by Ivy Clyde
I gave a nod. “Until I met Leon, I didn’t think a man’s touch could make me feel something other than fear and disgust. It’s my fault for not understanding my feelings for you. So, please, forgive me, okay?”
“There is nothing to forgive, Moira. You didn’t do anything wrong.”
“There is so much I still don’t know or understand about myself,” I said. “I am sorry I made you feel like you’re not important to me. You are. I trusted you from the moment I met you. My magic already recognized you as my mate. My stupid brain was just a bit late.”
“So you will really accept me as your mate?” asked Lucia.
“Yep. If you consent, of course.”
A burst of wild laughter escaped her as she flung herself on me. I was knocked back among the pillows as she threw her body at me, capturing my lips in an excited kiss. She caught hold of my wrists, moving my arms away from my body as she kissed me thoroughly.
Fire sang in my veins. Grabbing her shoulders, I pulled her down and sat up to straddle her thighs. Lucia gasped from the sudden move, allowing me to push her among the pillows. My fingers unbuttoned her jacket and then fumbled with her shirt.
Lucia moaned as my lips kissed the tops of her breasts. I plopped a red-tipped nipple into my mouth while my hand squeezed the other.
“Moira,” she moaned my name. The sound of her voice made my core throb hard. I had no idea giving pleasure could be this arousing.
My mouth moved lower, trailing kisses along her midriff until I reached her soft stomach. My tongue darted into her belly button. She gasped, thrusting her hips at me. I held her down, kissing her soft belly thoroughly.
“Ugh! Why do you have so many clothes on?” I muttered, struggling to get her leather pants off her long legs.
Lucia made a funny noise. It sounded like a cross between a moan and a laugh.
A thrill of victory shot through me when those tight leather pants were peeled off her long, slender legs. Lucia lay completely bared to me. “You’re absolutely gorgeous,” I whispered, looking into her eyes. I leaned onto her and placed my ear over her left breast. “Your heart is beating so hard, beautiful.”
“You make it want to jump out of my chest,” she whispered in an accusatory tone.
A chuckle escaped me. I kissed her mouth deeply while my hand roamed all over her body. Her skin felt amazingly smooth and supple under my palm.
Breaking the kiss, I raised my head to gaze at the triangle between her legs. She was completely smooth there. Lust burned in my veins as I gently parted her thighs. Leaning down, I swiped my tongue over her seam.
“Ooh!” Lucia gasped, her body shuddering at my touch.
My hands palmed her breasts.
Lucia moaned harder when I lowered my head between her thighs. My nails dug into the flesh of her ass, holding her steady before putting my mouth over her clit. Lucia’s hips convulsed so hard, she almost threw me off her.
A thrill shot through me. Her pleasure was driving me onward. Parting her pussy lips, I plunged my tongue deep into her. There was an intense need in me to pleasure her and reassure her of my feelings for her. I had to show her how much she meant to me.
Lucia’s fingers wove into my hair as my tongue pleasured her clit. Her moans grew louder and more unrestrained. I could feel her body coiling and stiffening under me. My fingers played with her nipples while I continued to lavish her pussy with my hot tongue.
“Moira…Moira…Moira…”
Lucia chanted my name like a prayer. Her head thrashed against the pillow as her pleasure grew beyond her control. I stayed relentless until she cried out and her body was shuddering underneath me with the force of her orgasm.
I moved over her and captured her lips while she was still in the throes of her pleasure. Her body was limp under me as I kissed her mouth thoroughly.
A kind of pride and happiness swelled inside me as I gazed down at her. She was beautiful with her lust-hazed green eyes and red, swollen lips. Her body was completely bared to me while I still remained fully clothed.
I felt my throat choke up with emotions. This was Lucia, my fated mate. She would never hesitate to give herself up to me. I gently caressed her silver strands. “I absolutely love you, Lucia,” I whispered, looking deep into her eyes.
“I loved you when you weren’t even born,” she whispered back.
“Really?”
“Mmm.”
I lay down by her side and pulled the blanket over our bodies. “You’ve known you had a mate all your life?”
“Yes,” said Lucia. “I didn’t let anyone steal my heart. It has always been yours.”
23
Moira
A week passed since my confession to Lucia.
Every moment spent with her seemed to be extremely precious as she was rarely able to come to meet me for prolonged periods of time. If she wasn’t being busy in the royal court, she was out meeting the other people helping her from outside the palace. Vishen was getting desperate to get rid of her, so she had to be extra cautious.
Rowan and Leon kept me company most of the time. Staying in the harem was boring with nothing to do for days. Every lady had a maid and servants to attend to her but there was very little activity for them to do. I took the opportunity to learn the hand movements and meditative techniques which would help me control and manipulate my magic. This was the single most urgent mission for me. I had to be able to manipulate the moon device to make it rain in Amaris. A lot depended on my success.
“My Lady, what do you think?” asked Ebha.
I stared into the full-length mirror in front of me. She’d chosen a lavish periwinkle-gown for me for the moon ceremony. As I requested, the sleeves were long and flowing. When I stood with my hands by my side, the sleeves completely hid the tips of my fingers.
“Very good, Ebha,” I said in an appreciative tone. “I love this dress.”
“Thank you, Lady Violet.”
Being called a different name was always disconcerting but I was glad the fae realm wasn’t as crazy about social media as the human world. It allowed me to impersonate someone easily. No one really knew what the true heir of King Arian looked like. My reflection smugly grinned back at me.
“How long do we have left?” I asked.
“It would be best if we went now, My Lady,” said Ebha. “The moon ceremony is extremely sacred. We can’t be late for even a second. They would close the doors on time. It is better to arrive early.”
Taking a deep breath, I gave a nod. “Show me the way, then.”
Ebha led the way out of my chambers and into the hallway outside. The back of another tall woman walking ahead of me caught my eye.
“Boudica!” I called out.
The woman in the bright fuchsia gown turned around to face. Boudica looked ridiculous with her choice of clothes today. Her violet-hued hair clashed with the garish color of her dress. The riot of colors almost made my eyes hurt.
She grinned at me. “What do you think of my new attire, Vi?”
“Isn’t it a bit too bright?” I said, trying to be polite without showing my dislike for her clothes.
“Eye-catching,” she said. “I will catch every person’s eye at the gathering today. It’s been way too quiet and dull these past several days. I am hoping the prince will take offense at me and kick me out of the harem.”
“You want to be kicked out?”
“Don’t you?”
I chuckled at her frank tone. When this was all over, I would send her wherever she wanted to go. Boudica was too interesting to be tethered down by duty and silly court etiquettes.
“Eithna is the only one pleased to be here,” said Boudica. “I heard her sisters came to visit her yesterday and went back home with chest-full of jewels. The prince lavished her with so many treasures, she doesn’t mind giving some away.”
I stayed quiet while Boudica continued with her gossip. There was no way Lucia would give away so much wealth to Eithna. It was either a rumor or Eithna had
made them up by herself. No matter what role Lucia was playing with the rest of the royal court, the truth was she was mine now.
Our maids led us out of the harem grounds and into the main palace complex. After a few minutes of walking through a maze of corridors, I realized we were being taken underground. The hallways grew colder as we progressed ahead. There were no windows or casements in the narrow passageway. Spherical lanterns hung over our heads, lighting up our path.
Tiny jolts of electricity spread through my entire body. Wisps of magic seemed to waft all around me, interacting with the magic inside me. I glanced at Boudica and the maids surrounding us. None of them seemed to be as affected as me. I breathed deeply, soaking up the energy of these underground chambers.
The narrow passageway suddenly opened up to a well-lit high-ceilinged hall. A gigantic sphere of silver light, resembling a full moon, glowed overhead. Its light reflected off the walls and the curious contraption set up on a raised podium in the center of the room. Circular pieces of shimmering metal levitated seven feet in the air. They revolved around a central globe that emitted a blinding-white glow. The arrangement reminded me of the structure of an atom!
A crowd was already gathered before the moon device. Lucia, disguised as Prince Eoghan, stood at the front with Lord Vishen and another man I’d never seen before. The stranger was dressed in navy robes heavily embellished with silver threads. If I had to guess, he was a high fae noble lord like Vishen.
The maids led us forward to stand behind Lucia and the two senior nobles. We stepped in line with Eithna and the other ladies of the harem. Alana looked fierce in a fiery-red gown with attractive jewelry of gold and rubies. Eithna was also dressed to impress. The two sisters, Ashlin and Caitlyn, were dressed more modestly than the rest of us.
There were more men standing behind us, waiting for the ceremony to start.
“That’s Lord Caden, my father,” whispered Boudica from beside me.
“Oh.”
“No need to act so smug,” hissed Alana from beside Boudica. “No one can rival the seniority of my uncle.”
“You mean no one can rival his viciousness?” replied Boudica with a raised eyebrow.
“How dare you?!” Alana hissed, her dark eyes flashing with rage.
Boudica laughed in her face, turning Alana’s cheeks a bright red.
I suppressed my chuckles and looked to the front. These girls were all funny despite their spoiled upbringing.
The sound of a long, drawn-out horn made everyone shut up and look to the front. Caden and Vishen stepped back to stand together before us while Lucia moved onto the podium. A deep silence fell over us. It seemed like no one was daring to even breathe.
I took deep breaths to calm my mind. Threads of energy tangled with my magic, making it pulse harder in my veins. I felt oddly strong and in control of my powers here. My gaze focused ahead but it was far more intense than everyone else’s.
Lucia raised her arms. Her sleeves fell away, revealing her hands and wrists to me. This was my cue to start interacting with the moon device. Just as I practiced with Rowan and Leon, I began by emanating my inner energies toward the strange contraption. The dull silver pieces revolving around the central globe started glowing at once. Deep inside, I could feel it responding to me.
I kept my breathing deep and regular. Lucia started the hand movements, letting everyone stare at her as she pretended to control the moon device. No one knew it was me manipulating the contraption. My hands moved in the same pattern as Lucia’s but they were hidden by my long, wide sleeves.
The silver pieces pulsed with a white glow and started revolving so fast, they became a blur to the eye. I felt my energies growing stronger. My intent was focused on making it rain. I envisioned dark black clouds over the Moon Palace and shafts of heavy rain pouring down on it. My mind clearly visualized lush green fields and vast lakes brimming with water.
The sound of clanging armor distracted me a little but I continued to focus all my energies on the contraption before me.
“Your Highness!” cried two breathless voices. “It is happening. It is happening!”
“What is happening?” asked Vishen in a deadly cold voice.
“It is raining, My Lord!” said one of the soldiers who’d rushed into the chamber. He and his companion fell to their knees before Lucia.
Lucia lowered her hands, signaling me to stop. Taking a deep breath, I retracted the energy I was channeling toward the moon device. My gaze shifted all around me. No one was looking at me. All their eyes were fixed on Lucia and the two men beside her.
Lucia turned around to face us. Her face was glowing with happiness. For the smallest moment, her gaze met mine. She gave me an imperceptible nod before letting her eyes rove all over the place. “The kingdom shall no longer be thirsty!” she cried out in a deep, manly voice.
Cheers rose from all around us. Everyone single person looked happy and relieved except for Vishen. His audacity was so great, he wasn’t even bothering to pretend to look joyful.
“This calls for a celebratory feast!” Lucia called out loudly. “Hear my command, Lord Caden and Lord Vishen. Arrange for the feast tonight. Also, start preparing for my coronation ceremony. It is time the world saw me for who I really am.”
“Yes, Your Highness,” said Caden with a deep bow while Vishen stayed quiet and frowned.
“Not happy, Elder Statesman?” said Lucia with a cheeky grin.
“I am ecstatic, Your Highness,” said Vishen even when he couldn’t muster a smile. “Your coronation shall be the grandest event in the history of Amaris. The world would never forget it.” His words were meant to excite someone but the hidden malice dripping from his voice made dread coil around my gut.
“I am looking forward to it.” Lucia stepped down from the podium and promptly approached Eithna. “Come, my lovely darling,” she said loudly, wrapping an arm around the girl’s waist. “Let us go back to my bedchambers.”
“Your Highness,” crooned Eithna, playfully hitting her in the chest. “Please, stop!” She batted her eyelashes and pretended to blush.
“Your Highness! How about I spent the evening with you?” Alana spoke up loudly.
Lucia glanced at her and wrinkled her nose. “No, thank you. I only want my dear Eithna by my side.” Her acting was truly good. Alana’s cheeks burned with anger and humiliation. Lucia wrapped her arm around Eithna’s waist and swept her out of the sacred chambers.
The crowd began dispersing as soon as she was out of the room. I was about to follow Boudica to go back to my quarters when hard fingers wrapped around my upper arm, pulling me backward. Looking up, I saw Vishen.
“Un-uncle,” I stammered.
He drew me against him and hissed in my ears. “Come to my manor at dawn,” he whispered. “I will send my men to bring you. Make sure not to bring anyone from the palace with you.” With that, he strode away, leaving me to wonder what he was up to again.
Whatever it is, it can’t be good for Lucia, I decided.
Picking up my skirts, I hurried out of the underground room to tell Rowan and Leon about the news. The crowd was gathered at the topmost steps leading out onto the upper floor of the palace. Reaching closer, I realized why they’d stopped there.
The sound of rain clashing down on the walls and grounds of the palace was audible here. Thunder cracked loudly in the distance. People murmured of goddesses, miracles, blessings, and the late King Arian’s heir. They were all praising Lucia but deep inside, I knew their awe and admiration was for me, the real daughter of their murdered monarch.
Peace and calm stole through me despite the ominous meeting with Vishen later on. The rain would fill up the lakes and streams of Amaris once again. People would be able to farm and fish. Once things were better in Aelia, the solar fae could come here and help raise crops and trees. My father’s home and kingdom would be prosperous once again.
A kind of ache lanced through my chest, adding a touch of bitterness to the sweet feeling of s
uccess. I missed my father despite the fact I never knew him. Tears gathered in my eyes and it was okay for me to cry a little. No one glanced at the lowly concubine that I was. Their eyes were all fixed on the doting male figure of Lucia and the woman wrapped around him.
24
Moira
“You can’t seriously be considering going there by yourself,” said Leon from his perch on the window. He extended his hand out and let drops of rain collect on his palm.
Rowan had gone away to rest, so I was only able to tell Leon about Vishen’s command. Even Lucia wasn’t aware of the things the Elder Statesman hissed in my ear after the moon ritual.
“I don’t think he wants to hurt me,” I said from my seat on a nearby chair. “He doesn’t see me as a threat. Eithna is the one who attracts attention to herself by staying close to Lucia. I have a feeling Vishen wants to use me as a spy. Back in his manor, he told me what he wanted from me. He said I could have all the wealth in the world if I was loyal to him.”
“I don’t trust that man.” Leon’s shirt was damp from the shafts of rain drifting through the open window. He still didn’t mind it, staying seated on the window sill. He gazed at me with grim amber eyes. “I think it’s best to tell Lucia before going. She might know what he’s up to.”
I shook my head. “There isn’t much time to seek her out. She is probably busy planning a coronation ceremony.”
Leon chuckled. “She is really good at being a king. Rowan should take notes from her.”
I smiled. “She was the daughter of a clan leader. I think it comes to her naturally.”
He let out a long breath and faced me. “So, what? I just let you go to the snake’s den all by yourself?”
“We don’t have a choice,” I said. “But don’t worry too much, okay? If he tries to hurt me, I will wrench out his core from his body.”
Leon’s expression turned grim. “This power of yours is the source of enmity between the two factions. The goddess blessed the lunar fae monarchs with such a terrible strength. The kings of Aelia couldn’t help but be jealous.”