Dark Sidhe
Claimed
Bronwyn Green
eBooks are not transferable. They cannot be sold, shared or given away as it is an infringement of the copyright of this work.
DARK SIDHE CLAIMED
13 Perfect Strangers Collection
Copyright © 2011 BRONWYN GREEN
Cover art by Amanda Kelsey
Edited by Kathryn Lively
All Romance eBooks, LLC
Palm Harbor, Florida 34684
www.allromanceebooks.com
This is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or business establishments, events, or locales is coincidental.
All Rights Are Reserved. No part of this may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever with out written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.
First All Romance eBooks publication: February 2011
Chapter One
“Why do you hide them?”
Dread tumbled like a rock from a cliff into Tama’s stomach. Squatting, she put herself at eye level with the little boy and looked at the sticker bearing his carefully lettered name. “Hide what, Max?”
The tow-headed child cupped two chubby hands around his mouth and leaned closer. “Your wings,” he whispered.
Tama ruffled his hair and mentally strengthened the glamour that cloaked her. It was rare, but every once in a while a human caught a glimpse of her true form. Most assumed they’d imagined it, but children were far more in touch with the natural world. “Sometimes,” she murmured, “people are afraid of things that are different, so it’s easier to hide them.”
The little boy tilted his head to the side, then nodded his understanding before running off to join the rest of his class, the existence of her wings seemingly forgotten.
Tama removed the leather gauntlet and laid it alongside the barn owl’s cage and glanced at Chloe. Hopefully, her coworker hadn’t heard what the child had said. Granted, most humans didn’t believe in the existence of faeries—let alone faeries that had been masquerading as humans and working alongside them for the last three years, but she hadn’t stayed hidden this long in the human world by being careless.
Chloe grinned and nodded toward the little boy’s disappearing form. “I think that’s the first guy you’ve shown actual interest in since I’ve known you.”
“What can I say?” Tama shrugged. “I’m picky.”
“You need to come out with me tonight,” Chloe declared. “Let’s find you a guy in your own age range. Not that the kid wasn’t cute, but come on. I swear, all you do is work.”
Tama shrugged again. “I like my job.” Laying the large leather glove on top of the owl’s cage, she hefted both onto a cart. “I can finish up tonight, if you want to go.”
The other woman put her hands on her hips. “Nu-uh. You’re at least going out for supper with me.” She gestured toward the disgruntled looking bird. “As soon as you get Grumpy Earl back in his enclosure and I make sure all of the stragglers have gone home, we’re out of here. No arguments.”
Tama stifled her sigh and pushed the owl out of the wildlife rescue center and down the path to the aviaries. It wasn’t that she didn’t want to go out with Chloe—she liked her. But, too much time spent in human dwellings—particularly in modern buildings made with iron and steel—depleted her energy levels, making it difficult to maintain her glamour. It was one of the reasons she’d taken the position at the wildlife rehab center. In addition to enjoying the time working with animals, much of her job allowed her to spend time outside or in primitive outbuildings made primarily of wood and stone.
She also liked interacting with the human children, much preferring to see them in their own environment rather than held captive in the Seelie court as changelings. Of course, that didn’t happen as often as it once had, but it was still heartbreaking. It was one of the many reasons she had no desire to return. No, she was better off living out her life in the human world—shortened though it would be. What use was a nearly unending life if she were trapped as the queen of a man she loathed? She shuddered at the thought. She knew he’d been searching for her since she fled the Sidhe kingdom, but so far she’d remained undetected.
She patted the wool-wrapped iron key in her jeans pocket. The iron leeched her strength, but it also masked her otherworldliness, keeping her hidden from any Sidhe that might be trying to find her. Unfortunately, it also caused constant pain in her leg, but some things were unavoidable.
“Hey!” Chloe called. “You about ready?”
Tama yawned. All she really wanted was some sleep.
“We’ll go somewhere quiet. How about that little Greek place up the road? There’s a new server there. He’s really hot.”
Tama grinned at her friend. “I’ve gotta do a couple more things, but I’ll meet you up there. I promise.” The truth was she couldn’t stomach riding in Chloe’s car. Being surrounded by that much iron made her nauseated and breathing was difficult—almost as if she were being suffocated.
“Just leave it for tomorrow,” Chloe said.
Tama shook her head as she headed out the door. “Go get us a table, and flirt with the cute waiter. I just need to check to make sure all of the animals have been fed, then I’ll be there.”
The other woman scowled, following her out into the snowy evening air. “You’d better be. I want you to meet this guy. I think he’d be perfect for you.”
“I’ll join you as soon as I’m done. I promise.”
“Okay.” Chloe tilted her head and studied Tama’s face for a moment before reaching out and plucking an eyelash from her cheek. She held it on her fingertip then blew.
Frozen in horror, Tama watched the eyelash fly from Chloe’s finger into the night sky.
“I’d tell you to make a wish, but I just made one for you.” Chloe grinned. “You can thank me later.”
Ice sluiced through Tama’s veins. Faeries were notoriously capricious when it came to wishing. Who knew what would happen with her uncloaked DNA carried through the air on a fancy? “What did you wish for?” she asked, her voice tight and even.
Chloe laughed. “I can’t tell you or it won’t come true.”
“Humor me.” Tama managed a strained smile. “I have a hang up about these sorts of things. “
“Fine,” her friend said, rolling her eyes. “I just wished that you’d find your soul mate. Now hurry up. Maybe he’ll be at the restaurant tonight!”
“All right. I’ll be there soon,” she lied. She needed to get out of here as soon as possible. If there were any Sidhe looking for her, the damn eyelash carried on a wish would act like a locating beacon. The last thing she needed was for Dahire to find her and haul her back to the Seelie Court as his queen. His last queen had vanished under questionable circumstances, and Tama had no interest in experiencing a similar fate.
Chloe smiled and waved as she headed toward the parking lot. Tama mentally urged her to move faster while frustration welled inside her. She hated the idea of leaving this town, but there was no way she could stay. The risk was too great.
Dashing into the main building, she grabbed her backpack. She glanced at her bike propped up against the wall, and just as quickly decided to leave it. As much as she didn’t want to risk it, magic would be the quickest way out of there. However, she’d have to bury her trail by transporting to as many places as possible before she dropped from exhaustion. As weak as she was from carrying the iron, she wasn’t sure how far she’d get.
Closing her eyes, she tried to teleport, but both the old key and the building kept her from gathering enough magic to use effectively. She slipped her backpack over her shoulders and went outside. The ragged cry of a raven or
crow shattered the silence of the night as she headed for the forest beyond the aviaries. The hair at the nape of her neck stood on end as a chill worked through her.
She skidded to a stop in the ankle-deep snow and tried to gather her power as two, huge ravens circled overhead. Before she could utter a single word, the birds glided lower, seeming to grow in size. Coal-black wings lengthened, shimmering as sleek feathers split into two sections, transforming into pale, strong arms and inky, almost iridescent wings. Bodies elongated and enlarged as their legs extended, flesh replacing talons, touching down on feet instead of claws as ragged looking wings unfurled behind them.
Her gaze darted everywhere, taking in the men before her, looking for weaknesses to exploit. They had to have at least one…somewhere. Tall and tightly muscled, they watched her with dark, unfathomable eyes. Black hair tumbled over their well-defined shoulders while they crossed their arms over broad chests. They seemed identical in every way.
Breath stalled in her chest as she recognized the spiraling patterns that covered their wings. Sweeping lines twisted over on themselves, bisecting the delicate veining and the scarred flesh. Clearly, they’d often seen battle.
Realization slammed into her, stealing her breath. These men were the things Seelie mothers warned their children about. They were the monsters under the bed. They were the Unseelie Fae…the Dark Sidhe.
Chapter Two
What did the Dark Sidhe want with her? Tama took one step back. Then another. Stifling a scream, she turned and sprinted for the questionable safety of the wildlife center. She felt, rather than heard, them give chase. Their wings disturbed the air around her, carrying the scents of crushed greens and thick woods.
“Stop!” one of her nightmares ordered.
Not a chance. Taking refuge in the human building would weaken her further, but she was willing to bet that they couldn’t enter it at all. Over the course of the last three years, she’d built up some immunity to humans and their surroundings. She might be weaker than she’d ever been in the faery realm, but at least she could use it to her advantage now.
Daring a glance over her shoulder, she only saw one of her pursuers. Anticipating that the other was about to appear in front of her, she darted left, only to slam headlong into a warm wall of flesh. The impact knocked her on her back, and snow slid up under her thick sweater, chilling her skin. It paled in comparison to the bone-deep terror that nearly froze her blood at the realization that she was trapped.
“Look, I don’t know what you two are doing here, but—”
“We’ve come for you, Tama, Princess of the Seelie Court.”
She swallowed hard, unable to make a sound.
Huge hands closed around her upper arms and hauled her to her feet. “She reeks of humans.”
The giant in front of her shrugged. “It’s to be expected. She’s been with them for some time.”
Heat and awareness radiated from the touch of the man behind her, spreading through her body making her feel languid…almost relaxed. It felt as if her body recognized him. What the hell was wrong with her? She needed to get away. His nearness clouded her thinking. She thrashed in his grip, thrusting back an elbow and connecting hard with his ribs.
On a grunt of pain, he jerked her closer, pinning her to his chest. His sharp inhalation echoed hers as her ass came into contact with his groin. Bending his head, his lips brushed the shell of her ear, sending shivers of unease and ill-timed desire coursing through her body. “Cease. Your. Struggling,” he rasped.
The other man gripped her chin and lifted her face so he could meet her gaze. “The time for hiding is past. You will leave this place.” Skin against skin, his touch tightened her body with something that felt suspiciously like need. It was as if her body was already familiar with his, as well. Her fear increased a hundredfold.
“Look, I don’t know who you are or how you got mixed up with Dahire, but there is no way on this earth that I’m going back to the Seelie Court.”
“On that, we agree,” he murmured.
If they didn’t mean to take her back to Dahire, what were their intentions?
“Look,” she said, forcing a bravado she was far from feeling. “Maybe we can make some kind of deal.” She had no idea what she could offer them, but she’d settle for buying herself enough time to get out of this mess.
The warmth of the touch, of the man holding her, seeped into her skin. It was followed by a fresh rush of need. His eyes widened as if he noticed her reaction. Was she that transparent? Did he feel it, too? More importantly, why did she even care?
A flurry of wings disturbed the air around them. Their gazes lifted to the sky in time to see a contingent of Seelie soldiers descending. A wash of cold air swirled around her as the warriors drew nearer, their wings blocking out the moon-bright sky.
The Dark Sidhe in front of her whirled toward the approaching mass and hurled a huge ball of blue tinged energy at them. Some dove toward the ground, veering away from the powerful blow, but others weren’t so lucky. At least three men dropped to the ground, their flesh sizzling.
Bile rose in Tama’s throat at the scent of the charred skin and hair. One soldier’s wing hung uselessly from his shoulder, bent at an unnatural angle as he tried to drag himself to his feet. More than ever, she needed to get away from this place. She hadn’t spotted Dahire yet, but she was sure he was there somewhere—likely lurking close enough to keep an eye on the battle, but far enough away to be safe. Perhaps she could use the Seelie soldiers’ arrival to her advantage. As long as the Dark Sidhe were distracted by them, she might be able to get free long enough to teleport safely away.
Instead of continuing to struggle, she went limp in her captor’s arms, hoping he’d be forced to drop her deadweight in order to defend himself. Her hope crumbled as he pulled her closer and whispered in her ear.
“Nice try, Princess.”
She peered at him through her lashes in time to see him nod at the other man. Then there was nothing but darkness as his wings folded around both of them, blocking everything from view. A sudden rush of magic shook her, followed by the unmistakable sensation of her physical form dissipating. She’d gravely underestimated her opponent. She hadn’t expected him to have the strength or the skill to transport more than one person at a time.
If she could have felt her body, her heart would have lodged in her throat. She could only hope that the effort of carrying her would weaken him enough to give her a chance to escape. Of course, that would depend on how closely behind the other man followed. She had no idea how far they’d traveled or even in what direction. Without warning, they slammed into the magical equivalent of a brick wall. Still wrapped in his wings, she crashed to the ground, her body whole again. The impact of the cold earth beneath her and his warm body on top of her forced the air from her lungs.
For several long moments, they lay panting as he immobilized her with his bright, dark eyes. Pinned nearly face to face, it was impossible not to notice his wild beauty. Firm, sculpted lips, slightly parted, begging to be kissed. His warm breath bathed her skin as his rapid breathing slowly returned to normal.
He stared at her mouth for what seemed like a year, finally raising his thumb to trace the line of her lips. A tendril of desire knotted in her middle as his thumb rasped across her skin. The urge to draw the digit in her mouth and taste him was nearly impossible to resist, but somehow she managed. Just.
*****
Kier stared at the woman beneath him, resisting the need to grind against her supple body like an untried youngling. Nestled in the cradle of her thighs, he found the impulse almost painful to ignore. Gripped with the sudden need to see her—to truly see her—he brushed the tangle of brown hair from her face. “Drop your glamour,” he commanded.
Her lips tightened as if she were about to argue, but then she shrugged slightly and her eyes fluttered closed. At once, the spell receded. Her wings were visible. In muted shades of greens and browns they lay spread beneath her like the fines
t silk.
Her eyes opened, brilliant green replacing the brown that had been there earlier. Her hair brightened as red and gold strands now threaded through the brown, reminding him of windswept autumn leaves. A dusting of freckles remained, though, highlighting the bridge of her nose and her cheekbones.
Her mouth was still the same—full and luscious looking. At the moment, her teeth were sinking into her lush lower lip. Gently, he pulled it free, carefully running his thumb over the abused flesh. Her eyes widened as she watched him as if waiting to see what he’d do next. He swallowed a grim chuckle, feeling as if he were doing the same thing.
He shook his head. What he needed to do was figure why they hadn’t passed through the barrier between the human and faery realms instead of wondering how she’d taste if he kissed her, how she’d feel welcoming him into her body, welcoming Rylan. His cock jerked at the thought of filling her slowly, sharing her with his brother. He could tell she’d felt it. Her body stiffened and her cheeks flushed. He could practically feel the heat radiating from her skin.
Stifling a growl of frustration, he pushed to his feet and hauled her up with him. Holding her wrist in one hand, he prodded the invisible barrier with the other. Tugging her forward, they again bounced off the magical barrier.
“What do you want with me?” she demanded.
“Kier! What are you waiting for?” Rylan’s voice sounded from the other side of the veil.
“Kier?” she asked. “That’s your name?”
He glanced at her and nodded sharply, turning back to the barrier. “I can’t get through,” he muttered.
“Well, Kier,” she began. “Now would be a good time to let me go. Sooner or later Dahire’s men are going to find you, and unless you can get back to the Unseelie Court, you’re going to be toast.”
He frowned at her. His confusion must have been evident, because she waved her hand.
“Toast is a human expression. Essentially, there’s no way you can fight off all of them—even with the other guy. You’ll be destroyed. The best thing for all of us is if you let me go. I’ll disappear, you can go back to wherever you came from, and Dahire and his soldiers can freeze their asses off in this snow.”
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