Midsummer Night's Fling: Belinda Boring, Kamery Solomon, Lacey Weatherford

by Weatherford, Lacey

  She laughed heartily. “Well, better luck next year, I guess. At least you tried.”

  I couldn’t take my eyes off her, she was prettier than I remembered, and she moved with a natural grace I’d never noticed before. Her hair was brighter too, not just the flat honey color I’d always admired, but mixed up with darker and lighters strands that gave it subtle streaks here and there. It glistened like spun gold in the early morning sun.

  “Stop,” I said when she was a few steps from me. Even at this distance I could see all the flecks of color in her eyes. “Stay where you are.”

  She hesitated. “Are you all right, Bran? You look a little pale.”

  I shook my head. “No. I feel different. Something is wrong. I’m sick I think.” She would never believe my preposterous story.

  She came to me immediately, brushing her hands over my face, and I sucked in my breath as I fought the urge to bite her. “You don’t feel feverish. In fact, you feel a little cool. Did you catch a chill last night?”

  “Perhaps.” I grabbed her wrists, pulling her hands down. “You should stay away. I don’t want you to catch it too.” I could feel her strong pulses beating under my fingers, and I wanted to let go, but I couldn’t seem to make myself. I was overwhelmed with the need to kiss her—the emotion blooming deep in my chest. I felt like I hadn’t seen her in a long, long, time even though it had only been a few hours. I wanted to hold her, kiss her, and ravish her in a way I never had before. I wanted to run away with her, marry her right now and make her mine before anything could ever take her from me.

  Desperation coursed through me. How could I keep her and make her mine without ever hurting her? Could I protect her—keep this horrible condition of mine from her? Or would I attack her at the first available opportunity? I was too scared to risk her safety. I released her and stepped beyond her reach.

  “I’m thinking maybe I should go somewhere else for a while, Ceridwen.”

  She looked surprised. “Go where?”

  “I’m not sure. Maybe just out to see the world a little, check into other trades that are available.”

  A puzzled look crossed her face. “Are you sure something didn’t happen to you in the woods, Bran? I’ve never heard you speak of leaving here before. All you’ve ever said is how much you love this place—how you can’t wait to start our life here together.”

  “I do want that more than anything.” I searched my mind, trying to grasp at any thought that would make sense. “What if I need more education or training? I need to be able to support you properly.”

  She laughed and stepped forward, wrapping her arms around my waist, leaning her head against my chest. “You’re the best horseman around—even your father says so. Your knowledge has already helped provide for your family well. Trust me when I say your skills are more than adequate.”

  I was afraid to put my arms around her, and she noticed, slowly releasing me and stepping away.

  “Is there something else you’re trying to tell me, Bran? Do you not want me anymore?”

  My heart broke over the sorrow on her face. I couldn’t take her feeling rejected this way, curses be damned. I growled and grabbed her by the wrist, dragging her even farther into the shadows. All the sounds and scents of the forest disappeared as my lips crushed to hers, my arms pressing her curvy body against mine.

  She answered with the same amount of heated passion, throwing her arms around me and kissing me back. It was always this way, like we couldn’t get enough of each other—as if we would each consume the other with the flames that licked between us. I longed for her like I’d longed for no other.

  I naturally moved from her mouth to bury my face against her throat, feeling her blood pounding there, calling for me to partake. I felt my teeth lengthen against her skin in anticipation of the bite. I inhaled that sweet scent, my mouth watering with longing as I kissed and licked over her skin. I was going to do it. I was going to bite her.

  Drink the honey mead.

  I had no idea what voice spoke into my head, but I shoved Ceridwen away, stumbling backward in my hurry to put some distance between us. I rushed to a table, grabbed a pitcher that still held mead and downed the contents before I slammed it back to the roughhewn wood. A few people milling about stared at me from their tasks.

  I turned to face Ceridwen, lowering my voice. “You need to go home. Lock your door, bar it against me, even.”

  “What’s the matter?” she asked. Her face was flushed, and her hair cascaded wildly about her. She looked wonderful and delicious.

  I walked past her, not wanting her to see my fangs.

  “Something did happen to me in the woods, something terrible. I don’t even know how to tell you about it, because I’m not sure I understand it myself. I don’t think you’re safe around me. I don’t think anyone is.”

  Her hands slid up my back before resting at my shoulders. She squeezed them slightly. “I’m not really sure what’s going on, but I trust you, Bran. I’ve always felt safe with you. Now come with me. It’s clear something is bothering you. We’ll find a quiet place and you can tell me what’s wrong.”

  She slipped her hand into mine, tugging it gently as she stepped away. I hesitated only a moment before I moved, following after her as she led me home.

  Chapter Twelve

  Midsummer’s Eve - Three Years Later

  “Come give me a kiss then, and hurry up so you can meet me there.”

  “With pleasure,” I replied, pulling Ceridwen into my arms and kissing her heartily. “You know I’ll never get sick of doing this, right?”

  She smiled, and tweaked my nose. “You better not, or I will stake you myself. Now hurry and finish your chores so you can join me at the celebration. Vampire or not, you should never keep your wife waiting.”

  “I like it when you’re feisty,” I replied with a grin, and kissed her again.

  She was breathless when I released her. “I need to go before I’m late and the women start teasing me about rolling in the hay with you again.”

  I shrugged. “Not my fault if you can’t get enough of me.”

  She slugged me in the shoulder.

  I laughed. “Better be careful. You’re gonna hurt yourself, or you may land up flat on your back again.”

  “You would like that, wouldn’t you?” she accused.

  “Very much, I’m afraid.” I pulled her against me and kissed her again.

  “Bran, I need to go. We’ll have to finish this later.”

  I sighed and released her. “I’ll be there as soon as I’ve finished putting the horses up for the night.”

  She hurried toward the open, giant barn doors—the dying rays of the sun giving her honey colored hair a burnished tint. “And no biting me in public tonight either. Someone is going to see you doing that one of these days and it will scare them to death.”

  “I’m always careful with that. You’d be surprised how little people pay attention to things.”

  “Even so, you need to be cautious. Things are changing, Bran. We’ll probably need to move soon.”

  I nodded. “I know. Go to the festivities. We will talk about it later.”

  She waved, and I watched her go until she was out of sight, and then I turned to finish feeding the horses. They came to nuzzle against my hand, a simple thing that I was quite proud of. It had taken them a while to warm up to me since they were able to sense I was a predator. I had to work hard to regain their trust, but eventually they came around.

  I continued to ponder over Ceridwen’s remark. As much as I hated to admit it, she was right—we would need to leave this place soon. I wasn’t aging anymore and everyone around us was. Ceridwen was now the same age I’d been when I was turned, and it was a great source of controversy with us about what would happen from here on out.

  I reconsidered her suggestion that she become like me, and while I liked the idea of being with her for the rest of eternity, I also balked at the idea of messing with perfection. I loved Ceridwen jus
t the way she was, but I guess in the end the decision would need to be hers. She had the right to choose what was best for her.

  I wasn’t sure about how my parents and Fergus would take to her decision, though. They knew my secret, but were constantly reminding me to be careful in the things I did to acquire blood so I wouldn’t harm anyone else. While they supported me, they weren’t exactly thrilled with the change.

  Someone caught me unaware—a feat not easily done—and walked into the barn behind me. I stiffened when I smelled the scent because it was different—not human, but yet it was. A definite puzzle.

  Turning to look, I found a tall man about my height and age standing there. His clothes were finely spun—even regal looking—and a bow with a quiver full of arrows was strapped to his back. His silver-blond hair was caught up in a queue at his neck, and he held himself like some type of warrior.

  “Can I help you?” I asked, looking him over warily.

  “Forgive my unannounced arrival. I’ve come in friendship, eager to meet you.” He extended his arm in greeting. I paused for a moment before I stepped forward to clasp his in return.

  Immediately, I recalled everything—the veil that cloaked my memories fell away—being taken by Eirian into Faery and all that we shared flooded over me. My emotions threatened to consume me as my feelings about her overwhelmed me. I remembered all that I lost because of her betrayal. She’d left me abandoned to my own devices, and stolen my child in the process. I should’ve been angry with her, but I wasn’t—I loved her. She’d given me my life back the best way she knew how, by wiping my memories, erasing my guilt and creating a way for me to return to the ones I’d left behind—losing her own heart in the process.

  “How old are you?” I managed to croak out.

  “Nearly twenty-one summers.” A small smile played on his face. “But that’s in Fae years. If you’re counting in Earth time, then I’m only three.” He chuckled. “My name is Shay.”

  “You’re my son,” I gasped, unable to believe it.

  “I am.”

  I embraced him in a hug so fierce I worried if I was hurting him, but he was strong and returned the gesture.

  “I’ve waited long to meet you, Father. My mother has been forever talking about you, filling my head with stories. We’ve often peered through the water together, to see how you are.”

  Releasing him so I could look at him better, I studied his face, noticing he had his mother’s coloring, but his features clearly resembled mine.

  “I’m glad you came. How is your mother?”

  “I am well too,” Eirian said as she slipped inside the door.

  My heart stopped in my throat as seeing her threatened to break me. I took two joyful steps toward her, ready to sweep her into my arms. But I stopped, remembering my vows to Ceridwen, and looked at her apologetically.

  Eirian’s eyes filled with tears, and she lifted her chin proudly. “She still holds your heart.”

  “Yes,” I replied, knowing how much she wished for ownership of it. “But I would’ve given you everything.”

  “I didn’t want everything. I only wanted you to love me.”

  I stepped forward and allowed myself to caress her face once—her sweet blood calling out to me intoxicatingly. “I do love you. More than you will ever know. You’re the mother of my child. You sacrificed your own happiness to give me mine. How could I not love you?”

  She threw her arms around my waist, leaning against my chest. “I miss you, Bran.”

  It was curious for me to hear her speak my name and not have desire course through me at the sound of it, but there was still attraction between us. I could feel it vibrating strongly. I hugged her back briefly before forcing myself to let go and step away.

  Our son stood watching us silently, and I suddenly felt overwhelmed. All my sins had come back to haunt me. Ceridwen must be told the truth. I found myself struggling with the fact that I was in love with two women and wondering how to sort this out so I wouldn’t hurt either of them.

  Eirian read me perfectly. “Don’t worry. We’re not staying. I just wanted you to meet our son. He’s wanted to meet you for a long time. He is noble and strong, just like you. I raised him like you wished—with a mind of his own and he’ll make a good king someday because of it. Hopefully, he’ll be able to bring peace back to our lands.”

  “I’ll do my best, Mother,” Shay replied, bowing his head toward her before he looked at me. “And also to honor you, Father. What my people have done to produce children is preposterous. I intend to stop it. The Fae created this war, and they will have to fight to end it—by themselves. No other human should have to suffer or die because of these dalliances.”

  He really did have a mind of his own, and suddenly I felt very proud to have him as my son. It was then I noticed the charm hanging around his neck, the moon and the stars. I reached to finger the matching one hanging from my own. “Your mother gave this to you,” I said, pointing to his. “We picked these on the day we found out you were going to be born.”

  “Yes. I see you still wear yours as well.”

  “I do. I didn’t remember where it came from, but for some reason I couldn’t ever bring myself to take it off. Now I know why.” I glanced at Eirian. “That was a good day.”

  “One of the best in my life,” she whispered. “I relive it in my head constantly.”

  “I’m sorry for the way things turned out. Truly, I never meant to hurt you.” I wished there was some way to comfort her, but I wasn’t sure how. I felt an overwhelming ache begin to build inside me.

  “I know you didn’t. If I hadn’t messed with your life there would’ve been no hurt to feel at all.”

  “We all make mistakes,” Shay said, stepping up beside us. “You two need to forgive yourselves for your past and move on. You’ll never be truly happy unless you do.”

  I chuckled, trying to swallow at the ball of emotion that was growing in my throat. “And he’s wise too. You’ve done a very fine job of raising him.”

  “It wasn’t all me. He carries you inside him. What else could he be?” She smiled, reaching to rest her hand on Shay’s arm.

  My heart felt like it was going to rip into pieces as I watched. The longing to be near my child was more than I could bear. I wished for a life with the two of them, knowing it wasn’t possible. I looked away and walked to the doorway, glancing up to where people were gathering for the celebration on the hilltop. Their figures were silhouetted by the setting sun.

  “We should go. You have others waiting for you,” Eirian said.

  “No!” I almost shouted turning to face her. “No,” I amended, softer. “Don’t go yet. You just got here. I want you both to stay—I’m just struggling with how to make the pieces of my life fit together.” I glanced back toward the hill. “She’s been a good wife, given everything she had—stayed with me when no one should’ve. I don’t want to hurt her any more than I already have. I’ve always loved her, and she has always loved me.

  Eirian came to stand next to me, lifting a quivering hand to stroke my face. “Everything will be all right, Bran. I’ve already resigned myself to the fact that I’ll never have you.”

  “You’re wrong,” I replied, running my hand through her luxurious silver hair, the simple act stirring many memories to the surface, and I realized I missed touching her. “You already have the best part of me.” I nodded toward our son, Shay.

  A sob escaped Eirian. She threw her arms around my neck and kissed me, sharing a lifetime worth of passion and loneliness in that one single short moment. I trembled in her embrace, but before I could even truly respond, she stepped away, locking gazes with me.

  “Forget,” she whispered.

  I blinked and found myself standing near the doorway of the barn with no recollection of how I got there. As I watched the bonfire on the hill burst to life, a feeling of completion and satisfaction swept through me, stronger than anything I’d felt before. I didn’t know where it came from—I only knew I w
as happy and filled with contentment.

  I turned back to look at the unfinished chores I had left. They could wait. Tonight I just wanted to be with the love of my life, Ceridwen.

  Acknowledgments

  Enchanted Hearts:

  Deena, Stacie, Raine, Angel, Kelsie, Lacey, Melina, Melissa.

  I have some amazing cheerleaders. Whether it was listening to me swoon over the characters, offering ideas when I was stumped, or reading chapters to tell me what they thought, I’m so grateful for those I know I can always turn to. Thank you for the support, for your faith, and most of all the much needed “What are you doing on Facebook? GET OFF!” I appreciate you all so much.

  A big thank you to my editor, Irene. What can I say . . . I’m the Queen of Prepositions and the Mistress of Gaze. You helped me polish my story and survived! Thanks for your patience and don’t forget . . . you owe me a tiara! Hahaha

  And a special thank you to my husband, Mark—for standing in the middle of the store so I could tell you what I’d been writing, taking me on drives to clear my head, and not complaining at 3am when I woke you up to cry over characters. I love you!

  Belinda

  Forever:

  Sitting down and actually writing out something that I had created was a lot harder than I thought it would be. I wanted to quit so many times! Luckily for me though, I had many great supporters that got me to the finish line!

  Thank you Mom and Belinda, for telling me that I could do it and that it would be fun. I know that I didn’t believe you at times, but it was worth it!

  Thank you to my mother in law, Vicky, for watching my daughter when no one else could. As much as I enjoyed her helping me write, I think everyone would have been upset to find a manuscript full of threes, haha! Thank you to everyone else who helped with babysitting also, you were a huge help.

  Also, thank you to my husband, Jake, for dealing with me through the whole thing. He had to listen to story lines, complaints, tears, and laughter. He also watched our daughter most of the time for me. I couldn’t have done it without him!