The Fae Ring (7 page)

“Aye, I am too. We need to go.”

Janet lifted her head, and their gazes collided. “I canna’ walk, Xander.”

“You won’t have to.” He flexed his wings.

“Flying?” Anticipation and dread slipped down her spine. Flying was…unnatural. And she’d never been fond of heights.

“Aye. Hold onto me; I’ll never drop you.” He dipped his head down and pressed his mouth to hers in a hard kiss.

Janet swallowed hard. The brush of his lips on hers was over before she’d had time to react, but her body heated and her heart thundered even faster. She would’ve kissed him back, like she had on the beach of Skye.

Why?

Was magic making her lose her head to this man?

Or is it more?

She ignored the voice that asked that, shoving it to the back of her mind.

Nonsense.
She might have known who he was for the past six months, but Janet didn’t know Xander. Not really.

Without another word, he pumped his wings twice, then a third time.

Her trembling started when he slowly rose into the air. Janet gasped and tightened her grip on his waist. As soon as they were completely off the ground, she wound her legs around his calves, wincing when her ankle shot pain into her knee.

Janet felt the rumble in his broad chest that had to be a laugh, but Xander held her closer. “I promise I won’t drop you, lass.”

“I won’ look down.” She hid her face in his neck.

Xander chuckled again. Janet felt his lips on her forehead and smiled in spite of herself. Chilled air slid over her form, at odds with the heat of his body against hers, his warm strong embrace around her.

“Do what you must; I’ll do the rest.”

“Thank you,” she whispered as the wind rushed in her ears, whipping her hair as they moved higher.

“You’re mine to protect.”

Janet didn’t answer, and she ignored how much she liked the words. She squeezed her eyes shut and held onto Xander as he soared even farther into the air.

There was only one place he could take her. One place the Fae avoided like the plague.

The Grànnda Falls.

Grànnda
meant
ugly
in Fae and Gaelic alike, and the falls were the only geographical area of the Fae Realm where the foliage was the muted greens and browns of the Human Realm. No purple and pink trees. Not a blade of orange grass in sight, let alone of the soft wavy blue variety.

It was what Janet would consider normal.

Xander’s people, on the other hand, considered the vast falls, surrounding forest, and the river undesirable. A shame, really, since the Grànnda Falls area had some of the best hunting in the realm.

Even if they burned though the supplies he’d brought, they wouldn’t starve.

He shuddered and hoped it didn’t translate to the lass in his arms. Xander didn’t think they’d survive more than a few days undiscovered, let alone a whole week.

King Fillan would have patrols out to find them. They would search high and low. Wouldn’t give up until Xander and Janet were captured. They needed to formulate a plan and get back to the Faery Stones. Back to the Human Realm.

Xander had said an invisibility spell the moment they’d left the two unconscious Fae Warriors and he hoped to the gods it held. He probably should’ve killed Mikhias and Ruark, but getting away had been more important. A part of him hadn’t wanted Janet to see him kill, either.

He stretched his wings and rose even higher, hitting a thermal and gliding. The warm air caressed his wings and his face, ruffling his clothing, mussing his hair, and making him grin.

His magic was back! Full force and screaming in his mind, running in his blood.

Xander threw his head back, closing his eyes and laughing. Had Janet not been wrapped around his body, he would’ve thrown his arms out and floated backwards. Perhaps even performed backflips in the air like he had as a lad. He wanted to shout for joy.

When he felt her tremble in his grip, he met Janet’s gaze. He might not be able to read her mind, but her sapphire eyes were wide, her arms and legs tight around him.

As much as Xander was reveling in being in the air, his mate was panicked. His elation deflated and he rubbed her back. “Not much further, and we’ll be there.”

“Where?” Her voice shook.

Xander held her tighter, if it was possible. He wanted to kiss her, touch her, but even if they were in a safe situation, something told him his would-be-wife would never be comfortable in the air. Plus, she was injured.

Which makes me a wretch.

“The Grànnda Falls.”

“Ugly?” Janet arched one dark brow.

He grinned. “Aye. You’ll see why.”

She stayed plastered to him, hiding her face as their journey continued.

He heard the falls before he could see them. The forest was overgrown and lush; the tree canopy would be adequate shelter if they had to leave the safety of the cave, their destination. Even now, he couldn’t see the forest floor from the air.

Good.

The river caught his eye as they moved closer. Wide and deep, it would act as another barrier, since the falls were on the other side.

Xander wouldn’t be able to use much magic and remain undetected, even in an area Fae would naturally avoid. He couldn’t ward the cave. A protection spell would be sensed immediately and defeat its purpose. He was even leery to try a spell such as the magical
stay out
his cousin had on the Faery Stones of Skye. It, too, could be sensed.

Janet gasped and crushed her eyes shut when Xander dove for a large boulder.

“Lass, the view is beautiful, if you would but look.”

She shook her head and he swallowed a laugh, lest he offend her.

“There’s nothing to fear,” he said into her ear as he touched down. “You can let go now, we’re on the ground, so to speak.”

The rush of the falls must’ve caught Janet’s attention, for she lifted her head from his chest, but she didn’t leave his embrace. Xander wasn’t going to complain. He liked holding her.

He released her when she tugged at his arms, but she didn’t move more than a few inches away. She favored her foot, and he frowned. Xander needed to get them settled so he could take a look at it.

“This place isn’t ugly at all. It’s beautiful.” There was wonder in her voice as she looked up at the greater and lesser waterfalls.

The larger of the two curved inward, forming a wide asymmetrical half-circle. Below it was a pool, deep blue and serene. He knew the water to be warm.

Xander laughed, gripping her arm when she wobbled on her feet. “Fae feel differently, because the foliage—”

“Is like home.”

“Aye.” He nodded, tipping her chin up to look into her face.

Her cheeks were flushed, and her lips parted.

His heart stuttered and desire warmed his limbs, especially where they touched. He would’ve kissed her but she gently pulled away, looking down at the pool at the base of the larger waterfall, and then gesturing to the river. “It’s so warm here.”

“Aye, the weather is usually like this. Not like the Human Realm. It’s regulated by Fae who have weather magic.”

Janet looked over her shoulder. “Really?”

Xander nodded. Their mating bond throbbed, and he wanted to reach for her. He cleared his throat. “They work together keep things mild. Sunny days, warm nights, and only rain when we need it.”

Silence fell as she took in their surroundings. Birds called to each other, and branches rustled as tree dwellers hopped from place to place.

Serenity surrounded them and Xander breathed it in, calming completely despite their situation. Hopefully their environment would have the same effect on his wife. He couldn’t sense what she was feeling exactly, but her form radiated agitation.

“What now?” Janet whispered.

“There’s a cave behind the larger fall. We’ll hide there.”

“For how long?” She turned to him, swallowing hard, and Xander wanted to kiss her throat. Wipe that look off her face.

“Until it’s safe.”

Her sapphire eyes misted over and his stomach fluttered. “How long is that?”

Xander didn’t want to tell her he hadn’t a clue. He didn’t know the watch schedule anymore. He didn’t want to admit he was going to have to leave her to find out, either. He’d have to go back to the Faery Stones alone, discover the most vulnerable time for the guards, so he could open the Stones and get them back to the Human Realm.

All that discussion was for later. When they were safe.

He pulled her back into his arms, and she didn’t fight him, nor did she question why he hadn’t answered her. “Let’s go into the cave.”

Janet nodded and hid her face as he gathered her closer and pushed off the boulder. Xander glided downward, toward the rushing falls.

They both gasped as he flew through the water. It was cold, a shock, and soaked them from head to toe, but it was the quickest way into the large cavern he and Alana had discovered as children.

They could’ve avoided getting wet if they’d scaled the cliff and slipped behind the water, but Janet couldn’t have even if she wasn’t injured.

The place was dark and she shivered as soon as he landed. She broke their physical contact, but once again didn’t go far.

Xander pumped his wings to discard excess water and ran his hands through his short hair. “We can stay here for the night. We should be safe enough.” The roar of the waterfall behind them rivaled the one in his ears.

His bond with Janet tugged at him. He couldn’t sense anything but uncertainty from her, but it didn’t chase away his lust. The stronger magic of the realm made him want her more. Every time they touched, his body thrummed. Being alone with her was going to complicate things if Xander couldn’t keep his hands to himself. Even now, he was compelled to reach for her again, to touch even her hand.

Holding her close while they’d flown high above the clouds had fired him in more than one way. He’d wanted to whip up her skirts and slip inside her, take her while his wings pumped hard. Make her his—

“Xander.”

Her whisper jolted him, made his cock twitch, too, but one look at the fright in her wide sapphire eyes, the pallor on her gorgeous face, dissipated his joy over his magic and deflated his desire. She was even more alarmed than she’d been moments before as they’d arrived at Grànnda Falls. It was probably the darkness of their new surroundings.

His heart fluttered and he wanted to make her feel better.

Nay.

Xander
needed
her to feel better.

He rested his hands on her shoulders and ignored the energy that zinged up his arms from the contact. “Lass, we’re going to be fine.”

“I want to go home.”

“I know. I’ll get us home.” He flexed his wings.

“When?” Her teeth chattered.

“When tis safe.”

Xander drew her into his chest again and like before, she didn’t fight him, but Janet didn’t wrap her arms around him, either.

“When is that?” her whisper was muffled against his wet tunic.

He still couldn’t tell her he wasn’t sure, despite her prodding. She wouldn’t like him having to leave her, his gut told him.

They’d have to be smart. Stealthy. Despite Xander’s reveling in the return of his powers—his wings—it was going to take his wits—
their
wits—to get them back to the Human Realm.

Xander shifted Janet closer and she hissed. “Lass?”

“Sorry.” She tried to mask the wince on her pretty face, but couldn’t. “My…my ankle still hurts.”

“That I can do something about. I can also make this place light and warm.”

She offered a small smile, and it took all he was made of not to kiss her.

Xander had stolen one kiss before he’d flown away from the Faery Stones, but Janet hadn’t kissed him back, although she’d not protested either. He’d told Duncan MacLeod he’d no worries about his sister’s virtue, but Xander wasn’t a fool. The magic—and their bond—would drive them toward sealing their fate the more time they spent together.

If the lass didn’t turn him away, he would take her. He didn’t have the control otherwise. Besides, he couldn’t afford to become ill if they didn’t consummate their bond. Xander wasn’t a brute; he would leave things up to Janet, but he didn’t know how much time they had. He needed his magic in order for them to survive. To get home.

Home?

Since when had he started thinking of the Human Realm—Dunvegan—as home?

“What can you do abou’ my ankle?” Her voice pulled him from his thoughts.

“I’m not a healer, but I know a few spells. I can try.”

“Magic?”

“Aye.”

Her expression held dread and curiosity.

“We’re in the Realm of the Fae, my lady. Magic is our reality.”

Janet shivered against him.

“I won’t hurt you.”

Her blue eyes burned his face. “I know. I trust you.” Janet’s simple, sure words made his heart flip.

She
trusted
him.

“First, let me get some lights.”

“How?”

“You’ll see.” Xander kissed her forehead. Once again, he couldn’t help himself. Her small smile in response was all the encouragement he needed.

He backed up and sucked in a breath, spreading his arms out, palms raised flat. Xander pictured one of the many storerooms in the vast palace. He’d have to be quick, and pray no one was
in
the room to see the magic orbs disappear when he called them forth.

Xander felt Janet’s eyes on him even as his own remained closed. He concentrated and whispered the spellwords. It took a few tries, but when he pushed more power behind the phrase, he felt the magic move within him. Sweat trickled down his temple, but within moments, his palms were filled with two glowing globes.

Janet gasped.

He opened his eyes and met her gaze, smiling at the wonder in her expression. “I’m out of practice. That took longer—and more power—than it should’ve.”

“Wh-what are they?” She reached out, before pulling her hand back.

“They’re lights. You can touch them; they shan’t burn. If they’re not bright enough, you tell them to alight more, but the spell will burn out faster.”