by Arianna Skye
Viviane looked up at the two of them giving them a questioning gaze. “I think I’ll retire to the courtesans’ chamber and then I shall pack my belongings.”
“Huh?” Rhiannon replied. “You’re leaving?”
Viviane shrugged. “I feel I need to. I’ve made a mess of things for you and Cerne.” Rhiannon shook her head and took his hand in hers. “We’ll be fine, Madam Viviane, but if you leave there are...ahh...many others who will be most upset.” She gave Viviane a comforting smile.
What a conundrum she was, urging Viviane to stay, while she herself planned to take flight once Korrigan was defeated. He masked his frustration by planting a kiss on Rhiannon’s cheek.
“Rhiannon and I are just fine.”
Viviane folded both her hands in her lap. “It’s not only that. I need a change. Playing the palace paramour has left me empty inside. I’ve let my Bron down. He’d be most displeased if he were still here. And to let the woman who had him killed influence me like she did?” She shook her head, tears trickling down her cheeks. She looked up at Rhiannon and Cerne with beseeching eyes. “I hope you understand.”
Cerne rubbed his jaw. “I understand, but before you can leave we need to get a detailed description from you. Any little bit of information to catch this villain will help.” Viviane nodded. “Thank you Lord Silverwing, Your Highness. Am I free to return to my chambers?”
Rhiannon nodded. “I’ll walk with you, if you like.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose. You and Cerne have a lot to plan for.”
“It’s no inconvenience at all.” Rhiannon took Viviane’s hand. It was clear Rhiannon was trying to avoid him at all costs.
Was she mad? What if Korrigan was still inside, lurking until the moment was right? Cerne pulled Rhiannon to the side. “You need to exercise caution. She could still be infected with Korrigan’s power.”
Rhiannon shrugged. “My mother says Viviane is harmless, and I have this to protect me.” She gripped the Mother Amulet and thrust the ruby and malachite encrusted pendant out toward him.
Cerne sighed, there was no use arguing. Her decision was made. “If Korrigan’s power is this strong inside the castle, she’ll be even stronger up close and personal. There’s only so much
power the amulet can protect you against.”
“I’m willing to take that chance, Cerne.” She turned to Viviane. “Shall we go?” She reached down and offered Viviane her arm.
Viviane nodded, and let Rhiannon help her up. She bowed to Cerne. “Thank you, Your Lordship.” With that, both she and Rhiannon snapped their fingers and evaporated into the mists.
“That was awkward to say the least.” Belenus chuckled.
Cerne shrugged. “I worry Korrigan may be too powerful to defeat.”
“We have no choice though, Cerne.” Belenus crossed his arms. “I wish we could just wave a wand and send the bitch packing, but nothing in life is ever that easy.” Cerne couldn’t disagree there. “Yes, but why does Rhiannon have to put herself right in the middle? I fear this is what Korrigan wants.”
“You, yourself, have seen Rhiannon’s power. If this was Korrigan’s intention, she’ll be in for a sore surprise.” Belenus grinned. “Now, it’s improper to be meandering about the princess’s chamber whilst the princess isn’t present. Let’s search for Maeve, shall we?” Cerne nodded. They needed to report the incident to the elders anyway. Maeve would be a better choice to disturb at this hour than Radan, for sure. “We certainly can’t be breaking protocol this late in the night, can we?”
“Very well, then,” Belenus snapped his finger and they were engulfed in warm violet light.
Belenus and Cerne stepped from the smoke into Maeve's posh apartments. Swags of gold and green silks draped lazily along the walls and windows. Potted ferns sat in each corner of the alabaster and marble room. Cerne had only been in Maeve's chambers a handful of times, but hadn't really paid much attention to the scenery during his visits. She and Bel had a good way of making sure of that, but not as well as Rhiannon, that was certain.
Maeve lounged on her chaise, her long flaxen hair adorned with a simple braid. Her silver sword glinted in the candlelight as it rested against her perch.
“Bel, dear,” Maeve called over her shoulder. “Back so soon?” She sat up, picked up her sword and turned to face them. Her eyebrows raised in bewilderment. “Cerne, what a surprise.
Where is your princess?” She picked the scabbard off the floor and sheathed her sword. “She should be with you, replenishing energy.”
Cerne rolled his eyes. “Trust me, we both are replenished.” Maeve sighed. “Where is she?”
“With Viviane.” Belenus scooped Maeve in his arms. He lowered his lips to Maeve's cheek in a gentle kiss.
Maeve arched an eyebrow and bemusement spread across her face. “Why is she with Viviane?” She turned to Cerne and shook her head.
“Do I need to explain myself again?” Cerne threw his hands up in defeat.
Maeve shook her head. “No, I know how you feel about Rhiannon. I know you wouldn't taint your relationship by dallying with Viviane. Titania's strength is returning. She sensed it as well.”
“We found Viviane in Rhiannon's horse's stall, bloody and broken,” Cerne said. “Whoever or whatever it was inside her must have decided they didn't have a use for her anymore.” Well that was obvious. Korrigan had us right where she wanted us and played us like lyres.
Regardless, Rhiannon planned to return to Earth, even before she came across Viviane forcing herself on him.
“We brought her to Rhiannon's chamber, and she healed her.” Belenus motioned Maeve back to the chaise to sit down. He and Cerne relayed the rest of the story, leaving out no details.
“So, Madam Viviane wants to leave the palace?” Maeve scratched her head. “To be honest, it does sound like the best idea, especially if Korrigan still has control over her.”
“But is it safe to leave Rhiannon alone with her?” Cerne asked.
“First of all, the courtesans' chambers are hardly private. Men and women bustle about at all hours of the night,” Maeve replied. “And second of all, the princess is strong and wears the Mother Amulet.”
“I still worry for her safety,” Cerne said, through set teeth.
“It’s understandable. It’s only natural for someone to worry for someone they love.”
“I’m not in love,” Cerne growled. However, the more he thought about it, the more he started to realize how much he cared for her. Yes, he was attracted to Rhiannon, but he wasn’t in love—or maybe he was? Why did these things have to be so complicated?
~*~*~
“Are you sure this is what you really want?” Rhiannon asked, helping Viviane with the last of her garments.
Viviane nodded. “There is nothing here for me anymore.” She plumped down on her plush velvet-trimmed bed and traced a finger along the tassel of a pillow. “It suited me for a time, but now I’m empty inside.” She pointed to a small painting sitting on the table next to her bed. “He would hate what I’ve become.”
Rhiannon turned to gaze at the portrait. A young faerie man with gentle eyes and caring smile stood behind Viviane with his hand on her shoulder. “What happened?” Viviane sucked in a breath. “Bron was tending the fields when Korrigan’s men came upon him. They cut off his wings and placed him on a pike as a warning to all the White Faeries in my shire.”
“Cut off his wings? Why would someone do such a horrible thing?”
“It’s the only way to kill a faerie when one hasn’t much power.” Viviane shuddered. “They would’ve done the same to me, had they not been called back to the Dark Castle. Some days I wish they had.”
Rhiannon leaned to Viviane and took her in her arms, a flood of guilt filling her. “I’m sorry I was so hard on you. I didn’t realize.”
Viviane shrugged. “Not many people—not even Cerne—know. I don’t want anyone’s pity.”
“But it’s not pity, it’s sympathy.” Rhiannon understood
exactly what Viviane was talking about. She went through the same thing when her human parents died. “Sometimes being able to confide in a friend is better than keeping it buried inside.”
“Are you calling me a friend?”
“Sure, why not? You haven’t done anything to me that terribly bad.” She paused, noticing Viviane’s stricken expression. “Have you?”
Her lip wavered. “Nothing that bore any fruit, Your Highness.” She gave Rhiannon a pleading gaze. “You need to understand, I thought I was going mad.” Viviane proceeded to explain that the voices had started right after Rhiannon returned. “I thought the only way to get rid of these voices was to drive you out of Fey.”
“It’s okay, Viviane. I’m a very forgiving person.” Rhiannon rose from the bed. “It’s getting late, and I need to prepare for a battle.” She shook her head in disbelief. She would’ve never guessed a little over two weeks ago she’d end up in such a magical place, ready to defend its people. She would’ve laughed her ass off, all the while driving herself to the psych ward.
Viviane stood to join her. “Let me see you out, Your Highness.”
“That would be nice. Thank you, Viv.” She smiled. “Is it okay to call you Viv?”
“Of course! You can call me anything you want. You’re the princess after all.” Smiling, she turned to face Rhiannon. All of a sudden, Viviane gasped and her eyes flickered.
“What’s wrong?” Rhiannon asked, her heartbeat accelerating.
Viviane rubbed her hand on her chin and shook her head. “Be wary, Your Highness. Even those you trust can be the most treacherous.”
“Do you remember anything of your attack?” Rhiannon prodded, taking Viviane’s hand in hers.
Viviane shook her head. “I only know it was someone I knew and trusted not to harm me.”
“Could it be one of the lesser courtesans?”
Viviane chuckled. “I don’t trust any of the courtesans to scrub my back. I know they wouldn’t kill me, but they would resort to other forms of trickery to gain my position.”
“Then what’s not to say it’s one of them?”
Viviane chuckled. “Good assumption, Your Highness, but they realize I’m not privy to their games. They respect me because of it.”
“Just like a queen.” Rhiannon grinned.
“No, not a queen, but a very smart woman, such as yourself.” Viviane stared her straight in the face with a stern expression. “Be careful who you trust. Evil lurks here, I can feel it.” She offered Rhiannon her hand. “Shall we go look for a guard to escort you to your chambers.” Nodding, Rhiannon hooked her elbow with Viviane’s. She too sensed something unsettling in the air. It hung like the salty Atlantic air in New York Harbor. Tiny prickles traveled up her spine as they entered the main chamber.
The fading flickers of the candles cast an eerie glow across the room. Rhiannon bit her lip as a sudden wave of trepidation filled her. “Do you feel that?” Viviane glanced around. “It’s rather dark in here. I’ll turn up the lights. Viviane clapped her hands, but not a flicker perked up. “What the deities?” She raked a hand through her brown hair.
Rhiannon glanced around the room. “What’s the matter?” Her heart thumped a wild beat.
“Can you try?” Viviane asked, scanning the room. “The room is blocked.”
“Blocked? The room?” Perplexed and bemused, Rhiannon raised an eyebrow. “But we have guards everywhere.”
“Someone has blocked my magic.” Viviane gripped Rhiannon’s shoulders. “Your magic is
stronger than mine, Your Highness. See if you can overpower them.” Viviane whipped around, her breath ragged.
“If the castle is guarded, how can they get in?”
Viviane’s eyes sparked. “When evil is already in the palace, the guards are pointless.” She reached for Rhiannon’s hand. “Please, Rhiannon. You must believe me.” Rhiannon nodded. She could sense the honesty and urgency in Viviane’s voice. She traced her fingers across the stones hanging at her chest. “It shouldn’t be that hard. After all, I was able to heal my mother.”
She closed her eyes and the stone grew warm in her hand. Concentrating on the candles, she called forth her energy and visualized the room bathed in warm light. The stone glowed warm against her chest.
Viviane’s gasp reverberated through the chamber then she sighed. “What are you doing in here? You almost scared the wings off my—”
A loud crack filled the room, followed by a soft thud. Rhiannon opened her eyes to spot Viviane’s limp body slumped against the chaise.
“Viviane?” Rhiannon called, running toward her. She’d already been through enough tonight.
“Not so fast, Your Highness.” With that, a giant vase came crashing down on Rhiannon’s head.
Rhiannon blinked back the stars forming in her eyes, trying to make out the form of her assailant. A heavy fog flooded her senses as faerie dust settled on her skin. “Why?” she managed with a weak breath, and then the darkness of unconsciousness settled around her.
Chapter Sixteen
Rhiannon’s head pounded. She went to rub the spot where she’d been hit, but her hands would not budge. The clanging of metal grated in her ears. Shaking her head, she opened her eyes. What the hell?
Darkness surrounded her like the plague, stifling her. The faint nubs of the sconces down the hall cast dismal shadows. The cold metallic shackles bit into her wrists and ankles. She looked down to her neck. The amulet was gone. Her blood ran cold. She’d already failed her kingdom.
Where in Fey was she? Maybe her mind had played tricks on her when she’d lost consciousness. She had to get hold of Cerne. Would he hear her? She closed her eyes, forcing them shut. Please Cerne, are you there?
Nothing. Absolutely nothing. Emptiness, the feeling of utter loneliness, was all that came back. The click of heels scratching against stone broke her concentration.
“It’s no use trying, my dear princess. He cannot hear you. Nor does he want to.” The woman stepped forward, a wicked smirk swept across her face. Her long black hair twisted and curled about a mass of gnarled thorns and branches. She wore a pair of thigh-high black leather—at least Rhiannon assumed it was leather—boots. She held a whip in her hand, stroking it as if it were a large dildo. Wonderful. I’ve been kidnapped by a fetish-loving faerie, she thought, examining the black lace-up corset and hose. A pair of large black wings spread out proudly behind the woman.
“Who are you? The Queen of Kink?” Rhiannon managed to raise her chin and keep her face straight. She knew she had to be strong if she planned on getting out of here alive.
“Very funny, Rhiannon.” The woman’s ruby lips pursed while she scratched her chin. “You don’t mind me calling you that do you?”
“Like I have a choice.” Rhiannon looked the woman over. “Korrigan, I presume?” The woman approached, flicking her whip in her hand. “You presume correctly.”
“If you wanted someone to play kinky sex games with you, you should’ve just asked.”
“You’re not my type, but your consort-to-be, Cerne—hmm—he’d definitely be my type.” She leaned in close, tracing her whip along Rhiannon’s neck and down her breasts.
Revulsion welled within Rhiannon as she thought of this disgusting bitch laying her hands on Cerne. “He would rather be with a pig than the likes of you.”
“I beg to differ. After all, his brother found me most satisfying.” A wicked glint filled Korrigan’s eyes and a sinister curl shaped her lips.
If Rhiannon wasn’t shackled to the wall, she’d rip that whip from her hands and wrap it around her neck. “Where is Sionnach?”
“Somewhere pleasure slaves go when they disobey me one too many times.” Korrigan’s eyes flickered. “Somewhere very far away.”
Rhiannon’s stomach roiled and bile rose. She felt saliva trickle from her tongue. What better way to get rid of the excess moisture in her mouth? She sucked in a breath and sent a wad of spit flying, hitting Korrigan right in the eye.
“Y
ou little bitch,” Korrigan snapped. She extended her arm, her palm connecting with Rhiannon’s cheek.
The force of the blow sent Rhiannon reeling, and fire stung her cheek. She bit back her cry of pain and wrenched her face around. “My human parents taught me to turn the other cheek.”
“Stupid humans,” Korrigan hissed, her black eyes swirling like bottomless pits. “Not fit to walk the otherworld, or Earth either.”
“Take a look at yourself, lady.” Rhiannon flashed Korrigan a bold glare. “I don’t see you getting nominated for any faerie-of-the-year awards.”
“Defiant little bitch, aren’t you?” Korrigan leered. “Let’s see how defiant you are without this.” She reached into her corset and pulled out the amulet. With a maniacal laugh, she dangled the chain in front of Rhiannon’s nose.
Rhiannon fought against her binds, trying to reach for the amulet. “You won’t get away with this. They will come for me.”
“That’s where you’re wrong, Princess. ” A smug smile etched Korrigan’s face. “Right now as we speak, your precious Cerne loathes and despises you.”
“You’re lying!” Rhiannon spat. Then again, what this wretched witch said could be true. He was less than pleased with her decision to return to Earth. Would she ever see him again to tell him she’d changed her mind? Would he think she’d abandoned him and their people?
“Oh, yes,” Korrigan continued, “I’m telling you the truth. Right now, as I speak, your loving consort discovers you and Viviane missing. Thanks to one of your loyal subjects.”
“Who?”
Korrigan wagged her finger. “Ah, ah, ah. That’s for me to know and you to die trying to find out.” Korrigan smirked some more. “It was a challenge locating a black heart within the palace.
What appears innocent on the surface isn’t always innocent inside. I had originally planned on using that slut, Viviane, but she ended up having a heart after all. More’s the pity. I would’ve enjoyed watching her seduce your consort. Did you enjoy the show?”