Faery Kissed (3 page)

“
No. They are strong, only
more like smooth marble on the surface.”

“
I see.” I didn’t really,
but at the moment my mind was mostly paying attention to the
sensations her fingers were causing.

“
I prefer the ridges,” she
added.

I swallowed hard. “Good to know.”

Her tongue darted out and wet her lips. I
wanted to be there tasting her as well. We leaned toward one
another, as if drawn together, and her sweet breath brushed over my
skin, heating it even more with its warmth.

She closed the rest of the space between us,
brushing her lips lightly against my own. It was so brief, but
still produced fire inside me.

“
Do you want to be with me,
Bran?” she questioned.

“
Yes,” I grounded out
between clenched teeth. “Yes, I do, Eirian.”

Her skin flushed red, and she clamped her
eyes shut as I spoke her name for the first time.

“
I was wondering when you
would realize that.”

“
Oh, I figured it worked
both ways—I was just waiting for the perfect time to torture you
with it, Eirian.”

I grinned as she tossed her head back and
moaned. “Let’s finish this then,” she replied when she’d
recovered.

I shook my head. “No.”

“
But you said you wanted to
be with me.” Her look was one of sorrow and concern.

“
And I will, after you’ve
answered some more of my questions. If we’re truly bonded as you
say, then we have a lifetime to continue our present
discussion.”

Eirian got up and walked away with a slight
huff, seating herself again on the bench by the window.

“
I didn’t say you had to
leave.” I patted the spot on the bed next to me.

She shook her head, her sleek hair floating
about her. “It will be easier for us if we are separated. You
distract me.”

I chuckled and gave her a nod.
“Likewise.”

“
What do you want to know?”
She didn’t look at me, instead tracing her finger lightly over the
windowsill. She appeared calm on the outside, but I could feel an
undercurrent running through the space between us, and her other
hand kept pinching at her shift. She was nervous about something,
but I had no idea what. I watched her for a moment longer, waiting
to see if she would look at me again. She didn’t,
though.

“
I want to know why you
picked me.”

Chapter Three

I was beginning to wonder if she was ever
going to answer me. She seemed restless, almost irritated by my
question.

“
Is there something you’re
afraid to share?” I asked.

She shook her head. “No. I’m just not sure
where to start. I don’t know what will make the most sense.” She
turned to stare at me. “You’re very astute, you realize?”

“
What do you
mean?”

She sighed as she stood and walked over to
sit beside me. “Even though you came of your own free will, there
was still a significant amount of glamour used to get you
here.”

“
You’re trying to tell me
you’ve seduced me, aren’t you? That I’m under your power.” I knew
enough about Fae lore and the sometimes devious ways they used to
get the things they wanted.

Her eyes widened. “That’s exactly what I
mean. I’ve never met anyone who had enough presence of mind to keep
asking questions. They just did what they were told.”

I folded my arms, leaning
back against the intricately carved headboard. “So, you’re saying
you do this a lot
 . . .
seducing
people.” I wasn’t sure how I felt about that.

“
No!” she exclaimed,
reaching to place her hand on my arm. “No, you’re the first I’ve
brought here. I was speaking of others who’ve found themselves with
my people.”

“
How do I know you’re
telling the truth?”

Her hand fell away, and she looked toward
the window.

“
Fae cannot
lie.”

I snorted. “Is that so? Then why are there
so many tales of awful things the Fae have done to humankind?” I
felt bad for pressuring her, but she seemed so guilty of
something.

“
We are master crafters
when it comes to words. There is always truth in what we
say.”

I laughed. “And that’s the catch, isn’t it?
There may always be truth in what you say, but that doesn’t mean
it’s not bent to shed a better light on what you wish us to
see.”

She remained silent, which only affirmed I
was right.

“
Tell me, Eirian,” I spoke,
and I couldn’t help noticing the way her body trembled. “What is it
that you don’t want me to see?”

A look of alarm passed over her features.
“Please don’t ask me, Bran.”

I groaned as she leaned in to place her body
against mine—sending sparks all over me. “Why won’t you tell me?” I
asked through clenched teeth, as she ran her fingers up my
neck.

“
I will. I promise. I just
want to be with you right now. We’re bonded—married—and we have yet
to celebrate it.”

Staring into her eyes, I knew she was being
honest. She would tell me all I wanted to know. And she was
right—we were married. We had a lifetime to uncover one another’s
secrets.

I don’t know why I hesitated, but I
did—looking her over, studying her features as she waited for my
reply. I wanted to both lose myself in her and question her at the
same time. She was such an enigma to me.

The more I watched, however, the more I
wanted. Finally, I wrapped my arms around her—my mouth descending
to meet her upturned one. Regardless of not understanding why I
felt so connected to her, it seemed natural to have her in my
embrace.

More sparks flared to life between us as our
lips touched, first softly, then harder and more intense.

Pulling her onto my lap without breaking the
kiss, I threaded my fingers up into her long hair, and held her
face to mine. Our tongues met, dancing together, our mouths
frantically moving as if we’d been waiting for this moment for an
eternity.

My pulse quickened, and I wanted to devour
her—no—I needed to devour her. The fact that this beautiful
creature belonged to me now was something I could hardly fathom.
Just a short while ago, I’d been unsure if the Fae existed, and now
I was bonded to one. All I knew was that this felt like heaven, and
I never wanted it to stop, because being with her enflamed every
one of my senses.

“
Bran,” she whispered
against my lips, and I moaned as I rolled over to pin her body
beneath mine on the bed.

I kissed down her neck, my tongue darting
out here and there against her skin. She even tasted delicious, and
it seemed as if the more contact I got, the more I needed. It would
never be enough.

“
What are you doing to me,
Eirian?” I said as my lips moved farther, and she arched in
response over the use of her name.

“
The same thing you’re
doing to me,” she replied breathlessly, and I had to admit it gave
me great pleasure to hear she was just as affected.

The fire flamed brightly as the two of us
became lost in a world of our own creation. I knew of nothing
except her—wanting her, touching her, kissing her, being with her
in a way I never imagined possible.

We were completely wrapped up in each other
well into the afternoon. The light in the sky shifted as the sun
continued on its journey. Then she bit me once again, and I drifted
off into the blissful darkness, still holding her in my arms.

There was a ringing in my ears when I awoke,
and I tried to shake it off. That was a mistake, and I groaned,
lifting a hand to my head.

“
Are you thirsty?” Eirian
was standing in a loose, flowing gown at the side of the bed, a
silver goblet in her hand extended toward me.

I was thirsty—now that she mentioned
it—almost ravenously so. I took the offered cup and quickly downed
the contents. It was a sweetish tasting liquid that, while wetting
my palette, made me crave more.

“
What is this? I asked,
handing it back to her.

She smiled. “Do you like it? Would you enjoy
more?”

“
Yes, please,” I
responded.

She turned to a small serving tray with a
large pitcher and a variety of fruit and breads I hadn’t noticed
before.

My stomach rumbled at the sight, and she
giggled as she refilled my drink and gave it back.

“
I thought you might be
getting hungry.”

I drank the refreshment once more, and she
took it and refilled it again, this time setting it on the edge of
the tray and scooting it within my reach. She sat on the edge of
the bed and picked up a grape, leaning forward and gesturing for me
to open my mouth. I did so, and she popped it inside.

Flavor like I’d never experienced exploded
in my mouth with the first bite. I closed my eyes and savored it
for a moment. “This is no ordinary grape.”

She laughed. “Actually, it is. You will find
that the food tastes much better here in Faery.”

“
Why is that?” I asked,
wondering if there was some magical explanation.

“
Because everything is
better here. That’s just the way it is.”

I smiled and placed another grape into my
mouth. “That’s quite the educated reasoning you have there.” I
winked at her.

“
You’re very gracious.” She
bowed her head slightly in acknowledgement before taking a grape
herself and eating it.

“
I’m glad you think so.” I
allowed my gaze to drift over her form once more. Would I ever get
my fill of her? She smelled so good. I wasn’t sure why, but it made
me feel like I wanted to lick or bite her, just to have a
taste.

She blushed. “It’s one of the reasons I
chose you. I could tell your heart and mind were conscious to the
plight of others around you.”

Her comment brought our earlier conversation
back to my mind. “Speaking of being chosen, are you going to share
what you’ve been hiding, now that we aren’t . . .
distracted?” Her eyes clouded over with a pained look. Whatever she
had to say must not be good, since she seemed so unwilling to talk
about it.

Eirian stood and retreated. She placed both
of her hands against the wide windowsill, bracing as if she needed
it to hold her up. She was quiet for several long moments before
she turned to face me, and her skin looked drained of color—more
pale than I’d ever seen it. A wave of nervousness shot through me,
wondering what would make her appear so ill.

“
Just say it, and let’s be
done with it, shall we? No need to drag the agony out longer than
necessary.” I tried to sound encouraging, but I was sure she could
hear the apprehension as I spoke. My muscles were taut, as if
preparing for someone to strike.

There were tears in her eyes as she looked
at me hesitantly. “I stole you from another.” Her voice was barely
a whisper.

Instantly memories of Ceridwen raced through
my mind—picnics in the glen, hours of kissing as our hands raced
over each other, tender promises made about how we’d share our
future together, quiet moments, longing glances, and a love so
strong it burned between us.

I gasped as the images tore through my head,
ripping my heart to shreds. What did I do? I cheated on my
beautiful Ceridwen, made love, and became bonded to another. I
broke every promise I ever gave her—broke it all for a girl I
barely knew.

I stared at Eirian. “You did enchant me.” It
was a statement, one I was daring her to deny. “Otherwise I
would’ve never gone through with all of this. You made me forget
her.”

“
I did,” she muttered
softly, looking down to where her hands twisted together in her
shift.

“
Why?”

“
Because I didn’t think you
would want to be with me when you found out we were bonded. The
first time I kissed you, I wiped your memories of Ceridwen away, so
your heart would be free to love me instead.”

Spying my clothing folded neatly on the
bench that was beside her, I threw the coverlet off and strode
toward her.

“
But you didn’t free my
heart. You only buried what was there so I couldn’t feel it
properly.” I grabbed my trousers and began putting them on. “Trust
me when I say, I can feel everything just fine now. I’ve betrayed
everything I ever promised to the girl I love!”

She winced at my sharp words, her tears
falling freely now. “What are you doing?” she asked, her lower lip
quivering.

I groaned at the sight, and my first
reaction was to take her in my arms and kiss those lips. I quickly
brushed that aside. There was no way I was going to allow her to
manipulate me like this anymore.

“
Just quit with your magic,
will you?” I practically shouted. “I won’t be falling prey to your
wiles again!”

She had the gall to look shocked at my
words, and her mouth flew open.
“But . . . ”

“
I do not want to hear what
you have to say anymore, Eirian.”

She moaned, and her eyes filled with hurt at
my callous use of her name.

As soon as my boots were on, I turned for
the door that led outside.

She stood and hurried after me. “Where are
you going?”

“
That’s none of your
concern.” I reached for the knob and she placed her hand over mine,
stilling it.

“
I know you are angry—I
would be too—but you need to be aware that you can’t leave Faery.
As long as you are bonded to me, you are bonded to this realm as
well.”