I didn’t trust him. Gunarr was a fairy Knight and Breandan had been quick to secure the man and demand an explanation of all that had happened.
His story of the Northern City vampire Nest overwhelming Devlin matched what Breandan expected, and since Gunarr was bound to speak the truth, there was no concern over the validity of what he told us. He reported that Wasp had returned to the Wyld for help, and that he had stayed thinking to rescue the High Lord. When Breandan had passed on the news that Devlin was gone, Gunarr had had to take a few moments to himself. When he returned from his grim solitude, he had dropped to one knee, fist to chest, and swore himself to Breandan and I. Again, his oath was sealed with magics, but I had difficulty not flinching each time he moved too fast.
It seemed Breandan and Conall had taken a great deal of consideration for me. Their general movement and speech had been a lot slower than what a fairy would usually do. Breandan and Gunarr communicated as often in looks, hand gestures, and soft noises as they did with words. They moved so fast their limbs blurred.
As we stopped to pass another day for Daphne to sleep, Breandan made a soft hitching sound. I turned to give him a puzzled look before noting everyone had stopped jogging twenty paces ago.
He’d apologized for forgetting I wouldn’t know what it meant, and though I’d shrugged it had been yet another reminder that we were two different people, but that I was the odd one, not him.
I thought back to when Devlin had tried the same, using hand signals to communicate with me when we had rescued Maeve from being held by the Clerics. At the time, I’d seen her bruises and winced, but now I knew what the Sect did to demons it captured, the brutal torture one could suffer, I probably would puke everywhere and run screaming. I idly traced a scar running over my forearm when Breandan took me aside and started to teach me the basics. It was painful going. My attention kept wondering to Gunarr weaving in and out of the trees. Doing whatever it was that he was doing, and all that came to mind was suspicion.
“….And that is how you ask for your back to be guarded,” Breandan finished.
“Hmm. I see,” I said noncommittally.
Gunarr took a running jump and climbed up a tree, out of my sight. What if he left a trail for our enemies to follow? Or what of he was planning some one treachery that was so wicked I couldn’t think of it?
“Uh, huh, of course that is.…” My head snapped around to find Breandan had stopped talking, and was glaring at me. “Say-say?” I asked sheepishly, knowing he had caught my attention wandering yet again.
“Have you learnt anything I’ve taught you this morning?”
I plucked at the browning grass; let the blades flutter down as I avoided his disappointed gaze. “Well, there’s this one.”
I placed my palm up and dropped my third finger until it touched my palm. I smiled uneasily when he scowled.
“That was the first thing I showed you. Anything else?”
Honestly, no, but I sensed this wasn’t the answer he wanted to hear. “If I said I had the gist would that please you?”
“No.”
“Ah, well then. Why do you think Gunarr decided to seek us out?”
“Rae…”
I crossed my arms over my chest. “You have to admit it’s awfully suspicious. He’s attacked us once before. It seems unlikely he’d switch sides and help us now.”
“He never was on anybody’s side. He is a Knight. The Knights are sworn to and answer to the High Lord. Devlin was High Lord and commanded him to capture the fairy Priestess. He was a solider following orders. Now Devlin is gone, he must return home to serve the new High Lord.”
Then why did he swear himself to us?”
“You are the Priestess.”
I nodded. My eyes again went to the tree Gunarr had disappeared into. He was quiet. Too quiet.
I said, “Fair point. So why did he swear himself to you?”
Breandan stood up and offered me his hand. “Would you like to climb with me?”
He neatly avoided the question and that pissed me off, until I grudgingly admitted I attempted to avoid all questions that made me uncomfortable. Clasping his hand to rise, I jumped on his back and nipped his ear. “Nice try, but I know you’re evading me. Why did he swear himself to you?”
“Because he senses the power in me to become High Lord.”
I thought about that. “But you’re not are you?”
He laughed. “I have no plans to be. I will release Gunarr from his oath when the time comes.”
Breandan secured my legs around his waist and headed towards the same tree as Gunarr.
It was a magnificent old oak, jutting roots and stout trunked. Nothing close to the splendor of what Breandan called the ClanTrees, the three colossal trees that fairies had in the centre of their Wyld, but impressive in its own right.
Clumps of mushrooms clustered at the base and lumpy moss covered the trunk. Wispy stems of beard lichen hung from scraggly twigs, and new growth of the fungi crawled across the trunk base to blend with the scrublands. The boughs were fat and brown. The leaves were broad, the stalks and blades of the foliage well formed, suggesting a grand old age, and shafts of sunlight gilded the golden leaves with a soft glow.
Clambering off Breandan’s back, I pushed my hair back and tied it into a knot at the nape of my neck.
Striding over to the trunk, I stood on twisted aerial roots and placed my palms on the bark. It warmed under my palms, and I hummed appreciatively.
I pointed up. “Race?”
Without a word, he grinned and jumped. His hands caught hold of the lowest bough and he dead lifted his weight up as his legs swung to add momentum. In a blink, he was crouched on the first branch choosing his path up.
I skipped back a few paces and ran forward. Using the trunk as a springboard, I kicked off it, twisted, and caught the same bough Breandan crouched on. By the time I’d seated myself, his feet dangled from the branch above. I followed close behind, playfully tugging on his tail when I could reach it to slow him down. He laughed loudly, the sound careless and filled with so much joy it made me giggle uncontrollably.
We even passed a stoic Gunarr halfway up, reclining on a branch trying to get some sleep. He lazily opened one green eyelid and peered at me before turning his head.
Breandan reached the penultimate branch before me and in a moment of sheer genius, I scrambled back onto his back, and stretched to tap the tip of my finger on the highest branch.
“Ha!” I crowed and slipped down – flushed and happy.
“You cheated,” Breandan laughed as he joined me, immediately puling me into him and tickling my sides.
Squealing, I wriggled in his hold until I made a rather ugly snorting sound at the back of my throat. We both burst out laughing. My shoulders shook so hard, I nearly fell from my perch, and Breandan had to steady me.
“I always loved climbing,” I confessed once my laughter had subsided to the occasional snigger. “When I was up in a tree I felt grounded, strange as it sounds.” I rested my head on Breandan’s shoulder, something I loved doing, and toyed with the edge of his amour plate on his thigh. “I was drawn to the forest, all the life teeming Outside. I was afraid for so long, worried one day the Clerics would look at me and just know I was different.”
My happy smile faded as the excitement of the climb wore off.
I still felt different.
It was clear Breandan and Conall had sought to make things easier for me, but it was clear I had little to no knowledge of Tribe life or how to live like a fairy.
“One day, you’ll feel like the Wyld is your home,” Breandan said, perceptively guessing my depressing thoughts. “It will take time, maybe years, but you will feel like you belong.”
I hugged him tightly then eased back to see his face. He was wise before his time, my fairy, and when I trusted him, he didn’t let me down. “So you’re sure Gunarr isn’t a threat to us?”
“He will be true to his word.”
Self-conscious of the fact said fairy was close beneath us, I lowered my voice. “He frightens me. I look at him, and I remember him eyeing you up, searching for weakness so Devlin could steal me away.”
I shuddered.
That fight had been the first time I’d seen fairies preparing to battle, and it had terrified me. It was also the first time I’d used magic in combat, and felt the true power of the amulets. Breandan had been fierce during his fight with Devlin, and though I had made a nuisance of myself, I was aware that had I not intervened Breandan would have died. The more I looked back on what had happened, I saw that Devlin had a plan and Breandan would have been in the way, something he couldn’t afford.
I had considered Devlin evil, at one point, an impression not dissuaded by Breandan and my Elder, but it was clear he’d been forming a plan of action to deal with Cael whilst dealing with Lochlann’s ill-timed rebellion. I felt guilt over my part in Devlin’s fall from grace, but I did not assume responsibility for his demise, and nor could I say the world was a darker place without him. It had been explained to me that the rebels felt Devlin was leading the Tribe down a destructive path. Instead of reaching out to other demonkinds, he had scorned them, even attacked them. When I had visited Byron’s Pride there was damage from Devlin’s rule, evidence he had lost it a little, but it had been repairable. How would things be now if the vampires hadn’t gotten hold of Devlin? Would we now flock to him for answers since he would have had the grimoire?
Maybe that’s what evil was, those who were misunderstood and pushed to do something extreme to bring about their beliefs.
Even Cleric Tu hadn’t been truly been evil. The methods he’s used to get what he wanted, and his actions towards demonkind had been. With some perspective, I could see he’d been out of his mind with worry. He wanted to protect the human race, his own future, and had taken it to an extreme.
“Rae, Gunarr has given his oath and he cannot break it. Put it out of your mind, love. Focus on what you will say when we reach the Wyld. A Meet would have been called and you will have to speak your mind, and convince them to follow your plan.”
“I have a plan?”
Breandan groaned, and dropped his head to my shoulder.
We made good time once the sun set and Daphne woke. Before we moved on, I had tried to coax her up the tree for a climb, but after cursing me in a rather colorful manner, she explained she hated heights, and would rather risk facing the sun than climbing one.
Gunarr and Daphne avoided and ignored each other. She didn’t look at him, and he didn’t look at her – there was peace. When they did accidently catch each other’s eye the hostility between them flared instantly.
I could understand the animosity – the last time they met they had tried to kill each other.
Gunarr often had a look of mild frustration and distaste pass over his expression and Daphne often looked smug. Gathering what I could from Breandan’s interpretation of their situation, since Gunarr had run from the fight in vampire territory, he felt a need to fight Daphne to regain his honor. Daphne felt like she was better than him because he had run from her.
It was all silly in my opinion, and the few times they did clash, a short word from Breandan ceased Gunarr’s hissing. Daphne was more difficult to quell, she didn’t stop snarling until Gunarr was out of sight.
This worked well enough for me, since I had trouble looking Gunarr in the face without wanting to punch it, or when I was feeling more curious than angry, grabbing it in my hands and feeling the texture of his skin. It was papery thin and the colour of grass. It looked as if it would be slick if I ran a finger over it.
The fairy Knight was well aware of my nervousness around him, and accepted the job of scouting ahead. He was silent as a shadow when he wanted to be, and I could see why Devlin had kept him close.
The closer to the Wall we came, the more on guard and antsy Breandan became. He hovered, and would kiss me or touch me to reassure himself I was okay. Despite my treatment at the hands of the Clerics, I felt fine the closer we got. The land behind the Wall had been my home since before I could remember.
Daphne was curious, and sniffing the air a lot. She explained that since she became a vampire she hadn’t come close to a human settlement. Her rebirth had happened when the Northern City was already under the Coven’s control, and though Daphne wasn’t able to tell me how old she was exactly, from the way she spoke she had been born during the Rupture.
She was much older than I had realized. In comparison, Breandan and I were babies.
When asking for specific memories of her past, like her birth family, she avoided talking about it and changed the subject.
I did wonder how old Gunarr was, but couldn’t muster the courage to talk to him alone. He cut an imposing figure, and rather than let him see my fear, I acted as if he wasn’t important at all. I suspected he saw past this front, however, because when I snuck a glance at him, he already stared at me, amused.
We heard and saw the Clerics before they did us.
Gunarr reacted badly, hissing under his breath, and taking out a wickedly sharp knife. Breandan gave him a quiet command and the fairy melted into the dark, curved blade still in hand.
“He won’t cut anybody?” I asked.
Breandan shook his head. “Not unless they try to hurt us. Don’t worry, Rae-love. I’ll take care of protecting you. You worry about everything else.”
Daphne inhaled, and her fangs ran out. She breathed heavily, and the tip of her tongue swiped over her top lip.
A Cleric stepped into view, a rifle tucked into his side. Deep hood pulled low, so his face was shadowed to the chin, he focused intently on Breandan, sensing him as the greatest threat. He turned slightly to Daphne then me last. When he did get a good look at me, he smiled, and spoke over his shoulder in a rush before starting towards us.
“Hai, Rae,” he greeted and held out his hand.
Recognizing the voice, I clasped it and squeezed. “Samuel. How are you?”
He tugged the hood down and revealed a riot of blonde curls, squished about his crown. Samuel was a plain man with a short beard and hooked nose. His eyes were lovely, a deep green that shone with sincerity.
“Things have been better,” he replied and shrugged. “Things have been worse. I’m fine then again I always am.” He inclined his head to me. “I have you to thank for that. I would’ve been dead had you not paused to save me.”
Samuel had been swept up in Cael's windstorm at Temple. He’d flown right past my head, and I’d grabbed him without thinking. He was one of the guards posted outside my hovel when the Sect captured me. He didn’t have an active hand in my torture, but he hadn't tried to stop it either. What he had done was given me food and hope that not all the Clerics were poisoned against demonkind.
Lord Cleric Samuel was one of the reasons I held steadfastly to the belief that once the humans realized all demons were not out to destroy them – that demons actually found them irritating and more like pesky children underfoot than anything else – that peace could be achieved. Humankind could then stop hiding behind the Wall, and teaching children demons were vicious creatures that ruined the world.
“Did the injured from Temple survive?”
He grimaced. “Most. Once the dust cleared there wasn't much death but a lot of maimed and crippled.”
“They are fortunate,” Breandan said flatly. “They should be dead.”
Samuel regarded him warily. “You were there then?”
“Oh yes. Tell me, how do you know my Rae?”
“I met her down in the–”
“Sam,” I interrupted hastily, realizing Breandan still felt a need to exact justice for what happened to me at Temple. “Do you think you could get me in to speak to the Priests?”
Sighing, he holstered the rifle, and crossed his arms – the funneled sleeves covered his hands. He paced, the tails of his crimson blazer flapping at the back of his knees.
Eventually, he stopped and turned to me, expression undecided. “Since Temple my status has elevated within the Sect. I’m reluctant to do anything that would risk altering that. I keep more people safe this way.” His nose twitched, and he swatted a fly away from his face. “After the disaster Lord Cleric Tu left behind the Priests are keen to try a new form of leadership, but old habits die hard. The Wall, for example. Clerics have been posted Outside for three days now and not a single attack. Since Temple was destroyed, you’re the first we’ve seen, and there were no reported issues from the Upper or Slum Dwells. It’s like the demons didn’t care they were inside. I’ve been using this as an argument to suggest we’re safer Outside then we think we are.”
“Uh, well, turns out for a fairy who can wield magics, getting past the Wall wasn’t that hard. I’d think other demons would find it pretty easy too.”
He stilled. “Yore saying the Wall, a structure we’ve had faith in for nearly two centuries didn’t do anything to protect us?”
“I wouldn’t say it did nothing.” Breandan and Daphne scoffed simultaneously. Samuel looked ill. “You don’t have to worry,” I assured him. “Demonkind aren’t as interested in humankind as you think they are.”
“Some are,” Daphne murmured and smiled toothily. Samuel paled as his eyes fixed on her fangs. “We like this human Rae?” She made little attempt to hide the hunger in her voice. She inched closer to him. “He smells good.”
“No biting,” I snapped.
Checked by my sharp command, Daphne rocked back on her heels, grumbling sullenly. “I’d only take a sip.”
Seeing how Daphne was strictly ordered not to bite, Samuel’s fear passed, and he became troublingly intrigued. “You’re a vampire.”
“No. I’m a mutant breed of chicken.” Daphne rolled her eyes.
“But you’re so tiny and so ... normal.” Samuel blushed. “I mean, you seem … human. The vampires we come across froth at the mouth and rant madly.”
“Wanderers who have no Nest. Yeah, well hunger can do that to you,” she replied indignantly. “I seem human because I was human once. I died and became something else, but once I was just like you. Humans love to forget that.”
“She certainly doesn’t smell human,” I said and laughed when Daphne cut her eye at me.
Samuel edged closer, curious.
Daphne inhaled, nostrils flaring and her eyelids growing heavier. Catching herself, she stiffened. “I wouldn’t do that unless you’re planning to offer a vein.”
“Who said I wasn’t?”
“Please. You reek of fear. I have no intention sucking on a donor who does so because he’s afraid I’ll drain him otherwise.”
Samuel squared his shoulders and his eyes narrowed. “I’m not afraid.”
Daphne smiled, and sent a sly look his way, locking her gaze with his. “No?”
He blinked and shook his head languidly. “I’m not afraid of you.” He dragged up his sleeve to expose his inner wrist. “I’ll prove it. Bite me.”
“Uh, I wouldn’t joke about that Sam.” Ignoring the protest of my nature, I placed a restraining hand on Daphne’s shoulder when her eyes lit up eagerly. I sensed she’d done some trickery here, because Samuel had gone from guarded to overly enthused about her feeding on him. I sighed. “You didn’t.”
She peeked at me sheepishly and shrugged. “A tiny bit. Figured you might not notice. It was worth a shot if it meant I got fed. Is that alright?”
“No it’s not bloody alright. You can’t bite him. We need him to help us convince the Priests to meet with Lochlann and the other demons. We won’t be able to do that if he stands before them riddled with fang marks.”
“You do realize I could just go back with him and use compulsion on these Priests. I tell them we want peace, they agree with me, and it’s done.” She shrugged. “If one or two able bodied men happen to want to be my donors so be it.”
I glowered at her. “No more mind control. They have to want this for it to stick.”
She threw her hands up. “He wanted me to do it, I could tell, I am a hunter adapt to sensing these things. It excited him. His pulse started racing, and his scent changed. I used a tiny bit of compulsion to loosen him up so he’d offer instead of me asking. I knew you’d freak out over nothing, a simple exchange.”
“Exchange? What’s he getting out of this?”
“You’re really asking me that question? You?”
Blushing, I remembered the more pleasurable effects of a welcomed bite. “No,” I said with finality.
“Well, what the hell am I supposed to do? I’m hungry. I’ll go crazy if I don’t feed on human blood soon. He’s young, healthy and standing right there. He’ll bounce right back from a little blood loss. I can even make him forget the whole experience if it bothers you that much.”
“Perhaps we should let this happen,” Breandan said.
I scrunched my face up. “You think this is okay?”
“If the human agrees,” he gave Daphne a hard look, “after she rids him of the compulsion, I don’t see why not. I like the idea of one more set of eyes watching your back. I would not like to have to put Daphne down after she has been so helpful.”
“Wow,” Daphne cooed. “The love and appreciation I’m feeling right now is staggering, really, I think I might cry. And I told you, I only used a little, look, he’s fine.”
Samuel looked between the three of us with an amused expression. “That’s what it feels like.” he murmured. “It’s not too bad, is it? It’s like being held a moment before sleep.”
“It can feel worse once you’ve been deeply under for more than a few seconds, and you’re fighting for control,” I assured him. “You feel okay?”
“Sure. It happened before I offered my arm, but I was thinking along those lines before then anyway.”
Daphne looked triumphant.
“You’re really okay with this Sam?” I asked seriously. “Say the word and it won’t happen.”
He was quiet for a while. “Since I was born we have believed that vampires, shapeshifters and goblins were monsters. The Rupture changed our world, but I’m beginning to see that maybe we humans were the ones hijacking other territories without knowing it. Look around us, look how beautiful it is out here. I can’t imagine hundreds of cities because that would mean all this wildlife would be gone, and I can’t understand how my ancestors decided that would be a good thing. Somewhere along the line, we decided the Rupture made us the victims when we may have been the big bad taken down by a force that had grown stronger.” His face darkened. “But that's just my way of thinking. Others don’t see it that way and they never will.” His eyes travelled over my circlet, and a questioning look flitted over his expression. “You came here to see the Priests, but that just won’t happen, not now. I’d need time to talk to them, to show them you mean no harm. I’m willing to take the risk. We can no longer burry our heads in the sand and pretend we can carry on this way.” He nodded to Daphne. “I’ll start by letting her feed on me. If I can show the Priests a vampire, the demon that feeds on us to survive, did so painlessly and with my consent, they may consider it. If you could stay here under guard for a while, I’m sure they would see you’re safe to talk to.”
“No,” Breandan said. “No guards. She is our Priestess, she will be received as an honored guest, or not at all.”
“Can I eat now?” Daphne asked hopefully.
Taking a deep breath to enhance my calm, I place a soothing hand on Breandan’s arm and gave Daphne a final look of warning. “I don’t have time to wait around. There is an assembly of demons gathering as we speak to discuss a powerful new threat. The same one I fought at Temple. If Daphne could have a little blood from you, that would be a huge help, and if you could explain to the Priests that if they choose to come to the fairy Wyld, peacefully, that they would be welcomed as friends under my protection, I would be grateful.”
Samuel held up his arm and pulled his sleeve back.
Shoving the bundle of rags that concealed the grimoire into my hands, Daphne wasted no time taking the offered wrist in both hands and bringing it to her lips. She quickly bit down, and Sam flinched.
“If you wish to attend the Meet,” Breandan said. “You must travel east until you cross the water. Past that point you are on Wyld land, and a fairy Knight will show his or herself to you. They will bring you to us if you tell them you have an invitation from Lady Rae.”
“Will they let us get close enough to speak before attacking?”
“They will be wary. We cannot change the perception that you are not a danger during a single conversation, but if you come bearing no weapons, and appear peaceful they will not attack. They will be expecting you.”
Samuel nodded and then his expression went goofy. His eyes widened, and his breathing deepened. Then he blushed bright red.
Seeing the cause of his distress, I looked away, trying not to laugh.
Daphne groaned.
The corner of Breandan’s mouth turned up. “I think that's enough.”
She immediately lifted her head and let go of his arm. “Thank you,” she said sweetly, wiping a trickle of blood from the corner of her mouth and sucking on her finger.
Samuel let loose a shuddering breath. He inspected the pinpricks on his arm, swiped a finger over one tentatively. “That didn't hurt that much.”
“I wasn't trying to hurt you,” Daphne said winking impishly. “Fangs can be delicate or deadly when feeding. If they’re used to cause pleasure or pain is down to the vampire.”
Daphne took the book back from me, and I sighed in relief. The grimoire didn’t feel good to hold at all. It almost seemed to sense the key to open its pages was near.
Samuel nodded absent-mindedly. “How long will that sustain you?”
“A few nights. If I’d drained you completely I could go seven, maybe eight if I wasn’t extending too much energy.”
That's all you need?” he asked slowly, expression thoughtful. “I don’t even feel woozy.”
“Well, I have to feed every night, but the blood doesn’t have to be human. And may I suggest you eat more red meat than usual over the next couple of days.”
“You’re, ah, satisfied?”
“Yeah.” She grinned. “I don’t want to rip your throat out now I’ve had a taste if that’s what you mean.”
He flushed, and I had a suspicion that wasn’t what he meant at all. “Sorry. It’s just we’ve always believed bloodlust would take over.”
“Again, the feeding depends on the vampire. Some are cruel, and some are not. Since the Rupture, the majority of vampires who haven’t starved to death have fallen into insanity. We’re not evil, we’re just hungry.”
Samuel cocked his head. “The Rupture was systematic destruction of our entire world. I doubt hunger would drive you to such desperate measures.”
“Exactly,” I said. “Hasn’t it ever seemed off to you that the vampires would encourage their own food supply to be totally decimated? When they’re not mad they’re perfectly sane and rational thinking creatures like Daphne here.”
“There was something else behind the attack?”
I nodded gravely. “Keep that in mind when you talk to the Priests, and make them see that. There’s a lot more to this than they understand, and they need to talk to us about it.”
“I can’t promise anything, but I’ll try. How can I get word to you if anything goes wrong?”
“Gunarr,” Breandan said.
The fairy materialized behind Samuel. “Yes?”
Samuel jumped, his hand going to his rifle. Gunarr stared at him with disinterest – he did not see Samuel as a threat.
“You will stay here as emissary to the Tribe under Lady Rae’s authority. You will answer any question they ask, and only lift a weapon against them to defend yourself. You will protect these humans from any danger, as you would our own people. Alright?”
“Yes,” he said simply and turned to press his fist to his chest and bow his head to Samuel.
The Lord Cleric was leery at first, but after swallowing hard, he nodded repeatedly. “You certainly will, ah, draw some attention. You’re a fighter?”
“A Knight.”
“Say-so.” Samuel's gaze roved, taking in Gunarr’s warrior stance that was relaxed yet confidently on guard. An acre of green skin was bared and his cherry-red Mohawk almost glowed. “Maybe we should get you a tunic.”
“I am not cold.”
“You’re green. It’s more for us than you. In fact, can you make yourself look human like Rae did?”
Gunarr looked offended, but answered diligently. “I cannot touch the Source.”
Samuel blinked, expression blank. “Source?”
I could sense this wouldn’t be a short conversation. “Sam, we have to go, but Gunarr can stay, and he’ll follow your orders, as long they don’t endanger demons who are peaceful.”
Samuel let out a shaky breath, his expression bemused. “Okay, I trust you Rae. I’ll do what I can to protect him.”
“Oh, you don't have to worry about that. If things get too dangerous he’ll just leave,” I explained. “Just try and get the Priests to come as soon as they can.” I smiled encouragingly. “I’m sure you’ll do great.”
He didn’t look convinced. He looked down at his arm then at Daphne. He slanted a look at Gunarr then braved a look at Breandan. Straightening his back, he tugged his hood up. “I’ll do my best. I promise.”
***
We entered Wyld land, and there was a subtle change in the air, a welcoming cool ripple that sent tingles down my spine.
My nature rejoiced at being in so magical a place.
A crisp sweetness fizzed on my tongue, and I smiled as the scents of the forest became fresh and clean. Vivid evergreen shrubs were dotted among the gray tree trunks. Glossy leaves were spotted with yellow lichen, but with winter so near it wasn’t surprising. The dense canopy was high overhead, and I could see the stars.
Everything had an electric blue tinge in the dark, my fairy sight.
Breandan took my hand and lead me though a glade, edged by silent and solemn forms.
Sentries.
Fairy Knights.
We walked over a bridge, and underneath ran a lovely stream. When I followed its path with my gaze, I realized it lead to the pool I’d escaped to on my first visit.
Daphne was beside herself. Her edginess made me jittery. “Where shall I put the book?” she hissed.
“Hide it,” I replied in a low aside.
She nodded absentmindedly and slipped away silently, blurring she ran so fast.
I tugged on Breandan’s hand to slow him down to give her time. I didn’t think it was a great idea to leave her wandering around on Wyld land on her own for too long.
“Will she be in danger?” I asked Breandan, waiting until I was sure she was out of hearing range. I had a feeling Daphne would be offended if I suggested she couldn’t defend herself in enemy territory.
“She’ll be fine as long as she returns soon. The sentries would have spotted us the moment we set foot on Wyld land. Our number and anyone recognizable would have been relayed back to the first Warrior at hand, and since I am one … or was one, they will be at ease unless we do something to suggest our intentions are anything but peaceful. Since there is a Meet being assembled they will be less leery of strangers.”
“It’s beautiful,” I murmured appreciatively.
“The Wyld is practical in its splendor. The heart holds the ClanTrees, you’ve seen them before. Surrounding them are many copses, treefall gaps, and glades.” He motioned around him. “Like this, but smaller. We use these clearings for everyday life and social gatherings. The ClanTrees are where the Tribe sleep and gather for personal time between kin. Because of this, the earth beneath them is filled with life and magic. The ground is scared. We have a platform high in the middle ClanTree plant crown to meet the dawn. I once thought there was nothing more beautiful.” He slanted a look at me. “I now know better.”
It took me a while to catch the compliment, but once I did, I blushed and scooted closer. I lifted my heels of the floor, and balancing on my tiptoes, I cupped his face and kissed him. I was trying to be modest, but he grabbed me by the arms, lifted me up, and deepened the kiss. His tongue boldly swept into my mouth when I gasped, and he groaned low in his throat. I flung my arms around his neck and happily locked my legs around his waist, rubbing myself against him. Breandan’s hands smoothed down my sides and gripped my hips.
“Ah, Rae?” Daphne’s voice floated past my ear. “People are looking, and they look … confused.”
I broke away breathing hard and licked my bottom lip, enjoying the sweet taste that lingered.
“Rae….”
Breandan rested his head on my shoulder and narrowed his eyes, glowering at the interruption. I kissed his jaw and patted his cheek to let me down. He released me reluctantly and kept his arms looped around my waist.
I spun in the circle of his arms and found a stressed looking Daphne. “Yeah, I’ve hidden the book under these boulders I found,” she said. “You’ve got to have the strength of my kind to lift them, and I think they’re dense enough to absorb some of the book’s energy.” Her eyes scanned the edge of the clearing. “People are watching us from the trees.”
“It’s okay. You came with us, so you’re safe.”
“Okay, I’ll rephrase. People are watching you, rather, watching you rub all over each other like bitches in–”
“Okay then,” I butted in loudly. Feeling Breandan grow angrier behind me from the stiff lines of his body, and the repeated flexing of his hands on my waist, I thought it prudent to disrupt her chatter. He didn’t like reminders of his brother’s claim on me. “The last time I was here Lochlann made it look like … well … um … he made it seem like we were, ah, y’know. Together.”
“Oh. Is he cute?” Daphne’s eyes twinkled mischievously, and she slyly glanced at Breandan. “Yours is handsome, but I prefer a more mature man.”
I took Breandan’s hand and tugged him along before his head exploded. “We should probably get to the Meet. If it’s started, we need to be there. I did call it after all.”
Breandan allowed himself to be towed along until his dark mood passed and he took the lead again. We passed over a wooden bridge engraved with what looked fairies frolicking with wolves, cats, birds and bears. Shifters. I pointed this out to Breandan in the hope of engaging him long enough to stop scowling at Daphne who ambled along gaily.
“We used to have strong ties to the Prides, Aeries and Packs. We even visited the bears, and you know how temperamental they can be.” He remembered that I didn’t know, and smiled, brought our joined hands to his lips for a kiss. “Well, you will know, I’m sure.”
Breandan led us from the clearing up a path that lead into denser thicket. There were many smaller paths leading off in different directions, but Breandan kept us on the main path until he took a deep breath and clasped my chin. “Stay strong,” he murmured and kissed me fiercely.
By the time he’d finished, and tugged my hand to get me moving, I was worried.