nothing but gracious while you are in his presence.”

“But he may be scheming behind my back, right?”

Her smile broadens.  “I am happy to know that your intelligence draws from your mother’s line.”  That makes me laugh.  Nice and funny.  Yeah, I may like her yet.

Turning to leave me to explore my new room, she stops as her hand touches the door knob.  Over her shoulder, she says, “I love both of my grandsons dearly, but they are quite competitive.  Especially Kegan.  I believe his mother’s Cowan blood makes him feel as if he is the lesser of the two.  Please be kind to them both, and love the one who you feel best suits the woman you are destined to become.”  With that, she turns the knob and disappears out the door, leaving me standing guppy-faced as I stare after her.  What the hell?  I’m so confused.

After several minutes of stunned stillness, I decide I don’t know what to make of that advice.  So, I choose to ignore it and I wander out onto the terrace to admire the view.  I spend a moment soaking in the sun’s rays and the thought crosses my mind that I may never want to leave this place.  I’ve never been fond of the cold in my native Colorado. 

The sudden appearance of a raven on the stone wall of the terrace startles me into pulling magic again.  It doesn’t take me long to figure out that it’s Kallen, though, and I release it quickly.  Instantly, he’s himself again and half a second later, he’s clothed in shorts and a t-shirt. 

Giggling, I mimic his words from last night, “What took you so long?”

His eyes flow from my face, down my body, and back up again – lingering both times at my abundant cleavage in this dress, causing my cheeks to pink slightly.  I’m still surprised Isla made it so…flattering.  “If I knew you were going to be dressed this beautifully, I would have come sooner.” He jumps down from the wall, and pulls me into his arms.  “But, I thought it best not to arrive before my grandmother left.”

“Good thinking,” I say as I snake my arms up and around his neck.  Pulling him down to me, I capture his lips with mine in a long, sensuous kiss.  It’s several minutes before I let him up for air.  He doesn’t seem to mind.

Slightly breathless, he leans his forehead against mine.  “I love you,” he whispers between breaths.

My lips curl up into a smile.  “You better, I would hate to be the only one in love.”  Snuggling closer as he straightens, I wrap my arms around his waist.  I rest my head against his chest, staring out at the water, as his arms tighten around me.  “It’s beautiful here.  I may never want to go home.”

He chuckles.  “Then I will keep you here in paradise and we will live happily ever after.”

I laugh.  “Just like the Fairy tales say.”  With a swoop, he lifts me into his arms causing me to laugh harder.  “What are you doing?”

He doesn’t answer.  Instead, he carries me into my bedroom and pushes back the netting around the canopy.  Laying me down gently on the bed, he stretches his body out over mine, supporting himself on his elbows.  He grins down at me.  “This is a Fairy tale you may believe in.” 

His lips capture mine again, and this is a kiss filled with passion.  Settling himself into the curves of my body, his hands begin to wander.  My breath catches as he slips his hand into the bodice of my dress and I arch my back as his fingers gently knead this new territory.  I run my fingernails firmly down his back under his shirt.  Not hard enough to leave a mark, but enough to make him groan and deepen the already maddening kiss.

Something about the sea air and being relatively safe at the moment allows us to get carried away like we never have before.  Kallen’s shirt has disappeared and as we’ve moved our tangled legs, my dress has inched up my thighs, barely functioning as a barrier now.  I moan softly as our skin touches, but I want more and I grasp him tighter to me.  Both straps to my dress have been pushed down to my waist now and I’m eager to feel his lips on my tender skin.  Kallen is kissing a trail down my neck, driving me wild with desire, when there’s a knock on the door, startling us both. 

Uttering the strongest oath I have ever heard him use, Kallen helps me quickly put myself back to rights.  The two of us have never ventured quite this far in our discovery of each other before, and I have to admit, I’m also disappointed to have it end so abruptly.  Though, I can’t help giggling at the annoyed look on Kallen’s face at the moment.  The giggling may also have something to do with the fact that I’m a little self-conscious being this exposed now that the heat of the moment has passed.  But, it’s probably a good thing that we stopped before things got too far out of control. 

In the back of my mind, as I stand up from the bed, I can’t help wondering why we did let things go this far.  Kallen usually puts the brakes on long before things get so…passionate.  Maybe magic isn’t the only thing more potent in the Fae realm.  Maybe love is, too. 

After a quick kiss, Kallen rises from the bed, as well.  He reaches the door in three long strides, which is impressive considering how big the room is, and yanks it open.  A grinning Kegan is standing there with his arms crossed, leaning against the far wall of the hallway.  “What,” Kallen growls.  He can sense other Fairies when they are near, so he must have known who he would find before opening the door.

Grin not wavering, Kegan pushes against the wall and walks past Kallen into my room.  His brows rise slightly as he takes in my flushed face and mussed hair, but he doesn’t say anything.  Turning back to look at my glowering boyfriend, he smirks.  “Grandmother suggested that I invite Xandra for a swim.  Fancy finding you here, as well.”  I’m pretty sure he knew exactly where Kallen was.  And what we were doing; which causes me to blush harder. 

Kallen looks like he’s going to punch him again, but Kegan ignores him.  “Would you care for a swim?” he asks me.

“Um, I don’t have a bathing suit, so I don’t’ think so,” I say, thinking back to what Kallen said about swimming sky-clad.  I don’t care how warm the water is, I am definitely not going swimming naked.

Kegan has a somewhat confused look on his face.  “Certainly after the demonstration of your magic earlier, you are able to create a simple bathing suit.”

Now, I’m blushing for a whole different reason.  I suspect I’m going to get a lot of this from other Fairies.  It’s so frustrating that I can cause avalanches and tear holes in the seams of the realms, but I can’t do the most basic magic.  “No, I can’t.”

Kallen closes the door.  Harder than he needed to, I can’t help but notice.  “She is still learning to control her magic.”

Now Kegan looks even more confused but he lets it drop.  Smart Fairy.  “Surely, then, my gracious cousin could assist in providing you with the appropriate attire.”

“I see the place for young men to be is sniffing around our new guest’s room.  I am sure Isla would be thrilled to know that.”  Startled yet again, I turn to find an older, plump woman with gray hair and a teasing glint in her green eyes walking into my room.  She has a stern look on her wrinkled face, but I have the impression she’s more bark than bite.  Her gray hair is pulled into an elaborate braid similar to Isla’s at the back of her neck.  Wiping her hands on the apron she’s wearing over her clothes, she walks towards me, and when she smiles, her whole face lights up.  She is exactly the image of what I always thought a grandmother would look like when I was young.  I like her immediately.  “I am Tabitha,” she says, holding her hand out to me.  “I have been waiting anxiously to meet you.  Now, you let me know if these boys are bothering you and I will chase them off like the nasty little gnats they are, alright, dear?”

I laugh.  “They’re okay for now, but I’ll keep that in mind.”

Kallen gives me an eyebrow raise as he walks to Tabitha and wraps his arm around her shoulder.  He plants a kiss on her cheek.  “No greeting for me?  After all I have sacrificed to save the realms?”

Tabitha swats at him with affection written all over her face.  “Yes, I can see what a terrible hardship it was for you in the other realm.  However did you manage being forced into the company of such a lovely and charming young woman?”  She winks at me, causing me to laugh again.

Kallen shakes his head and puts his lips in a grim line.  “You have not spent much time with her, dear Tabitha.  You will soon see what a handful keeping her safe and out of trouble can be.”

I’m tempted to stick my tongue out at him, but instead, I smile sweetly.  “Yes, Kallen’s my hero.  Weak little me could never have survived without his big, bad magic to protect me.”

Kegan laughs at my sarcasm but he tries to cover it with a cough.  Not Tabitha.  She lets out a hardy laugh and slaps Kallen on the back causing him to step forward slightly.  “Oh, I am going to like her just fine.  Now, you boys run along and see if you can stay out of mischief for five minutes.  I have seen the downstairs, and I am assuming you are eager to put everything as it was an hour ago - before the caretaker of this house decides that young men who act like animals should be sleeping with the animals tonight.  I will assist this lovely young woman in preparing for a dip in the briny.  She will be down shortly.”  She literally shoos them out the door before they can say anything else and then she closes it behind them.