Angelique did not have to ask what seemed possible. There could only be one response. A tentative smile of encouragement played about her lips as Angelique replied, "Each time you hold me, I find myself praying this will be the time you will not let go."
Drew's eyes narrowed and her smile became a little strained. But she did not move away. For a long moment, they stood together, held in a kind of limbo, an unspoken question between them. It was Drew who shifted first. She bent again to kiss Angelique, but this time it was almost chaste.
"But this is not the time. Is it, my Liege?"
Drew shook her head. She lifted her hands to hold Angelique's face between them. "Will you wait for me, Angelique? Can I beg yet a little more of your patience?"
"For you, my love, I would wait forever."
Chapter 15
The summer air was thick with the scent of roses. The fountain sang and a pair of wrens fluttered and fluffed in the shallow waters, adding their cheerful squabbling to the afternoon.
But the tea had grown cold on the little white table, and Angelique was mournfully dangling a hand in the fountain pool. Her thick hair was pulled back by only a single comb, one side left free to hang as its hairpiece lay forgotten beside her. The soft lines of her face were marred by a faint frown.
"I have never seen you quite so unhappy," Drew murmured, appearing from one of her magickal portals. "I am sorry I am so late. I did not mean to upset you."
"You haven't." Angelique withdrew her hand from the water, shaking the droplets free. "You said you would be delayed." She retrieved the comb and set about fixing her hair. "Are you ready for tea?" Angelique rose and, with a few words, warmed the pot again. "There is soft cheese and black bread as well. Or if you would prefer —"
"That will be fine," Drew broke in. She settled at the table, watching Angelique pour the tea. After a moment she asked, "Have I done something to offend you, my Lady? Or forgotten something? I know it is not your birthday, but perhaps your mother's?"
"No. It's not that." She smiled wryly and looked at Drew. "It is not a birthday. It is a wedding day."
"Yes," Drew began cautiously, "Culdun's niece. It—" She broke off as sudden understanding dawned in her dark eyes, and looked away. "You are unhappy because it is not our wedding day." She paused and then added dismally, "Whatever I do, I seem bound to hurt you."
"You do not hurt me on purpose, Drew. I understand your fears. But, sometimes, that doesn't make the hurt any less." Angelique raised her eyes to Drew's face, her disappointment plain. But when she saw the pain her own words had caused, she regretted her selfishness. "Now I've hurt you. Oh, Drew, I don't seem to be able to do anything right today."
"The tea is good," the other offered with a shy smile.
"Can you forgive me?"
"Of course." Drew brightened. "Not only can I forgive you, but I can also at least try to lift your melancholy. Let me escort you to the wedding feast? It would be an honor to have you on my arm."
Angelique came around the table and answered her question with a kiss.
The wedding was more a village celebration than a ceremony, and Angelique was glad she had not missed it. Everyone was there, even babes too young to walk, held by fathers and mothers throughout the gleeful dancing. Elders and youths shared tankards of ale together, spun tales, and ate with great gusto at many of the heavily-laden tables of food.
Angelique settled down at the edge of the festivities. She'd lost sight of Drew some time ago now amid the shouted greetings.
Drew, it seemed, was a popular dancing partner and had been whisked away even before Angelique had been able to protest. She scanned the crowd, but of Drew she saw no sign.
"I see you've found yourself a safe place to watch all the going on."
"I feel so out of place here, Culdun!" Angelique admitted with a grin, as the small man slid onto the bench next to her.
"You? Don't be silly. You look like you were born here!"
She laughed. She was taller than his folk by more than a head and clumsy as a drunken bear compared to the willowy faery folk.
"Nay, wave me off like some shallow youth," he snorted, then finished his drink.
Angelique's brows lifted, a thought dawning as she peered at him more closely.
"Your dress, my Lady, is what I'm referring to. Colors of autumn bright — harvest bright." He waved to the dancers. The faery folk jumped the bonfire, slivers of twilight dust scattering with the orange sparks as they cleared the flames' summit. "Just like any of us."
"Culdun."
Obediently, he turned huge, gray eyes toward her.
"You're drunk."
A shout of laughter and a hand clasped her knee as he rocked in his seat, almost slipping to the ground, but he didn't seem in the least concerned. He wiped the tears from his eyes and, still gurgling a bit, answered, "You're right there. But that's what a wedding's for, mistress." Culdun paused, and added carefully, "Sure you won't have a taste?" He waved back at the dancers.
Angelique almost laughed again and shook her head, but then she registered the serious note in his question. She looked out. The crowd had stilled their feet, their hands clapping in time to the drummer's beat. In the center of the ring, a youth was on his knees and leaning back, a slender torch held high. The gold and amber of the flame matched the colors of his clothing. His hair was as bright as the flame of the setting sun. The crowd laughed and spurred him on as he bent back further until his head nearly touched the ground behind. Then suddenly the flame disappeared as he swallowed the whole of its fiery ball.
With a shout of triumph he discarded the stick. Applause and cheers greeted him as he sprang into the air, somersaulting backwards — not once, but twice. On the third hop and fling, though, he faltered, landing in a sprawling heap amidst the bare feet and tattered skirts of a village girl. The crowd chided him playfully at the obvious ploy as the maid bent beside the still form of the acrobat. He abruptly awakened and stole a kiss, and the music began again. Angelique noticed the couple leave the circle to seek out the more private depths of the forest's darkness. She looked to Culdun.
"It is a night of rashness, my Lady." Culdun lifted his bushy brows. "It is a night to forget caution, to throw the dice in a gamble or two. The maids flirt—" Culdun gestured to the dancing and Angelique now saw it was just an excuse for a touch or a glance. "The youths entreat—" Blushing, Angelique turned away. Culdun continued, "Some sample sweets with no thoughts of future feasts. Others," Culdun shrugged with deliberate casualness, "use the night's enchantment as a way to make it plain to their beloved that the time is ripe to hurry the inevitable."
"The inevitable?"
"Marriage."
Angelique nodded in response, but her thoughts were already elsewhere. Her fingers moved unconsciously to the magickal locket about her neck and didn't see Culdun hide his smile in his cup as he pretended to drain a last droplet or two.
Angelique's eyes scanned the dancers. Culdun lifted a finger and pointed across the clearing. "There, my Lady."
Her fingers dropped from the locket as she touched his shoulder gratefully. Then she left him and moved unerringly toward Drew. Culdun watched her go.
"And what are you looking so pleased about, you romantic old fool?" A stocky young man plunked down in the emptied seat and poured half of his wine into Culdun's cup. The other thanked him with a grin.
"Look at them." Culdun nodded to where Drew and Angelique stood together, their clothes highlighted by the fire's red glow.
Their faces were shadowed, and as Angelique pressed close to Drew the young man said, "You say she's the one?"
"Aye!" Culdun nodded vigorously. "The very one."
"Then we've all cause for more celebration!" The younger man wrapped an arm about Culdun's neck and they toasted together. Then the younger man pulled Culdun close for a sound kiss.
"I was wondering when you were going to get around to that." Culdun grinned when their kiss ended. Arms around each other, they staggered
to their feet.
"Come along now before I throw you across these broad shoulders of mine and make a complete spectacle out of both of us!"
"No need for that," Culdun laughed and they made their way home.
"Drew, I want to dance," Angelique announced, as she pressed herself close to her beloved. "You have honored everyone but me tonight, it seems, with the pleasure of your company." Her words were light and breathless, but her eyes boldly devoured the woman before her.
Drew was truly dressed to honor the Old Ones tonight, her garb of bright autumn copper and bronze replacing her usual somber tones. She'd exchanged her white tunic for a gold-colored billowy shirt with ribbon-sliced sleeves. Her ebony hair was tied back but for the thin braid before her left ear, and her cheekbones had been painted like the other Elders' with the green diamond-headed snakes.
"Should I trust the faery folk, do you think?" Angelique waved at the musicians and dancers. "As partners, I mean?"
Concern flared in those dark eyes and Angelique was satisfied her teasing had found its mark. "Or should I bid you to come dance instead? After all, you are my escort."
Angelique's smile was contagious, her humor infectious. Drew answered with a soft laugh. Angelique gave Drew no time to change her mind but grasped her hand and pulled her along. Culdun was right; tonight was a night for gambling.
They danced until they were parched, then shared a drought of ale and a plate of cheese, bread and meat before dancing again. If Drew noticed Angelique's stumbled steps caused her to fall a bit more often into those strong arms, she gave no sign. If the cheese was suspiciously so good that Angelique was prompted to share her bite with her companion and her fingers lingered over-long along the soft line of Drew's mouth, Drew kept her own counsel.
Slowly, Angelique became aware of a tighter grasp about her waist as they spun, of the hand that tipped her chin as the stein was held for her to drink, of the burning power in that dark gaze as it began to follow her every move. And she laughed, delight mingling with excitement. Caution sizzled into oblivion as she met bold gaze with bold gaze.
It was her night, finally, to demand.
Spinning, nearly falling, Angelique dragged Drew out of the mayhem of music to the flickering edges of the firelight's reach. A tree offered her a brace and, gasping for breath, she leaned back gratefully.
Drew's fingers reached out, lifting Angelique's thick braid aside. The laces on her blouse had come loose during the dancing and Angelique felt a shiver at the night's coolness upon her skin, but she made no move to retie them. Drew's touch lingered on her bare shoulder, and she shivered for another reason. She moistened her lips as Drew moved closer, blocking the fete from sight and thought. Angelique met Drew's dark gaze for less than a heartbeat before Drew's mouth found hers.
Angelique's kiss was hungry, demanding, and Drew's arms closed fast about her, answering her need, pulling her nearer. Her toes barely touched the earth as she was lifted into Drew's embrace, and she clung to Drew's shoulders as Drew's hungry mouth forged ragged paths down the pulsing lines of her throat. She gasped and trembled. Drew moved her kisses upwards to Angelique's ear and, as she did so, Angelique's own mouth tasted Drew's tender skin. Angelique trembled again, this time at the quivering she caused in the other. Her teeth bit lightly and she groaned as her ear was touched by hot breath and teasing tongue.
Drew's voice was heated. "Lie with me tonight." It was not a question, but a statement.
"Yes!" Angelique's feet returned to the ground as they kissed again, and she repeated her fervent reply, "Please, yes!"
Drew pulled back suddenly. Before Angelique could speak, Drew said, "Not here. At home," and swept her up, carrying her into the shadows. The white stallion snorted at their arrival, calming with a murmured word. They mounted, Angelique safely gathered in her beloved's arms as the horse stepped off down the trail.
Desire flamed in Drew's dark gaze. Angelique untied the top lacing of Drew's vest and felt a heart thudding in racing time with her own.
The magick portal opened. They came home.
A breeze blew gently. Angelique shivered with the night's chill until Drew's voice whispered her name and she forgot the world again. Her arms slid around her beloved's neck as they dismounted before the stables, then were in Angelique's room a heartbeat later.
A fire blazed into life, brightening the dimness. The bedding turned down with a magickal flourish. Slowly, Drew set her on her feet.
Angelique returned to her unfinished task of quietly untying Drew's vest. She paused at the last knot, to answer the question on Drew's face. She smiled and answered again, "Yes."
The mouth that took hers this time was gentle and soft. She sank back into the crisp sheets and pulled Drew down on top of her. There, they paused. Angelique stared into Drew's dark eyes and, finding what she sought there, abandoned herself to the power of Drew's touch.
A gentle finger pushed the silken strands from her brow. Slowly, Angelique roused herself from sleep.
Angelique's smile deepened as Drew said, "I didn't mean to wake you."
"Don't stop." Angelique put up a hand. "It feels nice. You feel nice."
"Do you need to sleep?"
"In a bit."
An answering smile fluttered across Drew's face, and it pleased Angelique to see her beloved relax beside her. Angelique's body glowed with the sated calm left from Drew's lovemaking. The faint ache in her muscles was a tangible testimony. Lying beside Drew, Angelique felt only their love. For tonight, at least, all their ghosts were banished.
She nuzzled into Drew's fingers and sighed as the warm palm cupped her cheek. "Thank you." The question on Drew's face prompted Angelique to add, "For the light."
"Ah." Drew glanced up. The pale blue of magickal fireflies danced lazily about the ceiling.
"A starry blanket for a lovely night," Angelique murmured. "I like being able to see you and knowing you see me."
"You never liked it when I hid from you."
Angelique touched Drew's face, turned it toward her in the light. For a moment, neither spoke. Then, "May I touch you?"
As if in answer, Drew's breath came in short, shallow gasps.
"I want my turn. To please you."
"I don't know if I can."
"You can, Drew. Let me. Please."
For a long moment, Drew hesitated, but finally, she nodded.
Unhurriedly, Angelique let her hand curl against Drew's cheek. Drew's dark eyes closed and her body arched with need, baring her throat for Angelique's kisses.
"Yes, beloved." Angelique pressed satin kisses to that pulsing line. Tension melted into desire as trust replaced fear. There would be no interruption this time. No denial. Angelique shifted, her touches growing bolder. And a shudder of another kind began within Drew as Angelique bent her head to the smooth skin that covered the gentle curve of Drew's collarbone, kissing the skin softly. Her gentle coaxing muffled, she took Drew's breast into her mouth. Drew gasped, sinking her fingers deep into Angelique's hair to pull her closer. Angelique complied.
When Drew's nipples were both hard as polished gems against her tongue, Angelique shifted, laying her head against Drew's belly, and encircled Drew's waist with her arm. Her other hand brushed across crisp curls and then her fingers sank into wetness. "Oh, so ready!" Angelique felt her own desire rise again with the homage paid her by Drew's desire.
Drew's hand found Angelique's wrist and pressed the touch down. Angelique's fingertips glided in whirling temptation. Drew's hips lifted, offering herself to Angelique's touch. With a deep-throated "Yes," Angelique encouraged her abandon.
"Please—"
"Love—" Angelique slipped her fingers into Drew and felt her own muscles contract as Drew held her there. Drew pushed against her, and together they quickly found a rhythm that caught her lover in its whirlwind, spinning her higher as Angelique watched, held and pushed deeper for her.
"Oh yes, my love. Yes," Angelique breathed. She felt the gathering of tension in Drew's
body and, with a moan, sank her mouth into Drew's wetness.
Drew arched as neither fingers nor tongue relented. With a joyous cry and sudden release, purgatory vanished and both hearts soared into heaven.
Chapter 16
A meadowlark trilled, anticipating the morning's arrival. Part of Angelique wished it were a nightingale and that there was still the entire eve to come again. A warm arm slipped around her waist, a hand took hers tenderly.
"Sleep now, beloved." The words were a rich, low sound that encircled her heart as wholly as that simple embrace held her body. "I am here."
"I won't let you go," Angelique mumbled, snuggling more closely against her lover and settling, content once more.
Drew's soft laughter echoed in her ears as she drifted off. Angelique never remembered it sounding so genuine before. And holding that thought, she slept.
Angelique woke alone, but began to laugh as soon as she opened her eyes, a laughter that brought tears of joy to her eyes as she beheld her room.
It was covered with fair, pink roses. Her quilt was covered with the blossoms, the floor littered so thickly that the carpet was completely lost. Tucked into the hanging sheer draperies on her terrace doors, dusted across chairs, vanity and hearth, strewn about the entire room were thousands of blooms. Only the pillow beside her was nearly bare. It held but a single, thornless stem with two blooms and a pair of letters.
Angelique was touched to see those thorns had been snipped by hand, not by magic. She pushed her dark hair aside as she sat up and reached for the letters. One she set aside for a while; it was from her mother. But the other was unsealed, and she recognized the fine script.
I am not far, Beloved. The locket will bring me if you have need.
Forgive my absence. I'd promised to lend Gulden's kin help in clearing the feast. Since my magick created many of the fire and dancing rings, my magick is needed to banish them.
Shall I see you in our garden for tea? Or if not, I will seek you here in your chambers.
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