“What’s your mother’s name?”
Did it matter? “Grace.” She reluctantly shared the name. “I tried to find her once, and it was a waste of a year.”
Thame rolled the word around in his head. He lost eye contact and drifted to the waves that now beat into the sandy shore. “I don’t know anyone with that name.”
“Why would you? Ireland is a big place.” Well that was a depressing tale. “Tell me something about you. I need a mood changer.” She needed a stiff drink and her vibrator.
Breena sat back and listened as Thame spoke. He mentioned his big family, mainly men, and he painted a wonderful picture of his house back home. Grudgingly and from her insistence, he added a few funny stories from his childhood.
Memories of her mother were replaced by her laughter as he shook his head at his boyhood antics. He had been as clumsy as she but foolishly tried to always prove his worth. Breena found herself laughing with the hard clatter of rainfall and her cheeks were beginning to hurt.. He snorted and glanced out at the landscape. Why didn’t he smile? Her mirth died as the thought surfaced. She couldn’t remember a single smile, and she wanted to see those lips lift. Would his features light up? Would he have one of those devilish grins?
“Thame?”
“Yes?” Thunder sounded above them, the rain began to fall in fat drops.
“Why don’t you ever smile?”
His head tilted slightly as if the question startled him. “I smile.”
“You haven’t since I met you.” He leaned closer. It irked her.
“Why don’t you give me a reason to smile?”
Oh. He moved closer still. His breath mingled with hers. When had she begun to breath so heavy? Her heart thumped hard, and she feared it would literally jump from its lonely spot to fly into his arms. Then his lips touched hers and Breena experienced her first kiss.
Chapter Six
Thame began slowly, a press of his lips that had her shifting closer for more. Then his tongue slipped out and urged her lips apart. His tongue invaded. It dipped in and she fought it with her own. A little mini battle that made her blood boil and her body softened with desire.
His kiss is perfect. The hand on her thigh squeezed, and she tried desperately to keep up with his wild tongue. He pressed into her, her back touching the swing when his kiss turned feral. His mouth devoured, and her hands gripped that golden hair. It felt like silk under her palms. She wanted to explore it more and shifted her hands to his chest. He gathered her wrists in one hand and held them above her head. His mouth still worked magic as her breasts thrust out and hard nipples protruded against the fabric.
“Breena...” he whispered and nipped at her bottom lip.
She hadn’t realized she closed her eyes and opened them to stare into his. His kiss changed her world forever. Her first real kiss and her body still hummed from it.
“If we don’t stop my dick will be permanently scarred by this blasted contraption.”
Her head tilted, what did he just say? She glanced down and her eyes widened. A bulge filled the crotch of his jeans and the zipper stretched around the growing appendage. She glanced back up and her cheeks burned. “I...” she pulled her hands from his grasp. “It’s just...” Breena stood and her knees nearly gave out. “We...” Her words were pathetic stutters. “Thanks,” she blurted and instantly wanted to hide in a corner. Did she really just thank him for a kiss? “What I mean...”
What did she mean? Where the hell was an interruption when she needed one? Her thoughts were scattered, wild beasts. Yes, she wanted him but she was also too scared to admit that aloud. She took a step back. Cold rain slathered her back. She gasped, turned, and her heel slipped in the puddle. She landed on the ground in said puddle with the rain pouring above her. Breena shook her head and simply laid back. Maybe the rain would wash her away and she wouldn’t have to face Thame again. What kind of woman said thanks after a kiss? She closed her eyes and felt the cascade of water soak her clothes.
“You look great wet, but I can’t reach you over there.”
Was that humor? She jerked open one lid to see him grinning. An actual grin on his face. His lips tilted slightly up and this small dimple formed in his cheek. He had dimples; she smiled back at him.
“...and you’re welcome.”
She growled and returned her head back to the wet grass and frowned as the puddle under her ass seeped through her jeans. Breena lay there for several seconds. She gladly would have waited until Gran returned home and then disgracefully rose to her feet but lightning rippled across the sky. Thunder followed the light show, and she shifted awkwardly to her knees before returning under the awning with Thame.
“That was me first kiss and I may have been...just a wee bit...nervous.” He nodded. Oh shite, was she that bad? She sat with a wet plop next to him and kept her hands in her lap as her eyes drifted to the water that battered the shore.
His fingers gripped her chin and forced her to stare at him. “Sometime soon, I am going to kiss you again.”
Oh. She let out a breath. When did she start holding it? Her tongue swiped at her bottom lip and then he released her.
“Iníon?”
Now Gran shows up? Her body shivered at his promise and she stood to greet Gran as she came out the door into the backyard.
“What in the world? Did you trip again?”
“When am I not falling on me butt?” She frowned but it was more for show. Her insides at the moment were wired and rampant. The promise echoed in her head and heart until she thought both would burst.
Thame kept his raging erection as hidden as possible. The women helped him stumble back inside, and he eventually landed on that creaky old bed. He was alone moments later, thinking about that kiss that nearly sent him into a frenzy. Breena had been so eager but when his lips fell on hers, she’d frozen as if she didn’t know what to do.
Teaching her the steps to a memorable kiss was worth every painful second of his cock pressing against their barrier. He reached down and unzipped, sighing as his hard shaft sprang out of its confinement. Why did humans wear such things? He shoved the quilt over the sight of his slick head, pulsating shaft and heavy balls. The movement against his bare skin just made the feeling that much more impossible to ignore.
The need to return home, to protect his king was dwindling and that was a dangerous thing. It was time to put some distance between Breena and himself, just until he was well enough to get home. Once he warned the king about the trolls attack, he could return here and retrieve her. That was all easier said than done. His back was beginning to ache. The wings must be growing back. He could feel the raw skin stretching apart rather than together. The door arched open and Breena’s Gran brought a tray toward him.
“There’s a ferry out of here in four days. I’m assuming you want to go back to the main land?” she asked with a hint of ice in her tone.
He simply nodded. Did she find out about the kiss? Is that why she renewed her efforts in him leaving?
“I’ll have Breena book you a ride.”
“Thank you.” She placed the tray beside him, more stew from the savory smell, and left the way she came. Four days was not a long time to bond with Breena, but it would have to be enough. After all, he had a king and queen to protect.
****
Morrigan O’Carroll strapped the extra gun to her ankle. The bulletproof vest was secure across her chest, and she shoved a sheathed blade between her breasts. Then she glanced in the hotel mirror. She looked like she’d come back from a two-night stay in hell. Actually, it was two days of driving with less than four hours sleep just to come to this small bed and breakfast. It rested between acres of green rolling hills of Ireland.
All because her cousin Brook, her only family, had gone crazy. She replayed the previous phone call with Brook and cringed. She’d went and fallen in love with a fairy. There were worse things than falling in love with a gay guy, but apparently, Brook meant a real fairy. As in wings that could fly i
nto the fucking sky.
If Brook had truly gone down Looney Road, then Morrigan was determined to help her through. There was no doubt she would be by her for anything and everything.
The alternative road was that this ‘fairy’ and she used that term loosely, was full of shit. That meant he was up to something and using her cousin. Morrigan had no problem kicking nuts to find the truth. That’s the only thing men were good for – lies and one night stands.
She pulled her black t-shirt on and tucked the edges into her black jeans. Then she looped her belt, which doubled as a knife holder and a few other items she might need in a pinch. Her dirty blonde hair was already tied into a bun, she hid it beneath an I heart Ireland cap. It was time to find out if Brook was crazy or in need of her combat skills.
She drove down a quiet road while checking her rearview and the nearby hills for uninvited guests. Brook said to meet her at a local castle that they turned into a museum. Tourists love that kind of crap. When she came upon the picturesque place, the drive was gravel and she stopped briefly to pay the five pound entrance fee. There was also a map of the place she retrieved from the glove compartment. The plan was to meet Brook, alone and inside the gardens that stretched nearly half a mile to the outlying woods. First, she’d scout out the area and then her cousin had some explaining to do.
The gardens were slowly growing back. Little green buds sprouted from the ground and the trees in that forest were beginning to bloom on bare branches. If winter continued to bow to spring this place would look like flower heaven in a matter of weeks.
There was another couple out there, taking pictures with their shiny camera. Morrigan proceeded to the rendezvous spot. Three thick willow trees blocked a bench and there sat the only woman she’d ever loved, the closest thing to a sister, her partner in crime, her Brook. She waited in a pair of blue jeans with a floral printed shirt that showed off more cleavage than Morrigan ever wanted to see. The book in her hands took her primary focus. She looked happy, not crazy. “Brook?” her head jerked up, and she instantly smiled.
It took a few steps but soon their arms tangled around each other for a tight hug. “I missed you!” she said before they pulled away.
“What’s going on? Are you safe?” Morrigan whispered should anyone be listening.
Brook only smiled. “I am not in trouble and not crazy, if that’s what you’re thinking.”
She frowned, and then glanced around them. That camera wielding couple were climbing up the steps to return to the castle.
“Sit down. I have a story to tell you.”
Morrigan sighed but sat on that secluded bench beside her cousin. Brook weaved an unbelievable tale with words. It was an impossible story with fairies, trolls and a hidden kingdom. She listened in silence, afraid to interrupt and show her emotions. Brook had lost her marbles; not just one but the whole damn bagful. When she finished the fantasy tale a smile still lingered on her face. “Please Brook, I’ll stay right by your side for whatever you need but you do need help. I’ll quit my job and live with you. We can get you better.”
Brook rolled her eyes at the heartfelt plea. “I am not fucking crazy.”
“Well, you sound fucking crazy!” A loud whoosh sounded from above and Morrigan’s hand went to the gun at her hip as she glanced upward. Instinct guided her. She jumped in front of Brook and aimed at the thing in the sky. It landed before them, looking like a man with giant blue green wings protruding from its back. Did Brook have something contagious?
“Don’t fucking shoot him!” she yelled, and tried to step toward this man-like thing.
Morrigan gripped her wrist hard, preventing Brook from moving, and kept her weapon aimed.
“This is my...well, my husband, King of the fairies.” Brook grinned as the supposed king of a made-up species bowed his head.
“Bullshit.” This was a sick, fucking joke or a contagious hallucinogen. Brook tugged her arm but she refused to loosen her grip.
“Fairies are real.” He spoke, his black hair rustled by the breeze. “Very few humans can see us.”
“...and I’m a fairy fucking princess.” Morrigan muttered. “Brook, out of thousands of guys in all of fucking Ireland, you pick this one! Listen there’s a cell in my front pocket. Dial the police.”
“Morrigan!” she tugged again. “I told him you’d understand, not threaten his life.”
“Something is wrong here.. Don’t you see that?” Her voice hitched, calm was slipping as she inspected it or was it a him now? She didn’t care if it had a dick or a stump, she was not lowering her gun. He was wearing a loincloth for crying out loud.
“He’s flesh and blood, just like us.” She tugged once more and slipped free. Then walked toward the fairy
Morrigan couldn’t believe she was even thinking the word. “Tell it to turn around.” She’d be able to see the prosthetics. Of course, that didn’t explain the flying. Maybe there were some wires hanging around she couldn’t see.
“His name is Carrick, King Carrick.”
“I don’t care if he’s ruler of the third dimension, tell him to turn around.” Morrigan watched closely as the man in question spun around. Her mouth dropped open. This couldn’t be. Fairies were myths like leprechauns and the fucking Boogeyman. She suddenly felt the need to eat vegetables. He fluttered his wings and she could actually see the muscles in his back working. “Well fuck me.” The gun lowered, her lips still parted in shock.
“The story I told you was real. There’s a war going on that humans can’t even see.”
Morrigan didn’t know what to say. How was she supposed to process this? A man with wings shouldn’t exist.
“I mean humans no harm.” Carrick spoke as he faced them. “I have fallen for your cousin, and she is now queen of the fairies.”
“What!” Morrigan jerked her attention to Brook.
“Um...didn’t I mention that?” She nibbled on her bottom lip.
“I think I would remember you telling me your now royalty to some...” she was about to say fairies. This couldn’t fucking be possible.
“To the fairy kingdom. Yes.” Carrick finished for her.
“Fuck me, there’s more than one?”
“Yes...and trolls.” Brook mentioned barely above a whisper.
Morrigan sat back on that bench and rubbed her temple with her free hand. Maybe she’d never made it to meet Brook. Maybe there was some kind of car crash and this was the result of trauma to the head. Carrick’s wings fluttered. Lots of trauma. There was another whoosh and Morrigan nearly had a heart attack as another winged man came from the darkened forest. Dear God, it just kept getting worse. This one had green hair and spring-colored wings.
The ‘King’ looked pissed. “What?”
“I just received word there’s troll activity on the Aran Islands. Several groups are gathering and boating to Inis Mór .”
“Now? Why would they go there?” Carrick asked then his face lit up. “Thame, it has to be Thame!”
Morrigan watched the interaction with stunned fascination.
“We have to go” He placed a hand on Brook’s waist.
“Hello! I can’t just leave her after dropping the fairies-are-real bomb.” Brook pulled away. “I’ll stay here with her and you pick me up, us up when you’ve found our man.” She lifted her chin in a show of dominance.
Carrick frowned and turned to her cousin. “You keep her safe; do not leave her alone for a moment.”
Morrigan lifted the gun. “You may be King,” she said the last two words with dripping sarcasm, “but if you order me around again, I’ll shoot your nuts off.”
Carrick glanced down at the items in question then to Brook. “What is with your family and threatening my manhood?”
She watched Brook shrug her shoulders and the green one pushed off the ground to fly into the air. It wasn’t like a bird or plane but like a giant human butterfly. It was elegant as they fluttered from view. Morrigan glanced at Brook then patted the empty seat beside her. “Te
ll me the story again, from the beginning.”
****
Breena woke up with a smile. It lingered through her morning shower and she tried her damndest to hide it from Gran as they began breakfast. The sun rose outside the windows but her mind was on that kiss. She couldn’t stop thinking about him, about it, The entire scene kept replaying in her head.
“Iníon.”
She looked quickly toward Gran’s outstretched hand and gave her the wet dough she was kneading. Another wad of dough plopped onto the wooden board and she used the rolling pin to start smoothing it out. Cookies were a treat at the market that Gran ran; when the ingredients were cheap enough they sold them to make extra income. The process was too tedious to enjoy the end result.
“I need you to bring that first batch to the market then I need to go down to the ferry and book a spot on the next one.”
Her head jerked out of the reverie at the words.
“Thame isn’t staying for much longer. He has a life he had to get back to, his own troubles, Breena. You shouldn’t be getting so attached.”
He was leaving. She knew the time would come but facing the reality head on spiraled her good mood.
“The car’s not working again so ask Mr. Creegan to give it a look next chance he gets. Are you listening to me?”
The Ravaged Fairy Page 5
