by Amy Sumida
I walked out of the reviving coolness of the In-Between and stepped foot on the smooth stones of the main courtyard in Twilight Castle. I released the grip I had on Cat's fur, and she immediately ran off to relieve herself in the side garden. I totally understood, something about walking the Between made you have to pee. Maybe it was the chill.
My father and our people stepped out behind me. All movement around us stopped and then started more boisterously. We were fawned at and fussed over as we strode into the main hall, the twilight fey of our court coming out to welcome their royals home. I thought I'd find Killian there, but there was no sign of him. I had to ask one of the servants.
I was told that Killian was in the knight's training yard. Which made me frown. Killian had military skills, but I'd never seen him hone them. I headed to the training courtyard with only Cat beside me. It was at the rear of the castle, and I had to pass several fairies, all expressing their relief over my safe return, as well as my father's. So the trip took a little longer than usual and had me distracted. I was totally unprepared for what I found. Not that I could have prepared for it. There was no way I could have known what I'd be facing.
The courtyard was one of the smaller training areas, but it was private, and spacious enough for the knights to practice their swordplay. All the training paraphernalia was put away neatly to one side of the yard, leaving the space clean and ready for the next group of knights. Killian didn't need the training tools. He wasn't practicing swordplay or even archery. He was practicing his new magic, just as he'd promised Raza.
At least, I assumed that thing was Killian.
There weren't any knights in the courtyard. Not a single person. Instead, a massive snake shifted its glistening, rusty-red coils as it lifted its head several feet above me. The sound of scales rubbing together made for an eerie soundtrack to the horror movie playing out before me. Cat growled, snapping at the air, and the snake reared back, setting its acid green stare on the puka. Venom dripped from fangs as long as my forearms, and a tail slithered to the front, showing off three deadly spikes, each one slightly longer than the previous. The spiked tip lifted.
“Killian!” I shouted.
The snake stare shifted to me. It cocked its flat head and narrowed its eyes. A shiver of fear went through me. There was no recognition in that cold, reptilian gaze. The look was all predator, no protector left. It wasn't like seeing Raza in his dragon form. Even when Raza was nearly lost to his beast, I still saw him in his dragon eyes. I still knew I could reach him. I wasn't sure where Killian was inside that snake, or if I could ever reach him again.
“Killian Blair!” I shouted. “You are Killian Blair! Remember your human self. Remember me, Killian!”
The snake hissed, dropping its head to come level with mine. I saw my reflection in those glassy eyes and the fear that was practically flowing off me. I took a deep breath and reined it in. The snake was responding to the scent of my fear, the scent of prey. It was not helping. Neither was Cat's vicious barking.
“Cat!” I snapped. “Shut it.”
Cat whined, but quieted, and set herself firmly in front of me. I spared a moment to feel an overwhelming love for her, that she would stand firm with me, even when faced with a monster. That love bolstered me and my fear dissipated. I squared my shoulders, leaned forward, and punched the snake right between the slits of its nostrils.
It pulled back in shock, shook its head, and prepared to strike.
“I swear to Danu, Killian Blair, if you don't snap out of this right now, I'll never kiss you again!”
It was the most insane thing to shout at a giant snake, but miracle of miracles, it did the trick. A haze appeared around the russet scales, and the tingle of magic coasted over my skin. The form before me blurred and shrunk. Magic faded and focus returned. Killian was left behind, curled in a fetal position on the cold stones.
“Princess!” Sir Torquil shouted as he entered the courtyard with the rest of my Guard.
They all pulled up short when they saw Killian, their weapons falling loosely to their sides.
“We heard shouting,” Conri offered lamely.
I ignored them and hurried over to Killian. Cat rushed over with me, actually looking concerned for Killian. She licked at his face as I shook his shoulder. Long, auburn lashes fluttered open, and vivid green eyes stared up into mine. Killian gave me a weak grin, then winced when Cat's tongue lolled across his nose. I laughed, sat back, and finally noticed that he was nude.
Gloriously nude. Oh, gods was he naked. And he did naked well. His knees were pulled up to his chest, so I couldn't see everything, but what I saw was enough to make my heart race. I swallowed past a dry spot in my throat as I glanced down the corded muscles of his thick thighs, then the curves of his calves. A light sprinkling of auburn hair drew my attention back up and over his sublime ass. Sublime. Looking at Killian's ass was nearly a holy experience.
Lying there like that, his body was shown to its best advantage. His back angled forward in beautiful swaths of muscles, reminding me of a sculpture I once saw in a museum. Except Killian was stronger and far more beautiful. I traced the dips of his biceps, then his golden, sun-kissed shoulders, up to the lines of his neck, and his twitching jaw. Twitching with laughter. I lifted my eyes to his as a flush rose up my chest.
“Sorry,” I muttered and pulled my hand away.
“Never apologize for looking at me like that,” Killian shifted up into a sitting position and slid his hand around my neck. He pulled my forehead to his and whispered, “or touching me like that. I'm sorry I laughed. I just thought it was funny that you save my life and then ogle me.”
“I did neither of those things,” I protested.
“Excuse me?” Killian pulled back from me and lifted an eyebrow. “You were definitely admiring my physique.
“Well,” I cleared my throat. “You have a very nice body.”
“I'm so outta here,” Conri muttered.
The rest of my Star's Guard must have agreed with Conri because I suddenly heard the sound of several pairs of feet making a hasty retreat.
“And you know you saved me,” Killian continued. “I was gone, Seren. Lost to that reptile mind.”
“The lizard brain,” I whispered.
“Yes, exactly,” he agreed. “There was no emotion there, just calculation. What I needed and how to get it. That punch broke the calm long enough for your words to reach me.”
“Punching you was pure instinct.”
“I've heard that before.”
“Killian,” I shook my head.
“I could have killed you,” his usual Killian smirk disappeared entirely, replaced by the serious man beneath. “Or you could have killed me. Either way, I would have been dead.”
I frowned at him.
“You die and I die, Twilight,” he whispered.
Then he kissed me. His hands slid around my neck and pulled me forward gently. I pressed against his solid chest, my hands going up his back, as his mouth met mine. His lips were soft, a direct contrast to the muscles pressed against me, and his tongue was a gentle lure. It coaxed me further into desire, easing me into passion. Turning up the heat slowly, until I was boiling with need, and had no idea how I'd gotten there. His hands lowered, skimming over my chest to slide around my waist, and pull me more firmly onto his lap. My legs wrapped around his waist, and I clung to him as ecstasy consumed us.
Cat whined, bringing us back to reality. I eased away from Killian, panting, to stare into his stunning eyes. His lips were parted and kiss-swollen, even fuller than usual. I'd never liked full lips on a man, but Killian was able to pull them off without looking too feminine. And after that kiss, I was starting to see the benefits of a man with soft lips. I leaned back in, but Killian stopped me.
“As much as I'd like to continue making out with you, it's getting a little uncomfortable for me,” he grimaced. “Walking back through the castle is going to be awkward enough without a raging hard-on.”
I couldn't help it, I automatically glanced down. Oh, what a mistake. I looked away fast, but not fast enough to keep the image of that velvety rod from burning itself into my mind. I nearly reached for it. Instead, I controlled myself and eased away.
“Wait here,” I stood, and cleared my throat. “I'll get you some clothes.”
“Sure thing, Twilight,” Killian smirked and bent a knee to rest his arm on.
It put him on full display. All of him. Just right there. Glistening tip and everything. I nearly ran for the castle. Killian's laughter followed me inside, but this time it didn't bother me. He was safe, and beautiful, and devastatingly romantic in his own, Killian way. A hell of a combination. But I wasn't ready to jump on the Killian train just yet. Raza had agreed to this arrangement, but he'd also set some rules. The least I could do was abide by them. No riding the Killian till after I was married to Raza.
I stumbled a little at the thought. Marriage really was a hard concept for me to come to terms with. There was no reason for me to be nervous. In fact, I should be thrilled. Still, it was a lot to take in, a lot to adjust to. And adding consorts to the arrangement seemed to magnify my nerves. Maybe I was simply on the verge of being too happy. I stopped suddenly, and Cat had to circle back to me. She stared up at me inquisitively.
“Am I afraid of being happy?” I asked her.
She cocked her head and considered it. Then she made a huff. Yep, even a puka could see it. The thought of having everything I wanted freaked me out. Why? Because then I could lose it all. There was a freedom in having nothing. Fulfilling your dreams is only the beginning. It's keeping them that's the hard part.
“Time to stop being such a pussy,” I snarled.
“Hey now, don't insult pussies,” Conri drawled. “They're magical and surprisingly durable.”
“I can't even...” I shook my head at him.
“Are you okay, Princess?” Conri asked in a more serious tone. “Is the snake-boy okay?”
“He shifted into a giant snake, and I wasn't sure he was going to shift back.”
“The idiot shifted alone?” Conri growled. “He should have had a mentor, another snake-djinn, to show him the proper way.”
“How would he have known that?” I rolled my eyes. “He didn't even know he could shift.”
“Oh,” Conri lost his bluster. “Well then, it's damn impressive that he managed to beat the beast, as it were.”
“Impressive, eh?” I teased.
“Even with mentorship, some fairies have been lost to their animal for months,” Conri nodded. “With a new race, like the nathair-sith, there's no precedent to follow. Killian could have been a snake forever.”
“I had a feeling that was a possibility,” I sighed. “Then he's lucky I was able to reach him.”
“You reached him?”
“I punched Killian in the nose and yelled at him,” I gave a little chuckle. “That's when he shifted back.”
“Coarse but effective,” Conri huffed. “A mentor would have used a similar trick. You have good instincts, Princess.”
“Thanks,” I started off again. “Now if you're done talking about pussies and snakes, I need to go get my boy-” I cleared my throat. “My Killi-,” I tried again, “Killian some clothes.”
“Have you worked out who he is to you yet?” Conri smirked.
“I'm getting there,” I huffed and left.
Chapter Forty-Four
We got Killian clothed and apprised on the latest Moire madness. He nearly lost his human form again, when we told him about her offer to me. Scales swept over his body in rippling waves, and his fangs dropped. I had to shout that I wasn't going to marry Bress before he got himself under control.
“Good,” Killian said when he'd calmed. “Cause that's way too backwoods for me.”
“Yeah, that's the only reason,” Conri rolled his eyes.
“No, it's not,” Killian agreed. “But the rest of my reasons are none of your business.”
“Fair enough,” Conri smirked.
My father was sending troops to Unseelie to aid Raza, but he was staying behind in case Moire came to attack Twilight first. It was just the sort of underhanded tactic she would employ. As for the troops Keir was sending to Unseelie, it was too difficult for an army, with all its gear, to use the In-Between. So they would be traveling through the raths the normal way and hoofing it. I had made my promise to Raza though, so I was twilighting over with Killian, Cat, and my Star's Guard. My father didn't look pleased, and I didn't blame him. After being on the waiting end of a situation, I could appreciate how awful it must be for him to sit in his castle and hope I'll be okay. This time, however, he had Bress and Dylan to worry about too.
“I love you, Seren,” Keir said.
He kissed my cheek and backed away. Twilight had come, and we were preparing to touch the Between. Conri already had Cat in his arms, and the rest of my Guard was gathered around him.
“I love you too, Dad,” I hugged him tight. “It's going to be okay.”
“Kill her if you can,” the silver spokes over Keir's amethyst irises sparked. “And if you can't, make sure that dragon of yours does it.”
“And if he can't?” I teased.
“Then run, sweetheart,” Keir said grimly. “Run and don't look back.”
I backed away and nodded, my heart racing at his words. He was right. If Raza couldn't get past the iron weapons to kill Moire, no one could. I'd have to run, something that wouldn't be easy for me. But I knew my soldiers wouldn't leave the fight without me, and if we were losing, I'd want to save as many as possible. Leaders have to make the hard decisions, and one of the hardest was deciding when to retreat.
I lifted myself with my air magic (Tiernan would have been so proud, too bad he was still in Unseelie, and couldn't see it), and reached for the Between as the power of twilight rushed through me. The early dawn, just a creeping breath of light on the horizon, didn't make it through the high windows of Twilight Castle's entry hall. It didn't shine on the silver star inlaid in the marble floor. But I felt it nonetheless. I breathed it in, letting the magic recharge and rejuvenate my body, and then I dove in. I let the energy take me where I needed to be, an image of Raza's face guiding me back to him. I don't know where the others appeared in Craos-Teine, but I stepped out of the Between right in front of my dragon king.
It was still dark in Unseelie, just after midnight, and Raza was asleep. The blankets were bunched around his thighs, obviously mussed with restlessness. Moonlight glistened over his skin, turning it from ebony to a pearly gray. The crimson stripes in his hair stood out like spilled blood amid the shadows of his inky locks. A strip had fallen across one sharp cheekbone, looking like a battle wound. As I watched, he scowled in his sleep. His lips pulled back on a low growl, and his claws clenched in the silk sheets, slashing through them. The wings he'd banished for sleep, came bursting out of his back, rocking his body, but not awakening him. I headed forward in concern, watching the sweat bead on his wide chest.
“Seren,” he groaned. “No!”
“Raza!” I grabbed his shoulder. “Raza, wake up!”
His hands snatched at me, getting a hold of my upper arm and my waist. Spear-like claws cut into me and I cried out. Raza tossed me beneath him, wings flaring out over his shoulders. He bared his teeth and lowered his face to mine. I pounded at his chest, but his body held mine trapped. Just as I was about to call on my dream dusting magic, Raza's eyes shot open. The golden gleam cut through the darkness and focused on my face.
“Seren?” Raza pulled away in horror. “Dear Danu, what have I done?”
“I'm fine,” I sat up and winced.
“I hurt you?” Raza reached forward and saw his bloody claws. “No,” he whispered. “Seren, I'm so sorry. How bad did I hurt you?”
“It's just a few cuts,” I took his hands and held them gently within mine. “I'm alright. Loving you is worth a little pain. But you were having a nightmare I think. Are you alright?”
“Who car
es about a stupid nightmare?” Raza bent to inspect my wounds. “Danu damn me, I'm a monster,” he shot up off the bed, went to the door, and started bellowing for a healer.
“Raza!” I stood up and went to him. “Enough.”
“I can't trust myself with you,” he moaned. “I vowed to never hurt you, and then do that very thing.”
“I said 'enough'!” I pushed at his chest. “You had a bad dream and it affected you. You were sleeping, dreaming, you didn't know what you were doing. You're not a monster, and you can trust yourself around me just fine. I trust you. One accident changes nothing. It's like playing with a kitten, sometimes you get the claws. It doesn't change how cute the kitten is, or stop you from playing with him again.”
“Did you just compare me to a kitten?”
“Yep,” I grinned.
“You still trust me?” Raza blinked his golden eyes in shock. He swallowed roughly, “Even after I attacked you?”
“Hell, Dragon,” I smirked, “it was kind of sexy. Maybe we could play Fair Maiden and Fire-Breathing Dragon later.”
“Fair maiden and...” he frowned in confusion. “Is this a human thing?”
“It's a sex thing,” I chuckled. “You know, role playing.”
“Role playing?”
“Pretending to be something you're not, to make sex more exciting,” I explained.
“But I am a dragon.”
“Never mind,” I rolled my eyes. “If you don't want to pretend to kidnap and ravish me, then we won't try it.”
“Kidnap and ravish?” Raza's eyes began to glow.
And that's when the little, brownie healer came into the room. She blinked, looking from Raza's sensuous smirk to my bleeding arm. Then she noticed Raza's nudity. She looked pointedly away, swallowed, and cleared her throat.
“Ah, there you are,” Raza said to her. “Come in, Mellie. The Princess and I have had a little accident.”
Mellie's eyes went wider as Raza turned to fetch himself some pants, and we both got a long look at his spectacular backside. More muscular than curvy, it was as masculine as the rest of him. A predator's ass. The thought made me giggle.
