Faery Tail

by Deborah McNemar

  "We'd best see you fed before you fall over,” he tossed back over his shoulder.

  It was the ultimate in unfair. Star glowered after him. She was just short of Star gone nova and he was unaffected. Sarcasm rose to her tongue, denying the twinge of hurt pride.

  "I don't suppose you know the local caterer, would you?"

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  Chapter Eight

  Caterers weren't necessary, as it turned out. As the moon rose over the treetops, Star found herself seated in a bower of ivy and wild roses, feasting on fresh berries and brisgein, a cake made from the root of the silver weed. From somewhere, Centauri produced a flask and a single, tiny cup. Star sipped the clear drink and laughed in delight.

  "What is this?"

  "You've never had moonshine?” he asked curiously. When she shook her head, he shrugged. “It's made from starlight distilled in the morning dew. Be easy with it."

  Star took another tentative sip, relishing the clean, clear flavor. “Is it intoxicating?"

  She knew better than to ask if it were alcoholic. Alcohol didn't affect the Fae. They burned it too fast for it to affect them. They were partial to whiskey, as a rule, for the rich, warm flavor, not its effects.

  Centauri hesitated. He was clearing debris from a section of the thick moss for them to sleep on. Star resisted the urge to push back the lock of silky black hair that fell into his eyes. He looked confused by something. Taking another sip, she decided that he looked far too good that way for her peace of mind. The crystalline pure taste of the moonshine flowed over her tongue and danced along her nerves like butterfly wings. Oh, she could really get used to this stuff!

  "How long has it been since you were last here?"

  "One hundred and twenty years,” she declared with no small pride. It was the longest stretch yet without Luna's interference.

  He sat back, looking even more confused. Star contemplated telling him he was adorable. The man was simply too stiff for his own good. He needed someone to shake him up once in a while.

  "Just how old were you when the Moon Queen first betrothed you?"

  "Oh, she's never actually betrothed me, per se,” Star corrected him with a vague wave. “She just wants me to get knocked up so she can get on with her little breeding program."

  "I am aware of her aims in that direction.” Centauri smoothed away more of the leaves and tossed a stick aside. “But surely she betrothed you once you birthed your child. The Sidhe need the alliance you could make."

  Star snorted with laughter and clamped a hand over her mouth. “Centauri, I've never had a baby and that's what really chaps her ass. And alliance? She'd rather barter me off to a troll than try to find a real suitor for me. She hates me as much as I hate her."

  He stared at her in surprise. Star suppressed the urge to smooth away the frown that suddenly furrowed his forehead. His mouth turned down at the corners and she had the wildest desire to kiss the faint dimple in his cheek. She drowned that crazy yearning in another taste of the moonshine.

  "She's bartered me off to the Unseelie court, the Seelie court, the imps, the gnomes and one troll.” She sniggered at the memory. “Grigspimple wasn't all that bad for a troll, really, but he took one look at me and turned down the deal.” She laughed again and deepened her voice to mimic the enormous troll. “She no bigger than twig, Queen. She no bigger than Grigspimple's manhood. She no good for bedding, just eating.” Star wiped the tears of laughter from her eyes. “He was right about that, at least. He was at least twelve feet tall and definitely in proportion."

  Centauri didn't look amused. “She bartered you to a troll?"

  "Tried to.” Star shrugged. “Good grief, Centauri, did you imagine you were the first? She must have jumped on you like a frog on a buzzy fly."

  She sipped more moonshine. Or tried to, at least. The cup was empty. She stared down at it dejectedly. He didn't off her more. Star sighed.

  "Star,” Centauri was saying. He was there beside her, tilting her face to his with a finger under her chin. She gazed up into those night dark eyes, wondering when midnight had become so sultry. He sighed. “You're drunk."

  "Am I?” Star traced his lips with a finger, wishing she had the courage to kiss him. “You have the most adorable dimples when you smile, you know. You should smile more often."

  He didn't answer but scooped her up in his arms. Star snuggled close, reveling in the heat of his skin against her face. The world dipped and she was laid gently on the moss. He moved away. He was leaving her! For a second, terror swooped in. Star grabbed for him wildly.

  "Easy, woman!” His voice sounded as if he were far away but she felt his arms come around her, powerful and reassuring. “Those hairs are attached to my chest.” There was rumble under her cheek that might have been laughter, but she wasn't sure. “Or, at least, they used to be."

  Star relaxed into him, her eyes drifting shut of their own accord. For the first time in a very long time she felt safe. She could hear his heartbeat, a reassuring rhythm that beat in time with her own.

  "I'm sorry, Centauri.” Star fought the drowsy contentment that filled her. “You deserve somebody better than me. Only gnomes or imps want me. You deserve better."

  He said nothing. As Star drifted off to sleep, she imagined she felt him brush a kiss to the top of her head. But that was probably just wishful thinking on her part.

  Centauri cradled the slight girl to his side, staring up at the bright points of light winking at him from the endless night sky. Wishing on stars. It was the most insanely foolish thing he had ever heard of. Why, then, did he long to cast a wish into the night sky and pray that it be heard? Wishing wouldn't change the reality of what he was doing. Wishing wouldn't keep her from hating him when it was over.

  With a heavy heart, he slid away from her. She shifted aside with a soft, sleepy murmur and her grip on him relaxed. The moonshine would make sure that she slept all night without dreams.

  For a long moment, he stared down at the little princess. Her long, pale braid draped over her shoulder, her hand curled under her cheek. She looked so innocent and fragile laying there, her lashes dark crescents again her soft cheeks. It took all his strength to step away from her, to deny the urge to crawl up her beside her and hold her tight for the rest of the night.

  Shifting form, Centauri headed into the woods. The pale sliver of the moon lent uncertain light to the tangled brush and crooked branches that reached down to catch him in their grasp. The Meanduraug was wild by day but by night it was hungry. Those who wandered unaware courted the danger here. Star would be safe until he returned.

  They were waiting for him in a clearing less than an hour's gallop away, a score of them picking their teeth and growling with impatience. He had noticed signs of their passing earlier in the day. It didn't make him happy.

  "Tuatha de',” the leader smirked. “You've brought her?"

  Centauri crossed his arms across his chest. “What are you doing here? I have five more days to make good on my part of our bargain. Is your King reneging on our agreement?"

  "Turn her over to us now and we will let you live."

  Centauri snorted. “Show a single claw and our deal is broken, Gnarbrik. Attack me at your peril. It will take more than you have here to take me down."

  Gnarbrik scratched at one tattered ear, the beaded bands on his arms jangling faintly. “You killed two of my best."

  Centauri ignored the complaint. “What word of Sol?"

  "Ankou gave his word. Sol lives. Bring the girl and he will be free."

  "I will meet you at the agreed upon place at the agreed upon time. If I see so much as a claw mark on a tree, I will consider our agreement breached and then, may Danu have mercy on you. Finnbara won't be as restrained as I. Do you understand me?"

  Gnarbrik hissed in dissatisfaction but bowed his head. Only fear of his King's displeasure kept him from attacking. Centauri watched the imps go, vanishing into the night. He was going to have to keep a closer eye out.
Ankou, King of the Unseelie hordes and the Captain of the dreaded Slough, would hardly be worried about something as trivial as honor and oaths.

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  Chapter Nine

  Star blinked blearily up at the tangle of leaves overhead. If she could make her eyes focus, she might actually think about moving. As it was, she wasn't sure if her head would stay connected to her shoulders if she sat up. Then there was the fact that the world kept shifting at odd moments. If she made it to her feet, the earth just might slide right out from under her.

  And the craving for caffeine grew more intense with every passing hour.

  It was quiet here. No traffic or whistles or horns or shouting. In the distance, a bird sang out and then was gone. Pfft. That was it. Done. Lazy birds. Weren't they supposed to greet the dawn or whatever? Wait—that was chickens. Star closed her eyes. Thinking was taking way too much effort this morning.

  "How are you feeling?"

  Warm chocolate coating her bones and filling her with sinfully good feelings. The deep timbre of his voice resonated against pleasure sensors she hadn't known she had. Star groaned. No man should be able to do that to a woman with just his voice. She started to tell him to go away but hesitated. Talking would jar her head and that just wasn't worth it.

  "That good?"

  He was laughing at her, damn him anyway. Star opened her eyes a crack to glare at him through her lashes. It didn't quite have the effect she wanted. He had that slight grin on his face that deepened the dimples in his cheeks. It was impossible to stay angry with him when he looked that adorable. She gave up with a sigh.

  "Got coffee?” she whispered.

  "No."

  "Then go away. Ok?"

  He stroked a finger over her cheek and his dimples deepened. “Star, I would love to wake you every morning with hot, sweet things that make you shiver, moan and beg for more."

  Her eyes flew wide and she stared up at him in shock. He was laughing. Damn his beautiful eyes. Her lips twitched against her will.

  "You are a horrible man, Centauri. Picking on a woman with a mega caffeine headache just isn't playing fair."

  "Does your head hurt that bad?"

  She made an affirmative noise.

  "Sit up,” he said, moving back to give her room.

  "Urm ... Centauri? While my head might be willing to do that, my stomach really doesn't think that's such a good idea.” That was understatement since her stomach was rebelling at the very thought of moving.

  He leaned over her, his amusement fading into concern. With gentle fingers, he stroked her cheek, smoothing over her hair.

  Star felt the magic rising from the warmth of the earth beneath her. Centauri demanded and the healing magic answered his call. Like easing into a hot tub, it bubbled against her skin, the heat sinking deeper to loosen tight muscles and soothe aches she hadn't realized she had. The pressure behind her eyes began to ease and she sighed with relief as the throbbing pain started to fade.

  But the magic didn't wane. It grew stronger, vibrating through her. Star gasped as she felt her barriers weakening under the onslaught. Fear proved greater than pain and she shoved him away. Scrambling to her feet, she held a hand to her head that was throbbing again like a tympani drum and glared at him.

  "Don't you ever do something like that again,” she forced between gritted teeth. “I've spent the past seventy-five years building those barriers. I'll be damned if I'm going to let you destroy them."

  He rose, a powerful figure in black dragon hide. “Princess, I can understand your need to protect yourself in the Human Realm where there is little magic and you would stand out. But the magic here is wild. You would never be detected. I swore I would protect you. Is my oath so meaningless to you?"

  He was angry. His jaw was clenched and his hands were fisted at his side. For once in her life, Star faced fury and wasn't afraid. She matched him glare for glare her own temper sparking hotter.

  "You swore that you wouldn't let the imps take me from you. You swore to keep me safe as long as I am with you. Well, gee thanks, Centauri, but you take away my barriers and either I face the imps or spend the rest of my life hanging on your coat tails. Not exactly a choice you want to force me to make right this second."

  "I can't promise to protect you when I'm not with you,” he argued.

  Star took a deep breath and tried to calm down. She always said stupid things when she got angry. “I don't expect you to. But you can't expect me to just throw away everything I've worked for just because you say so."

  "You don't trust me.” The words fell flat and harsh between them.

  "Well, now, there's a brainstorm for you.” Star rolled her eyes. “Centauri, I just met you. I'm giving you a chance to prove that you're not just another trap my mother's dressed up all pretty for me. If you try to force me again, I'll just take my chances with the imps. At least with them I know what to expect."

  She turned away but he caught her arm, turning her back to face him. The anger was still there but Star had the strangest feeling that it was no longer directed at her. That baffled her.

  "You spent time with the imps?” His voice was low and dangerous.

  "Sure did. Got the scars to prove it.” She tilted her chin, challenging him to argue with her. His frown deepened.

  "What the hell was Luna thinking?” he muttered.

  "Thinking?” Star snorted derisively and jerked her arm free of his grip. “Four compass points birthed of the moon, four anchors and four charms to prevent dark doom,” she quoted. “That was the prophecy that started Luna's wild breeding scheme only it didn't work out the way she planned. What Luna got was four daughters with gifts she can't control and I'm the worst of the lot. I'm worthless to her."

  "What gifts?” His expression was growing darker.

  "That's none of your business, Centauri."

  "As long as you are with me and under my protection, I need to know these things."

  Star sighed and shoved her braid back over her shoulder. This morning was definitely not what she had dreamed of when she had gone to sleep last night, curled up in his arms. A double latte would go a long way to restoring her equilibrium, but it didn't look like that was going to happen any time soon.

  "You don't need to know because my gifts or lack of them have no bearing on you protecting me,” she admitted quietly. “I can't defend myself with magic, so my barriers are the only protection I have. Do you understand?"

  "I understand.” His voice was tight and his expression closed. “I understand perfectly."

  Star shoved her hands in her pockets. Her heart sank, beating in time with her throbbing head. This was definitely not the way she had wanted to start the day. She hated confrontations. She didn't realize he had shifted until his hands came around her waist to lift her astride him.

  "Where to, Princess?” He faced forward, refusing to look at her, and Star felt the familiar sting of rejection. “You decide. Do we go back or do we go on?"

  Star sat still, her hands on her thighs so she wouldn't touch him anymore than necessary. His clipped, controlled tone hurt more than she cared to analyze. “If you want to end this now, Centauri, then take me back. I won't hold you to anything."

  "I asked what you wished to do."

  Star blinked back tears. She shouldn't care what he thought of her. For Heaven's sake, she had only known him for a few days. But it did matter.

  "I'm not doing this to be hard to get along with or a pain in your ass.” Her tone was soft and defensive. “This isn't just about me and what I want, it's about you, too."

  He let out a harsh breath. “I made my decision before I ever stood before the Moon Queen,” he bit off. “The decision now is yours."

  "You didn't know what you wanted,” she scoffed. “You knew nothing about me then and you know nothing about me now. All you heard were those stupid stories they like to tell."

  He crossed his arms across his chest. “I heard the stories, yes, but you have no idea
what I heard."

  "I know what they say."

  Centauri turned slightly and she could see the stern line of his mouth and the anger in the set of his jaw. “I know what they say, too. The Moon Queen's addled, stupid daughter who doesn't have enough sense to bend her knee and be obedient."

  Star slid from his back and stalked back the way they had come. She didn't have to stay here and be insulted. She was going home, promises be damned. Or, at least, that was the plan.

  Centauri blocked her path before she had taken five steps. When she tried to go around him, he simply wrapped an arm around her waist and held her still. His grip was not tight but there was no way for her to escape. Star stared at the ground mutinously.

  "That is what they say,” he continued as if nothing had happened. “I listened to their bad jests and snide derision, but I heard something very different from what they wished."

  Star refused to look at him. She tucked her thumbs in her pockets and kept her eyes on her toes. He wasn't going to sweet talk his way back into her good graces.

  "I heard them tell of a woman who had been forced into dire situations but stood firm. I heard them sing of a woman who hadn't simply accepted her fate but had used every means at her disposal to win her freedom. I heard of a woman of courage and intelligence."

  The sincerity in his voice touched her. Star shifted uneasily. She wasn't going to be just another woman who threw herself at him and she had no doubts that there were many. He was too handsome, too controlled. He made a woman want to be the one to push him beyond that rigid control, to watch as he lost the battle with his own feral instincts. It was a dangerous desire and one she had no intention of falling prey to.

  "And then I met you.” He made a soft sound of amusement. “I hadn't realized until then just how young you really are and my respect for you rose. For one so young to have faced what you have took great courage."