WingsOfDesire-AriannaSkye (12 page)

“Onora deserves more. She's extremely intelligent. I'm sure that's why Queen Titania chose her.”

“Perhaps, but High Councilman Evenspring sees only a lowly servant.” Perhaps she should just see this through, to change these rules. If people could strive for equality on Earth, perhaps she could get the faerie folk to follow suit. “That's too bad. I see so much more.”

“You'll make an excellent queen, Rhiannon. With Cerne at your side, we cannot go wrong.

The Elders chose well for you.”

Rhiannon smiled. Cerne was a magnificent man, that much was certain. But he seemed so distant sometimes. However, she knew he was attracted to her and they had some sizzling encounters. Could it develop into more? “I'm not certain Cerne truly wants me. And I took a vow to wait for the right man.”

Maeve broke out into a long chuckle. “Trust me, Rhiannon. He wants you, more than he or you both realize. And if he doesn't now, he will by the time your lessons are complete.”

“I'm getting excited just thinking about it.”

A loud gasp filled the air. Maeve and Rhiannon turned to spot Onora slumped to the ground gasping for breath.

“Help,” Onora breathed out, clutching her throat. Her basket of berries lay spilled on the ground next to her thrashing feet.

“Oh, my God!” Rhiannon flew toward Onora and took her in her arms. “What do we do?” Maeve rushed over, pushing Rhiannon away. She brushed her palm against Onora's forehead, closed her eyes, and murmured an incantation. An amber glow emitted from her fingers while she massaged Onora's temples. “Go fetch me some nettle. It's over there.” She motioned toward a tall, bright green bush standing solitary in the corner. “Hurry! We haven't much time.”

Rhiannon nodded and bounded to her feet. “How much do I get?” she asked, her heart thudding in her chest. She grabbed at the greenery, stuffing it into her arms.

“That should be enough,” Maeve said, attempting to soothe the young maid.

Rhiannon plowed back through the plant life, mindless of the sacred herbs she trampled on.

Onora needed her.

“What's happening?” She thrust her basket toward Maeve.

Maeve grabbed a handful of the foliage and rubbed them against Onora's cheek and forehead. “I've no idea.” She reached down and picked up a half-eaten berry from Onora's trembling fingers. Bringing the fruit to her nose, she flinched. “Nightshade. The berries were disguised to look like elderberries. This is Korrigan’s work.”

“What makes you so sure it was Korrigan? Didn't you just mention High Councilman Evenspring had a grudge against her?”

“High Councilman Evenspring wouldn’t lower himself to murder. He's an honorable man.” Maeve took a leaf and placed it in Onora's mouth. “The elderberries were to be made into wine which would've been served to you tonight, and this magic is too strong for even Evenspring to perform.”

Rhiannon gasped. Someone had meant to kill her? Poor Onora, to have gotten in the crossfire. “Is she going to be okay?”

Maeve nodded. “Yes, she only ate one or two. Thank the Gods we were here. Otherwise she wouldn’t be so lucky.”

Onora stirred, spitting out the leaves. “What...where am I?” She stared at them with glassy eyes. “Councilwoman Windsong? When did you arrive?”

“Nightshade can cause temporary loss of memory,” Maeve whispered to Rhiannon. She knelt down to Onora. “You ate some bad berries. Do you remember anything at all?” Onora shook her head. “Can we go back to the palace?” she asked in a weak voice.

“I would like to return as well.“ Rhiannon gritted her teeth. Whoever this Korrigan was, she was bad news. If she could trick other faeries into mistaking poison berries for good ones, she was an incredibly powerful creature. Truth be told, she wanted to go home—to Phoenix. At least she'd be safe, right?

She turned to gaze at Onora. The poor girl had almost died because of her. She owed Onora her life. “I'm tired and I need to rest up for my lessons.”

~*~*~

Rhiannon and Maeve sat next to Onora's bed, watching over her. Rhiannon insisted she stay, despite Onora’s insisting she was fine.

“You needn't fuss over me, Your Highness,” Onora said. Her pupils were wide, a thin circle of green surrounding them.

“Why are her pupils so dilated?” Rhiannon whispered to Maeve.

“It’s the nightshade.” Maeve turned to Onora. “You don't look well, Onora, The nightshade is still in your blood.”

Onora rubbed her eyes. “I should know better. The berries were too ripe for the season. I put everyone in danger.” She gazed at Rhiannon with pleading eyes. “Please forgive me.”

“Don't be sorry, Onora. It wasn't your fault. Someone wanted me dead, and you were just an innocent bystander.” Rhiannon reached down and patted Onora's hand.

Maeve nodded. “To be honest, you saved the princess's life. And if I’d been in your shoes, I would've picked them too. It was an extremely powerful enchantment.” She flashed a comforting smile.

“I would've picked them too. Those elderberries looked delicious.” Mouthwatering, Rhiannon glanced across the room to another basket which went through a thorough investigation by the palace wizard and several elders. The succulent berries beckoned her to partake in their delicious splendor.

Maeve chuckled. “I haven’t any doubt now. You’re a faerie.”

“Why's that?” Rhiannon’s eyebrow arched with bemused curiosity.

“Elderberries are our weakness. We can't get enough of them.”

“Maybe we can start a twelve step program for berry addiction.” Rhiannon giggled, imagining herself with wings standing up amongst a group of junkie faeries, saying, “Hello, I'm a berryholic.”

“We are not addicted, my dear Rhiannon. Our willpower is much higher than humans. We simply enjoy the taste.” Maeve patted Rhiannon's back. “The wine is delicious, too. The human libations you've become accustomed to will pale in comparison.”

“Cerne did liken my Blackberry Merlot to ogre swill, whatever that means.” Maeve winced. “Poor girl. You truly don't know what you've been missing.”

“Ogre swill?” Onora joined in. “How disgusting! I'm glad I live here and not on Earth. How

did you manage there for so long?”

Rhiannon shrugged. “When you're raised to believe something, you become comfortable.” But the more she thought about her life, how comfortable had she been? Always pushing herself to achieve, to belong. Ever since she was a kid, she was always an outsider. Now she was more comfortable than she had been in ages. Perhaps she had a good reason.

What the heck am I doing?
She was starting to fall prey to her fantasies. She raised her chin and stood tall. “I think I'd like to retire for the evening, if that's all right?” Maeve nodded. “You've had a lot of things to deal with today. I apologize things happened this way. I'll arrange for another maid to take care of your needs. Onora must have her rest.” Rhiannon raised her chin with determination. “Don’t worry. I can take care of myself. I've been doing it all my life.”

“Oh, really?” Maeve's eyes lit up.

Onora giggled. “Interesting.”

These faeries found humor in such odd things. If she was indeed faerie, she hoped to acquire their sense of humor, so she'd understand what they thought was so funny.

Life was pretty much nonexistent until Cerne showed up and turned everything sideways.

Now she was here, in Fey, a supposed faerie princess.
Could things get any stranger than this?

“I think I’ll be fine for the evening, Councilwoman, if you'd like to take Princess Rhiannon back to her chambers?”

Maeve reached down and brushed Onora's hair from her face. “Very well, if you insist, wee one.”

“If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask.” Rhiannon smoothed the green velvet of her dress and stood.

“I wouldn’t dare ask anything of you, Rhiannon.” Onora gasped and covered her mouth.

“Your Highness.”

Maeve smiled. “We are amongst friends, dear. No need for formalities. You can call me Maeve, as well. Councilwoman makes me sound older than the hills of Ogre.” Onora beamed. “Thank you, Maeve. You both are too kind.”

“One can never be too kind.” Maeve walked around the bed and took Rhiannon's arm in hers. Turning to Rhiannon, she whispered, “Tomorrow, you and Cerne will be presented to the Queen. I fear we cannot dawdle any longer. A dangerous threat still exists. You need your

training.”

Rhiannon nodded her acquiescence. “I don't plan on going anywhere. I might as well make the most out of my stay.” But after the argument between them, would he even want to be in the same room with her?

“I still feel your doubt, but you’re adjusting nicely. Soon you'll be the princess I and the other elders know you can be.” “If you say so.”

“I know so.” Maeve grinned. “I'll send you off to your chamber and retrieve your consort.

The first lesson begins tonight.”

Cerne wiped the sweat from his brow. So much for exercising his need away. He wanted her more than he had before he took to the training field. “Blasted woman!” He needed a bath—preferably a cold one. He ripped off his sweat-drenched tunic and whistled for a servant. Instead of a knock on his door, intense light filled the entire room.

Belenus stepped from the brightness and bowed. “Good day, Lord Silverwing.”

“I was about to call for a bath.” Cerne crossed his arms. “How can I be of service?”

“Maeve is asking for you.”

Cerne raised an eyebrow. “Bored with you already, is she?”

“Never.” Belenus winked. “We had a situation this afternoon in the garden.”

“Rhiannon?” At Belenus’s nod, he shook his head. “Let me guess, she tried to escape?”

“No. Someone attempted to poison her. They got her maid instead.” Cerne snapped to attention. He gritted his teeth. “Onora?”

“Yes.”

Cerne narrowed his eyes. “How in the deities did this happen? Is wee Onora all right?”

“Onora is fine. She’s resting in her quarters. Take a seat, my friend.” Belenus pointed to Cerne’s chaise and proceeded to relay the events of that afternoon.

“Who here has that much power?” Cerne questioned. He knew Onora was young but she took pride in her herbalist abilities.

“Ethelred the wizard, but he has been in the royal family’s employ for generations. He’s only been schooled in White Faerie magic. We have High Councilman Evenspring and the whole nasty business with his daughter. He seemed naturally shocked when we told him what happened. Maeve has only just come into her powers, but we both know she’s dedicated to her queen.”

“Is Rhiannon safe?” Cerne asked.

Belenus grinned. “Of course. It’s why Maeve is looking for you. The princess’s tutoring begins tonight.”

“She wants nothing to do with me.” Cerne sighed. “We had a disagreement.”

“Have some make up sex.”

“What about the joining ceremony?”

“Please tell me you aren’t that ignorant?” Belenus burst into a fit of laughter.

Cerne narrowed his eyes. “I know we can mate before the ceremony, you dolt. Rhiannon is a virgin and wants to wait.”

“Where in Fey did you hear that swill?”

“She thought it. I read her mind. But the point is I do not want to take advantage of her.” Cerne, full of conviction, crossed his arms and raised his chin.

Belenus threw back his head and guffawed even louder than before. “Women always say that nonsense. But the moment you lay your tongue on them, they start squirming in pleasure.

And then the only thing they can think about is having your cock ramming inside their hot cunt.”

“She does not want me that way, Bel, or I would’ve already had her
hot cunt
.”

“Trust me, Cerne. The woman is on fire for you. Why do you think she didn’t leave the room while you were stroking yourself?”

“You knew about that?”

Belenus shrugged. “Maeve told me.”

“How did Maeve find out?”

“Women talk, you know.” Belenus smirked. “I’ve also heard you’re well-versed in the art of tongue fucking.”

“You’ve seen me in action, so that should not be a surprise.”

“The pleasure lessons have paid off, Cerne. You’ll make an excellent lover for the future queen. But now it’s time for the princess’s lesson.”

“I thought the prince’s duty was to pleasure the princess.”

“Gah! What fun would that be, always pleasuring with no pleasure in return? What outdated tome are you getting this rubbish from?” Belenus stood up and walked over to Cerne’s bookcase.

He pulled out several old, worn books and wrinkled his nose. He snapped a finger, sending them into a cloud of dust.

“Times have changed. This isn’t the Fey of our grandparents. Even the king and queen partake in equal pleasure. What rock are you hiding under?”

“I’m old-fashioned in my ways, I suppose. I was taught only a courtesan was meant to pleasure a man, not a princess.” Although he had to admit he’d never experienced anything like

Rhiannon’s hot mouth closing around his engorged length. He’d never had a release like that ever in his five hundred and forty years. Just thinking about it sent all the blood in his body jetting to his cock. He knew he’d have no problems receiving pleasure at the hands of his princess.

Looking down at Cerne’s erection, Belenus grinned. “That was one of our not-so-intelligent rules, and your cock seems to agree with me.”

Stupid penis had a mind of its own these days. Cerne was starting to hate these tight breeches his people insisted on wearing. They showed all his endowments, more than he wanted.

“I don’t deny that I find the princess attractive.”

“Attractive? Is that all?” Belenus grinned. “You’ve been sporting an erection the last few times I’ve seen you. You find her more than attractive, my friend.”

“Whatever. So what does Maeve plan for us this evening?” Belenus smiled. “I believe she only wants a friendly chat. Sorry if I got your hopes up for more.”

“I wouldn’t want to move too quickly anyway. Rhiannon is a special woman. I don’t want to scare her off.”

“You? Scare a woman off? Have you looked in the mirror lately? The only females you’d possibly scare off are those pixies with their boyish ways.”

“Not all pixies are boyish.” Cerne smirked.