by Lynn Landes
“Caderyn, we are twin flames, our souls are linked, chosen by the stars to be forever, one.”
Her body absorbs the sound of his voice, and she trembles with desire for him. “That’s a beautiful thought. When we are together, you will prove this to me?” she asks softly.
“I have waited longer than you can possibly imagine, Caderyn, to feel your skin, touch your lips, and hold you, I promise to make you never forget it!”
Chapter 7
Bastian looks at Jazmin and sees the blood seeping through her shirt. Quickly, he slices her shirt open and sees a gash between her perfect breasts. Her peach skin grows pale, and her blood begins to change color, turning thick and sluggish. It starts spidering out from her heart, up her neck and over breasts, shoulders, and arms. Jazmin begins to struggle to breathe, reaching up, she grabs her throat and the sound of breaking glass echoes out. When he feels the power building in the other room, he does the only thing he can think to do; he uses his body to protect Jazmin.
Jazmin sighs and takes a deep breath as she reaches up touching his face, “Bastian,” she whispers, and every nerve in his body comes to life. He leans back in shock, looking at her… his Mate! He calls on his magic, and places his hand over the wound and says, “Domhan, Uisce, Aer, Tiene, Spioraid leighis,” Earth, water, air, fire, Spirit heal her!
Jazmin feels heat, intense heat, but it does not burn, it soothes. She reaches out and runs her fingers through his long dark hair, and smiles, closing her eyes while he heals her.
He steps away from the human female and knows he’s in trouble. Hope left him long ago. Finding one’s mate doesn’t happen for all of his kind, and it is a rare gift. He sends her into a deep healing sleep and rushes out to check on the Queen.
The sight of Caderyn on the ground holding a bronze dagger startles Bastian. She is staring at the design on the hilt, with the remnants of the shattered globe scattered around her on the floor.
“Where did you acquire the Khae-tri, Caderyn?” he asks quietly.
“This is what killed your queen.” Caderyn holds it up to show him. “When I arrived at the shop she was on the floor, with it buried in her chest.”
“The Khae-tri is a Fae dagger, used only by the Queen of the Fae. You will need to keep it with you at all times.”
“He’s so weak,” Caderyn tells him of the globe and begins to weep because she knows Drake is running out of time.
“You should rest my Queen, Jazmin is asleep, and the Shadow will need time to regain his strength.”
“We don’t have time to rest!” Caderyn jumps up and starts pacing. “I don’t understand Bastian, why was your Queen in that shop. Why have your people not fought to free him? Why wait for a human to help? What was the globe for, and where is the Silver Tree?”
Frustrated, he says, “I don’t have all the answers, but our people could not risk the life of the Queen. We must protect the Light; as long as we have a Queen, our people are safe. Without you, we will all fade to shadow! If all else fails, you must return with me. Your King would expect it of you.”
Caderyn does not trust herself to speak for a moment, “I will not survive without him. We are twin souls, Bastian. I feel his pain, his thoughts, and his heart beats in time to the rhythm of mine. Bastian, when he fades so will I.”
“Like hell, you will!” Jazmin snaps from the hall, glaring at Bastian. “I thought pixies were a noble race!” Jazmin says, leaning on the wall. “What kind of crap are you filling her head with? You will not die Caderyn!! I won’t allow it!” Stumbling, she reaches out, and Bastian catches her before she hits the floor. “What did you do to me?” she glares at him.
He picks her up looking into her hazel eyes and Jazmin’s mouth waters. Curling her hand up in his long brown hair, she strokes his neck and watches as his eyes drop to her mouth. Her lips curl up into a smile, and her brain stops firing.
“I saved you,” he says through gritted teeth, “You should be asleep.” His mind draws a blank when her hand strokes his neck, and he breathes in her scent. When his eyes drop to her lush pink lips, he watches, fascinated as her tongue darts out and back in. He squeezes her tight and says in her mind, ‘You should not tempt me, Jazmin. I’ve a desperate need to taste every inch of you!’
Stupefied, Jazmin’s mouth falls open, and he plops her back on the couch, determined to put some space between them. “What is happening?” she whispers. Bastian ignores her and moves away to watch Caderyn. Now is not the time for that discussion.
Caderyn picks up the pedestal the globe rested on, she finds it’s hollow. Inside is a small piece of parchment. Bastian moves closer and watches as she unrolls it. Caderyn sees a language she does not understand, “What does it mean?” She hands it to Bastian.
“It is written in Cymraeg, Welsh. It’s latitude and longitude, for a map,” he responds excitedly.
“A map to where?” Jazmin demands pressing her hands to her throbbing head. Did she imagine the blade sticking out of her chest? It felt so real and what of the two little girls? Her eyes feel with tears when she thinks of them.
“Do you have a map?” Caderyn asks.
“I’ve no need of directions; I know where this map leads,” Bastian tells them frowning at her. “The Fae cannot enter this place,” he explains as he walks back to Jazmin. Drawn by the pounding of her head and confusion he touches a fingertip to her temple, and she sighs as the pain dissipates. Her strength returns.
“Thank you,” she sighs in relief. “Why can’t the Fae enter it? Where is it?” Jazmin asks.
“It is the Eryon Palace, in what you call Mongolia. It’s the home of the Silver Tree Fountain.” Bastian replies, stepping away. “The Guardian of the palace does not like the Fae.”
“Imagine that,” Jazmin quips sarcastically. Bastian grins and starts to walk back to her.
“I need paper, Jazmin?” Caderyn asks. Jazmin gets up and walks to the kitchen and comes back with a notebook and pen. Caderyn takes it and begins to list out everything that she knows and starts to formulate a plan.
“I will get us some food. This could take a while. I have seen her when she gets like this.” Jazmin finds that she needs some space from the hunky elf. She moves to the kitchen and runs her hand through her hair. Sighing, she rubs her chest thinking of all that’s happened. She pulls out pizza dough and begins rolling it out on the counter. Next, she pulls out vegetables to chop for the pizza.
“Fae, Jazmin. I am Fae, not, Elf.” Bastian says softly from behind her, “Nor Pixie!”
Startled, she jumps and spins around wielding a rolling pin, but he’s too fast. He attacks, quickly removing the weapon and backs her up to the counter in one swift motion.
He buries his hands in her hair, pulling her head back and takes her mouth. Jazmin can’t think, she can only feel, and boy does she! Her body takes over, and she jumps up wrapping her legs around his waist. His hands cup her thighs, and he spins to the wall, slamming her back into it, grinding against her heat. She pulls back for a second and seeing the lust in his eyes, meets fire with fire. Bastian begins to slow down, raining kisses over her face; he whispers, “I can’t believe I’ve found you, after all these years. Surely you are perfection, Jazmin.” He licks her lips, and then nibbles his way to her throat, biting and sucking on the throbbing vein.
The room spins and Jazmin moans his name, “More, Bastian, more...” she demands, and they both jump when Caderyn calls out, “I’ve got it!”
Slowly, he lowers her feet to the floor and backs away from her. He smiles at her swollen lips, flushed cheeks, and tousled hair, and hums as he walks into the living room.
“What was that!” she whispers touching her lips with trembling fingers.
Chapter 8
Bastian walks to Caderyn, and she hands him the coordinates on the tiny scroll. “You and Jazmin will go to the Eryon Palace, and I’m going to find Drakes body.”
“No offense intended, my Queen, but I can’t let you do that,” Bastian tells her.
/> Caderyn stands and walks to him, “Tell me his name, this shadow. He will be hunting for me now that I’ve attacked him. You must protect Jazmin and give me the time I need to get to Drakes body.”
“His name is Reese,” Jazmin says from behind them. “Her name was Wynn. I’ve heard him scream it in my mind. She stood with their daughters wrapped around her legs and watched as they accused him of a crime he didn’t commit. Her only thought was to be with him! She wouldn’t have hurt anyone. Why Bastian, why did they do it? Why would they separate a family like that? Why did the Queen kill her?”
Desperate to soothe her, he walks to her and touches her face, “Jazmin our duty is to our people. Reese conspired against the Fae; he was in league with the Shadow to destroy the Vale.”
“No. I felt everything, Bastian! His pain, his fear, and his loneliness, all of it!” She reaches up and grabs his hand, “His every thought was for the safety of his family. He was innocent! What happened to his girls?” She asks fighting back tears now.
“We do not punish the young for crimes that are not their own,” Bastian tells her wiping her tears. Caderyn watches the tender way he cares for Jazmin and smiles.
“Why was your Queen outside of the Vale, Bastian?” Caderyn asks.
“I don’t know why she left our people,” he says in anger. “We do not cross the Vale. Once you enter you do not leave, it’s not permitted. If you leave, coming back is forbidden, unless the Queen pardons you.”
Caderyn looks at him and understanding dawns. “You left Bastian. How will you get back?”
“I go back with my Queen or not at all,” Bastian replies with a bow.
Jazmin’s eyes fill with horror. “No Bastian, why would you do that?”
“My duty is to my Queen and my people,” he says moving away from them. “You need to understand that the Fae were hunted for their powers and gifts. Humanity forced us to create the Vale because of their greed. Some wanted to be free to use their magic, with no consequences for their choices.” His dark eyes look grim as he continues, “Your people were considered insects, nothing more. A human life meant nothing to an immortal; they were hunted for the sport.”
Caderyn moves closer to Jazmin, and they both sit, to listen. “When the first human bodies were found, the Fae Queen decided to fade, and her light was captured inside a special orb she had made. The orb was the only way to determine which Fae were dark and which were light.”
“How does that work, Bastian and what does it mean to fade?” Jazmin asks.
“The Queens serve for one thousand years, when the time comes for a new Queen, the old one fades from the Vale and returns to the stars. It is not a death, but a new beginning.” Bastian sits closer.
“There was a division amongst our people, some were turning dark and fighting amongst the Fae of the Light. When a shadow is detected, the globe emits a beam of blue mist, as you have experienced. It surrounds the shadow, making it impossible to deny. The Queen strips them of their gifts, and they are pushed through the Vale,” he responds.
“Has the globe ever been wrong, Bastian?” Caderyn asks.
“No. The shadows live amongst the vermin they detest and are forever separated from our people as a punishment,” Bastian replies firmly.
“Vermin!” Jazmin snaps.
“I did not call you that, Jazmin, I am simply explaining,” Bastian says, through gritted teeth.
“You push stained shadows into the human world, where we have no chance of fighting back? We don’t even know what they are?” Jazmin snaps.
“Jazmin, one problem at a time. First, we save Drake, then we fix this antiquated system.” Caderyn stands and walks away for a moment, thinking. “So, Drake and the new Fae Queen came into a War they did not start. Now, she is dead, and Drake is next!” She clasps her head, and calls for him softly in her mind, ‘Drake,’ no answer.
“We have to split up!” She says whirling around. “You two are going to go get the key, and I’m going to find his body.”
Jazmin starts to disagree but stops when Caderyn turns her chocolate stare on Bastian, and her eyes flash silver. “I am your Fae Queen. I command my Guardsmen to protect Jazmin and find the Key!”
“Yes, my Queen,” he says bowing low. Caderyn nods in satisfaction.
“Jazmin, I’ve loved you like a sister, you have believed in fairytales most of your life, and now we are living one. Help me save Drake and his people. I will be okay,” she pleads clasping her hands softly.
“Okay, what do we do?” Jaz asks.
The Fae Queen smiles, “I have a plan.”
Chapter 9
Caderyn is going home. Before Bastian and Jazmin left to retrieve the key, he opened her mind to the gifts she now possesses.
“My Queen, it should be taught to you slowly over centuries, but that is a luxury we do not have. If you will trust me, I can share the knowledge of our people with you,” he asks waiting for permission.
“If it will help me save him, Bastian, do it.” He reaches up and touches her temple and immediately she feels. Pain surges over her, and through her. She feels the heartbeat of the planet and the power of the sun. She sees the beauty of the stars and the souls waiting to experience life. She feels sorrow, sadness, joy, and love. She becomes life and death, and she weeps, falling to the ground. “Breath my love,” his deep voice says, and Drake wraps his soul around her. He shields her from the pain, and she feels him inside of her, around her and with her. Power flows from him into her, and she glows with the enormity of the shift.
After a few moments, it eases, and Caderyn stands. Her chocolate eyes flash silver, and she smiles, “Thank you, Bastian. I’m ready.”
Jazmin hugs her tight, “Cadie, promise me you will be okay?” she asks.
“I will be okay, trust him Jazmin he will take care of you,” Caderyn says stepping back and in a flash, she is gone.
Jazmin stands in wonder and dread, staring at the spot Caderyn once stood. “What now?” she whispers. Bastian walks up behind her, and she feels his heat, as his arms surround her.
“Now, we keep our promise,” he says close to her ear. Chills erupt, and she turns slowly, rubbing her body against his. Jazmin looks at Bastian and is afraid, not of what waits for them, but afraid of losing him.
“Bastian, thank you for healing me,” she says softly, and she wraps her arms around his neck and pauses a breath away from his mouth. His lips touch hers masculine and dominating, possessive and needy. She tastes him, Bastian, full of fire and ice. He pulls her closer; crushing her breasts against his chest and watches her eyes fill with passion. His hands skim down the side of her breasts clutching her waist, and he breaks away with a dark smile.
“You are welcome. Do you trust me, Jazmin?” He asks quietly, still holding her.
“I don’t know you, Bastian, but I would like to trust you,” Jazmin answers honestly.
“That will do, for now. The Fae can travel very quickly, but you must not fight the sensation. Hold onto me.” Before she can blink, his energy surrounds her, soaking into her soul. She feels the heat, and when she looks into his dark eyes, all fear is forgotten. Mine is all she can think.
His possessiveness is growing, and Bastian knows it will only become stronger over time. His Mate. He will kill for her, destroy for her and give his last breath to keep her safe. ‘Mine,” comes his soul’s response. Light, brilliant streams of light move around them, past them, and under them, but she only has eyes for him. Her hands snake up into his hair, and she pulls his mouth down again, more she thinks.
“More,” he responds and takes her with his mouth with all the skill of an immortal.
He breaks away as the colors streaking past begin to slow, and turns her away from him, “We are almost there.” Arctic air hits Jazmin, and she shivers snuggling closer to Bastian. With a thought, they are dressed for the frigid temperatures of Mongolia.
“That’s handy,” Jazmin laughs. They’ve arrived outside of the monastery, which is located a few
miles from the Silver Tree.
“Bastian, why are we here? Why not just go straight to the temple?” Jazmin asks quietly.
“The Fae are forbidden from setting foot inside the temple. The Silver Tree you seek is a silver tree fountain. Jazmin, it is guarded by four stone lions on the ground, and four serpents on the top of the tree. The true guardian is the Angel who sits on top. It was built to show the world the wealth of the Mongolians, but in truth, it guards a secret.”
“A real angel?” she asks in wonder. They walk outside, and Bastian points to the fountain. In the distance, she can see it. “What is the secret, Bastian?” she asks, looking back at him.
“The secret is under the fountain; a crypt of souls is guarded until judgment day. The Fae are immune from that judgment, we are immortal. The Angel who guards it despises my people. We are capable of shadow and light, and they believe we should not exist.”
“That’s ridiculous; we all are capable of good or bad, Bastian. Only the gift of free will or choice makes us unique. It’s a struggle everyone, human and immortal surely must face,” she says indignantly.
Bastian stares at her in shock. “We have much to learn about each other.”
His mate is amazing, even if she’s human. He leans over and kisses her on the mouth, feeling pride at her intelligence, “Still, we have to get to the crypt; I believe the key is the Fae King’s soul.”
Chapter 10
“Drake, tell me where you are. I need you,” she demands. Standing outside the house that she used to call home, Caderyn reaches for him. She feels a fluttering in her mind as if he is far away. He fades, and she must save him. Once she believed love was a fairytale for children or the hopeless. Now, she knows that life without love is pointless. Power rushes through her body, and she smiles. It is amazing!
