by J. D. Wright
“Yes, it has. It was just before my sixteenth birthday.”
Rowan frowned and tried to think of something to say. He felt sorry for her, knowing that being in the same room as Finn must have been difficult. But then again, he was in awe of her ability to win the tournament.
While Penelope had kept her distance from Bree and Finn over the years, she hadn’t done so with Rowan. He had seen her several times in the village and his grandfather’s tavern. But even he was not able to predict that she would go to such lengths to avenge her father’s death.
“Let’s get you to your celebration,” he said. “We can figure everything else out in the morning.”
~*~
Word of Junacave’s new female knight spread quickly. By the time Dagan and Sidonie returned to Elmber from their visit to the Crystal Springs, everyone in the town was talking about it.
“I just can’t imagine it,” Sidonie said, picking up two apples from the merchant’s cart. “Where will she live? Surely, not in the knight’s wing with all of the other men. They will torment her.”
“I’m sure Queen will think of something… Would you like to have chicken or venison? For supper?”
“Oh, either is fine. But since it’s our last night before returning, perhaps we should visit the bakeshop?”
Dagan turned toward her and pulled her close. “In the mood for something sweet?” He nipped at her lip.
“I am.”
“I think that can be arranged.”
“Hmm…”
“Honestly,” a female voice said, “the two of you could be a bit more discreet in the middle of the town and in the middle of the day.”
Sidonie didn’t need to turn to know who it was. “Hello, Cassandra.”
“Hello, Sabra.”
Dagan sighed and pulled away from Sidonie.
“We were actually on our way to see you,” he said, turning toward his longtime friend and ex-lover. She was looking as vibrant as ever with her red lips and wavy golden hair, but she just didn’t stir the same feelings in him that she once had. He only had eyes for one woman now and he couldn’t take them off of Sid long enough to even entertain the notion of looking at someone else.
“Is that so? Need a new amulet, perhaps?”
“Yes, actually,” Sidonie replied, wondering how she knew. “Mine is somewhere in Odustis.”
“I’ve already apologized at least a dozen times now!” Dagan said.
Cassandra chuckled and turned to walk to her shop. Dagan handed a coin to the merchant as Sidonie tucked her apples into a small pouch hanging from her hip. He would come back for the rest of what they needed later. They turned and followed Cassandra into the apothecary.
“I have several stones that you can choose from. Do you have a preference?” Cassandra asked, looking over her shoulder as she opened a small wooden chest.
“I would prefer one similar to my old amulet,” Sidonie replied.
“Ah, amethyst.” Cassandra pulled a purple stone and thin piece of metal from the chest. Moving to the counter, she began to wrap the metal around the stone, swirling from the bottom to the top. Once finished, she made a small loop and slid a chain through it.
Sidonie watched in awe. She knew her old amulet had come from Cassandra’s shop, but she didn’t realize that it was actually Cassandra, herself, that made it. Sidonie decided that she could still despise Cassandra and respect her craft at the same time.
Cassandra walked over to the window and held the chain into the air, letting the stone dangle.
“What is she doing?” Sidonie whispered to Dagan.
“She is blessing the stone with the sunlight.”
“What does that mean?”
“It’s a tradition, in her family, to bless every amulet that they create. Her mother explained it to me once, but I don’t remember.”
Cassandra walked over and handed the amulet to Sidonie, who thanked her while slipping the chain around her neck.
“I should probably explain the reason we came to Elmber in the first place,” Dagan said, tying his hair back. “But this conversation is best had in private.”
Cassandra led them to a small room in the rear of the shop and closed the door behind them.
Dagan wasted no time in relaying the recent events. He told her about the kidnapping, his father’s amulet, and their conversation with the fairies. He decided to omit the incredible sex from the story.
Cassandra stood and walked over to a wall lined with books. She took one down, then replaced it and took two others. She carried them over to the table and laid them down, opening the top one. Sidonie glanced over at Dagan but didn’t speak.
“My grandfather used to tell me a story about the Blood Moon. The one day of the year when the three moons reach their full state and the magic in the land is the strongest. The Blood Moon Crystal was created on the eve of the first Blood Moon. It can be used to harness the extra magic that is created by the three moons.” Cassandra pointed to a drawing of a stone.
“So the Blood Moon Crystal is real,” Dagan said. “That’s what it’s actually called.”
“It’s only a story,” Cassandra said, laughing. “There isn’t any proof that the stone actually exists.”
“Story or not, my father’s amulet looks just like that. And it has an “E” in the center, as well.”
“An “E?” Cassandra asked. “No, Dagan. That isn’t an “E”.”
“What do you mean? I’ve seen it.”
“It isn’t an “E.” You’re looking at it wrong.” She spun the book around toward him and he realized that the drawing he was looking at was turned on its side. “That’s an “M.”
“An “M”? I always thought the amulet belonged to my father because it had an “E” in the center. For Edmund. He must have been wearing it wrong. Turned on its side.”
“Do you think your father knows what it is? If it really is the crystal? Where did he get it?”
“I don’t know. But more importantly, why did Mereck want it?”
“Perhaps, now he just wants to use it the same way Dahlia did. The same way I did. To change his appearance,” Sidonie added. “He doesn’t have his magic anymore. Maybe he just wants the ability to look like someone else.”
Dagan stood and walked over to the bookshelf, trying to make sense of it all. “Something is missing. Something is happening that we don’t understand.”
“You’ve always assumed the worst, Dagan,” Cassandra said, taking Dagan’s empty seat. “I think you’re just looking for problems that aren’t there. Even if this Mereck person has the amulet and knows what it is, if he doesn’t have his magic he can’t use it to harness anything, let alone the power of the Blood Moon.”
“She’s right,” Sidonie said. She hated to admit that she actually agreed with Cassandra. “The magic will eventually run out of the amulet and Mereck will no longer be able to use it, in any way. You are worrying for no good reason. Maybe he isn’t a threat to us. Not any longer.”
“I sure hope so, Sid,” Dagan said, looking over at her. “I really do.”
Chapter Nineteen
“I can’t believe you agreed to this,” Rowan said, laughing. “This is the most insane idea that I have ever heard. And I have heard of some fairly ridiculous ideas. Even thought up a few of them, myself.”
“I know, but I couldn’t refuse,” Reeve said, dropping his voice lower. “You should have seen the desperation in her eyes. Her voice… And then there was the kiss. After that, I would have agreed to anything, even to riding off of a cliff.”
“You are pathetic. First, you agree to marry her in Anestas. And do. Then, you decide you don’t want to be married to her, after all, so you get an annulment. Then, you agree to pretend to be her husband, again. And then, as if you needed to punish yourself a little more, you decide to kiss her head off in the middle of the hall. Right in front of her sisters. Reeve, I am beginning to wonder if something is wrong with your mind.”
“I’m inclined to ag
ree.”
“Oh, stop it,” Bree said. She had been sitting beside Rowan the entire time, but only now began to pay attention to their conversation. “It isn’t really that farfetched of an idea. They came here and saw how happy you and Rhea were and so they decided they wanted to find that same happiness for themselves. We know the truth, but they don’t. That is what they saw. Two happy people, madly in love.”
“Yes, well… Now they are just mad. Mad at each other and mad in the head,” Rowan joked. “Besides, where are these fairies supposed to live once you find husbands for them? Anestas? The fairy queen is never going to allow them to live there. Are you telling me that these fairies intend to live out in the realm?”
“They used to,” Reeve said, taking a sip from his goblet. “Before Queen Viola closed off the valley, fairies married and lived freely in the realm. Some still do, according to Rhea.”
“There is a reason she closed it off, though,” Rowan said, “To protect them. Who is going to protect them now?”
“Their husbands, I suspect.” Bree picked up her corn muffin and spread butter across the top. “I mean, you would have protected Rhea,” she said, glancing at Reeve.
“I still would,” Reeve mumbled. I still do.
Sir Ainsley approached the table and whispered something to the queen. She nodded slowly.
“Yes, escort her in,” Bree said, just before Sir Ainsley left the table. “Well, it seems we have another fairy in our presence now…”
Before Reeve or Rowan could ask who, they received their answer. Raven entered the hall. She spotted Bree and walked straight over. Her long, dark hair was flawless, as usual. She was wearing a short white dress today, instead of her usual blue.
“Your Majesty,” Raven said, greeting the queen. “I hope I am not interrupting your meal.”
“Not at all, Raven. Please feel free to join us.”
“Thank you, Your Majesty, but I am not hungry.”
“I assume you have come to collect Twila and Ruby? To take them back to Anestas?”
“No.”
“No?” Bree was surprised by her reply.
“No. I have come to give them my blessing.”
“Your blessing? To marry?”
“Yes. Queen Viola does not condone the marriages. However, she isn’t the only fairy who can perform a marriage ceremony.”
“Forgive me, Raven. I am not familiar with the rituals of the fairies. Can’t a mysta perform the ceremonies?”
“No. Marriage to a fairy is only recognized by the fae if it is performed by the fae. The joining is more than words said and gold rings given. Our ceremony is sealed with magic. A magic that cannot be recreated by a mysta. Wizards can marry either way. Fae cannot.”
“I see,” Bree said. Suddenly, a thought hit her. “Raven, could I ask you something else?”
“Yes, of course.”
“If you perform the ceremonies and, perhaps, one of the couples were to decide that they didn’t want to remain married? For any reason… Could those marriages be… annulled?” Bree tried to speak as nonchalantly as possible.
“Under certain circumstances, perhaps,” Raven said. “But as I mentioned, our ceremony is sealed by magic. It must also be unsealed by magic.”
“Is that so?” Bree said. “And how, exactly, would that be done? Just to satisfy my curiosity, of course.”
“During the ceremony, the two hands are tied together with a vine. It is a magical tradition that we have used since the beginning of our existence. The vine is what joins the hands, ergo, joins the people. The only way to separate the people is to cut the vine. I’m sure he remembers,” Raven said, gesturing to Reeve.
“So even if a couple were to separate, they would still be married unless they cut the vine?”
“Yes. Their marriage would still be valid and their rings would still be permanent. And though it can be done, it has never been done before. After all, who wouldn’t want to be married to a fairy?”
Rowan glanced over at Reeve, who was staring at the green band on his finger.
“Thank you, Raven, for enlightening me. I do appreciate it,” Bree said.
“You are welcome, Your Majesty.”
“Yes, well…” Bree waved a hand and Sir Ainsley approached. “Sir Ainsley will escort you to Twila and Ruby’s chambers. I’m sure they will be delighted to see you.”
Neither Bree, Rowan, nor Reeve, spoke for several moments after Raven left the hall.
“So this means…” Rowan began.
“Rhea and I are still married.”
~*~
Reeve took Firefly for a quick ride to clear his mind. He needed time to think. Time to absorb the news that he had just received. He knew he needed to tell Rhea. She needed to know that the annulment was a useless waste of time. He should have known something was wrong when Gabby pointed out their rings were still visible.
He dismounted from his horse and handed off the reins. Normally, he would take Firefly to the stables, himself. But he had decided, during his ride, that he needed to tell Rhea. Sooner, rather than later. When he got to the hall, Rhea wasn’t there, but Twila was. He approached her and asked if she knew where Rhea was.
“Rhea? No, I haven’t seen her,” Twila said.
“If you do, tell her I need to speak with her,” Reeve said, turning to go.
“I’m not sure why you would, seeing that the two of you are no longer married.”
Reeve froze. He closed his eyes and hoped he heard her wrong. Then he turned back around.
“I don’t know what you mean, Twila.”
“There is no reason to lie to me. I know the truth now. You see, I have my ways of getting information from people. Men, especially,” she said, walking toward him. “And I learned that Junacave recently received a visit from a mysta. I didn’t even know what a mysta was, at first. I learned that, too.”
“Twila…”
“And I also learned that the mysta was here to perform a ceremony. Only, this ceremony was meant to end a marriage, not start one.”
“Even if that were true, Rhea and I are still married.” As she walked toward him, he noticed she was wearing Rhea’s yellow gown. The same gown that Twila had insulted Rhea for wearing in the past.
“Well, of course, you are. The mysta has no way of ending your marriage. He has no magic. But…” she said, running a finger down Reeve’s chest, “what I find most interesting is that the only way for a marriage to be ended is if it hasn’t really began. If it hasn’t been sealed.”
“Sealed?”
“Yes, sealed. The man I spoke with called it something else. Oh, I remember. Consummated.”
Reeve tried to focus on something other than her body, which she kept brushing against his as she walked around him. He looked around the hall, wondering why no one had walked in yet. They were still alone.
“I agreed to help you find a husband,” Reeve said, trying to distract Twila. “If I am going to do that, I need to go.”
“I don’t need you to find one for me, Reeve,” she said, stepping back in front of him. “I want you.”
“I am still married.”
“For now. You tried to leave the marriage once. You can do it again. I don’t blame you. You deserve something better. Someone who will give you everything you desire.”
She was so close that he could smell the flowers tucked into her hair. He tried to look away, but her eyes were so beautiful. They looked like Rhea’s. In fact, she looked so much like Rhea. She was a bit taller and her hair was slightly darker blonde, but she was still beautiful. And she wanted him. Rhea didn’t.
He felt himself being drawn to her. To her eyes. To her lips. He looked down at them, wondering what they tasted like. What they felt like. Something in his mind told him to find out. She tipped her head up and waited for him. Slowly, he lowered.
Their lips had barely brushed together when Twila was suddenly pulled backward, away from him. Reeve blinked, trying to make sense of what he was seeing.
“You don’t deserve him! You can’t make him happy!” Twila shouted back.
Reeve finally began to understand what was happening just as Rhea made a fist and pulled her arm back. He quickly reached over and grabbed Rhea’s hand before she could swing it.
It was pointless, however, because Sidonie came out of nowhere and landed her own punch, right on the side of Twila’s face. Twila stumbled back and grabbed her cheek, wincing from the pain, and looking stunned by what had just happened.
Reeve was unable to stop the smile from spreading across his face, but he tried to hide it when Rhea spun around to face him. He could see how angry she was. Angrier than he had ever seen her be. But even in her rage, she was still so incredibly beautiful.
He may not have seen the difference between her and her sister, a moment ago. But he definitely saw it now. She was so much more to him. Something Twila could never be.
Huffing mad, Rhea glared at him, then she turned and ran out the back of the hall. Reeve could barely hear Sidonie shouting at Twila because he was already chasing after Rhea. He caught up with her in the hallway, just as she reached out to touch the library door.
He grabbed her arm and spun her around, right to him. Cupping her face in his hands, he kissed her. Hard. As angry as she was, she didn’t fight him. Instead, she grabbed his arms and leaned into him with such force that she slammed his back against the wall. Desperately, he let go of her face and wrapped his arms around her, squeezing her body against his. Holding onto her as if his life depended on it.
Rhea’s entire body was becoming hot and excited. When the kiss ended, she gasped for air, then immediately brought her mouth back to his for another. He was moaning under her lips as his hands moved up her back and into her hair. She closed her eyes and tossed her head back. He kissed her chin then moved down her neck until he could go no further because he reached her gown.
Instinctively, he tugged at her clothing, wishing it would disappear.
“Get it off!” she breathed. “Get the damn thing off!”
Hearing her desperate cries made his blood boil. He reached over and opened the door to his suite. They were still tangled in each other when they slid inside.
