Faery Kissed

Chapter Six

"Oh, is that all it was?" She looked disappointed, turning to walk away.

I grabbed her and pulled her back. "No, that's not all it was." I kissed her again, and she giggled against my mouth, wrapping her arms around my neck.

"I thought you wanted to go home."

"This delay isn't so bad."

"We can do this—and more—at home." Her eyes were twinkling.

"You're right. Lead the way, my princess." I stepped away and gave a formal bow.

"Very nicely done. It's nice to see you have manners," she teased.

"I'm not a complete heathen—only a partial one."

"I hope you will never change. I love you just the way you are." She smiled softly, her love radiating through her eyes, and also something that looked like hurt.

I felt bad that I couldn't offer her the sentiments she desired to hear, but I was positive they would come with time. While I was obviously extremely attracted to her, I honestly enjoyed her company. She was kind, thoughtful, and easy to be around. I liked her—of this I was sure—and we were married. Certainly, love would follow.

Despite my earlier resolve, a moment of regret over Ceridwen stabbed me again. I wished something could be done to help ease the pain she must be going through. My honor wouldn't allow me to let it go completely. I hated that I was moving forward in my life without her. I hated that I had just disappeared and couldn't send word and explain my feelings to her. I hated that even if I could send word, my message would hurt her just as badly.

There wasn't even the possibility of blaming fate for all of this. No, my conscience would never be clear. I only had myself and Eirian to blame for everything. I'd made the choice to come. She'd made the choice to enchant me. It seemed terribly unfair that we would be the ones trying to get the happy ending at the expense of Ceridwen.

"You miss her." Eirian was crestfallen.

I didn't reply. I wanted to be able to say something that would comfort her, but there was nothing but the truth.

"Will you always feel this way?"

"Eirian, I've loved her since my youth. That's a long time to love someone. It will not be easy to forget her."

She stood still, biting her lip before she spoke again. "You weren't always faithful to her in your youth."

I closed my eyes, thinking of the things in my life she must have seen.

"No, I wasn't. She was younger than me—a child still—when I came into my manhood. I grew impatient, and I let the ways of my physical nature and curiosities overtake me at one point. Another beautiful woman caught my attention, and I went to her. It was wrong of me."

"Was it?" she asked. "That young widow you were with greatly enjoyed the company you gave her. You were good to her—good for her—and helpful as well. I think she was in love with you."

I chuckled softly. "I was but sixteen summers. She was three years my elder."

"What does age matter to love? Ceridwen is nearly three summers less than you, and you adore her."

This was true. I stopped and really thought about what she was saying. Could the young widow have been in love with me? She was certainly doting upon me—always wanting me to do things with her. I shook my head. "It matters not. She is happily married to another now and expecting a babe of her own."

She glanced down. "And soon you will be too."

"Yes, soon I will be too." It was unreal how fast things could change.

"But not with the girl you were expecting."

She wasn't going to let this go.

"No, but with a girl more exquisite than any I've ever seen. A girl who's opened the windows of my imagination and shown me there's so much more to believe in. I am here with you just like you've always wanted, and that's all that matters. Will that be enough for now?"

Eirian's eyes filled with tears, and she nodded. "It will be enough—for now."

I reached for her hand and we started walking together again, maneuvering through the sculpted paths and stairways—gradually descending lower.

She didn't speak, or explain things as we walked, and I didn't press her to. I knew our conversation was weighing heavily on her, and I wasn't sure what was upsetting her. I wasn't going to press for answers though. If she wanted to tell me something, she would.

I quietly observed everything as we passed—trying to take it all in as I thought of the craftsmanship and trades I'd love to learn from these people. Those thoughts brought me pause, though, causing me to wonder how I would provide a living for myself and Eirian. Granted, she was a princess, but I still wanted to keep busy.

My father reared me in lessons of farming, and raising strong, beautiful horses. People came from miles around to purchase from our stock. I'd intended to continue on in the same grain, but as I looked around, there were no fields to tend, no places for horses to even be used. It was as if everything I'd been taught in my life was for naught, and it worried me.

"What will I do to support us?" I asked Eirian, bringing her out of her current musings.

"Hmm? You mean like work?"

I chuckled. "Yes, that's exactly what I mean."

She waved her free hand in the air, as if to brush the subject off. "You needn't worry of such things anymore."

"But I do. I'm a laborer. It's the only life I've known, and I want to be productive. Even if my skills are not useful here, I'm teachable. I long to learn new things."

"I understand, and I know you can accomplish anything you put your mind to, but I'm saying it's not necessary. I'm royalty and all our needs are taken care of. It would be unseemly for you to get your hands dirty."

I laughed. "Then what, pray tell, do you do around here?"

"Whatever we want." She smiled. "The Fae have always been suited to creativity and learning, but we relish pleasure as well. The servants will take care of our needs, leaving us to enjoy the pursuit of the finer things in life."

"Which are what exactly?"

"Things like lovemaking and merriment." Her eyes sparkled vividly, as we reached the water level. "Don't worry, Bran. I promise to keep you busy!"