Fairy Flavor (11 page)

she want to help? Well, she should help since they cooked, but Valen was by

her side.

“Walk with me…”

There was no time to nod or decline, his hand gently ushered her up

and out the front door.

She wobbled along, being so full and satisfied. “I know this is going to

seem ungrateful, but is there any way you can contact the fairy kingdom?”

Valen kept strolling around the house. “They are far away…but...when

the sun rises tomorrow I will scout the area, and if it is free of trolls, I will lead you to the kingdom.”

Hope bloomed. “Thank you!” Before Brook could stop herself, her

arms were around his waist and her ear pressed against his chest. She felt his

arms wrap around her and a tingle once again began between her legs. She

stepped back and smiled. “Thank you so much.”

He nodded, smiled in return and continued walking. The man was

fucking built. She had not realized how solid his structure was He could easily

lift her up and kiss her anywhere he damned well pleased. She followed,

continued to smile despite the lust. Brook was proud of herself for not reaching

down and grabbing his ass.

“This is my favorite place in the world.” He motioned with his hand.

Brook could see why. They were near the edge of the cliff, she smelt

the sea air, and the view was spectacular. Islands were off in the distance.

Birds called from all directions as the sea pounded the rocks below. It was

magical; no wonder a fairy discovered this beauty.

“I decided long ago, to build my home here where I could see this view

every morning. And sunset? Brook you must see the sun setting with me. It is

most colorful.”

What harm could a sunset be? Then she looked over at his profile. His

full lips, strong jaw and stunning green eyes were detrimental to her control.

“After we find Carrick, I will return and watch it with you again.” He was

silent after that comment. She felt a little guilty bringing her fairy man up like

that, but Valen had to understand he had no potential of becoming her lover.

She loved Carrick and despite her rampant thoughts, she was determined not to

get involved with anyone else. He sat down, right in the patch of grass,

stretched his legs and patted the spot beside him.

Bad idea Brook, she scolded herself even as her feet moved, she

smothered the dress beneath her legs and settled beside him. If she could just

get over her lust, he might become a prized friend or that could be wishful

thinking. Lord knew, in this new world she needed as many contacts as she

could acquire.

The wind blew gently and together they watched the birds swoop down

to feast on fish. Colors flooded the horizon, blue conquered bright yellow and

the clouds seemed to accumulate an eerie glow. The sun set in this truly

magnificent world.

****

pulled further away from Wick. His life force was increasing, his heart beat

stronger but his wounds were still grave. Tonight however, she could not go on.

Her body was beyond exhausted. It took all her remaining strength to shift to a

chair that adorned the corner of the room. Her body slumped, and she barely

noticed the door opening.

The trolls could attack, and she would not be able to lift a finger.

Thankfully, no enemies drifted toward their helpless state. The intruder was a

dark shadow she had come to know long ago. “Whisper…” His name barely

formed. There was a slight nod and a flash of blue hair. “Just going to rest

for…a…while.” Her voice was breathy and her lids drooped. “Stand guard,

please…”

She was defenseless, but more importantly Wick would be vulnerable.

Her sight darkened, and she heard the faintest word before sleep claimed her.

“Always…”

****

He stood beneath their willow tree, leaned against the dark bark with rage in

his blood.

“Sir…” Thame finally approached, his body sagged, no doubt from

fatigue. The king would not let anyone rest until the queen returned. “I’ve

found a troll hill…”

He nodded. “It may not be the one we’re looking for, but they will give

us information…or we kill them all.” His words were calm, his eyes betrayed

his tone, and they were wide and fierce. He stood his full height as Thame

touched down. “Prepare the men. We go into battle.” His fellow fairy flew off,

slipped through the barrier and down into his kingdom.

Carrick waited, patiently considering his mood, but he would not drive

his men to their death. That was not his goal. His plan was to attack and

retrieve. At the very least, receive answers.

Within a few minutes, they began to fly up and land before him. His

remaining fairies, his best warriors no longer wore their traditional loincloth

but chainmail over chests and thick pants that would protect them from any

blow. All were ready to put their lives on the line but Wick, who was still

recovering. Five men and one woman were in armor.

“They have our queen!” he shouted and each raised their sword. “We

will get her back and kill any thing that gets in our way.” Shouts erupted and

one by one, they fell to their knees in obedience. “You are my prized warriors,

but you’re also my friend. Fight well, protect each other’s backs.” Carrick

jerked his wings open, lifted his chin and surged into the sky.

There was a low growl from Whisper and every fairy followed the king

into the night sky.

The warriors cut through the darkness like angry angels. High leaves

danced as they advanced and shivered after they passed. The moon lit the way

as they approached the hill with a stealth silence. Each took their place,

strategically ready to annihilate the enemy’s home.

Bray and Flance always fought together, their love was stronger than

any foe. They waited beside the entrance should a stray troll flee. Mord stood

above the mound, a look out should their brethren try to save them. Keyn stood

to his left, Thame to his right. Whisper was in the shadows; even Carrick knew

not where the fierce warrior laid in wait. Wings were tucked in should the

bastards aim for them. Their blades glinted and soon enough he knew it would

tint black from their blood. The critters that normally conversed in the

nighttime were silent. A warning to all those entering the area that hell was

about to break loose.

Carrick’s war cry was an echoing growl of wrath, each fairy followed

suit except for Whisper who remained soundless. Feet pranced, screeches

sounded and the battle began.

Trolls that charged from the cave were ripped apart by Whisper’s

blade; he was a swarm of color and black wings. The troll fell headless to the

ground and the fairy returned to the shadows. Two more approached, their big

hands held swords with little luck of victory. “Give us the fairy queen…”

The moment they ran at his warriors, they consented to their own death.

Thame and Keyn used their wings to flip. Landed behind the trolls, their

swords carved a path through internal organs to burst out the other side. They

spun as more approached and as Carrick removed his gold sword, fury took

over his mindset. He could think of nothing but saving Brook. A dozen pairs of

feet stomped from the cave, and he’d barely killed one before Whisper

returned. He leapt from his shadows and sliced three across the throat. At that

moment, a king could not be prouder.

Black blood stained the entrance to the troll cave, body parts lay strewn

about, and Carrick finally entered the hovel. It smelt like a rotting fruit field;

no wonder they wanted his lands. Sword at the ready, Thame led the way.

They could hear the stampede, two dozen trolls running for their lives toward

another exit. They wouldn’t make it. Carrick knew that as he broke out in a run.

Slicing thick skin with the tip of his sword, the slowest were killed by

his hand. The other already dead or dying in the secondary entrance, and he

caught Whisper’s gaze. There was something wild in his eyes but Carrick had

no time to examine his quiet warrior. “I want one alive, search the tunnels,” he

ordered. Keyn and Thame broke away down tunnels. Flance and Bray quickly

rushed another set. He would have his answers or he would find another troll

hill and conquer them for answers.

There was always a coward in the bunch and it wasn’t long before

Thame brought the survivor right to his feet. It shivered, eyes hidden behind

blood-covered arms.

“Why did you kill us?” it asked quietly.

“Your king has no problem attacking us, killing us and this time he

took my queen!” His arm shot out, and flung the troll to his back. “Where is

she?”

“I don’t know where your queen is…but if I ever see her I’m going to

eat her face off…you not think she so pretty then. You won’t kill us if you love

her no more.” …” It slinked into a ball, tried to protect its worthless hide while

baring its teeth in aggression.

“You go back to your king and tell him to give me her back alive. For

every day he does not produce her, I will destroy another hill.” He kicked the

troll in the back, heard a screech and then a bloody scream. Whisper had found

another. “You had better run before he finds you and rips you in half.” The

troll squeaked, nodded and took off fast down a tunnel. Its back hunched,

blood trailed behind it.

“Sir, there’s no sign of her…” Thame informed him, his voice a deep

rumble.

“They have till next sunset.”

The fairies exited the cave, shooting off into the sky to return to their

lonely kingdom. Carrick searched every inch of forest as he flew, just in case

he caught a glimpse of his Brook.

****

murmured goodnight, and she hurriedly climbed the steps to her room. She

hadn’t bothered to change. Brook simply sat at her window, the one that

looked upon the forest. She watched the shadows conquer; the noisy night

animals began to roam. Somewhere behind those trees, trolls resided. Beyond

them, her Carrick lived and she prayed he was close to finding her. She

snuggled in the big chair, pulled the comforter over her body and fell asleep.

The dream had an eerie glow about it. She stood with Carrick, holding

his hand and staring out the window of Valen’s house. There was not a roof

above them. Shouldn’t she understand why? The Dream Brook stood and

swirled. She danced as she removed her clothes.

However, when she turned around Carrick and Valen were at the edge

of the cliff. Each lost their balance at the same time. Panic made her run

toward them, each hand reaching out to save them. The thought of losing either

one was heart breaking. Both men clasped a hand. Her eyes widened, she

tugged hard but they weighed a damn ton. Brook could not save them both.

The solution was obvious now only one could be rescued. She had to choose.

Who would it be?

Brook refused to open her eyes even though she was awake. The dream

was out of reach, but she never got her answer. Who exactly did her

subconscious pick? Why was Valen suddenly in the running for her heart?

Brook opened her eyes huddled in a chair and sighed. Were everyone’s dreams

so cryptic?

Sunrise brought low, dark clouds. They floated across the sky as if

someone had painted them. It was pretty, the contrast between the suns rays

urging to break through and the dark forest hording its shadows. What she

needed was a hot cup of tea and a good book to waste the hours away.

She was about to close her eyes to try to catch the ending of that frantic

dream when movement caught her eye. To the left, just inside the trees

something disturbed the serene silence. She leaned forward, watched closely

and saw Valen running toward the house.

“Trolls…” She jumped upward, hair mangled; clothes messed from the

previous day and charged down the steps. What if they followed him here?

What if she caused the destruction of his beloved home? She stumbled. Her

heels landed hard on the floor, but she sprang forward. Her hand tugged wildly

on the doorknob just as Valen shot toward her. “Is it trolls?”

“Get in the house!” He pushed her back, behind the door and stood in

the frame. “The trolls didn’t see me but those fucking fireflies did.” He

slammed the door shut but two managed to enter. “Damn it…” He swatted and

cursed at them.

“They’re not going to hurt you…unless they’re some sort of mythical

Irish creature too.”

He snorted. “No, they’re just attracted to fairies and give away any

good positions.”

She couldn’t stop the giggle as he kept jerking his head back and forth.

He was wrestling the air, and it was a hysterical sight. The little creatures

glowed and out maneuvered the swats aimed their way. His eyes shifted to her

lips, to her laughter and she quickly covered it with her hand. “Sorry…you’re

just… bad ass man swatting at fireflies…” More laughter and she pressed her

lips tightly together to stifle it.

“Think that’s funny, huh?” He moved toward her and the fireflies