For a purposeful person, the path to fulfillment should be clear, but I was stuck in a zone of disorientation.Grief suffocates me until I can't breathe. I hummed with passion. to hate. I will hang the tall lord's head on a spear. I wanted to dance wildly around his corpse and let the dark whispers in the corners of my heart. More than relieving the pain in my chest, this sense of loss of eating flesh can destroy me.The dawn mist drenched the undergrowth and the smoke of the campfires died away. I barely remember what I saw as I wandered through the orchards, the wonderland, and my hometown.Stopping under the three gray and white trunks, I vaguely felt myself surrounded, and from above I was pressed by a low and powerful hum, like the whisper of the gods calling from heaven. Confused and panting, I looked at the shooting stars scattered across the forest canopy. The sights I saw in the lush greenery were fairies and their auras. Direct relatives bloom in my heart, causing me to get i
I enjoyed the quiet and the sight of the sun rising higher in the sky, moving closer to the thick cloud cover that would block out its light until the next dawn. I anticipated that the bright yellow sunshine outside of the Wyld would become paler.I could hear leaves crunching behind me. It was not Breandan because I could feel his presence. I scowled when I saw feet that were too large to be Conall's.A stern voice commanded, "We must talk.". It was also a command. I questioned whether this fairy knew how to speak to people casually."I believed you made your way back to the Grove," I responded.to you.”.My eyes closed on their own. "Do we really need to do this right now, Lochlann?".He let out a loud breath.I'm able to comprehend how difficult this may be for you, but I'm pressed for time. You also don't.”.In a few days, Devlin will still be there. It doesn't matter if I kill him now or tomorrow; I'll do it by my hand.”.You understand I won't let that happen.”.My eyes open
The strength of our connection shines and covers us like a solace. God, I am his."Brother.The sweetness of our reunion was shaken by Rockland's whip-cracking voice.Briandan tensed, the expression on his face as blank as a canvas. I blinked at him, wondering how I could infer so much from the way his silver eyes regarded me. He attempted to flee, but I pressed my cheek against his chest and put my hands on his broad shoulders. He was no longer beating steadily, and I had no control over that.When he exhaled, his voice was almost comical. He then hugged me, put his chin on my head, and gently rocked me to make me feel at ease. I made a tiny noise of satisfaction. Did you know I would do anything to keep you safe and with me?" I asked, wondering if he really wanted me to push him away.I nodded while scowling because I had no idea what he was talking about. I gradually realized that Brendan needed me to be there for him. I experience it as well.I leaned back and said, "Go ahead. We
Connor craned his neck and Briedan looked away with a slight blush on his cheeks. My face was hot and I took a shuddering breath. I pulled out of his arms and hugged my stomach so that my shaking wouldn't be so noticeable.cautious.right."You have to do better," Rockland said in a strained voice, holding out his hand to me. "Before you leave, take a walk with me around the roots of the tree. I will announce that we agree to find the spell after you leave."Maeve, I almost forgot she was so quiet, she snorted and covered her cough with her hands. She batted her purple eyelashes as she looked up at her brother's face. "Can I go with them?" she asked aloud. "No," Rockland replied. Her face crumpled. "but I-""No!" roared Briandan and Rockland. Mev and I both looked hurt. Rockland was visibly irritated, and he held out his hand again, making no effort to hide his disgust from me. I do not care. I thought he was depressed and rude, but whatever. I placed my palm gently on top of his, win
"Rae." The sharp call brought me back into my thoughts, out of touch and out of consciousness.I swallowed as I looked at my hands and then at my body. "I think... it feels like she...""You're not supposed to play with dead people." Breandan took my hand and pulled me away from Lex's body. I let myself be pulled away and shake my head in confusion. "But I feel him."“We are all connected to Source in some way. As fairies, we can tap into this energy and seek out thoughts that are not our own. This is how Rockland keeps track of Maeve's and my status. That's why when you touch Alex's body, you can feel him. When a life is over, it takes a while for the energy to dissipate, especially if sudden death occurs.he sighed."Rae, what the hell did you think you were doing before you used your magic to create such a pervert?"Damn it.Suddenly, my toes were where I was most concerned. "I-I don't know about you...I mean..." My tongue tied and my stomach churned uneasily. I tried to lie again,
As I crouched down and traced my sharp talon-like fingernails along the bumpy tree root, I knew in my heart that Breandan was the one I was meant to be with, even though part of me still longed for Tomas. "I have to go now. I know you'll come looking for me when you wake up, so please be careful and don't do anything reckless," I said softly, knowing Tomas could not actually hear me but feeling better having said the words aloud. "I will find a way to help you and your Nest, Tomas. Just give me some time."Breandan came up behind me and pressed his body against my back in a gentle embrace. "We must leave now if we want any chance of catching up to Devlin," he urged.I patted Tomas' tomb one last time before turning away from it to face my brother. "Conall?" I called out.My brother stepped into the moonlit clearing, dressed and equipped for the hunt ahead. He seemed to emanate an ethereal glow, brighter than any fairy I had seen before, except for when Breandan and I were affected by
I scanned the swaying grass, searching for the bearded shifter. A short distance away, his mangled body lay sprawled and broken. His hands and feet had transformed into furry, clawed paws, while his face was elongated into a snout. Pointed ears poked up from his hairy head and a stubby tail protruded from his backside - caught mid-shift between man and beast. Conall stood over the corpse dispassionately, blood staining his hands. He briefly glanced my way, frowning when he saw me in Breandan's embrace. "He will never hurt you again," my brother stated bluntly.I nodded slightly in acknowledgment. The shifter certainly wouldn't be attacking anyone else. Conall looked away unhappily, missing my gesture.Breandan leaned back to gently probe the painful bruising ringing my throat, making me wince. Fairies healed swiftly, so the lurid marks should be fading rapidly. "Why isn't it healing?" I rasped out."Bruises aren't mortal wounds, and your skin isn't broken," Breandan explained patient
However, Conall's features were stamped with a frown of disapproval that was starting to get on my nerves after all of the scowling and edgy looks he had been directing my way. "What?" I asked, my voice still thick with lust, so I cleared my throat, lifted my chin, and then lowered it again when I figured I should probably be trying for meekness rather than defiance, "Conall, what is it?"His expression made it clear he was thoroughly unimpressed as he offered no other explanation except to say, "I think I need to discuss something with you."In the heat of my mortification, I snapped in irritation, "We're busy," even though I knew I should be more respectful of my elder."Yes, that is why I need to talk to you; there are certain customs that need observing," Conall replied evenly."I have every intention of showing Rae some of our more pleasurable customs," Breandan said, leveling me with a look that had me practically panting in anticipation.I inhaled deeply and as I exhaled I mur
Breandan hissed, high and low, baring his teeth. Instead of fearing him in such a dangerous mood, I lunged forward, the urge to grab his head and reclaim that proud mouth with mine, the most compelling thing I've ever known.Breandan froze under my touch and looked surprised when I pressed my mouth against his, but he didn't flinch. Instead she returned my cruelty with his, his lips daring mine to take more. I started kissing but he finished and he pulled away from my mouth to kiss my forehead. Out of breath and red, I said, "You can't hurt him."“This,” she said weakly, “might be difficult. He sure he will try to hurt me."I glanced at Alec who was now pacing in cat form. His smooth face was focused on the area. He grunted, the hair on his back standing up in stiff tufts and his paws scratching at tufts of dirt.“Say it,” I agreed. "Then don't kill him."I pulled her head down and brushed my lips against hers as the blush deepened. I looked into his silver eyes and lost my train of t
I looked hesitantly at Breandan to make sure I wasn't interrupting him. He had an expressionless face that read like a block of stone.The Alpha made the decision to ignore me, gazing right past me as though I did not even exist. Alpha, get here now. You treat our female with disrespect and act sulky.I am aware that I cannot permit it. You're making a small bargain difficult; can't we move past this? ”.Suddenly, Byron appeared senile and worn out. I have no sons and my daughters have been abducted, so why should I be easy, you say. My turn has come to an end, and I must maintain my resolve for my pride. Your disputes among the fairies have harmed my people. Goblins have no compassion whatsoever, and vampires are just plain crazy. We struggle to stop the witches' bad intentions, but they are still able to curse us from a distance. Other shifter packs are hostile to us, and the humans hunt us like rabid beasts. Tell me, why should I not be grumpy and difficult?" His voice suddenly too
No one spoke for long, and I knew my words upset Fairchild. The cat people just stared at me like I was the most exciting thing they had ever seen. Conor and Briandan are well respected - and even though I know they think my idea is crazy, I still think it's the best. Let's be honest, whoever we are in the fairy world, the wolves we visit don't react too well. They may have had trouble with us at first, but things can get complicated when their kind of dead are thrown in. I will not convince them that we are not enemies.Just thinking about fighting a powerful demon gives me a headache.I have a sore throat so yelling is not an option for me. My body felt beaten and I frowned.The whole healing process would be more helpful if I could turn it on and off. Connor himself does not control the magical realm. He can heal others but not himself. Our group stood still for a moment, and then the bored panther signaled us to leave with a low cat-like meow. He took the lead again. Lossen crept
Brendan nodded in agreement. I still had the oozing biscuit in my hand and it was starting to look weird. I took a bite and squealed in admiration at the durum wheat cookie and its sweet gooey center. When I finished, Buridan held out the flask. I felt positively spoiled and accepted it with a smile. I took a tentative sip. only water. I took a deep breath and looked at Connor. "track?"He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands, his ponytail swaying behind him as he nodded. "It's out of my scope. Devlin worked his magic. Here were three different trails, each icy cold and each smelling of him and wasps. Less than an hour ago we had walked for half a day and made progress. It seems we are now a few days behind and losing even more time. It's a trick, magic, and I can't see it. "I took a deep breath, handed him the flag, and wiped my mouth with my hand. After a little sleep, something to eat, something to drink, I feel a little better. sharper. “Then we just followed every lead. O
Facing the angry mask, he leaned further. "The show!""If the way I behave disgusts you, why don't you just say so?" I tried to push him away. "I'm not proud of my reaction when I'm with you, but I can't control it."He let go of my wrist and walked away, hands behind his head. I sat up with bent knees and vigorously brushed the leaves and dirt from my hair and clothes. It got into my clothes and the friction made it worse. I was such a mess. Briandan turned around, fists clenched. "Why can't you see how I feel?" His voice Soft as gray, longingly floats towards me."I left home and my family. Everything I did was for you." I looked at him in amazement. My eyes are wide open and my mouth is wide open. He looked at my expression and half smiled. “The moment I reveal myself to you, I feel at peace with what to do and what to let go of. I belong to you. I choose you and I always will, but you have to understand that everything is not what it seems. When I stay away from you, it's because
Breandan was a powerful man. He took on every obstacle head-on and didn't give up until he had won. Every confrontation he entered was on his terms, and he was confident in his ability to win. I was forced into situations while wailing and screaming like a child. I sobbed like one, according to Lochlann himself.The thought made me flush.It should have been me demanding recompense for Lex's death, not Conall.Why hadn't I been prepared to fight and avenge my friend? In order to feel better, I started following Conall's heels as he pursued Devlin across the area, using the Tribe's need for the grimoire as an excuse to avoid my actual obligations. How deplorable and self-centered. Even worse, I was still unable to feel regret for my thoughts and feelings.Is that the reason you helped him, then?I attempted to pick up the conversation I'd lost by saying, "Say-say?".With curiosity in his eyes, Breandan looked at me.He no longer sounded indignant or repulsed; rather, he sounded confuse
With a small sigh of relief, he pulled me into his lap and hugged me tightly. "Give your body a rest," he whispered. "I don't want to. Last time I slept I had a dream," I paused, "I dreamed about Thomas and when I woke up he was there." I wasn't afraid of my vampire, but when he approached. Things that happened to me. He confuses me, twists me, and it would be so much easier if he were somewhere else."Things like this will not happen again. I have you, relax."Brendan pressed a kiss to my temple and held me tightly in his arms, glad now that it was just the two of us openly expressing his love. I have noticed that he doesn't like to surround me with others. I wonder if it's a fairy thing or a Brendan thing.My head rested on his warm, bare shoulder and my eyes fluttered shut. I listened to his steady breathing and felt his heart beating violently under my palm. Fatigue wrapped itself around my limbs and pulled at me. The tentacles of sleep crept into my mind and a wave of exhaustion
Sitting back on my heels, I plucked at the short grass beside me. “It doesn’t seem fair that you’re burdening me with all this responsibility,” I complained. “I get that being a Priestess was unavoidable due to my bloodline, but why can’t I pass the title to someone more capable and willing? Abdicate, or something.” “It does not work like that,” Breandan replied softly, staring at his hands as if seeking answers there. “We are chosen and must do the best we can with what we are given.”“But I don’t want this,” I insisted, biting my lip and balling my fists on my knees in frustration. “What I’m asking is for both of you to leave this place with me. We can find a new home somewhere.” I didn’t look at either of them, ashamed yet afraid not to ask. The power I had felt using the amulet was gone. Though I knew my purpose, the responsibility terrified me. How could I do this? I could barely understand my own emotions half the time. I didn’t think past my own nose, constantly inclined to
Connor looked away, his face tense. "They were consumed by each other and out of control. They were born into two of the largest and most powerful families. They broke with tradition, with common sense, and they…” He couldn't continue. Brendan froze next to me, tension radiating into the space between us. I looked at him from under my eyelashes and saw his face, clearly worried. The brother cleared his throat and straightened his shoulders. "They gave each other their last names."My lips twitched, but I remained silent. Is this the terrible thing that these two lovers do? For God's sake, these fairies have turned melodrama into art. I tried to keep the smile from my voice. "and?"Both boys had their heads broken off. Two surprised looks told me there was something wrong with my reaction. I looked at them and shrugged timidly."She doesn't understand," Buridan whispered.Connor put his hands on his knees, opened his mouth, then closed it again. Sometimes there is a language barrier be