by J. L. Madore
It wasn't gentle or calm. The desire that exploded inside me was as wild as the hunger that raged in his eyes. Galan couldn't hold out. Pitching his shoulders forward in one great thrust he collapsed, whispering in Elvish. He wasn't making coherent sense, but the tone was reverent almost devout.
It was a long while before either of us could move, then Galan shifted and pulled me over his chest. "Are . . . you well . . . Blossom?"
"More than well." I swiped my hair out of my face and smiled at him. "And the moment I can breathe . . . we are sooo doing that again." I circled his smooth, pink nipple with my fingers. "So, after a long and tortured century, was it what you expected?"
"Not even close." Galan exhaled, cradling my head. "I have hungered many times, and burned for you until I thought I might not survive it. Never would I have—" He laughed, biting my shoulder. "I have not but left you, yet there is nothing I need more than to be inside you again. I wonder if I shall always burn so, or can I be stated?"
I stroked my hand down the front of him. "Only one way to find out."
After what seemed like a lifetime, but surely was no more than three or four hours, Galan sank back onto the silk of the sheets with me draped across his chest in a delicious sensual fog. His hand caressed a long sweep down my back, resting on the rise of my hip. When I had recovered enough to think, I rolled onto my side to find him staring at me.
"You look so proud of yourself, Blossom." He chuckled, propping up on his elbow. "I was not much of a conquest really. Seductress. My resistance was lost the moment I saw you." He glanced down to my dress lying in a crumpled heap. "Nyssa and Iadon were co-conspirators in this I presume."
"Guilty."
Glancing to the stars in the velvet night sky he ran his hand through his hair. "This is perfect, Blossom," he whispered. "You have given me the most memorable moment of my life." He kissed my palm and wove our fingers together.
"Galan? I'm absolutely not complaining, but what happened? When we first made love? One minute, you were loving me and the next you were possessed. Don't misunderstand, the intensity had me unhinged, but what was that?"
Galan brushed my hair back from my face and I couldn't stop from grinning like an idiot. "Elves are given two names at birth, one by our parents which we use publicly and one which is imprinted directly onto our soul, given to us by the gods. That name, our soul name, is shared only with the most intimate lover, family or friend."
As a cool breeze blew through the canopy he gathered the sheet and draped it across my body. "When an Elf's soul name is spoken, it touches him to the depth and breadth of his emotions. Each of us instinctively knows our own and can share it with those we love and trust. It is the greatest honor a Highborne can bestow. Mine is Dwinn." He laughed, shaking his head. "In one century and ten, I have shared my name with my naneth, Lia, Tham and Nyssa. They are the only four to ever speak to my soul until you spoke it tonight.
"How did I know to say it?"
Galan's smile widened and the starlight sparkled in his eyes. "That is the most incredible thing. It is part of Recognition. Elves experience a telepathic sharing of soul names when they find their perfect other half. Ordinarily we fall in love, bond and give our soul names to our mates. It is accepted and wonderful in its own rite. When Nyssa, Tham or Lia speak my name, it is deeply personal and private. I never imagined anything could touch me more deeply."
"But it did?"
Galan laughed then flopped on his back. "When you called to my soul." His voice caught, deep and husky. "I have no words. It was a hundred times more intimate, mayhap a thousand."
"But I'm not an Elf."
"True, and I wondered about that myself. I believe that since you worship Castian Latheron and he has shown his favor for you as well, he gave you my soul name because he approves of our union."
I delighted in that and met his lips for a kiss. As I pulled back I held his face to mine. "I told you that we were destined to be together."
"You did, and you also told me you didn't believe in destiny." He rolled over me, pressing his hard body into the softness of mine.
"That was before I met you."
He hovered, his eyes glittering in the dancing candlelight. "I have something to give you." He shuffled over to where his jacket lay over a rune stone. Fishing in the inside pocket, he withdrew a small cloth bundle tied with a silky ribbon. "For our Ambar Lenn we were each to carry a talisman until we found our way. This is mine, and by all rights, it now belongs to you." He unwrapped a silver pendant and held it for me to look at.
"My mother's ancestral grandmother, Rheagan as we now know, handed down this pendant from the time of the exile. In each generation, the oldest male inherited it to give to his true love. In my memories of my mother, I remember how beautifully it hung over her heart. She had no brothers so it remained in her possession, becoming mine after her passing . . . and now it belongs to you."
"Galan, it's beautiful." I traced the graceful, silver lines. The pendant was a flower, its stem wrapped and woven with delicate silver ribbons. Five teardrop cut, hematite stones made up the petals surrounding a garnet centre. "It's spectacular. Are you sure you want me to have it, it was your mother's?"
"I have loved it my entire life. It symbolizes the love she had for me, my father and Lia as well. Now it symbolizes my love for you. I would be honored if you would wear it."
Galan hung the pendant over my heart and beamed as it shimmered against my skin. "As of this moment you belong to me as I belong to you."
I couldn't decipher the emotion swirling in his eyes, but could feel his turmoil roiling in my gut. "Galan, what's wrong?"
The muscle in his jaw twitched. His voice was nothing more than a whisper. "Nothing, love. I am merely emotional." I arched a brow and he sighed. He picked up my hand and kissed it. "I was thinking of Lia. How excited she would be that I have found you and Recognized."
"You'll get the chance to tell her. I am sure of it."
"When you say the words, how can I believe anything other?"
"Please. I'm far from perfect." When he shook his head, I flung my hair out of the way and brushed my lips over his. "Shut up and make love to me, Highborne." I giggled as his body reacted to my request. "Dwinn." He shuddered and pulled me tight. "Dwinn." He moaned and I ran my fingers over the tips of his ears. "Dwinn." He seized me and lost himself again.
Just before the sun pierced the crest of the summit, Galan woke me with a kiss. He laced his fingers with mine, his voice thick and smooth. "Do you still wish to watch the sun rise on our first day as mates?"
As we lay together in our gossamer haven we watched as the sky lightened. Crimson and pink swirls rose with the sun's light, painting the canvas for the day. I was lost in the sensation of Galan rubbing against me, his hands, his lips, his hair, tickling my skin. After being out of step, our lives had finally synchronized. "Are you really mine? Forever?" I asked.
"Forever, love." He traced the dragon tattoo on my hip then expanded the circuit up my back. Invisible patterns made a creative exploration of our new bond. Who knew sleeping naked could be so decadent? My body arched as I stretched awake and Galan nipped my shoulder. His tongue danced across my skin as his hair dangled and tickled my neck.
I closed my eyes and just let it all wash over me. "Mmm what a glorious way to wake up. You're going to have to sleep in so I can wake you up like this tomorrow."
His body shook against me. "Elves do not sleep like you lazy humans. Four hours of quality reverie is as revitalizing for us as eight hours of sleep for you."
"So what did you do with all those extra hours?"
"I watched you sleep, listened to you breathe and drank in your beauty." He winked, a faint blush coloring his ears. "You are enchanting when you are still."
I studied his expression, sure he was teasing. His smile was provocative but didn't look like he was joking. "So, have I missed anything interesting this morning?"
"Nothing." He smirked, looking terribly guilty. I raise
d a brow and his ears flushed brighter. "In truth, you might have missed a few things." His smile gave me goosebumps. "I would be happy to catch you up."
"You're terri—"
The air stirred around us. A golden light accompanied the sensation of a fissure of power opening around us. Galan watched my gaze harden. I sensed a presence behind him.
One of absolute power.
CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO
Galan launched to his feet and I followed, arms raised. After my heart skipped a beat it pounded back to business. I shook my head. Galan was fully dressed . . . and so was I.
What the— "Where are we?"
We'd Flashed from our romantic rendezvous to a palace throne room like none I'd ever seen. The long, open chamber put shame to even the finest parts of the Haven castle. Draped in shades of autumn, the ochre walls were accented in butter, crimson and green. Richly woven tapestries, Fae art and ancient looking artefacts were lit by the warm golden brilliance of fireflies flitting and frolicking in the fading light of an afternoon sun.
Movement drew our attention toward the seat of power. The semi-circular altar on the far side of the room terminated with a vaulted ceiling above an ostentatious, gilded throne.
A man—indescribably handsome—sat askew. With one knee bent over the arm of his perch he bobbed his foot looking almost bored. Almost. I sensed he was watching us with cunning alertness, his aristocracy as obvious as his omnipotence. He was power incarnate.
And we were, what—two mice caught in his maze.
"Castian come to me," I hissed. My hair swirled as the warm breeze filled my senses with bergamot and lavender.
"I am here, child." The melody of the stranger's voice was home to me. He rose from the thrown and glided down the steps of the altar, arms open. "I am always with you, Mir."
Grappling with understanding, I looked at him again and stumbled to my knees.
Galan grabbed my elbow and tried to hold me back. "Are you implying—"
"I needn't imply, Dwinn. I am." His words rang like bells tolled by the heavens.
Although beautiful, Castian's features were unmistakably masculine. Long, wavy chestnut hair framed a square cut jaw and set off the brilliant emerald green of his eyes. It was easy to see that he had fathered the creation of the Elves. They had his grace. Even though his feet were bare, he had still glided across the inlaid marble as if he hovered above the floor.
"Castian Latheron, my Lord." Galan took a knee by my side and lowered his gaze.
When Castian's hand rested on the top of my head an electric charge tingled from my scalp through my body and sent goosebumps prickling along my skin. He placed his other hand on Galan's. The instant the circuit was connected a white-hot fire spread across my shoulders. I gritted my teeth until my jaw ached and my vision fritzed. Galan's fists tightened and pressed hard against the floor. The scent of bergamot grew until it was rife in the air.
A moment later the burn was gone. I glanced over my shoulder and saw the edges of a tattoo inked onto my skin.
Castian raised his gaze, his expression serene. "I bless your union," he said, his eyes swirling with emotion. "With all my heart."
I swept the length of my hair to one side. We had been branded, marked by the ruler of the realm—the God of the gods.
Galan traced the design across my skin with the pad of his finger. "It's intricate Elven scrollwork of vines and leaves from shoulder to shoulder." He looked to Castian. "Is mine the same?" Galan beamed when Castian nodded, then returned to my back as if he couldn't look away. "Oh Blossom, it is stunning."
"As is your coupling," Castian said. "You cannot grasp the importance of your bond, but the ripples of your union will reach still waters across the Realm of the Fair." Castian stroked Galan's hair before looking at me. "Rheagan's heir. A worthy and wise choice, my child."
"I didn't choose him because of ancestry."
The gentle smile Castian wore made me think he was privy to some inside joke. "Every queen needs her guardian, Mir." He placed his hands under my elbow and raised me to my feet. With a nod to Galan, my husband rose as well. My husband.
"Reign has done well as your guardian until now. You have grown into an incredible female. Your father's heart swells with pride and adoration."
"My father is dead," I whispered.
Castian stroked my cheek with the slightest of touches, a caress of velvet on my skin. "Not all is as you perceive it, Mir. Events were set in motion long ago which brought you to where you are now. Finally, you two have the opportunity to set things right."
"Why have you brought us here, Lord?" Galan put his arm around my waist. "What are we to set right?"
He pointed toward an archway leading outside. "It is time, please, come, sit."
With a strong hand on the small of my back, Castian escorted me through the opening and to a multi-tiered terrace beyond. My mind was whirling. Was it real? Scanning beyond the rail of the balcony, the lush green and aqua grounds were home to birds singing tunes I'd never heard, flowers blooming in colors I'd never seen and the warm breeze carrying scents I'd never smelled. Behind the Veil. Galan and I were Behind the Veil.
With my heart thundering in my ears I tried to absorb everything about . . . everything.
"Here, sit," Castian said, pulling out a chair that overlooked the grounds.
The heat of the afternoon was blocked by the trellis above. Overgrown with dense vines and laden with bunches of grapes, flowers, berries and little creatures hustling and hiding amongst the greenery, the trellis provided a secluded shelter with a surreal charm.
Beyond the balcony, a herd of deer grazed lazily on the rolling grounds. "They don't even look timid," I said.
Castian's brow furrowed. "Why would they? They are my guests; therefore they live confident and unguarded lives."
I studied the setting as a whole. "So this is Behind the Veil."
"To you, yes, but others call it something different." He turned and pointed to the dark hazel peak of a mountain. That is Mount Olympus and there is Elysium." He walked to the end of the balcony and pointed out over the lands. "That island is Tir na nOg, there is Valhalla and those golden pavilions there are in Vaikuntha. It is breathtaking, is it not?"
"It is. But why bring us here?"
His smile was devastatingly charming. He took my hand in his and rubbed his thumb against my palm. "I have waited for this moment for years Jade, to disclose truths about your future and your past."
"What truths?" My voice cracked, but when I swallowed my mouth remained dry.
"Truths about childhood and destiny." He hesitated, looking out into nothingness before he sighed. "Your mother, Abbey, was a gifted woman. She wasn't a healer like you, but could shift form and had strong prophetic abilities." Castian brushed my cheek and met me with his gemstone gaze. "She did not openly discuss her ability to prophesize, but your father knew and so did Reign. It came from her gypsy heritage, you see."
"My mother was a gypsy?"
Castian nodded. "From the Carpathian Mountains. She was wandering the mountains one spring with her caravan and he found her praying by a riverbed. His soul was lost to her the moment their eyes met. They were never meant to be together—their love was beyond all reason—and they Recognized."
"Like Galan and I?"
He nodded. "When Abbey became pregnant, your parents were thrilled. They knew, given your parentage, you would be gifted. However, as a toddler it became obvious that even they had underestimated your powers. You could call on enormous stores of power without instruction; your control was astounding and grew stronger each passing day. They tried to keep your gifts private, but one night, your mother was overcome by a vision. She witnessed Scourge soldiers coming for you. They knew what you were going to be capable of."
"And they killed her because of me."
Castian brushed my chin with his finger. "Abbey was desperate to protect you . . . to hide you from the evils of our world. Because of his station, your father could not go with
you. Instead, he assigned a guardian, Drew Glaster, to accompany your mother and take his place as your protector."
"He wasn't my father?" My heart ached as a million childhood images raced through my head. Was any of it real?
"Reign refused to let your mother leave." Castian shook his head. "That man is stubborn as rocks."
I nodded. "Especially if someone he loves is in danger."
"True. So, Reign insisted your father assign him to accompany them. Even then Reign was a warrior with legendary fighting skills. So, it was decided, three men would dedicate themselves to protect you: your father, Drew and Reign. With your identities altered and gifts bound, you ventured off to live a normal life in a provincial town."
"So, it was all a lie?"
"Your father's hands were tied. He'd seen your future woven in the tapestries of the Fates. In order for your destiny to be fulfilled, he had to choose, his love or his child."
"Well, that's a shitty choice." My voice hitched. "So, my mother was sacrificed for me?"
"She wouldn't have it any other way. Your father—"
"Enough. Stop saying that! That doesn't tell me anything." I turned, my hair starting to rise with the heat of my temper. Galan placed his hand firmly on my thigh under the table, but I couldn't stop now. "Who is my father?"
"The only man, other than Reign, who has watched over you, loved and protected you. The man you turn to whenever you need help."
"I . . . are you saying?" I froze, lost in the impossibility. "Oh, gods, give me a second." I dropped my head to the table to stave off the blackout rushing up on me. My stomach spun through rollercoaster corkscrews while I tried to hold it together.
"Yes Jade, that's what I'm saying." I looked up into his emerald green eyes, my eyes. Galan had turned that sickly shade of mint I'd seen in the hallway at the Diva's Den. I was probably close to the same shade. Castian is my father?