“Well, now you have.” I smiled as I pulled my boots on.
“Yes. Now I have. It’s fun sharing customs with you this way.”
“I agree. So lead the way—show me whatever you wish.”
She grasped me by the hand. “You mentioned seeing the city, so we will start there.”
We left the confines of the tree, into the silvery moonlight. Even the glow seemed magical, reflecting off every surface, and giving a sort of glistening sheen that made them appear as if they were lit internally. I'd failed to notice all this earlier, and I imagined it was partially due to the fact that I'd been under Eirian's enchantment.
“How far away is the city?” I asked, as I perused over the way she looked. Her pale skin—shining like a beacon in the night—complimented the luster of her long hair. She was truly a vision and she was mine. Despite how we'd come together, I was surprised to find that the thought made me feel good.
Immediately an image of Ceridwen popped into my mind, and a wave of guilt came with it. I sighed, heavily and pushed it away. My action was not missed by Eirian.
“The city is not far—over the bridge and into the adjoining crevice.” She didn't look at me. “Do you miss her?”
Her question caught me off guard, and I was momentarily speechless.
“Yes. I feel guilty over leaving her the way I did. She believed I was out enjoying a midsummer’s eve, but I've never returned. I don't like the idea of causing her, or my family and friends, pain. She was always loyal to me and I to her. Now I've gone and broken that trust. I feel I've dishonored her.”
I could see her biting at her lip as we walked. “Do you love her?” It was barely a whisper.
I swallowed hard, my throat feeling dry suddenly. “I do. I'd planned to marry her. It's hard to turn that off instantly.”
She nodded, as if she expected nothing less. “I can take your memories of her away again if it will make it easier.”
“No. I want to keep them. My memories make me who I am. I'm glad you returned them.”
“So you will choose to pine for her then?”
I shook my head. “I’ll do my best to honor my commitment with you. Pining for her will bring about nothing good. I believe in standing by my vows. My father raised me to believe that a man is only as good as his word.”
“But you didn’t know what vows you were making when you agreed to dance with me, or what followed after.”
“That’s true, but I still can’t change what has happened. Even if I could go back, I would have to be honest. I can’t see how telling her I’m married and have consummated that relationship will have a very positive effect on her opinion of me. Either way, I’ve lost her. Either way, I still belong to you. I choose to try and make the best of this situation. Besides, it’s not as if there’s nothing between you and me. I think we’ve proven that.”
I squeezed her hand and pulled her into my arms. “I’ve always been curious about this realm and your people. Now I’m here, and I’m going to make the most of it. I want to learn everything you can teach me—see whatever you have to show. I want to be here with you.”
There was the glimmer of tears sparkling in her eyes. I leaned in to kiss her, wishing I had more to give, but this was all I had at the moment. Our mouths met, brushing softly together, and Eirian lifted her arms, intertwining them about my neck. The kiss was a gentle one, tender, sweet, savory. I broke away when I noticed her tears falling against my skin.
“What’s the matter,” I asked, concerned.
She stared at me, tracing over my features, before placing her finger to my lips.
“I love you, Bran.”
My body trembled in response, though I didn’t know what to say.
“Don’t speak,” she added, saving me. “I know you aren’t able to say it back. There are just times I want to share it with you. I’ve waited so long.” She took my hand, and pulled me up the path toward the bridge once more.
I wanted to ask her more about her feelings, but being so unsure of my own still, I didn’t want to embarrass her. Whatever was happening between us, I was sure it bode well for our future. The more time I spent in her company, the more I wanted to be with her. I might not agree with the means she’d used to get me, but the reality was I did feel something for her. I just wasn’t sure what that was.
We walked in silence until we arrived at the giant edifice. I marveled over the stone, the carvings upon it, and the way it stretched out across the water in its repetitive arching pattern.
“How long did it take to build this? The craftsmanship amazes me. I’ve never seen its equal in my life.”
She laughed heartily; the melodic sound broke into the air like crystal. “I don’t know. It has been here for my entire existence and many centuries before, I would imagine.”
“Are you saying you never ponder on such things?” I couldn’t believe how nonchalant she seemed.
“No, I haven’t. It would be like asking, ‘Why did someone build a road?’ A road was needed so it was built. It’s the same with this bridge.”
“I do wonder who built roads,” I grumbled.
She laughed again. “Maybe it’s a male thing then. I’ve never questioned my surroundings. They’ve always been here, so they’re what I consider to be normal. Have you ever wondered about your own house, or the village you grew up in? Or were they just there because they always have been?”
I shrugged. “I considered much about the surroundings I grew up in. I was always planning for my future and how I would like things of my own to be when I grew up. What the house I built for Ceridwen would be like, and where it would be.”
The smile left her face at the mention of Ceridwen.
“Sorry,” I apologized. “I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“You didn’t.” She released my hand and walked away. “I know you had a life before. I try not to let it bother me, but it seems I’m a little . . . jealous.”
“Why?” I asked, curious as to why a Fae would ever be jealous over me. I followed after her across the bridge.
“I told you before—I’ve been watching you for a long time, since your youth. I guess I became a bit possessive. I always felt like those kisses you gave . . . her . . . were stolen from me. I wanted to be the one pressed against those lips, in those arms, under those hands.”
“And now you are,” I reminded.
She turned and smiled. “And now I am. But for some reason, I’m still envious.”
“You shouldn’t be. I’ve done much more with you than I’ve ever done with her. Those are pieces of me she will never claim.”
“But she would’ve had I not interfered.”
“Yes, she would have,” I agreed, there was no doubt about that.
“Do you regret that she won’t now? Be truthful.” She stopped walking, staring intently.
I looked away and moved to the bridge’s edge, placing my hands against the stone railing. I gazed across the water. “Of course I regret it. I love her. I had planned my life with her—a life that will never happen now.” I glanced over my shoulder to see her standing still, unmoving, her face blank of emotion. “You must understand. When you stole me, you stole some of my dreams too.”
“That’s why I’m resentful. She has your heart, your dreams, and if you had a true choice, she would be the one here with you.”
I didn’t speak. There was no way I could refute her words because they were the absolute truth.
“Did you think of her, just now, while we were together under the tree?” Her words came out as if they were painful to speak.
I walked over and placed my hands on her shoulders. “For a brief moment before and after, but not even one breath during. When I am with you, I am here, only with you. It will always be so, I give you my word.”
She relaxed and slid against my body, laying her head against my chest as she wrapped her arms around me. “I’m sorry, Bran, for stealing your dreams.”
I groaned and embraced her.
“I know. What’s done is done, though. Let’s not keep reevaluating it, but try to move forward instead. I think that will be best for both of us. Rehashing things will only bring more regret.”
She tilted her head and looked at me. “I will try not to. Will you ever forgive me?”
I chuckled. “I think I already have. I’m still here, aren’t I?” I brushed my lips lightly against her forehead. “You need to realize that even though I’ve lost some dreams, I’m getting to experience others. The Fae are real, this place is real—you are real.” I frowned. “Unless I’m still sleeping next to the tree in the glen and this is all just some fabulous dream made up by my honey mead sodden mind.”
Her face brightened at my remarks. “No. You aren’t dreaming. I promise you that.”
“Good to know.” I tweaked her nose. “So let’s continue getting to know one another. Are you going to show me this fabulous city, or are we going to continue standing here the rest of the night entwined on the bridge? Not that I’m complaining.”
“Let’s go,” she said excitedly, grabbing my hand and hurrying away at such a quickened pace I had to run to keep up.
I loved watching her hair and skirts flying about, noticing the slim turn of her ankles as she moved. It was exhilarating to run, and I could feel her sneaking into my heart a little more.
She stopped suddenly, and we would’ve collided had I not been staring at her. “There it is,” she exclaimed, her chest heaving as she caught her breath. She pointed ahead, into the crevice. “Àillidh. It means beautiful.”
I think I may have gasped at the sight it was so breathtaking. The actual city was carved intricately into the walls of the canyon. There were stairs and pathways chiseled into the rock face everywhere, leading into different structures. Glass orbs, suspended by what looked to be metal rods, lit the city with an unnatural glowing blue light that reflected off the small, thin waterfalls that cascaded over the edges of the cliffs.
The water fell into a river, rushing along to an area where the walls widened, giving enough room for a small island to rise out of the middle. On the island sat a tall castle with many elegant spires that jutted high into the air. The canyon walls narrowed around the far side of the castle again and the city continued on as far as the eye could see.
“Ah’lee,” I said, repeating the foreign sounding name she’d spoken. “I understand why the bridge is meaningless to you now.” I took a step forward. “There are no words for this. It’s just . . . just . . .”
“It’s beautiful. And it’s home,” Eirian stated with a sigh.
“Home?” I questioned, confused. “I thought you lived in the castle on the hill above the canyon.”
“I do. I live in both places. Actually, they’re technically the same place. They are connected underground with a myriad of tunnels and rooms. It would probably take a lifetime to show you them all.”
I couldn’t even begin to fathom what she was talking about. “I hope you will show me some of them at least.”
“Of course, I will. You’re my mate, after all. It would seem strange not to.”
“Let’s go,” I said, eager to begin my explorations.
“Wait. There is one thing I must caution you about.”
“What’s that?”
“I am the princess of the realm. Even though you are my chosen, you’re new here. My people will expect you to be besotted with me, and defer to my every whim. It is custom for those who have been brought here to remain under enchantment. I have broken the rules by releasing you from yours. I could actually get in trouble for doing so.”
“Why would you release me?” I asked, puzzled by her actions.
She sighed heavily. “Because I’m greedy. I wanted all of you. I can enchant any person and make them want me, but I had truly fallen in love with you. I wanted to see if your feelings for me could become real too.”
I was surprised to hear her admit this. “What would you have done if I’d stayed angry or refused to have anything to do with you?”
She shrugged. “Enchantment is easy to replace.”
“And could you have lived with yourself that way? Knowing that deep down I hated and resented you?”
She stared at the ground. “I wanted you badly, Bran. I’m sorry to say, I would’ve done anything to have you.” She looked up. “You talked to me of your dreams. Well, being with you is one of mine. I’ve never wanted anything more.”
I didn’t know how to reply, but I didn’t want to lay blame with her, so I moved on. “What else will I be expected to do? I don’t want you getting in trouble, and I don’t want to be enchanted again either.”
“Like I said before, they will expect you to be besotted, unable to keep your hands off me.”
I couldn’t help my small grin. “That really won’t be that difficult. Anything else?”
“They’ll expect you to eagerly do what I say.”
“I think I can pull that off as well. Just try to go easy on me. Is that all I need to know?”
She shook her head, but she seemed hesitant to speak.
I reached for her hand, squeezing it. “What is it? You can tell me.”
She lifted her chin slightly, as if daring me to argue, and I braced myself for whatever she was going to say.
“They will expect me to be with child within these first seven days.”
Chapter Six
I wasn’t really surprised with her announcement—given what she told me prior—but I was surprised that it was in such a tight time frame.
“Seven days? How is it even possible to know if one has successfully conceived in that amount of time?” The idea seemed preposterous.
“Everyone will be able to tell. I’ll begin to glow if I am.” She was wringing her hands together.
“Excuse me?” I wondered if I’d heard her correctly.
“I’ll begin to glow. Certainly you’ve heard this saying in your realm. When a woman is with child, she gets a certain glow about her, like her appearance brightens.”
“Yes, I’ve heard of that.” I stared at her curiously.
“Well, it’s the same for the women of my race, only we actually do get a pale shimmer to our skin, as if we’ve been lit from the inside.” She was blushing again. “I know you find it odd to rush into childbearing, but it is the custom of my people.”
I laughed slightly. “Actually, I’m beginning to be intrigued. I want to see what you look like when you glow, because I already thought you looked that way.”
“You do?” Her eyes were wide, and I wrapped my arm around her waist, hauling her to me.
“I do,” I whispered then kissed her lightly again. “And I will agree to all your demands, the public displays of affection, and even the child.”
“Why?” she asked, amazed.
“Because I like it when you smile and when you blush. I like hearing you call out my name and what it does to me.” I hesitated, considering my feelings before I spoke my next words. “And I think . . . I like that you are mine.”
She closed her eyes. “Will you please say that to me again?”
“I like that you are mine.”
She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me with wild passion, her tongue meeting my own as I pushed her over to the canyon wall, leaning her against it. She clung to me with a fierceness I’d never known from anyone before, and I knew in that moment she really did know what love was, and she was in love with me.
“You’ll never realize how much your words mean to me,” she said when we broke apart. “I will never forget them.”
But I did know. She’d shown me, and I hoped that someday—for both our sakes—I’d be able to give her even more.
She laced her fingers in mine, pulling me after her. “Come on! I want to share everything I can with you.”
I laughed, and we raced to where the walkway split into two, divi
ding toward each side of the canyon.
“Which way do we go?” I asked.
“You decided.” She smiled at me in excitement.
“Left, let’s go left.”
“Done.”
We slowed when the walkway narrowed, leading up to the first set of steps. I peered curiously over the edge to the layers of city that were both beneath and above us in the canyon walls. I noticed something I had missed before. Slim, stone, footbridges spanned the lower part of the canyon, nearer to the water, accessing both sides of the walls. It was clear there was no way this civilization used anything like horses or carriages—there would be no way for them to maneuver around. There were, however, long, thin boats tethered down in the water near multiple docks.
Eirian watched me with avid interest before leaning to look over the edge. “It’s wonderful, isn’t it?”
“Yes,” I agreed. “Why are there so many boats?”
“They’re used to get around the city. The canyon travels farther than the eye can see, and what you can’t tell from here, is that there are other crevices that branch off of this one. The city is huge. It would take several days to explore every part of it.”
“Does it all look like this? Or are there different classes of living?”
“The whole city proudly boasts the same fine architecture. We are creators of things of beauty. There are also tunnels chiseled through the rock, and more dwellings in there too, just as lovely as you see out here.”
My mind couldn’t even fathom this. “It seems like that would be depressing—living without fresh air and light.”
“There are holes put in strategic places which help everything to stay well-ventilated, and faery light is used to keep things bright.”
“Faery light?”
She gestured to some of the glass orbs housing the bluish light. “Nothing a little magic can’t fix.”
There was so much I didn’t know about her and her people. I couldn’t believe I was part of this place now. It would be my home too. It seemed overwhelming.
“What do you want to see first?” she asked with a smile.
Midsummer Night's Fling: Belinda Boring, Kamery Solomon, Lacey Weatherford Page 21