Coldness swept through Rhys. “I can think of other people better suited for the task, my King. I am needed here.”
“Nothing here is more important than my daughter. I’m asking you to do this for me, Rhys. I need someone I trust to do this.”
“Perhaps Leilen would be a better choice?” Desperation gripped him. He could not spend day after day watching her, being in her presence.
“Leilen is going to the Dark Realm. I need him to make sure Darrick is where he should be. I feel unrest and need that assurance. And I need the assurance that all is well with my family.”
“Dermet then?”
“Is there a reason you don’t wish to be around my daughter?” Abagail frowned at him.
“Of course not.” His mind raced to find a plausible reason for his hesitation. Certainly not the truth. “If you feel unrest, it is important that I stay close to you, Kaelen. Particularly with Abagail expecting.”
Kaelen leaned forward, his silver gaze boring into Rhys. “I trust no one more than you. My second-in-command. My best friend. I cannot think of anyone I’d rather have watching over my daughter than you.” He frowned. “Do you refuse me, Rhys? Question my decisions?”
“Of course not. I will do whatever you command.”
“Thank you, my friend. She will be staying in Abagail’s cabin. It’s important that she not know you’re there.”
Abagail snorted, causing the men to look at her. “Nobody likes a babysitter.”
Kaelen sighed heavily. “We’ve been over this, darling. She isn’t a regular woman. She is Princess of Fey. We cannot afford to leave her unprotected.” He gripped her hand. “If anything happened to her...”
“I know. I just dread her reaction if she realises you’re having her followed.”
That makes two of us. Particularly if she finds out who her “babysitter” is, Rhys agreed inwardly.
Chapter Four
Neiva flopped on the couch. Here she was. In the human world. In her mother’s cabin. She’d expected to feel some sort of relief once she arrived. To have the gaping hole within her filled somehow when she left the faery realm. Left Rhys behind. No such luck. If anything, the hollowness was more pronounced, more painful.
Tears burned her eyes as she thought of her mate. He’d refused her again and again as though she weren’t good enough. She swiped her cheeks as the tears escaped. Enough. She was not a whiney female who needed a man—certainly not a bastard who didn’t want to be with her. She was Princess of Fey and, by the Goddess, would prevail over a stupid refusal.
Of course that’s what her mind told her. Her heart and soul, however, yearned for him. Yearned to see him. Touch him. Feel him within her again. And more than anything, yearned to be joined with him.
A knock sounded and she nearly jumped out of her skin. Who could that be? The cabin was isolated with no neighbours within walking distance. She closed her eyes a moment and felt her surroundings. No evil, no magick lingered in the air.
She crossed to the door, pulled open the door, and found herself pulled into a tight embrace.
“Neiva! I could hardly believe it when Dad told me you’d be here. It’s been so long.”
She instantly relaxed when she realised it was her cousin. Pulling back, she bit back a laugh.
“Nice hair, cuz.”
Elizabeth Guthrie ran a hand through her short, messy blue hair. “You like? Mom adores it.” Her eyes danced with amusement.
Neiva pictured her prim and proper Aunt Darla. “Oh I’m sure she does. She probably picks out your clothes too, huh?”
“Obviously. You know Mom’s all about leather and showing skin. Are you going to let me in?”
“Of course.” She stepped back and watched her cousin pick up the black duffel bag at their feet. “Staying for a while?”
“If you don’t mind. A while back, I asked your mom if I could stay here for a bit. But if you prefer to be alone, I can stay somewhere else.”
“No, no, you’re most welcome. I missed you. I’m in the loft, but you can have the downstairs room. Why don’t you go dump your stuff and I’ll get some food and wine. Luckily Mom made sure we were all stocked up.”
An hour later, the two women sat laughing and visiting.
“Seriously, I thought she was going to swallow her tongue, Nee. Just can’t understand why on earth I’m not wearing silk and pearls and chairing events like her. As if. When she saw my hair and this,” she tapped the ring in her nose, “she called her shrink to make me an appointment.”
“And what does your dad think?”
“He laughed and shook his head. Dad knows when to back off. A trait that never rubbed off on dear ol’ Mom. So what have you been up to?”
“Oh, not much. Trying to figure out what to do with myself.”
“You’re sad though. Someone hurt you.”
Neiva’s mouth dropped open and she stared. “Beth...”
“You don’t have to talk about it if it hurts too much.”
“Am I that obvious?” First Gareth guessing she was in love, now this. Was she really an open book to all around her?
Beth shrugged. “Probably not to most. I can see it in your eyes. If you want to talk, cool. If not, no worries.”
She sighed. “Not much to tell, really. I love him. He doesn’t want me. End of story.”
“Somehow I think there’s more to it, but okay. So you came here to forget and move on?”
“Something like that.”
“Cool. We’ll have to go out, hit some clubs. Nothing like dancing and good company to get your mind off things.”
Neiva laughed. “I thought I’d just hang out here for a while.”
“Oh no, my dear sweet cousin. Trust me on this. We’ll drive that man right out of your head.”
Yeah, but what about my soul?
* * * *
Rhys stood amidst the trees, staring at the small cabin. She was in there. He could feel her. Could she feel his presence? He did his best to cloak it. Any human looking out couldn’t see him. Hell, they could walk right up to him and not notice him.
Damn it all. He did not want to be here. Near her. He knew his thoughts made no sense. After refusing her over and over, he should feel relief when she showed interest in another man, when she showed signs of moving on. But no. Rage and hurt filled him. Even now, he didn’t think he could see Gareth without tearing the man’s throat out. And the fact that she’d left the faery realm, telling her parents she was looking for her mate, tore him in two. With a curse, he turned away from the cabin and strode a few yards away before stopping.
This had to end. He had to detach and do what Kaelen asked him to do. Watch over her and make sure she was safe.
The sound of a door opening and shutting pulled him from his thoughts. He turned back to see Neiva walking towards the small car parked in the drive. A small woman with...blue hair? ...was beside her. Their laughter floated to him on the wind.
“Kaelen?”
“Yes?”
“Neiva is with a woman. She seems friendly with her. She has blue hair.”
The King’s laughter echoed inside his head. “That would be Abagail’s niece, Elizabeth.”
“Elizabeth?” He remembered her as a little girl with golden hair and a mischievous smile. “Darla’s daughter?”
“Yes. Abagail says she plans on staying with Neiva for a while.”
“All right. I’ll be in touch.”
“Thank you, my friend.”
He watched Elizabeth get behind the wheel. Neiva opened the passenger door but stopped before getting in. She turned, her gaze sweeping over the trees, always coming back to the spot where he stood. Even from a distance, he could see the frown furrowing her brow. She never looked directly at him. But she felt him, he knew it.
She shook her head and climbed in the vehicle. Rhys watched as they drove away. Where were they going? As the car disappeared around the corner, he closed his eyes and inhaled deeply.
Every time. Sweet
Lady, he underestimated the effect Neiva had on him every damned time. Just the sight of her rocked him off centre.
He needed to focus. He was here to ensure the Princess’s safety. Opening his eyes, he surveyed his surroundings. Nothing. He saw nothing out of the ordinary and felt no magicks. He moved towards the cabin and circled the building. After making certain there was no danger, he’d find the women and keep watch over them.
Although he didn’t feel Neiva was at risk, he understood Kaelen’s fears. If anyone wanted to harm the King, Abagail and Neiva were the most likely targets. Add the fact that Neiva was next in line for the throne, and the risk doubled. His gut clenched at the thought. Darrick’s followers wouldn’t be so stupid or bold to attack Kaelen’s family, would they? There were few of them—Rhys himself had a hand in diminishing their numbers—and they didn’t have much in the way of resources. And Darrick was in the Dark Realm, unable to command them.
The Goddess help anyone who harmed Neiva. He’d tear them apart for looking the wrong way at his mate…rather, his Princess. His Princess or Queen or King. He protected the entire royal family.
Rhys paused at each entry to the cabin and wove evil-warding spells. After finishing the intricate magick, he opened his senses and searched for Neiva. Once he’d located her, he flashed outside the building she was in, careful to cloak his presence from human eyes. A bar. She was in a bar. With a sigh, he concentrated and flashed human clothes on himself. Dread filled him as he walked around to the entrance and entered. Music vibrated on the air, riding along his skin. His eyes adjusted quickly to the darkness and he located her immediately. Every molecule in him was attuned to her, felt her.
She sat with her cousin at a table near the bar. The establishment was crowded—typical of a Friday night, he supposed. At least he thought it was Friday evening.
The cousins looked deep in conversation, oblivious to the bodies and noise around them. Relief replaced the dread. It wasn’t as bad as he figured. In his mind, he’d imagined her surrounded by men…human men. He didn’t know how he would have reacted to that. Well, that was a lie. He knew exactly how he’d react and it went against the “no interfering with humans” rule. Pummelling humans with his fist would definitely constitute interfering.
Rhys glanced around and spotted a table in the corner. That would do. After taking a seat, he lowered his shields. Not so much that Neiva would feel his presence, but enough to be seen by human eyes. He might as well enjoy a drink while he was there.
“Hey, sugar. When’d you sneak in? Hope I didn’t keep you waiting.” The waitress, a thin, lean woman with very little in the way of clothing, sidled up to the table. “What can I get ya?”
“Beer. Whatever you have on tap.”
“You bet. Be right back.”
He didn’t watch her go, his gaze on Neiva. She threw her head back and laughed at something Beth said. The sight of her throat reminded him of when they’d been together. His hand in her soft hair, pulling her head back. He could almost taste the salty sweetness on his tongue. He shifted in is chair, the damned jeans confining his growing erection. What he wouldn’t give to go to her now and—
“Here ya go. Need anything else?” The waitress slid the frosty mug in front of him.
“No, thank you.” He looked into her eyes and gave a mental push to leave him alone for a while.
He quickly took a drink, hoping to drown out the memory of Neiva’s taste. No luck. Fuck. He turned his attention back to Neiva and frowned. Beth was pulling her to her feet. The two were moving towards the small but crowded dance floor. He lifted the mug to his lips and gulped and as Neiva began to move to the music, hips swaying, arms above her head. Great Goddess. His cock swelled even more. Damn humans and their fashions. Blasted jeans. The fabric was horrible. Well, not so much on Neiva. No, the material looked quite lovely on her, hugging her curves, moulding to her shape. As she moved, her shirt crept up exposing a line of flesh below the clingy black fabric. Soft, creamy skin that begged for his fingers, his mouth, his…
Damn it all. He needed to focus on the objective. Protect the Princess, not lust after her. Lust fogged judgement and he couldn’t allow that. It was lust, a small part of his mind still clung to that belief.
She continued to dance, slowly spinning around. When she faced him, her gaze met his. With a jolt, he realised she could see him. Her mouth formed an ‘O’ of surprise. After a moment she simply smiled, closed her eyes and kept dancing—and damned if she didn’t add a bit more hip movement.
Fuck. He took another drink. It was going to be a long night.
Chapter Five
Neiva walked through the woods. Although she recognised the area surrounding the cabin, she knew it was a dream. Her first hint was the gown she wore—she’d never wear this in the human world. The thin, clinging skirt fell to the ground, swishing as she walked barefoot. The top hugged her breasts and tied behind her neck. Her back was left exposed to the cool night air. Her hair hung loose, curls lifting with the breeze and her movements.
She walked and walked, not quite sure she was going. She didn’t care, really. Humming softly under her breath, she continued on. She was so glad Beth had shown up. Her cousin offered a welcome distraction, keeping Neiva’s mind of Rhys. At least until she’d spotted him at the bar. She should have known her father would send someone to keep an eye on her. There would be no hope in changing the King’s mind on the matter, she knew this. But perhaps she could find a way to have someone else be her protector. She rolled her eyes. Honestly, her father still saw her as a child who needed to be sheltered from all bad things.
A clearing opened before her. Sleeping flowers, waiting for the sun to wake them with its warmth, spread out as far as she could see in the pale moonlight. She inhaled deeply, drinking in the damp, fragrant night air. Here, alone, she ached for Rhys. She felt utterly empty.
Tears pricked her eyes and she lowered herself to the ground, folding her legs beneath her. She closed her eyes and pictured him. The ache grew as she imagined running her hands through his hair, stroking his shoulders, caressing his wings. The memory of his body against hers, inside her, tortured her. She’d have been better off not knowing his touch. She swiped her fingers across damp checks and tried to on something else, anything else.
“Princess.”
His voice. Everything in her rejoiced. She could feel him standing in front of her and fought the impulse to jump up and throw herself into his arms. She opened her eyes and lifted her head. There he was. Moonlight framing his body. Oh, Goddess, his body…
“Are you unwell?” He knelt before her and raised a hand.
She pulled away before he could touch her tear damp cheek. “I am well.”
“I can’t bear to see you unhappy.” He reached out again, cupped her face, brushing the tears away with his thumbs. “Can’t bear to see you cry.”
He leaned forward and pressed his mouth to hers. Neiva let her eyes slid shut and relished the feel of his firm lips. He slid his tongue along the crease of her lips and pushed inside. A moan rumbled low in his throat as their tongues danced around each other. He lowered his hands from her face and slipped his arms around her waist, pulling her against him. His erection nudged her belly and warmth pooled within. Her thighs trembled and she looped her arms around his neck. She couldn’t get close enough.
With a sigh, he ended the kiss. “Sweet Lady Above, your taste haunts me.” Releasing her, he looked around. “This is a dream.”
“More evidence of our connection. True mates often share dreams. I’m sure you can explain that away, can’t you?” She let her arms drop to her sides.
Rhys simply stared at her, silent.
“What? No denials?” she snapped. “No scolding me for believing we’re meant?”
“I never intended to hurt you.” His voice, though quiet, hung heavy in the air.
“I know,” she admitted, “but the end result is the same.”
“Come back home, Princess. There is no need for yo
u to be here. You belong with your people.”
“Are you willing to accept me? To announce to everyone, announce to my father, that we are meant?” She chuckled humourlessly at the look of horror on his face. “No, I’ll stay right where I am, thank you.”
“You still think to find a mate here? A human?” He grimaced.
“Watch yourself, Rhys. My mother is human and your Queen. I am half-human. Why is it so incredible that I’d search for happiness is this world. I’m certain I can find some measure of contentment here.”
“Your true mate is not human.” His voice rose to a near shout.
“Are you admitting you are my true mate?” She waited a moment and was met with more silence. “I thought not.”
“Surely you understand. I’m an elder, you are a youth. Your father would frown upon that alone. You are too young for a union.”
“Are you saying you will accept our bond,that you’ll mate with me once I’m older?”
“If I say yes, will you return with me?” He took her hand.
Neiva closed her eyes briefly, savouring the warmth of his skin. After considering, she looked at him. “No. I’m sorry, but I can’t.”
“I’m conceding.” He frowned. “I’m admitting we’re meant. Why can’t that be enough until you’re older?”
Her breath caught at his admission. Oh, how long she had waited for him to admit they were true mates. And yet, the joy she expected didn’t come.
“It’s not enough. I can’t see you day after day, Rhys. It hurts.” Her voice broke.
She pulled away and stood, turning from him. By the Goddess, she was suffocating. She had to get out of here. Had to wake up. She started walking back the way she came.
Rhys came up behind her and grabbed her arm. He spun her around and leaned in until they were nose to nose. She bit back a whimper as his breath bathed her face.
“I’ll stay away. I’ll think of something, something that will keep me from you. You won’t have to see me every day.”
Waters of Fate Page 4