by Dyan Chick
"For what?" I asked.
"That wasn't appropriate," he said. "There's just something about you that makes me lose control."
"Then lose it," I said. "I give you permission."
He hesitated for a second, then he pulled the bloody tunic up over his head and straddled me on the bed. I reached up to his muscled chest and dragged my fingers down his torso, stopping above the nearly healed puncture wounds on his stomach.
Ethan took my hands in his and guided them on top of the injuries. "You did this, you saved me. For that, I owe you more than I could ever give."
"I'd do it again," I said. "And I'd never ask anything of you."
He let go of my hands and a mischievous smile that would have looked natural on Dane appeared on his lips. "At least let me try to make it up to you."
I smiled back then pulled him down to me, running my fingers through his thick brown hair. "I won't try to stop you."
Ethan's fingers slid under my tunic and he carefully helped me pull it over my head. The spinning had eased and I could sit up now without falling over. Though, Ethan's touch was almost enough to make me feel just as lightheaded.
Gently, he traced his fingers down my shoulder, past my breast and down to my flat stomach. "You are a work of art."
I giggled and felt my cheeks heat. I knew I was pretty, but hearing it from someone you cared about was different than hearing it from strangers.
Ethan seemed to be drinking me in with his eyes then he lowered his head and kissed my stomach while his fingers loosened the ties on my trousers.
I lifted my hips to allow him to pull them off of me and when he slid them past my hips nervous flutters filled my stomach. I'd never been with a man and I wasn't sure what to expect. I knew sex wasn't viewed the same way here as it was in the human realm, but it was hard to let go of what I'd been raised with.
Ethan kissed the tops of my exposed thighs and gently pressed his lips on the raised hip bones. I sucked in a breath and held it as a shiver went down my spine.
He returned his attention to my mouth, his lips finding mine once again. He still had his trousers on, but I could feel the bulge of his erection pressed up against my thigh. Part of me wanted to feel the bare flesh against my own, but I wasn't in a hurry. His kisses were enough to leave me breathless.
Suddenly, his fingers were in between my legs and I gasped as he touched something that sent a shockwave of pleasure through me. My hips lifted in response and I pulled away from the kiss, eyes wide.
Ethan looked pleased with himself and touched me again, watching me gasp in pleasure. I felt wetness spread between my legs and moaned as Ethan continued to bring waves of pleasure with his fingers.
Slowly, he moved his hands to my hips and leaned in closer to me, as if waiting for me to give him a sign.
After a moment, I realized he was giving me the time to tell him to stop. I'd asked Dane to stop. I wasn't ready then. But now, with Ethan, everything felt right. I reached out to his belt and slowly removed the buckle.
He smiled and climbed off of me and stood next to the bed so he could remove his pants.
I thought the sight of a naked Fae male would shock me, but everything seemed so natural. Ethan settled back on top of me, pressing his erection at my entrance gently, teasing me.
Remembering what I'd heard about a woman's first time, I knew I needed a distraction. I laced my fingers around the back of Ethan's head, pulling his face to mine and kissed him fiercely.
He took that moment to enter me and I gasped into his mouth as a sharp pain flickered then eased. Ethan's mouth moved to my neck in a trail of soft kisses and the tension I'd felt melted away.
When we were finished, I curled up against Ethan, resting my head on his chest.
"Why didn't you tell me it was your first time?" he asked as he traced lazy circles with his fingertip on my shoulder.
"I didn't want you to change your mind," I said.
He kissed my forehead. "Thank you for that gift."
I laughed. "You know, I was practically naked the first time we met."
He smiled. "And you stole my heart that day."
"So did you," I said, leaning in to kiss him.
Suddenly, the door flew open and I screamed, grabbing the sheets to cover myself.
Dane, Cormac, and Tristan all walked into the room and the smell of dead Sodalis made me wrinkle my nose. All three of them were covered in blood. Some of it fresh. I wanted to ask what happened, but my mouth went dry. I never expected to have three Fae princes walk in on me with another Fae prince.
"Ethan?" Dane asked, laughing.
I felt my face heat and pulled the covers up over my head, scooting down under the blankets.
"The healer arrived in time?" Cormac asked, completely ignoring the scene in front of him as far as I could tell.
"Actually, it was Cassia. By the time the healer arrived, the wounds were already mending. Though, I think she over did it. She needs proper training," Ethan said. "Or she could end up hurting herself."
"Apparently she recovered rather quickly, too. We were only gone a day and a half," Tristan said. "Well done, both of you."
I ignored the implication of the comment and silently brooded under the blankets. "Please send them away," I whispered, hoping Ethan could hear me.
"We're leaving, Cassia," Dane said loudly. "Any place I can get a bath?"
"I'll send one to your room," Tristan said.
"We'll give you two some time," Cormac said. "Meet us downstairs in a half hour."
"Of course," Ethan said.
I bit down on my lower lip, holding my breath so I could hear the sound of the door closing behind them.
As soon as it sounded, Ethan tugged the covers off of me. "Are you alright?"
"I'm mortified," I said. "They all walked in here and saw us together. I didn't even get to explain anything to Dane."
Guilt tugged at my gut as I thought about how betrayed he must feel. And that didn't even begin to explain the feelings I had toward Cormac. Yet, I didn't regret my time with Ethan and I wouldn't trade it. How was it possible that I cared so deeply for all of them?
Ethan tucked a stray golden curl behind my ear. "Couldn't you tell? They were happy for us. Cormac and Dane are like brothers to me. We don't keep any secrets. I know how Dane feels about you and he knows how I feel about you. We aren't the jealous type."
"What about Cormac?" I asked.
"He's harder to read when it comes to females," Ethan frowned, "Angela broke his heart and he hasn't been the same since. I've only seen him take two females to bed in the last hundred years."
"Is it often that you share females with Dane?" I asked, feeling a surge of jealousy at the thought of any of them being with anyone besides me.
"We have, on occasion, but Cassia, never like this," he said. "You aren't a flight of fancy, there's something about you that makes me want to hold you and never let you go." He pulled me into an embrace.
I kissed his bicep. "I feel the same way about you, but I also feel that about Dane and Cormac."
"I understand," he said. "And if I had to share you with anyone, it would be them."
A gentle knock sounded on the door. I pulled the blankets up around me again, expecting to see more princes.
"Enter," Ethan called.
The door opened and several servants entered, carrying a large bathtub and buckets of water. Silently, they set the tub in the middle of the large room and poured bucket after bucket of steaming water into it.
After several minutes of pouring buckets in, the tub was full. One of the servants set two towels down on a nearby chair before taking her leave. Another servant draped two wash cloths over the side of the tub then set a bar of soap on top of them. A final maid laid out some folded clothing, setting it on the other chair in front of the room's fireplace. She curtseyed and exited the room, closing the door behind her.
The entire production was efficient and silent. The servants never spoke. I wondered why that
was and hoped it was because they simply had nothing to say rather than required silence. There was so much I still needed to learn about this world.
Ethan hopped out of the bed then extended his hand. "Shall we?"
I took it with a giggle and followed him to the large tub. It was big enough for both of us, just barely. Ethan's legs wrapped around me as we soaked in the warm water. A sweet smelling oil rose with the steam from the water and I sank back against the edge of the tub, feeling absolute bliss.
Chapter Thirty-One
Tristan's castle was dripping in luxury. I hadn't noticed the details when we arrived, but now that I was walking through the hall with Ethan alive and well, I took the time to look around.
The floors were polished marble and the walls were lined with tapestries. Small tables holding busts and other sculptures were positioned between every door on the long hallway. The windows were clear or colored glass that allowed for so much natural light that the glowing candelabras weren't even needed this time of day.
We followed an elaborate winding staircase down to a grand room filled with pristine furniture and shelves that reached the ceiling filled with books. I could see other rooms outside of this one and I knew they were all just as opulent and lavish. Since we'd arrived right at the front doors and rushed inside, I wasn't even sure how large the building was. I wondered if I should ask for a tour.
Cormac, Dane, and Tristan were seated around a low round table, each in their own armchair. Across from them, a fire crackled and popped as flames danced behind the screen of the fireplace.
The princes looked the part again, clean and handsome. Each of them was dressed like Tristan in white tunics, gray trousers and black boots lined with fur. It was the same clothing that had been left for Ethan and it was clearly a much warmer ensemble than they were used to.
I was in a silver dress made of a thick fabric that reminded me of wool, but felt more delicate somehow. It was the first time I felt clean and properly clothed since arriving in Faerie and I appreciated it greatly. I smiled at Tristan, and curtseyed at him. "Thank you for your hospitality, my lord."
He stood and inclined his head. "My lady, won't you join us?"
Cormac and Dane stood, too.
I accepted Tristan's invitation and joined the others at one of the two empty chairs, Ethan settling next to me in the remaining seat.
"How did it go?" Ethan asked.
"The tear was right where we suspected it was on the southern border. We were able to dispatch a few remaining stragglers and seal it," Cormac said.
Ethan nodded. "That's good. I hope we won't see them again for a long time."
"Did you ever figure out why they were after me?" I asked.
The room was silent and I sensed something unsaid hanging between Cormac, Dane, and Tristan.
"What did you find?" Ethan said.
"We don't know for sure, but we have a theory," Cormac said.
"You say you healed him?" Tristan said, turning to me.
I nodded. "I did."
"And you accidentally entered the Winter Court?" he asked.
"Yes," I said. "You were there."
He pressed his lips together and furrowed his brow. It was almost like he was trying to work out a puzzle in his mind.
"What is your theory?" I asked, turning to Cormac.
"You've demonstrated skills from three of the four courts. You experienced seeing the future and you were able to enter the Winter Court, which are gifts only for those of Winter blood. Your ability to heal yourself and others is greater than that of a typical Fae; it aligns with the skills of those with Spring blood. You have a way with animals and your senses are keen which could indicate Autumn blood," Cormac paused. "And it's possible you're demonstrating some of the Summer Court's lust for life's pleasures."
I glanced at Dane. He'd been serious about that?
"Ethan would know more about that than me," Dane said.
"I don't think that matters right now," Ethan said. "Even having the skills of two courts would be unusual. Having the magic from three or four is unheard of. Only the queen herself can wield the magic of all four courts."
"True, it's not only impossible, it's also dangerous," Cormac said. "The creatures of the Under are attracted to magic. Untrained magic of more than one court in a single being would act like a beacon calling them in."
I shifted in my chair. If I had magic from multiple courts, what did that mean for me? I wasn't sure I liked the direction this was going. "What now? Monsters just keep coming after me for the rest of my life?"
Cormac shook his head. "Not after you learn to control it."
"Are you offering to teach me?" I asked.
"We all are," Dane said. "Even Tristan."
"Why?" I asked, looking over at the Winter Prince.
He leaned back in his chair. "I made a bargain with you. You teach me about humans, I help you. I can't exactly learn about humans if you're eaten by monsters. Besides, with you around and untrained, they'll keep coming into our lands. And I can't have that."
I took a deep breath. I had four princes offering to teach me how to use and control the magic I had inside me. Wasn't this what I always wanted? It should be a dream come true, but something didn't feel right. Then I remembered Angela's prediction. She said it was about the Sodalis, but now I knew better. "If I don't get this under control, bad things are going to happen, aren't they?"
"Maybe," Cormac said.
There was only one way to save myself and it turned out, there was so much more than my life in the balance. If I didn't learn how to tame the magic within, I was putting everyone at risk. I knew I had to do whatever I could to fix this. Cormac, Ethan, and Dane had saved my life. Now, it was my chance to save them. "When do we start?"
"Tomorrow," Dane said.
"There's only one Fae alive who knows how to fully channel all four kinds of magic," Cormac said. "We leave for the Royal Palace at dawn. We're going to see the queen."
Court of Memories
Forbidden Queen, Book Two
Chapter One
Cormac had insisted that we ride to Queen’s Palace at the heart of Faerie. When I asked why we didn't just slide there, I was given excuses about protocol and manners. All of his excuses circled my mind as I lay awake, sleep refusing to come. It was hard enough to ease my mind in the strange room in Tristan's Palace in the Winter Court. I wasn't exactly feeling tired yet, and I wasn't sure I could sleep anyway with the excitement and fear of traveling to see the Queen.
I knew I should rest, as another several day journey was ahead of me. But sleep wouldn't come. Tristan and the other princes didn't seem to get along, yet they were willing to combine forces to help me. I wondered what the Queen was going to think when I arrived at her palace with a prince from each of the three Faerie Courts and prince from the Winter Court. I wanted to know more about the politics in this land because I felt like I was going in blind. I wondered if entering the Queen’s Court with Tristan would be seen as an insult.
I turned onto my side, trying to will away all the unanswered questions. The purpose of going to see the Queen was to ask for help so I could understand at least how to channel the magic I had so I didn't keep attracting creatures from the Under. Cormac spoke of the Queen with such high regard, that I found I wasn't exactly worried about meeting her. I hoped she'd be able to help me. Secretly, I hoped she would have some insight as to where it came from. So far, all I gathered was that the magic I had shouldn't exist.
My bedroom door opened a crack and I sat up. "Who's there?"
"I didn't mean to wake you," Tristan said. "I was just making my nightly rounds."
I narrowed my eyes at the beautiful prince standing in my doorway. I had a feeling he wasn't checking on all of his guests the way he was checking on me. "Is this your normal night time routine?"
"It is when I have a beautiful female staying at my palace," he said.
"And here I thought I was special." I couldn't help but give him a
little bit of attitude. Tristan certainly didn't shy away from being the center of attention. He had to be one of the most confident beings I'd ever met.
"I entertain my share of ladies." Tristan winked.
"Is that supposed to impress me?" I asked.
He shrugged. "I'm not sure yet. So far, I've gathered that you turned down the Summer Fae in favor of the Spring Prince. Which means you either don't know the reputation he carries or you don't care about sex. There's something else you're after. You're difficult to read and that's not typical for me."
Suddenly, I remembered Angela's comments about the Winter Fae in their ability to see the future. I'd experienced a couple of small moments where it was possible I was seeing things that hadn't yet happened, but it was difficult to be sure. If it was truly a gift of sight or if it was my imagination getting the better of me. "Do you normally read people? Angela said Winter Fae can see the future. Can you see mine?"
"Don’t you know it’s rude to ask a Winter Fae that question?” He lifted an eyebrow as he smirked.
I swallowed against a lump that had risen in my throat. His words were smooth and seemed to caress every inch of my skin. He was dangerous, yes. Like a wolf acting tame. Only I knew, if I went to feed him, it was possible he would bite off my hand.
"Sweet dreams, Cassia," Tristan said. Then he closed the door and I heard his footsteps fade away.
I turned over again, away from the door, hoping that was the last of the intruders for the evening. I wondered if I should have taken Ethan or Dane up on their offers to sleep in my room with me. I had a feeling Tristan's comments about me not getting any rest with either of them in my room were accurate. It was strange to think about the fact that I had lost my virginity to someone that wasn't my husband, to someone that wasn't even human.
For a moment I wondered what Nani would think and then I realized Nani was Fae, herself. My heart ached at the thought of her and I hoped wherever she was, she had escaped my father's wrath. After seeing how powerful Fae magic was, I had to hope that Nani had magic of her own that she had called on to get away from my father.