Meanmna: Book One of the Daearen Realms (11 page)

I
woke up to Elwin lightly tracing my hand with his. I was still tucked by his side with my head on his chest. I opened my eyes a sliver to watch his lazy exploration; it was like he was memorizing every detail of my hand. I turned to see his face. It felt so nice, lying there next to him.

Elwin shifted his gaze from my hand to my eyes. I found it hard to breathe under the weight of his stare.

“I’m supposed to be protecting you,” he said quietly, “and by my count you’ve already saved me twice.”

“Luck
.” I shrugged my shoulders. “I was so worried about you.” I tried to stop the tears from coming, but a single drop escaped. Elwin brushed it away and rested his hand on my cheek. His gaze was filled with longing that he would not act upon. I lifted myself off his chest and looked into his eyes. His lips were perfect. Looking into eyes and hovering close enough to feel his breath on my lips, I felt powerful and confident. I waited another second and then lowered my lips to meet his.

Elwin growled as he moved
one hand to the back of my head, lacing his fingers through my hair. His other arm pulled me on top of him, and my left thigh settled between his legs. Our kiss intensified, and I ran my fingers through his hair, teasing and pulling. With another growl, Elwin flipped us over so he was on top of me. He left my mouth and went to his favorite spot above my collarbone. He had just started to kiss the spot when there was a loud bang on the door. He lifted his head and we stared at each other, panting.

“
You guys need to get out of here now!” Phillip screamed from behind the door. “Marianne just had a group of fey on horseback pass her house; they’re coming! It’s not safe here!”

Elwin
jumped out of bed and jerked opened the door to find Phillip and Marge looking frantic. In their hands was our stuff, which they had hurriedly gathered.

“
Head straight into the Eitlean Forest. They are approaching from below the hill and shouldn’t see you from that angle.” Marge helped me throw my gear on as I hurried toward the back of the house.

Phillip threw open the door
, then grabbed Elwin and hugged him. “Love you, boy.”

Elwin
nodded, then turned to Marge and hugged her. “Love you, Aunt Marge.”

S
he had tears running down her face. “Love you too, Elwin. Don’t stop until you get to Melinda’s.” He nodded and ran out the back door without a second look. Marge gave me a hug and said, “Godspeed, Child.”

I nodded, then ga
ve Phillip a quick hug. “Thanks. See you.”

Phillip shook
his head no and said, “Goddess, save the queen. Now
go
!”

I start
ed running to catch up with Elwin.

The open space
, about the length of a football field, left us vulnerable for attack. All I could do was pray.
Please, please, please, please, God and Goddess, let Marge and Phillip be right about the angle. We’re sitting ducks out here.
I picked up the pace and concentrated on closing the gap between me and Elwin, who was at least fifty yards ahead.

We made it through the field and entered
Eitlean Forest. I stopped to catch my breath just long enough to look back. There wasn’t much daylight left and the trees were very close together, making the forest really dark. Elwin was getting farther and farther ahead of me, so I forged onward. Maneuvering over a huge fallen tree, I slipped off, my foot landing between the fallen tree and another one, still standing, that was almost as large. I tried to get my foot out of the tight space when a sharp stick punctured my calf. I looked up and saw Elwin far ahead. I started to panic.

“
Elwin! Help!”

He turned and started running
back to me. I was struggling to get my foot loose when a large explosion shook the ground. I could see a giant plume of smoke rising from Phillip and Marge’s house.
Oh, my God!
I was yanking and pulling at my leg, paying no attention to the pain. Elwin got to me and was somehow able to move the fallen tree enough for me to pull my foot free.

“
Are they? . . . Did they?”

“
We have to keep moving!” Elwin grabbed me by the hand and took off running, practically dragging me behind him
. If I get out of this alive I’ll have to thank Mathew for making me jog every day.
Carefully navigating the dense, spooky terrain, we came to a small creek. Without crossing the creek, Elwin turned right and led me by the hand along the bank. We reached a log that was lying across the creek. “Ready?” I nodded yes to his question. “Don’t let go of my hand.” He walked us onto the log and stood in the middle. The creek bed was only a foot below us.

“Ready for what? There’s nowhere to go.”

“Jump!” He pulled me with him, but instead of landing in the creek bed below, we continued to fall into a cavern filled with fireflies. As I noticed the ground approaching, I grasped Elwin’s hand a little tighter, closed my eyes, and waited for the pain that would surely be encountered by hitting the earth as we fell. When there was no impact, I opened my eyes and looked down. We had stopped a foot above the ground on some invisible but solid platform. I looked at Elwin in shock. As if nothing unusual had happened, he removed his arms from around me and stepped off the invisible step. He reached for my hand, but I leapt into his arms, relieved but still frightened. I was enveloped in his bear hug with my feet suspended above the ground. He held me close and whispered, “Its okay, you’re safe now.” Elwin smiled as he lowered me to my feet and reached for my hand.

“Well
, if it isn’t Elwin Colin.”

I look
ed around for who might have spoken. We were the only ones in the cavern, or so I thought.

“
Melinda, I can’t hug you when you are only an inch tall,” said Elwin.

That’s when I noticed the firefly three inches from his
face. She moved back about three feet and started to glow even brighter. The radiance extended to the ground, shimmering as it took shape and transformed into one of the most beautiful women I have ever seen.

Melinda
was even taller than Elwin and wearing a strapless black-sequined mini-dress. Her skin was golden and looked like it was glowing. Her long hair was the color of rose gold, and her see-through wings had black sparkles around the edges.

She
looked me up and down and said to Elwin, “Who’s she? And why are you crashing my party?”

I was
too stunned to move. Elwin let go of my hand and took a small step away. He looked to the fireflies above us and around the cavern before he met the woman’s gaze again. He said in a loud, regal voice, “Melinda of the Air Fey and her esteemed guests, I would like to introduce you to Princess Sarette of the Spirit Fey.” He did the heart-fist-bow thing.

Melinda
’s eyes got really wide and she said, “Oh, my Goddess, it
is
true!” She did the heart-fist-bow. A loud buzzing mingled with barely audible voices began from the expanse above us. I looked up and watched as hundreds, maybe even thousands, of fireflies flew downward. Twinkling continuously, their light completely filled the large cavern. The shimmering glow transformed the fireflies into fey, and they all were doing the heart-fist-bow thing.

It was
surreal.
I had no idea what I was supposed to do next. I looked at Elwin. He raised his head and took my hand in his. He smiled at me and winked. “Melinda, we need—”

Melinda raised her head
“You need a place to rest, supplies, yada, yada, yada.” She turned and clapped her hands. Suddenly, and with a sudden burst of light that temporarily blinded me, all the fey turned back into fireflies. I buried my face in Elwin’s chest, and he wrapped an arm around me. “This way,” Melinda said in a singsong voice. Keeping my head nestled in his chest, Elwin took my backpack off and set it down, then he took off his own backpack. Fatigue had set in and I didn’t have the energy to open my eyes. I tried to walk as Elwin led me, but my feet would hardly move. Finally, he stopped and lifted me into his arms, cradling me to his chest.

“
I’m so tired. Why am I so tired?” My words sounded incoherent, even to me.

“Is she okay?” Melinda asked.

“She needs sleep.”

Melinda led us to a room.
“You’re safe here, Elwin. You can lock the doors from inside the room. You don’t have to worry, the alarm will go off if the perimeter is breached,” she said.

“Thanks, Melinda.”

“She’s going to save us, isn’t she?”

“
Goodnight, Melinda.” I heard a door close and lock. Elwin lowered me onto a soft bed and started taking my boots off.

I
was able to open my eyes a little and ask, “Why am I so tired?”

“Daearen may look similar to your Earth, but the energy is quite
different. It will take time for your body to acclimate to the changes. You need to sleep to recharge.” He carefully removed the sword from my belt and untied my dagger, leaving it attached to the belt. He unbuckled the belt and slid it from beneath my body. He unzipped my jacket and dropped it on the floor beside the belt and dagger.

He turned and walked to
other side of the room. I mustered the energy to sit up and take off the long john shirt. While his back was turned, I quickly and silently removed my bra and dropped it and the long john shirt on the floor. It was so much better to sleep wearing only a comfy tank top. Elwin had a blanket and pillow in his hands when he turned around. Underneath the sheets, I took off my pants and dropped them on the floor with a clunk. Elwin’s eyes widened, then he dropped the pillow and the blanket right where he was standing and started to lie down on the floor.

“
Don’t be silly. Come and sleep here.”

“That’s not a good idea.”

“I’m too tired to be anything but a perfectly behaved princess, I swear. I need you to hold me, okay? I’m so completely freaked out. I am in a crazy place. Please.” I felt slightly embarrassed about begging, but not enough to stop. He walked over to the bed, carefully lifted the blanket and lay on top of the sheet that I was lying under. He still had his clothes on and was lying very stiffly next to me, staring. I rolled onto my side, away from him, and whispered, “I’m scared.”

Elwin moved closer
and tucked a strand of my hair behind my ear. “Sleep, Princess,” he whispered.

“Sarette,” I murmured.

“Sleep, Princess Sarette.”

Tuesday December 16, 2014

I wo
ke up and saw that I was alone in the room, which for the most part looked like a hollowed-out cave. The walls curved up and inward to a chandelier glowing at the top; it lit the entire room. I was lying on a large cast iron bed positioned between two nightstands that matched the table and two chairs along the wall. A bookcase in the corner held linens and other various supplies.

I
had swung my legs over the side of bed and was stretching myself awake when there was a knock on the door. “Come in.”

“
Goooood morning, Princess!” Melinda sang in my direction as she walked in with a tray of food.

“Good morning. Where’s Elwin?”

“No worries, Princess. He’s been working on logistics. He’s arranging the next couple of legs of your journey. He’ll be back soon.”

“
How many ‘legs’ of this journey are there?”

Melinda gave
me a strange look and said. “As many as you need—no more, no less.” She put the tray down on the table.

“
What is that supposed to mean?” I walked to the table and sat in the chair. Another delicious-smelling mystery dish sat in front of me and I dug in. “Seriously, in a matter of three days, I’ve gone from a geeky high school senior, looking at colleges with no real direction, to being a fairy princess. Most girls would think being a princess is a fantasy come true. If I wasn’t running for my life at every turn, I might too. I’ve been acting out of trust. I’m exhausted and I just can’t work on faith anymore. I have next to no knowledge and I would appreciate someone telling me what’s happening.”

“
It’s not my place to say anything, Princess,” Melinda said.

“
Not your place?” I countered, “I’ve heard so many versions of ‘not my story to tell’, ‘in time you’ll know’, or other such nonsense, and… GRRRRR! Can I command you to tell me what I want to know because I’m a princess?”

“
You could, but I don’t really know anything. Everyone and everything on this mission is compartmentalized. Each of us only knows our personal role and what we need to know in order to do our part. Like me, most fey did not even know they were involved in this mission until you showed up. Besides, I left the room before Elwin started planning. That way, if we get raided or someone gets captured, none of us knows anything that could harm the rest of us.”

“
If I ask you something of a personal nature, can you keep it between us?” Melinda nodded. “Can you think of any way I can get out of mating someone with quote
strong magic
unquote?”

Melinda gave
me a sad knowing look and shook her head no. “Because you’re half human, you might not even have enough magic to accept the role of spirit queen, let alone the responsibilities. You may have to use some of your mate’s magic to fulfill your duties. If you choose someone who is not strong enough, in turn you will not be strong enough. We need a strong queen to lead us to peace and balance, or darkness will win.”

“
You know, when I was five I dreamed of being a fairy princess when I grew up, but this . . .” I stood up and started pacing, “this right here is
crap
.”

“Princess, it is what it is and y
ou are who you are. You have a great destiny ahead of you.”

“
What does all that matter if I’m miserable? Isn’t it possible for me to save this world and the other one without entering some arranged marriage?”

“
It is not arranged. Once they hear of you, all the best and most powerful families will send their sons. With the rumors circulating, I wouldn’t doubt if some weren’t already on their way. You will have your choice. Don’t worry. There will be many fine options to choose from.” She looked at me and smiled.

“
I feel like a piece of jewelry being auctioned off. Have any fey raised a bid yet?” I shook my head in disgust and leaned on the table with my arms crossed. “The
fine
option I want will not be on the list of suitors.”

I hear
d the door open. Elwin walked in and stopped in his tracks as he slowly scanned my body up and down. I looked down and realized I was still in my underwear and tank top. Thank goodness my panties were cute, dark-blue boy shorts with lace around the edges. I shrugged my shoulders and looked at Melinda. “Same amount of clothes as a Hooters girl and way more than some of the bikinis on South Beach. I’m fine.” She cocked her head like a dog does when it is confused. I rolled my eyes and grabbed a piece of bread off the tray. “So what’s the plan, Stan?” I asked with my mouth full. It didn’t come out too clear, and I’m pretty sure I spit a few crumbs as I spoke.
Such a dainty queen I’ll make.

Elwin
tilted his head in confusion. “Who’s Stan?”

“No one. What’s the plan,
Elwin
?”

“
Today we train, tonight we train, and tomorrow we leave,” he said matter-of-factly.

“
Would you care to elaborate?”

“No.”

“I don’t understand how you expect me to train for twenty-four hours straight.”

“Today we will use our
pendants,” he said. I reached up and felt my pendant under my tank top. I hadn’t taken it off since Elwin gave it to me. “We can train in the physical plane today. Tonight, when we go to bed, we will train in the dream plane.”

“That sounds exhausting.”

“Tonight your body will rest, even as we train. You’ll be fine to travel in the morning.”

“
Well, it sounds like you two kids need to get to work,” Melinda said as she walked across the room. “Remember to lock the door behind me. I have a guard posted outside. And, Princess . . . ?”

“
Yes?”

“
Nothing that happens in the dream realm can affect your destiny in this one.”

“So if I die, it’s all good.”

“Not exactly what I was referring to, but that is correct. Happy training.” Melinda shut the door behind her.

I
was confused and looked to Elwin for an explanation, but he had turned to lock the door and had his back to me. He turned around, leaned his back on the door, crossed his arms, and said, “You ready?”

“
No, I haven’t showered in two days. Could I do that first?”

“We could always go swimming.”

“Sounds good. Let’s go.” I grabbed my necklace by the chain and opened the latch.

“W
e should take everything we need.”

“We’re safe here, right?
”

“Yes.”

“Since we are safe, we can take a break and just go swimming, and then come back for our gear. I want twenty minutes of fun.” I pushed the two crystals together and in a blink I was at our spot. I didn’t wait for Elwin, but ran straight into the lake. I was about twenty feet from the shore, water reaching my mid-thigh when I turned around to see Elwin standing on the shore watching me.

“
Are you coming in or not?” I turned and ran farther into the water, diving under when it got to my waist. I came up about thirty feet farther and had to tread water when I realized my feet no longer touched the bottom. I swam several strokes toward Elwin and stood up. The water reached just below the spot he loves above my collarbone. I didn’t plan it that way; it just happened, I swear.

He
was walking toward me, shirtless. I dove back under the water, swam to his right and came up ten feet away, parallel to where he was standing. “Hey,” I said. I quickly dove back under and swam fifteen feet farther out. “Hey!” I smiled, laughed, and dove back in, swimming toward his right side again. I was still underwater when felt something grab my ankle and yank me backwards. I screamed and swallowed water at the same time, resulting in a coughing fit when I broke the surface.

Elw
in was laughing as he patted my back. “If I didn’t know any better, I’d think you were of the Water Fey. You swim like a fish.”

“Un-cough-furtun-cough-
cough-att-cough. I don’t breathe like one.”

Elwin started laughing even harder, and never one to waste an opportunity I
knocked him off balance into the water. I took off swimming toward the shoreline, then stood and ran when the water got up to my thighs. I was only couple of feet from where the water was lapping onto the sand when I felt a yank on my ankle. I lost my balance and landed face first in water, which was now only a foot deep. I flipped over and Elwin was standing over me. My fight or flight instinct took over and I started crab-crawling backwards away from him.

Elwin looked like a predator stalking his prey as he dropped to his knees and trudged toward
me. His eyes had that hungry look I had grown so fond of. Matching my steps, he stayed within reach of me. My heart was racing and my breathing was shallow. When our bodies were out of the surf, Elwin grabbed my foot again and pulled me toward him. Standing on his knees, he positioned his body between my legs, holding me hostage with his gaze. The anticipation was killing me and he knew it. He smiled and slowly bent over, placing his hands on either side of my head. I was tempted to reach up and pull him down so his body would cover mine, but I couldn’t move. My desire for him felt like a weight sitting on my chest, making it hard to breathe. He bent his elbows and lowered halfway down, hovering so close I could feel the heat coming from his body.

He
was motionless except for his eyes, which were roaming from my eyes to my lips and back up again. He began to lower himself. My breath was coming in short gasps and my body was trembling. Then, he stopped an inch above my body, his lips close to mine. Elwin’s eyes were locked on mine when I felt him lower the rest of the way. He pushed his legs out behind him, and starting with my big toes, he aligned his body with mine. His legs were touching mine all the way. His pelvis touched mine, followed by our waists and chests. He was still an inch away from my lips when he turned his head slightly. He kissed my left cheek, lifted, looked in my eyes, and kissed my right cheek.

I was
out of breath and my lips were dry. I darted my tongue out to wet them. A growl, which I felt more than heard, purred from the center of Elwin’s chest. His eyes had a fire behind them that made me feel like he might devour me, and I wouldn’t stop him. He placed a soft kiss on my mouth, sucking my bottom lip. I moaned and raked my nails down his back. The next kiss wasn’t soft and sweet; it was hard and wanting. Kissing him deeply, I ran my hands across the muscles in his back, and he shuddered under my touch. Elwin’s response made me bolder with my actions. My mouth left his and I kissed down his neck to the spot that he loves so much on me. I kissed and sucked the indentation above his collar-bone and heard him moan with pleasure. He moved his hands from my head and down my side, rounding along my waist to the front of my body. His hand on my belly, Elwin hesitated for a moment before raising my tank top a couple of inches. He ran his fingers against my bare skin. I stopped kissing his neck because I was gasping for air. In fact, we were both short of breath and I’m sure my eyes looked as glassy as his did.

Elwin stopped moving his hand and his face was above mine again. When
I started getting that “I can never be close enough” feeling, I pulled him down to me for another earth-shattering kiss. Everything around me melted away in a blur. It was just me and him in that moment, and nothing else mattered. When the kiss ended, Elwin touched his forehead to mine. I kept my eyes closed, because I wasn’t sure if I wanted to read what his eyes were saying.

“
I wish we could stay here forever,” I whispered.

“
I do too, but that is not your destiny.”

“My destiny sucks.”

Elwin gently pulled himself off me and stood up. I opened my eyes and he gave me his hand, pulling me toward him in an embrace. “I would never forgive myself if something happened to you.” His words, whispered in my ear, sent shivers down my spine. He pulled away from me. “We need to train. Let’s go put on some dry clothes. We have lots of work to do.” He stepped out of our embrace, pulled his pendant apart, and disappeared.

I kick
ed the sand and screamed out of frustration. Then I went back to face my sucky destiny.