Meanmna: Book One of the Daearen Realms (17 page)

Friday December 19, 2014

When
I woke up, Elwin was sitting in one of the kitchen-type chairs, looking over my notes on the map. I walked over to him and gave him a peck on the cheek.

“Morning.”

“Good morning.” Elwin looked me up and down, swallowed, and said, “Maybe we should get you a pair of pajamas on the way out of town.”

“Why would we do that?”

“Because that is um . . .
distracting
?” he wouldn’t look me in the eye. Feeling a bit confident because of my very obvious effect on him, I pulled his chair out from the table so he would face me. He looked surprised when his eyes met mine.

“So
, I’m distracting?” Elwin nodded in response and started to look away. I put my hand on his cheek so he couldn’t turn his head. Feeling even bolder, I took a step forward and lowered myself slowly onto his lap, straddling his legs. “Is this distracting?” Elwin barely nodded once. He seemed to be completely paralyzed. I was so happy to know that I had the same effect on him as he did on me. I put my hands on his shoulders and ran them down the entire length of his arms. I took his hands in mine and pushed his arms back toward his shoulders. I held his hands in place, shifted my weight, and whispered in his ear, “I think I like being distracting.”

Elwin took a sharp inhale and I shifted my weight back to see his face. His sharp inhale turned into a full groan, so I
rocked my hips a little harder this time and his groan turned into a moan. I sat back and looked into his eyes as I did it again. Elwin’s eyes rolled back and his grip on my waist tightened slightly. I began moving my hips in a steady rhythm and then my body started to react.

I let go of his hands and grasped his
shoulders, pressing my chest to his. Elwin moved one hand to the small of my back and moved down to squeeze my ass. He yanked me to him—hard—and I let out a gasp of pleasure as the pressure increased. Elwin’s other hand moved to the top my thigh. Kneading it, he started to draw small circles downward to my inner thigh. He slowly inched his way with slow circles until he reached between my legs and touched me with the smallest amount of pressure. I exploded with sensations and screamed, “Elwin!” I couldn’t breathe. I couldn’t see. Every nerve in my body was yelling, “Holy crap!” and “Woo hoo,” and “Oh, my Goddess,” all at the same time. I shuddered as Elwin wrapped both of his arms around me. He held my shaking body tightly to his, stroked my back, and ran his fingers through my hair. I whimpered into his neck. It was several moments before I could lift my head to look at him.

“You are so beautiful.” Elwin brushed my hair behind my ear and gave me a very soft kiss. He inched his body away from mine and took my hands from around him and held them in between us. He cleared his throat to regain his composure. “I located my contact when I woke up late last night. We have to meet him in a couple of hours.”

“So we have time then.” I leaned in to kiss him and tried to remove my hands from his to run up his chest.

Elwin held my hands tight, moved his head back, and cleared his throat again. “I
. . . uh,” Elwin swallowed hard. “You should get dressed. I need to take a cold shower.”

“
What if I said you didn’t need to?” I leaned in and he moved away again.

“
I’d still go take one.” The pain of rejection ripped through my chest and caused my eyes to fill with tears. “You don’t understand.” Elwin sighed and looked away.

“I think I do. It’s fine that you don’t want to be with me
, but you need to stop going along as if you do, only to reject me in the end. This rejection afterward hurts much worse than if you would just tell me the truth beforehand. Maybe you should try to remember that.” I quickly got up and turned to escape. As much as I wanted to, I couldn’t let myself cry in front of him. Elwin caught me and pulled me back down to his lap. I wasn’t facing him, and I couldn’t get up.

Elwin snaked his arms around my waist and I was unable to resist
letting him pull me back to his chest. He sighed and I felt him put his forehead on my back. “This has nothing to do with you; it’s all me. My God, I want to be with you. Don’t think that I stopped because I don’t
want
you. The connection I
already
have to you is so strong that when you have to break our bond, it could kill me.”

“What?” I shifted my body so I was across his lap. I turned his head so I could look in his eyes, “Not literall
y, right?”

“
Yes, literary. That risk was always there. Our bond will be broken during the mating ceremony with your chosen your mate. It’s the way it will work; it’s the way it will be.”

“If that’s the way it
will work, why would the risk of death be there? You are my knight, my body-guard. You can’t be the first one of those here. Has any other bodyguard died when their charge was mated with another? Why would anyone ever take on a mission that would kill them?”

“It’s not the same for everyone else.
”

“Why not?”

“Not everyone has been in love with their charge for their entire life.” Elwin looked down, “You were so cute in that frilly-pink tutu. It’s only been you ever since.”

“Frilly-pink tutu? Huh? I haven’t worn a frilly-pink tutu since ballet when I was four . . .” I couldn’t believe my ears.
Did he just say he was in love with me?

“
That was the first picture your father ever showed me of you. That was when I knew I would do whatever it took to always see to your safety. I also knew my feelings would grow and only become more dangerous to me over time. I should have gone to the king and queen and explained what was happening. Yet I trusted no one else to take care of you like I could. I want to make love with you so bad it hurts—literally, and in several locations. If you and I make love, whatever chance of survival I have would be gone. Half of
me
would be gone, I just . . . I don’t know if I would
want
to exist like that.”

“I’m done with this crap!” I said
, causing Elwin to look at me in surprise. “You should go take your shower now, because the sooner we get to Meanmna, the sooner I can inform my father, grandmother, and every fey else that I do not give a rat’s ass about the political benefit of an arranged marriage or how weak I am as a half-blood. I love you so much! You are the only one for me, period space space.” I hopped off his lap and took a step away from him.
Holy crap, I just told him I loved him.

Elwin grabbed my elbow and turned me to face him. He lifted
me up so we were face to face; then he looked into my eyes and asked, “You love me?”

“
More than I ever knew was possible.” I cupped his cheek in my hand and moved within a hair’s breadth of his lips.

“I love you
too,” Elwin said softly before kissing me. Soft and sweet and filled with love, this kiss made me feel whole. He set me down gently and tucked a loose hair behind my ear. “We should go. I think the sooner we make that announcement, the better off we will be.” He walked to our bags and looked back at me. I put my hands on my hips and he looked me up and down. “Yeah, I still need a cold shower.” Elwin picked up his bag and walked into the bathroom.

When we left the hotel, Elwin and I went to a store across the street. The store reminded me of REI, but on a much smaller scale. We picked up some basic camping supplies: a small tent, a sleeping mat, a blanket, some non-perishable food, and enough water for two days. The next stop was to procure our transportation. The stable was a block from the town’s small square and main street.

A charming older gentleman
greeted us. “Welcome friends, I’m Denby. How can I help you? There’s one thing you can’t ask for, though . . . a filly as beautiful as you, my dear.” Denby winked and extended his hand to me. I put my hand in his and he kissed it but didn’t release it.

“Excuse me, Denby. I believe you should have something ready for us under the name of Hill.” Elwin crossed his arms over his chest, raised an eyebrow, and looked at our hands.

“Oh, my Goddess,” Denby said breathlessly as he dropped my hand. His eyes got wide and he looked as though he might kneel. Elwin wasn’t having any of that. He grabbed Denby by the elbow and held him aloft until he could stand on his own. “I have your things ready, Mister Hill. Everything is waiting for you. Let me lock up first.” Denby shut the doors and locked them. He took a deep breath and then turned to me and did the heart-fist-bow and said, “Please forgive me, Princess. I meant no disrespect.”

“
Disrespect
? Don’t be silly. I find you charming.” I went to him and put my hand on his fist that was over his heart. He looked up and smiled.

“Let’s go to the back. I have them waiting for you.” Denby gave me his arm and I allowed him to lead me. I looked at Elwin and wiggled my eyebrows as we passed by him. He chuckled and followed.

Denby led us through the stable and out the back barn door. Two of the most beautiful horses I had ever seen stood before me. I knew very little about horses, but I could see they were truly magnificent creatures. The black one was huge and sleek. She neighed in our direction and bowed her head. I was instantly drawn to the deep reddish brown one. The top of his back was as high as the top of my head. The sun made his coat shine like it was on fire. He lowered his head and I placed my hand on his nose.

“You are the most beautiful horse I have ever seen,” I said and looked in his eyes.

You honor me, Princess. Goddess save the queen,
he telepathically replied.

I walked to his side, took my backpack off, and held it blindly out to Elwin as I studied the saddle and the impossibly high foot strap.

“Let me give you a hand, Princess.” Denby stepped forward and held out his hand.

“Thank you, but no. I need to be able to do this on my own. We might need to make a quick getaway at some point.” I smiled and looked at the plain
, brown but beautiful saddle. I could barely reach the horn, so I turned instead to face the rear of the horse and stuck my left foot into the stirrup. Like the stunt riders I had seen at the state fair, I pushed off with my feet and twisted the stirrup simultaneously to lift my weight and get airborne enough to swing up and turn 180 degrees in the air. I landed on the back of the horse, facing the right direction. I looked to Denby and Elwin in triumph. Their mouths were open in disbelief. “I always wanted to do that.” I took my foot out of the left stirrup, untwisted it and put my foot in the right way. “Do you want to hand me my bag?”

“I got it,” Elwin said as he attached my backpack to the back of the
saddle. “‘Always wanted to do that,’” Elwin mimicked me. He squeezed my thigh and walked back to his horse, strapped his pack to his saddle, and climbed on.

“Thank you, Denby,” I said.

“It was my honor.” Denby walked over and opened a gate. Elwin and I nodded to Denby again, then we took off.

We had been t
raveling on a narrow road for an hour when Elwin telepathically said,
We’re meeting over there in that wooded area. Lunch should be ready when we get there.
Elwin veered his horse left and slowed down as he entered a small wooded area.

We only had to go about one hundred yards in when the space opened up
to reveal a campsite. There was a fire in the middle and I could smell food cooking. A string between two trees held up a heavy canvas tent. It looked like an old school military tent with new school materials. There was an absolute giant of a man braiding the mane of a golden mare; he was not just braiding, but making art. It was beautiful
. I wonder, would he do my hair?

“Will?” Elwin called to the man.

“Holy hell!” the guy yelled as he jerked around. “Elwin, sometimes it’s okay to make noise upon approaching. You don’t always need to be in stealth mode. A little warning is not too much to ask.”

Elwin dismounted
, laughing, walked over to Will and hugged him. He had the size and look of a professional basketball player: seven feet tall, broad shoulders and muscular frame. He had sage green eyes, a pleasant smile, and dark reddish brown hair the same color as the horse I was riding. Elwin was a big guy, but Will was huge.

Elwin looked toward me as they talked. Then they both started walking toward me
, looking a little upset. I swung off my horse and approached them.

“Will Sherwood of the Earth Fey
, I would like to introduce you to Princess Sarette of the Spirit Fey,” Elwin said.

“Princess Sarette, it is an honor.” Will did the
heart-fist-bow thing and looked into my eyes.

“I
am the one who is honored.” I closed the space between us and gave him a hug.

“You honor me with your strength, Princess.”

“Please call me Sarette.”

“Hope you’re hungry; lunch is ready
.” Will walked over to the food that he had cooking on the fire.

Once lunch was served and we
had settled by the fire, I asked Will, “Are you okay? You look upset. You do too, Elwin. What is it you’re not telling me?”

“I just got back from
Marge and Phillip’s house and gave them a proper fey funeral pyre,” Will said. “It was the least I could do for the only real parental figures I have ever known. They took me in when my uncle tried to have me killed.”

“Oh
, my Goddess,” I said as I covered my mouth. “I am so sorry. I wish I could have been there to honor them, too. They saved our lives, twice.”

“You claiming the
Spirit crown and restoring the balance will be thanks enough, Princess.” Will cleared his throat. “It wasn’t just me. Marge and Phillip were always selfless, and many fey came to honor them.”

“Why did your uncle try to have you killed?”

“I was the rightful heir of the Earth Fey. My uncle held the throne in trust for me since my birth because my mother died while having me and my father died of grief shortly thereafter. Five years ago, when I was seventeen, I was to be mated on my birthday and would then ascend the throne. The night before my birthday and the ceremony, I was kidnapped from my room.”

“Um, how? You’re huge.”

“I was knocked out from behind. I woke up at Marge and Phillip’s.”

“Why would your enemy take you somewhere safe?”

“I wasn’t kidnapped by the enemy. I was kidnapped by the good guys
who knew I would never leave my subjects by choice. They also knew I would never believe what had been overheard, the entire reason why I needed to leave that night—my life was in danger. Cynthia, to whom I was to be mated the next morning, had been overheard saying, ‘It will hurt to kill him, but as long as I become queen it will be worth it.’ Subjects and servants loyal to my family were able to knock me out and get me out of Pozzolana Castle to save my life. They tried to save my aunt as well, but they were too late; she had been drowned in her tub.”

“That’s horrible.
”

“I was presumed dead. The throne couldn’t be without a queen. Cynthia and my
uncle were mated before dawn, before I even woke up and knew what was happening. I didn’t even want to be king, but it was my duty. I wasn’t in love with Cynthia, but bonding with her was also my duty. If they were doing a half-way decent job, I might have just gone with it, counted it as a blessing in disguise. But Cynthia and my uncle only care about themselves and power. My subjects have done nothing but suffer for the last five years under their reign.”

“Once I ascend the throne, I’d like to start putting together a plan for you to take back your rule. It will be one of my top priorities.”

“
While I appreciate you saying that, you are going to have many issues that will demand your attention. I should not be your top priority.”

“And that’s exactly why you should be.
The fey of Daearen have suffered long enough. If you get your throne back, the Earth Fey will be able to rebuild. You will take care of your subjects and you will always put their needs first. Also, restoring the balance to Daearen is going to take more than me. Every fey needs to play their part, and yours is ruling Pozzolana. Until then . . .”

“I am at your service, my queen,” Will said with the heart-fist-bow.

“
Any word on how far the word been spread?” Elwin asked.

“What word?”
I asked.

“You were right. It was time to let our enemies and allies alike know just who they are fighting for or going up against
—” Elwin answered.

“He started spreading the word last night
,” Will interrupted. “He told me, and I told the other Earth Fey at Marge and Phillip’s about you. I went to Melinda’s after the funeral. When Elwin got word to her, she had her fey fly to all major cities and let them know the Spirit Fey princess of rumor is real. That you are not the weak half-blood that the fey believed you would be. You are, in fact, the most powerful fey ever born.”

“Holy crap,” I muttered.

Will continued, “Melinda will not be coming to Meanmna, but has her fey in place to guide you on the rest of the journey. She’s also gathering intelligence from every fey that enters her forest. Lilly is out there doing her thing and gathering intelligence. She will meet you in Meanmna.”

“And I
heard from Mike,” Elwin continued. “He heard that a large group of fey had settled into an abandoned ghost town on the east side of Lake Hasani. He thinks that might be where Ray and his followers are. Mick and Mica are going check it out, then they will also meet us in Meanmna. Mike, Tessa, and Paul are headed there too and are checking out the settlements along the east bank of the lake on the way.”

“I’m headed further east to the Pozzolana
Earth Realm and will work my way to Meanmna from there,” said Will.

I un
-focused my eyes and tried to check out Will’s aura. Trying to see someone’s aura is a lot like those hidden pixilated pictures. You un-focus your gaze and—
boom—
there’s a sailboat. Will’s aura was made of deep hunter green and a mix of gold and orange. It looked like a tree in the middle of changing colors for fall. I looked over at Elwin and his was a mixture of blues. It actually moved around him like water.

“Have either of you ever read auras?” I asked and they both shook their heads no. “Un
-focus or cross your eyes and look at each other, look just outside of the body. What do you see?” Elwin and Will did as I asked and, in less than a minute, their expressions changed.

“Elwin’s looks like he has the ocean around him.”

“Will’s looks like a tree in early fall.”

“What does mine look like?” Both turned to face me.

“It’s beautiful,” Will said.

“It is a brilliant and bright purple next to you, then a ring of white, a ring of blue and the outside it has the same purple as the inside.” Elwin refocused his eyes on me. “I wonder what it will look like after Will gives you some of his magic.”

Will removed his spirit blade from his belt and stepped over to me. I took my wand out and held it out to him. “Princess Sarette of the Spirit Fey, I wish to bestow upon you the magic of the earth fey.”

“I would be honored to accept you
r gift.”

Will pricked the thumb of his right hand and squeezed the tip so a big drop gathered. He turned his finger over and dropped the blood on my wand. The wand absorbed the blood and a small burst of green light was emitted. Both Elwin and Will crossed their eyes and looked at me.

“That is so cool,” they both said in unison. “Your aura now has green.”

“I haven’t seen a dark fey since I thought of this
idea. But I think their auras might be black. Do you think you can do that visual exercise for every fey you meet and let us know if you see any one with a black aura or if the colors match the magic they represent?”

“I will. Maybe I can get close enough to see my uncle. If anyone has a black aura
, it’s him.”

“Stay safe. We need you,” I said.

“Sarette, I think you and I need to make a detour to Beinn-Theine. You should get some fire magic from the royal family there.”

“Is that who I think it is? Am I going to meet Mathew’s family?” Elwin nodded and I jumped into his arms for a hug. “Thank you! That sounds like a fantastic detour.” Elwin set me down and the three of us walked to our horses.