Behind the Veil: 3 (Temptation Unveiled) (9 page)

Finn ran a hand over his face to hide his amazement. All Fae
were telepathic, but over the years they’d raised instinctive mental shields
for privacy, lowered only during intimate moments. Dian was powerful indeed if
he could move beyond those barriers and so easily sift through Finn’s thoughts.

After he got over his shock, he realized what Dian had
implied. It had been one of his primary reasons for coming here, to ensure Kyle’s
protection from the potentially dangerous seductions of the other Fae during
the celebration. A claiming from Ceri would force the revelers to keep their
distance out of fear of her reprisal if nothing else. Exiled did not mean powerless.

But… “Both of you? I’m not sure Kyle is as open-minded as
one might hope. He is, after all, from America. Even worse, Texas.”

Ceri chuckled. “Is that why you won’t do it yourself? Finn
the decadent? Finn the insatiable? Have you actually come across someone you have
no wish to fuck? Or even more unusual, someone who has no wish to fuck you?”

Dian tugged on one of Ceri’s curls in playful reproach. “Don’t
tease him, darling one. He’s in love with the Druid girl. More than that, I
think. Isn’t that what the riddle is about?”

It was disconcerting, Dian’s invasion. “This would be easier
if you’d stop doing that.”

“Doubtful.” The Dweller shrugged. “Apologies again,
Fianna
,
but do you really have any time to waste on pleasantries? You have to discover
the Fae colluding with the
Dark
and if any remnant of the Horde leader
Eonis remains intact, all whileconvincing a certain descendent of the high
priestess to return your feelings. Not to mention your role in the fulfillment
of the Druid’s prophecy. This is not the time for patience. Or rules.”

Now Ceri seemed interested. “I’d heard the Book of Veils had
been found. The news has had the whole realm abuzz for months now. Even the
exiles are paying attention. We all have a stake in ensuring the mad bastard
Enlil never returns, and I always respected Áine. She was a force of nature,
that one. Is your female anything like her?”

Finn leaned his elbows on his knees, considering. “You know
I didn’t spend as much time with her as you did. I was too…involved in the
duties of my house. But from what I remember, physically they could be sisters.
I believe she has Áine’s leadership and her courage in her as well—though
Sheridan is more of a fighter. More physical. Far more stubborn. Less trusting
of things she can’t easily explain. Very—” He struggled for the right word.
“Human.”

“Oh you
do
like her.” Ceri grinned. “And I have to
admit, I’m becoming more and more intrigued by this
Imbolg
celebration.
I may have to make an appearance, exile or not. Particularly if I am to protect
my new claim.”

Relief loosened the knot in his stomach. Slightly. He stood.
“You have my thanks. Now I just have to let the
Fianna
know what must be
done. And deal with Sheridan’s reaction.”

Ceri stood and joined him as he walked to the door, leaving
Dian behind. She touched his arm. “Finn? What Dian said, that your question had
to do with your feelings for her. What did he mean?”

Finn raised one eyebrow sardonically. “Why ask me? I’m
certain he’ll tell you as soon as I’m gone.” He shook his head. “A
Dweller
,
Ceri? How did you two come to cross paths?”

Ceri’s lids lowered. “We saved each other. Ask me, Finn.
What is it that you want to know?”

Heat flushed Finn’s face and his mouth went dry. “The story
of the Fae bond, beyond companion or communion? Do you remember it?”

“The
Síorghrá
.” Ceri nodded thoughtfully. “The story
of the fated soul mate. Of course I remember it. It says long before we came to
this world, we were each joined to another of our kind. Joined in every sense
of the word. But something happened that physically separated us, and in the
chaos of our first migration, we lost our other half.”

She glanced over her shoulder for a moment, as if looking
for Dian. “The rending left a scar on our spirits. It is why we continuously
seek each other out. Needing contact. Some part of us always longing for what
was lost. Always yearning for more.” Ceri shrugged. “It is a beautifully sad
story, though I clearly recall the archivists inferring it was a morality tale.
That it was not an actual being, but a
state
of being that we’d lost. A
feeling of being incomplete that, when left unchecked, can lead you down a
dangerous path. The Horde, for example. The more cynical among us believe it to
be an easy excuse for excessive promiscuity. Not that we need one.”

Finn had always believed that. Just a story, a romanticized
tale told to children to explain away any longing for something better,
something more beyond their realm. Fae did not have soul mates. Yesterday he’d
had no doubt. But now? “Aren’t there some Fae who claim they’ve found their
síorghrá
?
There was one couple—”

“You mean Caer and Aengus?” Ceri’s long-lashed eyes widened.
“There
were
rumors that they were pressured by several houses to leave
when they wouldn’t join in our sacred ceremonies. They refused to share their
bodies with anyone but each other, and you know how shocking that is to the
rest of our kind. I heard they went to the Southern Portal to join the shifters
who protect it.” She shook her head. “You have a good memory, Finn. I haven’t
thought of those two in a few hundred years. My question is, why are you? You
can’t actually think that this Sheridan is— Finn, you told me she’s from Áine’s
line. A Druid. And only half of one at that. She’s not Fae, is she? That’s the
only way it could even be possible.”

He knew it made no sense. Knew she was right. “The story
talks about recognizing your mate when you join. Certain telltale signs.”

“And you’ve experienced them?”

“A few. I joined with her in her dream and the experience
was…intense.” She was the only Fae he could share that with who wouldn’t judge.
Who wouldn’t share his secret with those who would ensure he was chastised for
indulging in a long-unused and forbidden practice. “But there have been other
signs since I’ve met her.”

His lack of desire for any other woman immediately sprang to
mind.

Ceri was looking at him strangely. “I’ve never known you to
give in to flights of fancy. If I’m to claim the human, one whom I assume is
important to her, then I have to meet this Druid who has so turned your head.
That’s my condition.”

Finn nodded slowly. He was glad she’d suggested it herself.
Sheridan would demand nothing less. “She and her cousin are with the dragon
prince at the edge of the Eastern Portal. The celebrations begin tomorrow, but
allow me a short time to ready them for your arrival.”

She was laughing again. “I’ve missed my adventures with you,
dear Finn. Now go, so Dian and I can prepare ourselves for what’s to come.”

He placed his hands on her shoulders and squeezed
gratefully. “My trust in you is complete.”

Her smile was kind as she repeated the vow that preceded any
battle. “As is mine in you. Together, we will not fail.”

“Together, we will not fail.” He couldn’t fail. Never again.
Not when Sheridan was involved. He wouldn’t allow it.

* * * * *

“So you’re saying that ninety percent of this sacred Fae
celebration we’ve been invited to consists of sex, group sex and naked
wrestling?”

Sheridan knew she sounded more panicked than sarcastic, but
she didn’t care. She was going there to fight. To investigate. Hopefully to
fulfill her part in the prophecy with as little fuss and time as possible. She
was
not
going to be reminded of all the fun Fae sex she wasn’t actually
having.

Meru was grinning as she munched on a carrot in the kitchen.
They’d finally gotten another moment alone as the men decided to make
last-minute preparations for their safety. Whatever that meant.

“That’s what Linnea told me. In between the pomp and
seriousness, of course. Poor thing, she’s been a wreck all month and I don’t
blame her. All those Tuatha women are supernatural supermodels. Not an ounce of
cellulite or a sagging breast in the crowd. The idea of not only revealing her
body at the consummation ritual, but of those other women seeing Val and Hawk
in action—let’s just say Badger has had to make several batches of her special
tonic to calm our sweet Guardian Mother down.”

Sheridan’s panic receded just enough for her to waggle her
eyebrows as she chopped one poor tomato into tiny, unrecognizable pieces. “The
Brads are getting naked? Why didn’t you say that in the first place? It may be
my one and only chance to see if my movie idol dreams match up to the reality.”

“Speaking of dreams…” Meru made an adorable grunting noise
as she hefted herself onto one of the stools that surrounded the kitchen
island. “I wish I had this kitchen. Ours is nice, but this one? It’s huge.
Everything here is. Does Raj have a large family I’m not aware of? Twelve giant
brothers and sisters with passels of babies that are just out of town?”

“No. At least, none that he’s ever talked about. He said he
comes here to be alone, and I haven’t seen anyone else since I’ve been here.”
Sheridan had wondered about that. This place was meant to be filled with
family. With life. It was actually kind of sad that it wasn’t. Raj had told her
this morning that he’d never had so many people here at one time. When he’d
said it, there’d been a yearning in his eyes that she couldn’t help but notice.
For someone in particular? Or just someone?

What if he killed his family? He is a dragon shifter. I’m
surprised you’ve lasted this long without being roasted alive.

God, she hated that voice.

Meru’s wistful sigh drew Sheridan’s thankful gaze to her cousin’s
misting eyes. “We need to find him a lady dragon. Or at least, a lady who has a
thing for brilliant, quiet men who occasionally shift into giant dragons. Raj
is too wonderful to be alone.” She took another bite of her carrot and groaned.
“Are the steaks almost ready? I can’t believe how hungry I am. Or how hormonal.
Case in point—I’ve entirely lost track of what we were talking about.”

“Raj,” Sheridan supplied helpfully, walking around the
island to peer inside the oven. “Steaks look ready to me. By the way, remind me
to hug Fletcher the next time I see him. Myrddin’s Changeling may be a bit
stiff and, well,
blue
,” she snorted. “But I really miss his cooking.”

“Fletcher’s coming to the celebration along with Aunt Lily.
You can hug him then.” Meru raised her voice as she remembered. “Dreams. We
were talking about dreams. As in, you mentioned having one with Danu in it that
you haven’t told me about yet. I need to hear every detail, Sher. Everything.
It might be important.”

It was the heat from the oven making her flush, Sheridan
assured herself adamantly. Not the topic. And there was no way in hell she was
telling Meru every detail of last night’s dream.

Memories of Dream Finn’s body, of what they did together,
had been haunting her all day long. That had been no ordinary fantasy.
Something had changed inside her. Something that scared her to her core. More
than lust. More than desire.

She didn’t want to think about it now. Maybe ever.

But the relief she felt when she’d discovered his absence from
the lodge this morning hadn’t been able to alleviate the need inside her. A
need that lingered even when she’d woken up screaming after the darkness had
torn her from his arms. The passion that she’d always been able to tamp down
was now out of control, unable to be cooled by her anxieties or distracted by
her fears. She swore she could still taste him on her tongue.

How was it possible to want him more than she had before?
More than she’d ever wanted anything. So desperately that she wasn’t sure she could
hide it from him. Or contain her curiosity. All day long, all she could do was
wonder—if being with the dream Finn had felt like that, how would the real
thing compare? Any way you sliced it, it was bad news for her peace of mind.

“Wow. That must have been one whopper of a dream.” Meru was
standing beside her, her expression indicating she’d been there for several
minutes. Sheridan hadn’t noticed.

Damn.

“It was busy,” she responded noncommittally. “But the part I
think you’ll find interesting had to do with a cave, a pool of water and this
weird guy with a dog.”

As the two women fixed plates for themselves and the men in
the other room, Sheridan shared the edited version of her dream. No Eonis. No
Finn. Just the part she knew Meru would need to know.

Her spine tingled as she sensed Finn in the room only
seconds before he said, “The Spear of Lugh.”

She hated it when he just appeared like that. Real men made
noise, she grumbled inwardly. Gave a girl some warning.

He didn’t seem to notice her pique. “Sheridan, did I hear it
right? He said if they can’t have the sword, they’ll want the spear? I suppose
I shouldn’t be surprised. In many ways, it’s the more powerful weapon. But it’s
also been lost to all of us for eons. Lugh would know that better than anyone.”
He shrugged. “Then again, Danu’s Cup was lost for several generations and Meru
found that. Perhaps the spear has just been waiting for the right moment to
reappear. For you to find it.”

Meru made a sound of faux shock, giving Sheridan an excuse
to remain silent. “Well hello, stranger. Where have
you
been? Wherever
it was, it must have put you in a kinder, gentler mood. Not too long ago, a
certain Fae whose name starts with Finn was stunned that Danu would allow mere
mortals to get their hands on such powerful relics.”

He shifted almost self-consciously, avoiding Sheridan’s
gaze. “People change. Only Danu, Goddess of the Waters and True Queen of my
people, knows where our destinies will take us. I’ve experienced enough in the
last few months to keep an open mind.”