“Very much!” She smiled brightly. “It was wonderful. The sights, the wind. It must be amazing to have wings.”
Wick grinned. He couldn’t seem to let her go. She felt so perfect in his arms, just as a mate should. Annalise was warm and smiling, happy. He leaned closer, intent on kissing her. Just one kiss to ease the ache in his heart and soul. However, Annalise pulled away. She let go and stepped back. He had no choice but to loosen his hold. Did she not want to kiss him again? Were her loins not burning like his were?
Annalise turned and gasped. From here she could not doubt she the fairy kingdom. With the sun setting, the lights in the palace were beginning to glow and the fireflies were waking from their winter sleep. They darted between the dome homes like flashing lights. Wick wondered what she saw. Did she see the beauty in such a place?
“Wow.” It was Jayn who spoke. She stood beside them, breathless as her eyes wandered the landscape. “Okay. That’s impressive.”
Wick grinned. “This is my home. You are both most welcome here.” He held out his hands, one to each woman. “I am sorry, Jayn, but it is the fastest way down.”
“Please,” Annalise pleaded.
“Fine.” Jayn reached out and placed her warm palm against his.
Wick held a shudder, his body getting all sorts of excited. He wrapped one arm around each woman’s waist then slowly dragged them over the edge. Jayn held her breath while Annalise smiled with great joy. It wasn’t a long trip, but he took his time. Their combined weight gradually lowered all three of them. He glanced at the mammoth sunflowers that dwarfed their homes. With spring nearly here, they were stretching their petals wide and the stems were less drooped. Three people could easily sit atop one to watch the magnificent sunset. The ground came quickly and they landed softly. Jayn immediately pulled free while Annalise seemed to linger just a moment longer. “This is the palace.” He pointed toward the center building, much larger than the rest.
“Palace? Do you have king fairies and queens?”
Wick nodded. “We have a fairy king and a human queen.”
“Really?” Annalise seemed fascinated. Her eyes were wide as she glanced around, taking in his world.
“And a few more warrior fairies and their mates.”
Jayn scoffed.
Wick led them to the palace doors where the golden fairy Thame stood guard. He had a bemused smile on his face as he took in Wick’s companions. Thame’s brow rose and Wick smiled as heartily as he could. “This is Annalise and Jayn.”
Thame bowed, his golden wings fluttering. “Welcome to the fairy kingdom.”
Annalise stood there with her mouth hanging open. She reached out, her fingers grazing Thame’s shoulder. “Sorry, it’s just…those wings are beautiful.”
Wick frowned, and his green-and-yellow wings fluttered as if insulted. Then he glanced at the patch of green in her hair. How had she done such a thing? It was lovely, a tribute to him. Wick grinned. “Are the king and queen here?”
Thame nodded and shifted so all three could pass.
They made their way down the hall and to the main room, a room of pure glass. From here, the views were extraordinary, and the current sunset gave a glow to the two women standing beside him. Wick shifted closer to Annalise. His body was restless but his heart felt content. This was his mate. He glanced over. Now what to make of Jayn? She was very beautiful, but seemed to feel disdain for everything. Perhaps she had been jaded in the past and simply needed her eyes opened to his world.
The door opened and a very pregnant queen waddled in. She smiled at the women, placing her hands on her stomach, before finding the nearest surface to sit. King Carrick was behind her, his blue wings spread wide. “Greetings.” He had a smile on his face, friendly and generous.
Wick had a slight hop in his step as he walked to the king. “Sir.” The smile on his face grew. “It’s her.”
The king whispered, “Which one?”
Wick opened his mouth, but didn’t actually have an answer. “The petite one, I think.” His brow furrowed.
“You think?” the king whispered. “Welcome,” King Carrick finally said as he greeted both women. “Will you be staying the night? We will prepare a feast in your honor.”
“That’s not necessary,” Jayn said, that frown still etched on her pretty face.
Annalise gave her a brief look before turning to the king and smiling. “Thank you. We would love to stay. This is a magnificent place.”
Wick bit his bottom lip, his cheeks were beginning to hurt from smiling so much. “A feast it is then.” Wick could hardly contain his cock hidden behind his loincloth. It was at full attention now. His first meal with his mate.
****
Wick sat across from Annalise but his eyes did wander to Jayn. What was her part in all of this? None of the other fairies seemed to be lingering near her, although Whisper had yet to make an appearance. Once they all had full bellies, he’d go over and have a long talk with her. Did she plan to stay as well? Surely, his mate Annalise would stay here in this world. She seemed to enjoy it. Her laughter rang out and seemed to echo like an angel singing. She was talking to Breena, the feisty Irish mate to Thame. They were laughing and giggling like old friends. Annalise sure did look like she fit in.
Jayn on the other hand sat at the table, a frown etched on her face with her arms crossed under her chest. She watched the perimeter every few seconds. Glancing around, searching shadows, like perhaps she didn’t belong here. Why then would she be able to see them? “Are you from Ireland as well?” Wick struck up conversation despite Jayn’s instant hard look.
“America, place called New York.”
“Ah, that explains the accent.” She didn’t have the same Irish lit as the others. Jayn also didn’t answer. She didn’t even try for civilized and Wick felt this small nudge to try again. “How long have you been here?”
“A few years,” she muttered and reached out to sip fresh water from her cup.
“Enjoying it?” He turned up the charm. “We have the best views and the nicest people on earth. Ireland is filled with rich history and you’d certainly hold your own with our fair maidens.”
Jayn finally stopped looking at the shadows and glared at him. “Is this an interrogation? Because I have a good amount of experience with that as a cop.” She stood. “I don’t like you. I don’t trust you. Hell, you’re not even supposed to exist so let’s stop trying to play nice.”
“I like playing.” Wick gave his famous grin that usually made the ladies swoon.
“I’m here because Annalise has some crazy notion you’re important. I think you’re just a half-dressed imbecile with girly wings sticking out your back.” She stood tall, her lips pinched tightly together.
Wick let the insult roll off his skin like water. “So, you’ve been staring at my body then?” He grinned, and his wings fluttered.
Jayn rolled her eyes and walked away.
“She likes me,” Wick spoke low but loud enough so she could hear. He heard her snort as she walked toward Annalise.
“Who’s the uptight one?” Thame with his golden wings shuffled toward him. “If Annalise is your mate, why does this one see us?”
Wick shrugged his shoulders. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
“King called a meeting,” he said and pointed toward the palace.
Wick turned toward Annalise, sending her a smile as she pushed the green streak of hair out of her face. Soon he took to the sky. The wind caressed his bare skin but did nothing to ease the pressure between his legs.
The glass room was where they met. All the warrior fairies including one extremely tough female that nodded at Wick as he entered. They all circled the king, His wings were bigger than theirs by a fraction and their blue coloring seemed to have brightened since the queen announced her pregnancy. He stood before them now, his chin high, back straight. King Carrick was a fairy born to be their leader but had grown to be their hero. “Settle down,” he said with authority. Chatter s
topped. Wick caught sight of Whisper hiding in the shadows of the doorway. “There’s news we must all be aware of.”
Wick sat on the arm of the chair, adjusting to ease his straining cock. Even when he was away from Annalise, he was thinking of her. Her smile, the way she laughed, her cute little ass. The king cleared his throat and Wick glanced forward.
“As you know, the trolls have been concentrating their attacks on our mates. They haven’t gathered for a full-fledged assault and there’s no word of them doing so. However, Mord has news.”
Mord was a blond fairy with light blue wings that stood nearly as tall as Wick. He was a man Wick hadn’t gotten to know well, but his loyalty had always been present. Wick respected him so when Mord opened his mouth, he listened.
“I was on a hunt last night, gathering as much information on the trolls’ plans as I could. Four of them came out of the darkness and surrounded me, but before I could pull out my sword, they dropped theirs.” The silence in the room seemed to give way to a few gasps.
“That’s when I came upon them.” Thame approached the center of the room. “I was ready to lop their heads off but they said they had a message for us, the fairies. Apparently, their leader was overthrown. A new one took its place and that troll wants to talk.”
“Peace talks,” Mord continued. “The previous troll leader was bloodthirsty. They said the population has fallen severely, and as a result they killed their king and appointed a new one.”
“And we believe them?” Keyn asked. He raised a brow, which crinkled the scar that dissected his check. “They are known for their deception.”
“I am skeptical as well, but they gave us no indication of foul play. They dropped their weapons and wanted no violence,” Mord said then glanced at Thame. “Until Thame used his sword to slice their heads off.”
Thame stood tall, unapologetic. “One of them twitched.”
Wick looked away with a grin. He knew damn well Thame was against all trolls. They cut his wings off and stranded him on the Aran Islands not long ago.
“The point is...should we believe them?” Thame added.
Wick stood. “They attacked Jayn. Just before we arrived while she was trying to get onto her boat.”
“Did they see you? Did they know she was with a fairy?” Mord asked.
Wick thought a moment then shook his head. “I was walking with Annalise. There is no way they would have known,” he admitted.
“And the trolls in the forest receded, though not far,” Keyn added. “They moved off our territory and toward the hills that lead to their caves.”
The king rubbed a hand down his face. He looked tired. “So we have ourselves a conundrum. Do we believe them? War is already in motion but it’s something I do not want to proceed with. Death is an enemy to all and with our mates showing up, our future is yet bright. This is not a decision to be made in a night. We must think on our next step but be vigilant just the same.” The king ended the meeting with that. Nodding toward them then walking through the door, he headed right toward his bedchamber.
Wick didn’t linger. The recent events heavy in his mind, he followed the fairies out to the terrace. The sky was full of colorful wings as each man went home. Wick didn’t have a home he wanted to return to. Instead, he’d go out looking for her. The problem was which female did his heart desire, the beauty who filled his soul or the spitfire that challenged him?
Chapter Four
Annalise looked up at the full moon with awe. This place was magical, it was unbelievable, and a place she could happily call home. They’d had a grand feast and she met several other fairies, all handsome beyond words. She was slightly overwhelmed by their sheer masculinity. Annalise was introduced to human women, including the queen, and learned more about the fairies she has been obsessed with all her life. Today was one to remember for eternity.
They had been brought to the glass room a little while ago and Jayn promptly fell asleep on the couch. However, Annalise couldn’t contain her excitement. Fairies were real. She wasn’t crazy. There was no overactive imagination. Men with wings in the sky existed. Annalise walked onto the small terrace. She scanned the scenery with wide eyes. Even at night with darkness closing in, this place was amazing. She longed to explore but those things, trolls, were still out there. Well, she could deal with just looking for now. After all, tomorrow was another day.
A wind blew harshly past her and she glanced up. This sight was perfect, her green-haired fairy, wings spread, flying toward her. She smiled up at Wick. “Hi.”
“Good evening.” He glanced at Jayn then back to her. “Are you well?”
“Better than well.” Annalise closed her eyes and inhaled deeply. “I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.”
Wicked grinned. “Care to go for a midnight ride?” He held out his hands.
She really shouldn’t. Jayn said not to go anywhere without her but Wick was too handsome to resist for long. What would a quick jaunt in the night sky hurt? Annalise couldn’t believe she had the opportunity to fly through the air. “Yes,” she finally muttered. “Absolutely, yes!” Annalise stepped into his personal space, wrapping her arms around his neck, and stepping gently on his toes.
Wick laughed lightly and lifted them both off the ground. His warm arms came around her waist and those gorgeous wings flapped to take them farther from the terrace. Fresh night air filled her lungs and wiped hair from her face. Temptations began to surface. That kiss lingered in her mind as they flew to the top of the palace. He settled them on the slanted roof and hugged her tight. “Do you like it?”
“This place? Love it.” Annalise smiled, looking out over the land. “I have been searching for it all my life. For you.” Wow, that sounded far more sensual then she intended.
“I’ve been right here. Waiting for you.”
Annalise glanced at him. He wasn’t smiling, his eyes were focused on her, and those wings fluttered as he leaned closer. That first kiss had been so wonderful, so magnetic, that she longed to do it again. One tiny kiss would lead to another deeper touch and then...Annalise pulled away before their lips could touch. Her heart pounded in her ears. All this time she waited for the green haired fairy and now she couldn’t have him. Not without losing the one person she loved, Jayn.
“I do not understand. We kissed, but you do not seem to want me any longer.”
“We just met,” Annalise tried.
“No, we’ve known each other for a long time. Haven’t you felt that craving in your heart? The need to return to these woods to find me? I have. I wandered aimlessly, unaware of what I was searching for, and then I found you.”
Annalise groaned. Her heart and head were fleeing in different directions. “Wick, it’s Jayn. I love her. We’re in love, a couple.”
Wick frowned, and his brow rose in confusion. “Two women?”
“Well, yes. Two women, two men, man and woman, sometimes all three,” she added breathlessly with a squeeze of her thighs. Her core was beginning to get too excited. She could feel it come awake. Her body wanted him, not just a man, but a fairy.
He grinned briefly and then his hold tightened. “You and Jayn are...” Wick frowned, his eyes narrowed. “But you are my mate. Mine,” he growled and his lips smacked against hers.
Annalise couldn’t fight it. She had no willpower when it came to this fairy. Her lips parted, and the kiss became a claiming. His tongue was a wild animal. Wick’s hands roamed over her and made Annalise ache for more. Her hands were on his chest. His bare skin was so warm she could melt right into him. Wick pulled her closer, their bodies touching deliciously. She wanted to spread her legs, rub herself against his hard contours. Oh, how she wanted him. Annalise forced herself to stop touching him. She closed her lips and tilted her head to break the kiss. Her breaths were difficult to control just like her frantic heartbeat. Annalise locked eyes with him. Wick looked sad and confused. He frowned but his eyes had a shine to them. “I’m sorry, I can’t...”
Without a w
ord, he lifted them off the roof and flew them to the terrace. He placed her down carefully, not even looking her in the eyes. “I’ve lost you to another,” he whispered the words into her ear, kissed her cheek, and flew off into the darkness.
****
Jayn popped a red berry into her mouth. She thought it was a grape but what saturated her tongue wasn’t a fruit she was used to. It wasn’t bad but the texture was strange and she swallowed it quickly. She sat at a long table with Annalise who seemed to be sulking. The king and queen were on the other side of the table, quiet but for the constant chewing from the queen. She grabbed handfuls of those berries and began shoving them into her mouth.
Queen Brook looked up with a grin. “Eating for two. These are gooseberries. They don’t have peaches and bananas like back home. You should try the beetroot and apple salad.”
Jayn searched the table and found the food. She scooped some onto her plate and took a hearty spoonful. It was better than the gooseberries. She glanced at Annalise again. Her lips were downturned and her hair had fallen in wisps down her face. She was nudging the fruit on her plate around but not really bringing anything to her lips for sustenance. What was her mood about?
“So Jayn, do you plan on staying here as well?” the king asked. “We’d be happy to accept you into our community. Though it’s strange that you can see us just as well as Annalise but have no mate—” The king jumped, glancing at the queen and leaning down to rub his shin.
Jayn watched them, her mind working like a cop’s. Obviously, there was more here than just the usual. Usual? Mythological men with wings who were fighting scaly creatures called trolls. “We haven’t decided what to do yet. There is a whole world out there.” She took another bite and swallowed before continuing. “Then again, why is it you haven’t exposed yourself to the world? You’re myths, fairy tales, and the bases for romance novels. Why is it you exist and keep it a secret?” Jayn just didn’t trust them. She didn’t know if because deep down she didn’t believe this was real. Maybe she hit her head somewhere along the search for Annalise and was currently lying in the woods bleeding out. Was it because Annalise was excessively cozy with a certain green-haired freak? She glanced at Annalise. Or maybe it was because Jayn could feel the woman she loved slipping away. Jayn didn’t have time to ponder as the queen spoke.
Menage a Fairy (A Fairy Novel) Page 3