WingsOfDesire-AriannaSkye (9 page)

“When’s that?” Rhiannon asked as she plumped down.

“May First on the human calendar.”

Hell no! She had to stay in this fucked-up fairy tale for a month? “Why can’t I just stay on Earth until then?”

Maeve took a seat next to Rhiannon and reached for her hand. “There are certain preparations that must be done. The lessons I’ve mentioned to you earlier, and of course there’s also Korrigan.”

“I heard Cerne mention her. Who is she?”

“She’s the Dark Faerie Queen.”

How utterly appropriate, Rhiannon thought with a laugh. “So she’s your enemy, I suppose?” Maeve nodded. “Ever since your mother has fallen ill, Korrigan has been pushing her way into our kingdom, pillaging, burning White Faerie’s homes, killing innocent faeries. She must be stopped. We need your help.”

“Sorry, Maeve.” Rhiannon laughed. “I might have spent most of my life on army bases, but I know nothing about fighting battles. Why not just cast a spell or sprinkle some faerie dust on her? It worked for Cerne, didn’t it?”

Maeve shook her head. “Korrigan is too powerful.” Maeve squeezed Rhiannon’s hand. “You have the ability to become that strong too, but you need to believe in yourself and learn to trust us.”

“Whatever. I need to think about it.” If she could, she’d tell these faeries where to stick it.

However, it seemed her sick, twisted imagination wanted her to see this thing through. Of course, there was Sanders who was always telling her to take a vacation. She wasn’t sure fairyland was what he had in mind though.

“You have two nights to give us your decision.” Maeve grinned. “Although I already know what your answer will be. Your faerie spirit is strong. I can feel it.”

“What about these so-called parents of mine? When do I get to meet them?”

“As soon as I present you to Cerne. You two will get some time to become acquainted with each other. This will make your bonding on Beltane easier.”

“Acquainted?” Rhiannon coughed. “I’m already acquainted with him. More than I probably should be.”

“Do all humans think with their nether regions?” Maeve rolled her eyes. “Faerie joinings are very much emotional, as much as they are physical.”

“Sure, but emotional attraction doesn’t usually work for me.”

“You know, your betrothed is nothing like those human men you used to dally with. They wouldn’t know emotional attachment if it bit them on their hind ends.” She’d give Maeve that. Men were fickle. They’d say one thing then do another. Her last relationship was a wonderful example. He’d been all for the abstinence, until he got horny—a mere two months after they started going out. She’d found him in bed with his secretary.

Dictation, her ass. “It’s comforting to know the good men are all imaginary.”

“Oh, hush. Stop with this imaginary talk,” Maeve chided. “We are real, whether you want to believe it or not. But I have confidence in you, Princess. I foresee great accomplishments in your future.”

“Like a promotion.”

Maeve’s peridot-green eyes sparkled. “A promotion pales in comparison to what lies in store for you. Accept the challenge and all will be yours.” She wasn’t going to get anywhere arguing with these faeries. “Fine. Where do I sign up?” Maeve chuckled. “There is nothing to sign up for. All you need to do is say yes or no.”

“Yes, I’ll do it.”

Maeve narrowed her eyes. “I sense your unease with this decision, but we’ll work on that.” She patted Rhiannon’s shoulder. “It’s time to present you to your consort.” Rhiannon nodded, allowing Maeve her arm. “Lead on, Councilwoman.” Maeve opened the door. “After you, Your Highness.” Rhiannon took in a deep breath. She didn’t even need to take one step before noticing Cerne’s presence. His aroma floated through the air and danced in her nose. She sighed, enjoying his heady scent. It was as if their bodies were in tune to each other.

“My princess.” He bowed with a flourish. He looked like a sexy Celtic god, minus the horns.

His shoulder length raven hair was tied back behind his head. What a shame, she thought. She loved the way his hair fell across his face.

His powerful, toned body, although surrounded in burgundy robes, rippled through the metallic fabric. He was hot, she’d give him that. Her heart thudded in her chest as she remembered the heat of his body brushing against hers. She’d never felt this way about any man before. He was going to put her vow of abstinence to test, that much was certain.

What was she thinking? If this was real and not some twisted dream, hadn’t he brought her here against her will? Rhiannon took in a deep breath to clear her thoughts. “Cerne.” She tried to sound indifferent, refusing to show him her excitement at seeing him again.

He leaned against the back of a chair. “I realize you’re upset, Rhiannon.” His jade eyes softened and pleaded with her. “I ran out of options. Your people need you.” She was getting sick of hearing how much her people needed her. “What about my needs?

Have any of you idiots even stopped to think about my feelings?” Rhiannon winced at her words.

She didn’t mean to sound like a spoiled brat.

“You need this, you need your family. You may not realize it now, but soon you will.” She’d heard enough. “Now, look here Mr. I-Can-Get-Anything-or-Anyone-I-Want-Because-I’m-a-Sex-God. I don’t appreciate being taken from my home against my will—even if this place is heaven incarnate.” Her lip quivered in anger. “I love my job. I love my life—
in Phoenix.
Why can’t you just send me back?” His confidence infuriated her, but his touch left her breathless and wanting. Why did he confuse her so much?

“This is your home, as it has been since the day you were born.” Cerne crossed his arms in front of his chest and gave Rhiannon a stony glare.

“Cerne,” Maeve admonished. “Perhaps we should arrange to do this at another time.

Rhiannon has had a lot thrust on her today.”

Cerne flashed a brooding gaze. “I told you she was tainted.” In a flurry, he turned and stalked away. Throwing the doors open, he exited the chamber.

“I’m sorry, Your Highness.” Maeve placed a comforting hand on Rhiannon’s shoulder.

“Mayhap we can continue when you’ve had time to take all this in.”

“Whatever. I just feel violated, that’s all. If he would’ve just asked nicely, I might have agreed to travel here.” Even if it was only to humor herself. However, she’d keep that tiny bit of information private. “What’s to say he didn’t take liberties while I was out cold?”

Maeve wrinkled her nose. “Cerne would never intentionally violate you. He’s an honorable man. He did what he thought necessary.”

“I’m sure he did.” Deep down inside, she knew it too. He was too perfect, from his striking good looks to his willingness to wait for the right time. And Rhiannon knew nothing was perfect.

His stubborn and pompous attitude had proven that.

~*~*~

Stalking away from the princess’s chambers, Cerne grumbled. Rhiannon was an enigma. He could sense the faerie spirit, but her cursed human pride kept getting in the way. If only he could break the barriers and release the faerie inside. As soon as her spirit was free, there would be no holding back. He’d heard plenty of stories about the faerie sacred joining, the extreme pleasure and the intense ecstasy when the wings broke through. Maeve had said it was like nothing she’d ever experienced before. She even said the sex after gaining your wings was just as pleasurable.

But was it just sex he was after or something more?

“Hello, Cerne,” a rich husky voice came from behind him.

Cerne twisted around to lock eyes with Viviane, the palace’s most sought after courtesan.

Viviane’s turquoise eyes glittered in apparent seduction, and her sable hair bounced about her body. Her plump ruby lips pursed in a smile.

He nodded to Viviane. “Good day, Viviane.” In his younger days he would’ve jumped on her invitation without a second thought. But now he had his kingdom to think about. And Rhiannon, too.

Viviane attempted what she believed to be a seductive gaze. She brought her finger to her mouth and sucked the tip. Her temptations failed miserably. “Is it true you’ve brought
her
back?” She fluttered her wings. Who would’ve thought the most experienced of the courtesans had once been joined?

“Has the gossip already started to spread?”

Viviane nodded. “It has.” She traced a long fingernail against the gold lacing of his robes.

“We won’t have much time together before Beltane.” She traced a wet tongue sloppily against his earlobe. For the first time since he’d met Viviane, he was repulsed.

“I’m afraid we cannot continue our affair, Viviane.” Cerne pulled her hand away from his

robe. “I’m dedicated to our kingdom—my princess.”

Viviane’s eyes sparked in anger. “Did you not say she was tainted, that you would not become too attached?” Viviane crossed her arms. “You lied to me.” Here she goes manipulating words. “I said she may be tainted, and I should not get attached until I knew for certain.”

“So you’re certain?” She pouted.

“No, not yet.”

Her eyes sparkled with renewed vigor. “Then why can’t we warm each other’s beds?”

“I’m not interested.”

Viviane threw back her head and laughed. “You? Not interested? You who never used to mind sharing your body between a faerie or three?”

“I have responsibilities now, Viviane. I have a queen and king to serve, along with the other responsibilities of being a prince consort. Now, please let me pass.” Viviane’s face scrunched into a slight frown. “I thought you and I had something, Cerne.” She turned her head and gulped. “You said I was like no other.”
That was until I found Rhiannon.
Cerne shook his head. Viviane knew better to trust the words of a man in the grips of passion. “You didn’t actually take my words of pleasure seriously, did you?”

Viviane gave him a stricken look. “You can just throw away all the pleasure I gave you, for what? A woman who doesn’t even embrace her faerie ties?” Good Gods, was she not listening? “I value our kingdom and our freedom. The elders say we need Rhiannon, so I must obey their wishes.”

“You’ve gone soft, Cerne.” Viviane wrenched her gaze from him. “You may be busy rutting your princess, but you’ll be thinking of me when you come.” Viviane traced her hand down the front of his breeches, and a wince full of shame and disgust scrunched his face. The action, at one time, brought desire. Now, however, he only felt repulsion.

He grasped Viviane’s hand and pulled it away. “That’s quite enough, Viviane. This conversation is finished.”

A fire sparked in Viviane’s eyes as a snarl crept across her face. “You’re a coward, Cerne Silverwing. You know you desire me. You’re making a terrible mistake.” She scraped her nails

against his chin, sending shivers of disgust wracking through his body. “I beg you reconsider our arrangement.” With that, Viviane turned, fluttered her wings and floated away into the mists.

Cerne breathed a sigh of relief, spun around and continued down the hall toward his chambers. He put thoughts of Viviane to the back of his mind and concentrated on Rhiannon.

How could he prove to her how important she was to them? Would she come to accept her destiny?

He took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “How can I convince her?” He had some ideas, but seduction alone would not be enough. He was certain it would prove most entertaining for them both. Pleasure jetted through his body as he imagined sliding his cock into her tight, wet sheath. He swelled in his breeches. Blasted woman. He needed her in the worst way. Thinking of the taste of her lips while he kissed her and the rich, fresh scent of lavender and vanilla radiating from her body only made his desire worsen. On instinct, he reached down and stroked his protruding bulge.

“You need to stop thinking about the princess.” Bel’s laughter echoed throughout the hall when he appeared in a cloud of green mists.

Cerne removed his hand from his genitals. “What makes you think I’m thinking about Rhiannon?”

Belenus shook his head with a mirthful expression. “Your hand rubbing your bulging breeches for one. And from the way Viviane was spouting in the courtesans’ chamber, it definitely wasn’t her you were thinking about.”

Cerne rolled his eyes. “Viviane no longer excites me. Her bedchamber games grew boring. I have a kingdom to serve and a princess to pleasure. It was time to let her go.”

“Apparently it wasn’t time for her to let you go. She’s upset.” Cerne shrugged. “She’ll find some other toy to keep her occupied. She always does. Why don’t you and Maeve take her on?”

“Perhaps. Maeve did suggest having another female in our bed.” Belenus smiled. “I’ll suggest it to her.”

Cerne nodded and turned to his chamber door. “I’ll arrange to meet up later. My first meeting with our princess did not go as planned.” Of course he did not blame Rhiannon. She’d made a valid point. He had brought her across without her permission. He still felt guilty.

“Well then, I shall leave you to your engorged penis and thoughts of your princess.” He

winked and vanished in a warm amber glow.

Cerne grumbled. These elders seemed more interested in seeing him laid than he was. And considering he couldn’t wait until Beltane said volumes. Yes, he had no doubt—he would fuck his princess before then. All he needed to do was plan her seduction.

He entered the chamber and shut the door behind him. Doffing his tunic, he stretched his arms and raked his fingers through his hair. How should he seduce her? Should he bestow kisses all over her delicious faerie body, or was that too forward? He had never had to seduce anyone before. Usually the faerie women just threw themselves at his feet. He knew Rhiannon wanted him. Her moans of pleasure while he flitted his tongue against her clit was the only proof he needed. Cerne closed his eyes, basking in the memories of her body writhing and undulating against him as her creamy juices slid down his tongue. And Gods, her taste—just remembering her musky cum sent a shudder through him.

Cerne groaned, looking down at the hard, throbbing cock that threatened to burst through his breeches. He loosened the strings and lowered them, allowing his distended flesh to free itself.