Fay Warrior, Fay Master

Chapter Four

Fay Warrior, Fay Master
Chapter Four

“Keltra, Keltra, awaken LaLei,” a deep voice soothed drawing her from her nightmare. As she slowly awakened, Eldwin pulled her into his strong, comforting arms. He reached up to touch the side of her face feeling the tears falling from her eyes onto tear-soaked skin.

“It is alright,” he whispered. “I am here and no harm will come to you. Is it the same nightmare?”

“Yes…my husband’s murderer…striking him down unarmed. He only died because he saved me,” she sobbed deep within his arms.

“Shhh…it is not your fault, LaLei. You would have done the same…anyone would have done the same…to save a loved one.”

“But I could not save him…my aim was untrue…”

“You cannot be faulted, sweet, for it happened in but an instant,” he murmured soothingly into her soft hair.

“And I could not catch him for my speed was slow. If only I could have taken his life then perhaps the nightmares would not plague me so. Yet he escaped and now I must endure the torture of my lost love and failure. If only I could have seen the murderer’s face. At least I wounded him…”

Suddenly, her eyes flashed with memory, “Of course, I wounded him…”

“What is it, my sweet?” he questioned nuzzling her neck, trying to calm her sudden erratic breathing.

“I wounded him. My arrow grazed his forearm! If I could have but found the Wikkenwind Royal Fay Warrior with the mark of my arrow…,” she now growled vengefully.

“But how could you when all the Wikkenwind Royals were killed? The one you seek is gone…he breathed his last during the war.”

“Would it were that he had breathed his last at my very own hand! And Eldwin, what of my husband’s last words? They were ‘Treachery, LaLei, treachery’…Now what did he mean by that?”

“Simply that the royals of Wikkenwind Forest were treacherous such as the one who took his life. I believe he wanted to assure that you trust none of them.”

“And I did not but none ever lived long enough to warrant such a warning.”

“He lay dying my love. He would not have known. All he knew was to protect you until his end. Just as I would do…” He pulled her deeper into his arms and felt her tense muscles begin to relax.

“And would you, Eldwin? Though we have not joined, would you also stay by my side?” she purposefully left out the mention of being Mastered. A royal Fay woman rarely mentioned such a thing. The Fay man, if he possessed the ability, would already know what needed to be done to assure a complete joining.

“Of course, but I would feel more confident of our love if we would join,” he suggested once again. “I need you heart, body, and soul LaLei. It pains me to know that you do not feel the same.”

“But Eldwin, I do feel the same. I do not know why it is so difficult for me to completely join.”

“Perhaps there is someone else that has cast doubt upon your heart.” His grip tightened about her.

“There is no one else…,” she denied softly.

“Then why do you not even call me LaLei as I do you? Why must our love be hidden from all to see?”

“It is complicated, my sweet…” Keltra averted her eyes for though she loved him, he obviously could not prove to be a Master. And she was not permitted to guide him. Her heart squeezed painfully. Their love might die after all.

Eldwin’s eyes narrowed at her evasive reply then he snapped accusingly, “You are coupling with another!”

“No! It is not true!”

“What of Barridean? You two seem to be very close especially of late!”

“You would make mention of the Wikkenwind King. You never did like him,” she now reprimanded gently…burrowing deeper within his hold attempting to sooth his ruffled wings.

“And you always cared far too much for him,” he countered now rolling atop her to stare hard into her eyes. “Perhaps there is a deeper reason as to why you favor him so?” He pressed his hips into her with emphasis.

“I know that you are not implying…”

“That is exactly what I am implying…,” he returned, his eyes flickering angrily.

“He is far too young for me!” she retorted sharply just a bit irritated at the strange turn of conversation.

“That matters not to most, LaLei, and you did not answer my question,” he replied in a tone she had never heard from him before. It sent odd chills, not altogether unpleasant, across her spine. Nevertheless, she was Queen and would not abide such behavior.

“I will not tolerate your accusation,” she pushed at his chest as indignant anger filled her. How dare he suggest that she desired the Wikkenwind King!

“Then I will act accordingly as a servant should and leave you to your royal thoughts,” he bit back heatedly. Abruptly, he rolled from off of her and quickly dressed. Keltra watched his stiff back and how his wings buzzed with anger. Without another word he marched out of her room.

What had just happened? One moment she discussed her husband’s murder then the next, they were fighting over his accusation of her wanting Barridean for herself! Whatever had just come over her lover? Then he had thrown her royalty in her face?! Well, morning would soon arrive and she needed her sleep for with it would come new worries on the whereabouts of her daughter. Keltra punched her pillow with frustration then closed her eyes determined that regardless, she would soon sleep.

Eldwin stormed to his own chambers filled with suspicion and jealousy. He had never come so close to throttling the queen’s beautiful neck than he had this night! Keltra did have feelings for Barridean which is why she showed him such favor…it was obvious! His mind pictured the two wrapped in heated embrace while coupling which only filled him with growing rage. By the Elderians she would know that she belonged to him and no other!! Royalty be damned! As far as he was concerned, they were equals – male and female – two halves that completed a whole. They belonged to one another. No more would he coddle her! Things were going to change around here. He would make his claim for all to know! He was a proud Fay Warrior and soon, she would join with him for eternity!

******

A groan escaped Willa’s lips as she nestled into the fluffy softness beneath. Her eyes flew open instantly wary of the surroundings. Her bed of black downy feathers lay centered within an intricate and delicately wrought iron cage. She remembered Barridean’s invasion and attempt for bonding against her will. She last remembered a shadow blocking the sun…a human shadow…her human! She bolted upright in alarm grabbing a sturdy bar and her eyes darted about searching for her human. Why had she been caged? And had he caged her or had someone or something else found her and done so?

“So…you have finally decided to awaken,” whispered the deep familiar voice.

At hearing her human’s voice, she sighed with a small measure of relief. She failed to see him so she arose from the bed oblivious to her nudity and pressed against the bars. Her tiny nipples perked at the chill of metal upon warm flesh. She heard a sharp intake of breath but still could not see him. Swallowing her fear at being discovered then caught she asked, “Why have you caged me?”

The man moved into her view then sucked in his breath again at the stunning sight. “I did not want you to flee once awakened. Are you all right? Did he harm you other than…”

“I am fine…except for the fact that you are holding me prisoner,” she interrupted his question with a little irritation. Though imprisoned, she hardly felt that her human intentionally meant her harm but still…she remained imprisoned.

“He coupled with you against your will. Did he also force his seed on you before this time? Before I saved you? I know he did not succeed at least this time.”

Willa cocked her head to the side with curiosity. The human almost sounded like he knew of the pixie couplings and seed bonds. Oh how she wanted to bond with him. All previous thought disappeared as she concentrated on her tempting human. “No he did not. I have never been seeded. Have you bonded with another?”

The human’s lips curved upward into the most sensuous smile she had ever seen as he neared the cage. “No. I have coupled but have never bonded. Would you like something to wear, little one?”

“No. I would like for you to release me from bondage,” she retorted with some agitation. She wanted the human but not under these circumstances. She had hoped to perhaps have taken him in secret…if she could have figured out a way…then perhaps approach him as a human…


McKinzie S. Heart
~Live to write, write to live~