I tried recalling any girls in my past, but was unable to think of anyone I'd ever felt like this toward. This—this was an amazing feeling, to care for someone this way. I could see my future ahead of me; my life here with this beautiful Fae and the children we would have together. It excited me—it thrilled me—it was like a dream come true.
Pushing the tray of food away, I laid Eirian backward against the pillows. “Have I ever told you I love you?” I whispered against her ear before kissing down her neck. “I can't wait to spend the rest of forever with you.”
Tears flowed down her cheeks at my words, and I brushed them away with my thumbs.
“I love you too, Bran.”
I chuckled. “Then why are you crying?”
“Because I want to spend forever with you as well.”
“We will, and it’ll be wonderful. Just wait and see.”
Eirian clasped me tightly in her embrace. “Just hold me, Bran. Don't ever let me go.”
“Never,” I replied, burying my face against her sweet smelling neck. “I will never let you go.” I felt my teeth strangely elongate, and I sank them into her flesh, eagerly swallowing the blood that welled there to greet me.
Eirian arched, gasping as I moaned with pleasure over the erotic sensation her blood caused within me. I couldn’t get enough.
“Bran,” she called, causing my ardor to heighten as she pushed at my shoulders.
I didn’t want to stop and clung tighter.
“Bran, I need my blood for our baby.”
Her words cut through my foggy mind, and I broke away from her neck, glancing hungrily at the blood still flowing there.
“You must lick it to close the wounds or they will not stop bleeding.”
I did as she instructed, also cleaning away the remnants of blood that remained.
“What just happened?” I asked as I moved away, wiping my mouth with the back of my hand. She smelled too good.
“You’ve completed your transition—much quicker than expected. I was hoping we would have a little more time together.”
“What do you mean?”
“I mean we are going to have to be very careful from now on. I know how sensual the blood drinking is for you. It is the same way for me too. You are capable of killing me, or any Fae for that matter, and you’ll crave the blood immensely. I may crave the taste of you, but the difference is you will now need blood regularly to survive, whereas I do not. I’ll try to teach you some things that will help you, but you’ll also need to master some control. You cannot be seen as a threat by anyone.”
“What do I need to do?” I asked, as I tried to comprehend all she was telling me.
“I need you to look me in the eye.”
I did as she asked, locking gazes with her. A burst of panic suddenly overwhelmed me, and I found myself unable to look away.
“Try to relax.” She spoke softly, her stare drilling into me. “I want you to remember everything I’m telling you. You cannot look away from me right now, because I am compelling you—placing hypnotic suggestions deep into your mind. This is something you can do to others as well, though it will not work on me since I am your creator. These suggestions can alter the way another person acts, so be careful with them. Do you understand?”
I nodded, unable to speak.
“Good,” she continued. “I need you to tell me if you get thirsty, Bran. If you do this, I will see to it you are fed. You will only drink as much of my blood as I allow, not a drop more. You will stop immediately every time I ask. When I release you from this compelling, you will not remember the exact conversation, but you’ll instinctively know all the impressions I’ve left here. Be careful about maintaining extended eye contact with any other Fae, as they may try to compel you as well. You will have a moment of dizziness as I exit your mind. I encourage you to lie down and rest for a few minutes.”
She helped me lay down beside her, pulling her penetrating gaze from me slowly. I felt dizzy and blinked several times, focusing on her beautiful face.
“Do you feel comfortable?” She ran her hand over my forehead, leaning to place her lips there.
I laughed. “I never feel comfortable when I’m around you, Eirian. You keep my blood temperature near boiling for want of you. I’m beginning to think I’ll never be a simple thing like comfortable again.”
She smiled. “Well, dear bond mate, let me see if I can help you cool those fires.”
I shook my head. “It’s not possible, but please, feel free to try anyway.”
In the early afternoon we finally made our way out for the day. I paused at the doorway, staring at the shaft of sun shooting across the walkway.
“I’m not going to burst into a pile of ashes or anything, am I?” I knew some Vampire lore, and I wasn’t taking any chances.
Eirian laughed heartily. “No, my love. I’m afraid that is all a myth. Blood Wraiths are just as capable of enjoying the sunshine as anyone else.”
“I’m glad you find my question so amusing. I’m always happy to entertain you.”
She continued to laugh. “I didn’t mean to make light of it. It was just the expression on your face. You looked so distasteful.”
“As I’m sure anyone would who thought they might be about to burst into flames. Is there anything else I should know? Perhaps about garlic, or holy water and crosses?” It seemed completely absurd to ask these questions, or even the fact that they would somehow pertain to me.
“No, those are all myths too. You can be killed with a stake to the heart, however, but then again, so can everyone.”
“So, am I dead now?”
She lifted my hand to rest against my chest. “Your heart still beats. You’re not dead at all.”
“It’s slower than it used to be.”
She rested my hand against her chest, and I noticed hers beat at nearly the same speed. “The Fae age slowly. We too are immortal, able to choose when we will go into the great beyond. Blood Wraiths are mutated from Fae, different but the same. You’re not dead, you’re immortal. The slowing of your heart will cause your skin to become a little paler, and your aging will almost completely stop. Other than that, you’ll remain the same except for the need to add some blood to your current diet. You’ll acquire some added gifts as well, such as strength and speed. We’ve even observed a few cases in which there was a transfer of powers, allowing the Blood Wraiths to have some magical gifts as well. Only time will tell if that will happen to you.”
“What are your powers?” I asked. “I know you can enchant people, but you’ve not spoken of what else you can do.”
“I have several gifts, but my main magic controls water. I’m a water Fae. Each of us is born with tendencies toward one of the elements. I’m lightly gifted in all four areas actually, but water is my strongest.”
I stepped into the light, slipped my arm around her waist as we were greeted by the guard detail, and walked to the dock, entering the boat.
“Then you must be very happy here, seeing as this place is surrounded with it.”
She nodded. “That’s very convenient, yes.”
I stood behind her as we left the castle grounds, and I marveled over how the sun illuminated the waterfalls as they fell over the edges of the canyon in rapidly disappearing sparkles. I was so curious to find out what she could do.
People were milling about the walls of the canyon. I found them very interesting. They did have defining features as a race but were as different as any other group of people. Both the men and women wore their hair long, though the men's hair was much shorter in length, falling to their shoulders generally, while the women wore theirs to their waist.
They sported all kinds of styles of clothing, as well—brightly colored, but made out of the most exquisite materials I'd ever seen. I myself had been suited in something similar today, provided by the castle staff.
We reached a pier, and I helped Eirian out of the boat, taking her arm in mine as we continued to stroll along.
; “I thought we were going to explore the passageways,” I said to her when we were out of earshot of the servant.
“We are, but we’ll enter them from the exterior castle. I thought you would enjoy seeing the city on the way there.” She led me out of the sun and into one of the tunnels where I was surprised to find several open areas carved into the rock where people were selling their wares. Everything was well lit, and we strolled around looking at all the items.
“This is one of many market places. I thought we could maybe pick something out together—to remind us of the day we discovered we were having a child together.”
“I would love that.”
I noticed everyone deferred to her as we passed. They could see her radiant skin as well, and I saw several secret smiles of approval over her condition. It seemed strange to have things displayed so publicly, but I loved showing her off—knowing that the luminosity came from the child I’d placed inside her.
We stopped in front of a table that had many silver charms hung from matching chains. The designs were beautifully made, and we studied each one until we reached a charm of the moon and stars.
“I think we should get this one,” I said, lifting it to hold next to her skin. “It will remind us of the day you started glowing.” I smiled and caressed her skin softly. “And besides, I love looking at your skin in the moonlight.”
Eirian’s eyes misted over, and she blinked rapidly. “You’re right. This is perfect.” She leaned forward and kissed me on the lips in front everyone before turning to the man standing behind the table. “We will take two of these.”
The man looked very pleased. “You honor me, milady.” He lifted another one and handed it to her. “Consider it my gift to you on this joyous occasion.”
She smiled widely and dropped a small curtsey to him, and he blushed with pride at the gesture.
I took the necklace I still held and walked behind her. She swept her long hair aside as I placed the charm on her, kissing the back of her neck where the clasp met together, and she shivered.
She turned and helped me with mine as well, and when we were done there was a smattering of applause from the group of people who had gathered to watch us.
Eirian blushed and nodded toward them before she wrapped her arms around me. “I love you. Thank you for making me so happy, Bran.”
I groaned. “You’re not playing fair. We’re in the middle of a crowd of people.”
“I don’t care.” She laughed and kissed me soundly enough to steal my breath away and make me wish we were alone.
“Eirian,” I whispered, caressing her face.
She grabbed my hand and led me deeper into the tunnel, past the market place and what appeared to be a few residences, until she came to a narrow opening. We slipped inside, and I found we were standing in a dimly lit area with many sculptures carved straight out of the rock. All the statues depicted people in throes of passion—from stealing a tender touch to kissing in impassioned embraces.
We walked with our hands clasped together, observing each of the pieces in silence until we came to the end.
“It’s lovely, isn’t it?” she asked. “This is how I feel when I’m with you.”
Her glow added to the ambience of the whole place. She was so stunning, a gift of beauty to the world around her.
“There should be a statue of you in here looking just like you do right now. Then it would be perfect.”
“Bran,” she whispered as I gathered her into my arms. We swayed back and forth together—her with her head on my chest and me stroking her hair. No words were needed, our silent embrace saying it all. She pulled away to look me in the eye. “Wherever life may take us, I hope you’ll always remember how much I love you right now in this moment. I will do whatever it takes to make you happy.”
“I am happy, Eirian. Thank you for bringing me into your life.”
She let out a small laugh combined with a sob. “Don’t thank me. Just come with me.”
We didn’t speak anymore as she led me through a myriad of tunnels and turns. When we emerged, we were near the mouth of the crevice that led out to her gardens and the high castle. We crossed the bridge and headed down to the edge of the water.
“I told you that my magic rules over water. Well, that was how I watched you all these years.” She knelt down and stirred her hand in the surface, muttering a few words in an ancient sounding language I didn’t understand. When she removed it, ripples spread outward, revealing blurry images in the water that smoothed and sharpened.
I could see my village, Glynshire, the white painted mud on the exterior walls of the dwellings shining in the moonlight. On the hill behind the town, a large bonfire raged, and I could make out the small images of people dancing merrily around it.
“Remember, I told you time passes differently here in Faery. The festivities are still continuing there.”
“This is incredible. How do you do this?”
She shrugged. “I recite a magic spell, asking the water to let me see and it does.”
“How did you come to single me out?”
“I came across your mother one day when she was in labor. I found it very interesting, so I watched. Later, I became curious about how her child was faring, so I checked to see. You were adorable. I found myself watching you and your family more often as you grew up, very slowly I might add. My heart became attached to you as a child, and then one day I came across you flirting with a young woman.
“I couldn’t believe how you’d grown and how handsome you’d become. Something changed inside me as I continued to watch you. You were noble, and strong—so reliable to those around you. I noticed my heart began to flutter with excitement every time I looked at you, and I spent whole days watching your every movement. I knew I should stop. There was no way we could be together since you weren’t even aware I existed.
“Then one night, I heard your father telling a story about how he’d once seen the Fae in the glen, and you seemed mesmerized by the tale. It gave me hope, and I began devising a plan to bring you here.” She turned to me with sorrow in her eyes. “I know now I should have left you to live your life without my interference, but I’ve been in love with you since you were sixteen. I’ve wanted you all this time. My feelings for you never diminished for one second no matter what was going on in both our individual lives or who you were with. For me, there has only ever been you. I’ve never loved another.”
It was hard to believe this beautiful creature found me so desirable. “Don’t ever fret about bringing me here, Eirian.” I grasped her hand and pulled her to her feet. The image in the water disappeared as she moved away. “It’s true, I’ll miss my family, but love is noble too. I had no special woman in my life. They would be happy to know that I’ve found love and a child is on the way.”
Eirian gave me a small smile, but her lips trembled.
“What’s the matter?”
“Nothing,” she replied. “Come let’s go see the tunnels.”
Chapter Eleven
The next several days passed in a blur of excitement. Eirian showed me everything about her kingdom; secret passages into the castle, the far fields where food was grown, small exterior villages, and I even saw my first troll. That was exciting—for me, even though she called them ugly, distasteful creatures that no one should ever be excited over.
The Fae did have horses after all—fine specimens that were used in the flat lands where the food was grown. I could’ve spent the whole day just inspecting their stock. Eirian teased me, saying she never knew she would have to compete with a horse for my affection. I just laughed and continued looking—wondering if the king would one day allow me to work out here with them. I knew Eirian said I didn’t need to work, but I wanted to. I missed it. I enjoyed it.
The only time we stopped our explorations was to eat and to make wild, passionate love together. Being so free with someone like this was invigorating and refreshing. She allowed me to feed from her often—in short delicious b
ursts—and on occasion she drank from me as well.
We’d been together seven days now, life was wonderful, and I couldn’t be happier. Today she was showing me where the boundaries of Faery met my world and where safe passages could be found in between both places during the Midsummer’s eve.
If I were being truthful, I wasn’t paying much attention to the things she was telling me, instead allowing my gaze to drift over her beautiful form and the way her hair blew in the soft breeze. I knew I’d never tire of looking at her. She was the most stunning woman I’d ever seen.
She paused and turned to look at me with a smile, but I could tell it didn’t reach her eyes. They looked sad, almost mournful.
“Are you all right?” I asked.
She nodded. “I’m just tired. Why don’t we sit and rest for a spell under this tree?”
I placed my hand on the small of her back, helping her to sit before I joined her.
“If you’re tired, let’s return to the castle after you’ve rested. There’s no need for you to show me every bit of Faery right this minute. We have a lifetime to explore together.”
She looked away, but I could see the tears in her eyes. She was blinking rapidly, trying to keep them from falling over the red-rimmed edges.
“Eirian. Talk to me. Something is wrong and I need to know what it is, so I can help.” I placed my finger under her chin and turned her face toward me.
Her bottom lip quivered. “Just kiss me, Bran.”
I did. It was one of the easiest things for me to do. I needed her, wanted her. She was as essential to me as air. My hands tangled into her hair, pulling her closer, and she shifted so she was straddling my legs.
She broke away. The tears streamed steadily down her face and she took a big breath.
“Bran, look at me.”
I locked gazes with her—unable to pull away.
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