They traveled by moonlight, through the woods and over the hills. A peaceful stroll was rather romantic as long as he didn’t think of Trillian as a human. Maybe he could get her some fake wings to keep strapped to her back or something. Would she find that offensive? He frowned, stepped over a big log, and waited for her to follow.
It took some time but eventually they made it to the big willow tree and quickly found the path that led to the city. From this height, the city was laid out before them. The palace had candles in the windows and a few domed homes were lit. They looked like fireflies freezing to hide from a predator. Keyn glanced at Trillian constantly, while her eyes roamed over the landscape. “Will you stay now?”
She stumbled, but caught herself quickly. “Stay here? If the healer can save Cameron, then yes, I will stay. I’ll do whatever the king says.”
She seemed ready to cry again and Keyn looked back at the palace.
“He’s my life. You save him and I’ll do anything...” She broke off, her voice shaky.
“Then let’s see how she’s doing.” Keyn led her toward her brother.
“She?”
“The healer, Brielle.”
****
Trillian stepped into a large room draped in red and gold. She saw the form spread on the bed, covered in sweat and breathing harshly. Her heart ached. That was her brother, the man that always made her laugh. He was the light in her life and now he was the one dwindling away. She once again fought tears and made her way to his side. The king was here, beside Cameron. His wings fluttered as she neared them.
“He’s unwell.”
“Yes. The doctors, human healers, can’t figure out what’s wrong with him.” Trillian went to Cameron’s side and grabbed his hand. His skin was clammy against hers.
“He saw Keyn. He can see fairies too,” she said, hoping to sway the king’s decision to let them stay. “If the healer can save him, we’ll stay here. We’ll follow all your rules.” She would be willing to give up her life, her very soul, to save Cameron.
“That’s good to hear, but I don’t know if she can...”
“I can heal him.”
The words were magical, an angelic voice with a gift from God. Trillian turned toward the door and her eyes widened at the sight. Her mouth hung open as she caught sight of a female fairy. Gorgeous didn’t being to describe the woman with white wings that truly looked like an angel’s. Her voice was stolen by Brielle’s words or looks, she wasn’t sure.
“I know what’s wrong with him. It will take time, but I can save him.”
Trillian’s knees gave out. She landed roughly on the floor and had to take several breaths to calm herself. Keyn stepped forward. He reached out and it looked like he was going to help her up, but he hesitated. Trillian pulled herself onto the bed. “You...you can save my brother?” The words were so shaky she was surprised anyone understood them.
Brielle gave her a sweet smile and nodded. “Yes. He will live.”
Trillian broke down. She couldn’t hold it in any longer. Tears streamed down her face and she brought Cameron’s hand to her lips. Her prayers had been answered. God had come through for them and she promised to never ask for anything ever again in her life. A hand touched her shoulder and she was shocked to see it was Keyn’s. His arm was outstretched, the tips of his fingers on her shoulder. She appreciated the gesture. “What’s...what’s wrong with him?” she asked. Finally knowing would be another godsend. After so many clueless doctors, Trillian needed an answer.
Brielle hesitated then she walked toward the bed and said, “You don’t know what he is?”
“What he is?”
She lifted a brow. “Your auras are similar but do not match. He has more DNA from your mother.”
It took Trillian a moment to understand. She stood quickly to face the fairy woman. “Are you saying...?”
“Your mother was a fairy.”
Trillian fell back to the bed.
“You are only a half-blooded fairy but he is nearly full fairy. He is sick because he was supposed to be a complete fairy at birth. His wings should have developed days after he was in this world. It happens occasionally, usually caused by your human drugs. The fairy wings did not develop, and as a result, his body was compromised.”
“He’s...he’s going to have wings.” The world was suddenly blurry and she grabbed Keyn’s hand to steady herself.
“It is a possibility, though he may be too damaged for them to form. It will take much time for his body to sync and the healing to occur.”
Trillian gasped. “He’s going to kill me.” She smiled. “He’s going to live and then yell at me mercilessly for giving him girly wings,” she blurted out, laughing. Trillian couldn’t wait to see his green eyes and hear his deep voice. She blew out a harsh breath. “I can’t thank you, all of you, enough.” She smiled, her cheeks hurting and her head aching from the whirl of emotions.
The world was suddenly brighter.
Cameron was going to live.
Chapter Eleven
Her brother was going to have wings. Trillian wondered what color they would be. She glanced over to the still-unconscious Cameron. A small part of her hoped they were pink or purple, something girly, so she could tease him. Trillian grinned. She looked out the window to see the sun beginning to rise. Sleep was elusive and she was content to sit here and watch her brother.
Why was it that he got wings? If they were both part fairy, why didn’t she have any? Trillian stood and found her way out the door. She stumbled along, listening before opening the doors, looking for a mirror. In a world full of gorgeous people, there sure as hell weren’t many mirrors. At least one of the fairies had to be vain.
“Where do you wander to?”
She jerked, frowned, and glanced back to see Keyn stepping from the shadows. Trillian rolled her eyes. “I’m looking for a mirror.”
His mouth parted but no words came forth.
“You know, reflective glass so you can see your image,” she quipped and then instantly felt bad. “Sorry.” She forgot sarcasm was off the table now.
“It was humorous,” Keyn acknowledged. “There is a mirror in the queen’s room but she currently occupies it.”
Figures. “Okay.” She stepped forward and Keyn visibly shivered. Her good mood faltered. Did he have no ability to even come close to her? She had to walk here instead of fly, for fuck’s sake. “I’ll leave you alone,” she mumbled and hugged the wall to pass him.
As Trillian walked back to Cameron’s room, she came to a decision. There was no point in dealing with that mate business. All she had to do was ignore him, stay out of Keyn’s way, and they could all settle here without a fuss. Maybe her ire would cool off. Why the hell did she get stuck with a fairy that hated humans? A hand landed on her shoulder and she spun around so quickly she lost her footing.
Keyn grabbed her elbows, steadying her before jerking his hands back to his side. “You are angry with me?”
“No.” She shook her head quickly. He could push her down and kick dirt in her face and she’d have no ill feelings toward him. Keyn had saved her brother. That was the ultimate gift.
He eyed her for a moment then nodded. “Stay in the room. It’s safer.”
“Sure,” she said through gritted teeth. Hell, she was heading that way anyway. Trillian turned back to her original direction and quickly disappeared into Cameron’s room. She closed the door, locked it, and leaned heavily on the sturdy wood. In the span of a few days, her world was shaken and shoved upside down.
This called for a drink.
Too bad this place didn’t have minibars in the rooms. Trillian walked to the balcony doors and threw them wide. The morning sun’s rays were flooding the land with light. A cool breeze caressed her skin and she walked into the daylight. The brown grass was beginning to lighten; it was shifting to shades of green. The sunflowers with frayed edges were standing a little taller. Spring was almost here. She was giddy at the thought. Trillian longed to walk the
city and discover its wonders with Cameron. Just like they used to do as kids.
“You locked the door.”
Trillian jerked back then frowned. The man she was supposed to avoid was flying down from the sky onto the balcony. It would be kind of hard to stay away when one of them had wings. “Didn’t want any trolls to bust in.” She gestured to the unconscious Cameron snug beneath a blanket. “We’re not exactly ready to take on an army of ugly fuckers.”
Keyn snorted. “They are ugly.” He sighed and shifted to rest against the thick railing.
“And smell like rotting food.”
“They do smell hideous.”
Trillian took the time to slowly step back and settle in the nearest seat. Her fingers caressed the smooth wood beneath her palms. She couldn’t control her gaze roaming over his bare chest and those thick, column-like thighs. Nothing tented his loincloth and she found herself disappointed. Disappointed? She needed to find and destroy that emotion later. Keyn was strictly off limits. Besides, he hated her kind. She simply thought of their kiss and felt the heat between her legs dissipate. Maybe if the fairies just wore more clothes...
“There’s a good trick that sometimes works to warn you of their approach.” Keyn tapped his nose with a finger. “Face the wind and sniff the air. Their smell will usually carry, and once you get a whiff, you can prepare for a fight.”
“Yeah, my fight prepping didn’t really do any good.” She kicked at the ground. “Three times I fought them and three times I was rescued.” That was a kick to her ego. She was a tough woman in the human world. Here she was just...a girl.
“Perhaps, when you are ready, I can show you some defense techniques.”
Her head popped up. “Really? That’d be great.” Trillian smiled. “I know some. Cameron showed me the palm-to-the-nose thing and stomping the instep and the ball crunch.”
Keyn frowned. “That is not one I care to practice.”
“Neither did he.” Trillian grinned. A bright blur of colors whirled by them and she jerked to her feet. “What was that?” It was about the size of a bird but way too bright to actually be one.
Keyn watched it, turning so he could see it on the nearby roof. “A banshee bird. Those sweet things are the only creature on earth that can cool the notorious banshee tempers.”
“Banshee?” Trillian shook her head and moved to the railing to watch it. The feathers were a rainbow of colors that lit up brightly under the rising sun. “They exist too? What else is out there that we don’t know about?”
“There’s an entire world around us that humans do not see. Banshees and trolls, fairies and...”
Trillian wasn’t staring at the bird. She was watching Keyn’s face. Her eyes drifted over the scar, ragged edges that marred his tanned skin. His nose was small for his face and crooked like it had been broken several times. His jaw was all angles and dark stubble. Even the column of his neck was fascinating. The way the pulse under his skin jumped rapidly. His hair was down his back, a wild black that made him look dangerous. She was looking at his body when she realized he no longer spoke. Trillian glanced up and locked eyes with the moody fairy. “I was listening,” she blurted.
“I cannot be your mate,” he whispered.
Where did that come from? “I know,” she said quickly. “It’s sort of hard not to look when every warm-blooded male around here goes around in their underwear.”
Keyn frowned. “They’re loincloths.”
“Well, yes, but they look like...never mind.” She glanced where the bird had been but noticed the space was vacant. It had flown the coop just like she wanted to do. “I’ll go.” She spun around, feeling awkward and bruised by his quick rejection. This was not a time to go looking for a lay. There were trolls to think about, Cameron, the existence of supernatural creatures, which sure as hell blew her mind, and apparently, her balance. Trillian stumbled over her own feet and made a mad dash for the rough floor. She braced for impact as air left her lungs but was quickly gathered up by Keyn.
He arms wrapped around her and her feet were now flat on the floor. She was ready to apologize, to ignore his quick backpedal at being this close, and try to find a hole to disappear in. Her confidence was taking all sorts of shots this week.
Trillian glanced up. Keyn was looking down. There was something in the way he stared at her. He slowly uncurled his arms, removing that warm, hard contact, and Trillian licked her lips. For an instant, their breaths mingled and she could have sworn he was thinking about kissing her. The way his eyes glazed over, his lips slightly parted, and that very distinct bulge that now pressed against her leg were clues. There was a small smile at the knowledge he was hard for her.
Keyn broke the trance with speech. “You smell like a Dead-Sparkle tree.”
Snap went the lust. “What? I smell like a dead tree?” What romance! She pulled away.
“No. Wait, it’s not like that.” He fumbled, grabbing her arm, and bringing them back face-to-face. “It’s a tree.”
“Yeah, I kind of got that.” She huffed, fighting down the urge to go sarcastic on his ass as she heard the soft breaths of a sleeping Cameron behind them.
“No. That’s the name of the tree. Dead-Sparkle tree, it smells wonderful. Musky and sweet.” He took a breath. “It’s a very rare occasion that you get to see one as they’ve mostly faded from existence in the kingdom, but they used to fragrance the western breeze with such a lovely smell.”
“Oh.” Who the hell would name a tree Dead? “Thanks. I think.”
“I meant it as a compliment.” He fidgeted, biting his lower lip.
“That was a nice idea.” She tried. After all, he did say she smelled like something dead. Without thought, she reached up and brushed a piece of hair from his face, exposing the scar. She went to speak again but felt his body draw near. A tremble ran down his hard form as it started to press against hers.
“It doesn’t bother you?”
Trillian shook her head. It was a scar. “Some people have them on the outside, some on the inside hidden away where it’s harder to see them.”
“I have both.”
“I’m aware of that.” She leaned forward, hesitated when he pulled back. Then Trillian gently placed her lips on his. It was the briefest touch, a caress of silk against her skin all too quick and unsatisfying. Trillian parted her lips and tried again. Keyn was stiff and still before her. She suckled his lower lip and swiped her tongue across it.
“You still with me?” Trillian asked, pulling away slightly.
Keyn nodded, swallowed hard, and trembled.
She reached up again and her lips found his easily. They pressed against his unyielding mouth, slowly, touch by touch easing his lips from a hard line to a soft, open state. Trillian draped her lips against his, her tongue slipping out to swipe against his skin before dipping into his mouth.
He jerked back. Was that shock on his face? His skin broke out in goose bumps but she just started again. Soft, light kisses followed by a curious tongue. It was rather sweet and nice. Trillian smiled and slowly pulled away.
Keyn suddenly grabbed her arms. His fingers dug into her skin and he dragged her closer. She was slightly nervous as he pressed their bodies together. “Keyn?” she said softly but he didn’t answer. His mouth fell onto her neck, suckling deeply and pulling the skin against his teeth. The rough edge made her thighs loosen and her heart begin a wild pounding. He walked her backwards. Trillian felt her back hit the wall and shivered when his body touched hers. His teeth scraped against her neck, and he grabbed the collar of her shirt, pulling it.
There was a loud rip and the shirt hung open, revealing her pink push-up bra. Trillian gasped. Fear edged her lust as Keyn’s hands went to her jeans. He tugged roughly, pulling them down her body in a quick motion. They pooled around her ankles as his eyes roamed between her legs. This was going way too fast. “Keyn.”
He growled. His eyes were vacant like no one was home.
“Keyn!” She pushed him but he didn�
��t budge. He did, however, pick her up and carry her inside. She caught a brief glimpse of Cameron’s supine form and felt the cold table under her bare ass. Lust moistened her folds as he knelt before her. Keyn was quick to remove her sneakers, throwing them across the room along with her wadded-up jeans. His hands were on her thighs, prying them apart to reveal her wet core. She swallowed hard.
Keyn growled again, deep and low. He moved his face between her legs. Trillian anticipated a touch of his tongue, a wild kiss to her nether lips. Instead, he sniffed, inhaled slowly, and let loose a groan. He stood, towering over her, and pulled his loincloth away.
Trillian’s mouth had to have fallen open. She glanced down at his dick and she was more shocked by the marks. Her breath caught. There were jagged scars like the one on his face. At the base of his cock, there were a few nicks on the beautiful skin of his cock and on his inner thigh. “What...”
Keyn grabbed his engorged cock. The head was red, the length impressive. He spread her legs farther. The tip was instantly at her wet hole. She hissed out a breath as he pushed the tip inside her.
Sweet heaven and hell, he was just going to enter her. No foreplay, not even a fucking word. Inch by inch, he speared her with his dick and sent her lust skyrocketing. With one hard thrust, he was in to the hilt. Trillian had never felt fuller. Her head fell back, her inner muscles clenched, and her lids closed as pleasure consumed her.
Keyn held her hips, fingernails digging into her skin. She felt them cut her flesh but it only added to the pleasure between her legs. She cried out as he pulled free and thrust home once again. He growled above her, wild and crazed, as his cock began a rhythm. It was uncoordinated like he’d never been with a woman before. His hips slipped out of sync and his cock pressed against her thigh instead of inside her. Keyn growled. He flipped her over, kicked her legs out, and she felt the overwhelming cock penetrate her pussy from behind. She gasped as pleasure nipped at every nerve in her body. He was rough, gloriously so, and the movements were more uncontrolled. He was shivering. She felt it and then he lifted her legs and really began to fuck her.
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