Faery Tail

by Deborah McNemar

  The winds eddied through the gazebo ruffling Stella's hair with perfumed fingers. She closed her eyes briefly, raising her face to the caress. Her halter-top rippled lightly letting glimpses of pale flesh shimmer in the afternoon sunshine. She opened her eyes to find Sol watching her with guarded curiosity. She tossed him an airy smile and watched the cracks in his hostility slam closed into a solid front again.

  "Twelve?” Centauri's voice remained soft but there was a hard edge to it that Stella noted with interest. “She was twelve when Luna bartered her off the first time?"

  "To the Unseelie court,” Stella affirmed and watched anger well up in his dark eyes. Oh, yes. It was just as she had suspected. Astrid wasn't the only one feeling that attraction. “But Luna hadn't counted on Astrid being able to refuse. She had conveniently forgotten that Fíon gifted his daughter with free will. She spent a month stomping and screaming but the magic wouldn't allow her to force Astrid once Astrid had stated that she wasn't willing. The next time she didn't give Astrid the chance to refuse. She just packed her up and sent her off to the Seelie court in hopes that someone there liked young meat."

  "That's disgusting.” Sol was obviously repulsed by the idea. It was a small point in his favor, but she gave it to him.

  "Luna doesn't think that wishes are worth saving,” she said softly and watched confusion swim across his face.

  "Which one are you?” Centauri asked.

  "I'll give you three guesses but the odds aren't in your favor.” Stella grinned impishly when he raised a brow at her. He could take it as a challenge if he wanted to. She was merely stating facts.

  "Four compass points birthed of the moon,” he murmured as he moved toward her. “What does the moon give birth to but stars and that leaves the question of just which star you are."

  Stella looked up as he stopped in front of her, meeting his gaze fully. She kept her grin and stood her ground.

  "Star talked about wishes. Wishes on stars. She's a wishing star, isn't she?"

  Stella settled for a nod. There was no point in interrupting him while he was on a roll.

  "She said once that Starla had told her that each person much choose their own star to follow, that no one could choose it for them.” He paused, pondering that one.

  Sol spoke up behind him. “A guiding star, perhaps?” He came to stand behind his brother, studying Stella intently. “And this one and her talk of odds?"

  "A lucky star.” Centauri shook his head. “The very foundations of our magic made flesh and Luna plays with them like they were game pieces."

  "Oh, you're good.” Stella tilted her head to look up at the two men who loomed over her. “The problem here, boys, is that no matter what you know or what you think you know, any retaliation on your part would be a very bad idea."

  Centauri was shaking his head, dismissing her warning and Stella persisted.

  "You know how it works. You're nothing until you rule a realm. If retaliation comes, it has to come from Finnbara or Ankou and Luna walk away smelling like roses.” She poked a finger at Centauri. “Leave the politics to your father. You have some damage control of your own to do and you...” She turned her glare on Sol. “You have some fessing up to do and a load of apologizing to top it off. Don't look at me like that,” she warned when he started to argue. “You need to be the one standing at Finnbara's shoulder when things are set into motion."

  "And what of you, Princess?” Centauri crossed his arms and stared down at her with an expression that probably intimidated most people.

  Stella wasn't most people. She snorted. “Me? I spent an entire night listening to Astrid rant about how she wanted your balls on a platter and then I held her while she cried, worrying herself sick over now badly you were hurt. I soothed, I distracted and I bought coffee until I couldn't stand it anymore and I took her shopping in self defense."

  Intimidation rapidly turned into defensiveness and the man didn't have to move a muscle. Pain flickered briefly at the back of his eyes and Stella softened.

  "If it's any consolation, she knows it wasn't your idea, Centauri. She's hurt that you didn't tell her the whole story up front. She's feeling betrayed, vulnerable and not just a little bit stupid for trusting you. Time will help her get over that. One day, not too far in the future, Astrid's going to figure out that you're from the Earth Realm. You could have used that power to seduce her at any time and she wouldn't have had any choice in the matter. She's going to understand that eventually. But until she does, she's at risk.” She grinned at his consternation. “She didn't tell me anything if that's what you're thinking. In fact, she wasted a great deal of energy insisting that you didn't seduce her.” Her grin deepened with pure devilment. “Seduce was her choice of words, gorgeous. She never said you didn't sleep with her."

  "You said she was at risk.” Sol stepped around his brother, his gold eyes wary. “How so?"

  "Luna,” she said simply.

  "You want Centauri to protect her? The girl released him from all oaths,” Sol protested. “I heard her myself."

  Stella ignored him, keeping her eyes fixed on Centauri. “She can only release you from oaths you made to her."

  A white blossom drifted past Centauri, carried on an errant breeze. In the distance, the sounds of life were muted. Stella pushed away from the frame with a lithe twist of her shoulders. Tucking her thumbs in her back pockets, she eyed both men thoughtfully.

  "You boys have to do what you feel is right,” she said finally when the silence grew too long. “But let me leave you with this one thought. Astrid found me in Las Vegas. She ran from the Unseelie court and was led through the tweenways to the Vale of Mists by a pixie and two ráthu. When she woke up, she was in the Human Realm and nowhere near a fairy ring. This is bigger than your egos combined."

  With a shrug, Stella skipped down the steps and made a game of stepping only in the cracks as she made her way back to the main path. She could only hope that they heard her. It was a choice they had to make without any pressure from her. Remembering Astrid's tear streaked face, she hoped that at least Centauri would hear the message behind her words.

  "Princess?"

  Stella turned. It was Sol. He was jogging toward her, his face set in solemn lines. She paused, allowing him to catch up. It was a nice view as his muscles flexed smoothly under luscious golden skin.

  "You wanted something?” She batted her eyelashes innocently at him and saw him rethink the answer that sprang to his lips. Good. Maybe the idiot would learn to think before he leapt on the first coy thing to beckon him on.

  After a moment's thought, he pursed his lips and found the question his libido had misplaced. “Does he have a chance with her? It would be cruel beyond understanding to give him hope only to have her shatter him further."

  Stella continued her stroll toward the outer gates. “Luna's screwed Astrid over many times over the years,” she tried to explain. “I've seen Astrid pissed before but never hurting like this.” They turned off the broken stone path and onto a neatly trimmed way. “There's only one reason that I can think of—this time she cares more than she did before."

  He stopped her with a light touch on her arm, turning her toward him. “I've never seen him like this over a woman before,” he admitted in a low voice. “If she breaks his heart again, there will be nothing left of him but sand."

  Now that was an admission of great magnitude to make to a woman who might just be bent on vengeance for a sister's broken heart. Stella studied him again.

  He was a handsome man, a man that women would throw themselves at, eager to partake not only of that beauty but to bask in the warmth of his very presence. Charisma. The man had it in spades. Was he truly so terrible for taking what they offered so freely? She heaved a mental sigh and cursed all oracles to a special level of hell. If it weren't for that stupid reading when she had been young and foolish, she wouldn't even ask that question.

  "If she's not in love with him, she's just one step away from it,” she said finally. “
She couldn't even decide if she's pissed at him or worried about him."

  He looked up at the wide blue sky reflected against what was in actuality the roof of the mound. “He won't allow his body to heal.” Sol closed his eyes. “He is punishing himself for what he felt he had to do for me. Is there anything that I can do to fix this mess?"

  Stella felt her heart soften at the expression of pain that etched itself across features carved for passion. “Astrid will rip your balls off and stick them down your throat if you go near her right now,” she admitted with painful honesty. “This is something he has to do on his own."

  He fell into step beside her as she resumed her way back out. He remained silent, lost in thought. Stella found his company soothing in an odd and completely unexpected way. It wasn't often that she shared an attractive man's company without there being strings attached. The golden gates to the outside world came into view and Sol sighed softly.

  "Princess?"

  "Yes?"

  "What is your name?"

  "Why?” Stella couldn't stop the question even as it fell from her tongue.

  "Because I would like a name to put to the face that's going to haunt my dreams."

  Stella's foot connected with his shins before she remembered that she wasn't wearing shoes. She cursed, holding her toes.

  "After all the crap you've started because you can't keep your pants on, you're hitting on me?” she snarled. “Do us all a favor, Sol, and make the next woman you bed your wife."

  Limping, she stalked through the gates, leaving him to stare after her. Oracles. She couldn't even get one with class. She had to find one that predicted love only to lean back in her chair and take a puff of her cigarette.

  "Don't look at me, hunny-child." The thick southern drawl dripped off her memory as if it were yesterday instead of sixty years ago. "I don't make ‘em. I just report ‘em."

  [Back to Table of Contents]

  Chapter Twenty-One

  Star gazed out over the wind-rippled water. In the distance, children were feeding the ducks pieces of bread from their sandwiches. Spurts of laughter punctuated the twilight as they made a game of throwing the chunks farther and farther into the lake, watching as the ducks dove and flapped after the tidbits.

  It had been two weeks.

  The days weren't so bad. Maria and Jose were glad to see her again. She had told them as much of the truth as possible leaving them with the idea that Centauri had taken her on a short trip to a national park for some camping where phones were scarce. Maria, hugely pregnant, scolded her for not telling her ahead of time but seemed pleased by the spur of the moment jaunt. Mr. Connors was glad to see her back but told her to take another week off to recover from her vacation.

  The nights, however, were not so easy. Alone in her apartment, the memories flooded her. She didn't worry over Ankou or concern herself with what Luna might try next. It was the images of Centauri that haunted her. She had shoved them away, did her best to bury the pain under the mundane details of living. She spent hours, lying in her bed, trying to sleep. It was only when she gave in and curled on the tatty couch where his scent still lingered was she been able to finally drift off.

  But dreams were no respite. She relived every kiss, every touch, and woke with tears on her cheeks.

  The shouts of the parents recalled the children as twilight draped violet shadows over the water. Star shivered. It wasn't the breeze that chilled her but the cold ache inside of her. She was alone, just as she had always been.

  "Hey, you.” Damien joined her on the footbridge, his hands tucked in his pockets. The light breeze ruffled his short, dark hair.

  "Hey back.” Star tried to drag her thoughts back to the present. “Did the gallery people get finished?"

  "Yep. They crated and moved the last of them.” He leaned his hips against the rail beside her. “You're still going to be my escort for this shindig, right?"

  "Are you kidding me?” She gave him a scathing look. “Stella spent hours helping me pick out just the right dress for the occasion. Do you honestly think I'm going to go through that kind of torture and then cry off? Besides,” she added with a shrug. “I'll have the best looking date there."

  He was watching her thoughtfully. With brotherly familiarity, he tucked a stray strand of hair behind her ear. “How are you feeling?"

  It wasn't a light question. He wouldn't be pacified with a flippant or pat answer. Star sighed and leaned her elbows on the railing, staring out over the water.

  "Do I look that bad?"

  He shrugged. “Not bad, just tired and worn. You smile and joke but you still look hollow. You feel like spun glass, if you know what I mean. Fragile. I'm not used to you being like this.” He bumped her lightly with his elbow. “I told you I should have just beat him up and sent him on his way."

  Star couldn't stop the small smile that crept out. “You should meet him before you decide to take on a challenge like that. It took a troll to do the job and you just ain't troll makings, my friend."

  He scowled at that and she reached out to scratch between his shoulders in a silent apology. He sighed in pleasure, arching back against her nails and shifting so that she could hit the right spot. When she finished, he sighed.

  "Tell me something,” he asked abruptly. “Can you change shape?"

  "No.” Star relaxed. At least he didn't want details about what happened between Centauri and her. “I'm Sidhe and of the Air Realm so that's not a gift I have. Centauri is Tuatha de'. They are of the Earth Realm and, since the earth encompasses body, he can alter his.” She leaned over to rest her cheek against his arm. “Since I've spent most of my life dodging all things Fae, I'm not really the person you should be asking."

  The breeze drifted past them, whispering in the quiet. Around them, the sounds of the city shifting gears painted a backdrop of anticipation on a blue velvet sky. The lights of the city came alive, deepening the shadows around them until they were shrouded in gloom.

  "You're going to be ok, you know,” he said softly. “You're going to get over him and get on with your life."

  Star sighed. “It's not that. This past week has just proven beyond a doubt that I haven't been living at all, Damien. I've been going through the motions. I don't want to do that anymore."

  "What do you want to do?"

  "It's not really what I want to do; it's what I don't want to do. I don't want to keep looking over my shoulder. I don't want to deny who and what I am just because my mom's a bitch. I don't want to live inside a shell anymore."

  The breeze tickled her nose bringing with it the faint tingling of magic and the musky scent of perfume. Star wheeled around, gripping Damien's arm. He growled softly but didn't throw off the restraint.

  Luna was watching them from the wide grassy lawn that led to the lakeshore. Behind her, four of her personal guards waited for instruction. In the loving caress of the moon, she glowed with a gentle golden light.

  "Astrid,” she called. “You will return to Lough Lean. Now."

  There was a strained note in her voice that Star had never heard before. Not that it made a bit of difference. She wasn't about to play any more of Luna's games.

  "No."

  "You will do as I command or I will kill the solitary."

  Damien snarled but Star could feel the air thicken around him, holding him in place. The Moon Queen could steal his air, suffocate him where he stood and there was nothing Star could do about it. The guards took her hesitation as acceptance and headed for her.

  They hadn't taken three steps toward the bridge when an arrow whistled from nowhere to bury itself only inches from the lead guard's foot. They all stopped where they stood.

  "Are you adding oath breaking to your list of crimes, Luna?"

  She knew that voice. Star tried to find him but the shadows were too thick where the trees came down to the water's edge.

  "What oath, Alpha Centauri?” Luna spat the question at the world at large. “I gave you permission to court her and here s
he is, with another man. You have failed."

  "She issued three challenges in good faith, Luna. I have not yet completed them. Until I succeed in my quest or yield in defeat, she is mine alone to court. You gave your word. Break your oath at your own peril."

  Luna's eyes narrowed. “What time limit did you place on your challenges, Astrid?"

  Star found him. He was merely a denser shadow among the trees but there was no mistaking the powerful equine form. Her heart tightened with an emotion she couldn't name. Her fingers tightened on the railing. Behind her, Damien made a harsh noise as Luna restricted his air further.

  "Release Damien now, Luna,” she demanded. Fury bubbled under her skin and the glow lit the footbridge. “The challenges I issued to Centauri are none of your concern."

  "How long?” Luna snapped as Damien went to his knees, his face pale in the moonlight as he gasped for the air being denied him.

  "I gave no time limit. Centauri must succeed or fail on his own merits. Time has nothing to do with it."

  A guard screamed, an arrow sprouting from his shoulder. He had been trying to creep closer to her while she had been distracted.

  "I will tolerate no interference, Luna,” Centauri's voice rang out. “If I see any Sidhe or Unseelie near her, I will declare your oath broken and you subject to penalties."

  Damien gasped as air returned and Star crouched beside him. He staggered upright, his hand on her shoulder. She helped him to the rail where he leaned, still panting.

  Luna was gone. Even her guards had vanished. In the distance, the city hummed as the night picked up pace. Somewhere, a radio played a soft ballad.

  Star took a hesitant step toward the trees. “Centauri?"

  His shadow shifted for a moment, coming clearer and then fading back into nothing. “Take him home, Star. Take him and be happy."

  And he was gone. She could feel the loss in the breeze as it coiled around her. The void inside of her deepened and her anger vanished into its icy depths.

  Damien touched her shoulder. He was still shaken by what had happened but he was recovering quickly. “Come on, Star. You're staying with me."