Trapped: Isa Fae Collection: Faction 12

by Isa Fae

Miranda was blown back from the intensity of the power flowing out from the palms of her hands. The light so bright she had to close her eyes as her body shook from the tremendous force.

  “Miranda, no!”

  She could hardly hear him through the loud whooshing noise. But it was him. Eric. Tears rolled down her cheeks as their memories flashed in her mind. The time they spent together in the cabin. The fighting. The hating. And then the love. His kisses and soft touches. The way he taught her to dance. Eric Winters had set her free. Taught her how to love and stole both her heart and her soul. Something she would remember always. Something she would be sure to take with her to her next life. “Goodbye, Eric,” she whispered. “I love you. Always.”

  And then there was nothing.

  55

  Eric

  “Fuck!” Eric gained his footing and rushed over to Miranda, kneeling down and lifting her head in his arm. He should have been paralyzed, even dead, after all the hits he took from the hunters, but somehow their transfer of energy had protected him.

  “Miranda, love,” Eric pleaded, holding her face to his chest and kissing her softly on the top of her head. “Please open your eyes.” Her breathing was soft, so he hadn’t lost her. And he refused to lose her, especially after all they’ve been through. He placed his hand on her cheek. So cold.

  He slid his hand from her face all the way down to her boots, using what was left of his Fae magic to protect her from the elements. Eric became tired and weak, but he forced himself to slide his arms under Miranda’s body, pick her up, and carry her through the forest.

  “Lord Winters!” Ronan’s voice came from behind him. He’d been so distracted by Miranda he didn’t even see the boy get up off the ground.

  “What is it, Ronan?” He groaned as Miranda’s weight seemed to increase on his arms.

  “Will Milady be alright?” He was beside him now, keeping up with his pace.

  “Yes, I just need to get her back to the mansion. Round up the others and check on their injuries. Then assist them back to the mansion before they freeze to death.”

  “Yes, sir!” Ronan spun away from him and raced in the opposite direction as Eric made it to his blue snowmobile.

  He sat Miranda on the seat, holding her body steady as he got behind her and leaned her back against his chest. Then he started the slow ride home.

  When he pulled into the storage building, Kally raced through the doors. “Oh, my!” She placed her hand over her mouth as she approached. “Is she...is she dead?”

  “No, but we need to get her into a bed and keep her warm. She needs time to restore her energy. She doesn’t have much magic left.” He held onto her as he dismounted the snowmobile. Then he scooped her up into her arms again as Kally led him into the mansion.

  Eric followed her through the main doors and up the grand staircase, growing weaker and weaker with every step. His arms tightened around her, refusing to drop her.

  “In here.” Kally waved her hand to him as she stood in front of an open door.

  Eric walked into the room and crossed the hardwood floor, placing Miranda in a huge bed as Kally pulled the red comforter on top back. He stumbled backward, sitting in a red velvet chair and letting out a big exhale as Kally covered up Miranda’s body.

  “Send someone to the cabin, bring back any survivors,” he mumbled, barely able to get the words out. The weights heavy on his limbs. Each movement cost him more than he had to give.

  Kally called out orders and others rushed to help.

  He closed his eyes as fatigue settled in, thankful he had made it back to the mansion with Miranda. Eric was well aware he had used up too many atern of his magic, but it was well worth it knowing Miranda was now alive and safe. And that was all that mattered.

  He could hear Kally’s voice, but he couldn’t make out what she was saying through the darkness. Then it eventually faded away.

  ***

  Pressure on his lap. Soft lips touching his. And a sweet breath entering his mouth. Eric’s body jerked and he blinked a few times before finally opening his eyes. An angel with green eyes looked back at him, and he couldn’t help but to smile as he lifted his hands and placed them on her waist.

  “You’re a fucking jerk!” The words coming from her mouth made him laugh, which seemed to irritate her more. “I mean it, Eric Winters. I can’t believe you were going to sit here and just let yourself die. You couldn’t even say anything to Kally. Seriously? What the fuck do you think I would have done if I woke up and you were gone?”

  He lifted a hand from her hip and placed it on the back of her head, pushing her toward him and claiming her lips. He kissed her deeply, tasting every inch of her as if it were his first time. But every time with Miranda Sage was his first. The taste of her, her scent, the sweetness of her breath, and the softness of her skin. Every time he touched her. Kissed her. Or held her. All of it seemed brand new again. And all of it reawakening his soul. Eric Winters couldn’t get enough of the witch.

  Eric pulled away from her, leaving her gasping for air. “They really are right, you know. You do have a foul mouth for a woman.”

  She narrowed her eyes at him. “Wonder where I got that from?”

  He pulled her back to him. “It doesn’t really matter,” he mumbled against her lips. “Because I can’t get enough of that foul little mouth of yours.” And he kissed her again, letting the warmth of her magic mingle with his. No. He couldn’t get enough of her. And didn’t think he ever would. Miranda Sage owned him completely. She always would.

  Miranda was the one who broke away from the kiss this time. “Eric, we need to address the faction. Kally said it’s in chaos right now. The faction is crumbling all around us.”

  “Then I guess it’s up to us to put it all together again, now isn’t it?” He smiled as her green eyes brightened.

  “Us?” She raised an eyebrow.

  “Yes, us.” Eric shifted her in his lap. “This isn’t just my faction, Miranda. This is yours too, Lady Sage.”

  She giggled at the name.

  “We’ll work together on this. Create a system where Fae and witches will be safe. No person will be better than the other. We’ll all be the same.” And he meant every word as he leaned down, claiming her lips once more.

  56

  Miranda

  She sighed deeply and ran her hand down the dark purple dress Kally made for her, smoothing out the invisible wrinkles.

  Kally took her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. “Miranda, relax. Everything will be fine.”

  “But there’s so many people.” She glanced up at her friend from underneath her lashes. “I’m not used to it.”

  “Focus on the prize.” She smiled, rubbing her hands over Miranda’s arms. Then she released her and stepped back, Ronan taking her place.

  “Lady Sage.” He lifted his arm, motioning for her to take it.

  Miranda wanted to laugh because Ronan looked so cute in a tux, but she was too nervous. “How the hell am I supposed to do this?”

  “Language,” Kally said. “Remember, you promised the Lord to keep the bad words at bay today.”

  “Coming from the walking dictionary of foul words herself,” she grumbled, causing Ronan and Kally to laugh. She slipped her arm through Ronan’s and took a deep breath, the sound of Eric’s voice booming on the other side of the door caused her anxiety to heighten.

  “And I present to you, Lady Sage, the woman who will oversee all distribution of magic within the faction.” His voice grew louder than before.

  “That's your cue!” Kally threw open the doors, and Ronan pulled her into the ballroom before she could take another deep breath to prepare herself. Not that it would had worked anyway.

  All eyes turned to them as they walked down the wide aisle. Beads of sweat formed on her forehead, her hands became clammy and she felt lightheaded, like she could drop to the floor at any second.

  “Turn around, Ronan,” she whispered. “I can’t do this. I just can't.” She lo
wered her head, gazing at the floor while acid churned in her stomach.

  “We’re already doing it, Milady. Do as Kally said and focus on the Lord.”

  He wasn’t much help in the situation. But she took their advice and picked up her head, her gaze falling on Eric standing in the back of the room. Baby blue shirt. Dark gray coat and pants. Black boots and no tie. Her heart did a cartwheel inside of her chest as he locked onto her and smiled.

  Breathe. Breathe. Breathe. She kept repeating the words over and over again in her head as she got closer and closer to Eric. Finally, she was close enough to take his outstretched hand, and he pulled her up beside him. And she turned and faced the crowd. Witches were on one side of the room while Fae gathered on the other.

  “You changed your hair back.” His voice was low and soft, seductive enough to cause a tingling sensation to center in between her thighs. “You’re my temptress again.”

  A laugh escaped her lips. “I’ll always be your temptress.”

  “Good.” He smiled at the crowd. “I wouldn’t have it any other way. Now, make your speech.” He picked up two glasses filled with white wine off the table next to him.

  “I hate you so much, Eric Winters.”

  “You can show me how much you hate me later tonight.” He turned and handed her a glass of wine, winking at her as she took it from his hand.

  Miranda raised her glass in the air, ignoring his words and his gesture since it wouldn’t be very proper as the Lady of the faction to knock him down in front of everyone. “To the new faction!” She said the words as loud as she could so the entire room would hear. “Together we will reunite. Witches and Fae will come together. Live in peace and harmony. The darkness is over and we intend to spread a new light over the land. Peace to Faction Twelve. Forever.”

  Everyone in the room raised their glasses and shouted. Then they drank.

  Eric began addressing them again, but Miranda felt as if her throat were closing in on her. His words faded as she slipped behind him and made for the back exit. She walked through one door and out another which led to a balcony.

  Soft flakes of snow fell around her, the cool air allowing her to breathe again as she leaned over the railing, looking out into the forest. This was the first time she'd ever been in the spotlight, and she didn’t like it at all. There would be many more speeches. She was well aware of that. But she needed to practice with the smaller crowds first. Not the entire faction.

  She stood up and placed her hands on the railing now, relishing in her newfound freedom. She never had to endure abuse again. Never had to be hunted or watch the people she cared about die. Freedom felt good. A breath of fresh air.

  Two strong arms encircled her waist, and she leaned back into a firm chest. “You always have a way of sneaking up on me.”

  Eric’s body shook with his silent laughter. “I guess I do, don’t I?” He spun her around to face him. “Guess I’ll be keeping you on your toes all the time.”

  “And I guess there’s no point in running from you,” she teased.

  “No, because I’ll just track you down.”

  Miranda laughed as Eric leaned in, placing his lips against her neck. He pulled her closer as he twirled his tongue over her flesh, creating wet little circles on her skin.

  “Marry me, Miranda Sage,” he said the words against her, his breath causing bumps to rise over her flesh.

  Miranda froze, not sure if he asked what she’d thought he’d asked. If he did, the words just came out of nowhere. “Eric...what did—”

  He lifted his head to peer into her eyes, his blue eyes immersed in passion as he looked at her. “Marry me.” His voice was low. His tone serious. This wasn’t a joke this time. Eric was serious.

  Excitement bubbled up inside of her, and even though she wanted to jump up and down, she fought hard to control herself. “Yes.”

  “Yes?” He arched his eyebrows and pressed his lips together.

  “Yes, yes, yes!” This time she couldn’t control her enthusiasm as she lifted her arms and wrapped them around his neck. “Yes, Eric Winters. I will marry you!”

  As he leaned in to kiss her, the sky brightened above them, causing them to break apart. Miranda looked up to see something she’d never saw in Faction Twelve before. A small hint of light. The dark clouds rolled by, creating a bigger gap in the clouds. And there it was.

  “What is that?” Eric had to lift his hand and shield his eyes as the orb of light came into view.

  “That, Eric, is the darkness being pushed away.” Clouds rolled overhead again and the orb disappeared. Miranda looked at Eric and smiled. “We did this. You and I. It may take time, but together we will make the entire faction shine.”

  He placed his hand on the side of her face. “It’s already shining, love. And it always will.” Then he claimed her lips again, knowing she would always be his and he would always be hers. Forever.

  ***

  Read more of the Isa Fae Collection

  http://fallensorcery.com/the-isa-fae-collection/

  About the Author

  Shannon Eckrich is an International Bestselling Paranormal Romance author who writes for teens and adults. She is a dreamer, an avid reader, ghost hunter, and believer in aliens, myths, and love at first sight. After all, she did marry her high school sweetheart. Shannon also believes all the problems in the world can be solved with a little bit of love and compassion.

  When she’s not creating worlds that walk the line between fiction and reality, she enjoys spending time with her family and volunteering at the firehouse down the street.

  She currently lives in Delaware with her husband, two kids, four cats, and her two dogs, Chewy and Buster.

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