Faery Tail

by Deborah McNemar

  Power drifted around her, wild and unfettered. It didn't force or badger her. It didn't engulf her in an attempt to drown her will. It simply shared this world she found herself in. For the first time in her life, Star didn't feel overwhelmed by the magic. It was there, whispering on the night breeze and thrumming in the earth beneath her feet. It sang with a silent, compelling voice, calling her to play.

  Star rose, stepping from stone to dark earth. The power here wasn't stronger, only different—darker, richer, singing with a more compelling voice. She followed the song deeper into the grove. The silent music led her on, a will-o-wisp of temptation that she couldn't resist.

  She stepped into the clearing, her senses tuned to the magic that swirled and fluttered around her. The world was brighter, the starlight clear and cold. The scent of power was heavy in the air, the loam thick beneath her feet. The moon phased dark in the sky above her in an irresistible invitation to dance.

  Her body swayed in the errant breeze. One tentative step. Two. Star hesitated. Should she? She hadn't allowed herself to give into that need for a very long time. The magic in this place was clean and pure. It would strengthen and soothe her. It would heal her. The lure was too great. Clothed only in moonlight and mist, she gave herself over to the dance.

  Dancing was more than a pleasure for the Fae folk. It was an instinctive need to give back to the world the magic that replenished them. The dance could create fairy rings, links between worlds, or heal a mortally wounded body. It could bond souls or ease pain. Nor was dancing a solitary venture. Usually, an entire court would gather to dance, to revel all night in the power of constrained abandon.

  It had been seventy-five years since she had danced. The power rushed through her, more intoxicating than any drink and more satisfying than chocolate. It filled in the empty places inside of her, energy overflowing into motion. She whirled, her feet following the steps of the dance without volition, her body twisting in sensuous motion as she found the rhythm of this place and her heart beat.

  His hands came from nowhere, steadying her, lifting her as she reached for the silver glimmer of the stars that hung in the sky above them. His fingers slid over her skin. Not holding. Not restraining. Merely the soft whisper of a caress.

  Star opened her eyes. Centauri had joined her in the circle, his own hair still damp from a bath. The magic around them expanded, roiling as earth and air roused to the power of the dance. Star's eyes widened. He was as naked as she. The moonlight played across smooth skin sculpted by hard muscle. His dark eyes were unreadable. His hands, when he lifted and turned her, were strong and sure.

  In one blinding moment of clarity, Star wished she could tempt him beyond that rigid control.

  But the moment flickered past as the demands of the dance whirled her on. Her hair flew around her, brushing her hips and thighs and adding another layer of sensation to the night. Her heart beat fast, a strange heat rising inside of her. Her skin tingled where he touched her, shivering with a pleasure that she couldn't blame on the magic alone.

  The hair on his chest brushed the tips of her breasts and pleasure arced through her like a live current. She arched against him and a moan broke from her lips. He caught her close. Star watched him, unable to look away. His breath hitched as she molded herself to him. There was no mistaking the evidence—he was as aroused as she.

  The dance led them on. The forms had been set at the dawn of time and all Fae were born knowing the steps. At every turning, Centauri's hands slid over her body. At every separation, the heat between them burned brighter. Star gave herself over to the magic of what was happening.

  The dance slowed, the magic of earth and air mingled, pulsing around them. Star found herself breathing heavily, her heart racing as her body finally came to a stop. Centauri stood only a few inches away, his eyes locked on hers. She swayed toward him but he didn't reach for her.

  The chill of rejection shocked her out of the hazed desire that clouded her mind. He wanted her. That wasn't something he could hide. So why wasn't he reaching for what he wanted? His hands remained fisted at his sides, his expression closed. Star stared at him, wondering what it would take to push him over the edge.

  With trembling fingers, she reached out and traced his mouth. He caught her fingertips with his teeth, his breath coming in panting bursts. But his hands remained at his sides.

  "Kiss me,” she begged. His tongue touched the tips of her fingers making her gasp. Her demand came firmer this time. “Kiss me."

  He released her fingers only to curl his face into her palm.

  "If I kiss you now, I won't be able to stop,” he admitted in a hoarse whisper.

  Then she understood. With a smile, Star closed the distance between them. He hissed softly as she pressed herself closer. With gentle hands, she pulled his face to hers and kissed him.

  * * * *

  As the moon set silver bright behind the walls of the canyon, Centauri lay awake. His body was relaxed, at peace for the first time in a very long time. It was his mind that was tangled.

  He hadn't expected this to happen. He had planned so carefully, thought every possible outcome through. What had he hadn't known how to prepare for was her. From the day he had met her, she had been turning his plans awry and tonight she'd set his world on its ear.

  He sighed, pulling her closer to his side. Her skin was so soft under his hands, her body so delicate. But there had been nothing fragile or uncertain about her tonight. He had needed her trust and she had trusted him, giving up her barriers. He had wanted her to dance, to be as complete and strong as she could possibly be. And she had danced.

  Centauri groaned softly, burying his face in the wild, silver fall of her hair. She smelled like clean water and starlight. He pulled back, studying her face in the pale light. She was so impossibly fragile, so terrifyingly delicate. She looked as if a strong wind would shatter her.

  But the scars on her legs and hips told a different story. She still bore the marks of imp claws down the back of each leg and across her hips. It was a ritual marking he had seen on impish prisoners who were usually dead by then and yet she bore them without a single complaint. He cradled her close, savoring the odd tenderness that rose in him. She was one of the strongest people he had ever known.

  Star light, Star bright...?

  The words of the rhyme whispered through his head and he smiled. She believed in wishes and fancies. After all that she had been through, after all the things she had faced, she still held onto her dreams. She refused to use her magic, protecting herself the only way she knew how, but to dry a little boy's tears she had put herself at risk.

  First Star I see tonight.

  If only she could be the only Star he saw at night, he thought whimsically. He traced the odd birthmark around her navel, marveling as the dark lines sparked under his fingers, flaring silver. Magic. The woman was pure magic. He pressed a kiss to her stomach feeling the smooth muscles clench under the caress. She sighed softly in her sleep, a sound of utter contentment. Something welled in his chest, an emotion he didn't recognize but it tightened around him in steel bands.

  Wish I may, wish I might...?

  The words rose against his will, drifting, half-formed, through his mind. He didn't believe in wishes. Anything he needed he could win with his own two hands. But there was no stopping the cry that echoed in his heart.

  Wish I may, wish I might keep the Star I hold tonight...

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  Chapter Fourteen

  "Star, wake up."

  Star stirred reluctantly. Her body felt leaden and uncooperative. She opened one eye to find Centauri leaning over her. Pleasure sparked through her and she felt a lazy, satisfied smile curve her mouth. Maybe there was something to be said for going after what you wanted. He had been everything she had ever dreamed of last night. She reached for him.

  "Star, you have to get up."

  Something in his tone burst her bubble of contentment. She sat up, pushing her h
air out of her face with a frown as she watched him moving around the clearing. No ring had been formed last night. Their lovemaking had grounded and diffused the magic.

  Her frown deepened as other details seeped into her brain. It wasn't even dawn yet and he was already dressed.

  "What's wrong?” she asked, her voice husky from sleep. Something had him wound tighter than a bowstring.

  "We have to leave.” He held out her clothes, now dry.

  Star took them, confused. “Why? What's wrong?"

  He made a sharp sound. “I've been a damn fool."

  She watched him walk away. Every line of his body was taut with anger. Had she done something wrong? Surely, he wasn't angry with her over last night? With a heavy heart, she dressed and laced her boots before heading after him.

  She found him beside the waterfall, his face grim as he stared into the rushing water. The misting spray of the falls chilled her as she neared and Star shivered.

  "Are you mad at me for some reason?” she asked. There seemed little point in beating around the bush. It hadn't been her intent to push him into anything. She had nothing to apologize for.

  "Angry?” He turned, surprise lightening his dark eyes. “No, I'm not angry with you."

  "Then why all this rush-rush? You wanted to spend time with me and now you can't wait to get rid of me?” Star stuck her hands in her pockets and hunched her shoulders. “What did I do wrong, Centauri? What did I do that was so bad?"

  "Bad? No!” He there instantly, cupping her face in his hands. “By Danu, woman, you were perfect. Never doubt that."

  She couldn't doubt that he meant every word. The heat in his eyes washed over her, brushing away her fears. She felt the blush rising under her skin, and she looked away. He slid a hand under her hair and pulled her into a loose embrace.

  "No, Princess,” he murmured. “You were a dream come true last night and as much as I would like to stay here and indulge in that dream, we can't. We must go."

  "Why?” Star couldn't stop the plaintive note that crept into her voice. “Why do we have to leave right now?"

  "Because Luna has played us both for fools.” He stepped away trailing soft, caressing fingers across her cheek. “You are in far more danger in this realm than I had thought. I will take you home and, once you are safe, I will explain everything. I swore to keep you safe and that is what I will do."

  "I don't have to like it, do I?” she grumbled. He was far too serious for this to be a bad joke. And she couldn't argue the fact that being in the Fae Realm made her uneasy. She would be glad to be back home where she knew which rocks to look under and which trees had snakes in the branches. It was a jungle she knew. But she couldn't quite let go of lingering pleasure of the past night.

  "Will you be able to stay for a while or will you just dump me on my doorstep and leave?"

  "Princess, once you hear my tale in full, if you still desire to go ahead with this courtship I will be more than happy to comply."

  He turned and the light around him hazed sharper, the larger, indistinct form of a centaur enveloping him and then he was. He lifted her with infinite care and set her on his back. Star snuggled closer, wrapping her arms around him and nestling her face against his back. He slid a hand over her arms in a warm caress.

  As he trotted from the terraced stone of the pool and into the denser press of trees, Star stifled a pang of regret. She hadn't realized how much she had been looking forward to spending this time with him. She pushed back the sting tears, consoling herself that he would stay once he had her home again.

  Centauri remained disturbingly quiet as they left the canyon. He leaped from terrace to terrace with powerful surges leaving Star hardly daring to breathe as she clutched him tightly. He steadied her with a hand on her leg as they cleared the last stone ledge and cantered into the forest. His pace was strong and unmistakably urgent leaving Star wondering just what had happened to set him off.

  As the day lightened to morning and then drifted toward noon, the Vale of Mists fell behind and the Meanduraug knitted in around them. Centauri snagged a few pieces of fruit, which they shared on the run. Daylight drifted toward dark and still he ran.

  Night closed in and Star fought to keep her eyes open. Her body ached from the constant motion. She was hungry and chilled but she clung to him like a trusting limpet.

  The cackling started low, stirring along the night air as a faint skitter of sound, like branches rubbing glass. Centauri put on speed. Star roused, frowning at the change in him. The pulse of wing beats grew louder. The chilling sound of screeling calls and hooting laughter swelled around them.

  "Oh, my God,” Star whispered, pressing her face into him, trying to control the frantic racing of her heart. “The Slough."

  Centauri did not answer. He didn't need to. In a full gallop, he cleared a low hedge of prickle brush and ducked a low branch. The wind whipped past them but it wasn't enough to dull the sound of Star's worst nightmare out for a midnight ride.

  The world blurred. One moment she was riding and the next she felt herself lifted and tossed aside. She hit the ground and rolled, coming to her feet in time to see the huge club take Centauri full in the side. Star screamed. Centauri flew several feet to land heavily in the brush. He staggered to his feet as the troll drew back for another swing. He dodged the club this time though Star could tell that he was in pain. In graceless necessity, he wheeled, putting the broad, gnarled trunk of an oak between himself and the troll.

  Star couldn't move. The troll ignored her, focusing his attack on Centauri. Wood splintered as the granite embedded in the club smashed through the oak like a trout through water. Centauri evaded the blow and his bow shimmered into existence in his hands. The first bolt took the troll high on the shoulder. It didn't seem to faze him, and he kept coming with the persistence of a lava flow. The next bolt took him in the side and Star heard him grunt though he didn't slow.

  Another tree shattered.

  Centauri managed to get off two more bolts before the troll's club caught him high on the shoulder, flinging him into a tree. Star heard bones snap.

  Centauri didn't stay down. With his arm dangling useless at his side, he kept moving, evading the club as it whistled down again. The club sank deep into the ground and the troll staggered at the impact.

  The bow was gone, useless now. Centauri lashed out with his back hooves, catching the troll in the knee. Star flinched at the sound of stone shattering and the troll's scream of rage as its leg gave out. But on one knee and now weaponless, the troll was still far from powerless. With one swoop of a huge fist, he caught the Centaur up in crushing hold.

  Star couldn't hold back her cry of horror as she watched Centauri held like a child's toy, dangling twenty feet or more off the ground. The troll shook him violently and then threw him aside. He landed, limp as a rag doll in the brush.

  Star was of the Air Realm though she had never used her powers. Now, seeing Centauri, his equine form fading as his body reabsorbed the magic to try to replenish itself, something inside of her broke free. She wasn't thinking. There was no room for coherent thought in the maelstrom of emotion that raged inside of her.

  And the wind answered.

  The troll, twenty-five feet tall if he was an inch, fell back as the hurricane force of her anger hit him in the chest. With a scowl deepening the furrows in his ugly face, he turned toward her, his fist raised. Star didn't move. The wind twisted around him, a vortex of fury and fear that slung gravel and shattered wood in a scouring assault. Wounds opened on his face and chest and he howled. Stones pelted him, driving like jackhammers against the arrows imbedded in his flesh. The arrow in his side slide deeper and then vanished. He stared down at her, the anger on his face fading into confusion as he slid sideways and finally fell over.

  Star rushed to kneel beside Centauri. He was unconscious. His skin was pale except where the livid bruising over his ribs and shoulder told of broken bones. With shaking hands, she pushed the tumbled hair out of his face.
His pulse beat an erratic rhythm under her fingers.

  "You can't do this to me,” she whispered as the cackling laughter of the Slough tangled around them, bouncing back from the broken trees in maddening echoes. “I can't do this all by myself."

  His eyes fluttered open. He didn't seem to see her. His eyes were unfocused and bleary. Tears filled her eyes, flowing over, as she heard the painful rasp of his breath. The first tear fell on his cheek and he winced, closing his eyes. She could feel the magic in the earth beneath him beginning to stir. Oh, please, let it be enough, she prayed frantically. Please, let him live.

  Another tear fell, dripping onto his neck as she bowed her head. He opened his eyes, reaching up to touch her face with his good hand.

  "Don't cry,” he whispered as she tried to shush him. “Not for me. Never for me."

  "No, Princess,” a cold voice crooned from behind her. “You really shouldn't waste your tears on him. He's the one who brought you to me, after all."

  Star turned slowly, dreading what she knew she would see.

  He was draped in a long coat that dragged the ground and hung loose around his emaciated frame. The wide brimmed hat effectively hid his thin, vicious face but nothing could disguise the dark glow of his eyes. Darker than the shadows. Darker than the night itself. They were the black of the eternal abyss and as cold the endless miles between stars.

  Ankou. King of the Unseelie court and the undisputed lord of the Dark Realm. Behind him, skirting the dead body of the troll, the Slough, the wraith hunters, came in to land. Reining in their skeletal mounts, they leered at her, cackling their high-pitched laughter. A handful of imps skulked over the troll's chest, creeping like spiders across his cold, calcifying flesh. Come morning, he would be nothing more than another pile of stones.

  "Come here."

  Ankou beckoned her to him, but she shrank away, shaking her head vehemently. He made a sharp sound of displeasure. Another gesture brought a pair of Spriggan with their sharp, clever faces, slinking closer.

  "Bring him."