by C. A. Szarek
“I need to go.”
But where?
She scanned the field before her. The trees moved in a breeze that shifted her skirts and her hair, as if the forest was beckoning.
It was warm—much more so than the beach on Skye. The sun was bright, not hiding behind fluffy clouds like it had been at home.
In the distance she could see a vast palace.
Janet shuddered. Wherever she went, she wouldn’t head there.
Home. She wanted to go home.
There was no one in sight.
Where are all the soldiers?
Hadn’t Alana mentioned how she couldn’t return to the Fae Realm if she’d wanted to, since her father had the Stones on his side guarded day and night alike?
Panic inched up from her gut. Her arms and legs shook. Janet took a step, then faltered. Her ankle screamed a protest as she steadied herself, barely managing to stay on her feet. Tears—of fright and pain—stung her eyes.
Her gaze shot to the right when a twig snapped.
He saw her at the same time she saw him.
A Fae Warrior.
Long dark hair in a thick plait. A sword the same size as her brothers’ claymores sheathed at his waist. He wore a dark green, shiny chest plate.
Janet screamed.
He drew his sword and started shouting in a language she didn’t understand. It sounded like Gaelic, but the words were off. She didn’t take the time to concentrate to see if she could comprehend anything. No matter what he was saying, it wasn’t friendly.
His iridescent wings flexed. Sunlight glinted off them like a prism.
Two more winged Fae men landed in the orange grass.
Janet’s eyes darted between the forest and the soldiers. She would have to pass them to disappear into the trees. She’d never make it on her injured foot. Frustrated and helpless tears spilled down her cheeks as she backed up. White-hot pain shot into her knee, but she kept going until the wood of the dais hit her shoulder and hip at the same time.
Wind was born from nowhere and the Fae Warriors turned collectively, looking up.
Janet’s skirts were plastered to her legs and the sleeves of her leine flapped against her upper arms, making her shiver. Gooseflesh rose and she had to squint when her hair whipped around her face.
She couldn’t see the Faery Stones, but she could hear them. A lyrical, rhythmic hum reverberated, becoming louder every second.
The warriors’ shouts were frantic. The other two drew swords. They formed a line, gesturing to each other, taking no notice of her.
What’s happening?
Though it just about killed her, Janet didn’t stand idle. She took advantage of the soldiers’ distraction. She darted around the dais and slid behind it, uttering curses she’d heard her brothers moan when a wound from the fighting yard required a poultice or to be sewn up. Men were like bairns when they bleed.
Janet could still see the three Fae Warriors, but they likely couldn’t see her.
Colors swirled in the air. There was a loud shredding noise, then another, like parchment ripping. She winced and ducked down, though squatting hurt her ankle even more. She clutched the plank of wood before her, praying the portal would stay open—if that was what was happening.
Maybe I can go home.
Some sort of bubble-magic, like the one that had surrounded her and Xander on the beach, popped into existence and slowly opened up; she could see through this one. It was dark on the other side, but she could make out what looked like rocks.
The cave?
Someone walked through the bubble, blocking her view, then lowered himself to the ground, hand on the hilt of a sword. He was still hazy, but awareness skittered down her spine.
Xander.
Janet’s gasp was ripped from her mouth in the moving air. The bubble—or the portal—disappeared with another loud pop.
He crouched, but his eyes locked onto her at the corner of the dais, as if he’d heard her thinking his name. “Janet!”
Xander’s voice made her shake. Janet couldn’t move, even as her so-called-husband yelled for her.
She should go to him.
“Stay there. I’m coming for you.”
She nodded, clutching the wood until her knuckles whitened.
Xander straightened, raising his arms, and yelling something. With a burst of multi-colored light, wings appeared on his back. His expression was triumphant.
The three Fae Warriors shouted.
One took to the air, but instead of attacking, he flew away.
Janet’s gut told her he was going to get reinforcements.
Xander drew his sword and whipped his other hand around, throwing a fiery ball of light at the other two. They scattered, one taking to the air to move away. The magic disappeared, missing both of them.
“Traitor!” The shout was English and made Janet shake even more.
When Xander flew, she watched in mesmerized fright as his newly appeared wings pumped hard, moving him higher.
He’s drawing them away from me.
Should she run? No, he’d told her to stay put. So Janet would obey. And watch. She couldn’t look away.
The first clash of swords made her whimper and bite her bottom lip. Sword fighting she’d seen.
But…in the air?
The bright sun made it difficult to see everything. She squinted, staring at the three moving figures.
Xander parried and dove, throwing fiery balls as he fought, but so were the other two warriors. They came together and moved away in some morbid dance full of magic and swords. They were yelling, too, in that close-to-Gaelic language.
Her breath caught, her mouth going dry as the two warriors descended on Xander together. One dove forward to wrap around her supposed-husband’s torso, the other going for his legs. They pinned his arms down, his sword hanging helplessly in his hand. He struggled in their hold, and suddenly the three figures were plummeting toward the ground.
Janet’s heart stopped.
Xander tried to yank away, but the other two Fae held tight as they slowed, pumping their wings in tandem. She could feel the magic between her and Xander, like she had on Skye, but Janet couldn’t see it.
The three Fae men rolled to the ground as one. As if on purpose. A calculated capturing move.
“Nay,” Janet whispered.
What if they killed him?
A burst of light so bright she had to look away erupted from Xander and his captors.
She cried out. Janet shook from head to foot. Had she just seen the man she was supposed to be destined for murdered with magic?
Tears burned her eyes and her bottom lip trembled, so she bit down on it. When the radiance faded and her vision cleared, Xander was striding toward her. She frantically searched for the other two warriors, but they lay on the orange grass, unmoving.
Xander sheathed his sword and smiled when their eyes met.
Her gaze drank him in the closer he got. Janet needed to say something—anything—to him, but her voice was gone. Her throat dry, she didn’t try.
He jogged to close the distance between them.
She could see no marks on his body, and no blood.
Thank God.
A breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding rushed from her lips.
When he reached for her, Janet put her hand in Xander’s without hesitation. Magic hit her in the chest, but it wasn’t unpleasant. Her whole body warmed, starting in her heart and sliding down her arms, her legs, even her fingers and toes. Her stomach fluttered. She stumbled, head spinning.
Xander steadied her, drawing her into his arms. “That’s our bond. You’ll feel it more here, especially when we touch. Magic is alive in this realm.”
“I—”
“We need to go. We can talk when we get to safety. I’ve only stunned them. Reinforcements will be here shortly. We cannot get captured.”
She didn’t have the guts to ask where safety could be. “I want to go home.”
�
��I don’t have time to open the Stones. Are you hurt?”
“A-a-aye.”
His violet eyes bored into her and a tremor shot down her spine. “Did they touch you?” It was a growl that made her shiver even more.
“No.” Janet shook her head. “I-I-hurt my ankle. I don’ know how.”
Xander pulled her closer and Janet couldn’t help it, she burrowed into his chest, slipping her arms around his waist. She hugged him to her, and he squeezed her right back.
She closed her eyes against his shoulder, trembling as emotions swirled in her head. She felt right in his arms, but still scared out of her wits.
His heart beat in time with hers. She could feel it against her breasts, but it was more than that. Like before, it was as if his pulse was in her body with her own.
“I’ve got you, lass.” Xander’s warm breath kissed her temple and she couldn’t help but remember his mouth moving over hers at the beach.
“I’m frightened,” Janet whispered.
“Aye, I am too. We need to go.”
Janet lifted her head, and their gazes collided. “I canna’ walk, Xander.”
“You won’t have to.” He flexed his wings.
“Flying?” Anticipation and dread slipped down her spine. Flying was…unnatural. And she’d never been fond of heights.
“Aye. Hold onto me; I’ll never drop you.” He dipped his head down and pressed his mouth to hers in a hard kiss.
Janet swallowed hard. The brush of his lips on hers was over before she’d had time to react, but her body heated and her heart thundered even faster. She would’ve kissed him back, like she had on the beach of Skye.
Why?
Was magic making her lose her head to this man?
Or is it more?
She ignored the voice that asked that, shoving it to the back of her mind.
Nonsense. She might have known who he was for the past six months, but Janet didn’t know Xander. Not really.
Without another word, he pumped his wings twice, then a third time.
Her trembling started when he slowly rose into the air. Janet gasped and tightened her grip on his waist. As soon as they were completely off the ground, she wound her legs around his calves, wincing when her ankle shot pain into her knee.
Janet felt the rumble in his broad chest that had to be a laugh, but Xander held her closer. “I promise I won’t drop you, lass.”
“I won’ look down.” She hid her face in his neck.
Xander chuckled again. Janet felt his lips on her forehead and smiled in spite of herself. Chilled air slid over her form, at odds with the heat of his body against hers, his warm strong embrace around her.
“Do what you must; I’ll do the rest.”
“Thank you,” she whispered as the wind rushed in her ears, whipping her hair as they moved higher.
“You’re mine to protect.”
Janet didn’t answer, and she ignored how much she liked the words. She squeezed her eyes shut and held onto Xander as he soared even farther into the air.
Chapter Eight
There was only one place he could take her. One place the Fae avoided like the plague.
The Grànnda Falls.
Grànnda meant ugly in Fae and Gaelic alike, and the falls were the only geographical area of the Fae Realm where the foliage was the muted greens and browns of the Human Realm. No purple and pink trees. Not a blade of orange grass in sight, let alone of the soft wavy blue variety.
It was what Janet would consider normal.
Xander’s people, on the other hand, considered the vast falls, surrounding forest, and the river undesirable. A shame, really, since the Grànnda Falls area had some of the best hunting in the realm.
Even if they burned though the supplies he’d brought, they wouldn’t starve.
He shuddered and hoped it didn’t translate to the lass in his arms. Xander didn’t think they’d survive more than a few days undiscovered, let alone a whole week.
King Fillan would have patrols out to find them. They would search high and low. Wouldn’t give up until Xander and Janet were captured. They needed to formulate a plan and get back to the Faery Stones. Back to the Human Realm.
Xander had said an invisibility spell the moment they’d left the two unconscious Fae Warriors and he hoped to the gods it held. He probably should’ve killed Mikhias and Ruark, but getting away had been more important. A part of him hadn’t wanted Janet to see him kill, either.
He stretched his wings and rose even higher, hitting a thermal and gliding. The warm air caressed his wings and his face, ruffling his clothing, mussing his hair, and making him grin.
His magic was back! Full force and screaming in his mind, running in his blood.
Xander threw his head back, closing his eyes and laughing. Had Janet not been wrapped around his body, he would’ve thrown his arms out and floated backwards. Perhaps even performed backflips in the air like he had as a lad. He wanted to shout for joy.
When he felt her tremble in his grip, he met Janet’s gaze. He might not be able to read her mind, but her sapphire eyes were wide, her arms and legs tight around him.
As much as Xander was reveling in being in the air, his mate was panicked. His elation deflated and he rubbed her back. “Not much further, and we’ll be there.”
“Where?” Her voice shook.
Xander held her tighter, if it was possible. He wanted to kiss her, touch her, but even if they were in a safe situation, something told him his would-be-wife would never be comfortable in the air. Plus, she was injured.
Which makes me a wretch.
“The Grànnda Falls.”
“Ugly?” Janet arched one dark brow.
He grinned. “Aye. You’ll see why.”
She stayed plastered to him, hiding her face as their journey continued.
He heard the falls before he could see them. The forest was overgrown and lush; the tree canopy would be adequate shelter if they had to leave the safety of the cave, their destination. Even now, he couldn’t see the forest floor from the air.
Good.
The river caught his eye as they moved closer. Wide and deep, it would act as another barrier, since the falls were on the other side.
Xander wouldn’t be able to use much magic and remain undetected, even in an area Fae would naturally avoid. He couldn’t ward the cave. A protection spell would be sensed immediately and defeat its purpose. He was even leery to try a spell such as the magical stay out his cousin had on the Faery Stones of Skye. It, too, could be sensed.
Janet gasped and crushed her eyes shut when Xander dove for a large boulder.
“Lass, the view is beautiful, if you would but look.”
She shook her head and he swallowed a laugh, lest he offend her.
“There’s nothing to fear,” he said into her ear as he touched down. “You can let go now, we’re on the ground, so to speak.”
The rush of the falls must’ve caught Janet’s attention, for she lifted her head from his chest, but she didn’t leave his embrace. Xander wasn’t going to complain. He liked holding her.
He released her when she tugged at his arms, but she didn’t move more than a few inches away. She favored her foot, and he frowned. Xander needed to get them settled so he could take a look at it.
“This place isn’t ugly at all. It’s beautiful.” There was wonder in her voice as she looked up at the greater and lesser waterfalls.
The larger of the two curved inward, forming a wide asymmetrical half-circle. Below it was a pool, deep blue and serene. He knew the water to be warm.
Xander laughed, gripping her arm when she wobbled on her feet. “Fae feel differently, because the foliage—”
“Is like home.”
“Aye.” He nodded, tipping her chin up to look into her face.
Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips parted.
His heart stuttered and desire warmed his limbs, especially where they touched. He would’ve kissed her but she gently pulled away,
looking down at the pool at the base of the larger waterfall, and then gesturing to the river. “It’s so warm here.”
“Aye, the weather is usually like this. Not like the Human Realm. It’s regulated by Fae who have weather magic.”
Janet looked over her shoulder. “Really?”
Xander nodded. Their mating bond throbbed, and he wanted to reach for her. He cleared his throat. “They work together keep things mild. Sunny days, warm nights, and only rain when we need it.”
Silence fell as she took in their surroundings. Birds called to each other, and branches rustled as tree dwellers hopped from place to place.
Serenity surrounded them and Xander breathed it in, calming completely despite their situation. Hopefully their environment would have the same effect on his wife. He couldn’t sense what she was feeling exactly, but her form radiated agitation.
“What now?” Janet whispered.
“There’s a cave behind the larger fall. We’ll hide there.”
“For how long?” She turned to him, swallowing hard, and Xander wanted to kiss her throat. Wipe that look off her face.
“Until it’s safe.”
Her sapphire eyes misted over and his stomach fluttered. “How long is that?”
Xander didn’t want to tell her he hadn’t a clue. He didn’t know the watch schedule anymore. He didn’t want to admit he was going to have to leave her to find out, either. He’d have to go back to the Faery Stones alone, discover the most vulnerable time for the guards, so he could open the Stones and get them back to the Human Realm.
All that discussion was for later. When they were safe.
He pulled her back into his arms, and she didn’t fight him, nor did she question why he hadn’t answered her. “Let’s go into the cave.”
Janet nodded and hid her face as he gathered her closer and pushed off the boulder. Xander glided downward, toward the rushing falls.
They both gasped as he flew through the water. It was cold, a shock, and soaked them from head to toe, but it was the quickest way into the large cavern he and Alana had discovered as children.
They could’ve avoided getting wet if they’d scaled the cliff and slipped behind the water, but Janet couldn’t have even if she wasn’t injured.