Valentine's Wishes

by Daisy Banks

  I can’t, no matter what kind of bargain he offers, I mustn’t. Not now. She tore her gaze from his attractions and peered back at the shadows under the apple tree. What about my poor mortals?

  She yanked her arm free of the warmth of his hand and closed her eyes to shut out the allure of all she’d dreamed about for so long. “I can’t stay to talk. I don’t have time for ye right now. I have to sort something out for my mortals. I’ll come back to yer after, when everything is right.”

  She did her best to ignore the surprise on his face, her own sudden ache to sit close beside him, and flew back up so fast her stomach lurched. A few moments later when she beheld the couples in the garden, it was obvious she’d left it far too late to change anything.

  Lucy stood to blow goodbye kisses to Jez. James bowed and kissed Bal’s hand before he left, and Surjan had to be pried away from Keri by Jez on his way out.

  Thankful none of the three couples had ended up in bed together, she flew back to where Cedar had appeared. But he’d gone.

  Did I imagine him here?

  She searched across the garden but couldn’t find a sign of his presence. She flew low into the house and breathed a sigh that so few of the guests seemed to be left. Someone tugged the large patio door closed.

  While her mortals said goodbye to the last of the guests, she searched further. Her stomach rolled and her heartbeat rose for it had been no imagining. Cedar Heartwood, the true fairy of her dreams, sat beside one of the glasses on a small side table, his knapsack beside him.

  Oh no.

  His gaze sparked when it lifted to her as she landed, and when the rapt expression crept over his features, she knew she’d returned too late to warn him. She fought off the need to cry. He’s drunk some of the punch left in the glass.

  “At last, yer back.” He stood and reached from under his cloak for her hand.

  “No, yer don’t understand,” she said, but his beckoning gaze remained fixed and his smile lured her forward. Her tummy filled with butterflies, for he’d never gazed at her quite that way before. She forced a smile.

  “Then tell me about it?” He clasped her hand and urged her toward him, closer. “Why are ye so busy? Why are yer so distracted? Let me help ye?”

  Trembling at the light in his eyes and the softness of his tone, she stood so near she could have been in his embrace. The colored lights in the garden went out and velvet darkness turned the big windows to mirrors. The shimmer of Cedar cast a faint sheen, the only light to see by, and she glanced across the room at her three mortals headed for the stairs.

  “Well?” he asked, bending his head to her so the warmth of his breath touched her ear and dizzied her. The heat of his hands around her waist warmed before she found the courage to reply.

  “I had a bit of an accident,” she whispered.

  His gaze caressed and twinkled, and his smile grew broader. She squirmed when his palms stroked over the back of her gown to pull her nearer until she could smell his delightful pine scented fragrance, and his presence sent delicious thrills through her body. All she’d ever wanted stood so close. Cedar smiled so tenderly and tempted her to forget everything else.

  He’ll love me, but only because of the wish. Her heart flipped before it plowed back into despair. Oh, Cedar, I shouldn’t let the wish make you love me. Would it really matter? She gazed into his beautiful eyes and gave a trembly little sigh. If she drank the punch too, he’d love her and she’d love him back. Can I be that bad? He’ll never know it was because of the punch.

  Cedar reached for her hand, clasped it, and bent to press a kiss on her wrist. The tingling romped over her in a racing wave.

  This is the badest I’ve ever thought I could be.

  He stood straight and tilted his head to one side. His delicious smile forced her to watch motionless, though she knew he was about to kiss her.

  Yes, Cedar. Kiss me. Now.

  “Tell me about this accident,” he whispered against her ear and pressed a soft kiss to her cheek.

  She lifted her arms to wrap them around his neck, angled her face, and unable to resist the temptation, she brushed her lips against his.

  Perfect.

  He embraced her, cradled one hand at the back of her head, warmed her lips with his, and as she opened her mouth, he made her whimper as he swept his tongue against hers. She clung hard to him for her knees wobbled and warmth flooded through her body. All her imaginings among the flowers weren’t half as good as the real thing.

  By the wind in the leaves. I’ll do it. I love him I know I do.

  She wrapped her fingers in the silky strands of his hair, reveled in the kiss they shared, and shoved guilt aside.

  Cedar slowly lifted his lips from hers. “Beautiful, my sweet fairy. Now what was concerning ye so? Let me help ye?”

  Her heart flipped again and she nodded. “Aye, I’ll tell ye. I’ll just have a sip of the punch first.” She took an unsteady pace back out of his embrace, could hardly wrench her gaze from his, and hoped he only saw the love in hers.

  Using a little of the magic left in her she lifted the glass on the table so it hovered close and tilted.

  The burgundy liquid beckoned and she gave one last glance to Cedar, closed her eyes and sucked in a big mouthful of the wish laden brew. She swallowed and slurped another gulp as the fiery liquid tingled in her stomach.

  A new warmth flooded through her weary limbs and the last trace of shame to trick him vanished. Oh, that feels so good. Trickles of sensation raised the hairs on the back of her neck as Cedar stood beside her to take another drink from the punch. She let the glass descend slowly to the table and turned her gaze to his. He moved closer until his breath warmed the side of her face and neck.

  All her dreams were reality. I know I love this gorgeous fairy. I’ve always longed for him? He loves me. This is wonderful.

  “Now tell me, what was the accident?” he said.

  “Oh, I made a love wish for the mortals and it went wrong. But it doesn’t matter any more.”

  Cedar smiled. “I’m certain they’ll be all right by tomorrow, Poppy. Don’t fret about the mortals, not when we have the whole of tonight together.”

  Lost in the depths of his hazel gaze, her body warmed through by the wish laden wine, she nodded. “Not just tonight, Cedar. We have forever.”

  Chapter 7

  Cedar pressed his lips to Poppy’s and clasped one palm tight on her rounded rear to tug her toward him. Her eyes flashed with surprise before they closed. He smiled as she wilted in closer with a quivery little sigh. The pert, pretty half-moons of her breasts above her bodice juddered as she breathed, and he longed to kiss each breast in turn. He smoothed his hands up onto her back and wrapped her in his embrace.

  Maybe I should tell her I could taste the wish in the punch, but the effects won’t be quite as drastic as she seems to think. Forever is a very long time. All these sensations will melt with the morning frost.

  Tonight though, she’ll adore me. And well, how could I not adore her? She’s changed since last we met, become twice as delicious. He inhaled her sweet fragrance, dropped soft kisses over the arch of her neck, and pressed his mouth again on her lips.

  And I thought so before I touched the punch! Poppy is as beautiful as her name.

  He lifted his mouth from hers, kissed the tiny luscious freckle beside her lips, and twined his fingers through the wonderful cascade of red hair that flowed down to her waist. She gave little whimpers, and he kissed her gently, touched his tongue to her lips, and her shudder encouraged him to more. He sucked at her lower lip, ran his tongue over her top lip, and only when she trembled like a beech leaf in an autumn wind did he move his mouth from hers.

  She pouted, and her moist lips invited him to return. He covered them with his mouth and kept his movements slow and deliberate as he kissed her again. When he let her go and gazed at her up-tilted face, delicate as the flower she’d been named for, she smiled back. She pressed hard against him as he let the sensual power
of her wish flow through him.

  Does she have any idea what she’s unleashed?

  I always found her lovely before she left the court and perhaps biding my time has been worthwhile, because now she’s perfect.

  She parted her sweet lips when he brushed his against them again, and she moaned in response as he slid his tongue into her mouth to explore and tease. Poppy met him halfway, flickering her tongue against his, and a rush of desire thundered up through his body.

  Oh, yes, I’m going to enjoy tonight.

  The powerful effects of her wish rose to make him dizzy so he swayed with her in his arms. Love, perfect love for her filled him. Twitches of desire flashed over him too, and she was the cause in all ways. The need for her bubbled as he kissed her and held her close. If I’d made a wish this strong and this rare, I’d be proud of it.

  He sighed, for her breath, slightly scented with the punch she’d drunk, came swift and warm against his cheek. She pushed against his chest and ground her hips against his, while her tongue dived and stroked, offering hopes of bliss. He cupped her breast through the soft yellow fabric of her shell-decorated gown.

  Perfect.

  Her warm breast molded to his palm and the nipple peaked hard beneath the fine fabric. The pressure of her body against his delighted him, and the prospect of discovering more of her thrilled through his blood.

  She whimpered when he let her breast go, and he slid his hands down her back to grasp her buttocks and pull her tighter still against him. He had no wish to disguise the erection that surged against his tunic, and she could be in no doubt of his need or intent.

  Long minutes passed while he enjoyed the way she snuggled and rubbed against him, before he lifted his mouth from hers. “I love yer. Right now, Poppy, I love ye. Will yer spend the night lovin’ with me, my sweet?”

  Her gaze held his, the pupils of her cornflower blue eyes massive and dilated wide. He cupped her chin in his palm. “I want to love ye, spend the night with yer in my arms, my darlin’. Will yer let me?”

  She nodded and as her cheeks shone rosy buried her face against his tunic. He breathed a sigh of relief, lifted her into his arms, and prepared to carry her wherever she said.

  “Cedar, we’re stuck inside unless the window in the kitchen is still open.”

  She wound her arms tight around his body, and her voice held the wish-induced magic of love and desire. She is such a tasty morsel, but we have to get out of the house.

  The very words “we’re stuck” terrified him. He stamped on the stick of his knapsack, so it twirled up into the air, and he caught it without letting her fall. “Let’s see if we can get out, come on.” He flew up, and the way she first seemed so bemused, glancing down to the floor and then up to him, with her lovely little smile, soothed all his fears of being inside.

  The need for her body ached hot. If we can’t get out, I’ll not know what to do. I’ve never loved with a fairy inside a mortal dwelling. Maybe the blessings of Pan won’t work. Not inside.

  “Up on the shelf, up there.” She waved her hand toward some wooden shelves.

  “What?” He couldn’t see a way out.

  “That’s where the wish went wrong.”

  “Aye, is it?” He kissed the crown of her head. “Now where’s this window, so we can get out?”

  She pointed to a doorway. “The kitchen window is nearly always open,” she whispered in his ear. He shivered with her breath warm on his skin and the hope of more of her out in the glory of the fresh air.

  Her twilight blue gaze, soft and sweet, met his, and her smile, a promise of sensual pleasures to come, wrenched his gut. He clutched her tighter and flew in the gloom through the doorway into a kitchen. “Is this the window?”

  “Yes, and Cedar,” she murmured, her mouth close to his jaw.

  “What?”

  “I love yer.”

  Triumph roared inside him, loud and strong as it pulsed hard. There has never been a fairy like this one and I adore her. She’s wonderful, lovely and most of all, tonight her luscious body will all be mine! He hovered still and kissed her before he landed on the tiles she had pointed out and set her down.

  Poppy stood, slightly wobbly, while he studied the gap of the open window. Here, over the window and the gap, hung the nasty lace with little holes that could lead to a slow starvation end for any fairy.

  He folded his wings back and lifted the dangerous fabric up. The waft of fresh garden air sparked through him. The gap of the open window seemed wide enough, and he pulled her out behind him, glad to breathe the sharp, cold night air. “Now where, my little gem?”

  “Up, over the top and to the front.” She pointed up toward the roof with her dainty finger. He caught her to him, lifted her in his embrace, and clutched her in his arms under his cloak. With one hand he caressed her thigh, and she tugged at the laces to open his tunic. A molten heated flow of desire raced through him. He flew up high above the roof, enjoying the brightness of the winter stars and the warmth of her against his chest.

  Pleasure has never been quite like this at the court.

  No matter how interesting the partners there, not one made his flesh pound with need in this way. This had nothing to do with her wish, potent though it was. He followed her breathy instructions, in between kisses, until they landed in the small chink in the brickwork in the porch. “Sweet thing, this is a swallow’s nest,” he murmured when they alighted.

  “I know, but it works.” She yanked him after her, and once he balanced the knapsack in the corner where she seemed to keep her things, they embraced.

  She gave a little growl as she meshed her lips with his; her fingers worked swiftly in their rush to gain access to his flesh. He pushed his thigh between hers as she tugged at his tunic laces.

  “Oh, Cedar,” she said, and yanked the tunic over his head. He bent and planted rows of soft kisses on the curves of her breasts as he cupped them in his hands.

  “My perfect, delicious fairy,” he murmured into the valley of her cleavage.

  Poppy hooked one thigh around his. Slowly and keeping her clasped tight in his embrace he slid down with her into the soft layers of her bedding. She’d lined the nest with a variety of moss, feathers, and pale pink fluff. A cozy bed once they settled. Her giggle, as he unhooked and stripped off her gown, delighted him, and when he first stroked his hands over her silken flesh, her trembles shook through his fingers.

  Poppy helped him drag his cloak to cover them both, and the rest of his clothes swiftly followed his tunic and her gown. The skin-to-skin softness as he embraced her drove his desire. She clung, sweeter than nectar, more enchanting than a midsummer morning, and his need for her surpassed the power of the wish.

  The magic is hers and hers alone. “Poppy?”

  She smoothed her palms over him, bewitching as moonlight, stroking more fire into his flesh.

  “What?” she murmured.

  “I love yer.”

  “Please, yes please, Cedar. Love me a lot,” she whispered the wine tipsy words over his chest and up onto his neck.

  “’Twill be my very great pleasure,” he said, and again cupped her breasts with both hands. He rolled her nipples until they stood hard like winter berries beneath his thumbs, and her gasped moan poured molten heat through his body.

  He ached to have her. The way her eyes closed, and her mouth—rosy, moist, and welcoming—pouted. He had to kiss her. Their tongues met while her body molded to his. She rubbed her nipples against his chest, and the curls at the apex of her thighs teased his erection.

  He tore his mouth from hers. Things were going too fast. “Not yet, sweetness,” he whispered because he wanted her need to be ravenous, like his own. She whimpered when he stroked the heat between her parted thighs. The moist flesh made his mouth water.

  “Cedar, now. I want yer now,” she said with a soft sigh.

  “Wait a little, my sweet,” he answered, and slid two fingers deep inside her. She arched up against him with a cry. Delighting in her e
xcitement, he led her in the sweetest of rhythms. Her soft cries became sharper when he stroked over the tiny bud to give her more pleasure, and her hips rose and fell in answer to his hand. The soft cries came closer and closer together as she neared the peak, and his gasps of breath matched hers; he couldn’t help but try harder to send her into bliss.

  Her rhythmic breathing told how near the edge loomed, and he sucked her nipple into his mouth, stroked it with his tongue. A huge wave of need ripped through him as spasms began inside her.

  I can’t wait any longer!

  “Oh, please,” she cried when he slid his fingers from her. He lay between her parted thighs, his erection seeking its home. Sheer need ran through him in a flood when he slid inside her. The pleasured cries she made pushed him much too swiftly close to the brink.

  She thrust her hips up toward him, hauled him closer still, her nails digging deep into his skin. Strawberry sweet her flesh pulsed around his, and they were there, gasping and moaning together as the orgasm savage and wild took him with her. Only when she stopped writhing against him, did he thank Pan for his blessings, and begin again. This time he went slowly. He enjoyed every inch of her with deep measured thrusts to take her further into pleasure.

  She matched his movements, and her breath sounded harsh and swift, while the rhythm of her flesh thrilled through his, and together their glow lit the inside of the nest. The dazzle they created blazed like the neon lights he’d seen on his journey.

  “Cedar, I love ye.” Her words tore through him and the edge of his control snapped. He plundered her body with his, thrust hard and fast into her, and her answering moans drove him over the edge.

  Their cries echoed loud in the chill winter air.