by Arianna Skye
“Don’t go drinking yourself into a stupor, my friend.” Belenus emerged from the shadows, his wings flitting back and forth. He reached down for the decanter and grabbed a glass off the table next to the chaise.
Cerne took another swig. “Why shouldn’t I?”
“Your princess is to meet the Queen. We can’t have her presented with a drunken consort, can we?”
“I’m not drunk—yet.” Cerne lifted the glass of wine and sloshed it around.
“I'm going to suggest to Maeve that we replace all our wine with Rhiannon’s Earthly libations.” Belenus placed the stopper in the decanter. He smiled and snapped his finger. The delicious elderberry wine transformed into the swill she’d forced him to drink on Earth. “That
should sober you up.”
Cerne wrinkled his nose. “Indeed, it will.” Having no more desire to drink, he stood. “I need to speak with Rhiannon beforehand. I’ve acted like a petulant child.” Belenus chuckled. “No need to, my lord. Rhiannon feels just as horrible as you. She understands your stress.”
“It still doesn’t make my behavior right.” He scratched his chin. “What was Ethelred trying to prove, anyway? He’s a seer.”
Belenus chuckled. “He knew the princess would heal you, so you weren’t in grave danger.
He has a strange way of proving points. The question I should ask you is, ‘What were you thinking?’”
Cerne shrugged. “I don’t know. I thought challenging her would increase her confidence.
Instead, I ended up plastered to the side of the wall by a book of spells.” Then he’d woken in her arms, her soft hands brushing the hair from his face, and her lips against his. Salty lips, as if she’d been crying. Maeve and Ethelred had stood above him with amusement. It was as if all the events from the day had finally taken their toll on him. He did not like it.
“I still feel Sionnach’s life-bond.” Cerne slammed his wineglass to the table. “Something is wrong.”
Belenus nodded. “I understand, my friend.” He sat next to Cerne and patted him on the back.
He brushed a strand of blond hair behind his ear. “It’s too dangerous to do anything, with Korrigan’s army so close.”
Cerne nodded. Eventually he would make sense out of all this, but now he needed to focus on Rhiannon. “When are we to be presented to the Queen?”
“At the feast Maeve has planned.”
Dear Gods, a feast? “Has Maeve gone mad?”
Belenus chuckled. “Far from it. It’s only proper to celebrate the arrival of the princess.”
“I suppose it would be, but I’ve taken one too many sips of elderberry wine.” Cerne’s legs wobbled.
Belenus shook his head with mirth. “A problem easily remedied, my friend.” He touched Cerne’s shoulder.
In a matter of a few seconds the effects of the wine dissipated, leaving him with hunger
instead.
Belenus beamed, apparently happy with his handiwork. “I figured I’d help empty your stomach too.”
“How very thoughtful of you.” Cerne turned and stalked to his wardrobe. Grabbing the first thing his hand connected to, he pulled out a sapphire-blue overcoat bedecked with glitter and crystals, along with a pair of silver breeches.
He threw on the overcoat and turned to Belenus. “Don’t you need to get dressed?” Belenus gasped in shock. “You’re right! How could I forget?” He snapped his fingers and a bright flash filled the room. When the mist dissipated, Belenus threw back his head and laughed.
He now stood in a gold-trimmed crimson cloak and a pair of black breeches that matched the black tunic underneath. “It’s good to have your wings.”
“Braggart,” Cerne teased, thumping his friend on the arm. “Shall we go collect our women?”
“Don’t let Maeve hear you.”
“I can say anything I want in front of Maeve,” Cerne threw back. “It’s you who cannot.”
“Your time will come, my friend. I guarantee it.”
~*~*~
Pacing across the furry rug in her chambers, Rhiannon gnawed her fingernails. Nervous was an understatement for what she was feeling right now. A week ago, had someone came up to her and said she was a faerie, she would’ve laughed her ass off. But now that she was here, in Fey, she knew how real it was. All of a sudden, realization hit her. She had a mother and father! Her head swam and her heart raced.
Maeve lounged on the chaise, chuckling. “I’m not sure what you’ll do the most damage to.
Your fingernails or the bearskin rug beneath your feet.” A bearskin rug? She’d expected something more magical, like a yeti or some other mythological beast.
“I’m worried, is all.” Rhiannon plopped down into the seat next to Maeve. “I want to make a good impression on my Mother and Father.”
Maeve smiled. “You needn’t worry, Your Highness. Queen Titania and King Oberon will love you. And you’re wearing the Mother Amulet. Nothing can go wrong.”
Rhiannon traced the amulet resting strategically between her breasts and laughed. “I guess faeries haven’t heard of Murphy’s Law.”
Maeve pushed a blonde piece of hair from her cheek. “I’m afraid we don’t take up active interest in human law, but if you’d like to explain, I’d be more than happy to listen.” Rhiannon burst into laughter. “It’s not an actual law. It just says whatever can go wrong, will.”
With a bemused arch of her brow, Maeve shrugged. “Sounds like quite a depressing place, Earth.”
“I won’t disagree, but it does have its benefits.” Rhiannon hadn’t felt more invigorated in—
well—forever. If she didn’t have obligations back in Phoenix, she’d move here in a heartbeat.
“And yet you still are conflicted.” Maeve sighed. “How can we convince you?” Rhiannon smiled. “I don’t know, but you all are doing a good job as it is.”
“Wonderful. The men should be here soon. We need to get you dressed. You can’t meet your mother in your magic gown.”
Maeve fluffed the sleeve of Rhiannon’s gown and flounced from the chair toward the wardrobe. She flung the doors open wide. “What do we have here?” Maeve twirled around and held out a beautiful sapphire gossamer gown. “This will look marvelous on you.”
“Wow.” Rhiannon was speechless. Sewn into the gown were countless jewels, diamonds, topazes and pearls. Sparkles glittered across the room, like thousands of rainbows. She’d never come across anything so beautiful in her life.
“Is that all you can say, my dear?” Maeve threw back her head and chuckled. “You’re a master at the understatement.”
Rhiannon blushed. “No, it’s beautiful,” Then again, beautiful was an understatement too.
“Actually it’s more than beautiful, it’s exquisite.”
“Only the best for our princess.” Maeve held the gown up and fluffed it, sending more rainbows dancing about the room. “Now come here so we can get you dressed.” Eager to try on the magnificent gown, Rhiannon granted Maeve’s request and with quick steps padded to the wardrobe. She dropped the gown she was wearing to the floor, oblivious to the fact that she stood naked before another woman. How had these faeries opened her mind?
“Dress me.”
Maeve’s eyes lit up with something that wasn’t desire. Rhiannon had noticed that look in Maeve’s eyes the previous evening and, remembering their pleasure lesson, blushed as her body turned to mush. Thinking about Cerne had that effect on her lately.
Maeve chuckled, as if reading her thoughts. Of course, her thoughts were etched plain as day across her face. “I think you’ll enjoy the lessons after the feast, Your Highness.” More pleasure lessons? Good Gods! She loved how she was slipping into this faerie speak so easily. “What else do I need to learn? I feel as if I know everything about pleasure.”
“The art of the kiss as well as erotic massage.” Maeve smiled. “All valuable lessons, I guarantee.”
Rhiannon’s eyes perked up. “I’m sure.” Just thinking about it made her heartbeat qui
cken.
She’d read a few books on Tantric massage, strictly for research purposes of course. Not that she had anyone to try it out on. But what’s not to say she’d never get a chance—especially with sexy-ass Cerne nearby.
Now she just hoped these faeries hadn’t heard of the Kama Sutra. Some of the positions in that book were straight up impossible, even for faeries. Sorry, it wasn’t for her. She preferred not to injure herself during sex. Rhiannon giggled, remembering some of the illustrations she’d come across.
Maeve arched a brow. “You’re not laughing at me, I hope.” She turned Rhiannon around and draped the gown over her shoulders. She fastened the buttons and sucked in a breath. “You look magnificent.”
She turned Rhiannon around to the mirror. Maeve wasn’t lying. Amidst the jewels and sparkles, she looked just like—well—a faerie princess. “Now I only need my wings, and the outfit will be complete.”
Maeve smirked. “Beltane is soon, my princess.”
Crap! She forgot about the strange joining ceremony. From the sounds of it, it would be a huge orgy, similar to those the Romans used to take part in.
“Oh, that’s right.” Rhiannon paused, thinking about the words she wanted to say. “About this ritual—”
“I understand your concerns. I saw your expression when I explained it to you.”
“Yeah, well, I never—until last night—did anything so kinky.” Rhiannon’s cheeks warmed as she blushed. “I liked it.”
A large smile swept across Maeve’s face. “I noticed. Bel and I liked it as well, as you could tell.” She took Rhiannon’s hand in hers. “It’s not kinky. It shows loyalty between friends. When the joining ceremony takes place, your thoughts will only be focused on your consort. When your bodies join, everyone else will seem invisible.”
“For someone who’s been naturally self-conscious most of her life, that sounds highly unlikely.” Rhiannon’s lips curved into a sheepish grin.
Maeve huffed. “You were amongst strangers, regardless how well you think you knew them.
You’re a faerie at heart.”
“But I did have friends. People I got on well with. How do you explain that?”
“Not all humans are—umm— human. Some are enlightened. They possess the ability to see and do things a normal human couldn’t.”
“What? So I naturally bond with those types?” To be honest, she wasn’t surprised. Her closest friend was Lara, who claimed to be psychic and dabbled in tarot and astrology. Her uncanny ability to analyze dreams left Rhiannon baffled too. She’d always laughed at Lara when she claimed she had an enchanted aura. Thinking back on it, Rhiannon now knew how right she’d actually been. “Well, Lara, I guess you weren’t talking out your ass after all.”
“I’m assuming Lara’s a friend?”
“She was my only friend in Phoenix.” Rhiannon grinned widely. “And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
“What a lucky friend she was, to have you, but we best go catch up with our men. It’s time to meet the Queen and king.”
“What about my hair?” Rhiannon asked, twirling a curl around her finger.
Maeve snickered. “I think you have that well under control, Your Highness.” Rhiannon covered her mouth and giggled. “Indeed I do.” She pointed her finger up in the air. “Never underestimate the power of my finger.”
“Don’t let all that power go to your head, my dear.” Maeve leaned in and gave Rhiannon a hug. “I realize it’s against protocol, but I do consider you a friend.”
“To be honest, this faerie protocol thing is a little over the top.” If she were queen, she’d change the rules, starting with this ‘I can’t hug you because you’re the princess’ rule.
“It’s been this way since the dawn of time.” Maeve tapped Rhiannon’s head. The pins floated to her hair in normal magical fashion and the curls twined themselves around each
glittering gem. “Sorry, my dear. You were taking too long.” Rhiannon laughed. “Saves my finger from overworking itself.” She extended her arm toward Maeve. “Shall we go retrieve the men?”
With an eager nod, Maeve took her arm. “I think we shall.”
~*~*~
Feeling the tension build within her, Rhiannon sucked in a breath.
Maeve patted her shoulder. “Are you more nervous about seeing your consort, or meeting your parents?”
Rhiannon shrugged and sighed. “A little of both, I suppose.”
“Don’t be. Cerne has had time to stew, and your parents are lovely—and very friendly—
faeries.”
“You make it sound so easy.”
“But it is. The problem with humans is they overanalyze things. All that ensues is never-ending stress and agony.”
Thus was her life. Stress, stress, and yet more stress. But a girl has to earn a living. “Humans have different values, I guess.”
“Ever since the twentieth-century, humans have drifted from the enchanted lands.” Maeve shook her head. “Humans can be so fickle sometimes.”
“Not all humans, only the ones who give them a bad name.” Rhiannon breathed a sigh of relief. She was finding it way too easy to refer to humans as them and not we.
Maeve nodded. “I believe you’ve had enough time to cool your nerves.” She grumbled.
“What is taking these dunderheads so long?” She sighed in deep exasperation. “I’ll be right back.” Maeve snapped her fingers and vanished into thin air.
Rhiannon tapped her toe while she waited for Maeve to return. She snapped her fingers, but nothing happened. Apparently they didn’t trust her enough yet to take the Teleporting for Dummies class. Well, she’d just try it herself. Bring me inside Cerne’s chamber. Smiling, she snapped her fingers. An immense fog surrounded her, and she closed her eyes. Yay, she thought.
It just might be working!
Rhiannon opened her eyes as the fog cleared. The familiar surroundings of Cerne’s
chambers came into view. “By the Gods! It worked!”
“Isn’t that marvelous,” drawled a rich feminine voice dripping with sarcasm.
Rhiannon twisted around. The brunette faerie sprawled across Cerne’s bed as if she owned it. Her iridescent blue wings twitched as if she were irritated. Who did this woman think she was, and why the hell was she in Cerne’s bed? Rhiannon clenched her fists.
“Ogre got your tongue?” the woman asked, pulling the sheets around her body.
Rhiannon found her voice at last. “Who the fuck are you and why are you in the consort’s bed?”
The woman threw her head back and laughed, her green eyes sparkling something wicked.
“I’m a present, for the husband-to-be.”
“He has enough servants.” Rhiannon gulped, trying desperately to control her anger. She should’ve known someone of Cerne’s obvious expertise would take a woman on the side. Look at the woman, for God’s sake. She was a hottie to the infinite power.
“I’m Cerne’s favorite, you know.” The woman smirked.
She didn’t say was! Rhiannon clenched her teeth.
The woman pulled the sheets back from the bed and rose. Her perfectly rounded breasts would’ve made a playboy bunny jealous. The curve of her hips and ass screamed porn star. But they were in Fey, not Earth. To Rhiannon’s knowledge there was no such thing as faerie porn.
Rhiannon decided to call her bluff. “How nice. I got the impression he didn’t have any favorites. He’s told me all about his adventures with the palace courtesans. He has a way with the women, or so I’ve been told. They all think they’re his favorite.” The woman blinked. “You’re smarter than I figured you’d be.” She grabbed a slinky, wine-hued garment off the ground and wrapped it around her voluptuous frame. “But why are you in Lord Silverwing’s chambers? I thought these rooms were off-limits to the princesses.”
“A stupid rule, if you ask me.” Rhiannon narrowed her eyes. “And just who are you anyway?”
The woman approached with slow, calculated steps. Her hips swa
yed like a swing in the breeze while she twirled a loose strand of hair about her finger. “I’m no one, but a lowly whore, paid to service those who are in need. Are you in need?” Her hips undulating in sensuous circles, she danced around Rhiannon, tracing a finger along the princess’s cheek and down her neck.
“In need of you?” Rhiannon asked uneasily.
She came face to face with Rhiannon and shook her head. “Perhaps. Perhaps not. Shall we see?”
“Let’s not, and say we did. What happens in Cerne’s room, stays in Cerne’s room, okay?”
“Stupid humans,” the faerie woman grumbled. “What I’m trying to say is this: I come with Cerne. Are you willing to share his bed?”
Hell no! “Excuse me?” This woman was starting to irritate her.
“Oh, don’t tell me you’re one of those silly humans who thinks sex is best between one man and one woman.” She covered her mouth as she chuckled.
No, I’m the faerie who’s going to kick your ass, bitch. “I’m not human, and you’d do best to remember that.”
“What is a wingless whelp of a princess going to do to a seasoned faerie with wings?” The woman tapped a finger to the corner of her mouth. “And how can we be certain you aren’t tainted?”
“You seem to be the expert on being tainted,” Rhiannon spat through gritted teeth. “I’m sure you can tell me all about it.”
The faerie flew at her with arms extended. “Why you little—”
“Viviane!” Maeve’s voice commanded from behind them.
The woman stopped in mid-flight and backed away from Rhiannon. “I’m sorry, Councilwoman Windsong. I didn’t recognize her and was trying to get her from Lord Silverwing’s chambers.”
Maeve came up next to Rhiannon, her eyes narrowed. “What are you doing in his chambers?