Evenstars of Aeweniel

by Willow Sova

  Without warning, the elf scooped her up, awakening a flutter of butterflies in her belly, and carried her over his shoulder as she shrieked with laughter. “What are you doing?”

  “No sense in us both getting our feet wet,” Thalion replied as he strode through the dewy carpet of wood sorrel and ivy. “And now I can more easily fondle your luscious rump without you skirring off.” With that, he cupped an eager hand under a buttock and groped it. She squealed and arched her back before slumping over again, and a titillating warmth rushed between her thighs when he gave her tush a playful spank.

  “Ooooh, Thalion!” she cried, not in protest, but surprise, and if she had to confess, a spark of forbidden glee—something that amazed even her.

  “I’m sorry, love. Did I hurt you?” He stopped long enough to ask while stroking her bum.

  “Well, no… uh… it’s not that. It’s just… uh…” Though she was too embarrassed to admit it, Thalion had ignited delicious sensations within her by that one flirtatious slap.

  “Ah, you liked that, my lady, didn’t you?” The elf erupted into laughter and continued walking toward the mushroom patch. “Sweet gods, Sparrow! You’re closer to me in temperament than I thought. Just a few more paces and I’ll bed you where I stop.”

  Once he arrived near the cluster of lavender-blue mushrooms, he eased the girl to the ground. She moaned as he devoured her lips and skimmed his fingers along her neck and peeled the scarlet gown off her shoulders. Her knees buckled, but she poised herself and pulled away.

  “That’s not what we’ve come here for,” she reminded him while readjusting her neckline to its proper place.

  Thalion beamed and said, “You can’t blame a horny elf for trying.”

  “You and your insatiable appetite. It’ll be the death of me.”

  “Only that death of a sweet kind.” After lying by the blanket of mushrooms, he extended his hand. “Ride me as you did last night, Sparrow, and I’ll take you there again, with me following close behind.”

  “Is this why you brought me here? To seduce me? I thought we had other plans.” Despite attempting to sidestep his intentions, she found him difficult to resist. The lure of his playful spirit and hard physique packaged so handsomely in his blue velvet tunic and snug grey trousers were too tempting not to be ensnared by.

  “We’ll do as we’ve planned. Just call this a momentary but most needed diversion.” With a twinkle of mischief and three pats on the sorrel, Thalion invited her to lie next to him.

  “A diversion? Is that all I am to you?”

  “Of course not. You’re much more to me than that. But since last evening, I can’t quench this burning in my loins.”

  “You didn’t catch that from me.” Sparrow tried to suppress a smile.

  The elf laughed. “You know what I mean. The heat was always there, simmering, ever since we met. Our lovemaking just added more kindling to the fire.”

  “Then you must extinguish it and keep your urges in check. We have the matter of mushrooms to address.”

  “I doubt I’ll be able to bridle my passion for you, Sparrow. You’ve unleashed feelings in me I’ve never known before.” Thalion extended his hand again. “Come, ride me, love.”

  “I’m sure you’ve had similar feelings before for another.”

  “Never. You, by far, are the moon in my night sky, that precious fire amidst the gloom. I’m actually in…” The elf looked down, before locking eyes with her; they offered more than his words. “Well, it’s beyond the physical for me.” Within them lingered a vulnerability, a certain frailty eclipsing a deeper pain.

  What is he trying to say? That he loves me? No… he couldn’t be in love with me. Sparrow dismissed that thought as quickly as it came. As handsome as Thalion is, how could he love me above any elven lady in his realm? Though she had not yet seen one since coming to Aeweniel, she could only imagine how beautiful the lady elves were given her mother’s memories of them. And the beauty of Thalion and Saeldur just confirmed this impression.

  But perhaps Sparrow was not giving him the credit he was due, and Thalion saw more in her than she found in herself. Does he truly love me? she wondered. No. That can’t be. She needed to guard herself against false hopes, even more so after falling for Geoffrey. Under his spell, she had dreamt along that path before, blindly following her heart, only to stumble into the worst betrayal, one from a man she had believed truly loved her.

  She endeavored to unclutter her heart from the feelings the elf was rousing in her, so she stepped toward the amethyst glow where the mushrooms nestled in the birchwood. Confused, she hoped Thalion did not take the gesture as rejection. But now was not the time to dwell on words, uttered, or through his eyes, unspoken. Sparrow realized she alone was to blame for revealing her body and heart to him last evening. Though her desire for him was undeniable, insecurities began poisoning her mind, brewing incertitude.

  Viewing the cluster of periwinkle stalks, she asked, “How many of them should I collect for our purposes?”

  “You don’t pick them, love,” he replied with a waggish grin.

  “Then how will I extract what I want from them?” she asked, nonplussed.

  “You’ll need to squat on one.” Thalion got up from the damp wood sorrel and walked toward her. “The brightest ones are best. Just pretend it’s me you have swaddled in your sweet honey pot.” The elf winked and smiled.

  “You’re japing me.”

  “Oh, but I’m not. Their preventive property is most potent when left earthbound. Once harvested, however, this power diminishes very rapidly.”

  “Had I known this was the alternative, I would’ve picked ingredients for my own home remedy.” Sparrow made no effort to hide her exasperation.

  “I doubt yours would endure a full moon cycle like these will.”

  “No, but—” she huffed, scanning the mushrooms for the most radiant specimens. “How about this one?”

  The elf inspected the stalk. “Perfect. Now pull on it as hard as you can. If you hear no groans or grumblings, then that one should do.”

  Sparrow whisked around to face him. “Groans or grumblings? Why would a mushroom do either?”

  “It’s not the mushroom that will voice its discontent, but the potential creature attached to it.”

  “Creature? What creature?”

  “There are tales in Aeweniel of ground-dwelling beasts who surface just beneath the forest floor. Once there, they remain buried in the earth with only their cocks exposed, camouflaged as these very mushrooms, all the while awaiting the arrival of unsuspecting maidens.” Thalion gave the fungus a few more vigorous tugs.

  “Dear God! Whatever for?”

  “If his cock incognito is lucky in luring an elven maiden for a squat, the creature will grab the young lady once she’s mounted, lock into her, and drag her into the earth, never to be seen again.”

  “Thalion! This simply won’t do!” she fumed, stomping away, but halted once he took hold of her shoulder.

  “You needn’t worry, Sparrow. I’ll keep you safe.” The elf tugged the stalk again. “This one’s fine. I’ll stay close if that’ll calm your nerves.” He lay before the bed of mushrooms and watched as she lifted her gown. And despite his reassurance, her stomach still felt as though it were churning stones.

  “I can’t believe I’m doing this,” she said, hovering over the fungus.

  “All for a good cause, sweet lady. Just think of me while you ride that magic mushroom up and down.”

  “Thalion, please.” She stopped in mid-squat. “This is embarrassing enough as it is without your lustful remarks.”

  “Sorry, sweetling.” The elf looked on as she descended onto the stalk, squinting. “That’s it. Continue on as you are, and you’ll feel a prickling warmth as it swells inside you.”

  The stalk expanded and stroked her walls as she rode it, and a liquid heat trickled into her. “Oh yes. I feel it. What next?”

  “Ride on until that delicious heat blends into a blissfull
y cool buzz and stars flash before your eyes.”

  The girl did as Thalion told her and glided up and down until the stinging warmth flushed her core. The pricks of a myriad calescent needles waved within her, making her gasp. Doing her utmost to concentrate on her task, she still noticed his crotch bulging against his breeches.

  “This isn’t for your perverted pleasure, is it?”

  “No, it’s totally necessary. But I must confess: I’m very jealous of your newfound fungal friend right about now.”

  “Thalion! I don’t—” she started to protest but was distracted by a new sensation. “Oh, oh, there it is. A kind of chilly flush.” Cool vibrations inundated her walls while a flock of infinitesimal stars sparkled before her eyes.

  “Wonderful! Now—uh oh.” He stood up, his carefree air turning serious. “Did you feel that?”

  “Feel what?” Sparrow ceased midway through a downward thrust and searched about.

  “The earth shifting below us.” Thalion looked down at the luminous patch. “Oh no!” She echoed with a shriek. The elf leapt toward her, yanked her off the mushroom, and fell on his back onto the moist, green earth. Their eyes locked, and his fright melted into a smile. He then enraptured her mouth with a ravenous kiss, suckling her tongue with such demand Sparrow thought he would swallow it. When she pulled away, their lips released with a wet smack.

  “What are you doing? You tricked me for a kiss?”

  “Not for that alone.” He clutched her plump cheeks through the gauzy layers of her gown and pushed against her groin. “Oh, I need inside you, sweet Sparrow.” His pelvic grinding rubbed the rough fabric of her chemise against her naked folds, sending her walls convulsing.

  “Oh… Thalion!” Still straddling him, she righted herself. “You must bridle your urges! It’s getting late!”

  He glided his fingers along her arm and said, “You can’t deny you want this as well.”

  “And suppose I do deny it?” she replied, though she knew he spoke the truth.

  With a flirty smile, he slipped the scarlet silk gown off her shoulders and replied, “I have a way of unveiling your deceit.”

  “How so?”

  “Since you asked, then I’ll oblige you.” After he closed his eyes, she caught a night zephyr cooling the dew on her skin and the droplet of sweat along the small of her back. She looked down as the air blew her nipples into dainty pink pearls and realized their clothing had disappeared. Sparrow was skin on skin with him. The elf opened his eyes, sat up, and smiled. “Had your want for me not been in you, I couldn’t have undressed you with my magic. Though you needn’t be naked for me to see my effect on you.” Thalion moistened his lips with the roll of his tongue when he saw her breasts, the glow of her Isilmë Stone reflecting off her tight nipples. “Even through the silk of your gown, I could see how I’ve kindled your little rosy gems.”

  She blushed, arms folded over her chest. “Perchance it’s from the night’s cool breeze.”

  “And what of the heat radiating from your skin? I can feel it, as can your precious moonstone. Look how it glows brighter, though your blush is shaded by the night sky?” He untwined her arms and gave each nipple a light nibble.

  “Perchance I’m still flustered by the scare from your trickery,” she feigned a haughty air in reply.

  “Perchance. But you can’t deny the wet of your lips.” She swept her hand over her mouth. “Not those lips, love,” he purred. The girl gasped, shamefaced, her cheeks turning red as she looked away. “There’s nothing to be ashamed of, Sparrow. Expressions of love don’t flow from words alone. Your sweet essence is beautiful, as are you.”

  She struggled to meet his gaze again. “Most men will say what they will to bed a woman.”

  “But I’ve already bedded you, and our lovemaking has left me wanting more. Besides, I’m an elf, not a man.” Thalion tilted his head to the side; she sensed his eyes questioning her. Songs of nightingales echoed in the distance, yet silence lurked long between them before he asked, “Why aren’t you as forthcoming with your love as you were last night?”

  “Is this love? Or is it lust?”

  “Why can’t it be both?” Despite the veil of shadows over the forest, the mushrooms illumed the clearing enough such that she saw the storm brewing in his eyes as he inclined his head to kiss her shoulder.

  Sparrow offered her neck, eyelids heavy, and whispered, “Because one is timeless, and the other, a whim living less time.”

  “Lust and love are perpetual bedfellows, dear lady. So how can I convince you my feelings for you are of the timeless kind?”

  “I don’t know. I’m not as sure of things now as I was last evening. I… I’m afraid.” And this was true. She longed for Thalion, so much so she could not bear his denial after exposing her heart to him. And assuming that was the fate he would deal her, Sparrow determined to close him off. But his pull was more powerful now than before they made love. Is this sincerity or bewitchment?

  “I know you’re afraid,” he said, fastening his hands on her waist, “but you shouldn’t condemn me for another’s betrayal, nor should you deny yourself happiness for the same.”

  How does he know what troubles me? While she understood his words bore some truth, and he had done nothing to deserve her distancing, fear began to whittle a chasm between them. “I think we’ve moved too hastily, and I’m to blame.”

  “That’s your dilemma, dear lady. You’re thinking in lieu of feeling.” Thalion cupped her breasts and thrummed his thumbs over her nipples. Then embracing her, he reclined on the earth and rocked her on top of him. The elf lunged his lips over hers, breaching them with the thrust of his tongue. The touch of his mouth and undulating body reverberated sensations inside her, like her flesh, her heart, were in pursuit of that something intangible, something Sparrow had been looking for all her life. And now it seemed within her reach.

  Warm tears stung her eyes as she reveled under Thalion’s spell. Bewitched or not, she could not deny either of them this bliss. Such ecstasy was unparalleled, even when just touching skin.

  And so she rode the waves of passion, moaning as he moaned in turn. Her need for him more desperate, she clasped his face and devoured him with tender twirls of her tongue. Her fingers touched his temples, wet with trailing teardrops. When they parted lips, she looked into those tiny pools of violet and blue, where reflected in them his desire mingled with melancholy.

  Could it be love for me flowing through him? If so, then why hasn’t he spoken those words? Perhaps the reason was the same as for her—fear of rejection or betrayal. Then again, how could any words glean more truth when his silence seemed all the more telling?

  “Thalion, I—” A crack in the hushed forest broke her words. He sat up and latched his arms around her. “What was that?”

  “I’m not sure,” he replied. Sparrow followed his eyes to a shifting shadow framed between the birchwood. Streams of moonlight flickered as the unknown darkness moved. “It’s probably nothing.” Thalion peered through the crooked wood. “Though maybe it’s best we head back home.” Soon after, the rustling of brush faded with the nebulous black figure until only silvered moonbeams shone between the bevy of trees.

  CHAPTER 11

  ERYNION AND INDILWEN

  Evenfall was filled with the scents of primrose and honeysuckle and a chorus of songbirds heralding the closing day. Nestled within a covey of willows, Sparrow sat on a white marble settee streaked with metallic rose and blue veins that sparkled under the broken sunlight. The backrest was in the form of a dragon rising up from a carpet of ivy and wood sorrel, its wings unfurled and head bowed. It was Thalion’s creation, carved many moons ago, in homage to his more primitive nature.

  Under the shadow of the stone dragon, she held the Isilmë Stone, tracing her fingers over the pale blue kissing birds as she pondered her mother’s passing. Cherished by her mother beyond measure, she had given the girl the pendant only months before she died. Sparrow was moved by the gesture, knowing she was never wi
thout it in all her years. Only now did she suspect her generosity was prompted by her impending death. Mother knew she wouldn’t live long thereafter. Tepid tears rolled down her cheek. The guilt wormed through her heart for not recognizing the deed for what it was. Then footfalls on the verdure alerted her to the elf’s approach.

  “What troubles you, sweet lady?” Thalion kneeled before her wearing that silvery blue doublet she loved. It brought out the lazuli flecks in his eyes. When he wiped her glistening cheek with his fingers, she caught the scents of mossy earth, wild lime and sage. His brows furrowed with concern, and the violets of his eyes muted to a slate blue.

  “Being overly pensive, I guess.” Sparrow focused on her moonstone but sensed he would not let her leave it at that without pressing her further. After a long breath, she admitted, “I was thinking about Mother. I never told you how she died.”

  “No, I gathered you weren’t prepared to speak of it. Nor did I wish to vex you with questions about her.”

  “I appreciate your discretion.” Before looking up at him, she rested her hands over his. The girl grew to know the tenderness in him and sensed she could now tell him anything. “My mother ended her life. She hung herself in the wood near our cottage. I was”—she felt tears welling up as she choked back the words—“I was the one who found her.”

  “Oh, Sparrow. I… I’m so sorry,” Thalion whispered. His shock softened to a pained uncertainty with what to say next. “I know words can never truly heal one’s heart from such a loss.”

  “True. Although sometimes words exchanged can bring a brevity of comfort.” She soothed herself with the strength of his hands, brushing one with her thumb. An artist’s hands. “I couldn’t persuade her to come to Aeweniel. Although I begged her, she refused. And for that, I’m guilty.”