by Emma Slate
There was no longer any choice. I had to keep moving forward.
So I took off through the tunnel at a run, holding on to the straps of the backpack. My lungs burned and my legs ached, but still I ran. There was a pinprick of light in the distance. The ceiling of the cavern was widening as I sprinted and stone began to give way to green. A green so bright it made the green of Ireland look dull. I spilled out of the cavern into a magical glen.
The sky was a faded shade of indigo. There was a white moon so full it looked like it was about to sink into the land. Silver stars twinkled in their purplish net. The air was warm and muggy; my damp wool sweater became too heavy. I shucked the backpack and sweater, leaving them on the ground.
In the distance, I saw a bone-white stone platform. A tall man with half his face in shadow, stood at the altar, his hand pressed to a stone table near the base.
I wanted to take my time and look around, memorize the colors and the beauty. But I couldn’t take my gaze off him. My heart pounded with anticipation and knowing. I took a step forward, my shoe touching the first white stone step riddled with ancient moss-filled fissures.
“Where am I?” I asked, my voice shattering the stillness of the night.
Still, but not static, I realized.
“Beyond the Veil,” came the reply. Thane’s voice was nothing like in my dreams or in my mind. It was darker, richer. Like all the exotic temptations the world had to offer were audible when he spoke.
He held out his hand.
I took it.
Thane pulled me up the last few steps, his face no longer in shadow. I looked into his dark, fathomless eyes. I expected them to swallow light, but instead, they reflected the silver glow of the moon. Moonbeams caressed his strong, angular jaw, and my free hand reached up to stroke his cheek.
His skin was nearly too hot to touch and raspy with whiskers.
I shivered. “How is it that you’re in your human form?”
One of his arms wrapped around me to tug me closer. I had to crane my neck to look at him. He reached with his free hand to cradle the back of my head.
“Kiss me,” he said, not answering my question.
“Thane—”
“Kiss me, Poppy,” he said, his voice desperate. “It’s been too long since I’ve… Kiss me.”
My heart galloped in my ears. “I can’t reach you,” I whispered.
His head bent and took my lips in an exquisitely gentle kiss as if he were afraid he’d break me.
But I wanted him to break me.
Violent passion swirled like smoke in my belly, only to shoot out of my mouth into his. I kissed him like I was dying. Biting and clawing, we ripped the clothes from our bodies.
He slammed me down onto the stone altar, his hands gliding up and down my feverish skin.
We looked silver and black in the light as we joined.
I couldn’t think, I couldn’t breathe.
I could only feel.
Wrapping my legs around him, I yanked on his hair. His lips left my neck and met my mouth. Our tongues battled with lust and anger. Thane pulsed long and hot inside me.
I cried out in pleasure as I felt the tension between my legs build and build until it spilled over. I clutched him to me, but he refused to be held. He was a beast, and he raged. And he wasn’t satisfied until I came again underneath him.
Only then did he give in to his own pleasure.
He howled like a baying animal that had found its mate. The sound caused goose bumps to rise on my skin. It was as if my own body recognized the call—and I had answered it.
Thane pressed his forehead to my chest. I rested a hand on his lower back and traced his shoulder blade with the other.
He slid out of me, kissing my belly as he left my body.
I felt empty.
I sat up on the stone altar and drew my legs up to hide my nakedness. My tangled brown hair formed a curtain over one eye as I watched Thane slip into his pants. He was turned away from me, so I had a perfect view of his muscular back and shoulders.
He was taller, bigger, and more dynamic than I’d thought. I had been unable to stop myself from being with him.
Suddenly, he turned his head to look at me, his eyes raking down my form. Smiling softly, he picked up the black shirt I had wrenched off him and offered it to me. I put it on and buttoned it. He chuckled and then rolled up my sleeves.
When he was finished, he laced his fingers through mine and brought our hands to his lips. “Come with me, Poppy.”
Chapter 54
He led me away from the stone altar and into the band of swaying trees.
Fire was in my blood and doubts plagued my mind. I felt guilt, remorse…and elation. We’d been inevitable. The moment I’d come to him, I wanted him. But now…shame over my betrayal of Hunter ran deep.
Cocking my head to the side, I attempted to discover the source of the noise. “Are the trees humming?” I asked.
He nodded. “If you stroke their bark in the right way, they’ll sing for you, but it happens rarely for most.”
“Have you ever been able to make them sing?”
Thane looked back at me over his shoulder and smiled. “Once.”
I opened my mouth to ask another question, but he shook his head. “Leave your questions for the moment. Please?”
I thought about protesting. I’d been kept in the dark long enough, but the look on his sculpted face had me pausing. “All right. But will you at least tell me where we’re going?”
“Here,” he said, stepping aside to reveal a large placid lake. It looked silver and white in the moonlight, and I wondered about its true color. The ground was covered in green moss. My feet pressed into the damp and spongy soil as Thane led me toward the lagoon. A blanket covered in dishes of food greeted us.
My stomach moaned in anticipation.
Thane laughed, brought our hands to his lips again. Once I got settled and tucked my bare legs underneath me, I took a moment to look around.
“It’s beautiful here,” I commented. Beyond the Veil was serene and soothing.
He smiled and sat down on the blanket across from me. “Wine?”
I nodded, inhaling the aroma of food. Nothing had ever smelled so decadent. I couldn’t wait to gorge myself.
Thane poured two glasses of a deep red wine and handed me one. Looking into my eyes, he clinked his goblet against mine. I took a sip and gasped in surprise.
“Oh! I wasn’t expecting that,” I said with a laugh, setting the wine glass down.
“What did it taste like for you?” he wondered.
“Spicy pomegranates.” I frowned. “Did it not taste like that to you?”
“Pixie wine. It’s charmed to taste different for each individual.”
My eyes widened, fascinated. “What does it taste like to you?”
“Cherries,” he said, voice dropping with a raspy purr. “And plums.”
I was captivated by his stare, but then he moved and released me. I shook my head, feeling like I was under a spell.
Needing to get something into my belly, I reached for a slice of dark brown bread. Thane’s hands were there first. “May I?” he asked.
“Oh. Okay.”
He slathered the bread with butter before handing it to me. “I want to do everything for you tonight. Will you let me, Poppy?”
Feeling as though he was asking me something I didn’t understand, I nodded anyway.
“We’re safe,” he said. “Nothing can harm us here.”
Relief curled through me, and a sigh I didn’t know I was holding in escaped my mouth. “Are you—did I—free you?”
He smiled. “Not yet.”
“Then how can you be you?”
“It’s this place. It only accepts the true forms of beings. Benevolent magical beings that can normally take a different form can only be themselves here.”
“I’m not sure I understand.”
He reclined on the blanket, propped his hand under his head, and looked at
me. I tried not to get distracted by his bare chest, but it was impossible.
“Take water trolls, for instance.”
I blinked. “Water trolls?”
“Water trolls. They live in bodies of water.” He nodded and gestured with his chin to the lake. “When you think of trolls, you think ugly, right?”
“Right.”
“Well, they’re not. They’re beautiful.”
“Beautiful. But they choose to be ugly?”
He smiled. “They’re not very social creatures. Ugliness keeps others at bay. Even magical creatures.”
“Interesting.” I looked out at the lake, hoping to see a beautiful water troll, but none were forthcoming.
“I have another question,” I said, polishing off the last of the bread.
Thane laughed. “Of course you do.”
I ignored his amusement. “The last ward… Why was it easy to break?”
“I’ll answer your question in a moment.” He gestured to the spread in front of us. “What do you want to eat next?”
“Have any chicken? Or fish?”
“Not chicken—something else. But trust me, it’s better. I have fish too.”
“Then I’ll have both. Please.”
He smiled and loaded up my plate. Only when I ate did he return to my inquiry. “Each ward wanted something from you. The first wanted pain. And the second wanted truth. The third wanted sacrifice.”
I swallowed a bite of tender meat and went for another. “Sacrifice? What did I sacrifice?”
“Take your pick,” he drawled. “You’ve almost sacrificed your life.”
“Almost,” I agreed. “Was that enough to break the ward?”
“Maybe. You also sacrificed Hunter.”
“I didn’t—”
“Not in the traditional sense, no. You didn’t physically kill him.”
“Just his heart,” I muttered. I set the food aside. No matter how good, it couldn’t erase the taste of guilt.
Thane was silent a moment, and I wondered if now was the moment we had been waiting for—to unleash our anger. But I suddenly hoped we wouldn’t. I was tired and confused, and the only thing that mattered was making sure Hunter was being taken care of.
“Is Hunter—did he—”
“He’s safe,” he assured me.
I breathed out and nodded.
“As far as other sacrifices go,” he went on, “there was your army.”
“Army?”
“Of spiders. They fought the golden wasps. Do you remember?”
“Yes, and then I watched them all fall into the Atlantic.”
“Hmm… I’ll be hearing about that later,” Thane muttered. “That’s a mess she’s going to have to clean up.”
I frowned. “She?”
“Queen Lira.”
“And she would be?”
“Queen of the Merrow, of course.”
“Of course.”
“It was her daughter who saved you—and Hunter.”
“Well, thanks. I’ll send them a fruit basket,” I snapped, feeling the exhaustion wreak havoc on my nervous system.
He laughed.
I was one step past overwhelmed. “It’s not funny! I think I have ‘Beyond the Veil’ culture shock. And those wasps! I hate those wasps. They hurt! They still hurt.”
Suddenly, Thane grasped my upper arms. “They stung you?”
I nodded, staring into his dark eyes. They swirled with anger and fear.
“Did you pull out their stingers?”
“What—”
“Their stingers, Poppy! You have to get the stingers out now.”
“Why? I was stung before and nothing happened.”
“That was different. That was—” He shook his head. “I don’t have time to explain. They’re leaking poison into your body. If we don’t remove them, they’ll stop your heart.”
Chapter 55
Thane’s hands were pulling at my shirt—his shirt. And then his fingers were on my skin, touching me everywhere. He found the first stinger along my ribs. Thane pinched the little gold stinger between his fingers and it disappeared. A sharp pain followed. He did this four more times and then breathed a sigh of relief.
Before I could thank him, he pulled me into his arms. He was warmer than the night air, and he smelled like cocoa nibs.
“I think it’s time,” Thane said against my hair.
“For what?” I asked, my eyes closing.
“For you to free me. We can’t stay Beyond the Veil.”
“Why not?” I snuggled into his embrace, my eyes drooping. “It’s beautiful here. Quiet. Safe.”
“There are things we must do, and I—Poppy? Poppy!”
“I just want to sleep. I haven’t slept in ages,” I murmured.
I felt Thane ease me onto the soft, spongy ground. Just when I thought he would let me nap, his hands roamed my body, and he shouted in a language I didn’t understand.
“Not now, Poppy! Don’t do this to me now.”
The desperation in his voice had me cracking my eyes open. I stared into his dark gaze. I wanted to speak, to assure him nothing was wrong, that I was just tired.
“This will hurt her,” came a gravelly voice from somewhere behind my head. “She may not even survive—”
“Do it,” Thane commanded.
Something cold and wet landed on the side of my neck. Two pricks, and then brutal, agonizing pain. My hands wanted to go to my neck, but I didn’t have the strength.
“Baylor—”
“Give it a moment.”
Who is Baylor? And what is on my neck? It was sucking and pulling at my skin. Do I have a magic leech on me?
Even though I wanted it off, I was too weak to move.
“It’s not working,” Thane said. “Remove it.”
“Can’t—the vampire plant won’t let go until—”
“Until it sucks her dry. Remove it, Baylor!” Thane thundered.
“If I pull it off now, it could cause more harm.”
“I should’ve known not to ask a water troll for help!”
“Hey, just a minute—”
While they continued to argue, the throbbing in my neck receded and it even felt good.
“Thane!” Baylor’s voice yelled.
“Fuck!” Thane roared. “She’s fading.”
“Still here,” I murmured dreamily.
“She’s becoming translucent,” Baylor commented. “Get her to the altar. Now.”
Thane scooped me up and ran. I lifted my lids just enough to see the blur of trees and gray streaks of silver moonbeams.
He set me on the altar.
I smiled.
“It has to come from her,” Baylor said.
“I know.” Thane leaned over me. “Poppy, you don’t have a lot of time.”
“Can I borrow some from you?” I giggled. “You’ve had a ton. You’re ancient, right?”
“Poppy, I need you to look at me.”
“I am looking at you,” I whispered. “You’re so beautiful.” I tried to reach up to touch his jaw, but I couldn’t move my hand.
He took my palm and kissed it. My fingers and wrist looked wispy, like they were disappearing.
You are disappearing, Thane said, echoing the thoughts in my head.
We’re here again? Talking in my mind?
You don’t have a lot of strength left. There’s a wasp stinger—it’s migrated to your heart. Baylor placed a vampire plant on your neck to try to suck it out, but it’s in too deep. The plant is feeding on you and it won’t let go.
Baylor?
A water troll.
I’m dying. Aren’t I?
Thane’s eyes were somber. He nodded. There is one last thing we can try—
What? I don’t think my spidey silk will get me out of this one.
He smiled, but it was tormented. You need to ask Aisling to live.
Who is—
Ask her to live. Do it now Poppy, we don’t have much time.
I
can’t plead for someone to save my life when I don’t know who she is.
Aisling is Queen Beyond the Veil. And she has enough power to save you.
You don’t?
No. Not here. This is Aisling’s domain. I can do things, small things. But saving your life requires a great power. Ask her, Poppy. And hurry.
I closed my eyes and cut off my mental connection with Thane. As soon as I did, I felt even weaker, frail. He must’ve been infusing his strength into me.
Queen Aisling? Are you there?
I’m always here, came a benevolent, soothing voice somewhere inside my head. What is it you desire, young one?
I wish to live.
Don’t we all, she said in amusement.
I wish to love.
Queen Aisling paused. You love already. You love two.
Yes, I admitted.
The one here with you now would not sacrifice himself for you. He carries a great burden, a great obligation. He is Guardian of the Bridge—the world needs a Guardian.
I know he is the Guardian, but I’m still not sure what that means.
You’ll find out…in time. The other—he would sacrifice himself for you. Gladly.
My heart saddened. I know. At one time, I thought I would’ve done the same for him.
It’s not easy for you to love openly, and yet you do. You have intense feelings for two different lovers, and that takes great power from you.
I was dying on a stone altar while the Queen Beyond the Veil pointed out I was in a messy love triangle.
Unbelievable.
You must choose, Queen Aisling said. You must choose right now.
My heart went to Thane for reasons I could not say, and blood began rushing through my veins, humming and vibrating beneath my skin. I felt the vampire plant detach from my neck, and then my body stretched deeply and then relaxed. My limbs elongated and all the tension left me. I heard snapping and popping and felt the pressure of death release, but still my eyes remained closed.
There was no more pain as I gave into the sensations.
Chapter 56
The air hushed, and all was silent. I didn’t even hear the sound of magical birds or the ripples of the lake.
Thane?