He shrugged. "I guess not," he replied. "I mean, you're right. Sex is just sex. Just a bit of fun, right?"
"Yes," I agreed tentatively. "It usually is." I'd been in love once or twice. Intimacy meant more then. At least to me it had, but those had ended a long time ago.
I opened my mouth to say something, but no more words came. I lowered my hand and moved away to dress.
"At least the leaf didn't give out this time," he said.
I looked up to see him smile at me, back to his usual self.
"Yes, thank the gods. Although last time was kinda fun." I pulled on my panties and skirt before I picked up my top and let it dangle from my fingers.
Hand on my hip, I asked, "Did you ever find your other boot?"
He chuckled. "No. Did you find your top?"
I grinned. "Luckily I did. I'm glad I don't have to go looking this time."
"Oh I don't know. It might have been fun to search for it again." He wiggled his brows.
I looked down and shrugged. "I think I'd cause a scandal if I walked around topless." He had, of course, given me his tunic that time. Silly how it was all right for men to wear no shirt, but not women.
"Probably." He wrinkled his nose. "Some fae are such prudes."
Maybe I'd imagined his hurt a few moments ago. He seemed fine now, as far as I could tell. Men were confusing, even fae ones.
"Especially my sisters." I tugged my top on and shook out my wings.
He grimaced. "There goes the mood." Laughter danced in his eyes.
I grinned. "Yes, but we really need to focus on magic and other things. You do have a realm to rule after all."
The humour fled his face.
"You can't abdicate, if that's what you're thinking," I said quickly.
"I know," he sighed. "I just feel like I'm too young for this responsibility. I'm only eleven hundred years old."
"Poor baby," I teased. "So young, yet we still have to solve this problem."
He scratched his head. "I know someone I can ask to help us. Other than my frivolous friends."
"Please don't suggest my sisters." I made a face.
"I know better than to do that." He tied his pants and straightened the hem of his tunic. "Do you want to come for a swim in the river? I'll introduce you afterward."
When I started to remind him of our task, he added, "I know what we need to do, but it's waited this long. It can wait another hour."
3
The "river" was a slow moving creek, but at our size, it was wide and deep. Our preferred place to swim was under a bower of roses. When they were in full bloom, they dappled the sunlight and made the place private and fragrant. They were coming to the end of their season now, so many sported patches of brown.
"Before lesser magic failed, they never stopped blooming." I stepped out of my clothes and into the water.
"I remember." Huon looked somber as he too tossed his clothes aside.
I admired the corded muscles in his arms, his narrow waist, defined stomach and chest. He shook out his wings and waded in behind me. He must have noticed me looking, because he grinned.
I shook my head at him and dove into the into middle of the river. The water was cold on my face, but clean and clear. Where the light penetrated, the bottom of the river was visible; a mixture of sand and brightly coloured pebbles.
I popped out into the air and shook the water from my face and hair.
"Watch out!" Huon's shout made me turn.
A large, white rose petal floated directly toward me. Even at half the size of the leaf we'd lain on, it was huge to a tiny fae, big enough to knock me aside.
I glanced up. If I made myself human-sized, I would break through the bower and destroy several fae's hard work. My wings were too wet to fly me out of the way.
I curled my hands into fists and summoned my magic from deep inside me.
At first I didn't think it was going to respond in time. Then up it surged. I opened my hands and threw a shimmering blast of golden magic at the petal.
It struck the edge and glowed for a heartbeat, two heartbeats.
Then it exploded.
Tiny, soggy pieces of petal flew in every direction. The water erupted. The force sent a wave across the surface of the river.
It washed over me and knocked me off my feet. Arms, legs and wings flailing, I was tossed ass over head until I wasn't sure which way was up.
Frantic, I held my breath until something gripped my arm and pulled me to the surface. I gasped for air.
Vaguely aware of dark wings, I let myself be pulled to the riverbank and deposited there on the sand. I coughed up a mouthful of water. Then another.
I started on my third as Huon was dumped down beside me.
He too, coughed, but didn't looked too much worse for wear.
"Maybe less magic next time," a new voice remarked.
I looked up. Dark wings, dark eyes, dark skin. After a hundred years, I had met most fae, although some kept to themselves in other parts of the fae realm. This was a face I hadn't seen in dozens of years.
"Or duck under the petal," Huon said helpfully.
I ignored him cleared my throat. "Thank you—" I tilted my head and waited for him to give his name.
"Ash," he supplied. "I was sent from my village to find the king."
"You found him," Huon said. "Just in time too." He rose and offered Ash his hand, as though he wasn't naked and looking like a drowned troll.
I used my magic, more carefully this time, to bring my clothes over to me. A little finger-full and they floated just above the sand, to my outstretched hand.
"So what brings you here?" Huon asked pleasantly.
While they talked, I dried my skin and dressed, then wrung out my hair.
"I hear you're looking to restore lesser magic." Ash's voice was deep, a rumble from low down in his burly chest.
"You've come to help?" Huon sounded surprised. His eyes flicked to me and widened as though he wondered when I'd dressed.
"We could use it," I said. I walked over to pick up his pants and tossed them to him.
He nodded his thanks and pulled them on.
"Summer is right, we could use all the help we can get."
Ash gave me a nod. His gaze slid up and down my body before he turned back to Huon. Something in that look made me blush.
"Then I'm at your disposal."
"Fantastic. We were just about to meet with a friend of mine to discuss it. You're welcome to join us."
Ash nodded. "Very well."
Huon picked up his own tunic, shook sand from it and pulled it over his head. "So, which village are you from?"
"Springblade."
When he didn't elaborate, Huon nodded. "That's in the east, isn't it?"
"East south-east," Ash replied.
"On the coast?" I had studied the maps. I had a fair idea of where most places in the realm were. The inhabited places anyway.
"Yes."
I exchanged glances with Huon. He shrugged. Not everyone was as talkative as him.
"So, who is this friend we're meeting up with?" I asked.
He tilted his head. "Wait and see," he teased.
I rolled my eyes and said to Ash, "He's always like this. It's a wonder anything ever gets done."
He gave me a faint smile, which made my heart skip.
"I have that same wonder," Huon said lightly, and grinned. "But here we are."
"Doomed?" I joked.
"Hey, who almost blew up the river and drowned us both?"
I had the grace to flush. "I haven't had to do that before."
"The fae aren't trained in magic here in the capital?" Ash asked.
"Of course," I replied, "just not in blowing up rose petals on water. Who would have anticipated that being a problem?"
Ash glanced up at the bower. He said nothing, but I saw what he was thinking. Anyone who swam under roses should be prepared for them to drop parts of themselves into the river. Lucky it hadn't been a thorn.
> "The loss of lesser magic is making them deteriorate," I said softly. "It wasn't a problem before. But now—"
"Now it almost got us killed," Huon finished. "Who knows what other hazards we might have to deal with until we get it fixed?"
"We need to be more vigilant," I agreed.
"And work swiftly," Ash said.
"Saff might have some answers." Huon spread his wings.
"Ah-ha, that's who we're meeting." I followed his example and gave mine a shake to be sure they were dry.
"Saff?" Ash asked.
"Saffron," Huon replied. "He's been traveling."
I waited for him to say more, but he leapt into the sky instead and headed toward the castle.
The "castle" was really a grand title for a large house, built in and around the largest and oldest oak tree in a copse of oaks. A stairway wound from the middle of the trunk, all the way to the top and rooms dotted the branches. It was high enough to keep trolls out, and big enough to comfortably house a few hundred fae.
A few thousand fae occupied the other oaks, while still others were scattered all across the realm.
The highest point of the castle served as a landing area, although a dozen balconies had enough room for a handful of us at once. While the regular residents—myself included—used the balconies closest to our rooms, it was considered rude for newcomers to land anywhere but the crown of the tree. Not even the king would break this tradition.
That didn't stop Huon from heading toward the stairs the moment he landed, leaving me to trot along behind him to catch up.
I glanced at Ash, but he didn't look bothered. His long legs ate up the distance, but he kept pace with me. If he thought Huon was rude, he showed no sign. In fact, his expression gave away nothing but a mild interest in his surroundings.
He must have noticed me looking, because he gave me a nod and gestured for me to walk down the stairs first.
"Are you worried I'll trip and fall on you?" I asked teasingly. After the incident at the river, he might well think me accident prone or dangerous.
"If you trip, I will be there to catch you," he said solemnly.
"Me too," Huon said from a few steps down.
"I'll be sure not to trip then." I lifted my chin and started down. I had some pride. Having to be rescued once today was bad enough. Twice would be mortifying.
"I too," Ash said. I glanced back over my shoulder. His expression was deadpan; no hint of humour, although I was pretty sure he was joking.
"Good," Huon told him. "I'm not sure she could catch you unless she uses her magic, and you saw what that can do."
I grimaced to myself. I blow something up a grand total of once, and I'd hear about it for the next decade. "I can use it on you, if you like," I said darkly.
He raised his hands in surrender. "Please don't."
"Fine, I won't," I said, "at least until after we get lesser magic back."
"I'm not sure that's the best incentive." He looked as though he'd say more, but we'd reached the upper hall, where kings and queens met their guests upon their arrival.
There, apparently waiting for us, was a fae with bright red hair. Unlike Huon and Ash, he wasn't muscular. Rather, he was tall and slender, as though he ran everywhere instead of flying. His eyes were golden brown and looked as full of humour as his wide mouth.
"Saff!" Huon called out with great enthusiasm. He hurried forward and embraced the newcomer.
"Your highness." Saff hugged him back, evidently not intimidated in the slightest by Huon's new position. "I'm sorry for your loss."
Huon sighed as the joy faded from his face. "Thank you. We all miss my father's wisdom."
Saff nodded solemnly and said, "Yes, it's a shame he didn't pass it on."
After a beat or two, Huon laughed and punched him on the arm. "Let me introduce you to Summer and Ash."
Saff shook hands with Ash, but his eyes lingered on me. "I see why they call you Summer."
"Because it's my name?" I suggested.
"It's not exactly her name," Huon said. "She didn't like the one her parents gave her. So she changed it."
Saff's broad mouth broke into a warm smile. "Because she's hot?"
How many times today was I going to blush? I did it again now.
"Isn't she?" Huon said.
I crossed my arms over my chest. "Please don't talk about me like I'm not here. I changed it to Summer because it was my favourite season."
"Was?" Saff asked.
I shrugged. "Since we lost lesser magic, it's been more humid. It's slowly killing the plants and flowers. How long will it be before they're all gone? If that happens, it will be us next."
Saff nodded. "That's what I've seen all over the realm. Birch sent me to check along the northern expanses, to see if I could find a clue as to what's going on. I was hoping to be back before…" Was that a tear glistening on his lashes? He rubbed his face with one hand and when he lowered it, any moisture was gone.
He shook his head and dropped his hand to his side. "If there was anything, I didn't find it."
"There's also no sign along the eastern coast," Ash said.
"That leaves the—" Huon stopped short and looked over my shoulder.
I grimaced.
"There you are, Gardenia." Zinnia was immaculate in a long white dress with lace sleeves. Her delicate wings peered out the artfully tailored flaps at the back. She regarded me through long lashes, as though she smelled something disgusting. Even her hair was perfect, pinned in coils on her head.
I wanted to pull out all the pins, one by one and mess up her hair, or maybe just tear it out. Just once, I'd like to see her put a stain of something on her perfect clothes. Preferably something dark, which didn't wash out.
I pretended to inspect my fingernails. "A little busy here, Zinnie." She detested her childhood nickname as much as I hated mine. "Did you need something?"
She eyed the men around me. I could see her wondering why they were wasting their time. It was no secret she wanted to be queen some day. It was also no secret Huon couldn't stand her any more than I could.
Zinnia sniffed. "Mother wanted you to come home for dinner. She hasn't seen you in a while."
I immediately felt bad. She was right, I hadn't been to visit our parents in weeks. I had been busy, but I also didn't need them fussing over me. My sisters enjoyed the attention. Me—it just made me uncomfortable.
"Tell her I'll pop in tomorrow, if I have time."
Zinnia looked down her long nose at me. "Or you could tell her yourself."
I glanced over at Huon, sure he would be holding back a laugh. Instead, he looked annoyed.
"I need Summer here," he said in a clipped tone. "If your mother wishes, she can drop by, but not tonight. We have matter of importance to the realm to discuss."
"All the more reason she should get out of your hair." Zinnia's voice was sweeter than honeysuckle, but with an edge of venom. "You're far too busy to let Gardenia waste your time."
Huon's face turned pink, but it was me who spoke.
"That's up to the king to decide. Maybe you should mind your own business for once."
She flinched, but then straightened up and rolled her eyes. "I see. It wasn't enough to share the late king's bed. You need to wrangle your way into this king's bed as well."
The shocked silence which followed her words was broken by Huon's laugh.
"As if I need to be wrangled. I'm practically begging her." His eyes shone and he shook his head. "Look, I think you mean well—"
"Don't count on it," I said. "For the record, I never slept with Birch. He was like a father to me. A second father," I added quickly. My father was lovely but overrun by a wife and daughters who adored attention. I was the quiet one who had always been self-sufficient and busy roaming about the fae and human realm to satisfy my boundless curiosity.
When I wasn't doing that, I was reading. Birch had a much bigger library than the one at home.
Huon shrugged. "It wouldn't have been any
one's business if you had." He flashed an insincere smile at Zinnia and took my arm. "It's time we ate and finished our conversation. We'll be sure to call on you if we need any help."
Zinnia opened her mouth, but for once nothing came out. She gave a curt nod, turned on her heel and stalked away.
4
I groaned and put a hand on my full belly. I'd eaten so much I might pop if I had another mouthful. The food here was always so good, especially when the palace had visitors and the cooks wanted to impress them.
Mushrooms cooked in garlic and wine and stuffed with rice and other vegetables was always a particular favourite of mine. We'd also had roasted vegetables, and mashed ones, a soup made from sweet potatoes and a selection of cakes for dessert.
While Huon, Saff and I overindulged, the impressiveness of the spread seemed to be lost on Ash. He ate some bread and soup, but waved away everything else, even the wine.
Huon leaned over to refill my glass and sat back to regard the three of us. "Now we're alone, we can get back to business."
I let the sweet wine sit on my tongue for a moment before I swallowed.
"Are you sure we shouldn't include everyone in this?" Saff asked.
Huon looked thoughtful. "We don't want to cause panic."
"Anyone with their eyes open will have noticed what's happening by now," Saff pointed out.
"Yes, but we can let them think we have this under control," Huon said with a nod.
"We've faked it for this long," I pointed it out. "So what's next? The north and east don't seem to hold the key. Unless you've sent someone west, then I guess that's our next starting point?"
Huon nodded. "West is troll country, I was hoping to avoid going there."
"And south is the veil," Ash said.
"We've all been there," I said, "to try to get through or help…"
Saff jerked. "Help what?" He blinked furiously. "You're not saying—"
"Yes, I am," I replied reluctantly.
"How many?"
"Twenty or thirty as far as anyone can tell."
Saff gaped. "Twenty or thirty fae are stuck on the other side of the veil?"
Shimmer (Summer's Harem Book 1) Page 2
