Menage a Fairy (A Fairy Novel) (5 page)

Annalise couldn’t fight it. She had no willpower when it came to this fairy. Her lips parted, and the kiss became a claiming. His tongue was a wild animal. Wick’s hands roamed over her and made Annalise ache for more. Her hands were on his chest. His bare skin was so warm she could melt right into him. Wick pulled her closer, their bodies touching deliciously. She wanted to spread her legs, rub herself against his hard contours. Oh, how she wanted him. Annalise forced herself to stop touching him. She closed her lips and tilted her head to break the kiss. Her breaths were difficult to control just like her frantic heartbeat. Annalise locked eyes with him. Wick looked sad and confused. He frowned but his eyes had a shine to them. “I’m sorry, I can’t...”

Without a word, he lifted them off the roof and flew them to the terrace. He placed her down carefully, not even looking her in the eyes. “I’ve lost you to another,” he whispered the words into her ear, kissed her cheek, and flew off into the darkness.

****

Jayn popped a red berry into her mouth. She thought it was a grape but what saturated her tongue wasn’t a fruit she was used to. It wasn’t bad but the texture was strange and she swallowed it quickly. She sat at a long table with Annalise who seemed to be sulking. The king and queen were on the other side of the table, quiet but for the constant chewing from the queen. She grabbed handfuls of those berries and began shoving them into her mouth.

Queen Brook looked up with a grin. “Eating for two. These are gooseberries. They don’t have peaches and bananas like back home. You should try the beetroot and apple salad.”

Jayn searched the table and found the food. She scooped some onto her plate and took a hearty spoonful. It was better than the gooseberries. She glanced at Annalise again. Her lips were downturned and her hair had fallen in wisps down her face. She was nudging the fruit on her plate around but not really bringing anything to her lips for sustenance. What was her mood about?

“So Jayn, do you plan on staying here as well?” the king asked. “We’d be happy to accept you into our community. Though it’s strange that you can see us just as well as Annalise but have no mate—” The king jumped, glancing at the queen and leaning down to rub his shin.

Jayn watched them, her mind working like a cop’s. Obviously, there was more here than just the usual. Usual? Mythological men with wings who were fighting scaly creatures called trolls. “We haven’t decided what to do yet. There is a whole world out there.” She took another bite and swallowed before continuing. “Then again, why is it you haven’t exposed yourself to the world? You’re myths, fairy tales, and the bases for romance novels. Why is it you exist and keep it a secret?” Jayn just didn’t trust them. She didn’t know if because deep down she didn’t believe this was real. Maybe she hit her head somewhere along the search for Annalise and was currently lying in the woods bleeding out. Was it because Annalise was excessively cozy with a certain green-haired freak? She glanced at Annalise. Or maybe it was because Jayn could feel the woman she loved slipping away. Jayn didn’t have time to ponder as the queen spoke.

“Simple. Not everyone can see them. If some humans could and some couldn’t, half the population would be in a mental institution.” She shoved a few berries in her mouth. “They could be hunted for their wings or wiped out because governments are scared of them. Humans are notorious for their cruelty.”

“Why can’t everyone see them? What dictates who can and cannot see a fairy?” Jayn asked. She pushed her plate away, appetite vanquished. The queen hesitated. “I’m a cop, your highness. I can smell bullshit from a mile away. The truth is your best option.”

“Jayn!” Annalise said, her tone disapproving.

The queen lifted a brow. “Fine. Only those who are mated to a fairy can see them. I am mated to Carrick. Every human here is mated, including your girlfriend.” The queen stood, her stomach pushing against the table. It was much larger than yesterday. She looked nearly six months pregnant and there was no way she was that far along.

Jayn stopped her internal rambling and let the words filter through her brain.
Annalise
.
Mate
. “That green-haired bastard!” Jayn shot to her feet. Anger clouded her judgment as she turned to the woman she loved. “Did you know? Is that why you kissed him? When did you plan on telling me?”

“It’s not...I’m not his mate,” she said timidly.

“Really? Then why can you see him? Why have you been obsessed with Wick for years? Since I meet you! Did our time together mean nothing?” Jayn placed her hands on her hips, too angry to be sad. “Were you going to stay here, live with him and just let me float away on that boat by myself?” She shook her head. Finally the rage was simmering and her emotions began to hinder her thoughts. Pain exploded in her chest. Her heart was breaking, Jayn could feel the sharp pains, as she understood the betrayal. “You love him.” The words were whispered.

Annalise opened her mouth but Jayn held up her hand.

“Save it.” She walked away, as she always did when a relationship took a turn for the worst. Jayn had opened her heart for the first time in years and now it was stomped into dust. Fairies, mates…this world was more fucked up than she realized.

“Jayn!” Annalise shuffled behind her. “This is not my fault. I didn’t pick a mate, if he even is my mate. Jayn, I love you!” Annalise grabbed her shoulder and pulled her so they were face to face. “I’ve loved you since the moment our eyes met.”

“Because you thought we were going to die,” Jayn sputtered.

“No. Well, yes, that bank heist was so scary and I thought I’d die right there and we only had moments to live. I just...I wanted to kiss you once...”

“We survived,” Jayn said, her ire falling.

“And we’ve had such a good time and a fantastic relationship. I love you, Jayn, and I think we should work this, whatever this is, out.” Annalise motioned around them. “Fairies, they exist. Aren’t you curious?”

“Not if that leads to me losing you.” She was being honest, speaking from the heart. Jayn wanted to believe the words Annalise was saying. There was a gust of wing. Jayn turned, glaring at the green hair and the barely clothed man. The anger that had tampered off began to skyrocket. “This is your fault! We were happy.”

Wick lifted his hands, as baffled as a bug under a falling shoe.

“I am going to cut your balls off!” Jayn roared and launched herself at him. She felt her fist connect, the sharp pain that shot up her arm, and the warm blood that splattered. Wick’s blood. She’d punched him right in the nose.

Jayn didn’t hear the activity around her, fairies coming out, the king and queen, everyone attempting to break up the fight. Jayn would not be deterred. She went for his handsome face again. Wick blocked the attempt. He grabbed her wrist and tried to subdue her. Jayn went along with it but the moment he had her back to his chest she sprang. She stomped her boot heel on his foot, and sent an elbow to the chest to knock the air from his lungs. Jayn pulled away, her fist slamming against his stomach. She shoved him over but hadn’t expected his foot to kick out. She toppled like a bag of angry potatoes. The ground slammed against her back. Jayn looked up. Two muscular fairies stood over her. Their backdrop was a beautiful blue sky. With a huff and a frown, she showed her palms in surrender. Jayn was content to lay there and listen to Wick’s groans of pain.

****

“I am so sorry!” Annalise rushed into the room where Wick lay. “This is all my mistake.” Her eyes roamed the plain white interior before looking at the floor in shame.

“It wasn’t your fist,” Wick mumbled as he sat up.

“I can’t...I can’t seem to choose between the two of you.” She took a deep breath. “Jayn has been there for me through the good and bad. I love her with all my heart, Wick.”

He nodded solemnly.

“But...I have been searching all my life for you.” Annalise sat beside him on the bed. “I feel this connection with you, and if what Queen Brook says is true, we’re mated.”

“We are.” Wick whispered, “But I will not force it. If you love another all I can do is wish you happiness.” He stood. His green wings fluttered as he brushed the hair from her face.

“That’s why it’s my fault. I have to pick and I can’t seem to do it. I want you both too badly.”

He turned slowly. The mischievous light in his eyes seemed to be reawakened. “You want me.”

Annalise blushed. How could she not. Wick was half-naked and looking down at her as if she was his savior. “Of course.” She bit her bottom lip. “You’re gorgeous.”

Wick grinned and sat beside her on the bed. “Go on.”

Annalise smiled. “Funny, strong, brave, and I always did like the color green.” She fingered the dyed strip of green hair. “Jayn is so much like you. You should both be getting along famously. At least as friends, but again, my fault. I’m leading you both on and I don’t know what to do.” Annalise buried her head in her hands, distraught. She had thought for hours trying to make a decision, but each time she made a choice, her heart ached for the person she was giving up. It wasn’t fair. She shouldn’t have to choose between them!

Wick placed a hand on her shoulder. The warmth of his hand was decadent and she tried to hold the tremor his touch caused. “I think it’s time Jayn and I spoke.”

“What? That didn’t work out so well last time.” Annalise lifted a brow. Jayn had attacked him and there was blood and mayhem. She didn’t want to ever see that again. Both of them held a piece of her heart, damn it. How could she be stuck in this situation, loving two people? She was ready to protest but Wick was on his feet and heading toward the open balcony doors. “Wait. What will you say? How will this talk help?”

Wick turned toward her and his beautiful green eyes captured Annalise. Her breath caught and her heart beat loudly in her ears. Wick was reaching out, his palm against her cheek. “I think we both want you to be happy. If she truly loves you, we will sit down and speak properly.” Wick grinned. “No hitting.”

Annalise smiled. “You promise?”

“I have never hit a female...” He gazed off into the distance. “Okay once, but it was a banshee and she was trying to cut my head off.”

“Oh.” Annalise’s eyes went wide.

“My...lower head.” The corner of his lips lifted.

“Oh.” Heat of another blush crept up her face. “That would be a shame.” Hell, did she just say that aloud?

“Yes, yes, it would.” Wick leaned closer, his lips parting and pressing ever so gently against hers. He then pulled away and flew off into the sky in search of the woman she loved.

****

Jayn stood on the edge of the cliff. Below her was the kingdom of the fairies. She could hardly believe her eyes but the proof was right there. This wasn’t some dream, some accident-induced vision. She took a deep breath. After spending several hours alone, she had come to a painful conclusion. Jayn would leave. Annalise had been searching for this world, for that fairy, for years and Jayn would not be the one to break that. She had asked the king permission to leave, gathered some supplies in a leather pouch, and taken off. Thame had offered to escort her but she refused. With the trolls no longer a threat, she just wanted to be alone. Jayn planned to head to the boat and sail away, find the nearest port and then an airport. All she wanted to do was go home to noisy New York.

After the long trek to the top, she couldn’t help but turn and stare. Annalise would be happy here. This place could use her warmth and bright spirit. Jayn knew it would take a long time for her own heart to mend, but it was the right decision. It was time to go home, alone.

Jayn turned, looking over her shoulder, and then walked toward the forest. The grass was turning brighter. There were more patches of green with spring arriving. The air was crisp, filled with a warm breeze that ruffled Jayn’s short hair.

“Does she know you left?” Wick’s voice sounded from the sky. He hovered over the ground, a frown on his face.

“There’s a note. I made the choice so she wouldn’t have to.” Jayn turned to him. “If you break her heart, I’ll break you.” With those parting words, she walked on. Giving up on the woman she spent the last four years falling in love with.

“She loves you.”

Was he following her? What more could the bastard want? He had already taken all she held dear. “Is there a reason you’re bothering me?”

“If you leave, she will not be pleased.”

“The world isn’t cupcakes and candy canes,” Jayn said. She worked all her life in the real world with murderers and rapists. She had been shot twice and nearly killed by a biker with a pipe. Jayn was a survivor. “Goodbye, Wick.” She walked on, but he followed. It was really starting to piss her off. She had given Annalise up and now he was irritating her.

“We should talk,” he offered, hovering beside her.

“We should part ways before I feel the urge to kick your ass again.”

“I think you just wanted an excuse to touch me,” he said with a glint in his eye.

“Oh, get real. Unless you have a pussy underneath that loincloth, I am not interested.”

Wick grinned.

Was he enjoying this? Jayn stopped, ready to let lose another fist on him when a sound penetrated her anger. It wasn’t loud. A distant tapping. No, hammering. She ignored the fairy before her and glanced around. It sounded closer, like it was moving, but who the hell would be hammering in the woods? “Do you...” She glanced at Wick’s face before she finished the question.