WingsOfDesire-AriannaSkye (21 page)

She gave Cerne’s hand a squeeze. “Lead the way, Consort.”

~*~*~

Rhiannon held her breath and waited for the massive golden doors to swing open. If she thought the previous doors were big, these ones put them to shame.

High Councilman Evenspring flicked his wrist, sending the doors flying open. “The councilmen and generals come in before you, and then you’ll be presented, along with Lord Silverwing.”

Rhiannon nodded. Her stomach twisted as nervousness set in.

As if sensing her tenseness, Cerne leaned in to her. “I’ll be right here, next to you.” His whisper teased her ear.

Therein lies my problem.
His breath, his touch, his scent caused her heart to do flip-flops and she could barely think of anything else, except him doing things to her body she’d never before had the pleasure to experience. She couldn’t deny it any longer, she wanted him inside her. She needed to have the massive length of his cock sliding in and out of her. Her pussy throbbed and moistened just thinking about Cerne.
Damn him!

Cerne pulled her close to his hard-muscled body. He ran his large hands across her waist and moved lower to massage the round globes of her ass. Rhiannon had always thought her ass was a bit too large for her body, but Cerne liked it well enough. As if hypnotized by his touch, she gyrated her ass against the palm of his hand.

“What would your mother think?,” Cerne traced his tongue against her ear, “If she were to see you acting so wanton in my arms?”

“You’re a very naughty consort for teasing her daughter, is what she’ll think.”

Cerne chuckled. The soft rumbling in his chest vibrated against hers, sending more ripples of warm pleasure throughout her body.

“Perhaps you’re the one who teases me,
mo cridhe
.” Rhiannon shrugged. “Perhaps I do, but I don’t hear you complaining.” She moved his hand from her rump to her side. “We’ll have to continue this conversation later. My parents are waiting.”

Cerne nodded with a squeeze of her hand. “After you, my sweet.”

“Here goes nothing.” Closing her eyes, Rhiannon sucked in another deep breath and stepped into the large hall.

She opened her eyes, taking in the surroundings. Warm amber bathed her, and the scents of lavender and honey teased her nose. A large table that could easily serve fifty, if not more, sat in the middle of the room. She looked toward the head of the table where the king and queen sat.

Titania sat at the table, her graying auburn hair entwined in a string of pearls piled high on her head. Even at a distance, Rhiannon caught the emerald sparkle in the Queen’s eyes, much like her own. To Titania’s right sat King Oberon, just as regal, with dark hair and graying temples. Both were clad in matching violet crepe. Oberon stood, while Titania remained seated.

She struggled to rise, but Oberon placed his hand on her shoulder. He leaned down to his queen and whispered in her ear.

Radan Evenspring rose, and bowed to both Titania and Oberon and then to Cerne and Rhiannon. He turned back to Titania and cleared his voice. “My queen and king, I present to you your daughter, Princess Rhiannon.”

Oberon bowed, while Titania’s eyes welled over with tears. “Come, let me see you,” she said, in a weak yet commanding voice.

Cerne gave Rhiannon an encouraging nudge. With slow, nervous steps she approached her mother. Biting her lip, she bowed before the Queen.

Smiling, Titania shook her head. “You don’t need to bow, Princess. You’re my daughter.

Please rise.”

Rhiannon nodded and stood before her faerie mother, taking in her similar features. The same shape of their chins, to the curve of her lips. Even with Titania’s graying hair, Rhiannon knew the shade was identical to her own.

“Come closer, so I may embrace you. It’s been too long a time, my dearest.”

Smiling, Rhiannon approached. She bent down to the Queen and took her in her arms.

Warmth emanated from Titania putting Rhiannon at ease. A feeling Rhiannon hadn’t experienced in a good two years came over her—that of a mother’s love. She turned to Oberon, whose face swept into a smile, dimples furrowed into each of his cheeks. He took in her appearance and his pine-green eyes sparkled warmly.

Oberon nodded. “I’m in agreement. She is our daughter. Her aura is strong.” He extended his arms, welcoming her.

Rhiannon, wiping a tear from her cheek, approached Oberon. Despite his age, he was rather tall, well-built, and super-attractive—but not as attractive as Cerne. She wrapped her arms about Oberon’s neck, hugging him close.

“Do not cry, my sweet,” he cooed in her ear. “It’s a joyous time, for you’ve been returned to us.” He reached down and wiped a tear from her cheek.

“They aren’t tears of sadness, but tears of joy.” Rhiannon turned her head to Cerne who smiled at her in a way that looked almost loving.

Titania clapped her hands. “It’s time to celebrate. Let us enjoy the feast. Sit, my daughter.” She patted the seat next to her. “Cerne, please join my daughter as her consort-to-be.” Cerne nodded and bowed. He helped Rhiannon into her chair and took the seat next to her.

His hand brushed against her thigh, sending streaks of electricity coursing down her body. As if noticing the effect his touch was causing, he let his hand linger.

Titania smiled. As her face softened, the creases in her skin faded. She turned to Oberon. “I would like to rise and offer a toast.”

Oberon nodded. He stood and pulled out Titania’s chair, taking her hand in his. Wrapping his other arm about her waist, he helped her to her feet. Reaching down, he grabbed their glasses of wine, handed the Queen her goblet and raised his own. Everyone else at the table grabbed their glasses and held them.

Titania turned to face Rhiannon, her smile full of love. With a shaky voice, she said, “I toast to a new generation and give thanks to the Gods for bringing back our daughter, Rhiannon. With Cerne at her side, the White Faerie Folk shall defeat the evil Korrigan and her minions. I toast to my daughter, Cerne and the many offspring they shall produce!” She brought the glass to her lips and took a sip.

“Here! Here!” everyone shouted in reply, taking draughts of their wine.

Rhiannon stood in front of them all with a sheepish grin. A blush warmed her face. She’d never been toasted before. She was welcome and wanted. She’d never felt like that with humans, no matter how hard she strived.

Drinking from his challis, he winked. He set his glass down, took her hand in his and knelt before her. He looked up at her as if he were a servant awaiting his command.
What the hell?

“May I have your hand, Your Highness?”

Closing her eyes, she allowed their minds to connect.
What is going on?

Cerne chuckled in her mind.
To make the bonding official, I must ask for your hand in front
of the Queen.

This is nuts. You faeries and your weird rituals. I need to think about it.

At Cerne’s frown, she smiled, returning his chuckle with one as loud as his. She closed the connection between them.

To be honest, she couldn’t think of a better man to give her virginity to. He’d treated her with more respect in the couple of weeks she’d known him than her last boyfriend had in the two months they dated. To top it off, she was certain life with Cerne would never prove boring. She’d have plenty of fun with him. And not only sex either. There were plenty of fun things for couples to do around the castle. Games of chess to play, along with croquet and tongue wrestling?

Come on girl! Get your head out of the gutter, already.

Perhaps when this whole business with Korrigan was gone, she could talk him into coming back to Earth with her. Rhiannon sighed. Earth. She really didn’t want to go back, but she had obligations, not only to her job but to Lara too.

“I would love for you to be my consort, Lord Silverwing.” She gave him a bright smile.

Cerne kissed the back of her wrist. More shivers of energy raced through her. Cerne stood, taking her hand in his. He helped her up to her feet, turned to Titania and Oberon, and bowed before them. “Your daughter has consented, Your Majesty.” Wow, this was almost archaic, Rhiannon thought with a chuckle.

Titania nodded and raised her glass. “I also consent, Lord Silverwing. Make my daughter happy and the Goddess shall smile upon you. Make her angry, and I’ll see that you get retribution. ” She laughed heartily. “But from the look in her eyes, I doubt I’ll have to worry.” Titania took a sip of wine and raised her glass high. “The betrothal is now official.” The room erupted in cheers. “Hurrah!” Everyone took another sip of their wine.

Titania rang a bell next to her plate, calling for the servants. The room quieted. “It’s now time to feast, my friends.”

The servants padded into the room, bearing a vast array of silver-gilded platters and trays.

Rhiannon’s eyes bugged out of her head as the servants lifted the lids of the trays. She hadn’t seen so much food since she’d crashed Amy Asker’s wedding reception back in college.

Unfortunately for her, Amy had noticed Rhiannon’s uninvited arrival and promptly had her escorted out. At least she got some kick-ass cake for the ordeal.

A petite young servant sat an oatcake in front of Rhiannon and drizzled warm honey on it.

Rhiannon’s mouth watered at the sweet scent. A bowl of greens was placed next to the oatcake.

Rhiannon poked a fork at the heather stalks that garnished the salad.

“They are rather tasty.” Cerne plucked one from his bowl and munched on the stalk.

“Mmm.”

Rhiannon took a bite, expecting it to taste like crap. However, to her—and it was probably her faerie spirit kicking in—it tasted like broccoli, a tad bitter with a little bite. “I never thought I’d be eating flowers, but you’re right. It is good.” Cerne nodded and grabbed up his oatcake, licking some of the honey from the top. Rhiannon forced her mind from wandering at the sight. He broke off a piece and pressed it to Rhiannon’s lips. “I saw the way you were eyeing my plate. Mind if I share?” Rhiannon parted her lips, allowing him to plop the crumbly scone into her mouth. The flavor of the warm oats and honey swirled in her mouth and caused a satisfied, “Mmm,” to escape her lips. She’d never enjoyed food so much.

Smiling, Rhiannon reached down for her own oatcake and plucked a chunk from the plate.

She swirled the piece in some honey and brought it to Cerne’s lips. With an eager hunger, he took the piece into his mouth and licked the honey from the tip of her finger.

“My parents…” she whispered.

“Did the same thing at their engagement dinner, I imagine. It’s a faerie custom.” Cerne flashed a wicked grin.

Rhiannon blushed. “No wonder it got so quiet.”

The next course was set before them, equally as magnificent as the last. The young faerie boy sat a plate full of what resembled tofu surrounded by mounds of almonds, cashews, peanuts, berries, dried fruits and figs. From the previous nights of nuts and berries, obviously these faeries

were vegetarians. Rhiannon had no problem with that. Meat, especially beef, always left a weird taste in her mouth.

As she gazed at the bounty on her plate, Rhiannon’s mouth watered. She scooped her fork into the firm cream and took a bite. On Earth it would be bland, but here in Fey, it was anything but. Rich and creamy, the flavor exploded on her tongue. She watched everyone eating, devouring the berries and fruit. She dug in and shoveled nut after delectable nut into her mouth.

“How is your meal, daughter?” Titania asked over her shoulder.

Rhiannon turned to her mother and smiled. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever tasted. It’s delicious!”

“Wonderful. Only the best for my daughter.”

Taking a sip of her wine, Rhiannon nodded. “Thank you for never giving up on me.”

“I love you too much to do that, my dear.” Titania patted Rhiannon’s shoulder. “Now eat and be merry.”

Rhiannon nodded, taking another bite of the tangy tofu. “What is this?” Titania grinned. “It’s deer milk curd. Do you like it?”

“Like it?” Rhiannon asked, shocked. “I
love
it.” Titania’s lips spread into a wide grin. “If you love deer milk curd, wait until you try dessert.”

Dessert? Oh Gods, if she ate any more, she’d need a new wardrobe. “I can hardly wait.” King Oberon turned a curious glance toward Rhiannon. “What is life on Earth like?”

“It has its good points and its bad points.” Rhiannon racked her brain for the best answer. “I never realized it—until I was brought here—but I was an outsider. I spent the first fifteen years of my life moving from place to place.” She sighed softly. “I never had many friends and even while I was away at school, I wasn’t at peace. Then I moved to Arizona after graduating. Even though I had a great job, I still felt empty inside.” She chuckled. “Does that make sense?”

“More than you know. I remember when Oberon and I traveled to England. We had fun for a while, but after a while it became too much.”

“And thanks to our pal, William Shakespeare, you’re immortal on Earth.” Titania threw back her head and chuckled. “I should’ve tormented Will for that. So much for our obscurity.”

Rhiannon patted her mother’s hand. “Don’t worry, mom. Most humans regard Shakespeare as a master storyteller, not necessarily a renowned historian.”

Titania nodded. “Thank goodness for that.” At the entrance of another servant, she smiled.

“It’s time for dessert.”

Rhiannon turned her head to spot Onora carrying in a large tray and waved to her as she passed. A shy blush crept to her face.

She sat a silver tray in front of Rhiannon and lifted the lid. “Enjoy your dessert, Your Highness.” A giant tart piled high with whipped cream sat in a mound of crushed nuts and caramel.

“Elderberry tart.” Titania lifted a fork to her lips and turned to Onora. “I heard about your unfortunate incident in the garden, Onora.” Titania reached for the young maid’s hand. “I’m relieved you’ve recovered.”

Onora blushed, and bowed. “I acted stupidly, Your Majesty. I almost killed the princess with my recklessness.”

“Onora.” Rhiannon sighed. “You didn’t kill me. You saved my life.” Onora nodded. “I still feel guilty.” She wiped a tear from her eye.