books 1 - 3

by Ella J. Smyth

  "You won’t have to. We’re going to be an unbeatable team. I love you and trust you more than anybody else. You’ve gotta believe me."

  Hearing those words, Adi’s stomach tumbled. She felt nauseous. At the time, the queen had asked her to make a choice: to sacrifice Honi or Gerald. If she hadn’t been able to convince Gerald of his destiny, Adi had been prepared to take his life to save Honi’s. She closed her eyes, fighting back the memory of black destitution that had nearly overwhelmed her at the time.

  It didn’t matter. She was here now, and so far, the queen hadn’t asked her to even consider anything as heinous again. If it came to it a second time, Adi wasn’t sure what she’d do. She would never harm Honi or allow any harm to come to him, but equally, she still wasn’t prepared to take a human life. There was another option—taking the remaining players out of the game, including herself. Adi shuddered. She wasn’t going to consider this. Not when Honi was so close to her.

  His skin, so much darker than hers, felt smooth and soft against her arm. A mix of mint and coffee wafted across her face with every breath. His pupils were large in his cherry eyes, looking at her with so much adoration that Adi’s throat closed up. Before her feelings overwhelmed her, she closed the gap, and pressed her lips against his.

  His mouth softened immediately and opened to her probing tongue. That little touch blew up the tinder of her desire into a giant explosion. Honi’s arms pulled her on top of his chest. One hand grabbed her ass cheeks, while the other buried into her long hair. She was surrounded by him, his solid body underneath her, his scent and warmth invading her senses.

  She didn’t want to stop kissing him, but eventually the rubbing of their shirts drove her crazy. She needed to feel his skin on hers. Adi reluctantly moved back, kneeling above his groin as she pulled her T-shirt over her head and unclipped her bra. She’d never get sick of the desire on his face as his eyes hungrily moved up and down her body.

  Honi stripped off his shirt. It was his turn to preen under her admiring gaze. His skin darkened to copper in the summer, but now it looked like caramel poured against the white bed linen. His torso was as solid as carved marble. The roundness of the shoulder muscle flowed into his sculpted biceps. His body’s curves and lines would tempt any artist.

  Adi stretched out a hand and ran her fingers over his clavicle, between his massive pecs and across his hard stomach. His breathing became shallow, his chest stuttering between each inhale and exhale. When Adi ran the ball of her palm over his crotch, Honi threw his head back and groaned. His swollen cock pressed against the zipper of his jeans. It had to have been painful, and opening his button and releasing the pressure surly was an act of mercy.

  Adi was overcome with tenderness for the man underneath her. He was an adult and had proven his love and devotion more than once. But right now he seemed like a lost boy, torn between his sense of duty and what he really wanted to do with his life. A strange mix of maternal instinct and pure sexual excitement flashed through her. His bare feet peeking out from underneath his long jeans made him look even more vulnerable. She stretched herself out on top of him, grinding against soft skin over hard muscles and bones. Adi needed to feel him, confirm that he was still with her.

  The last days had been so strange. The feeling of drifting away from him had become a physical sensation that followed her into her dreams. Last night, she’d dreamed she was floating away, his tall figure growing distant, and no matter how hard she swam, the river carried her away relentlessly.

  Their lips met in a ferocious kiss, powered by his desire and her fear. Joined at the mouth, her feet reached just below his knees. Yet he never made her feel small and insignificant. In bed, she had all the power. Guttural moans worked their way out of his chest. The vibrations rumbled through both of them, tying them together beyond their passion. His arms were wrapped tightly around her shoulders, and suddenly, with a simple shift of his hips, he rolled her onto her back.

  His strength and grace took her breath away. Honi pulled the jeans off her with single-minded dedication, and as she watched him with half-closed eyes, he made short thrift of his own pants and underwear. He climbed onto the bed on hands and knees. With his cock hanging heavily between his legs and his muscles bulging and releasing under his perfect skin, he moved like a predatory cat. Graceful and deadly, a dangerous smirk on his face, he crawled over her, his arms and legs entrapping her body.

  A happy sound, a light giggle, escaped her. She knew he could be dangerous, but only in her defense. Her love for him was so large, had opened her chest so widely, that she couldn’t hold in the words.

  "I love you so much."

  He stopped and tilted his head to the side. Then his grin grew, changed from dangerous to besotted. His eyes were as warm as his words.

  "I love you too, Adi."

  Then his voice grew serious, although the light never left his eyes. "Did you really think I would leave you for Nina?"

  Adi closed her eyes, torn between the overwhelming emotion she felt for him, and her guilt. She shook her head, surprised when Honi swept a finger underneath her eyes.

  "You’re crying. Why are you crying?"

  Adi hadn’t realized that she did. She didn’t have an answer. Instead, she wrapped her arms around his neck, her legs around his waist, and pulled at him until he collapsed on top of her. For a few moments, they cuddled, snuggling against each other. It was all about comfort and not about sex.

  But then Honi’s erection pressed against Adi’s groin, rubbing to and fro against her opening. It didn’t take long until the fuse of their desire was lit again. Honi pushed himself up, peppering Adi’s face with tiny kisses, before slipping down her body. He sucked gently on her collarbone, eventually moving towards her breasts. Adi bowed her back as Honi’s mouth connected with her nipple, his tongue flicking across the tender skin before his lips closed and suckled.

  Her body lit up, and a jolt of arousal shot through her, hitting her right between the legs. She groaned and pushed her upper body higher, begging wordlessly for more stimulation. Honi’s lips pulled into a grin. His teeth closed on her tip ever so gently, and she gasped. His hand flicked and pinched her other nipple until she was nearly going out of her mind. His other hand traveled past her tummy and slipped into her underwear, searching and probing.

  Adi’s moans were growing louder, and she clamped her hand over her mouth. She had no intention of letting Honi’s parents know what they were up to. She closed her eyes until a sharp nip on her hip made her jerk them open again. Honi frowned up at her.

  "Am I boring you?"

  Adi shook her head. "Don’t stop. Please don’t stop."

  Honi grinned, a satisfied smirk that Adi would have been happy to knock off his stupid face at any other time. Right now, she needed him to move lower before she burned up. Honi’s fingers were still stroking her. He slid one of them into her, the wetness easing his way. Her hips undulated, riding waves and waves of pleasure. When he stopped, she lifted her head and looked at him. He brought his fingers to his mouth. Her lust-addled brain took a moment to catch on, but when she realized what he was licking, her eyes widened.

  "You taste amazing. All sweet and musky."

  Jesus. He was killing her. He had her so wound up already, she knew it wouldn’t take much for her to come. He lifted an eyebrow at her expression.

  "You want me to stop?"

  Adi groaned. What a tease. "No, no. Don’t stop. So close already."

  Honi winked before diving down again. Only this time, he pushed two fingers into her, while kissing down her stomach. His tongue licked smoothly over her skin, and his hips were humping the bed. He was enjoying it as much as she was.

  By the time his tongue connected with her clit, she was writhing on the bed. His powerful hands held her hips down hard so that he could continue. Just as he had done with her nipples, he flicked his tongue against the little knob between her lips, then suckled very gently. The sweet ache spiraled higher and higher. She was moa
ning continuously now, and when he flicked his tongue several times right over the aching piece of flesh, it was all over.

  Her whole body tensed up, from her fingertips to her toes, and pulse after pulse of ecstasy rolled through her. Her head flung back, her mouth wide open in a silent scream, her mind cleared for the first time in days. When the after-shocks of her orgasm finally stopped, she relaxed into the soft surface, all muscles weak and loose. Eventually she lifted her head and smiled at him, only to find him grinning at her like a Cheshire cat.

  "I take it you enjoyed it?"

  She rolled her eyes. "You’re an asshole."

  Honi laughed. "Yes, but I’m the asshole that just made you come like a train."

  Nobody got her like he did. He didn’t get offended when she called him names. He knew that she didn’t really mean it. She was about to doze off when his voice right next to her ear startled her.

  "You didn’t think you were finished, did you?"

  Her eyes flew open. Exhaustion had caught up with her so quickly she’d nearly fallen asleep. She smiled tiredly.

  "Of course not," she lied. He kissed her on the cheek.

  "It’s okay, Adi. I’d rather you be fully awake when I make love to you. Go to sleep now."

  She turned her face, already slipping away as he still talked to her. She’d never known a man who would delay his own gratification for her sake. Her last thoughts before falling asleep were how lucky she was to have him, and how much she would fight to not lose him.

  27

  Adi opened her eyes. The world spun around her, and she blinked rapidly to clear her vision. She was back in the spirit world. Not in the swaying grasslands that she usually woke up in, but the manicured gardens outside the queen’s castle.

  She turned her head to the side to get her bearings. Next to her, a lilac tree spread its intoxicating scent, competing with the cloying sweetness of pink roses growing underneath it. Snowdrops pushed up from underneath the unnaturally green grass. Here in Faerie, all plants grew at the same time. There were no seasons unless the queen decreed them.

  If the ruler of Faerie was upset, it was just as likely to snow or harsh sunshine to burn down on faeries and human visitors alike. Adi hadn’t met many other humans here, though. Spirit walkers like her and Honi usually only ever found themselves outside the limits of the castle grounds.

  "Are you comfortable down there?"

  The mocking voice startled her. Adi sat up quickly and stared into the periwinkle-blue eyes of the obnoxious guard who seemed to have the Queen’s special confidence. Every time the ruler needed something done, something that she wouldn’t entrust the other guards with, this guy picked up the slack. Not for the first time Adi wondered if there was something more personal going on between the hands-on tall warrior and his queen, despite her protestations that faeries couldn’t fall in love. Every time she trotted out that old chestnut, Adi had to work hard not to roll her eyes.

  In any case, this guy was one of the most irritating people Adi had ever met. She hadn’t forgiven him for pushing her down the well that served as the connection between Faerie and Heidelberg in Germany. She also hadn’t forgotten that he had helped her and shown her mercy when the queen was hell-bent on killing her. So instead of kicking his shin or calling him names, she forced herself to smile.

  "Hey. I take it the queen wants to see me?"

  The faerie grinned at her. "How did you guess? What gave it away—you waking up in her private garden, or that she sent me to fetch you?"

  With him, Adi didn’t have to hold back. She rolled her eyes hard. The guy was a real asshole. Ignoring his outstretched hand, she stood up. Actually, he confused her. She wanted to hate him, but it certainly wasn’t a bad thing to have a friend here. She didn’t trust him, but maybe, just maybe, if she played it right, she might learn more about the queen. Adi darted little glances at him as they walked side-by-side towards the castle. She had to look up at him. He was a good foot taller than her and could have bench-pressed her easily.

  "We’ve run into each other a few times now, but I still don’t know your name," she said.

  "I suppose after everything you’ve done for us, you deserve that much."

  Adi thought she deserved a hell of a lot more than learning his name, but kept her mouth shut. He looked straight ahead, conflicting thoughts visible on his handsome face. Just as she was about to give up, he spoke again.

  "Names have power in this realm. If I give you my name, you will be able to summon me. I don’t have to answer you, but I will feel the pull. You have shown yourself to be honorable, and I am sorry about the way my queen has treated you in the past. She can be cruel."

  His mouth shut abruptly, then he stopped. "Forgive me, Adi. I misspoke. It’s not that my mistress is cruel, but that she is thoughtless. She does what she thinks is right to save all of us—humans, faeries, spirit animals, and even realms beyond ours. My name is Diarmuid."

  The smile he gave Adi this time was not a mocking smirk. It was a small, genuine expression. She nodded and the corners of her mouth turned up in response. This felt very different from last time when she’d been convinced she’d been walking to her death.

  Very soon, they reached the castle. The gray stones shimmered white in the bright sunlight. Diarmuid veered off the main path and opened a side portal. The lintel wasn’t nearly as intricately carved as the panels of the main gate, but it was still impressive. The art depicted spirit animals layered and intertwined. Adi had seen images of the Book of Kells with its colorful, detailed drawings of fantastical creatures. This reminded her of it.

  She didn’t have time to fully appreciate the beauty of the carved stone before Diarmuid grabbed her hand and pulled her along. She followed him through the dark corridor until they entered the throne room. Diarmuid never slowed down—they crossed the large hall and entered a small room on the far side.

  Adi stopped abruptly, sliding her hand out of Diarmuid’s grasp as if she’d been caught doing something she shouldn’t have. The queen sat at a small round table, apparently deep in thought. Diarmuid had to clear his throat twice before she finally looked up. Adi suppressed a gasp. The queen’s beauty was marred, in the same way a pristine snow bank might be sullied by sudden rain. Her white swirling eyes were flecked with red. Even more shocking was the haggardness of the queen’s face.

  Adi’s stomach dropped with anxiety. Something was terribly wrong. The faerie creature she remembered had been tall and magnificent, dressed in white robes, with her hair, her skin, her eyes all of the same blinding white perfection. The queen said something, but Adi was too busy staring at the cracked skin on her lips.

  Instead of the supernatural creature Adi had met in the past, the queen of all Faerie, Protector of the Worlds, resembled a mortal, a human. A poke into her back pulled Adi out of her morose thoughts. She whirled around but bit back an angry retort when she saw Diarmuid’s face. He refused to look at her, instead staring straight at the queen. If he hadn’t nodded in the direction of the faerie creature, Adi would have doubted it had been him that pushed her.

  The sorrow and fear on his face was awful to see, even though he tried to keep his face neutral. Adi was left in no doubt—it was clear he had a far deeper and emotional connection to the queen than he let on.

  The queen returned his unwavering gaze with such intensity and worry that Adi was convinced that the two were lovers. She filed that information away for the future. Anything that might help her get an advantage over the ruler would come in useful. But for now, she needed information.

  "I’m sorry, Queen, I didn’t catch what you said."

  This time Adi looked at her with eyes wide open, the image of an attentive listener. She must not have been very good at it, because for a moment, the queen’s grim expression was lightened. The corner of her mouth twitched upwards just enough for Adi to catch it before the creature’s face dropped into a morose downturn.

  "Adi, it’s so good to see you again. I have more news for yo
u. As you can see, I am not well."

  Adi nodded. There was no point denying it—the queen looked like shit.

  "How is that possible? I thought you were immortal, or at least lived for thousands of years?"

  "I do. Or at least I thought I did. Yet something is robbing me of my strength, my powers. Every day, it takes more effort to control the realms."

  The queen looked straight at her, and the despair in her eyes took Adi’s breath away. This was serious. A cold finger of premonition drew an icy path down her back. She shivered as she considered the implications of what the queen had just said. What could possibly cause this magnificent creature, the ruler of all life, to get weaker and weaker?

  "Look outside—this might give you some answers."

  After speaking, the queen sank back in her chair as if she didn’t have the strength to stay upright for any length of time. When Adi looked outside, her eyes widened. There were predators in the garden. Several hyenas, mangy and skinny, reminiscent of the sick spirit animals that had attacked her and Honi the first time they’d ventured into the spirit world.

  But what really shocked her were the outlines of animals scurrying about. Some were nearly entirely solid, others so transparent the clipped hedges were visible through their bodies. Adi looked closer. There seemed to be a large number of reptiles, from snakes to huge lizards. In the background, the black shape of a panther lay motionless on the grass. Even from the distance, the sores and bald patches on the large predator’s body were visible.

  Hadn’t she seen a black panther somewhere? Adi rubbed her temples and shut her eyes tightly. It had been very recently, definitely since she’d arrived in Heota. And suddenly it all made sense. Her eyes flew open, and she gasped. These were Nina’s animals. She whirled towards the queen, shouting her next words.

  "Are you saying Nina is behind all this?"

  The queen nodded. "I don’t know who or what she is, but she is very powerful. We know she can spirit-walk, but she has somehow learned to drain our power. As she gets stronger, I get weaker. I don’t know what her endgame is, but I can’t last much longer like this. In the beginning, it was a trickle, but now, I feel my strength leaving me like a river of blood. I won’t last another two of your human days."