WingsOfDesire-AriannaSkye

by Arianna Skye

  “My sister is near. I can hear her.”

  Windstorm scratched his bearded chin. “How close?”

  “It’s hard to say. Despite the maternal differences, we have a strong link.” She rolled her lips between her teeth. “It’s not something I’m proud of, let me assure you. She’s deliberately trying to goad me.”

  Windstorm nodded. “It could also be a trap to leave the armies unguarded.”

  “Are you truly unguarded?” She swept her gaze around the battle site, examining the aftermath. Most of the troll and ogre armies had been buried in rubble. Her Dark Faerie people lay in crumpled heaps of broken wings and bloodied earth. The White Faeries had won this battle, but not the war. As long as her sister still lived, the war would rage on. “Korrigan needs to be stopped. I’m the only one who can do it.”

  “You’ll have to fight that out with Cerne and Rhiannon.” Windstorm crossed his arms.

  “Both of them have an equal stake in Korrigan’s destruction.” Aine nodded. “Very true, General. But I have something neither of them do.”

  “Oh, really? What is that?” Windstorm asked with an upturned brow.

  “The same blood runs through our veins.” Aine shuddered at the thought. “Even though I’m not proud of that fact, it does serve some purpose.” She turned her head back toward the right flank. Cerne and Rhiannon seemed to be holding their own amidst a group of trolls. She sighed. Perhaps she was overwrought? She swept her gaze up toward the gray, clouded sky. Perhaps not.

  Even high above, Aine would recognize those wings anywhere.

  She pointed toward the figure flapping across the sky. “My sister makes her way toward the princess and her mate.”

  Windstorm muttered an oath. “I have no choice, Lady Aine. Follow her.” Aine nodded and bounded into the air. She followed her sister, keeping a safe distance so she wouldn’t be discovered. I’ll do anything to keep the kingdoms safe. She just hoped she wouldn’t have to.

  ~*~*~

  “Watch out!” Cerne yelled, as a troll with a large, spiked mace in his misshapen hand rushed toward Rhiannon. She turned just in time to withdraw the staff at her back and shoot a bolt of energy at the offending beast. A ball of bright light surrounded the troll, sending him into oblivion.

  Rhiannon slammed the staff back in the sheath and took a deep breath. “Thanks, hon.” She unsheathed her sword, gripping it tightly.

  An ogre suddenly made a lunge toward her. Cerne’s breath caught in his throat as the beast rushed at her, but by a small act of the Gods, Rhiannon turned toward the ogre, swung her sword and deflected the blow of its wooden club.

  “Wonderful performance, mo cridhe.” Cerne scanned the vicinity. The trolls and ogres who remained standing fought amongst themselves. He and Rhiannon were safe, until Korrigan’s reinforcements arrived.

  Rhiannon held her sword in front of her, looking into the sky. “So what do we do now?”

  “Wait.”

  She raised an eyebrow. “Wait for what?”

  “Reinforcements.” Cerne sheathed his sword. “I’m certain Korrigan won’t rest that easily.

  Her men will regroup and attack.”

  Rhiannon grumbled under her breath. “That’s comforting.” She slammed her sword into the ground below. “How long does it take for them to regroup?”

  “An hour or two, sometimes more.” Cerne marched toward her. “Knowing the eagerness of Korrigan and her army, I’ll say it’ll be closer to an hour.”

  “Or sooner,” Rhiannon breathed, pushing him out of her way.

  Cerne shook his head and caught his footing. “What did you do that for?”

  “Well, well. It seems you’ve spent too much time with me, Princess Rhiannon. Already pushing your man around, I see.” Thick sardonic laughter ripped through the air.

  Cerne whipped around. Korrigan flicked her black, barbed wings while she lowered herself to the ground. Her black leather breeches and corset clung to her every curve as her raven mane whipped back and forth. The Mother Amulet rested on her neck, the red rubies emitting a faint shine while the malachite gave off a dark glow. She clutched a menacing cat-o-nine-tails in one hand, flicking it in the palm of the other.

  “Do you like the whip, Lord Silverwing?” Her lips curved into a sadistic smile. “I assure you, your brother enjoyed it thoroughly.”

  Cerne ground his teeth and clenched his fists. It took all the willpower he possessed to keep his hand from grabbing his sword and running the bitch through.

  “Cerne, no.” Rhiannon gripped his shoulder and looked up at him with those pleading emerald eyes. “That’s what she wants. Don’t let her get under your skin.” Cerne wrapped his hand around the hilt of his sword. “Someone has to stop her.”

  “Yes, but she’s too powerful, especially with the Mother Amulet.” Rhiannon steadied her gaze toward Korrigan. “You have the Mother Amulet. What else could you possibly want?” Korrigan clucked her tongue. “Don’t play coy with me, Rhiannon. You already know what I want.” She folded her fingers together and cracked her knuckles. “And I cannot have it with you in my way.”

  “Me?” Rhiannon threw back her head and laughed. “You think I want to be here? I was drugged and kidnapped. I didn’t ask to return to Fey, if this was where I was really born.” What in the deities was she saying? Cerne’s heart fell into his stomach. He ground his teeth and glared at Rhiannon.

  Cerne felt the mind link open. Just let me talk. I know what I’m doing. Rhiannon flashed him

  a surreptitious glance. Feel free to play along though.

  Play along? He knew Rhiannon was an intelligent woman, but he wasn’t sure what to make of this. I don’t quite understand.

  Go along with whatever I say or do.

  Even if I think it’s foolish?

  Rhiannon kept her eyes fixed on Korrigan, and her mind with Cerne. Especially if it’s foolish. Sometimes the foolish plans are the ones that work the best.

  I’d raise my eyebrow if I could. He kept his eyes stony and glared at Korrigan.

  “How horrible that must be, Lord Silverwing. Apparently your cock isn’t as talented as you claim it to be.”

  “On the contrary. I’m the one who isn’t interested.” He turned his gaze to Rhiannon, hoping she realized he didn’t mean it.

  Rhiannon rolled her eyes. “Please. A rock is more entertaining than your pompous ass.” I hope you’re still playacting. She was starting to convince even him.

  You should know better. A rock ain’t got anything on you.

  Korrigan flicked her whip. “Is that so? Then you won’t care if I do this.” She extended her hand, a spark forming in her obsidian eyes. The malachite stone grew darker.

  Cerne tried moving, but his feet were locked to the ground. This doesn’t look promising, my love.

  I won’t let anything happen to you. He caught the strain in her thoughts. I love you.

  Watching the ball of light form in Korrigan’s hand as she aimed it at Rhiannon, Cerne began to sweat. For the first time in his life he was helpless. He would fail his princess.

  With a jerk, Korrigan moved her hand and flung the energy ball toward him instead. He sucked in a deep breath and regret filled him. He’d never get the chance to tell Rhiannon he loved her.

  Expecting the piercing energy to fill him, he closed his eyes. Fancy that. Getting struck by a bolt of energy felt a lot like getting knocked down by a battering ram—a soft, supple battering ram. The heady scent of lavender and vanilla wafted, filling his nostrils. Had he gone to the afterlife?

  Korrigan’s loud cackling rang in his ears. No. She’d never be allowed entrance in such a peaceful place. He willed his eyes open, not wanting to see.

  Korrigan clucked her tongue. “Such a foolish woman. I knew she’d do that. And now with the princess dead, Titania will finally fade.”

  Cerne shook his head, fighting the tears threatening to spill. He must be brave for his beautiful Rhiannon. She wasn’t dead—couldn’t be dead. He took her in his arms and
cradled her, brushing her hair from her cheek. By the Gods, he would find a way to save her. Determination coursed through his veins.

  “You’ll pay for this.” Cerne glared up at the evil queen, his jaw ticking.

  Korrigan threw back her head and chuckled deep in her throat, a menacing sound that only further irritated him. “Actually, you’ll be the one paying. I’ll use my staff this time. I want to leave my mark.” She reached behind her back and pulled out the gnarled branch. “Perhaps a family reunion? I can’t have you happy with your love in the afterlife.” Korrigan raised her staff high. Holding Rhiannon close, Cerne closed his eyes and gathered as much of his power as he could. He clenched his fist and let the warm energy fill his hand.

  With an angry shout, he flung his hand toward Korrigan. Even with his eyes closed, the bright light flared through his lids. A loud scream rent the air followed by a soft thud. As quick as the light had come, it faded.

  Behind the charred earth, Aine stood with a smoking staff in her hand.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Aine stepped toward where her sister’s staff lay. She reached down and picked up something from the ground.

  Cerne shook his head with regret and gazed back down to Rhiannon’s still form. “You should’ve let her send me to my punishment for failing my princess.” He pulled Rhiannon’s face to his and rubbed his cheek against hers. “I’m so sorry, my love, for bringing you into this world.”

  Aine strode toward him, gripping something in her hand. The green and red sparkles danced with each step she took. That damned amulet. What was she going to do? Finish him off? He hoped so.

  “You haven’t failed her yet, Lord Silverwing.”

  Cerne’s breath wracked. “She no longer breathes.” It was too late. He clenched his eyes shut, tears threatening to spill. She was gone from him forever. “She’s dead, Aine. Now let me grieve in peace.”

  “She isn’t dead yet, but she will be soon if you don’t trust me. We don’t have much time.” She held the Mother Amulet out to him. “Put this around her neck.” Urgency swirled in her eyes.

  “Quickly!”

  Curse this damned magic! “How do you know it will work? Your sister was a very powerful woman.”

  “If she was that powerful, how was I able to defeat her?” Aine thrust the amulet in his hands. “Wearing the amulet weakened her. You cannot use something good to perform evil.” Cerne raised an eyebrow, but put the chain about Rhiannon’s neck. It was a part of her, after all. Even if this crazy plan Aine had come up with didn’t work, the amulet needed to remain with Rhiannon. Then again, if it worked, she could come back to him. “Fine. I’ll try it. What else do we have to do?”

  “All this magical power is new to me.” Aine raked her fingers through her hair. “How about laying your hands on the amulet?”

  Cerne gritted his teeth. He did this all on a hunch? How he wished Maeve and Bel were

  here. With an exasperated huff, he placed his hands on the stone but it remained cool beneath his fingertips. He should’ve known better. “It’s not working.”

  “Concentrate.” Aine knelt down next to him. She closed her eyes and placed her hands on top of his. “Imagine your body’s warmth filling your hands, pouring into the amulet. We need to purge Korrigan’s negative energy.”

  Cerne nodded and closed his eyes. He concentrated on the stone, imagining the warmth of his hands filling it. Either he had some strong imagination, or the stone was actually heating up.

  “It’s getting warmer.”

  Taking her hands from his, Aine nodded. “Remove your hands from the stone. It should be warm enough.”

  “How do you know all this, if magic is new to you?” Cerne glanced up at Aine while he continued to stroke Rhiannon’s hair.

  “It isn’t just magic, it’s White Faerie magic.”

  Cerne craned his head toward the sound of Rowan Windstorm’s booming voice. “White Faerie magic?” he asked.

  “Maeve suspects Aine’s mother was an outcast White Faerie.” Rowan gazed down at Cerne whose arms were wrapped around Rhiannon and gasped. “Look. The amulet is glowing.” Cerne followed Rowan’s gaze to Rhiannon’s neck. The malachite of the amulet glowed bright green and light swirled in the rubies surrounding it. “What do we do now?” he urged.

  Aine shuffled on her knees. “Let’s pray to the Mother Goddess.” Praying did sound good, but Rhiannon needed more than just a chant to the Goddess. She needed him. She needed to know.

  “Feel free to pray,” Cerne said in a resonant voice. “I need to do something else. Something I’ve been putting off for far too long.”

  Aine nodded and rose to her feet. A knowing smile crept across her face as she padded to Rowan’s side. “Do whatever you need to do. We’ll gladly pray—for both of you.”

  “Thank you.” Cerne glanced down at the amulet that still glowed on Rhiannon’s bosom.

  Thank the Gods he hadn’t imagined it. He lowered his mouth and brushed his lips against hers, remembering a tale she told him about a princess who was brought back from the afterlife with a kiss. He pressed his lips to hers and prayed.

  Listening to the words, Rowan and Aine chanted as he sighed. Rhiannon remained still in

  his arms. What was he to do? “Please, Rhiannon, don’t leave me. I need you.” He took a deep breath. He knew what he had to say. “I love you.”

  Her eyelids fluttered, but did not open and she stirred in his arms.

  Cerne pulled her face closer to his. “Mo cridhe, do you hear me? I love you!” He hadn’t meant to shout but he wanted everyone to hear. He couldn’t—wouldn’t—hide from his emotions anymore. He put his lips to hers and placed gentle kisses all over them. “I love you. Trobhad, mo cridhe.” Come back to me. He prayed silently to the Gods, hoping she would.

  ~*~*~

  The burst of energy consumed her like a raging inferno. Pain, albeit short-lived, stung her in every recess of her body. She’d picked a wonderful time to be impetuous. She’d let her parents and her people down—but most importantly she’d failed Cerne. Korrigan defeated me with my own amulet. I’m a failure. Then again, she’d saved Cerne’s life, hadn’t she? Rhiannon would live—or in this case, she supposed—die with it.

  “I’m sorry, my love,” she breathed, as a breeze lifted her toward the clouds. Man, this afterlife crap doesn’t waste any time, does it? She shook her head, opening her eyes and glaring at the soft light dancing in the distance. “Can’t you give me just a few more minutes before sending me on my way to wherever it is you go when you die?” She sucked in a deep sigh, and fluffed the pillow of clouds until they seemed puffy enough for her. She laid her head down, expecting to find a warm cottony cloud beneath her. Instead of the cloud’s fluffy goodness, her head met with a thick, heavily mailed chest. Rhiannon blinked, willing her eyes open. He seemed like a ghost—distant, yet close enough to touch. His hands were protective and gentle as he held her close.

  “I love you.” The whisper danced in her ears. Leave it to a man to whisper those words—

  after you got zapped to the afterlife. It was the afterlife, she assumed. From the description of The Outer Realm, floating on fluffy clouds or resting on hard-muscled chests didn’t constitute eternal torture.

  “Rhee, dear. Look up.”

  Rhiannon blinked. “Mom?” Well, who she thought was her mom.

  Paula Kinsley stood in the distance with a smile sweeping across her face. Her grayish-

  blonde hair framed her angelic face. “We’re sorry, Rhee.” James Kinsley appeared next to her, his grayish-brown hair receding as it had for most human men of his age. “Please forgive us and go back to your people.” Rhiannon shrugged and shook her head. “It’s not your fault. You had no idea.”

  “The old lady who left you on our doorstep made us promise to never tell anyone. She said they would kill us if anyone found out.”

  “She could’ve given me to the most horrible parents around, but she gave me to you. And you loved me like your own.
There’s nothing to forgive.”

  “We love you no matter what, please remember.” James grabbed Paula’s hand.

  “I’ll always love you for being there for me.”

  James and Paula leaned over her and placed kisses on her cheek. “Thank you, princess,” James whispered in her ear.” Princess? She remembered her childhood nickname and shivered.

  Had they known?

  “Did you know?” she asked, her eyes brimming with tears.

  “We’ve always loved you,” Paula replied, as the images of her and James began to waver.

  She opened her mouth to speak again, but a loud shout rent through the air.

  “Mo cridhe, do you hear me? I love you!”

  The Kinsleys faded into the mists surrounding them and Rhiannon reached up to grab for them, realizing she was falling backwards, down a dark tunnel away from the light.

  Damn. She’s a real bitch to torture me so.

  Hitting what she thought was ground, she was jarred awake. Her eyes seemed to be glued shut as she struggled to open them. The stench of death, fire and destruction assailed her nose.

  Wonderful. The Outer Realm smelled just like a bloody battle—and something else. Forest and spices, male—Cerne.

  Then she felt the brush of his lips against hers, not harsh but tender and gentle. “I love you.

  Trobhad, mo cridhe.” His murmur against her lips sent a buzzing of energy washing through her.

  Rhiannon murmured back, wrapping her arms around his neck. She could stay like this forever if that was what the Gods wanted. She moved her lips against his, gentle at first, but she needed more.

  Cerne pulled his lips from hers. “Open your eyes, mo cridhe. Please come back to me.” Strong hands gripped her shoulders and shook her, forceful but gentle. “Please, I love you.”

  Rhiannon’s eyes flickered open and she found herself gazing up into Cerne’s beautiful jade eyes. She lifted a finger to his cheek and traced down the firm lines of his jaw and chin.