The Dark Fae: The Knights of Burana Paranormal Romance Series Book Two

by T. R. Reilly

  Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Dedication

  CHAPTER ONE

  CHAPTER TWO

  CHAPTER THREE

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CHAPTER FIVE

  CHAPTER SIX

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  CHAPTER EIGHT

  By

  T.R. REILLY

  Dear Reader,

  Thank you for downloading my second book in the Knights of Burana series!

  I hope you enjoy the book and the entire series, as much as I enjoy writing it.

  Book Three will be available to pre-order in the coming weeks.

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  All the best,

  T. R. Reilly

  Copyright © 2016 by T.R.Reilly

  ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.

  The unauthorized reproduction or distribution of this copyrighted work is illegal, except for the case of brief quotations in reviews and articles.

  Dedicated to Paul.

  I couldn't do this without your undying support.

  Thank you.

  CHAPTER ONE

  Ash woke with Leanna's arm draped across his chest. He smiled as he rolled to face her, pulling her closer to him so he could smell the sweet fragrance of her hair as it splayed around her head and face. He had agreed to spend the night in her room, but he had decided to remain clothed and just hold her. Now, waking next to her, all he could think of was how warm and soft she felt to his touch. He gently stroked her face, tracing her full rosy lips with his thumb, watching her thick eyelashes flutter, protecting the emeralds hidden beneath them. Though, she had only been in Burana for a few months, their love for one another had been there from the beginning.

  If she had remembered meeting him as a child, she didn't show it. He thought back to the times he had checked in on her in the human realm and saw her sitting in her backyard, or the forest, alone. He'd felt bad that she had been so isolated, yet he knew that it had made it easier for her to return to Burana, when the time came. He never dreamed that his vow to protect her, would see him fall in love with her when she became the beautiful woman that he saw before him now. It had been so easy to fall for her. Her innocence, her strength and straightforwardness were endearing. The early days of her leaving her thoughts wide open, revealing her attraction to him, had also aroused feelings in him that he didn't expect. The last few months being so close to her, training her and looking into her eyes every day, had made passions rise in him that he felt sure would pass if he didn't acknowledge them. He had done well until his mother Freya, blurted out their feelings for one another without any consideration for either of them. Ash wondered what had happened to his mother, to make her react the way she did. It wasn't like her to interfere in Ash's life and especially regarding the Queen. She too had made a vow to protect Leanna. The change in her seemed to happen almost overnight. Ash closed his eyes, trying to shut off his mind, but it was no use, he wasn't going to fall back to sleep now.

  As he turned to crawl out of bed he heard a soft voice from behind him, "Good morning," she said groggy with sleep. Ash rolled back to face Leanna and kissed her nose, then her lips. "Good morning, Princess. I was just getting up to get us some breakfast," He said quietly.

  "No, don't go," she held him more tightly, pushing herself against his chest, her head nuzzled under his chin. He breathed her in, closing his eyes. He felt her hand rubbing his back and wished he could feel her hand directly on his skin, instead of through his tunic. Biting his bottom lip he pushed those thoughts out of his mind and pulled back a little, she continued to hang on tight, he laughed out loud. She looked up at him, with a fake frown, "Why do you want to go so soon?" she asked, playfully. Reaching one hand up to smooth her long soft black hair, he leaned in to kiss her forehead.

  "We have a big day today, I have to get things in order for your announcement as well," he said and smiled.

  "Roderick will take care of that," she said smoothly and he knew she was right, but laying next to her like this and like they had done last night before she fell asleep, left him wanting to take all their clothes off and roll around naked for the rest of the day. He let out a groan as she pushed her body closer to him, giggling.

  "You know you are making this difficult right?" he whispered, his voice husky with the passion he was trying to suppress.

  "What?" she said, a sly grin on her face as she looked up at him adoringly. She ran her hand all the way down his back, grabbing his clothed buttocks and gently squeezing. He let out a loud moan and Leanna laughed. Ash knew he'd better get out of bed pretty quick or he would lose control soon. He pulled himself away and leaped out of bed before she could grab hold of him again. They both laughed as Leanna rolled over to the other side of the bed and sat up stretching her arms out in front of her. Ash went around the bed and headed for the door, glancing over his shoulder at Leanna, he winked as he left the room, closing the door behind him.

  As Ash stood in the kitchen preparing breakfast, he looked up as Freya entered and looked at him disapprovingly.

  "I noticed you didn't sleep in the sitting room last night. Do you really think it's wise to get involved with her?" she said in a quiet tone.

  Ash stopped what he was doing and looked over at his mother. "What do you mean involved. I am her personal knight. How much more involved can I be?" he said firmly.

  Freya glared at him, "You know what I mean. Don't act so naive. You can't be with her!"

  Ash dropped what he was doing and walked over to his mother, "Why are you suddenly determined to keep us apart? What has happened to make you so sure we don't belong together?" He stood tall and watched his mothers face, looking for some sign of what the real problem was. She was blocking his ability to read her thoughts. She felt different to him, somehow.

  "You are meant to be watching out for her, not sleeping with her Ash." She said sarcastically as she stood in front of him.

  "We aren't sleeping together...not having sex anyway...besides,it doesn't matter if we are. She's a grown woman, mother!" Ash shook his head, his eyes hot with frustration that she would even say such things.

  "If you want her to be the true queen, she mustn't choose a lowly guard as her lover"

  "I'm her sworn knight! Father was a knight to the Queen, you didn't call him lowly!" Ash's eyes narrowed.

  "He wasn't in love with the Queen, Ash!" her voice sounded strained, as she tried to keep her voice lowered.

  "Mother, why are you suddenly so against Leanna? You told me it was time to go get her and bring her home. I was tasked with teaching her about Burana and her rightful place as queen. That is what I am doing!"

  "I thought you were just going to mentor her and protect her, not bed her!" She yelled.

  Ash let out a huge sigh, running his hand through his hair, he stood firm, "What difference does it make if we fell in love? Do you think I would ever let anything happen to her?"

  "Son, you don't understand what's really going on here. She won't be able to keep you as a lover or a husband.The kingdom won't allow it. The other kingdoms..." her voice trailed off and she looked away.

  "What? The other kingdoms what? Mother? Why should it matter to the other kingdoms who she marries?" Ash's voice was strained, his frustration mounting.

  Freya began to nervously smooth her dress down her sides and look at the floor before res
ponding, "Never mind...I have to go to the palace. You will see what a mistake you are making, believe me." She pointed a finger angrily at Ash and stormed out. Ash stood in the same spot, shaking with anger. He could not believe the way she spoke to him, she'd never treated him that way, ever!

  Ash set out a breakfast of toasted bread and cut fresh fruit on the kitchen table, as Leanna appeared dressed and ready to eat.

  "I heard raised voices out here, what's going on?" She asked, as she sat at the kitchen table taking a plate and a piece of toast from the tray.

  "It was Mother," he shook his head and frowned. "I don't know why she's behaving this way, she's acting so different and I don't understand it."

  He poured two glasses of juice and handed one to Leanna.

  "Maybe she's just concerned for you. Mothers can be protective of their sons, Ash" Leanna shrugged taking a drink of her juice.

  Ash shook his head again, taking a seat across from Leanna and serving himself some fruit from the platter that sat between them on the table.

  "No, this is different. She was always looking forward to having you return to Burana. She spoke of it since she left you in the human realm. I always got the impression she felt we were meant to be together. She even had me go to the human realm to check on you periodically over the years. I don't understand what's changed." He said as he looked toward the door sadly. He could feel Leanna's eyes on him, observing his feelings and undoubtedly his face. He turned back to his dish and took a bite of a piece of fruit.

  "Wait! You used to come check on me?" she smiled.

  Ash smiled and nodded, chewing. Seeing Leanna's face brighten up, he perked up a little, "Every few years I would pop in and see that you were okay. You were alone a lot, but sometimes Brendon was with you. Does it bother you that I was there?"

  Leanna pursed her lips gazing down at her plate for a moment, thinking before looking up and shaking her head, "Not really, but I wish I had known you sooner. Maybe I would have felt less alone if I had known I had a friend out there. Why didn't you speak with me there?"

  Ash placed both hands on the table on either side of his breakfast. "I couldn't. We age at a different rate in the Fae realm to the human realm. For young Fae, in our first twenty years we age five Fae years for every one human year. So while you have lived twenty years in the human realm, I have lived one hundred Fae years. So when you were five, I looked as I do now. It would not have been appropriate for me to speak with you or reveal myself before it was time."

  Leanna nodded in agreement. Ash added, "The good news is, we both will age at the same rate now and have much longer lives as well. You also should know that over the last couple of years, I found myself wanting to talk to you, to hear your voice and tell you that you weren't as alone as you felt you were. Especially when Brendon died. When you came home from his funeral and went to the forest I watched as you sat and cried. When you screamed at the sky and clutched at the soil where you sat, my heart ached. I almost went to you then. But you would not have been ready. I was forced to just watch you all alone, with no one to hold you." Ash looked sadly at Leanna as she welled up with tears. After a few moments of silence Leanna composed herself and spoke, "It's okay Ash. I appreciate that you were there. Funnily enough, I always felt like I was never alone when I went to the forest. Now that I know you were likely there, it makes me happy." Leanna sighed and Ash could feel the happiness rise in her again. They both turned their heads when there was a knock at the door. Ash got up and went to open it.

  "Come in" he stepped aside for two of the knights, Roderick and Tarrin to enter. Both men were dressed in their knights regalia, swords at their sides, shields in one hand. They looked great and Ash sensed from Leanna's thoughts that she agreed, he smiled with his back to her.

  "Good morning Ash" Roderick said. "We've prepared and secured the area where Queen Leanna will be presented. The towns people are gathering now." He smiled when he saw Leanna walking toward them.

  "Thank you Roderick." Ash turned to Leanna as she approached.

  "Good morning gentlemen" she smiled, smoothing her dress out with her hands unconsciously.

  "Your Majesty." Roderick and Tarrin said in unison. Leanna let out a small laugh and covered her mouth quickly. When she put her hands back down at her sides, her face was serious again. Ash grinned at her.

  "Are you ready to give our people hope again?" Roderick spoke warmly.

  Leanna shrugged,"Ready as I will ever be Roderick."

  Ash turned to Leanna, "Are you ready to go now?" he put a hand to her shoulder and squeezed gently.

  "I think so, will you be with me...beside me?" Leanna asked as she looked up at Ash.

  "We three will be, the rest of your knights will be guarding the platform you will be speaking from. All that's necessary is for you to be introduced...I will do that. Then you will step forward and tell the people that you are ready to rule them, just like we talked about last night. Okay?"

  "Okay" Leanna smiled back at Ash.

  Ash turned back to the two men, "Let's go." The four of them stepped outside into the fresh morning air of Burana, as Leanna took a deep breath and reached for Ash's hand. Ash squeezed it and then leaned down to whisper into her ear.

  "Maybe we should keep our relationship quiet for now? Until you are on the throne?" It hurt him to say those words to her but his mother had well and truly spooked him with all her talk. He would make it up to Leanna later, he thought.

  Leanna nodded without looking up at Ash, letting go of his hand and putting her arms at her sides.

  CHAPTER TWO

  Leanna felt a little disappointed that she was unable to show any affection toward Ash in front of people, but she understood his point. It was most important that she establish herself as a strong queen and not give the people a bad impression of herself. Ash was honorable and well meaning, plus she knew in her heart that he only wanted what was best for her, even if it left her a little frustrated in the bedroom. She smiled as the memory of earlier that morning sprung to mind.

  'Focus my love.' She heard Ash's thoughts and glanced at him to see a smirk on his face, as he continued to face forward innocently. She blushed slightly and then cleared her throat. Standing tall she allowed herself to focus on the present moment. She felt certain that her skills had improved enough to fight Girvyn if it came to it, but she knew that she still had to prove herself to her people. She stood proudly with her head held high as Ash stood on her right side, hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes scanning the crowd. She could see as people continued to gather, that he was watching for a sign from the crowd that there was trouble. So far so good, she thought.

  When it appeared that the crowd was settled, Ash took a step forward. In a strong, loud voice he announced, "People of Burana. As some of you may already be aware. Today we announce the return of our Queen...Leanna. It is time for her to take back her rightful place as our ruler." There was a rousing cheer from the towns people, as arms flew into the air rejoicing. Ash, Roderick and Tarrin smiled as they looked over the group of people assembled before them. When Ash glanced back at Leanna she began to feel worried that she would forget what to say. Ash smiled at her warmly. She cleared her throat and began, "Thank you for coming out this morning." She reached down and clasped her amulet and rubbed it before briefly glancing down at its glowing light. "I am the rightful queen and I will take back my place on the throne. With your help, we will fight to return Burana to the jewel it once was!" she exclaimed.

  "And what would you know of what it was?" came an angry male voice from the crowd. Roderick and Ash both stepped forward looking for the man who had just spoken. Another male voice spoke up then, "Yeah, we have a king!" with that Leanna watched as Ash motioned to the guards surrounding the platform and they closed in on the two men, pulling them away.

  "You will not win against Girvyn!" they yelled as they were dragged away. Leanna looked over at Ash as he sent her his thoughts, 'Tell the crowd you need their support!'

 
; Leanna stood with her shoulders back, taking a deep breath before letting it out and with a confident voice, stated,

  "I am aware that Girvyn has taken the seat that my mother held. I also know that he has not been a fair and just king. He will be removed from power. Who is with me?" she yelled and put an arm up in the air, to rouse the crowd in her favor. The crowd roared, "We are with you! We are with you!"

  Leanna liked the way it felt, having the crowd side with her. "Who will fight for me?"

  The crowd roared again, "We will fight!" Leanna turned to Ash and smiled. He smiled back.

  "Long live Queen Leanna!" Ash and his men on the platform raised their voices in unison above the chanting crowd, their swords raised high in the air.

  "Long live Queen Leanna!" the crowd cheered.

  After several minutes, Leanna turned to leave the platform flanked by her knights, with Ash remaining at her side.

  On the dirt road headed toward the cottage, they stopped when they saw Girvyn and some of his men approaching.

  Ash spoke first, "Your days of destroying Burana are over Girvyn" he spoke with confidence.

  "I don't think so. It will take more than an amulet to prove she has a claim to the throne," He said defiantly.

  Leanna prepared herself for what might come next. She flexed her hands at the ready and stood silent.

  Ash glared at Girvyn. "You know who she is, the people will not allow you to remain here." He said through caged teeth. Before Ash could say anything further, Girvyn waved a hand in the air, in a circular motion and two of his guards advanced forward, swords drawn. The remaining six of Girvyn's men put themselves between their master and the four knights. Ash, Roderick, Tarrin and Leith drew their swords and ensured that Leanna was behind them. The eight guards rushed at the smaller group of knights, their blades glinting in the sunlight, the sound of ringing steel clashing, filled the air as the knights whirled and darted back and forth around Girvyns men. Leanna was amazed by the speed and fluid motion that the four knights possessed. They moved gracefully,yet powerfully swinging their swords and parrying with their shields. In the background there came the sound of more voices, Leanna spun to see a group of villagers rushing up, with pitchforks and other farming implements, waving,"We must protect our queen!" they yelled.