“This is absolutely crazy.” That statement pretty much summed up her day. “Mythical creatures attack me. Now I’m mated to some half-dressed guy with wings, and you want me to get pregnant to help your species. Please tell me if I have this wrong?”
“Nope.”
Now, at this point, Trillian thought about running or getting mad or even screaming to express her crazy emotions. Instead, the last few years rushed by. She had been dating since high school with no one serious, went to bars and singles’ scenes and even speed dating once. Trillian sure as hell wasn’t a virgin but no one ever clicked with her. What if what this crazy queen of some made-up creatures was speaking was the truth? “Who?” she blurted. Who was this winged guy she was supposedly mated to? “Shit. Don’t tell me it’s that scary guy with the blue hair.” That would be her luck.
The queen grinned. “Whisper? Yeah, he creeps me out too but he’s got a good heart. No, your mate is that guy that was hunched over you while you were sleeping, Keyn.”
Her eyes narrowed. “The cute guy that always seems to be scowling at me?”
“Yup, with the scar.” She added, “I’m curious why you didn’t describe him as such.”
The scar didn’t really bother her but she didn’t say that. Trillian shrugged her shoulders. “How do you know it’s him? Could this mate thing be wrong? Do I have to stay here? Am I forced to be with him or is there like a choice?” She spouted questions with even more forming in her head. “He isn’t exactly Mr. Personality.”
The queen chuckled. “You got that right.” She sighed. “Every fairy here has baggage and you’ll have to deal with that pain in the ass, I’m sure, but in the end it’s totally worth it.” She again rubbed her belly.
“I can’t stay here long though. I do have to get back to my life.”
“Stay for a few days, see what it’s like, and get to know Mr. Personality,” she said with a grin. “If you’re truly unhappy, I’ll make sure you’re returned home with protection. Sound like a deal?”
Trillian was reluctant to agree. It was reasonable and she wasn’t about to go scaling the walls of this place to break out. “All right. Deal,” she mumbled and sat on the nearest chair. Her stomach growled loudly and she held it as if to stop the rumble.
“Men. They didn’t even feed you yet, did they?” The queen frowned.
Trillian shook her head.
“I’ll get Keyn in here with some food.”
She groaned. “Please, not him, not yet. I have to eat and sleep on this.”
The queen tilted her head in thought. “No promises.” She walked out the door.
Trillian frowned and walked toward the glass wall. Her eyes scanned the outside world that was slowly filling with shadows. Night was falling. Her first night away from home in months, since Cameron got sick. Trillian sighed. She wondered how her brother was doing. Trillian had wanted to go with him but she couldn’t miss work and the money. Now she was out both and probably her job at the bar. She wondered briefly if there was gold somewhere around here or was that only a leprechaun story. A small grinned played on her lips. Hopefully, they were friendlier than the troll creatures. An image shifted behind her and she spun to face none other than her supposed mate.
“Food,” he said flatly and placed a tray on the table.
“Thanks.” She walked toward it and noted how he stiffened and took a step back. Might as well get this out of the way. “I won’t be your mate.” She grabbed what looked like a yellow carrot and chomped on it.
Keyn lifted a brow. “Good.”
That’s it? This guy wouldn’t be getting laid and that’s all he had to say? “Fine.”
“Great,” he muttered and turned to walk out.
“So, you’ll take me home then?”
He halted at the door. “No.” With that, he left.
“You’re an asshole!” she yelled before he could walk too far. There was no doubt he heard her but Keyn didn’t comment. Trillian followed him right out the door. “What the hell is your problem? You’re the one who brought me here.”
Keyn slammed the door open, and moonlight streamed in. “I saved your life,” he claimed through clenched teeth.
“I was doing fine before you showed up!” Trillian said with venom in her tone. Too bad he didn’t seem to know it. She followed him out the door into the night. Shadows played with her nerves and she halted in the doorway.
Keyn stopped walking. He spun quickly, his black and red wings swirling. “They would have easily disarmed you and taken you to use as ransom or worse. They’d probably just kill you and leave your corpse on our doorstep.”
“You don’t know that. You’re just trying to be the hero.”
Keyn threw up his hands.
“Oh, yes, so I’ll swoon in your arms and spread my legs for a man with wings! Fucking wings.”
Keyn growled at her and stepped close enough for her to see his narrowed eyes in the darkness and feel his breath mingle with hers. “I have no desire for you, let alone want to be between your legs.”
“Are you insulting me? You stupid winged bastard.”
“I am stating a fact,” he yelled right back.
“Well, you can shove that fact right up your puckered ass.” Trillian was done talking to this jerk. She turned on her heels but was stopped. Keyn flew past her and blocked the door.
“Do not test my patience. You are here only because the king ordered it. Humans disgust me.”
That’s it. She was going to kick him in the balls.
Trillian lifted her foot but was knocked sideways. A big body slammed her to the ground. There was a flash of black, a deep menacing growl, and the weight lifted. She quickly got to her feet to stare down at an ugly, dead troll.
“They’ve breached!” Keyn yelled at the top of his lungs.
A scream rang out and Trillian glanced down the street. It had to be Breena. More nasty creatures came out of the shadows. Keyn faced them with a scowl.
“Get inside.” He clashed swords with one. “I must protect the king and queen.”
“So protect them,” Trillian yelled and grabbed the dead troll’s sword. The thing weighed a damn ton but she held it and took off down the dark path with Keyn’s yelling fading in the distance. After another shriek, she sped up, jogging through the night. Breena was the only one that made her feel welcome. She couldn’t let her die. There was another shout. A door to her left busted open, and an older lady threw small white pellets at an ugly troll. Trillian came from behind him. She didn’t know if she should stab him or hit him to knock him out? Could she take a life even if it wasn’t human?
“Are ye gonna kill ‘em or stare ‘em ta death?” the old woman asked with a heavy Irish accent and a flick of her wrist.
Trillian used the butt of the sword. She jammed it against his skull and he fell to the ground in a slump. Breena came charging out of the house, sword in one hand and a bottle of salt in the other. “Salt? Really?” she asked but no one answered her sarcasm. More trolls swarmed from the house. There had to be at least ten of those nasty things.
One grabbed her arm. Trillian pulled it free and balled her fist. She punched it right in the cheek and winced as pain shot through her hand. Another seized Breena from behind. The tough little woman threw salt over her shoulder. The thing hissed and cried out, which Breena used to her advantage. She spun and thrust the blade. Black blood splashed everywhere. The smell was damn near nauseating. This time four trolls advanced on their little posse.
The three women went back-to-back, swords and salt at the ready. “Where the fuck are all the fairy warriors when you need them?” Trillian shouted and swung of her sword. They could only keep these things at bay for so long.
One lunged at Breena, clutching her sword hand and twisting. She screamed out as Trillian lifted her sword, closed her eyes, and swung down. She felt the blade hit against something. The creature let out this awful high-pitched shriek and the sword fell to the ground to slam hard against it. Trillian�
�s eyes shot open. “Damn.” She cut the fucker’s hand right off. There was a flash of gold and the troll went down. Breena’s golden fairy had finally shown up and he was freaking pissed. He went all badass on the trolls near his mate with a fierce scowl on his face.
Keyn was suddenly before her. The men were magnificent to watch. Their wings beat wildly, spread wide, as they slashed swords and used hovering techniques to their benefit. They obliterated the enemy. Trillian’s vision drifted to Keyn. She couldn’t not watch. He moved with speed and deadly precision but also with a fascinating grace. His back muscles tensed and shifted. The massive columns that were his legs were almost dancing as they fought to save the women. That skimpy loincloth covered his tight butt and Trillian found herself having some very naughty thoughts in the middle of a bloody fucking battle.
Something grasped her arm and she yelped. Keyn turned, their eyes locked, and he actually threw his sword. The blade went end over end to hit the troll that grabbed her. It let go instantly, landing with a thud, and Trillian watched him as if in slow motion.
Keyn walked toward her, splattered in blood and sweat. Each stride was filled with determination. She could see the tent that now formed at the front of his loincloth. Her tongue slipped out and she licked her suddenly dry lips. Trillian’s breath caught as he neared. She watched his parted lips with a spike in desire. Her thighs clenched and nipples hardened and then he spoke.
“Yeah, you took care of him real good.”
Her desire plunged. That stupid fucking fairy. Trillian balled her fist and swung. She caught him right in his perfectly formed nose.
Keyn’s eyes went wide and he held his throbbing nose, glaring at her. “You hit like a girl.”
“I am a girl, asshole.”
“Why the hell are you hitting me? I’m the one that saved your life. Again!”
“Enough.” The king’s deep voice rang out. “You two are like a bunch of adolescent fairies, and in the middle of a battle.”
“On a hormonal rampage,” Wicked added with a grin. “You know I could help you with that,” he said to Trillian with a wink.
Keyn growled.
“Everyone back to the palace,” the king ordered, his stern voice a rumbling echo.
Fairies began to fly out into the night. The men carried those without wings. Trillian lifted her chin and decided to walk. The night closed around her as she headed toward the palace. Fear clenched at her gut as the fluttering of wings faded and she was now alone. Then there was a sound of beating wings. She smiled but hid it when Keyn landed beside her.
“I will not have you walk alone,” he simply said.
Damn him. How could he be so sweet and such an ass? “Thanks,” she murmured.
He nodded, his face stone like.
They walked in silence. Oddly, it wasn’t the least bit awkward. Trillian kept glancing over at his wings. They really were a thing of beauty. She longed for a closer look at them. It was hard to see the black and red wings now because they blended with the shadows around them.
They reached the palace and Trillian went inside to safety while Keyn stood at the door, her protector.
Chapter Eight
Trillian curled on the couch to sleep. When she woke from slumber, she inhaled deeply and looked out through the glass walls. Sunrise. What a sight. The sun crested across the city. Shadows were cut violently by the light and the sunflowers were tilted on their giant stems toward the bright orb. She stretched her legs and walked to the doors that led to the balcony. Fresh air wafted around her as she took a single step out.
This was a glorious place. If she didn’t have Cameron to worry about, she’d seriously consider staying.
A movement caught her attention. Trillian glanced at the nearest hill and there was no mistaking the fairy. Keyn was standing tall with his black and red wings spread out. He was watching the sunrise. Trillian smiled. The stupid infuriating fairy was getting to her. She moved her hand to her neck then slid it down to cover her breast. It had been a long time since she found pleasure between her legs. Stress and time management had been her enemy. At the moment, she couldn’t find a single excuse to stop. Trillian skimmed her hand up under her shirt before pulling the cup of her bra down to free one breast. She instantly found the hard nipple. Trillian pinched as Keyn’s silhouette lifted his face to the sky.
He was so annoying and freaking handsome even with the scar down his face. She wondered how he got it. Was it some war trophy or remnants of a fierce battle? Trillian sat down on the nearest chair, a wooden rocker. Her hand shifted to the waistband of her jeans. They were loose so she had no problem slipping her hand beneath and down inside her lacy panties. She used her fingers to spread her lower lips and dipped a finger into her core. All the while, she watched the annoying fairy that always seemed to cause her desire to spike and her anger to rise along with it.
Trillian exhaled slowly and found her sensitive nub with slick fingers. The prickles of pleasure were so intense she closed her eyes. It was just for a moment, and she savored the feel of flesh on wet flesh. Trillian opened her eyes to catch another glimpse of Keyn.
The hill was empty.
There was a whoosh of wind.
Trillian gasped as Keyn landed before her. His nostrils flared and his lips parted as a deep growl escaped. She immediately pulled her hand free. Embarrassment colored her cheeks. She wanted to fade into the wall and never come out.
“What the hell are you doing?” His voice was raspy.
“I...it’s...what the hell are you doing!” She stood to her full height. He looked more than intimidating with his wings spread. He was pure masculine beauty.
Keyn growled. “Don’t ever do that again.” He pointed to the chair.
“Fuck you.” It was all she could come up with at the moment. He was ordering her never to touch herself. Who the hell did he think he was? “If you find me that repulsive, go...fuck a tree and leave me alone.” She spun, ready to run inside with her dignity in shreds and trying to figure the tree comment out. Was she that disgusting to him? Trillian grunted as Keyn’s full weight pressed her into the glass wall. “What are you doing?” Panic edged her voice.
Keyn pressed his full body against her back. He buried his nose in her hair and he took a deep breath.
Trillian shivered and it sure as hell wasn’t from fear. She could feel his hard arousal against her hip. “Keyn?” she whispered.
There was no answer. He kept pressing her into the glass. His rock hard body sent a silent torment to her swollen nether regions. Keyn lifted her shirt up then pressed the scarred side of his face against her back. She didn’t dare move, couldn’t. She suddenly realized what he was doing. He was listening to her heart. His hands moved to the glass on either side of her body. Keyn remained there, breathing deep, and the feel of his breath on her skin was exquisitely sexual.
A low growl escaped his lips and he quickly spun her around. Staring at him so close was an entirely new experience. His eyes were narrowed, almost glaring at her. His breaths were hard pants and his wings spread wide blocked out the approaching sun. His hands remained on the glass but he leaned forward. To Trillian’s surprise, he closed his eyes and pressed his forehead to hers. It was so sudden. The action was so tender. Their breaths blended. When he opened his eyes, he took a deep, shaky breath.
Keyn kissed Trillian.
His plump lips pressed to hers but he didn’t seem to know how to proceed. He just held the kiss. She smiled, parting her lips to kiss him back. This was the kind of kiss that only happened once in a lifetime. It was soul opening, life changing, and then she felt him shiver against her.
Trillian pulled away. She saw the raised bumps on his skin and the frown that lined his lips. “Keyn?” Why did he look so out of sorts and conflicted? Why didn’t he take the kiss further?
Keyn growled before he turned away and jumped off the balcony. His wings fluttered loudly as he made his escape. Trillian leaned against the glass, stunned. What the hell was that? Sh
e watched him fly away from her and then his wings looked like they collapsed. Keyn fell right out of the sky.
****
Keyn couldn’t breathe. Air puffed quickly from his lips as if he’d fought an epic battle. He flew until he could hardly control his shaking limbs. His wings refused his brain’s demands. Air rushed by him and his terror spiked, sending his heart pumping rapidly. He spread his wings at the last second and Keyn landed on his knees in the grass. He was on all fours trying to get oxygen into his lungs. That touch, the kiss with Trillian, had been pure instinct and the moment he came to his senses, Keyn shattered into broken pieces. His arms and legs shook, goose bumps covered every inch of his flesh, and his cock hardened between his legs.
He kissed a human.
The knowledge sent his body into a brief, violent convulsion. Memories flooded his mind of that horrible night, of big manly hands on his dick. Keyn fell to the dirt, tears cascaded from his eyes, and a scream rumbled from his lips.
Keyn longed to forget, to have those memories fade away, but they were still sharp as ever. Each gasp was torture; every throb of his cock brought forth another recollection. The pleasure of hands pumping his cock, the shame as those men laughed, the pain as they prodded and penetrated. His fingers dug into the dirt, trying to tear the history right from his mind. Hands touched his arm and he flinched. He couldn’t tell memory from reality. No, those hands were soft and small.
A woman.
Keyn stared through watery eyes as Trillian knelt beside him. “I saw you fall out of the sky,” she said on a gasp. Her own eyes filled with tears.
That’s how the nightmare always began, falling from that bright blue sky. Keyn was gasping for breath. Tears still leaked from his eyes.
“I think...I think you’re hyperventilating,” Trillian said with wide eyes. “Calm down, slow your breathing.” Her hand fell against his back.
The back that held his wings, beautiful, black delicate things that those men slashed with their knives. The pain was so bad and then they dragged that blade down. The tearing had been so excruciating he cried out and one of them had covered his mouth, lifted his legs and Keyn fell back to the ground. He couldn’t gulp a single breath even as he tried to focus on Trillian, on his mate.
Fairy Unbroken Page 4