Wildest Dreams (Rogue Dream Fae Book 3)

by Terry Bolryder

  I shake my head. “Impossible.”

  She folds her arms and sits back. “You don’t know me. I would need years to figure this out.”

  I rub the back of my neck again, an ancient stress rising to the surface of my mind. “We don’t have that much time, if you do want me.”

  Her eyes widen. “Why?”

  “Well, uh, there’s sort of a reservation on me.” I probably should have mentioned this sooner, but I didn’t think timeframe would be a problem.

  She jumped into my arms the first night. She would not have gone into thrall if I wasn’t her fated mate, but there is no point in telling her that.

  I’m not here to coerce her into seeing my side. I’m here to show her I’m someone she can trust and depend on.

  She picks up her drink and sucks the rest down, then sets it down with an exaggerated sigh. “A reservation? Good heavens, you have to tell me about that.”

  “Well, you know that at the end of the thousand years without a soul mate, a highly trained, highly desirable warrior would usually go on auction.”

  “Like Lorien,” she says.

  I nod, still pissed about what happened to my friend. Had I been there, magic fireballs would have been flying.

  Then again, that’s probably why it’s good Tess went instead.

  “But that’s not what happens with you? What’s the deadline anyway?”

  I frown. “It’s the same deadline. Just a different consequence.” I dodge her question.

  “What happens?” Her eyes are glowing right now, with anger or amusement I’m not sure.

  “Someone basically paid my family the dowry, and if I was wrong all this time about my dream mate existing, since everyone thought the three of us were crazy for thinking we had mates in some other world, then that queen gets me.”

  “For what?”

  “Her harem,” I say, giving an uncomfortable cough.

  Sandra is staring at me like she’s expecting this to be a joke. “A harem?”

  I nod.

  “And you can’t say no?”

  I shake my head slowly. “It would be my duty to my kingdom, if you do not want me. Though, it wouldn’t have to be a sexual relationship. Perhaps I would just guard her castle.”

  Sandra lets out a snarl. “Barbaric. Then again, dowries are barbaric here too.” She sighs. “I like you, Jerrek. I’ve seen a lot of bad dudes, and some bad ladies too, but the things the bad dudes do are worse. They beat women. They kill them. They leave them. They cheat on them. They kill the kids to threaten their mom. They beat their wives to terrorize their children. I will never understand that.” She shakes her head.

  “You work with only unhappy couples, though, do you not?” I ask. “It’s not exactly an even viewpoint.”

  “It’s not,” she says. “But I’m also biased, I guess, because of my mom. My dad treated her terrible. It was a relief when she left him, but it was far too late.” She waves down the bartender, though I’m a little worried about how much she’s had to drink.

  But as she points out, she’s an adult and can handle herself.

  And it’s my job to just show her how much I can love her, how much I can make her life great, if I get the chance.

  She sips her drink. “Wait, so how long do we have?”

  I breathe in. “A week.”

  She slams her hands on the counter and stands up. “What?” Her voice is raised, but the din of the bar drowns it out for everyone but us. “How in the hell am I supposed to deal with that? Why did you wait so long if there was so little time?”

  I raise an eyebrow at her. “Does it take so long to fall in love?”

  “Yes!” She folds her arms. “I need time to vet you.”

  “Length of time together doesn’t equal compatibility,” I say. “And I couldn’t hurry my friends, even if I wanted to. We all go at our own pace.”

  “But I only have a week!” She waves her hands frantically. “No one can make a decision like that in a week.” She plops her head on the bar, staring at me sideways. “I can’t do it, Jerrek. I’m sorry. I have work. I have responsibilities.” She narrows her eyes. “Why are you the only one with a reservation?”

  “To tell you the truth, I had forgotten about it. I was so sure I would find my soul bond sometime soon that I thought the reservation would be null and void and didn’t pay it any thought. My family reminded me when I went back to check on Lorien.”

  “Why didn’t you tell me then?”

  I sigh. “What would it have done? I couldn’t pursue you yet. I’m not worried. I promise, a week is enough time.”

  “Oh, no, it’s not,” she says, taking a sip of her drink. “No way. We aren’t even from the same culture. Or the same species.”

  “Yes, we are,” I say. “We’re both dream fae.”

  “Says you,” she says.

  “And you don’t have anything special about you? Something that isn’t like most people you know?”

  She flushes, and I know I’ve hit the mark. “It doesn’t matter. I’m not marrying some guy I’ve known for a week. After everything I’ve seen in divorce court, I would need years, and I don’t even know if I would feel safe then.”

  “It’s not marriage,” I say. “It’s more serious than that. Bonding ourselves forever.”

  She throws her hands in the air. “How can you do that so soon?”

  I take her hand and bring it in, holding it to my chest where my heart is pounding just at her touch. “I know you’re mine, soul bond. I’d know in a single second. So yes, I know I could convince you in a week, if only I had a chance.” I cock my head. “Besides, you might like dream fae society. Women are in power there.”

  Her eyes light up. “Maybe I will go there someday. But not as your mate, Jerrek. I feel terrible about this, but I’d feel worse if I let you try. Honestly, this isn’t my fault. No one could agree to this in a week.” She’s mumbling to herself now, and there’s genuine regret in her eyes as she faces me. “Look, you’re gonna have to get Lorien and Reve to help you out of trouble. I can’t date you knowing there’s so much at stake anyway. How would I know if I love you and you’re the one or I just feel bad and need to save you? I’d feel so guilty at the end of it. I shouldn’t have your life in my hands.”

  I stand, disappointed but not ready to give in. “I see where you’re coming from. But you just don’t get it. We’re made to be together. How long we know each other isn’t the point.” I put my hands on my hips. “But you aren’t going to believe me, so I suppose I need to try and figure out another plan.”

  She nods. “I’m sorry, Jerrek. I just… A week? With a man who claims he’s a fairy and has a woman following him around with a reservation?”

  I shrug.

  She sighs. “I like you, Jerrek. You’re hot. I would have been up for something casual and then maybe slowly getting to know each other. But I know enough to know that a lady should never let a pretty face convince her to go faster than she wants to.”

  My hands tighten. “Normally, I would agree. But you don’t understand. No one could make you happy like I could.” My eyes narrow. “No one could please you that much, I’m sure.”

  She flushes, standing as well and grabbing her small purse off the counter. “Well. If we’re done talking?”

  I plant a hand on her side, trapping her and stopping her from leaving. Her breath is coming quickly, her breasts rising and falling, and she’s still flushing deeply as she looks up into my eyes. “Why? Did reminding you of that night set you off? Make you think you might be tempted for more?”

  She is. I can feel it in the tingle of the air around us. She wants me. A primal urge to relocate us somewhere and take her, reminding her of the magic between us, is strong in me.

  But then I step back, making way for her to go.

  No point rushing her if she isn’t ready. I need to talk to my friends, plan our next step of attack.

  She flips her head and struts to the exit, and I follow her outside.
r />   When we get there, she pulls out her phone, presumably to call transport.

  “Let me send you home,” I say, raising a hand.

  “I really am sorry, Jerrek. But I think this is for the best. I really do. Any more complications between us are just going to make it harder—”

  “Call me if you need me, soul bond,” I say. Then I snap, sending her to her home safely.

  There’s nothing more to say, and she doesn’t owe me any apologies.

  It’s a difficult situation, and it’s not her fault conditions aren’t ideal.

  So I’ll just have to do something about it.

  4

  Jerrek

  “So she won’t budge on the one-week thing?” Reve folds his arms and paces across the floor of our temporary dream camp. “That’s tough to work with.”

  “Why did you not tell us about the reservation?” Lorien asks.

  I sigh, plopping down in a cloud chair and staring up at the blue, human sky. “I never thought it would matter. Sandra came to me so easily a month ago. I thought she felt what I felt. Besides, we go in order of rank for mate pursuits. It’s just how it is.” I cock my head. “I suppose I should have studied typical human-length courtships.”

  “It only takes a day or two in the fae realm,” Reve says. “We couldn’t have known that humans were so different about gauging compatibility.”

  “Without magic, it’s much harder to detect nightmares,” I say. “It’s understandable. I see where Sandra is coming from. At the same time, I can’t just give up on my mate.”

  Lorien nods. “I think I have an idea that might work.”

  “What?” I look up eagerly.

  “You could take her to the dream realm,” Lorien says. “Win her over there, where you don’t have to move around human customs or her job or any of the dangers here. Where you can focus only on love, as dream fae do during courtship.”

  “You’re right,” I say, hitting my fist against my other hand. “How can any human focus on love in this dangerous, cutthroat world? I take her to our world—”

  “Show her everything we have to offer in the fae realm.” Reve cuts in, getting excited as well. “Perfect.” He lets out a sigh of relief. “I would never have forgiven myself if we weren’t able to help you with your mate pursuit.”

  “It’s not an issue,” Lorien says. “Jerrek is the most desired prince ever in the dream realm. Given enough time with him, she will fall for him.”

  “Even though I’m too strong to control my powers fully, had poor grades in controlling my jealousy, and my only good grades were in sexual education, queens have been ridiculously persistent,” I mutter. “It makes sense how much they wanted you and Lorien. You aren’t disorderly.”

  “You aren’t disorderly,” Reve says. “Jerrek, you’d be a great fighting asset for any kingdom.”

  I grunt. “What about my whip skills, or lack thereof?”

  “I have always thought that would come with love,” Lorien says. “Love will temper your strength. I’m sure of it.”

  I nod. “I hope so.” I push out of my chair and walk over to the edge of the clouds, looking down. “I have grown fond of this world, but it would be nice to take my mate to my home. Since I have such a short time to win her, it would be nice to do so on my own turf.”

  “Really show her everything a dream fae has to offer,” Reve says, grinning.

  “It took only a week for each of us to win our mates, so I’m confident you can win yours as well,” Lorien says. “Once they feel the connection, it’s only a matter of time.”

  “So now you just have to worry about her calling you so you can show up.”

  I frown. “Good point. What if she doesn’t?”

  Jerrek, could you get your ass down here please?

  The sound of her voice, irritable and frustrated, makes me stand there frozen for a second, wondering if that’s really what I heard.

  I grin at them slowly. “I don’t think it’s going to be a problem. I just heard her.”

  “Really?” Reve says. “Well, get out of here, then.”

  “You want backup?” Lorien asks.

  “No,” I say. “Thanks for the plan.” I raise my hand. “I got it.”

  Then I snap my fingers, and air whooshes by as I teleport to my mate.

  5

  Sandra

  I press my back to my door, keeping my boss on hold as I sneak a quick peek through the crack in my blinds that lets me look out at the front yard.

  He’s still there.

  Jacob Neerden, the ex-husband of one of my clients who was referred from a domestic violence clinic.

  Not the first time a guy has blamed me for his life falling apart, even though I was just trying to save his wife’s life.

  It’s why I can’t ever seem to get ahead in my savings. Either I’m paying for my mom’s Alzheimer’s care or for temporary stays for my pro-bono clients.

  But what is life if we can’t help those who need it? It’s the best feeling in the world.

  Guilt rushes through me, making me remember Jerrek’s disappointed wine-colored eyes.

  My entire body responded when he pinned me, but I knew it wouldn’t be fair to either of us to go through this when it can’t work.

  I’ve seen how a life can be ruined by choosing the wrong partner. And it just takes time to figure it out.

  I truly believe it does.

  My mom never got over my father leaving, even after all the cheating, and I don’t want my life to be like that.

  Wasted because of a man.

  I sneak another look outside, then sigh in relief when my boss finally gets back on the phone.

  “Are you okay?” Jackie asks. “Look, I was able to call the client, and she and the kids are fine. But I’m worried about you. Have you called the cops?”

  “No,” I say. “I’m hoping he’ll just go home and get picked up there. I don’t want a confrontation here if possible.”

  I’d rather none of my elderly neighbors were too shocked or hurt.

  I glance out again. “Shit, he has a gun,” I say.

  “Sandra, I’m calling the cops,” Jackie says. “We need to act.”

  I shake my head, silently going through my options in my head. I can call the cops and watch an armed shootout in my front yard.

  I can hide here and hope he goes away, since he hasn’t seen any sign of me and he might give up.

  I’m still not sure how I’m able to think so clearly when I’m in so much danger, but for some reason, I can, and I’m grateful for it.

  “I’m going to wait,” I say. “I don’t want anyone hurt if possible.”

  “Sandra, he’s not there to say hi. He has a gun!”

  “If there’s no one here, he has no need to use it. He’s clearly decided that I’m the reason he lost everything. I’m who he wants to blame.” I exhale. “So the family is okay?”

  “Yes,” she says. “But I’m worried about you.”

  “These guys are usually blowhards,” I say. Though, I haven’t seen one with a gun. Normally, they think their much bigger build will intimidate any woman, and they show up on my doorstep with clenched fists.

  But I’m 5’11” and curvy, and I’m not intimidated by anyone.

  I am now, though. Now that there’s a gun involved.

  I wish my mom was still all there mentally. I wish I could call her and talk to her about all of this.

  She was always a magical woman. Sweet. Kind. Amazing. Watching my father break her down over years and years nearly broke me as well.

  Now I help women have the choices she didn’t, and it makes me happier than anyone could know.

  So yeah, I don’t have time for some whirlwind courtship.

  I don’t live in any kind of fairy tale.

  “Jackie, just hang in there with the family. Don’t call the cops yet, okay? I want to give him a chance to just go.”

  If he calms down, he could be taken in peacefully. It could save his kids and ex-w
ife significant trauma if he isn’t shot by police.

  Luckily, it’s very late and very dark, so aside from the one streetlight casting a shadow behind him as he paces, there’s no other light.

  No one should even know he’s out there, even though he is, and he seems to be getting more agitated as he paces with his gun.

  I’m scared. I am. But I just need to be careful in handling this. “I’ll call you back, Jackie. And I’ll call the cops at the first sign of trouble. I promise.”

  “That might be too late—”

  But I cut her off by hanging up, dodging back because I saw a face come close enough to look through the living room curtains.

  Shit, how did he get close so fast?

  He slams his hands on the glass, looking in this way and that, and I pray he can’t see me in the dark stillness of the house.

  But my prayers are in vain, and I see his dark eyes light with a gleam of pure madness as he catches sight of me huddling against the door in the dark.

  Jackie was right. It’s going to be too late to call the cops.

  He draws back a hand and punches forward, breaking straight through the glass.

  His hand is dripping blood as he climbs in through my broken bay window, tall and intimidating in the darkness.

  A gun still in his hand.

  “You bitch,” he says in a low growl, advancing slowly forward, shaking off the hand that punched the window.

  Dammit. I hate to do it, because this person owes me nothing, but I have to call Jerrek.

  Jerrek, could you get your ass down here please?

  I say it in my mind, hoping it will work. Then, cringing at how crazy I probably look, I decide I should at least try saying it out loud. “Jerrek, get your—”

  A puff of purplish-red smoke appears, as tall as my ceiling, and Jerrek walks out of it in a red shirt and jeans and with his arms outstretched. “See? Call, and I appear. What do you need, soul bond?”

  “What the fuck?” The crazy man in my living room turns to Jerrek, eyes bulging out of his head even more than before.

  Jerrek turns to him, slowly realizing I didn’t call him for a more romantic reason. Instantly, armor covers Jerrek’s body, and he steps between me and the man.