by A. C. James
“Cyn!” A familiar voice rang out, and she turned around to spot Darcy running after her. “Hold up.”
“I’m right here.” Cyn laughed, puzzled. “Where d’you think I’d be going?”
Darcy flushed to the roots of her hair. “I dunno,” she said softly, catching her breath. “I wanted to talk to you, though. I need to tell you something.”
Darcy shoved her hands in her pocket. She thinks I was about to run off, Cyn realized, feeling ashamed.
“Sure,” Cyn said, forcing herself to sound more cheerful. “Let’s walk together.”
Darcy smiled and nodded, already looking like her normal perky self. “I wanted to talk about Maelíosa. You need to know, she’s always been like this—”
“Really?” Cyn asked, her voice dripping with sarcasm. “But she seems like she was such a picnic before I came around.”
Darcy continued on, seemingly oblivious to Cyn’s wit. “Aye, she’s extremely stubborn, and it can be hard getting to know her. I was afraid of her when I was little, but we got closer as I got older. Everyone says she was different before our mum died, but since I didn’t get to see it...” She shrugged. “Maelíosa wasn’t always so prickly or tomboyish. I think it’s her way of protecting herself.”
Cyn nodded. “I see.”
Guarding your heart was definitely something Cyn could understand, and she was suddenly sorry for what she’d said to Maelíosa earlier. The woman was right to feel protective of her father. She clearly loved him, and if the situation were reversed Cyn would probably feel the same.
Darcy was wringing her hands, and rambled on. “But it got worse when she was promised to Ryan. You haven’t met him—he’s awful. Like, really dreadful. Always chasing women and making an arse of himself.”
Cyn winced, feeling the tiniest bit of sympathy for Maelíosa. “I’ve known more than a few men like that.”
“So Maelíosa obviously fought our father on mating, and they’ve been very tense ever since.”
“What happened?”
“Well,” Darcy said. “I’m not exactly sure. Father wouldn’t tell me. But he stopped bringing it up all the time, especially after Niall mated your friend Felicity.”
“I wonder why that would make a difference.”
Darcy sighed. “I’m not really sure, but you should really just ignore her. I know she’ll come around if you give it a chance. Maelíosa’s headstrong, and she knows she can get her way because she misses our mum. Father knows how unhappy she is and usually gives in because he feels guilty. It happens all the time.”
“You’re awfully bright for being the younger sister, you know that, right?” Cyn said, winking at Darcy.
They both laughed, and then stood gazing out through the fog. There was a tower in the distance, its spire stretching toward the skyline. She’d passed it with Tomas, countless days before.
Darcy noticed her interest and grinned. “Would you like to go see it?”
“Sure,” Cyn said.
“I’ll race you,” Darcy said with a giggle.
Before Cyn could respond, the girl was running, shedding clothing as she went, and she shifted into a beautiful, coltish púca. Her form was both lanky and graceful at once.
Cyn laughed and ran after her. “That’s not fair, you know.”
By the time Felicity caught up with the girl, she was completely out of breath. Darcy had already shifted back to her human form. She was standing at the base of the tower with sun streaming down on her naked body, completely unabashed by her state of undress.
“You want to climb to the top?” Darcy gestured, already scrambling to the base of the crumbling stone. “I’ve done it loads of times, it’s quite fun. And the view is spectacular.”
“I dunno.” Cyn shielded her eyes from the sun, which filtered through the fog as she gazed toward the top of the tower. “I can’t really be going and breaking my bum now, can I?”
Darcy giggled. “Don’t worry. There’s steps, and I’ll make sure you’re safe.”
Cyn and Darcy climbed the stone stairway—or rather, Darcy scampered quickly to the top and watched as Cyn struggled a bit. She’d tucked the ends of her sarong up around her waist, but it was still slow going with so many decaying steps. Cyn had absolutely no idea how Darcy managed it stark naked, and wondered how many times she’d gone for a run that ended at the tower.
“Are you all right?” Darcy leaned over the edge as she waited for Cyn to catch up.
“Quite,” Cyn said, panting a bit. “I’m just not used to so much bloody exercise.”
As a plus-size model she could eat what she bloody well wanted, and though she wouldn’t consider herself out of shape, this was proving to be quite a workout.
“It’s worth it, I promise. You’ll see.”
Ten minutes later, Cyn hauled herself into a comfortable position on top of the tower. Her breath was taken away by the otherworldly, exquisite setting. The entire landscape blurred together in shimmering hues of emerald and cerulean. She could see whitecaps cresting the sea, and the sun casting shadows all over the Realm. She’d travelled the world for her career, but she’d never seen anything quite so beautiful.
“Wow,” Cyn said, her voice breathy. “It’s even lovelier from up here.”
Darcy beamed at her. “It is. This is one of my favourite places to come and think when I want to be alone. But I’m glad you’re here.”
Cyn was slightly choked up, and smiled so Darcy wouldn’t notice. She wanted to go home, but the thought of leaving Fallon—and Darcy, who she was quickly getting attached to—along with all this beauty, ripped her to pieces. She looked upward, blinking back tears. Darcy leaned her head on her shoulder, and Cyn closed her eyes, enjoying the sisterly moment and the sun on her face. Suddenly, Darcy giggled.
“What is it?” Cyn asked, luxuriating in the balmy heat on her skin. I’m going to have some interesting tan lines. My agent will bloody love that.
“Your stomach rumbled. Let’s go filch some food from the kitchen. I bet we can steal a bite of something delicious that they’re cooking up for tonight.”
“I can wait,” Cyn said, protesting even as she got to her feet and dusted herself off. “In fact, if waiting means avoiding the climb down, I can wait all bloody day.”
Chapter Four
Fallon tried to relax. The lavish sights and smells of the feast filled the great banquet hall. It was tradition to enjoy a large feast before an evening bonfire, and he’d gone to great lengths to ensure a satisfactory event. We must impress her, his stallion urged. We must let her know how much we care about her happiness.
“You look happy, my love,” Fallon said.
Cyn smiled, appearing truly pleased. She was seated next to him wearing another one of her fashion concoctions—this time, a burgundy silk wrap with gold edges. It wasn’t that they didn’t have clothes she could have worn, but she was significantly curvier than most of the females in his clan. Fallon loved her curves. She was radiant. He also loved how Cyn loved to look good, and it made him even more proud of her. If she’ll mate with us, she’ll have the bonniest gown she’s ever seen, his stallion encouraged, pawing the ground. Fallon sighed. Deep down he sensed she would leave them—she must miss her family—but he would enjoy this moment. With her by his side, he truly felt like a king. His queen. It almost made him forget she wasn’t given a choice. Fallon reminded himself he might have to let her go. If you love someone...
“This is quite the do,” Cyn said, her approval cutting off his dark thoughts.
His stallion stirred with desire when she bit her lower lip. He could think of little else than the fierce need to brush his lips against hers. He’d never known a woman like Cyn. When they were together she completely let go. The whole world fell away. She wasn’t shy or self-conscious, she was free, and her sensual side ran wild. It was a complete turn-on for his stallion, a novelty he’d never known with anyone else.
“I’m so pleased you find it satisfactory,” he said, touching her
hand.
Surprisingly, she laced her fingers through his and squeezed softly. He felt a little burst of warmth in his chest, and squeezed her hand back.
“You’re so lovely,” he said, in a low voice only she could hear.
Cyn blushed, melting Fallon’s heart and heating his stallion to the core. Her eyes searched his. Just as she opened her mouth, about to say something, they were interrupted.
“Excuse me,” a voice cut in. “Cyn?”
Fallon turned to see Fiona standing on the other side of his future mate, looking poisonous. Cyn’s smile instantly disappeared, and Fallon could tell her guard was up.
“Yes?” Cyn asked. Her tone was curt, and her eyes were ice cold.
Fallon clenched his hands under the table. If she does anything to ruin this, it will not be pretty. His stallion paced, tossing his head.
Fiona leaned in close to Cyn, smiling coldly. “I think I speak for most when I say that our clan won’t accept you. Are you aware of that? If you intend to mate with our chieftain, I have every right to challenge you. And challenge you I will.”
Fiona sneered, looking triumphant.
Cyn heaved a massive sigh, and when he was about to come to her aid, she snapped her head up, glaring back at Fiona. “And what makes you think I haven’t won this game before?”
Fiona huffed. “We’ll see about tha—”
Cyn sat up even straighter in her seat. “It’s not your place to question me,” she said smugly, cutting Fiona off. “Only Fallon has that power.”
“Aye, Fiona. Piss off and mind your own business,” Darcy chimed in from across the table. Fiona rolled her eyes and walked away, swaying her hips under her tunic.
“Language!” Fallon thundered, staring at his youngest daughter.
Darcy quickly apologized and wiped the smirk off of her face, but Fallon couldn’t help cracking a smile when he realized Cyn was trying not to laugh. She was hiding a smile behind her delicate hands.
“I’m sorry, but I love how Darcy always speaks her mind,” she whispered.
“It is, for the most part, a good quality,” Fallon said, his eyes on Darcy. “I’m pleased the two of you are getting along so well.”
Cyn smiled up at him through thick eyelashes. “Me, too,” she said, finding Fallon’s hand and squeezing. “Me too.”
“CYN,” DARCY SAID FROM across the table. “You probably don’t know the story about Fiona, either.”
“What’s her bloody problem anyway?” Cyn asked.
All of the drama with the púca and their clan was wearing her out. First the bit about Fallon’s former mate dying giving birth, and then Maelíosa’s mating woes.
“Her betrothed died,” Darcy said in a low voice. “After he passed away, she went on a bit of a bender with anyone in the clan who would have her. And now, she only makes a pass at men she knows she can’t have.”
“Oh,” said Cyn, shifting her gaze back to Fallon.
Predictably, he was watching events unfold in the hall, and was no longer paying attention to his chatty daughter.
“Aye,” Darcy said. “It was really sad for a while, but now she just makes a nuisance out of herself. I feel bad for her, but she brings it on herself.”
“Everyone has their own way of coping with loss,” Cyn said slowly.
Fiona’s story was sadder than she wanted to admit, and painfully familiar. Was it possible Cyn came out on top because she was still young and beautiful? Are people going to laugh at me if I keep carrying on the way I do now? Cyn was depressed at the possibility. Every inch of her carefully constructed world was crashing down around her. Now that Felicity had mated with Niall, Cyn was lonelier than ever. Of course, she was thrilled for her friend, but she wondered if she would ever find the same kind of bond. The more frightening thought was: would it be enough to satisfy her forever? And could she trust him with her heart? I couldn’t see one bloke more than two or three times. How am I supposed to trust my love for this man when I scarcely trust myself not to hurt him?
The depth of her fear, and the reactions from Maelíosa and Fiona, made her want to run back to London. But when she looked at Fallon, Cyn found herself considering what she’d always guarded herself against: she wondered for the first time in her life if it was possible to stay without getting burned by an impossible, all-consuming, can’t-live-without-each-other, euphoric kind of love. She’d stayed within the safe confines of a life rich with comfort, but nothing ever grew in her comfortable little box. All the bravery and risks she’d taken were meaningless when she was faced with the limitations she’d imposed on herself because she feared falling in love. The men who had come before Fallon meant nothing. When he made love to her, mind and soul, he reached a part of her that was unchartered. His touch scaled the walls around her heart, and she was more alive than she’d ever been. But having no idea what to do with these feelings made her a flight risk again.
Chapter Five
“I’m so glad to see you!” Felicity cried, throwing her arms around Cyn.
Cyn was seated next to Fallon on a large, flat rock, gazing into the giant bonfire. The heat from the fire—or maybe it was the mead she’d had with dinner—made Cyn feel warm and lethargic. She’d been staring into the fire for the past twenty minutes, while revellers danced, sang, and drank all around her. Fallon was quiet. After Cyn had started ruminating on Fiona and her own sad condition at dinner, he hadn’t pressed her much. She was content to simply stare into the fire and mull over her choices and where they’d led her, but Felicity’s arrival ignited a fresh burst of homesickness within Cyn.
“I’m glad to see you, too,” Cyn said, returning the hug and looping her arm through Felicity’s.
“Let’s take a little walk and chat, shall we?”
“Right,” Cyn replied archly, affecting a posh accent. She rose from her perch and, after nodding at Fallon, she allowed Felicity to steer toward a quiet area under some trees.
“So, you wanted to get me alone, did you?”
“If you only knew why,” Felicity said, as she pulled Cyn further into the small clump of trees at the edge of the forest. “I feel like I’m going to be sick.”
Cyn’s brow crinkled with worry. “How long have you been ill?”
“Not long,” Felicity said in a miserable tone, leaning over and holding her stomach with one hand. “It started again after dinner. Oh, God,” she moaned, closing her eyes.
“Over here,” Cyn said, tugging her friend toward a fallen log, which Felicity leaned over. She watched as her best friend started upchucking into the overgrown bushes.
Cyn grimaced as Felicity retched. She leaned closer and took hold of Felicity’s honey-coloured hair, holding it off the back of her neck with both hands. After a few minutes, Felicity swallowed and straightened, wiping her mouth with the back of her hand.
“That was vile,” she said apologetically. “I feel wretched.”
“Agreed,” Cyn said. “But I’ve sicked up more times than I can count.”
“I know,” Felicity said wryly. “I’ve been there for all of them, holding your hair back.”
“Don’t I know it? You’re the best,” Cyn said affectionately, giving her friend a pat on the shoulder. “Should we rejoin the others?”
“Not yet, I want to have a good gossip.” Felicity settled down on a rock and smoothed her hands over her jeans.
“Well, you may not believe this,” Cyn said, looking down. She sat on the ground next to Felicity, not caring if it ruined her makeshift outfit. “Fallon offered to mate with me so I can go home...”
Even though Cyn had thought of little else, actually talking about it out loud was a different story. Felicity loved her, but wasn’t going to sugarcoat anything. Her best friend always shared the cold, hard truth, whether she was ready to hear it or not.
“Hmmm. Don’t you think that’s a little weird?” Felicity asked.
“Yeah, I have to admit you’re right. I mean, what’s in it for him?”
“I’m
not sure,” Felicity said. “But I’m going to speak to Niall about it. Maybe he’ll be able to help me understand. I know that once they’re mated humans can cross back over the veil, but mating is for life. You do know that, right?”
“Yes,” Cyn said, gazing back over the field toward the fire.
“What do you want? You have to decide one way or the other.”
“I know,” Cyn said softly. “But what’s been new with you? How was London?”
It was easier to change the subject than to think about the choice ahead of her.
“Oh! That’s right, I completely forgot to tell you until now. Nathan asked that you call him...which you obviously can’t do here. I’ll cross back over, and call him later. He’s very worried about you,” Felicity said.
Cyn scowled. “I’m sure.”
Another bloke in love with me. What’s the bloody point? She’d never meant for Nathan to think he had a chance in hell, and had pushed him away countless times, but clearly he hadn’t taken the hint that she only wanted to be friends. Maybe there wasn’t a way to be friends with a guy without him expecting more.
“So,” Felicity said, as she stretched and slowly rose to her feet. “Have you thought about what you want to do?”
Leave it to Felicity to return to the topic Cyn was avoiding.
“I have,” Cyn said as she rose from her squatted position. “But it’s the hardest bloody choice I’ve ever had to make. I don’t feel like I belong here, but part of me wants to stay anyway.”
Felicity eyed her critically, nodding. “I know it’s not going to be easy. But you need to really think this through and follow your gut instinct.”
Cyn groaned. “That’s what you have to tell me? Follow my bloody gut? I’ve been doing that my whole life and look where it’s gotten me.”