WingsOfDesire-AriannaSkye (3 page)

Moving up the length of her, he allowed his rock-hard erection to rest on her thigh. Then he lowered his mouth to hers, letting her taste herself on his lips.

“D-Don't you want to come?” she breathed out.

He shook his head. “It's not time for the consort's pleasure. Soon we shall be joined together.” He placed gentle kisses on her forehead and each cheek. “I’ll come back for you.” His whisper danced along her skin. “Before you can return, you must accept your fate.”

“What fate?”

“A great journey is in store for you, my princess.” He brushed his fingers across her face, drawing her eyes closed.

“Mmm,” she murmured. She reached up to trace a finger across his chest, only to connect with air. With a start, she opened her eyes. Her dream man was gone.

Completely sated, Rhiannon lounged against the pillows and smiled. She let her fingers travel down to the wetness between her thighs. It had felt so real. She could still feel his breath teasing her skin. Even her lips swelled, as if his kisses had been real.

“When will you be back?” With a breathy sigh, she fluffed the pillow behind her head and closed her eyes.

“Soon,
mo cridhe
,” she heard whispered in the shadows as she drifted to sleep.

Soon, she thought. Not soon enough.

~*~*~

Cerne pushed himself through the portal and flung his naked body back into his chambers.

He did not care that he’d left his garments in the human world. From the looks of it, he’d be returning soon. He reached down to stroke his still engorged cock.

Very soon.

He brushed a hand across the cool glass, allowing Rhiannon’s sleeping form to materialize.

He traced a finger along the swell of a bare breast that peaked above silky sheets. Her auburn curls tumbled around her face and a dazzling, well-satisfied grin swept from cheek to cheek. If only he could’ve held the connection open a little bit longer.

“The princess is beautiful, isn’t she?”

Cerne turned to Belenus, Maeve’s consort, and chuckled. “I much prefer Maeve’s arrivals,” Cerne said, slipping into a lounging robe.

“Maeve does have an affinity for making her presence known.” Plopping down on the large settee, Belenus allowed his gaze to move lower to where Cerne’s robe tented. “Been to visit the princess, I see.”

Cerne muttered a curse underneath his breath, taking a seat on the chaise. He adjusted his robe, to hide his arousal. “I merely needed to see if she had the faerie spirit.” Belenus’s eyes lit up. “And?”

The elders became nosier with each passing day
.
“She has the faerie flame but also the mind of a human. She does not believe.”

Belenus laughed. “She believed you enough for you to pleasure her, did she not?” Belenus, who had spent most of his life safely ensconced in the White Plains, hadn’t ventured much into the human world.

“You do not know how humans think or act. They are pragmatic and skeptical. The ideas of faeries and the otherworld are just fantasies made up to entertain their idle minds. The only reason I was able to pleasure her was because she thought it a dream.”

“But she’s our princess, correct?”

Cerne nodded. “The way our bodies reacted, there is no doubt in my mind.”

“Then she’s faerie, plain and simple.”

“With human instincts.” A slight frown curved his lips. “It will prove a difficult challenge to convince her.”

Belenus chortled. “Since when have you refused a challenge?” Cerne flashed a halfhearted smile. “Did I say I was refusing this challenge?” On the contrary, he thought, remembering their intimate encounter—the heady aroma of lavender and vanilla mixed with her arousal, the savor of her honeyed release while he lapped it from her delicious mound. And, Gods, those eyes—sultry and seductive. He grew hard again just thinking about Rhiannon watching him when she climaxed on his tongue. Perhaps he could seduce her into journeying to Fey.

“The look in your eyes says it all, my friend. You’re looking forward to the challenge.” Belenus threw his head back in a hearty chuckle.

A soft rapping on the door alerted them.

“Enter.” Standing up, Cerne clapped his hands. The door swung open, and Onora, a young, golden-haired maid padded in.

“My lord, Queen Titania and King Oberon have requested your presence.” Cerne and Belenus jumped to attention. The Queen was near death, which was why he needed to retrieve Rhiannon. “The Queen, is she all right?” Onora nodded. “All is well with Queen Titania at the moment. She and King Oberon have important news.” Onora bowed. “It’s all I know, milord.” Belenus stood. “Let me know if anything
arises
that you need Maeve’s and my help with.” Cerne rolled his eyes. “I doubt I’d need your help.”

“Very well.” Belenus bowed and snapped his fingers. With that, he vanished in a puff of blue smoke.

How Cerne wished he had that much magic to just vanish with the snap of a finger. The wings gave them their power. Soon, he too, would have strength and Princess Rhiannon beneath him in bed. The Dark Faerie Queen Korrigan wouldn’t be able to touch the White Plains. And then he could teach his princess all there was to know about faerie pleasure. Just thinking about it made his cock throb.

He turned to Onora. “Thank you for the message. I’ll be there at once.”

“You’re welcome, milord.” Onora bowed meekly and lowered her gaze to the ground.

Blasted odd, that.
“Is something the matter?” Onora raised her head, a blush spread across her cheeks. “You... Your...robe, milord.” Cerne gazed down and noticed his shaft peeking out the robe. He shrugged and adjusted it,

muttering an apology. He just hoped his cock cooperated with him before he met with Queen Titania and King Oberon.

Had Rhiannon affected him that much? Just thinking about her and her intoxicating beauty left him breathless and hungry. Of course, he’d been chosen to be the princess’s consort for a reason, had he not? They were destined to mate and produce another princess. He would not fail his kingdom.

He could always send for one of the palace courtesans to alleviate his need. Then again, no courtesan, not even the exotic Viviane, would be able to sate his desire. He needed only one woman.
Rhiannon.

It wasn’t love. After all, he’d only just reacquainted himself with the lost princess. Love was such a rare emotion in Fey. Only a few faeries ever found true love. Lust was a more apt way to describe his feelings. He lusted for her delicious body. And from the way she writhed and moaned while he flicked his tongue over her clit, he knew she wanted him too.

~*~*~

Cerne waited outside the gold gilt doors leading into Queen Titania's and King Oberon's private quarters. Glancing down, Cerne thanked the Gods that his penis was finally behaving. No need in alarming his future in-laws. The doors swung open, allowing him entrance.

“Lord Cerne,” Radan Evenspring, the High Councilman of White Court, said with a curt bow. “The Queen has been expecting you.”

Cerne nodded. “Yes, I've heard that. Lead the way, High Councilman Evenspring.” Radan's celadon eyes flickered for a moment. Was he still upset because Cerne originally refused the mission to apprehend their missing princess? Cerne did not know, nor did he care.

“So, I've been told you paid the princess a visit?” Radan asked, while they traveled through the great hall to the Queen's chamber. The light of the sconces reflected off his shiny head, causing Cerne to grin. Why Radan chose to walk around hairless was a mystery to him.

“I did, and there is no doubt—she’s the princess.”

“Excellent. Change is in the air.”

With the snap of Radan's fingers, the doors flew open, bathing them in rich amethyst light.

With cautious steps, Cerne entered the chamber.

“Lord Silverwing,” Queen Titania's majestic voice called from the corner.

Cerne turned to the Queen and bowed. Sitting high on the golden gilt dais, Titania, despite her diminishing health, radiated energy. King Oberon stood at her side, equally as regal, wearing a royal purple robe and a gold bejeweled crown.

“Your Majesty.” Radan gave Queen Titania and King Oberon a quick bow.

“High Councilman Evenspring, your presence is no longer needed. This is a personal matter.”

“But Your Majesty.” Radan’s celadon eyes flickered. “As High Councilman, I—”

“Silence,” Oberon interrupted. “The Queen has stated she doesn't need your assistance at this moment, High Councilman Evenspring.”

“But...if you have news—”

Titania clapped her hands, preventing Radan from speaking another word. “I'll keep you posted on a need to know basis, High Councilman.”

The Queen snapped her fingers, and Radan vanished into thin air.

“I apologize for the interruption.” Titania pointed a shaky finger to the gold-trimmed divan.

Even with her pallid complexion and graying auburn hair, Queen Titania managed to retain her exquisite beauty. “Have a seat, my son.”

Oberon, who also managed his stunningly youthful façade, took his queen's hand and caressed it. Cerne smiled. Theirs was a love match. “It’s a treasure to find your mate but a blessing to find love,” his mother had always said. Queen Titania and King Oberon were indeed lucky.

The Queen straightened. “All pleasantries aside, a serious matter has arisen in the South Shires.” She raised her hands to call forth her energy.

Oberon reached out and grabbed her elbow. “You don't have to do this, my love.” Titania patted her husband’s hand. “He needs to see. Korrigan must be stopped.” Oberon gave a solemn nod and removed his hand from her arm.

The Queen raised her arms again. “I call upon the four elements, Earth, Water, Fire and Air.

Show us everything, leave nothing to spare.” A ball of pale azure light filled her hands. Titania closed her eyes and held her arms higher. The orb began to glow deep amber as she spread her arms and pushed it further away. Titania flung the ball of light at the mirror.

While the energy flowed from her palms, a scene unfolded in the glassy surface. Dark-clad

faeries marched through the far end of the Plains. Light crashed across the sky. Grey billowing clouds loomed high above the Shires while the storms grew darker and more ominous. Trolls and ogres marched side by side with the Dark Faerie minions. Dragon riders flew high, breathing fire down onto the villagers and burning them and their homes. Cerne had never witnessed such destruction. His stomach roiled and bile rose to his throat. He gritted his teeth in disgust.

In the distance, Korrigan sat on a black steed, a depraved smile etched across her face. Her raven hair whipped around her face as she threw back her head and cackled. The Dark Faerie Queen lifted a staff and shot a bolt of electricity at a young boy trying to fight her minions off a White Faerie girl. Cerne clenched his fists. She was evil, pure and simple, and she needed to be stopped.

All of a sudden, the image wavered. Cerne turned back to his queen who hunched over, gasping for breath. He and the king rushed to her side. Oberon caught her in his arms and brushed a graying strand from her cheek. Deep breaths racked her body. She looked up at Cerne.

“You...must bring my daughter home.” A gurgled gasp escaped her mouth. Her lids fluttered and she closed her eyes.

~*~*~

Korrigan was pleased. The village had been taken in a matter of an hour, and no one in her army was seriously injured. She inhaled the aroma of burnt teak, thatch, and White Faerie flesh and smiled. As soon as Queen Titania breathed her last breath, the entire White Plains would be shrouded in chaos. Oberon, although intelligent, wouldn’t be able to control his people. The poor pitiful faeries of the White Plains would have no choice but accept her as their new queen.
Then I
will rule them all.

The sound of hoof beats broke her thoughts. She turned her head to spot Aine, her pathetic excuse of a sister, approach. “Do you have any news?” Aine dismounted her horse, a disgusting white beast a Dark Faerie had no business riding, and approached. She bowed and placed a kiss on Korrigan's booted foot. “Your Majesty,” Aine said, looking up with admiration. “The village is secure.”

“Very well, Aine.” Why she ever agreed to put her sister in charge of a regiment was beyond her. The girl hadn't the Gods-given sense to even acquire her faerie-wings. How hard was it to

sneak off to the earth realm and lure an unsuspecting human man to lie with? After all, it was the only way they could get their wings. She'd be damned if she got stuck with a wingless sister for all eternity.

Aine scratched her unruly raven curls. “Are there any more missions for me?”
How about venturing to the land of Ogre and never coming back
? If the blasted fool hadn't been so loyal, she would've fed her to them long ago. “There is one mission.” Korrigan leaned down to her younger sister and forced a smile. “I've heard Cerne Silverwing has managed to locate Princess Rhiannon. You must keep her on Earth with the human scum, in any way possible.” Hopefully killing the princess would cure her stupid sister.

“As you wish, Your Majesty.” Aine bowed and took her leave.

Thank goodness!
The sooner the wretch was gone, the better. She watched as Aine mounted her horse and spurred it across the rocky crag toward Dark Castle.

Turning to the small village, Korrigan brushed a strand of hair from her face. The smoke billowed while flames licked the faerie domiciles. If these faeries believed she could be defeated, they were stupider than she thought. It was high time they learned who would be their mistress.

She turned her horse and urged him toward the shire. She cackled, watching the White Faerie survivors cower when her minions shackled them.
Now it’s time to show these miserable
buffoons my power.

She twisted the reins of her stallion and kept her voice firm. “White Faerie folk, your queen is dying and your princess is missing. Chaos will reign. Join me, or die with your foolish queen.”

“Never!” shouted an old man whose graying beard hung to his knees. “I’d rather fade into the moss than join you.”

“Very well.” Korrigan gripped her staff and aimed it at him. “I'm happy to oblige your request.” A large bolt of light shot from the tip, hitting the man right in the heart. Grinning, she watched him gasp and clutch his chest. His eyes widening in pain, he keeled over and landed face first in a patch of moss. She flashed another streak of energy at him, dissolving him into the fire-charred dirt below.