4 comments/ 17475 views/ 18 favorites Fae War Ch. 01 By: CatBrown What was it about her that turned every man into a total prick in three months or less? Henry had started out a sweet, slightly nerdy, nice-guy. Then in just ten weeks, while he had been talking about moving in together just a few days earlier, he suddenly had a job in a city three hours away and was moving his furniture when he remembered to call and let her know he was leaving. Just like that. Gone. The highway was pitch black heading to her sister's beach house. After the call, Erin needed some time away. She had four nights off from her nursing job, so she called Riley and asked if the house was available. Riley was six years older than Erin, and married to a stuffed-shirt, Wall Street type, but she always came through for her baby sis. This was no exception. Erin had been to the beach house, balanced on its stilts a storey above the sands, last summer with Riley and her kids. She thought she remembered the way, but in the dark, she began to wonder if she'd missed the turn-off. She slowed her little Tercel in order to peer at the roadside more closely, to see if she could identify any landmarks. There was a loud "pop" followed by an even louder bang, and the steering wheel ripped from her fingers to spin wildly. She slammed on the brakes as she regained her grip on the wheel and managed to get the car to the shoulder. Resting her head on the steering wheel, Erin took a few deep breaths to still the hammering in her chest. She had never blown a tire before, but from the sound and the way the wheel behaved, she assumed that was what had happened. She opened her door and stepped out of the car. The driver's side looked fine in the little light provided by her headlights reflecting off the high grass beside the highway. Walking around the car to the passenger's side, she blew out a breath seeing her rear tire in shreds. Those tires were only a year old! She was going to have a fit when she got home, talking to the manager at her favorite garage. Lucky for her, she had AAA. Crawling back in the driver's seat, she pulled the card and her phone out of her purse. Damn! No service! Now what was she going to do? She hadn't seen a car for about the last ten minutes. She tried to remember how far back it was to the last gas station, or convenience store, or anything really. She hadn't been paying attention, but she didn't think she'd passed any businesses in a long time. A sound caused her to jump. It was another of those popping sounds she heard before her tire blew out completely. Great! Was another tire going flat even as she sat there trying to figure out what to do next? She was about to step out of the car when she saw headlights come over the rise behind her and she remembered to flip on her flashers, hoping the driver was a good Samaritan, not a psycho killer. An older Durango passed her slowly, pulling in front of her and dropping into park. A dark form of a man stepped out of the drivers seat and headed back toward her. A sudden wariness caused her to lock her door and roll her window down just a couple of inches. The man was caught in the glow of her headlights for just a moment. He looked normal enough, about six feet tall, muscular, dressed in jeans and a button down shirt. She breathed a sigh of relief when she saw the badge clipped to his belt. What were the chances of the first car along to belong to an office of the law? "Good evening, ma'am," he drawled in South Caroline style, eyes down, wavy dark blond hair messy from the breeze, "Did you have an accident?" "No, not really. My tire blew out and I skidded to a stop here," she explained. "You're travelling alone, then?" he asked, looking around her into her car. "Um, yeah. I don't have phone reception here, but maybe you could contact Triple A for me. They can send someone to change the tire and I'll be on my way," Erin replied, feeling a little nervous again. "No need," he replied, yanking a mini flashlight out of his pocket and circling the car, looking both inside and outside, as if he suspected more than a simple blown tire. Erin wasn't sure what he was looking for, or what he meant by 'no need'. "I'm not very good with automotive repair, so if you'd just radio for a service truck...," she suggested, feeling vulnerable. "Pop your trunk," he ordered, "I'll change the tire for you." "Oh," she responded, suddenly realizing she couldn't open her trunk from in the car, so she was going to have to get out of her relatively safe spot. As she unlocked the car door, she noticed the man had started scanning his flashlight beam over the grass near the car. As she got out and came around to the trunk, he ignored her and scoured farther afield. She popped the trunk and pulled up the mat to reveal the spare. He continued probing the darkness while she stood there getting more and more nervous. "Are you looking for something in particular?" she asked, "Are there wild animals or something?" "No, ma'am," he said, turning back to her, "Let me get that for you." He proceeded to remove the tire and jack, hoist the car, change the tire, and began to put the materials away again without saying another word. She watched him, thinking he would probably be good looking if he ever smiled. His bone structure was a little heavy, but well-formed. His eyes were light, but she couldn't tell what color in the poor light of the little flashlight. "Um, thanks," she said, almost with a questing in her voice, "That was really nice of you." "No problem," he answered, still not looking her in the face. "You passin' through?" "I'm actually looking for the road to take me out to Beachcomber Bay. My sister has a house out there I'm using for a few days," she answered, surprised he showed any interest in her at all, after hardly speaking or looking at her this whole time. His eyes met hers and she stifled a gasp. His eyes were light green and silver, with darker green rims on the inner and outer edge of his irises, and the pupils swiftly went from pinpoints to wide pools and back again. "You should go back home," he said forcefully, but not entirely unfriendly. There didn't seem to be a threat in the words, only advice, which for the life of her she didn't understand. "Uhh, thank you again for the help," she mumbled, backing to her door and opening it just enough to slip in and close it behind her. She tried to lock it without being too obvious. "You passed the Beachcomber exit back about three miles. Have a good night," he said, returning to his car as if nothing was out of the ordinary. She waited while he pulled away. When his taillights disappeared over the next little ridge, she started her car. Checking the mirrors she pulled out into the road and did something she had never even considered doing before: she drove straight across the grass median between the lanes and turned back the way she had come. She didn't want to risk catching up with her strange Samaritan, and suddenly she needed a glass of wine and a hot bath worse than ever. Fae War Ch. 02 Settled in the huge soaking tub, glass of wine in one hand and the phone in the other, Erin laughed at the whole situation with Riley. "Those southern cops can be a little intimidating, but wow, you got the cream of the crop!" Riley said, "I'm glad you got there safe. You set the alarms, right?" "Yes, I set the alarms the minute I got inside," Erin responded in that "duh" tone she always took with Riley when she tried mothering her. "Okay, then. Have a good time. Call me if you need anything, otherwise, call when you get back home Friday. Love you." "Okay, sis. Love you, too," Erin said, then clicked off the phone and set it on the floor. She hoped someday to have a big garden tub in her bathroom like the one she was in, and the view of the beach from the huge window over it was nice too. She sipped her wine and leaned back, letting the hot water soothe away some of the tightness in her shoulders that had started with Henry's phone call, and only progressed with getting lost and having the flat tire. She could laugh about the policeman now that she was safe in her sister's beach house, but at the time, it was super creepy. She wondered if the local police had any remedial customer relations courses she might suggest he sign up for. Still, he was really kind of hot, if she thought about it, dark and broody, with that strong body. Just thinking about the police officer's body sent a shiver through Erin's body. She stroked her own breasts, wondering what it would be like to have a real man in her life. Her relationships always seemed to end before they moved into the physical phase. She was pretty embarrassed that at twenty-three she had only reached third base a couple of times, and never actually had sex with a man. Twirling her nipples between her fingers, she felt the warmth gathering between her legs. Gently massaging her breasts, she looked critically at her body. At five-eight and 136 pounds, she was built pretty well. Her breasts weren't huge, but they were nicely shaped, and a generous handful. Her abdomen was flat and flowed smoothly into her trimmed mound. She trailed a finger down her belly and into that cleft between her legs. A moan slipped from her lips. She wasn't a prude. She'd love to have a boyfriend that found her irresistible, that couldn't keep his hands off of her. Rubbing tiny circles around her clit, she imagined the cop strolling in to her darkened bathroom, slipping into the water with her and taking over the actions that would bring her pleasure. Rubbing harder, she imagined him taking her in the water, never saying a word. Her back arched and she came quickly, immediately feeling silly for fantasizing about a guy that creeped her out, and obviously had no interest in her. She really needed to find a boyfriend that wasn't interested in respecting her. The hair on the back of her neck started to rise, and her arms, sitting out on the side of the tub, got goosebumps. She opened her eyes, turning immediately to look out the huge window beside her. She had left the shade up, thinking it was too late in the season for many people to be out on the beach. None of the houses had been lit up on the street when she came in. Now, as she scanned the sand for whatever had given her the feeling of being watched, she wished she had pulled the shade, or maybe just used the shower. There was no one in the swath of light coming from the spotlights attached to the rear of the house. She squinted into the darkness and thought she saw a dark shape, but told herself it was nothing but her imagination. She blew out the candles that were providing the only light in the bathroom and surveyed the beach again. A figure, barely visible in the outer reaches of the light, definitely moved toward the water to the south of the house. She watched closely, but it became stationary again, and she started wondering if it was just something blowing in the wind that got caught up on a pier or whatever. She shook herself. It was just a spooky kind of night for her, and she needed to pull herself together. She leaned until she could reach her towel, holding it up toward the window as she rose, quickly wrapping it around her and stepping from the tub. She was in such a hurry she slipped, landing hard on her hip. Glass shattered and she wondered through her pain what she had knocked down in her fall. Taking a deep breath, she opened her eyes hoping she would be able to get up without getting cut on whatever she had broken, but there was no glass around her. She pulled herself up, testing her right leg tentatively. It held. She turned to look around the tub for the broken glass. The window behind the tub had a hole the size of a pizza pan in it. How in the world had she managed to send something flying through the window three feet above the tub? Shards of glass lay all over the side of the tub. That didn't make sense. If she had sent something flying through that window, the glass would be in the driveway below. Something had come through the window from the outside! She looked around the tub, but didn't see anything. Reaching in the tub, she carefully swished her hand back and forth in the water, raking the bottom of the tub. She came up with three shards of glass, but nothing else. She rose, confused. Something came through that glass. She turned, reaching for her robe on the hook. In the dim light, she thought she saw a spider on the wall, and jumped back. Coming closer, she saw it was something embedded in the wall. Turning, she looked from the thing embedded in the wall toward the window and beyond. It suddenly became crystal clear. The shape on the beach had shot at her! Fighting dizziness and nausea, she leaned against then slid down the wall. Sitting in the dark bathroom, she tried to piece together what had just happened. It occurred to her, if she hadn't slipped getting out of the tub, she would probably be lying on the floor in a pool of blood right now. Why? Why would anyone shoot at her? She was a nurse at a mid-sized hospital in a mid-sized city. There was nothing special about her: no money, no intrigue, not even a boyfriend who might be in some kind of trouble! She suddenly realized she might still be in danger. What if the shooter was breaking into the house to finish the job? She crawled across the floor to the phone she had put down earlier. When she clicked the talk button, she breathed a sigh of relief to have the dial tone buzz in her ear. She dialed 911 with shaking hands. "911. What is your emergency?" a nasally, gender-non-specific voice said, almost making Erin laugh, her nerves thrumming. Whispering, Erin explained, "I was taking a bath and thought I saw someone out on the beach. I was getting out of the tub and slipped. When I got up, I found the window shattered and what I think is a bullet in the wall." The nasally voice responded, "So you think a trespasser shot through your window at you?" "Yes," Erin whispered. "Are you injured?" "No, I'm fine," Erin hissed, "can you send the police to check it out?" "Of course. I have the address as 84 Palmetto, in Beachcomber's Bay. Is that correct?" "Yeah, yeah, that's it," Erin answered. The phone line clicked off. Erin, worried the line had been cut, poked the talk button and got the dial tone again. That was weird. She thought the 911 operators usually stayed on the line with you. Keeping the phone in her hand, Erin crawled to the bathroom door before standing and trotting down the dark hallway to the room she had her things in. She quickly dressed, and still clutching the phone, headed downstairs to wait for the police to arrive. Within a few minutes, a car cruised down the street slowly, pulling into the driveway. It wasn't a police car. In fact, standing beside the window and peeking around the curtain, Erin was pretty sure it was the same car that had pulled off the highway to help her! The same man got out of the car, badge still attached to his belt, and walked to the front door, where he knocked loudly. Erin wasn't sure she should answer it. This night had been too strange, but how could he know about the 911 call unless he was a real cop? She relented and went to the door. She opened it, expecting him to be surprised to see her again, but he barely nodded to her before walking into the hall. She closed the door after quickly glancing around outside. "You think a gunshot broke a window?" he asked, flipping open a notepad. Didn't this guy ever introduce himself? "Yes, upstairs in the master bathroom," she said, starting up the stairs. She led him to the bathroom doorway, but once there he grabbed her arm and indicated she should stay where she was. He entered the room, pulling out his flashlight rather than turning on the light. He shined it at the window, then following the probable line of fire, moved to examine the wall. He used a penknife to dig the slug from the wall, turning it over in his fingers before slipping it into his pocket. Erin wondered if there was any procedure in place for this sort of thing around here, since the actors on the crime shows never handled evidence bare-handed, and they put everything into those little evidence bags, not their pockets. She got that prickly feeling again. "Did you see anyone?" he asked, peering out the window again. "I may have," she answered, but at the quick look he gave her, amended, "I saw something move, way down the beach, but I couldn't tell if it was even a person." He strode out of the bathroom and down the stairs. He didn't say a word, but swept on through the house to the terrace doors. Opening them, he stepped outside and looked up and down the beach. He seemed satisfied there was no one still around. Abruptly he returned to the house, locking the door behind him. "This place have alarms?" he asked, scanning the room. "Yes. They were on until you came. And everything was locked," she replied, trembling again that he had the same thought she did. "Must think he got you then," the officer said, moving around the room, checking windows, pulling shades. "Wait! What?" Erin asked, confused, "Why do you think that?" "Because now that they've found you, they won't stop until you're dead," he said simply, moving to the dining room, still checking locks. "Who's 'they'? And why would anyone want to kill me?" Erin faltered, real fear taking hold. "There's a lot you don't know, and I can't tell you all of it," the man said, still stalking the house methodically, "You aren't a normal human, and the people who want you dead aren't either. You should have taken my advice and gone home." "Who the hell are you?" she screamed, grabbing his arm and pulling her hand back just as suddenly. He was very warm, and his muscles were rope-tight and quivering under her grip. "Let's just say I've been watching you for a long time and expecting this to happen," he said, turning away. Then under his breath, "Though the council said it wouldn't." "Who's the council?" Erin asked, wishing he would stand still. "Can't tell you." "Who wants me dead?" "Can't tell you." "What am I if not a human?" "Can't tell you." "What's your name?" she asked, getting ready to mouth the words 'can't tell you' along with him. "Luka," he said, finally turning and looking at her. His eyes were that striking silver-green, and in the semi-darkness they seemed to swirl and change. She refined her opinion of earlier, even without a smile, he was handsome, in a dark, almost sinister way. She shivered, not sure if being with him was any safer than being alone. "You aren't a police officer?" she half-stated, half-asked. "Not really, no," Luka answered, still looking straight into her eyes. "But I am your protection." "My protection," she repeated vaguely. He took her by the shoulders, giving her a little shake. "I know this is all new, and confusing, and I can't explain much, but you have to believe me. You are in danger! If we're lucky, whoever shot at you thinks he got you, so no one will be looking for you for a little while. We need to use that time and get you someplace safe." She felt faint looking into his eyes which seemed to darken as he gazed at her. How could any of this be true? He had admitted he wasn't a police officer, and that was what she needed. She broke away from him and headed for the phone on the wall. As she lifted it, he pulled it from her grasp. "Who do you think you're calling?" he demanded. "The police. I've been shot at," she started to explain dazedly, like she was piecing it together for a child, "you call the police when someone shoots at you." "The police can't help you," he said, hanging the phone back up. She picked it up again. He just stood there with his hands resting on his hips. She dialed 911. It rang. A simple, old-fashioned phone ring-tone emanated from Luka's pocket. He pulled out the phone and said, "911. What is your emergency?" in that nasal voice. She hung up and immediately dialed her sister's number. His phone rang again. She hung up again. She dialed her own home number, fingers shaking, eyes growing large with fear. His phone rang again. "H-how can you do that?" she asked, putting the phone back and trying to calculate how to get out of the house and away from this madman. "Does it matter?" he asked, still looking into her eyes, standing calmly in her sister's kitchen, hands on hips, fake badge at his waist. She shook her head slightly, backing away. "Who are you really?" "I told you, I'm your protection. Now get your stuff, we need to go," he answered, following her slow retreat to the hall. "Sure. I'll just go up and get my bag," she said, starting for the stairs. He grunted and went to the door, peeking out a sidelight. He turned back to her as she started slowly going up the stairs backwards. "Hurry up! I don't know how long it will be before they realize you aren't actually dead." She turned and flew up the stairs. She grabbed her bag, then decided it might slow her down, so she just pulled her purse-strap over her shoulder and headed for the upper terrace off the master bedroom. As quietly as she could, she opened the door, slipping out into the slight chill of an autumn night. She ran down the steps, hugging the outer edge of the stairs and ducking as low as she could to scoot around the lower terrace landing and on down to the driveway below. Glancing at the beach, she put her car key into her door and threw herself into the driver's seat, but as she pulled the door shut, something stopped it, and she looked up to find Luka standing beside her, grip tight on the door. "Going somewhere?" he asked, face showing the edge of his anger. "Let go of my door!" Erin demanded, kicking at him and hoping her sudden show of bravery might surprise him enough to get him to let go of the door. It didn't. "I want to show you something," he said calmly, swinging the door open and beckoning her with one finger. When she didn't move, he pointed down, and still holding the car door, he started to kneel. She hesitated, but finally moved out of the car and squatted down. He pointed to a tiny light glowing under the dark car. "Want to know what that is?" Heart sinking into her stomach, she turned to him, eyes huge. "That's a bomb. And if you had started your car, it would have ignited the gas tank, taking you, your car, and the entire house down with it," he explained in the voice of a kindergarten teacher explaining why hitting is a bad way to handle a disagreement. She stood up, teetering a little. She started to reach into the car for her purse, but stopped herself, scared to even rock the car at this point. Luka roughly moved her aside, holding onto her arm, and leaned in grabbing her purse. He shoved it into her hands, then turned, grabbed her bag which he must have carried down, and tugged her up the driveway to his car. Opening the passenger door, he nudged her into it, then threw her bag in the backseat and walked around to the driver's side. She didn't say anything for a long time while he drove east, sticking to the deserted highways and state routes. "Where are you taking me?" she asked eventually. "A place I know. They won't know you're alive for a few more hours, and with any luck we'll be there already. Once there, they won't be able to find you through the charms," he answered, giving her more information than he ever had, while still saying almost nothing. "How will they know in a few hours? If they're watching the beach house, they already know, and if they aren't, how will they find out?" she asked, confused and exhausted. "They'll be monitoring your life force. If it doesn't fade in the next few hours, they'll know the hit wasn't successful. Then they will start trying to find you again, so you have to be somewhere they can't penetrate with their magic." "Magic?" she laughed, and it threatened to turn hysterical, but she settled herself down again. "Magic? Like voodoo and abracadabra?" she asked dismissively. "Real magic. They can't kill you with magic, you're too strong, but they can use it to find you, and bullets and bombs kill just as effectively," Luka answered, looking at her intently. "Don't you feel it? The magic? Haven't you noticed how things tend to go right for you all the time?" She immediately thought of Henry. And Chuck before him. And John, and Justin, and Derrick. No, she didn't really feel like things went right for her so very often. "No," was all she answered. Luka shrugged. He seemed happy enough to forsake conversation, so she rested her seat back and tried to piece together the information she was going to need when she got away from him and found the police. And she was going to get away. Fae War Ch. 03 The car pulling to a stop woke her. She hadn't meant to fall asleep, but it was probably a good thing, since she'd need her strength and wits about her to get away from Luka. He was pulling into a gas station. She stretched. He ignored her, pulling up to a self-serve pump. "I need the little girl's room," she said innocently. "Don't try to run again," he said, not even looking at her. Chills ran up her spine at the coldness in his voice. She got out of the car and headed into the convenience store. She blinked at the bright lights and jumped as the bell jangled overhead. She went to the restrooms, noticing there was no one in the store except the thirty-ish, over-weight, balding clerk sitting behind the counter with a Sudoku book open in front of him. Someone knocked on the door as she was washing her hands. Couldn't Luka give her a minute of peace? She whipped the door open ready to blast him, but a woman in Goth apparel stood there popping her bubble gum. Erin quickly changed her expression to a friendly smile and stepped around her. A fat, middle-aged policeman stood just inside the door, and she couldn't believe her good fortune. Maybe Luka was right after all. She started toward the police officer, then noticed the Goth woman was right behind her. She glanced over at the checkout counter to find the clerk gone. Suddenly she didn't feel so lucky anymore. She continued heading for the cop, until she saw him reach for his gun. In a split-second decision she darted for the counter and flung herself over it, landing on a soft, lumpy surface. She'd found the clerk. The pop-pop of gunfire made her drop next to the body, and begin to crawl toward the back room. The Goth woman landed suddenly in her path, grinning and still chomping her gum. Erin backed away from the woman, realizing she really was trapped. A gun waved over the counter and Erin scrunched her eyes shut, waiting for the pain. She heard a grunt and the sound of a body hitting the floor, followed immediately by the pop of the gun, but no pain. Someone grabbed her arm and pulled her to her feet. When she opened her eyes, Luka was scooting her around the body of the cop. She wanted to ask what had happened, but Luka gave her such a severe look, she decided to wait on any questions until they were far from this place. Back on the road, she hesitated, finally deciding to say, "Thank you, for saving my life the second time tonight. I guess I need to believe this, believe you." "You think?" he said, irritably. "How did they figure out I was alive so soon?" she asked, hoping he wasn't too angry at her. "They must have been tracking you even after they thought they'd killed you," he said, more gently. "So, can we still get somewhere safe, or will they be tracking us all the way there?" "I transferred some of your essence to the witch, so as long as she's alive, they'll think it's you," he answered. "My essence? I don't understand any of this," Erin sighed, resting her head in her hands. "It's a pretty complex piece of magic, but basically it means that to anyone magical, she appears to be you," he answered casually. "I still can't believe you haven't felt your magic. It fairly rolls off you like waves," he sounded almost awed. "Umm, no. I don't feel anything. So can we get to your safe place?" "I think so. It's only another forty minutes, but she has to live that long. I may have wounded her worse than I meant to," he said, almost sheepishly. "You shot her," Erin said, less a question and more to convince herself. "Yeah. She was too strong to use magic on, until she was incapacitated. The guy was pretty weak, which is probably why he carried a gun," Luka explained. "Someone really wants to kill me," she continued, mostly to herself. To Luka, "Why?" "I'm not supposed to tell you much," he hesitated, "But you really need to know a few things. I can try to explain once we get where we're going, if you can just hold on till then." "Sure," she responded, not sure if she was ready to hear it anyway. They remained quiet for the rest of the drive, but Erin noticed Luka looking over at her frequently. She wondered if she looked as haunted as she felt. Fae War Ch. 04 Luka left the highway about twenty minutes later, and quickly the roads became smaller and more deserted until they travelled on nothing more than two tire ruts through fields and forest. Shortly after sunrise he pulled up to a cabin that looked strangely well kept for being so remote. Motioning her to stay put, he got out of the car and stood facing the cabin. She saw his lips moving slightly, then he put out a hand like he was going to catch something. He relaxed after a moment and opened the back door to pull out her bag. "It's fine. You can come on in," he said with the first thing that resembled a smile. She got out of the car slowly, noticing an electricity in the air. It wasn't unpleasant, but it was very prominent at the car. It lessened as she neared the wrap-around porch. "What's the charge in the air?" Erin asked. "So you can feel magic, if not sense your own," Luka replied with some satisfaction. "That's the protection on this place I'm feeling?' she probed, taking a step back toward the car and trying to identify what was all around her. "Yep," was all he said, opening the door of the cabin and stepping inside. She felt suddenly exposed and rushed after him. The cabin was cool and dim, but she felt a sense of calm as soon as she entered. Luka had set her bag by the only door off the main room, and gone to the fireplace where he was placing wood in a small stack. He clicked his fingers and the fire lit. It was the first magic she'd actually seen performed, and to be honest, it struck her as kind of cheesy. "Make yourself comfortable," he invited, waving her toward some worn furniture placed around the hearth. "I can make us some breakfast if you like. "Some coffee would be great," Erin said, smiling that he seemed like a different person since they arrived here. He had been stern to downright scary before, while now he played the pleasant host. She didn't really understand anything so far, so Luka was just another mystery for her to decipher. He measured out coffee into a regular coffee maker, using no magic Erin could discern. She wondered what tasks warranted magic, while others didn't. He brought a tray that he placed on the coffee table in front of her, then he took a seat across from her and waited while she put cream and sweetener into her cup. When she sat back, he began, "You aren't human. We placed you in a human family when you were very young to protect you from the rebels who had killed the rest of your family. Our people have been waging civil war ever since." "Don't try to break it to me easy or anything," Erin said, eyes wide. "How about telling me who 'our people' are?" "We go by many names, but Fae is probably the most comprehensive, taking in all the magical people that make up our society," Luka said, eying her cautiously, as if expecting her to bolt at any moment. "I'm a fairy?" she asked, laughing. When he nodded seriously, her laughter stopped abruptly. "I'm a fairy," she said quietly, with wonder. Looking up she continued, "My family must have been important to be assassinated." "They were our rulers." She started shaking her head. Her emotions threatened to crack and send her into hysterical laughter again, but she remembered the dead clerk and it sobered her. "You're telling me I'm a fairy princess?" "Yes, or more correctly, our Queen," Luka said, leaning forward to look into her eyes. He continued to stare at her with those silver and green eyes, as if he was waiting for something. When she broke eye contact, he sat back and when she looked up again, he looked disappointed. "That's a lot to take in," she said, "You realize it sounds absolutely crazy, right?" "But you believe me," Luka said with absolute certainty. She thought about everything that had happened the past twelve hours and realized she did believe him. Nothing made any sense, but still she believed him. "So why are they trying to kill me now?" Erin asked. "One of the handful of people that knew you survived the assassination attempt recently turned traitor. It was only a matter of time then before they tracked you down." "And you've been watching me, to keep me safe?" she asked. She thought she saw him blush before answering, "That is my job." "Oh." She thought he did his job very well, but wasn't willing to say it for some reason. In the last few hours she had gone from being desperate to be away from him, to wanting to be kept as close to him as possible. She wasn't sure what she felt about him, really. She sat sipping her coffee and thinking about what he had said. She had so many questions, but no idea where to start, and she got the feeling he had already said more than he was supposed to. He didn't interrupt her ruminating. When he finished his coffee, he set his cup down and stared into the fire. His head started to bob, and eventually found it's place against the back of his chair. He snored softly. Erin placed her cup on the tray and quietly rose from her seat. She walked to the door where her bag sat, and turned the knob. Inside was a bedroom with a king-sized bed. Beyond was the only bathroom. This set-up was likely to cause some problems very quickly, because as much as she might appreciate him saving her life, she wasn't planning on sharing his bed. "I see you've taken the grand tour," he said from right behind her. She jumped and turned so quickly she stumbled into him. Both hands flat on his chest, she again noticed how warm he felt, and how his muscles seemed to pulse. His face was just a few inches from hers, and he had grabbed her elbows to keep her from falling. His eyes were a darker mix of green and silver, and she noticed his lips were a little on the thin side, but when they pulled back into a smile, her heart skipped a beat. Pulling away, she said, 'You startled me!" His smile didn't fade and she was entranced by it. "I'm sorry. One of my tricks, to move quietly and quickly," he said, aware of how his smile was affecting her. She pulled her eyes away and turned back to the bedroom. "I hope you had a plan for sleeping arrangements." "I thought you would take the bedroom, and I would stay on the couch," he said, then added, "unless you have other ideas." "I'll take the bedroom, thank you," she replied, as coldly as she could. "That's just as well," he responded, "Mates are predetermined in our world." "What?' she asked, sure she hadn't heard right. "In our world, mates are predetermined by our parents when we are very young. When we reach mating age, they are revealed to us through a ceremony." "That's stupid," Erin said, before she could stop herself. She put her hand over her mouth and turned to see a hint of a smile on Luka's face which he quickly wiped away. "It's how we have always done it. Marriages seldom fail among our people," he said, walking away, as if that was all there really was to say about it. She followed him back to the main room. "Everyone just accepts that? No one falls in love despite the rules?" "Oh, people fall in love all the time, and sex strictly for pleasure is quite common. Which is probably why our marriages work so well," he said, another smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Then why did you give up on the bedroom so easily?' she asked, then realizing how that sounded, blushed. The grin broke through, but he turned away from her. "Because you are my queen, and for you, only one mate is allowed." "So royalty are the only ones expected to be faithful? That doesn't seem fair," she said indignantly. "I don't begin to understand "our" society, and already I'm not liking it." "So you wish to have many lovers?" he asked, and she knew he was just trying to goad her. "No. Only my choice," she said, haughtily. "I've seen your choices, and if I were you, I'd go with predetermined," he mumbled. "What do you mean you've seen my choices? How long have you been watching me?" "I told you," he said, all stone-faced business again, "I've watched you a long time." "How long?" she demanded. He faced her, mouth shut, eyes dark. "Fine! What if I refuse to be queen? What if I just go back to my human life." "Not an option," he answered, without a hint of a smile. "You've seen what trying to be human has led to. You will either consent to be our queen, or you will be killed by the rebels as a threat to their agenda." She sat abruptly on the chair she had vacated earlier. So whether she liked it or not, her life would never be the same. She could never go back to being a nurse at St. Michael's, or to her apartment across from the park. A life she had never known had been waiting to snare her, to drag her into a world she didn't understand, and she had no choice in the matter. None. "Are there other rules I should be aware of? 'One mate, predetermined', and 'be queen or die' don't seem adequate to completely ruin my life. What else is there?" "Wellll," he drew out, "You need to find your magic quickly or none of the rest is going to matter." He looked at her expectantly. "Find my magic. What in the world does that mean?" she huffed. "I know you've felt it, you just didn't realize what it was. You need to find it inside yourself. We have teachers who can help you master it, but you have to find it first," he implored, still looking at her like he expected her to do something. "How?" she implored. "I don't know how to feel something I don't understand." "When you got here, you felt the magic," he explained, "That was my magic. Yours is much stronger. Just try to feel that hum inside yourself." She closed her eyes and concentrated on feeling something inside. She remembered the buzz of energy she felt getting out of the car and tried to find that inside herself. She concentrated on her own mind. She felt nothing. Opening her eyes, she shook her head sadly at Luka. "The first magic I remember doing, as a small child, was levitating a toy I wanted to me," Luka explained. "Try to call something to you." She felt really foolish, but she looked around the relatively sparse cabin and finally focused on her coffee mug from earlier. She looked at it intensely, telling it to come to her. She demanded it lift and fly to her. Not even a tremor. She shook her head again. She felt like a complete failure. "You probably just don't really want it," Luka rationalized. "I'm really tired. Maybe I could just get a nap, and try later." "Sure. I'll get some more firewood in," he said casually, pretending he wasn't disappointed in her attempts, but Erin felt it anyway. Fae War Ch. 05 She went to the bedroom and lay across the bed, flicking off her shoes and pulling a pillow down into her arms to hug. This had all been too much for her to take in, and she found herself shaking, then crying. She buried her face in the pillow to keep Luka from hearing her break down. Exhaustion won out over sadness and self-pity, and she fell asleep, but it was a restless sleep. She awakened to the sound of wood being chopped, and wanted to sleep more, but the irregular thwack of the ax kept her awake. She was just getting up to go to the bathroom when Luka let out a howl of pain. She ran to the front door, but not seeing him, she followed the sound of curses to the side of the cabin. Blood was pouring from Luka's shin faster than the curses were from his mouth, but only just barely. Erin ran to him, practically flipping him onto his back in her rush to get his leg above the level of his heart. She peeled off her sweatshirt, tying it around the gash, applying pressure as she held it high in the air. She didn't even notice the cold on her mostly exposed upper body. "Use your magic," Luka gasped. Without thought, Erin poured her will into Luka's leg, demanding it to stop bleeding. She felt a warmth in her hands, and as the power built, she saw the wound in her mind's eye. She mentally knit the edges of the sliced flesh together. Luka had stopped cursing, and when Erin opened her eyes to look at him, he was smiling at her and breathtakingly gorgeous. "You did it," he congratulated, pointing to his leg which she was still holding above his head. She felt that familiar warmth and hum under her hands as she swept her eyes up his muscular thigh to the calf she held bound. She tentatively lifted her hand from his leg, pulling the sweatshirt back to reveal an angry red welt surrounded by blood. She pulled back the pant leg and wiped off the accumulated blood to assure herself there was no open wound. She looked back at Luka, eyes questioning. "You really did it, Erin," he laughed, "It just took the right motivation." She looked at his leg again, then lowered it to the ground and stepped away from it like it might strike her. Then she looked into Luka's shining eyes. "Did you do that on purpose?" she asked, horrified. "I...I was going to tell you how I was bracing my leg on the stump to pull the ax out of a piece of wood, and it slipped and slammed into my leg, but since you mention it, yeah, I did it on purpose because I thought healing might be your strong suite." He continued to grin at her as his eyes scanned her body. She glanced down, remembering she was standing there in her bra. At least it was one of her better ones. She wadded up the sweatshirt and threw it in his face, stamping back to the porch. He jumped up, calling to her to wait. When she reached the porch, she turned on him, fury on her face. "I can't believe you did something that asinine! What if I couldn't heal it, what if you hit bone! You are the biggest jerk I've ever met, and I've met a lot of jerks!" "Hey, that's not fair! I knew what I was doing, and I was doing it for you! How is that being a jerk?" Rather than answer, she turned on her heal and stomped into the cabin, slamming the door behind her. Luka followed, slamming the door open before coming through it and straight for Erin. Grabbing her arm, he swung her around so they stood chest to chest. His eyes swirled dark gray, like tornado clouds. Erin felt her nipples straining against her bra as they brushed his chest. "Why are you angry at me? I suffered the pain to help you! You should be thanking me, kissing and hugging me for the sacrifice I was willing to make for you!" "Is that what you expected? You thought I'd be so grateful for your stupidity that I'd throw myself at you? You really are dim! That was an idiotic stunt!" He stood over her, staring into her eyes with an intensity that started to scare her a little, but she was so angry she was already shaking, so her fear was disguised. She wouldn't let herself be the one to break eye-contact, so she narrowed her eyes and stared back. Without warning, the heat in his eyes changed and his mouthed dropped to cover hers. Erin was so surprised she gasped, and his tongue slid into her mouth, caressing her tongue. She reacted instantly, answering his tongue's question. He pressed her back until she came up against the wall. His hands wrapped around her, one tangling in her hair as the other dropped to her ass, pressing her into the proof of his arousal. Something dropped into place in her mind and she pushed against his firm chest. He didn't move, but the action seemed to force its way into his mind enough that he pulled back to look into her face. Fury met his heated gaze, and just as quickly he dropped his arms and his gaze. He stepped back and turned away, heading to the refrigerator where he stared unseeingly into its interior. Erin dropped onto the couch and rested her head back. She didn't know what to do. Having encouraged the kiss made her just as guilty here as he was. Maybe if she pretended it hadn't happened, so would he. Without her sweatshirt and with her anger abating, she was getting cold. She lifted her hand and the afghan draped over the chair flew into her fist. "You're a quick study, I'll say that much," Luka commented from the kitchen, leaning against the counter and sipping a coke. "Shut up! I don't want to talk to you right now." He grunted and headed back outside. Erin went back to the bedroom and continued into the bathroom where she decided a hot bath was just what she needed. She started the water running while she got a few things from her bag. Unfortunately, she had packed for three nights at the beach, and now she was going to spend an undisclosed amount of time in the foothills of the Smokies. Her clothing was not going to work well. Feeling defiant, she went to the chest of drawers and started rooting through it. In the third drawer she found some sweatshirts and pulled out a soft gray one. She headed back into the bathroom and stripped, slipping into the warm water. The water had cooled and she had added more hot twice, and still she didn't want to get out. She had tried masturbating, but it didn't calm her or satisfy the need she felt deep in her gut. At some point, Luka knocked at the door softly, but she ignored him. She was just adding hot water again when the door opened and Luka walked straight in. "What the hell? Get out!" she yelled, grabbing the shower curtain and pulling it across the tub, then realized it was clear, and not of much value. Not looking at her, Luka headed to the toilet and started to unzip his fly. "This is the only bathroom, and you've been in here for over an hour. I tried knocking, but you ignored me. I need the toilet. You can watch or you can turn your head, I don't really care." Erin turned her face, blushing and covering her breasts with one arm. When he finished, he washed his hands and left without ever looking at her or speaking another word. As he shut the door, she spat out, "You could have just gone outside." The door started to open again, but then it closed and she heard him walk away. Her bath didn't seem relaxing anymore, so pulling the plug, she stood and reached for the towel. She dressed and went out to the main room. Determined not to speak to Luka until he apologized, she went to the fridge and got a coke. She took it back to the bedroom where she sat on the bed and fumed. After a while, she realized this was going to get boring fast. She didn't have her computer, or any books, and the cabin didn't seem to offer any entertainment either. Finishing the coke, she headed back to the main room and tossed the can in a recycling bin and made for the door. "Where do you think you're going?" Luka asked irritably. "Outside," Erin answered flatly, never slowing or looking his way. "Don't leave the porch," Luka ordered. She didn't even grunt an acknowledgement, opening, then closing the door behind her. As she got to the top of the steps, she really wanted to spite him and just keep walking, but having been shot at twice and nearly captured in the gas station, she realized how stupid that would be, instead sitting on the porch swing. Bringing her legs up, she hugged them to her and began wishing again that she could go back to her real life, the life she would never experience again. She started thinking of more questions for Luka, but was still determined not to speak to him until he apologized. Damn him for being so strong, so gorgeous, and so ever present now. Her senses filled with him whenever he was near. And damn him for being right about her magic, and pulling such a stupid stunt! She rocked and felt sorry for herself for an interminable while. Her eyes were closed when the front door opened. She heard him walk over and felt him looking at her. She ignored him and kept her eyes closed, swinging gently. "That's my favorite sweatshirt," he said flatly. Still not opening her eyes she started to peel it off. His hand on hers stopped her. "No. It looks better on you. Keep it." She put her hands back in her lap and continued to ignore him. "Dammit, Erin. I needed you to find your magic. It worked. Can't you let it go?" he dropped onto the swing beside her, rocking it wildly and making her eyes fly open as she put her arms out for balance. Glaring at him, she pulled her legs up and wrapped her arms around them again. "Fine," he said, sounding anything but fine, "I'm sorry I hurt myself to get you to use magic." She continued to glare at him. "What? I apologized!" "And the bathroom?" she asked menacingly. He laughed, "I'm not apologizing for that. There's only one bathroom, and you were monopolizing it. Fair's fair. And I didn't even look," he grinned, "much." Eyes murderous, she slapped at him, but he was expecting it and caught her arm. Drawing her close to his face, his eyes, usual light, appeared deep moss green, he said in a low, husky voice, "And I liked it. I liked kissing you too. You need to be careful, living in such close quarters. I might take your behavior the wrong way." With his face just inches away, her heart beat hard and fast, her belly clenched, her face flushed. Her anger turned to something else, and she suddenly wanted his lips to touch hers. She found herself leaning into him, brushing her lips against his. He didn't move. She flicked her tongue out to run along his lower lip. With a groan he moved to pull her toward him while crushing her lips beneath his. His hands went around her, under the sweatshirt, and felt burning hot against her flesh. The kiss went on for a long moment, deepening before she let a moan escape her throat. Suddenly he released her and stood up. "I'm going to make some lunch. Are you coming in to eat, or will you be staying out here to pout some more?" Erin didn't trust her voice not to squeak, so she just nodded and stood. Wondering what had just happened, she followed him inside. Walking behind him, she was struck again by how built he was. He was brave, and protective, and, though she hated to admit it, apparently willing to do whatever it took to help her succeed. He sounded interested, but he also walked away from her far too easily. He had also told her that in his world, she only had one option for a mate, the one chosen for her when she was a small child. He was a study in contradiction. Fae War Ch. 06 Thank you to everyone who is still reading. I apologize for all of the short chapters, but I actually had chapters one through five all turned in to the site before the first chapter was released, so I haven't had any opportunity to address your comments until now. Chapters will likely come slower now, because they are longer, because I have an editor, and because the site takes some time prior to posting as well. I hope you stick around. (I'm also experiencing some writers block half-way into ch 8 :~( Keep the comments coming, and don't forget to vote! Thank you to MrDeep for your editing and encouragement. Enjoy! ****************************** By rote, she started helping make a salad while Luka warmed soup on the stove. "Why do you do some things the regular way, but use magic to do others?" she asked, too curious to remain silent any longer. "Ummm, it depends on whether I like to do it, or on how much energy it takes, usually," he said thoughtfully, "I don't like to expend the energy needed to heat food with magic, while I hate to light a fire the human way. It really just depends." "What about creating stuff?" she probed. He looked at her, confusion on his features. "Do you shop for groceries and clothes, or do you just...magic them?" He smiled. "You can't really make something from nothing. You can change the state of something, like liquid to solid, even making air solid so nothing can pass through it, but you have to start with something...similar, if that makes sense," he explained. "So," Erin said, thinking out loud, "could you change chicken to steak?" "I could change the way chicken looks, so it looks more like steak, but I couldn't make it taste like steak," he explained. "So, if I understand you, we can change states, but not structure. What about moving something?" He thought about it a few seconds, "Think of it as changing pressures all around the item, like how a jet wing changes air pressure to allow the plane to lift." "Are there exceptions to those rules?" she asked. "Probably," he said, ladling the soup into bowls and placing them on the table. "If I hadn't been able to heal your leg, could you?" Sitting at the table across from her, Luka looked away, saying, "No. I'm not very good at the healing arts." Looking into her eyes, he continued, "But I knew you could." His eyes held hers and she felt drawn into them. He noticed her pupils dilate, and her cheeks flush, and a tiny smile lifted the corners of his mouth. She wrenched her gaze away and started eating her salad. It wasn't going to work for her to get too far into this infatuation, or whatever it was. She was going to have to marry whoever her parents had picked out for her: Yay. They ate in relatively comfortable silence. As Erin finished the last of her soup, Luka quickly grabbed both bowls and headed to the sink. "What is going to be expected of me as queen?" "You will head the council of Fae. That means you get the unenviable job of trying to bring consensus to a group in which almost every member is diametrically opposed to every other." "Sounds rewarding," she replied sarcastically. "What do I do when I'm not keeping council members from destroying each other?" He grinned at her, a very alluring look, saying, "Then you decide disputes between individuals within the humanoid Fae population." "There are non-humanoid Fae?" "Of course," Luka responded like she had said the silliest thing. "Like what?" Erin asked, eyes large. "Like the spirits of the woods, who take on animal shapes. The mer-folk. The elementals." Erin just stared at him. This really was going to take some getting used to. "And you all live in the world with humans, and we, I mean they, don't know it?" "The humanoid Fae live amongst the humans, but the others stay hidden, or use magic to prevent humans from seeing them, or from remembering they were seen," Luka answered. "So I could go back to my life, I'd just have to hide my powers?" "You won't likely have time to return to a human existence," he replied. Erin nodded. "How is the government running now, with no king or queen and in civil war?" "Your father's top advisor runs the remnant of the council, which includes the humanoid Fae, the mer-folk and half the elementals. The rebels are mostly spirits of the woods, were-folk, the other half of the elementals and a smattering of Fae who felt they would gain power by aligning with the rebels." Erin didn't know what to say. It sounded unreal. Luka reached out and placed a hand on her shoulder. "It will be okay. I will be here for you to learn what you need to know to take your place as head of the council. We have prevented the rebels from taking over, but it will take a queen to reunite the sides and heal the rift." His eyes were serious and dark. His hand felt very warm even through the sweatshirt material. Erin was distracted again by his lips as he stopped speaking. She realized he wasn't saying any more and she brought her gaze back to his eyes which were even darker than she'd seen them before. He licked his lips and started to lean toward her. His phone rang, making them both jump. He stood, pulling the phone from his pocket. "Yeah," he answered it. He was silent and serious for a long time as the person on the line related information to him. "I understand," he said finally, and he clicked off the phone. "There's been an attack on a small Fae community within a human community. Some of both were killed. It is imperative we get your magic strengthened so you are able to take your seat at the council meeting next week. It will rally our people to have the rightful leader back." Erin didn't believe there was any way she could be ready in that amount of time, but she would try. "Where do we start?" she asked. Luka spent the rest of the day challenging her to perform different forms of magic. She found moving things easy, and with it, creating winds, but changing the state of water eluded her. She worked over an hour on trying to use her magic to track things, and found she could track animals in the nearby forest, but only for about half a mile. She couldn't track Luka at all, but he admitted he was trying to block her, just to challenge her. After he admitted that, she was done. "I've had enough," she declared, "I'm exhausted. I'm going to bed." Luka didn't argue with her, surprisingly. He just nodded and sat down by the fire, a shot of whisky in a glass in his hand. Erin got ready for bed, wishing she had more than a light nightgown with her. She slid into the bed and found the light comforter inadequate for the cold night. She lay shivering until she fell into a light sleep. She dreamed of being cuddled close to Luka, of him whispering sweet nothings in her ear while he nibbled down her neck. She wantonly turned to him, pressing her lips into his and, nipping his lower lip, then rubbing her tongue seductively across his teeth and along his palate. He answered her kisses by running his hands under her thin nightgown and caressing her nipples to tight nubs which he rolled between his fingers. She moaned and arched, waking herself. Trying to shake herself back to reality she felt weight over her legs and the pressure of someone behind her. Fear gripped her and she squeaked, turning over quickly. Luka lay curled behind her, one leg slung over her thighs. He was outside the covers and wearing only boxer shorts. She quickly recalled the previous evening, and the dream she had been having, sorting out what was real and what probably was not. His warmth was pleasant, and his scent a little intoxicating, but when he mumbled in his sleep, she was jolted back to reality. "Get off me. What do you think you're doing?" Erin struggled, yelling. "What?" Luka mumbled, beginning to awaken as Erin jumped out of bed wearing just the thin nightgown. "I asked what you thought you were doing," Erin yelled again. "Hmmm," Luka murmured, rolling toward the other side of the bed, 'I guess when I went to the bathroom, I forgot I was staying on the couch, and I climbed in bed. You have to admit, it was cozy. Why don't you just come on back in here?" he asked, gazing hungrily at her scantily clad body. "Sure," Erin said sarcastically, "you forgot." "Think what you want," he responded, unconcerned. "If I'd meant to get in bed with a woman, I'd have been naked and under the covers, don't you think?" "Hmph," was all Erin said. She knew he was probably telling the truth. He didn't strike her as the kind of guy who would need to sneak into a woman's bed. He was likely invited often enough. Still, she felt she couldn't just let the behavior go. "Don't you think you owe me an apology? ...if not as a woman, at least as your queen?" His eyes narrowed as he looked at her. He didn't like having that thrown in his face. "I'm sorry, my Queen. It will not happen again." He turned and left the room. Erin returned to bed, but sleep was not to come for her again. *********************************************** The day continued much as the previous evening had, with Luka challenging her to ever more difficult magic. She conquered changing the state of water, which as Luka pointed out, would allow her to change the state of anything containing water, a handy defensive move. He explained that was how he dropped the fake policeman at the convenience store. He changed the water in the man's body to ice, killing him instantly. Luka talked about power levels, and how Erin was the top of the power pyramid, while he was only a little above average. At dinner he explained the different powers of the non-humanoid Fae. It was quite a frightening lesson. "The were-folk obviously change shape, but at will, not just on the full moon. They can speak into your mind; if they are stronger than you, they can control you, as long as they concentrate on it. They are strong and fast, natural-born killers. "The elementals are probably the most dangerous because they control earth, wind, fire, and water. They are almost invisible, and can look like anything, or nothing at all. Anything you can do with water, they can do ten times stronger, faster and better. "The spirit's magic is weak when they leave the woods. Like us, they all have different capabilities and strengths. They have the physical abilities of whatever animal shape they have chosen." And the mer-folk?" Erin queried. "Not that it matters since they seldom leave the deep of the oceans, but they can lull you into believing just about anything they tell you, controlling you to an extent. Not strong magic, but still dangerous enough." "I'm really not ready for this, Luka," she said, noticing his little smile when she spoke his name. "You will be by next week. You have to be. We need you." He looked genuine, as if he believed in her, even though she couldn't believe in herself. "Would you like a drink? I have just about everything, and I'm a pretty good bartender," he asked as she got up to go to the sofa. "You know, I don't really drink much, but a stiff drink might settle my nerves. Can you mix a Long Island Iced Tea?" "Watch me," he said with a smile and a wink. She still had trouble reconciling the serious, scary, predator he appeared when under attack with this pleasant, friendly, man he was at rest. Who was he really? She watched him as he moved around the kitchen, intent on mixing her drink. He moved with the powerful grace of a big cat, strength contained but ready. He had amazingly beautiful hands, long slim fingers on full, round palms. She imagined those hands could provide exquisite pleasure against her body. She blushed as he turned toward her just then. He smiled and looked as if he was going to ask what she was thinking, but he didn't, instead handing her a tall glass of dark amber fluid. Luka sat down next to her on the sofa and put his feet up on the coffee table. Erin pulled her legs up and curled them under her, turning toward him slightly. She sipped her drink. "Mmm, this is good. You are a good bartender," she said, smiling at him. His eyes became a little darker and he smiled a tiny smile around his own glass. Feeling warm and safe, Erin almost felt normal for the first time since meeting Luka. He still gazed at her, eyes dark, smile playing at the corners of his lips. "What did you do before you started watching over me?" she asked, feeling self-conscious under his steady gaze. I was in school," he answered simply. "How long have you been watching me?" she asked again, "And please don't say 'a long time'." "Since I turned nineteen." Hesitating, she asked, "How old are you now?" "Twenty seven." She was dumb-struck. This man had been watching her, without her knowledge, for over eight years! "Why?" she asked, voice hushed, over-awed. "Because someone had to," he answered, staring deeply into her eyes like he was looking for something. "You mean, you chose to do this, no one assigned you to it?" she asked, confused. "I was told not to. I was told you were perfectly safe as a human. I was ordered not to bring attention to you. But I knew eventually someone who knew about you would tell, and you wouldn't be safe anymore, and I needed to be there when that happened." Erin had no idea what to say to that. Why had this man, really not more than a boy at the time, chosen to disobey orders and waste his life watching over her? While she was glad he was there when the bullets started to fly, she couldn't imagine all the time he had followed her while she went ignorantly about her boring life. What motivated someone to do that? Again she asked, "Why?" He smiled, "You ask that a lot. I have my reasons." "But surely you could have had a regular life. You could have worked, had relationships, anything, rather than watching me." "Perhaps. But I chose to protect you. It's what I do," he said with a small smile. His eyes lightened as he stared into the fire. Erin sipped the drink she had forgotten about momentarily. She watched his face in profile, noticing the rise on the bridge of his nose where he had likely had an injury. She followed his cheekbones up then the curve of his jaw, sturdy and square. She was still looking at him appraisingly when he suddenly turned back to her. His eyes turned dark again when he caught her staring at him. Those deep silver-green eyes bore into her. In embarrassment, Erin put her drink to her mouth, looking into it to avoid Luka's stare. She gulped down a bit too much and choked, coughing. Luka reached around her, patting her back as she caught her breath. His hand settled and rubbed her upper back gently. She kept her eyes focused on her lap, and was surprised when he pressed gently on her back, leaning her toward him. "I've admired your beauty for years from a distance," he said softly beside her ear, "Now that you are right here, it's impossible not to feel its effects." He nuzzled against her ear and neck. She tilted her head aside automatically, relishing the heat of his skin and the chills up her spine. He ran his nose along her jaw then raised his face to place his lips just millimeters from hers. His hand, now at the base of her neck, was very warm, gently pressing her forward. Their lips barely touched. Just like the other times, she found herself leaning in deeper, pressing her lips to his. At the soft brush of his tongue, she opened her mouth, tasting the whiskey on his breath as his tongue searched her mouth for those sensitive spots, drawing a soft moan from her throat. He pushed his left arm under her knees, and with his right hand still on her back, he lifted her into his lap, never moving his lips from hers. She wrapped her arms around him. He was so warm, and his muscles seemed to vibrate under her hands, a trembling that excited her more than she would have expected. They kissed for several minutes, his hands restless on her back and thigh, travelling gently over her curves and igniting a fire in her blood. When his hand found its way under her shirt, she shivered at the heat of his touch, anticipating it's trajectory toward her breast. Erin didn't even noticed the adept hand on her back flicking open her bra, but she definitely noticed when Luka's warm hand cupped her right breast and his thumb grazed her erect nipple. She moaned into his mouth, pressing her breast into his hand. Suddenly she found herself reclined on the sofa and Luka's mouth was against her abdomen. His thumb again stroked her nipple lightly, causing her to arch up toward him. He pushed her shirt up and slowly trailed licks and kisses up her ribs until he was hovering over the soft brown peak of her breast. He blew across the nipple and watched it tense to a firm nub which he lapped at in quick strokes. An eager groan, almost a purr, escaped Erin's throat as she dug her fingertips into Luka's back. He seized her nipple in his mouth, pulling it deep with the insistent pressure of his tongue. Her hand in his hair pressed Luka to Erin's chest, demanding his continued attention to her tingling nipple. He acquiesced, suckling like a hungry infant, his right hand lifting to her left breast, twisting and rolling that nipple gently as well. Erin had limited experience with pleasures of the body. It always seemed her boyfriends were shy, slow to move to any kind of physical relationship, and always leaving before they progressed much beyond the occasional grope. Luka, though, seemed intent on his purpose, and skilled at getting there. Erin barely noticed her shirt going over her head, or her pants becoming undone. Luka returned to her mouth, his tongue darting into hers, tasting her. His mouth moved to her ear, his tongue caressing its folds and curves. When his tongue flicked lightly into the canal, she moaned again, pulling his shirt up and digging her nails into his shoulder blades. Luka pulled back to growl his response, then quickly discarded his shirt. When he returned to Erin's body he attacked her other breast, sucking and gently nipping her nipple till she moaned and writhed. His hands caressed down her sides, reaching her waistband they continued to push the fabric down, past her hips, her thighs. She looked at him with glazed eyes and lifted her legs so he could remove the offending fabric. Erin lay before him in just her lace panties. He hungrily looked at her from her toes up, slowing at her center, then stretching out half on her, pressing the jean-covered evidence of his thick erection against her bare thigh as he pillaged her mouth and trailed kisses down her throat. With both hands caressing her breasts, he continued kissing and licking down her chest to her abdomen where he hesitated over her belly button, exploring it with his tongue. The feeling was so erotic, Erin arched and pressed firmly to his hard length. Luka looked up toward Erin with those dark green eyes swirling silver, and a whispered, "Please!" slipped from her lips. He returned to raining kisses across her abdomen as he slipped his thumbs under the waistband of her panties and dragged them down her legs, discarding them onto the floor near her jeans. Erin shivered, unsure what she had even meant with her 'please', and feeling vulnerable laying here naked with a man she barely knew. Seeming to sense her hesitation, Luka stretched out beside her again and kissed her teasingly, lightly caressing a nipple with his thumb until she was again moaning softly and squirming to press into him. "I will never hurt you, Erin. I am your protector," he murmured into her ear, again trailing kisses as he moved down her body. His hand caressed her side, her hip, her thigh, then began to return upward on her inner thigh. His fingertips grazed her center, moving in small circles over the close trimmed curls covering her lower lips. Fae War Ch. 06 The feeling was everything, and not enough! She leaned into the hand and a finger pushed between her lips and pressed into the wet crevice. She moaned and her nails grazed Luka's back as she arched her body into him. Watching her face intently, Luka rubbed softly up and down her slit. Erin's eyes rolled back as they closed and little 'oh's ' slipped from her lips in time with his movements. Erin had never felt pleasure like this. It was exquisite torture; sending electric shocks through her limbs and creating a nagging need low in her belly. Luka purred into her neck, licking along her collarbone and down to her breast. As he sucked her nipple into his mouth, his finger slipped deep into her pulsing tunnel. Erin arched firmly into his mouth and hand, her hands pulling his body into full contact with hers. The pressure of his stroking hand increased, his palm pushing into the sensitive nub at the apex of her lower lips. With a few firm strokes, and his mouth demanding on her nipple, she gasped and shattered into a million glittering fragments. Erin panted as her heart pounded and the most glorious sensations she'd ever felt coursed through her body. Luka was amazing, and this was what just one hand could do. She was now fixated on what other parts of him could accomplish. His strokes gentled and his mouth returned to her ear where he murmured how beautiful she was. Erin pulled his mouth to hers with one hand as she reached for his fly with the other. His hand covered hers and removed it from his jeans, placing it around his waist. "We shouldn't go there," he said huskily, though his hands continued to stroke her, and he looked as if he wanted to lean into her again. "Why not," she asked, too involved in the moment to think about other things. He kissed her again, quick and hard, then lifted himself off her. He stood and paced in front of the fire. She felt cold, alone, and embarrassed. "You have not been assigned a mate," he said, not looking at her, "and I need to remain clear-thinking to protect you." Confused and frustrated, she mumbled, "I'm sorry," and gathered her clothes as she headed for the bedroom. She thought she heard him say something before she closed the door. It sounded like, "I'm not," but she couldn't be sure. ****************************** Please vote and comment! Fae War Ch. 07 I love hearing from you! You've wanted longer, and this chapter is longer: 15 pages on Word! I hope you are still enjoying the story. The time from my submitting a piece to Lit putting the work up has gotten longer, so I apologize for the time between chapters. As always, thank you to MrDeep for editing and encouragement. Don't forget to vote! ********************************************* Erin woke up the next morning grouchy from going to bed cold and alone, and from the embarrassment of being rejected the night before. Why did he kiss her in the first place if he was just going to back out when things were getting good? If he was a woman, he'd be called a tease. As a man, he was thought respectable, responsible. Erin really hated the whole double standard on all things sexual. Now she was forced to live and work with a man who had rejected her. She felt used. It was not going to be easy to look him in the eye after she practically threw herself at him. Remembering the previous night made her hot and uncomfortable. Was she really so unappealing that he could just up and leave like it was nothing? With too much on her mind, she showered quickly. She remembered the one bathroom incident and not wanting to get caught in the shower by the man who already had her confused and uncomfortable. She dressed in another of his sweatshirts, drinking in his scent that lingered in the fabric. She had it bad! This was really not going to be easy. Bracing herself to once again act like nothing had ever happened, she entered the main room. Luka wasn't there. She poured some coffee from the half-full pot on the counter and sat at the table. A key rattled in the lock and she consciously put an indifferent look on her face. The man who entered was not Luka. Erin jumped to her feet, immediately looking for some kind of weapon. Finding nothing at hand, she used her magic to throw him backwards against the door he had just closed. "Whoa! I'm a friend," he called to her as she searched her mind for another defensive move. "Luka sent me here to teach you more advanced magic." "Where is he?" she demanded. "He had things to do," the man said, "He asked me to stay with you today and work with you. I swear I am loyal to you, my Queen." She was wary, but he had let himself in with a key, and he hadn't tried to do anything to her yet. "Take off your coat and empty your pockets," she demanded. "Certainly." He did as she asked, then spun in a slow circle. "Satisfied?" "I suppose. What's your name?" "I am Leighton. I teach. I was hoping to be of use to you as you develop your skills," he said with a small bow. "I could certainly use some help. I couldn't think of a single thing to do to you after I tossed you back against the door," she laughed nervously. "I was just about to have some breakfast, would you like anything?" "No thank you, Your Highness," he said with another small bow. "My name is Erin. I'm not used to these titles, so just call me Erin, please," the grumpy coming out some more. "As you wish, Erin. Please go ahead and eat. I will wait," the teacher said as he sat on the arm of a chair. "No, I usually just have coffee, and maybe toast. We can start," Erin replied, taking another drink of her coffee. "What have you learned so far?" Leighton asked. "Well, I can heal. I can bring things to me, and send them away, as you felt," she answered with a shy grin, "I can change water to ice. I really don't have any offensive powers at all," she continued with sadness, knowing a queen of a kingdom at war really needed to be able to fight. "I doubt you have none. You just haven't found them yet. How much defensive magic have you worked on?" "Well, like I said, the throwing things, and the water shield...," she drifted off. "Did Luka throw spells at you to see if you could deflect them?" "No." "Well, we have a lot of work to do today. I want to see the things you've learned and then test your natural defenses. You should be pretty immune to everything I send at you, but we'll still practice deflecting spells. While the spells of a weaker Fae won't maim or kill you, they do take a toll on your energy, so it's better to deflect them than to keep neutralizing them within you." "Explain the difference to me," Erin requested curiously. "To deflect a spell, you use a counter spell or some blocking mechanism, like an energy blast, to keep it from reaching your body. If you don't, the spell will hit you and be absorbed by your body, which then has to neutralize it, the way your body attacks and neutralizes a bacterial invasion. Both take energy, but neutralizing takes significantly more energy than deflecting or countering." "OK. Let's get started," Erin said with as much enthusiasm as she could muster. As Leighton explained different defensive spells, Erin found her mind wondering. Last night had felt so good with Luka. Then he ruined it, and she was still feeling annoyed about it. Now he skipped out on her, not even man enough to face her after rejecting her. This was just another in a long line of jerks that had better things to do than be with her. She was swearing off men. Having a mate chosen for her was starting to sound like the best part of this whole unpleasant situation. "Now you try it," Leighton said, looking expectantly at Erin. "Umm," not wanting to admit she hadn't heard a word he'd said, she asked, "can you show me one more time, explaining just what you're doing." "That's what I thought. You're having trouble concentrating. I suspect learning all of this has upset you pretty badly," he said sympathetically. "Luka seemed distracted, too." "Yeah, I bet," she said under her breath. "He's watched you for so long, that to actually have you with him must be...well, let's just say I'm betting he's glad." "I wouldn't count on that," Erin said, wondering why Luka would be glad she was under attack, making his babysitting duties that much harder. "Are you making his life difficult?" Leighton asked with a grin. "It has been the way of our people for centuries to choose the mates of the next generation. It works well, since we have seers who help make the decisions. Don't be too hard on him." "What the hell was Leighton going on about? He just jumped subjects like three times in the same number of sentences. Was he senile?" she thought to herself. Leighton realized the look on Erin's face meant she wasn't following, and only then did he realize he may have said too much. "Never mind," Leighton said, hoping to change the subject before Erin demanded an explanation, "Let's get back to defensive spells." Erin tried to pay better attention, but every now and then she found herself mulling over Luka's behavior, and Leighton's strange conversation. Maybe the men of the Fae were flighty and confusing like human men were always claiming human women were. She shook off the thought and got back to lessons. Leighton taught her how to use word-spells to deflect most of the common attacks, and how to make an energy burst. He actually threw spells as well as physical objects at her to force her to act quickly. After lunch, he got out a knife and cut himself deeply to see her healing abilities. Blood had never bothered Erin, being a nurse and all, but watching someone drag a knife through their own flesh was disturbing. When he wanted to inflict other injuries on himself, she asked,"Please don't. I'll probably get plenty of opportunities to use those skills on people wounded in battles. I really don't want you to hurt yourself anymore." Leighton found her caring to be a sweet characteristic in a noble. They went back outside and Leighton continued throwing spells and objects at her, faster and faster. She was doing a pretty fair job of not getting hit when Luka pulled up and jumped from the car, anger written all over his face. Erin wondered what she'd done to cause it, but Luka strode past her and, with one hand around Leighton's neck, lifted him off the ground. "What do you think you're doing, throwing deadly spells, not to mention knives and axes, at the Queen?" Luka demanded loudly. Erin ran up and started pulling on Luka's arm. He glanced at her with the fury of a warrior in his eyes. "Put him down, Luka. We were practicing. How can I learn to act accurately and quickly if I'm never tested against the real threat?" Erin yelled at him. Luka lowered Leighton who straighten his collar and cleared his throat. Luka stood glaring at Leighton. "Luka is just protective, my dear. It's his prerogative. Have you explained that to her, Luka," the older man said. "I told her I am her protector, that watching out for her is what I've done since I turned nineteen," Luka ground out through gritted teeth. "Yes. Well, now that Luka is back, I think I'll make my way back home." Turning to Erin and kissing her hand, Leighton finished, "It's been my greatest pleasure to serve you, my Queen." "Thank you, Leighton. I really learned a lot today." Luka still glared territorially as Leighton turned and walked down the drive. Hoping to distract Luka from his misplaced anger, Erin asked. "Where'd he park his car?" "He doesn't drive, he flies. He has to get beyond my protection spells to take off." "He flies?" she asked with wonder, "Why didn't he teach me that?" "Because," Luka said, irritably, "You would have to leave my protective spells to do it." "But he's stronger than you. Couldn't his protective spells cover me?" "Not as well as mine," he replied, finally turning and taking her hand to bring her inside. "Why not?" Erin asked. She was completely confused. "Because I'm your protector," he answered, still irritable, but softening. "Is that like a formal title or something?" "Not exactly," Luka answered, dropping her hand and moving toward the kitchen. Deciding he wasn't planning on explaining further, Erin changed topics, "Where did you go today?" "I went to talk to some council members, including my father," Luka replied, not looking at her, and beginning to prepare dinner. "What did they have to say?" Erin asked, expecting to be put off. "The other council members want me to bring you in immediately to put you under guard and then tell the entire Fae community that you are alive and returned. My father thinks that I should keep you here until the council meets formally next week." "Why is here better?" she asked, then realized this was back to the topic he had avoided just moments ago. "I just told you, my protection is stronger than theirs," Luka answered sounding frustrated. "But why?" Erin persisted. She really wanted to know why his protection was so damned important. Luka ignored the question and continued to clean vegetables. "Would you answer me if I demanded it as your queen?" She queried. Luka didn't answer immediately, and Erin thought he might refuse. Finally he spoke softly, almost tenderly. "I would. But I hope you won't do that," he said, facing the window over the sink. "I will explain to you tonight, after dinner, in front of the fire." Erin wondered why he was being so elusive, and why he needed to set things up in order to explain why his protection was better than what the council could provide. Still, she let it go. They ate dinner quietly. Luka half-heartedly asked about her day training with Leighton, and she answered in short, clipped sentences. She felt weighed under by all of the embarrassment of his rejection combined with the dread of what he had to tell her later. She imagined he was sorry that he ever started as her protector, and that he was going to tell her that he was taking her in to the council. Finally, dinner was finished and the dishes washed. Luka placed the logs in the fireplace and set some kindling on fire. He continued to tend the little fire, trying to get it to catch for several minutes. "I thought you hated starting fires the human way," Erin pointed out. He sighed, and standing, he snapped his fingers, starting the fire. He came and sat beside her, looking forlorn. "It's okay if you want to take me in to the council," she said, hoping to make this easier for him. He knit his brow in consternation. "Why would I do that?" he said. "I don't know. You just seem...unhappy...babysitting me. I thought you wanted out, and I don't want you to think it would bother me...you know...if you wanted to be rid of me," Erin stumbled verbally, not knowing what to say or what he felt. He took her hand in both of his. As usual, his hands were very warm, and the muscles buzzed with energy. "Do you want to be rid of me?" he asked softly, looking into her eyes. His eyes, already dark, swirled even darker, storm-cloud gray and deep moss green. He had such beautiful, expressive eyes. She wondered how he felt about her dull, slate gray eyes. "No," she choked out around her threatening tears, feeling stupid for needing him so much and not wanting to be separated from him. "Nor I you," he said with a small smile lifting the corners of his lips. "What's going on Luka? I don't understand any of this," she almost sobbed, the tears starting to overflow down her cheeks. He reached out and wiped her tears with his thumb, then looked down at her hand for a moment before he cleared his throat. "We learn of our chosen mate at age nineteen. Though males usually know before females, they are forbidden to tell their future mates, or anyone else, before the ceremony on her nineteenth birthday." He hesitated. Erin was baffled why this was the conversation they were having. "So?" she asked softly, trying to prod him to get to the point. "You never had the ceremony. Your parents — everyone in your family — they're all gone," Luka stammered, looking very sad. "I know, but I don't understand what that has to do with us," Erin stated, confused. "You are my chosen mate," Luka said, again looking deeply into her eyes. Erin was stunned. What Leighton said about her making Luka's life difficult began to make sense. He thought she already knew this, and that she was giving him a hard time about it. She considered the proposition. She had feelings for Luka, and last night had definite potential. But mates? For life? "I - I don't know what to say," she replied, looking away from his intense gaze. "I didn't think I should tell you, but my father assured me that under the circumstances, it was the only way," Luka said, dropping her hand and sitting straighter. "But you stopped last night. You said it wasn't right," Erin questioned, trying to sort out the complexities. "It wasn't. You didn't know. I wanted to know if you had feelings for me if we were compatible. After your life as a human, it was unfair of me to know, and you not to," Luka stumbled around verbally, trying to make sense of a complex situation. "So, does being my - mate - make your protection stronger?" she asked, piecing together a small corner of the wide quilt that had become her life. "Yes. Unless you refuse me, in which case my magic becomes just as ineffective as any other mid-level Fae," Luka replied, reaching for her hand with a smile, seeming relieved she was catching on so quickly. Erin looked down at his hand holding hers. She hadn't been ready for this. He had probably been right not to tell her earlier. She wasn't sure she even wanted to know now. "So, you aren't actually attracted to me, it's just the requirement of the Fae that you be my mate?" she asked, voice small and sad. He lifted her chin so she looked into his eyes again. He was shaking his head and looking concerned. "When I was told you were to be my mate, I immediately sought you out. I knew you would likely be killed by the rebels at some point, which would release me from my requirement. I didn't know if I wanted that or not, so I followed you, listened to you, watched you interact with people. I immediately felt an attraction to you, and attraction grew into love. I made myself your protector, because I couldn't bear to lose you, at the same time I almost wished for an attack so that I could reveal myself to you," he explained, beseechingly. She still wasn't sure what to say. She looked into his eyes. She felt carried away with the currents of emotions she found there. "You have the most beautiful eyes," she said without intending to. Then she blushed. "They can't be as beautiful as yours," Luka replied with a smile. "My eyes are boring gray. Yours are green and silver and change with your moods." Luka looked confused for a moment. "You haven't looked at yourself since you found your magic. You need to look again," he replied enigmatically. She really only cared to look at him, but his face turned concerned as time passed and she didn't say anything more. "You don't have to accept, or reject, me right away," he said, anxiously, "especially since you didn't know anything about your real self, or your position, before two days ago." He hesitated a moment, then continued softly, "I just hope you won't take too long to decide." "Luka," she said, reaching up and touching his face, "I don't know what I feel right now." He looked sad, but took her hand and kissed the palm tenderly. "You have time to think. My protection is nearly perfect. You'll be safe. Only the most trusted of our leaders could break through my protection." She thought she might cry. He saw the tears in her eyes and sat back. "I understand if you need to be alone. I'll be here if you need me." Suddenly, being alone felt like the most awful thing in the world. Erin scooted forward and leaned into Luka's chest. He wrapped his arms around her and drew her close. She listened to the solid rhythm of his heartbeat and felt truly safe for the first time in days. Erin reviewed her time with Luka. On the highway he had been cold and efficient, nothing more. Then at the beach house, he started out the same way, but then became intense, scary. His look was pure predator, and she hadn't been sure whether she was the prey or not. He saved her life at her car, and again at the convenience store. It wasn't until he got her here, where he knew she was protected, that he relaxed and began to show his true self. She was sure beyond any doubt that he loved her and would do whatever it took to protect her. That was probably the most terrifying part. The sheer depth of his feeling was overwhelming. No man had ever loved her. This man had spent eight years watching her, protecting her, without ever meeting her. And now he had given her a choice. If she refused him, he would step aside. If she accepted him, ...then what? She never thought of herself as a commitment-phobe, but suddenly 'forever' seemed like a very long time. She continued to mull over her situation, secure in Luka's arms. He made no demands on her. He just held her and lightly stroked her arm and back with his thumbs. She must have fallen asleep, because she woke to find herself alone in the big bed, the windows dark, the cabin silent. She tossed and turned for hours, finally falling into a restless sleep that ended too soon. She heard voices in the main room. She wasn't fond of the idea of another person being present when she knew Luka would want an answer. After showering and dressing, Erin stopped to look at herself in the mirror. Luka was correct; there were changes since she arrived here. Her once slate gray eyes were now Caribbean blue shot with silver. They glistened, demanding attention, and as she thought about Luka, they darkened, just as his had! She smiled, but looked at her own reflection with unfamiliarity. There was self-assuredness in the face in the mirror that she didn't feel. She looked regal, even if she didn't yet feel it. Fae War Ch. 07 As she left the bathroom, she remembered the visitor, and hoped he had left, but when she emerged from the bedroom, a stranger sat at the table with Luka. Both men stood at her arrival, and Luka pulled out a chair and indicated she should join them. "This is Miko, a member of the council," Luka said, indicating the tall, slim, man of about fifty. Erin held out her hand and mumbled a greeting. Miko struck her as less than trustworthy somehow, like a lawyer or rich businessman, a little too shrewd. "It's wonderful to get to meet you, your Highness," he said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. Erin went on high alert. Luka looked relaxed enough, but she had a bad feeling about this guy. She sat and accepted the coffee Luka poured for her. "I am here to try to convince Luka that the best place for you is with the council. I missed his visit yesterday, but I was told of it by other council members. I want you to know we can offer you the highest level of security," Miko said, looking around the cabin with open disdain. Erin wondered if he and the other council members knew that Luka was to be her mate. If they didn't, would their assessment of her safety change, and if they did, why did they think she would be better off with them? "I'm quite happy with my security here," she said with no particular inflection. "But, your Majesty, we have resources to put you out of harm's way. The rebels have never breached our facility." "There's never been a councilman among their ranks before. It's likely that Franco will be able to get them inside, perhaps without detection," Luka interrupted. "Franco is a concern, but we have instituted many new safeguards since his defection. I believe council quarters to be the safest place on Earth, not to mention, a more appropriate place for our Queen," Miko explained, smiling another of those slippery smiles. Erin sipped her coffee and buttered some toast, knowing the councilman awaited her response. She knew she was safer with Luka, but she didn't want to give away the reason if he had not told them for some reason. Finally she looked at Miko. "I will remain here," she stated with as much finality as she could. Miko's face registered anger for just a moment before he carefully composed a look of submission. Standing, he held out a hand to shake Luka's, then held it out to her. Erin hesitated to put her hand in his, but realized it was her duty as queen. She placed her finger tips into Miko's palm. He grabbed her wrist and pulled her from her chair, wrapping his left arm around her waist and backing away from Luka. "Wrong answer, Highness," he said, menacingly, pulling her slowly towards the door. Luka twitched his index finger and Erin felt electricity buzz all around her. Miko jumped back, letting go of her waist and crying out sharply. "What the hell?" Miko tried to grab her again, but the energy field kept him away. Luka smiled just slightly before straightened his face. "I believe you have underestimated our queen, Miko. She is better able to defend herself than you thought," he said. Miko looked wildly from Luka to Erin. He reached out, eyes closed, and felt the power emanating from her. Erin knew she hadn't created this field, but hoped Miko didn't know that. Opening his eyes, Miko grinned terrifyingly. If Erin had thought Luka looked predatory when protecting her, she needed to revise that assessment after seeing Miko's face. "I see how things are," Miko said, and Erin's blood ran cold. He started to circle around her as she rehearsed some of her better defensive spells in her head. With lightning speed, Miko twisted and leaped at Luka, crashing together to the floor. Erin tried to move forward, to get to Luka, but she was held stationary by the energy field around her. Luka kicked Miko hard in the ribs, gaining enough time to get to his feet before Miko threw a spell at him that drove him into the wall beside the fireplace. "You know you aren't strong enough to stop me, little flea. You're only strong enough to protect her because she's your chosen mate, but I'm guessing she hasn't accepted that yet, that the...formalities shall we say, haven't been fulfilled," Erin was clueless what he was talking about, but had a feeling it was a very bad thing. Luka remained pinned to the wall, face reddening, eyes wild. He tried to speak, and Erin knew he wanted to tell her something, but the spell holding him choked off his words. She tried to lift a knife from the counter behind Miko, but she could feel her spell reflected back at her from the energy field. She was powerless inside the protective field. "Turn it off, flea! I will take her with me, even if it is over your dead body," Miko demanded as he raised his index finger to reveal a glowing, sparking point of electricity at the tip. "Never!" gasped Luka, face turning red as the pressure holding him to the wall prevented him from taking a breath. Miko walked up to Luka. Then he turned to Erin. "Do you want to see your mate flayed alive, Queen?" he asked with pure evil. "No!" Erin yelled. "Don't hurt him!" "Then refuse him," Miko demanded quickly. Luka struggled, shaking his head, eyes rolling. Erin hesitated, not quite sure what either man wanted her to do. Miko leaned toward Luka and drew the electric point down his cheek. It cut into Luka like a laser and blood flowed freely from the three inch gash. "I refuse!" Erin screamed, understanding with certain clarity that Miko intended to kill Luka slowly and painfully right in front of her if she didn't break the arranged mating. 'I refuse the mating contract!" Luka's face was a study in anguish. He couldn't speak, but his eyes showed betrayal, fear, and pain like Erin had never seen before. She tore her eyes from him. She felt the force around her fade quickly, and easily stepped through it toward Miko and Luka. "Good girl," Miko oozed. "Your flea will live to see another day, albeit without you." He strode forward, grabbing her and slapping a wide bangle on her wrist. It looked like a normal gold bracelet about two inches wide, with symbols engraved all around, but she immediately felt the effects of it. She felt strangled, unable to speak, and while Miko dropped her arm, she was compelled to move with him toward the door of the cabin. "No, Erin!" Luka screamed as he fell from the wall. He tried to throw an energy blast at Miko, but the older man flicked his finger and sent the blast back to hit Luka, slamming him back into the fireplace where he crumpled, unconscious, to the floor. Erin tried to scream, but just choked and gagged on the words. She tried to go to Luka, but her feet continued to carry her toward the cabin door. Throwing open the door with a wave of his hand, Miko strode out, Erin stumbling along a half step behind, unable to control her own body. Miko stopped just past the porch. Turning his back to her, he reached back and grabbed both her wrists, pulling them around him and up, so her hands were on his shoulders. Laughing as she tried not to touch him, he said, "You will want to hold on." Not yet releasing her wrists, he began to lift into the air, Erin's body forced to follow. Gagging on her scream, she latched her hands to his shoulders and he released her wrists. Erin hated being in contact with his body, which felt cold and somehow slimy, even through his clothes. She couldn't speak, and even her sobs choked her. Miko ignored her completely as they flew so fast Erin couldn't make out any of the scenery below them. She worried about Luka more than herself, because she knew what was likely in store for her. Miko would bring her to the rebels who would kill her, ending the royal line for good. But Luka would live on. She had seen his pain when she denied him. He was devastated. She felt awful that the last thing she ever said to him was that she didn't want him. Maybe that would make it easier for him to get over her, once she was dead. She could only hope so, for his sake. They flew for perhaps twenty minutes. Erin felt the change in temperature as they went, and noticed the decline in altitude before the decrease in speed. Miko spoke for the first time since they took off. "Hold on tight. Don't want to skin up that pretty face." Erin wanted nothing more than to let go and fall to her death, but her body reacted in self-preservation and tightened her grip. They landed with a head-jarring thud, but Miko immediately began to walk. The bangle compelled her to walk as well. They were in a different forest, one that was already experiencing winter conditions. The trees were bare, dead leaves crunched under foot, a light dusting of snow was visible in sheltered coves. A shack came into view, and seemed to be Miko's goal. He threw the door open with a wave of his hand and waited beside it for Erin to pass through. The interior was dark, causing Erin to go blind for a moment. "Good work," a silken voice purred from the darkness. "Did they give you any trouble?" "The flea was her chosen mate," Miko responded with irritation, "But she saw the wisdom of breaking the contract." Even without looking at him, Erin could hear the pleasure in Miko's voice. Her eyes were beginning to adjust to the dimness, and she could just make out that the interior of the shack was entirely different than the exterior. The room was at least sixty by sixty, and the voice had emanated from a woman sitting on what could only be called a throne at the end of an aisle, the remainder of the building ominously empty. Erin studied the woman as she was forced to follow Miko down the aisle. She appeared to be about thirty-five, tall, shapely, and wearing a gown that would be appropriate to a $1,000 a plate fund-raiser. She leaned languidly over one arm of the throne on which she sat, one long fingernail tapping the gilt armrest. The slit of her dress revealed a long, muscular leg, clear to the hip. Her long black hair draped half way down the side of the chair. "Where would you like her?" Miko asked, coming to a halt below the dais on which the throne sat. "I have a very special cage, created just for her," the woman purred. She snapped her fingers and an ugly cage of black iron descended from the rafters. It would have been the right size for an Irish Setter, or a Golden Retriever. Erin struggled to speak, to pull away from the hold the bangle kept her under, but it was pointless. She was powerless. The woman stood, descending the stairs in a fluid motion, and leaned in to look closely at Erin. She continued around Erin, studying her. When she was again in front, she produced two black iron bands that she slapped on Erin's wrists, pulling the gold bangle free. Erin felt her tongue loosed and immediately demanded, "Who are you?" "Ha!" the woman laughed, mirthlessly, "You sound just like your father. You think because you happened to be born into a certain family that gives you rights and powers that others don't possess," she hissed in Erin's face. "I am Riahn, Queen of the supernaturals!" Erin tried to conjure an energy blast, but nothing happened. She tried to draw a weapon to her from among those displayed on the wall behind the throne, but no power seemed to be at her disposal. "Stupid child! They haven't taught you anything! Your magic is useless around black iron," Riahn scoffed. "My powers, on the other hand, can't be removed from me." With that the woman's back arched, and in a sudden flash of blinding light, she changed into a panther, sleek and menacing. The panther paced the floor in front of Erin, seeming to grin at her distress. Erin took a step backwards, only to run up against Miko's body. She halted, and watched the panther pace. Miko began to stroke her arms, familiarly. He leaned down and licked her neck and she shuddered in revulsion. The panther continued to pace and watch. "You like my attention," he said smugly, "Don't pretend. You feel my power and it pulls you." He licked her neck again and started to nibble her earlobe. Disgusted, but wary of the panther, Erin struck backwards with her elbow, into Miko's gut. He "hmpph'd," bending slightly, then twisted Erin suddenly and struck her with such force she fell to the floor. As she started to rise to her knees, a black paw shot out at her, swiping four razor-sharp talons across her abdomen as it hissed at her. Erin fell back to the floor, one hand trying to staunch the blood flowing from her middle. In another flash of light, Riahn was back in human form, now naked before them. "I'm no longer amused. Throw her in the cage, and then come improve my mood," she purred to Miko. Erin felt hands pick her up and slam her into the cage, but she was focused on trying to heal her wounds. Once in the cage, Riahn snapped her fingers again and the cage ascended back to the rafters. Erin pulled off her sweatshirt and looked more closely at the slashes across her stomach. While they were quite painful, now that the bleeding was subsiding she realized they were superficial. She would live. Unable to stand, or even to sit upright, Erin curled in a fetal position, tentatively looking around the room. Riahn and Miko were in a corner, engrossed in behavior Erin had no desire to watch. The throne sat empty, glowing by some internal force. Erin didn't remember it glowing when Riahn was sitting in it, but then, she wasn't focused on much beyond the woman at the time. There were swords and maces, battle axes and shields arrayed on the wall beyond the throne, tantalizingly close, but completely out of her reach. The rest of the room was arranged with pews on either side of the aisle, facing the throne. This must be the meeting place of the rebels. Erin closed her eyes, trying to concentrate her healing powers toward her wounds. She believed what Riahn said about the iron, but since she wasn't focusing beyond her body maybe it would work. With great effort, Erin felt the edges of her wounds draw together, sealing muscle, fascia, and finally skin. She was exhausted by her effort, not to mention blood loss, and fell into a fitful sleep. Please vote and comment! Fae War Ch. 08 Welcome to chapter eight. I hope you stuck around through the wait. Somehow chapter six took over-long to post, and seven less-than average time, so they posted the same day. Eight hopefully will post on Thanksgiving, but nine will be delayed because both myself and my editor have obligations over the holiday. Thank you for reading, and don't forget to vote and comment! ***** Sounds of greeting and of anger woke Erin a little later. She peered down on the meeting hall to see the strangest mixture of creatures jostling and vying for positions on the benches. Animals spoke with human voices, demanding spots in which puffs of mist had settled, while humanoids switched back and forth to animals, mostly large predators. No one seemed to notice her in the shadowed ceiling area. She listened in to some of the conversations that wafted up to her. "What good is another meeting? We haven't made any progress in almost twenty years. I don't even know why it matters any more if there are two separate groups of supernaturals," said a male humanoid to the beaver he sat beside. "Riahn will never be happy until she is queen over all of the supernaturals," the beaver responded in a disgusted tone, "I thought this war was about independence and self-rule. All we've achieved so far is a different dictator." Another humanoid sat down next to the beaver. "Hello Armand," the pretty girl said lightly, "I'm surprised you came." "Felicity," the beaver answered, "I know better than to ignore the summons of the queen." Felicity smiled again, but there was pain in the expression. Erin considered the comments of Armond and his humanoid friend. They didn't seem happy with the way the extended civil war was going, and especially didn't seem happy with Riahn. Could she possibly find support among the disgruntled rebels? For the first time, Erin wondered what caused the split in the first place. Why hadn't she asked Luka or Leighton for more information on the rebels? She had been so shocked by the revelations of the past couple of days, she really hadn't asked anything useful to her current situation. How was she going to learn what she needed to know to garner support? Miko entered the chamber from a side door and stepped in front of the dais. "Thank you for coming on such short notice," he smiled wickedly, "Our Queen has something of great value to share with you." He hesitated, then with a wave of this arm toward the door through which he had come, he announced, "Queen Riahn!" Wearing a form fitting business suit, Riahn entered the room. Everyone stood and remained stock still and perfectly silent as she climbed the dais and stood before the throne, which continued to glow softly, but dimmed as she neared it. "We are at a turning point!" she yelled out to the assembly, "We now have the ability to bring the council to its knees and wrest from it the power to self-rule!" The audience remained silent, looking confused. Miko clapped his hands exuberantly and then scowled at the others until they clapped unenthusiastically along with him. Riahn looked angry at the lukewarm reaction to her announcement, but then pasted on a smile and snapped her fingers, causing Erin's cage descended to head level between the crowd and the dais. "I present the princess Erina, our prisoner!" Riahn concluded. A few of the gathered clapped again, others gasped, and many just stared. Riahn appeared surprised, but that quickly changed to enraged as the glorious reception she had expected fell flat. "Why are you all not ecstatic? Have you all gone soft? This is the last member of the ruling family that kept most of you relegated to second class citizens, if not slaves! Don't you see that with her here, the council will finally realize it has no power, its last hope to maintain the status quo is gone?" Riahn screamed, pacing the dais. "Are you sure she is Erina?" came a tentative voice from the crowd. "Of course we're sure. Don't you see the arrogance of our dead dictator in her face?" Miko yelled back, perusing the group, seeking the identity of the speaker. "What are you going to do with her?" It was another shaky question from amidst the assembly. "Why, use her as a bargaining chip, of course," answered Miko again. "We will tell the council that we will release her only if they enact equal rights and representation for all supernaturals into the articles." "And declare me the Queen!" Riahn added quickly, causing a general intake of breath among the assembled. No one seemed willing to say anything after Riahn's announcement, which seemed to grate on her excessively. She scanned the room, and the eyes of the audience fell to their laps in response. One humanoid in the rear of the room met her eyes, and her fury flared. "What have you to say, Garrett?" she spat out, motioning slightly with one finger for her guards to move in on the tall, blond man. "Only that the installment of a new ruler was never part of our goals. We fought for the right to self-govern, through a council or parliament," the striking young man with iceberg-blue eyes responded as he put his arms out for the guards to grab him. He appeared to know exactly what the consequences of his statement would be, yet was willing to say it anyway. Erin liked him immediately. The room was awash in murmurs. With another small motion, Riahn ordered Garrett placed in chains. "Firm leadership is needed to pull the supernatural community back together after this long rift. I will provide that guidance. Once peace and stability are achieved, the elections will proceed to create a council that reports directly to me. We will have our self-government," she responded. "That is the mirage of self-government! Freedom! Freedom!" Garrett yelled out, as he was clasped into manacles attached to the rear wall of the room. Before he could make another sound, one of the guards punched him hard in the stomach, then brought a knee up into his face. Garrett slid down the wall and crumpled to the floor. "Any other comments?" she asked with saccharine sweetness. Riahn smiled at the assembly. This time the room was silent, and no one met Riahn's eyes. "I will speak to my advisors. The rest of you can go," she continued. Most of the assembled rose slowly and silently and proceeded from the room. A handful of creatures remained, and moved nearer the dais. "I cannot abide this dissent. I need the names of the traitors immediately! I will make an example of Garrett that will keep most of the others in line, but I need the ring-leaders caught! Do you understand?" Riahn spoke heatedly. Murmurs of, "Yes my queen," tumbled from their mouths. "Then go!" she ordered, sweeping her arm dramatically, scattering the advisors quickly. Riahn didn't even glance at Miko. She stalked back out the door she had arrived by. Miko rushed to follow her, leaving the unconscious Garrett as the only other occupant of the room. Erin sensed a gentle call. "Erina? Erina, can you hear me?" She looked at the rebel shackled to the wall. He hadn't moved. She suddenly wondered what hearing voices in your head would feel like. "Erina, this is Garrett, the man chained to the wall. You aren't losing your mind. I'm using a telepathic link. You can think back to me." "Garrett?" she thought. "Yes! I won't move because they have the room monitored, and as long as I appear unconscious, no one will come back for me. Look as inconspicuous as you can." Erin curled back into her fetal position, not looking toward Garrett. "My name is Erin, not Erina," she thought, feeling a little peevish. "It's nice to meet you, Erin," Garrett replied, with genuine warmth. Erin considered how weird it was to have a stranger speaking directly into her mind. A part of her felt invaded, but somehow Garrett's 'voice' was soothing and she felt a sense of comfort coming from him. Still, he was a rebel, and she was a prisoner. "Why are you talking to me? What do you want from me?" she asked. "We need you, Erin. The rebellion failed because we lost sight of our goals and followed bad leaders. For over twenty years we have lived a half-life, trying to stay out of the Council's way, because we let Riahn assassinate your family. Many of us are ready to return, with minor changes, and we think you can bring those changes." "Why do you think I would let you return?" Erin thought with as much venom as she could put into a thought. "Because some of us have known about you for a long time. We know your sympathy for enslaved people around the world, your compassion and sense of justice." Garrett answered with certainty. "How do you know any of that?" Erin asked. She was baffled. "Your roommate your freshman year - Dianna - she's one of ours - and Michael at the hospital - he is too. Our people have been your friends since you were in high school." "That's not possible!" Erin gasped, turning to look at Garrett. She knew exactly who he was referring to. Dianna had been the perfect college roommate. They had talked for hours about everything from how communism missed the mark to the Rwandan genocides. They had joined Amnesty International together and sold Fair Trade items to raise money to help rescue women from slavery. They were still friends. Michael was a flirt from work. He loved to get her riled up about equal rights types of things. He always espoused macho, male dominance crap, just to get her red-faced and arguing, then he'd laugh at her and go back on his way. She fell for his traps every time. Erin stared down at Garrett. "Calm down! Don't look over here!" he hissed into her mind. "Sorry. But I don't understand. How could you know about me all those years, but never kidnap or kill me?" Erin replied mentally, changing position and laying down again. "That wasn't our goal. I am a leader in the opposition to the opposition," he laughed at his own little joke, "sorry, I think it's amusing. Riahn has the power because she has the muscle, but the real force of our resistance lies in the intellectuals who work with me. We found you nearly ten years ago and started planting influencers in your life." Erin felt invaded again. Suddenly she doubted her own feelings. These 'people' had been influencing her since she was a girl. "So you shaped my beliefs, my priorities. For what end?" "For this end...well not this end exactly. I regret Riahn kidnapped you. It would have been better if you had been successfully placed as queen, then championed our cause, but this way may work as well," Garrett answered, real regret in his voice about the kidnapping, but great hope lacing the words as well. "So you think you've warped my mind to believe murderers and terrorists should be given equal rights?" Erin stated with scorn. "Of course not!' Garrett responded with outrage, then continued to explain, "We were the original rebels. Riahn, with her goons, co-opted the rebellion and turned it into her own play for power. We had nothing to do with the murder of your family, and want nothing to do with the violent faction of our movement, but as you saw, people are afraid. Riahn uses torture to keep us in line." Erin considered that for a moment. She had failed to get any real information about her people's history from Luka, a shameful oversight, she now realized. Was what Garrett said true? Was the original rebellion about instituting necessary reforms? While people chased her and shot at her, it had been easy to think the rebels were simply outlaws who needed to be stopped and punished. But what if there was more to it? "I know too little about the history and government of your people to just believe you. Tell me why and how you started the rebellion." "I knew you would come through! You have always been so intelligent and fair," Garrett responded triumphantly. He continued eagerly, "My people - Were's, Spirits, and Elementals - have been subjugated to the Upper Fae for millennia. They used us as servants, slaves even, to do their grunt work, while they received the benefits of being both the upper class among Fae, as well as moving within the human world where they typically achieved upper-class benefits also. We declared ourselves independent to move away from subjugation, and we did it peaceably. Then Riahn and a faction of angry, violent Lesser Fae killed the royal family and several members of the council. They took over the movement through fear and intimidation." Erin mulled over this information. She had no way to confirm or disprove it from her current location, but she felt a stirring sense in her gut that what Garrett said was true. Even still, she asked, "Why should I believe you?" "Because I am going to help you escape! We will seat you in that throne that glows because of your proximity to it. I won't ask for anything in return, other than that you learn as much as you can about our history and the rebellion. I know you will make the right decision once you have the right information." "And how do you expect me to find out this information? I expect the Upper Fae don't have a lot of positive things to say about all of this," Erin queried. She was shocked by Garrett's plan, but wanting to maintain her skepticism. "You are intelligent enough to cut through the bullshit, and Luka and his father will help. While they don't sympathize with Riahn, they understand the dynamics of the original issue," he replied with the self-assurance that Erin was coming to expect from Garrett, Erin tensed at the mention of Luka. What did he know about Luka and her? "Why didn't he tell me already then?" she asked. "I don't think he had time. No one expected Miko to give away his true leanings like he did," he said. Garrett had a ready answer. Thinking to herself, but somehow leaving open the strange line of communication, Erin contemplated. "So you knew Miko was a traitor, but you let him come to the cabin and take me?" She was thinking of both Garrett and Luka as responsible for this situation. "Like I said, we didn't think Miko would risk exposure. And we believed in the strength of Luka's protection. You must have broken his heart," he thought. Garrett sounded contrite. Erin remembered the anguish in Luka's face when she broke the mating contract. She choked on a sob that rose in her throat, tears gathered behind her closed lids. "I'm sorry, Erin. I shouldn't have mentioned that, I guess. I wasn't there, so I don't know why you refused him, and it wasn't fair of me to bring It up," Garrett responded to the emotion flowing through the psychic link. Erin fought to regain control. She was surprisingly less worried about her own current situation than she was about Luka. He probably believed her refusal. He had told her it was her choice, and the next time she saw him, she had refused him. Erin knew the misery of rejection and felt awful about causing Luka to feel it. "How do you plan to rescue me?" Erin questioned through the link. Garrett hesitated. "I'm not quite clear on that yet, but we will. When the time comes, you need to be ready. Don't fight them, and avoid talking. Shield your mind from them as much as you can, so they don't know about this conversation." "And how do I shield my mind?" Erin asked. She was irritated. "You were doing it when I 'knocked' to come in," Garrett said, sounding confused, "You mean they didn't teach you that?" "No. No one taught me. I didn't know I was doing it," Erin returned, surprised, "What was I doing?" "Don't worry about it. Apparently you have a natural barrier as well as natural talent," Garrett continued, impressed, "You really are powerful." "I don't know about that," Erin sighed, ruefully, "I can't do much, and I know even less." The side door opened and three big men entered. "Get up, you coward! We know you're awake," one of the goons said as he kicked the still form on the floor. Garrett let out an, "Oomph," in response to the kick, then rolled onto his back to look innocently up at his attacker. "Get up! Riahn wants to see you," The goon continued, prodding Garrett with his boot. "Isn't that 'Queen' Riahn?" Garrett asked withed feigned confusion. "Get up!" the man yelled, kicking Garrett hard in the side. "Remember to stay alert and look for the opportunity we give you," Garrett's thought. She heard Garrett's voice in Erin's mind. Garrett rose, holding his side. One man unlocked the manacles as the other two flanked him, gripping his arms firmly. They led him, limping and weak, toward the door. As the front man opened the door, Garrett suddenly disappeared and a large white wolf with iceberg blue eyes bound out the door and into the woods beyond. The three goons stood shocked for the span of a heartbeat, before also morphing into wolves to give chase. The three pursuers were bigger, heavier, and behind by less than a second, but Erin was fairly sure that beautiful white wolf would be gone before they got to the woods. Garrett was spectacular in his wolf form; long and lean, pure powerful muscle, made to run! With a stab of guilt for thinking of him that way, Erin wished him safety and success before turning back to her own situation. Since arriving, Erin had lost a lot of blood and had nothing to eat or drink. Judging by the level of the sunlight she'd glimpsed out the door, it was late afternoon. Her bladder was becoming uncomfortable, and her stomach growled irritably. Her mouth was sticky and tasted terrible. She wondered if anyone was going to care for her bodily needs, or did they just plan to leave her caged in her own wastes until she perished? Deciding to take her chances, Erin sat up as best she could in the cage and shouted for someone. After a couple of shouts, she used her iron bangle to clang against the iron bars of her prison, making quite a racket. She shouted her need for the toilet and for food and water, hoping someone was listening. "Enough!" screamed Miko, entering by the door Garrett had escaped from. "Get her down and put her in a holding cell in the compound." Two men entered behind Miko. They lowered the cage by a switch Erin hadn't noticed before, and pulled her roughly out. Maintaining their grips on her arms, they half-dragged and half-walked her out a different door and into a crowded hamlet of low-slung buildings and cottages. This must be the rebel's home-base, shielded from prying eyes by magic charms that carried forth the illusion of open countryside. Erin was marched a short distance into a long, barracks-like building with a bleak off-white central hallway lined with closed doors. At the third door on the right she was roughly shoved into another short hall lined with barred cells. A human shape lay on the cot in the first cell on the left. Erin was pushed unceremoniously into the second cell on the same side. The cages opposite appeared empty. While this was by no means a happy place, Erin quickly noted she could at least stand up straight, she had a cot with a blanket, and there was a toilet and sink to satisfy her basic needs. It was a huge improvement over the cage in which she had spent most of the day. The men never said a word, simply closing the barred door behind her and leaving. Feeling mildly self-conscious, Erin made use of the facilities, then washed and used her hands to drink from the little sink. There was even a hand towel hanging beside the sink. Maybe the rebels weren't all bad after all. This holding area seemed humane enough. Or would that be fae enough? Erin might need a vocabulary overhaul. While still hungry, Erin was at least comfortable enough now to be curious about the being in the cell next to hers. It hadn't stirred when her captors brought her in, making her wonder if it was unwell. "Hello? Are you OK over there?" Erin called, standing at the bars. Fae War Ch. 08 Getting no response, she tried again, "Hey, I'm worried about you. Are you OK?" She thought she heard the stirring of fabric, followed by a groan. "Why do you care?" a weak, male voice said. "Well, I'm a nurse, so it's just normal for me to care about the well-being of others," she answered, not knowing how else to engage her fellow prisoner. "Huh," he replied, "you're not much good to me locked in a different cell." "Are you hurt, or sick?" Erin asked. "Where have you been? I thought everyone was required to watch my beating," the man asked without emotion. It sounded like he was moving again, and he mumbled sounds of pain. "They beat you?" Erin asked, incredulously. Then with dawning realization that she would probably suffer the same fate, she continued, "I was just kidnapped this morning." "Wait," the man said, trying to turn his head, "You're a nurse, and they just kidnapped you," he hesitated, "Are you Erin?" "How'd you know my name?" "I'm Franco, a council member. I've always known about you," he answered, sounding warm and friendly, "but I'm sorry you're here. Do you know what's going on?" "Franco, where did I hear that name?" Erin mused, "Oh! I remember, you defected to the rebels." "Never!" he proclaimed, "I would never join the murdering bastards!" Franco huffed and seemed sincerely affronted. "I was captured, same as you." "I'm sorry to upset you," Erin began, "but our people believe that you are a traitor," she went on gently, "I'm sure we can clear it up after we escape." "There is no chance of escape, your Highness," Franco replied, again sounding weak and beaten. "The only way out of this compound is through the shack, and it is well guarded." Erin decided it was best to not discuss anything about Garrett or his plan, in case they were monitored. She let Franco's words hang in the air for a long time before responding. "We have to hold out hope our people will find a way to get us out. I won't leave without you, Franco." "Thank you, my Queen, but if you have any chance to leave, don't hesitate on my account. You are of far greater value." Erin was bothered by that immediately. She didn't like the idea of being more valuable than anyone else. "I will get you out of here," she stressed. "Thank you, your Highness." "And my name is Erin. I don't like all this 'highness' crap." "My apologies, Erin," Franco replied, sounding very tired. The door into their hallway swung opened with a bang and a squeaky cart was pushed in by a very hairy man. He stopped at Franco's cell to push a tray under the bars at the door, then moved to Erin's cell. He grinned maliciously at her, showing bad teeth. Erin shuddered, which seemed to delight him. "Here's your dinner, Queenie," he growled out at her as he shoved another tray under the door to her cell. Erin was strangely comforted by the fact there were locked bars separating her from this man. After he turned and left, Erin investigated her tray. The food was simple, but looked fresh and felt warm. After sniffing each item, she nibbled at the broccoli and potatoes. They tasted fine, so she sat down to eat in earnest, happy to have something in her stomach. By the sound of it, Franco was eating his tray of food as well. "How long have you been here?" Erin asked. "About eight days, I think. They took me on my way home from the council on a Wednesday. They tried to get information from me through spells and drugs before they started beating me," he said, dejectedly, before continuing with determination, "I am proud to say I never told them anything useful." "Wow," Erin commented, impressed. She felt she needed to say something, as queen, but it felt so strange. She tried, "I'm very impressed with your resolve, and strength." "Thank you, Erin," he replied, sounding shy. Erin sat wondering if she could stand up to magic, chemicals, and torture. She hoped she wouldn't have to. She really didn't know anything. Her only value was her parentage, which may save her from the worst treatment. If only she knew more about this whole war, she might be able to actually do something. She considered asking Franco to tell her more about the history of the conflict, but remembered how tired he sounded, and decided to let him rest instead. There were no windows and no clocks in the cells, so Erin had trouble calculating the passage of time. She estimated it was about 9 p.m. when the door opened again. This time three young women came through. They were carrying folded fabric. They entered Erin's cell and immediately started pulling at Erin's bloody clothing. "Let's get you out of this mess, and cleaned up for the celebration," one of the women said. "What celebration?" Erin asked, not unhappy to be able to shed her torn and dirty clothing. "We are celebrating your capture and the end to our banishment," one of the women replied with a big smile. Erin estimated the women were her age or younger, so they had likely lived their entire lives in this compound. Life here must be hard, to engender such happiness in someone who had never known any other way. "Why do you assume this is the end of your banishment? Nothing has really changed. The council has been holding you at bay for twenty years. Why would having me here instead of living in the human world change that?" Erin asked, a little belligerently. The girls looked confused. Apparently they simply believed what they had been told, unable or unprepared to reason it out for themselves. Erin felt sad for them, and believed it was probably in her own best interests to keep them happily deluded. "Though, I guess if the council feels I am valuable, they will likely be willing to negotiate with you to see me safely returned." That seemed to lighten the girls' moods again, and they proceeded to strip Erin and wash her bloody midsection. When they were satisfied with her cleanliness, they started to dress her in a farce of a princess gown. The top was little more than a string bikini with gauzy chiffon flowing from it and the only thing covering her lower torso under the filmy skirt was a glittering thong that matched the bikini top. Erin had never worn anything so gaudy or risqué in her entire life. If Riahn's plan was to make her appear ridiculous in front of the rebel people, this outfit accomplished the goal well. The young women finished by placing sequined slippers on Erin's feet, and a cheap tiara on her head. They then led her from her cell and to the door into the main hallway. Erin considered this might be her opportunity to run, until the girl in front knocked on the door and it was opened by two hulking men. Erin immediately recognized the hairy man with bad teeth that had brought her dinner. She shuddered at his touch when he grabbed her elbow to escort her to the festivities. They made their way out of the building and further into the compound. Eventually the buildings ended leaving them in a large field filled with people, and in the center, the largest bonfire Erin had ever seen. She was led to a raised dais next to the raging flames, and sat on a rough wood chair that again was a parody of a throne. A separate dais held the throne that had been in the shack/meeting room. It glowed softly just as it had earlier. Hairy man pulled out a roll of duct tape and secured Erin's forearms to the arms of her chair. "I guess I won't be dancing then?" she asked sarcastically. Hairy man looked at her as if he might strike her, when he reconsidered and ran a hand across her breasts instead. Erin tried to twist away, but there was nowhere to go with her arms secured to the chair. She started to yell at him, but thought better of it and only scowled. He wanted to get a rise out of her. She determined to sit silently, head up, regardless of what they did to her. Someone yelled for Derrick, and hairy man glanced up, then trotted off in the direction of several other big goons. Erin looked at the gathering. Just like at the meeting, there was a strange mix of humanoid and animal participants. In the darkness, with the bright firelight flicking, Erin couldn't be sure if any of the elementals were present or not. There were many more beings than at the meeting, but that seemed to be because children were present. Riahn walked casually up to Erin's spot and stood beside the rough wooden throne. The people closest noticed and stilled, looking expectantly toward her. Slowly the quite attention spread until everyone was focused on Riahn and Erin. "We celebrate a great victory!" Riahn began, in a voice that didn't need amplification to reach those farthest away. "We will soon see the end of our forced exile, and the establishment of a true council where every species is represented. I will lead us into a time of great prosperity: a time in which each of you can act freely as is your nature, and in which we claim our rightful superiority over mere humans." Riahn paused for cheering and applause. "Let the festival begin!" The response was terrifying: Wild cheering over-layered by animal roars pierced the night. Bodies moved in eerie stop motion in the flickering light from the fire. Erin turned to look toward the other throne, rather than be intimidated by the raucous crowd. It seemed to glow brighter as she gazed at it. Erin remained bound to her chair as the celebration continued around her. Eventually she noticed the children were gone, and there were fewer humanoid shapes amid the crowd. A drink was brought out in barrels that seemed to have the effect of alcohol on the partiers. People also began to throw something powdered into the fire that smelled odd, and made Erin's head spin. As the hour progressed, and the drink exerted its effects, the rebels became bolder and started to shout at Erin, some even coming up on the dais to taunt her. Feeling the disorientation from the chemical thrown in the fire, Erin found herself in a nightmare where large predators glared at her hungrily, licking their lips and snarling. Panthers and lions prowled her stage, sniffing her, licking her, prodding her legs apart with razor-sharp claws to huff her essence. Then the wolves came. If the cats had been terrifying in their controlled power, the wolves were horrifying in their blatant excitement. Small groups would jump effortlessly on the dais, circling Erin, snarling and snapping at her and at one another. Their wet noses pried into Erin's body, snuffling and huffing, licking, and occasionally nipping, at her sensitive parts. Erin attempted to distance herself from what was happening on her dais, trying to focus on a point out amid the partiers. The drug had made her slow, and created a surreal haze at the edges of her vision. What she saw gazing into the crowd only added to the dream effect. Animals were mating wildly, with other animals as well as with humanoids. Everywhere Erin turned, the celebrants were in a frenzy of sexual domination over one another, rolling and biting, mounting and submitting. A particularly large wolf was between Erin's legs when her bleary eyes returned to the stage. The filmy layers of her skirt had been relentlessly pushed farther and farther up her body by the various animals until they were gathered at her waist, her lower half bare except for the tiny thong. The wolf grinned at Erin maliciously, then shoved its nose into her sex. It sniffed and nuzzled and licked in an invasive and highly stimulating manner until Erin was squirming and moaning in her chair. A voice entered Erin's mind, reminding her she was supposed to be guarding her thoughts, but not allowing her to. "I will never forget you, my Queen, and now I can track you anywhere." With that equivocal statement, the wolf took one last deep lick from Erin's center and jumped back to the ground, followed by the remaining three wolves on her stage. She sat alone, aroused, and confused for several minutes as the rebels acted out their unbridled excitement before her. Without warning, a voice came from beside her. "We are going to get you out of here now, while everyone is otherwise occupied." Erin jerked her head to see a huge owl using its sharp beak to cut the tape holding her arm to the chair. Before she had time to question it, she realized a large rodent of some type was releasing her other arm as well. "How? There's a hundred rebels all around us!" She hissed urgently. Fear jolted through her fog of drug-induced arousal. "Not all around us," the rodent, apparently a beaver, replied, pointing behind them. Erin's eyes swept past the fornicating crowd and looked behind the dais, into a dark void in the crowd, where only a few animals stood tensely, on guard. Her arms came free, and the owl took flight silently, guiding Erin into the darkness. When she didn't move to follow, the beaver nudged her forward. Taking a deep breath, then regretting it as her lungs flooded with the enticing chemical, Erin leapt from the stage and hurried to follow the owl toward the dark edge of the forest. Her nerves were abuzz with a combination of fear and arousal. The scent of sex lay heavily across the field, the heat of the fire a pressure on her back, pushing her toward the darkness. Suddenly, Erin felt as though she was slogging through thick mud, though the field looked just as it had. She jumped backwards as two huge owls hovered soundlessly before her. "This will hurt, but we understand you can heal yourself. Don't cry out!" one said before they both sunk their talons deep into her shoulders and began to lift her from the ground. The pain was excruciating, and mixed as it was with her arousal, it caused a moan to escape her lips, but she fought the urge to scream. The owls circled high into the air before they took off in a direction. Erin hung limply, trying to do the deep breathing she had taught to her patients when they suffered pain. It wasn't even a minute before the owls began their descent. Erin saw the glittering reflection of the sky in water, and suddenly feared they planned on dropping her from some height. Before she had time to think, the owls set her lightly onto a pile of pine needles. Erin collapsed from the pain when the owls disengaged from her flesh. She immediately concentrated on healing the deep wounds beneath her collarbone. She felt a reigniting of the arousal as her own healing power swirled around her, caressing her breasts and neck as she healed the piercings. It created an erotic pleasure as she felt the wounds knit together. A sound drew her from her experience and she realized she was surrounded by wolves. Fear gripped her. That was when the beautiful white wolf with the iceberg blue eyes stepped forward. "We need to move quickly. Climb on my back and hold on to my fur tightly," it said into her head. Erin did as she was told, feeling awkward, knowing the body below hers was a man's, as well as an animal's. Garrett took off as soon as she was seated and they splashed through the shallows of a river for a long while. His body rippled with strength below hers in warm contrast to the splashing water. Erin was soon freezing, but refused to speak up because she knew what these people were risking to rescue her. It wasn't until her teeth were chattering that Garrett looked back at her. "I forget you don't have a fur coat. We've gone far enough to risk a break. We will stop and give you a chance to warm up," Garrett said. Erin could see the silent signal that went among the wolves. They slowed, several spreading out to patrol while two gathered close to Garrett. A spot was quickly chosen under a pine, where needles padded the ground softly. Garrett softly shook Erin off his back without speaking, nudging her to lie down. Then he pressed his body up to hers along her front, while one of the other two pressed along her back. The third wolf lay across her feet and lower legs. It immediately felt warm and reassuring. Still under the effects of the drug, the scenes played out before her, the intimate licking of the animals and the pervasive scent of sex, Erin found herself petting Garrett's soft fur and nuzzling into his neck. The wolf at her feet scented the air, and then laid its head on her thigh, its snout a few inches from her sex. Garrett's voice in her mind spoke softly. "Fae celebrations are heady affairs. We are an uninhibited people, especially the Weres. It would actually be a very good idea for each of my wolves to scent you as those at the celebration did." While presented as a statement, there was a questioning tone to the last, allowing Erin the freedom to choose whether this group sniffed and licked at her. Already warmed by the bodies of the wolves, and dizzy with desire, Erin simply rolled slightly, opening her thighs to the wolf already positioned near her core. Oddly, that wolf moved away, and Garrett moved to between Erin's legs. He sniffed and licked up each thigh to her center where he buried his snout in her, licking several times. Erin through her head back and moaned, gripping the fur of the wolf still half at her back. Garrett moved back beside her, and the wolf behind her moved into place. Each wolf took a turn, sniffing and licking at her in a manner meant to keep her excited and on the edge. Garrett whispered each wolf's name to her, but Erin was in such a haze she didn't really notice until what turned out to be the last wolf moved into place. Garrett introduced Sophie, the first female among the pack. Sophie sniffed and licked much as the others had done, but she didn't move away after two or three laps. Erin now moaned with every lick, her hips widely spread, her hands deeply grasping the fur of the wolves on either side of her. Sophie continued to minister to Erin's rapidly growing need, piercing Erin's core deeply, then leisurely stroking up and over her lower lips, flicking her clit each time. Erin begged for release, and Sophie responded, increasing the speed and pressure of her tongue until Erin's orgasm broke over her like waves pounding a beach in a storm. * Thanks for reading. Be sure to vote! Fae War Ch. 09 I'm sorry it's taking so long to get chapters up. I admit I'm having some writer's block, so I've been working on another project I hope to have up before Christmas. I will finish this story, I'm just not sure how soon. I hope you'll all have some sympathy and hang in while Erin and Luka figure out where they're going. ************************************************* As the glow of satisfaction faded, Erin became aware of what had just transpired, and felt a shyness that had been completely missing moments ago. She let go of the wolves she had been gripping and smoothed her skirt back down over her legs which she clamped together demurely. She was glad for the darkness, since she could feel her blush bloom across her face, neck and chest. Garrett spoke into her mind again. “Don’t be ashamed. This is completely normal behavior in a pack. Though you are not officially mated, Sophie provided your release just as any female in the pack might in the absence of another female’s mate. We all felt your experience, and we all know you now and could find you easily.” Something he said broke through the serious misgivings Erin was having about herself. “One of the wolves at the celebration said that, too. He was huge and came up to me with three other wolves that only scented the air. They didn’t actually…” Erin broke off, flushing hotly again. Garrett was sitting alertly, bright eyes watching Erin closely. “That’s probably a bad thing,” he thought to her. “We should keep moving, and get you cleaned up as soon as possible.” Everyone was rising. Erin climbed back on Garrett’s back, and he was off in an instant, the rest of his pack flanking them. They flew through the forest now. After a time, Erin saw lights in the distance, flickering and moving. She envisioned a search party of the rebels waving flashlights across the dark forest. Garrett seemed to be heading straight for the lights. Another few long bounds and Erin could tell the lights sweeping through the trees were headlights on a curve of a road not far away. The wolves turned slightly, so they were following the road, but still deep enough in the forest to remain unseen. After a couple of minutes following the road, Erin saw more lights and recognized a gas station ahead. “We have cars parked there with clothing and money,” Garrett explained as they slowed while still under cover of the trees. There were two SUV’s parked close to the woods and out of the bright lights from the front of the station. Garrett shrugged Erin off his back and cautiously sniffed the air before slinking forward toward the vehicles. Suddenly the human Garrett stood opening the back hitch of one of the SUV’s. He quickly pulled jeans over his altogether too sexy body, and threw several bundles of clothes into the undergrowth, toward the other wolves. Erin watched with fascination as the wolves transformed into gorgeous men and a woman in the blink of an eye. They were all strongly muscled and sleekly built. Erin felt a hint of the earlier arousal sneak back up on her looking at their beautiful bodies. “I only have a set of sweats for you,” Garrett called to Erin, shaking her out of her thoughts, none-too-soon. “We keep sets around for wolves that lose their clothes in an unexpected shift,” Garrett said. Erin was fascinated by this world she knew so little about. The pack members were casual about being nude, but quick to get clothed and divide between the cars. Erin was guided into the dark blue SUV. She was placed in the middle of the backseat. Two big men flanked her. Garrett was in the driver’s seat, and Sophie was in the passenger’s seat. They immediately took off. The other car followed a safe distance behind. “Where are we going?” Erin asked tentatively. “We’ll head for the border, stopping at a motel to get you cleaned up before we run you back across to the States,” Garrett began. “We’re in Canada?” Erin squeaked. “Yeah. Didn’t you know how far you’d travelled?” Garrett replied. “No idea,” Erin mulled, ”We were in the air and going fast, but that’s all I could tell.” “Too bad you don’t get motion sick like me. You could have puked all over Miko. Would have served him right,” Sophie giggled. Erin laughed. “Maybe. Or the gag spell would have forced me to swallow it back down. That makes me glad I didn’t,” Erin said. Both of the men seated beside Erin looked a little green and turned away. “Sorry,” Erin apologized, “I forget others don’t have nurse’s stomachs. Very few things gross me out. Anyway, you were saying we need to cross back into the States, right? I don’t have a passport or even a driver’s license on me. How can I get back?” “I’ll run you across. The others will meet us with the cars farther on,” Garrett explained. “But,” Erin began, then with dawning realization, “Oh. ‘Run’ me across. I get it.” “Once we’re in the States, we’ll contact Luka, and he’ll tell us where to meet him,” Garrett said. Erin thought about that for a few minutes. She had refused Luka’s mating contract. He probably wasn’t going to be happy to be called up to babysit her anymore. “I’m not sure about that,” Erin hesitated, “You might just want to contact the council to have someone collect me. Luka has probably written me off.” “No, Erin, Luka has definitely not written you off,” Sophie jumped in at this point. She giggled again, “In fact, he’s been pretty insistent about being a part of this plan from the first moment he got a message through to us. He was frantic when he told us to be looking out for you and demanded one of us make contact with you right away so you would know you weren’t alone.” Erin was a little taken aback. “Really? I figured after — well after what I said — he’d wash his hands of me,” Erin said. Two important pieces of information came through Sophie’s words: The first was that Luka still cared about her, the second that Luka was in regular contact with at least some of the rebels. It was very late, or maybe early was a better word, and everyone was tired. Conversation dwindled as Erin considered how she was going to apologize to Luka, and what her refusal meant to them both. Before long, she found herself dozing. She popped awake though when the car came to a stop under a brightly lit sign declaring “Rooms by the day, week, or month.” “Sophie, you know what to get, right?” Garrett asked. “Erin, what size pants do you wear?” Sophie asked, putting her hand up to signal Garrett to wait. “Fives, usually.” Turning back to Garrett, Sophie answered, “Got it, boss. Phillip and I will get everything and be back here in no time.” Garrett nodded. Sophie and one of the men took off toward the other vehicle. Garrett took Erin’s arm and handed her to the other man from their car. “Rudy will stay here with you while I get the room. Don’t move away from him,” Garrett said. Erin nodded and gave Rudy a small smile. Rudy was totally focused on the area around them and ignored the smile completely. When another car pulled into the lot, Rudy nearly crushed Erin pushing her back between his body and the SUV. She was glad when Garrett returned and motioned them toward a room. Garrett opened the door. Rudy stayed outside as Erin made her way into a room right out of the 1970’s. The carpet was burnt orange, the furniture Formica, and the bedspread geometric earth-tones. At least it was clean. Garrett handed her a bag. “There is hunter’s soap in here. Shower and use it everywhere. Wash your hair at least twice with it. When you get out of the shower, dry off then use the wipes in there to rub the fox urine all over you. You’ll hate the smell, but it will mask your natural scents, helping prevent anyone following. By the time you’ve done that, we should have fresh clothes here for you.” “Fox urine? Seriously?” Erin hoped he was joking. “It’s what hunters use. It works.” Shaking her head, Erin entered the bathroom and pulled the soap from the bag. This was going to be a lot of fun. ************ Completely bathed and covered in a horrible odor, Erin wrapped a towel around her torso and opened the bathroom door. Sophie was sitting on the bed, waiting. She jumped up and brought a pile of clothes over to the bathroom. Erin quickly donned the new items, all black, and exited the now stench-filled room. “People willingly smell like this?” she asked, “I mean people who aren’t afraid for their lives. Oops,” Erin turned abruptly, looking away from a completely naked Garrett. “Yeah, they do,” Garrett answered, turning away from her and heading for the door, not the least self-conscious, “It’s time for us to get moving. We’re only a few miles from the border, so I sent the cars on ahead. I’m going to shift. You open the door and I’ll slip out and meet you around back. Just leave the key in the door.” Erin nodded and followed the white wolf to the door. He was gone in a flash. She turned to put the key in the lock. She stiffened when someone spoke from nearby. “Well aren’t you a sight for sore eyes?” a man leaning on a car in the lot said, ”Oh, but is that you that stinks? Honey, you need some new perfume. The stuff you’re using’s gone bad,” he said, wrinkling his nose but still smiling. He wore jeans and a flannel shirt, and would have looked perfectly in character with a piece of hay sticking out of his mouth. Erin just smiled slightly at him and headed the other way, hoping he wasn’t there to recapture her. When he didn’t follow her, she breathed a sigh of relief. Garrett was behind the motel, pacing. “Are you nervous?” Erin asked, concerned. “I’ll feel better when we’ve gotten into the States,” Garrett answered into her mind, but somehow, Erin didn’t believe him. Erin climbed on Garrett’s back and they took off. He seemed to be travelling in a random pattern, at times Erin felt sure they had turned completely around and were heading north again, but she didn’t ask. She was just glad they didn’t travel through any more water. Three times they crossed fencing, and Erin wondered if one of those fences separated Canada from the States. It wasn’t until the sky was starting to lighten that she finally asked, “Do we have much farther to go? I’m exhausted, and you must be sick of carrying me.” “Not too much farther,” Garrett thought back to her. “We will meet the others at a rest area in about two miles.” Erin nodded, then turning her head to rub her sore thigh; she thought she saw something moving behind and to the right of them. She watched for a bit and saw it again. “Garrett! Something is following us!” “I know,” he replied calmly, “Just a little farther.” Erin held on for dear life as Garrett put on a burst of speed. She didn’t dare turn her head at this velocity, so she buried her face in Garrett’s soft neck and said a little prayer to whatever deity might be listening. Suddenly five wolves were snarling fiercely in front of them. Garrett leapt past them and turned abruptly. The wolves remained facing back the way Erin and Garrett had come. Thank goodness, these were Garrett’s pack members, Erin thought. Three wolves burst through the underbrush and went straight for three of Garrett’s men. Erin thought they were probably the three from the rebel camp, which meant the huge wolf must be nearby. Garrett shrugged her off his back. “Stay low and stay back,” he said. Erin watched as Garrett’s wolves fought the others. It was a terrifying show of teeth and nails. Garrett kept her pressed back, away from the fight, and remained vigilant around them. Erin jumped when she felt fur press into her from the side. She recognized Sophie immediately and gratefully hugged her softness. Garrett suddenly launched toward their right before Erin even realized the huge wolf was there. Garrett’s sudden attack had the two of them rolling away, teeth snapping. Sophie nudged Erin backwards, but when Erin didn’t move, Sophie bit her sleeve and tugged her along, walking, then jogging, finally all out running the direction Erin and Garrett had been heading. As the sounds of the wolves lessened, Erin noticed highway noise. Then saw the low building that was immediately recognizable as a rest area. Sophie didn’t let her slow down until they reached the fence that edged the property. Sophie walked beside Erin as if on a leash. They reached the blue SUV which Erin found unlocked, and clamored in. Sophie shifted, and thrusting her arms into a sweatshirt, jammed the keys in the ignition and was merging onto the highway in seconds. “What about the others?” Erin asked, voice quavering. “They’ll be fine. They’ll keep the enemy engaged a few minutes, then get away. I’m supposed to get you to a safe house,” the still half-naked Sophie answered. Trying to lighten her fear, Erin took a few deep breaths and watched out the window. Passing a semi, Erin smiled, “Giving the truckers a thrill?” Sophie gave a mischievous grin and waggled her fingers at the person sitting in the passenger seat of the truck. Erin wished she could see the look on the guy’s face as he stared down at Sophie’s naked crotch. Less than five minutes later Sophie took an exit from the expressway and continued on a state route for about twenty minutes before turning off on a side road. A minute later she turned up a long dirt drive to a surprisingly large and modern home overlooking a huge pond. “This is a safe house?” Erin asked, “I always thought they were small, inconspicuous places.” “Not in our world, at least not necessarily,” Sophie answered, parking the car and grabbing sweat pants from the back and pulling them on before getting out. Erin exited the SUV and started hesitantly toward the front door which burst open and Luka flew down the steps. Grabbing her up in both arms he spun her in a circle before abruptly putting her down. “You stink!” he said. Trying to catch her breath, Erin just laughed. “It’s fox urine. It covers human scent very effectively,” Sophie explained. “It stinks,” Luka reiterated, hand in front of his nose, turning to smile at Sophie. “Thank you for bringing her back safely,” he said, giving Sophie a hug as well. “I have to go,” Sophie said to Erin with a quick hug, “You’ll be safe with Luka now, I suspect,” she finished with another sly smile. She headed back for the car. Luka grabbed Erin’s hand, and covering his nose with his other hand, he pulled her up the stairs and into the house. “I’ll take you straight to your room, so you can shower,” he said, continuing to pull her up the main staircase. ‘Listen, Luka,” Erin started, unsure, “about what I said, you know, with Miko…” Luka turned abruptly, towering over her on the steps. “Don’t worry about it,” he said softly, cupping her cheek, “You did what you did because you wanted to protect me.” He turned and continued to drag her up the stairs. At the first door, he pushed Erin forward and followed her into a beautifully appointed bedroom with a large bed centered against one wall. “Through there is your bathroom. There are towels in the cupboard. Throw your clothes out here, and I’ll get them washed too.” Erin started to say something, to apologize, but Luka shook his head and pointed to the bathroom. She did as he told her and went in the bathroom and stripped herself of the stinking clothes, tossing them out the door, and stepped into the huge shower stall. As she lathered in the spicy scented soap, she relived the look on Luka’s face as he ran to meet her outside the house. He had looked so happy, his eyes bright and sparkling. Erin had been sure he would be hurt or angry about her refusal, but he had understood. She couldn’t wait to talk to him about it. Clean and dry now, Erin looked for some clothing but found only a fluffy, white robe to put on. Wrapped in the luxurious feeling garment, she entered the bedroom to find Luka sitting on the end of the bed watching the bathroom door expectantly. He leapt up and rushed to her, giving her another of those hugs like he gave her outside, except this one didn’t end with him complaining she stunk. This hug melted into a series of kisses across her forehead, down her cheek, and finally across her lips. Luka was tender and gentle, his kiss asking permission for more. She gave it by opening to his kiss and licking his lower lip suggestively. The kiss deepened, their tongues intertwining and sliding together as they reacquainted with each other, becoming bolder as time passed. Luka pulled away slightly and looked into Erin’s eyes. “Is that why you refused?” he asked, referring back to the short conversation on the stairs, almost sounding shy. “Yes!” Erin answered, “Miko was going to kill you, slowly, in front of me! I didn’t have a choice except to make it so he could take me.” “That’s what I thought,” Luka purred, nuzzling her neck, “Did you even consider accepting instead?” Erin hesitated, confused. No, she never really considered that in that moment. “Would that have changed anything?” she asked. “Not a lot,” Luke answered, looking into her eyes again, “It would have increased your powers some, that’s all. I just wondered if you considered saying yes.” “I considered it before I came out that morning,” Erin started, nervously, “but once the spells started flying, I was only thinking about keeping you safe,” she traced her fingertips down his cheek that still showed the angry red line of Miko’s attack. Turning to plant a kiss in her palm, Luka mumbled, “So you considered it?” Erin nodded, not trusting her voice. “And now?” he asked, turning to gaze intently into her eyes as he held her hand near his face, his other arm wrapped securely around her. “Would you consider it now?” he asked. Before she registered she was speaking, “Yes,” slipped easily from her lips. “And if I told you that the only way to accept the contract, once rejected, was to consummate the mating, would you still consider saying yes?” he asked, never blinking, watching her face closely. Erin felt her breath catch, her heartbeat increase. Luka’s eyes were deep green shot with pewter, pupils large. His breath on her face was warm, yet sent chills down her back. She was aware of his body, hard against hers, and his scent reminded her of the cabin, autumn leaves, and pure maleness. “Yes,” she breathed out. Luka closed the distance between their lips instantly. This kiss was much less gentle. It wanted to find every corner of her mouth and know them. Erin moaned her submission. His lips trailed down her neck as she felt a tug at the belt of her robe. The softness fell easily from her shoulders to puddle on the floor. Erin ran her hands under Luka’s shirt, lifting it. He raised his arms and helped her pull it up and over his head. Suddenly, Erin’s orientation changed; she was mostly horizontal, looking up at the ceiling, and moving. She felt Luka lower her to the bed, then the movement of the mattress as he climbed in beside her. He seemed to be everywhere; nibbling her earlobe, caressing her breast, pressing into her thigh. She ran a hand down his side, finding the waistband of his jeans, and she suddenly wondered if he would stop her again. In that moment of hesitation, she realized he had removed his hand from her breast and was unbuckling his belt. Erin heard the zipper slide down, but then Luka’s hand was back at her breast, his thumb brushing her nipple. “Mmmm,” she moaned, her pelvis thrusting forward into his. Erin opened her eyes when Luka moved his head away from her ear. She saw his grin as he leaned down and trapped her other nipple between his lips, pulling on it to raise it to a point, then sliding his mouth around it and dragging on it with a long pull of his tongue. She moaned deeper, and her pelvis ground into his. He met her grind with a moan of his own as his hand wrapped around and pulled her hip in tightly against him, his open fly biting into her tender flesh. Fae War Ch. 09 Erin began to push at the offending garment. Suddenly, Luka wasn’t next to her. Her eyes flew open, expecting to find him moving away from her, but instead, he was at the side of the bed stripping off his jeans and boxer shorts. “Oh!” she said, sighting the staff standing erect in front of him. Erin felt a small jab of fear that must have shown in her face. Luka was back in the bed beside her in a second, brushing her still damp hair back from her face. “It’s ok, Erin,” he breathed in her ear, “I won’t hurt you. Remember, I’m your protector.” Erin could hear the smile in his voice and relaxed a little. Surely her body was made to take something that size, she assured herself. Kissing her lips, her neck, and taking a nipple in his mouth again, Luka soon had Erin forgetting about any fears she had. Her hands roamed his back, his chest, and eventually trailed along his pubic hair to his upper thigh. “Oh,” he said, pressing reflexively into her, “I love you Erin.” “I … I love you, too, Luka,” she answered before his mouth claimed hers again. His thigh pressed between her legs, spreading them. He moved between her legs, his erection pressed in to her lower abdomen as he lifted his upper body to look at her. “Are you sure?” he asked, looking into her eyes. Erin nodded, biting her lip. She was eager and scared all at once. “Tell me,” Luka whispered, “Let me hear you say the words.” Erin wasn’t sure her voice would work, but she tried. “I accept the mating contract, and wish to consummate it,” she said. Luka’s smile was stunning as he pulled his pelvis down, dragging his erection along the length of her sex. He moaned deeply as her wetness slid easily along him, her lower lips parting. Erin felt when the head of his penis slid into place at her opening. She willed herself to relax and not cry out as he slowly pushed into her, an inch at a time. He filled her so completely, the slight back and forth movement pleasurable. She remembered the only other time she had been in this situation, her freshman year at college. That time was uncomfortable, even though he was much smaller than Luka. Luka groaned as he pushed the last inch into her depths, lying still and breathing hard. “Are you ok?” he asked, again looking into her eyes and running his fingers through her hair. “More than OK,” Erin smiled back at him, allowing her hands to drift down his back to his firm buttocks. He thrust, though there was nowhere to go, at the sensation of her hands there. She smiled again and caressed little circles on his butt cheeks, making him jerk back and forward again. “In that case…” he said, grinning. He began to rock into her, slowly, short strokes gradually lengthening as her head tipped backwards. He ran kisses and licks all over her neck before again taking a nipple into his mouth and suckling. Erin felt the pressure building low in her belly and began to answer his strokes with her thrusting hips. “Unless you want this to be over in the next three strokes, you’d best slow down,” Luka said, giving her a sheepish grin as he held one of her hips still to the bed. Erin leaned up, kissing him, nipping at his lips, licking his chin, nuzzling under his jaw, but she left her hips still. With another deep groan, Luka began to thrust into her in a steady, building rhythm. When he sucked her left nipple into his mouth her body exploded in sensation; she felt wild spasms like rippling waves of electricity flowing out her limbs. Her hips thrust upward, her tunnel grabbing Luka and holding him captive as he also went rigid, grinding into her once, twice, three times, and held. “Oh, dear gawd, Erin!” Luka murmured after a few moments of very heavy breathing. Collapsing half on her chest, “That was…” he trailed off, nuzzling into her neck and planting kisses along her jaw. “Yeah,” Erin answered, blushing, “It was.” She turned her head and accepted those kisses on her lips. Luka finished slipping off her body to lay beside her, tracing her face with one finger. ”I know you just came out of the shower, but maybe we should go back in and clean up before you get some much needed rest,” he said. “Hmm?” Erin mumbled, already falling asleep. “Oh, OK,” she said with a little shake, then starting to roll out the other side of the bed. Luka grabbed her hip and rolled her back towards him. He gave her a firm kiss on the lips. “I really do love you, you know,” he said, looking down at her. Erin blushed again. “I know you do, and I love you. I guess this means we’re official, then?” “Yeah. We’re official,” he smiled at her, sliding out his side of the bed and putting out his hand to help her up as well, “You’re mine,” he continued, pulling her to him and wrapping his arms securely around her, “and no one is ever taking you away again,” he finished with certainty. Erin smiled up at him and yawned. “But you’ve had a very long day, and night, and need rest.” He pulled her along to the bathroom, turning on the shower and stepping in ahead of her. “I’ll just clean you up and you can sleep for a bit,” he said, running his hands over her wet body. He slid his hand between her legs, and she stumbled. Her knees had grown weak. Luka held her securely with one arm as he gently rubbed back and forth a few times, drawing a tremulous moan from Erin as her head fell backwards and her hips thrust into his hand. Luka’s penis twitched and started to harden, but he continued moving his hand back and forth, drawing little moans and “ah’s” from Erin. He sped up, and she nearly fainted as she came hard a second time, collapsing into Luka. Erin’s body trembled, and she held to Luka’s shoulders to keep from collapsing. “Here,” Luka said, cradling Erin in his arms. He turned off the shower. Grabbing a towel, he carried her back to the bed, sitting her on the bench at its end. He dried her then carried her up to the head of the bed, laying her gently on its surface and covering her. She was asleep before he left the room. ****** When Erin awoke, she could tell Luka was curled up behind her. He was warm and firm. She breathed in the reassuring scent of him. “You’re awake, finally,” he stated, rolling her so she was on her back and looking up at him. “Mmmm,” she purred, reaching out and pulling him in for a kiss, “I like waking up with you spooning me.” “Forking’s pretty fun, too,” he said. Erin punched him lightly in the arm, and he feigned that it hurt, dissolving them both in giggles. When they caught their breaths, Erin looked at Luka seriously. “I was afraid you wouldn’t understand why I said no, that you’d hate me for denying you.” “I couldn’t hate you even if you really did turn me down, Erin, but I figured out you said what you did to protect me. Though I would have been fine, really,” he added, “but you couldn’t have known that.” “You didn’t look fine, pressed to the wall, choking, Miko bloodying your cheek,” Erin said, stroking his cheek again, only this time she sent healing through her fingers and watched as the wound closed and turned to a pale silver line. “I was letting him think the power was yours. I didn’t realize until too late that he could sense who had created the force field. I would have incapacitated him momentarily, but I couldn’t do it before you gave your refusal, and then I didn’t have the power anymore,” he said sadly. “I’m so sorry, Luka. There was, still is, so much I don’t know. At least now no one can break that power increase thing,” Erin trailed off, seeing a little doubt cross Luka’s face. “What? Tell me they can’t break it now.” “Maybe we should do it again, just to be sure,” Luka said with a grin, earning him another fake punch in the arm. “I’m glad it was OK for you,” Luka said, serious again. “I understand the first time can be painful.” “Oh,” Erin said, looking away, suddenly nervous and shy, “It wasn’t … quite … the first time.” Luka turned her face to look her in the eyes. “Yes it was,” he said simply. “First time with you, of course, but not exactly the first time – you know – for me,” Erin said, biting her lip again, and wishing she could look away. She finished as Luka looked at her completely confused. “But I’ve watched you,” he started, “I know who you’ve dated, and none of them…” he trailed off. “How do you know ‘none of them’?” Erin asked, suddenly peeved. “Did you have something to do with my boyfriends always leaving before we got physical?” she demanded, face reddening. “Well,” Luka started, “I … may have … intervened, you know, on occasion.” Erin jumped from the bed, her righteous indignation only slightly hindered by her nakedness. “You seriously kept me from having sex, didn’t you?” she paced, grabbing the robe and shrugging into it, tying the belt with more force than necessary. “What was I supposed to do?” Luka pleaded plaintively, “I wasn’t allowed to reveal myself to you, and I couldn’t stand to watch you get it on with another man, so I just altered a few things to protect you.” “Sure, to protect me,” Erin spat out. “I suppose being physical with a man was a great risk to my health, then.” She paced then stopped to look straight at him. “Well, you missed one. Cory, back in college, fumbled his way through having sex with me one night when I was studying in his dorm room. I wondered if it was that horrible that he could barely look at me afterwards, but that was probably you, too. You saw things going a new direction and put a spell on him, didn’t you. But you didn’t know the deed had already been done.” Luka looked abashed. He dropped his head to stare at his hands. “I’m sorry, Erin. I shouldn’t have messed with your love-life. It was stupid and selfish.” Erin wasn’t sure what to say. She was still furious that for all those years she had thought something was wrong with her, that men seemed to go out of their way to avoid sex with her. But at the same time, she kind of understood it would be hard to watch the person you were supposed to marry carry on with other men. Luka seemed genuinely sorry. “Are you more sorry you intervened to prevent me from having a sex life, or that you missed one?” she asked, half kidding. “About equal, I’d say,” Luka replied, looking up hopefully. He smiled shyly at her, putting out his hand to her. She took the outstretched hand and let Luka pull her into his lap. “I am sorry I messed with your boyfriends, because it hurt you, but I would probably do it all again to have you in my arms knowing I was the only one to ever bring you pleasure like that. It’s absolutely selfish ‒ I know that ‒ but I’ve loved you for so long now, I just couldn’t bear to have another man make love to you.” Erin couldn’t stay mad at Luka when he looked at her with those soulful eyes, telling her he loved her. She caressed his cheek and kissed him. Luka held her gently, letting her kiss his lips lightly, and mumbling his apologies and his love for her for several minutes before he lifted her back on the bed and lay beside her again. He tentatively reached for the belt of her robe, and when she didn’t stop him, he pulled it free and opened the front. “I gave you as much privacy as I could, while still making sure you were always safe. I even tried to stay away when you dated, but I couldn’t stand to see other men kiss you,” he leaned over and kissed her, “touch you,” he ran his fingers down from her collarbone, over her breast, her abdomen, and into the curls between her legs, “Love you,” he said, placing his knee between her thighs and gently rocking to spread them. “I knew someday I would get to meet you, and I wanted our relationship to be special,” he moved on top of her, kissing her again. “Can you forgive me?” Erin nodded, returning his kisses and rubbing herself against his growing hardness. When she reached down to move him into alignment to enter her, she almost told him she was sorry the night with Cory had ever happened, but decided to just forget about it. Making love with Luka was so completely different from the awkward, short episode in Cory’s bed, that she couldn’t even classify them as similar. As they rocked together, murmuring lovingly, exploring and tasting, Erin let go of all the hurt she had carried from her failed relationships. Knowing this one man had loved her all along seemed to make it all OK. At least until the sound of shattering glass interrupted their post-coital cuddling. Thanks for reading! Don't forget to vote! Fae War Ch. 10 This is the second to last chapter. I hope you like it. Chapter 11 is still only about half-way, but expect it mid-month. ********************************************** Luka shot upright in bed at the sound of breaking glass and voices on the ground floor. Pulling the sheets neater across the bed, he told Erin to sit with her back against the headboard and the pillow in her lap. "This is a crash course in cloaking. We sit right here, silently, wrapped in a spell that will cause them to see a neatly made but empty bed. All you need to do is remain still and focus on me: Just looking at me, and thinking about me, will boost the spell. Can you do that?" Luka asked. "Yes, I think so," Erin answered, quavering, "but I still have these," she indicated the black iron bands around her wrists. Luka sat beside her."Nothing we can do about that right now. Just concentrate on me. As long as they are Weres this will work perfectly," Luka stroked Erin's face and then pointed to his eyes, "Right here, sweetheart. I love you," he whispered, taking her hands in his. Erin felt a buzz of power grow around them as she heard the sounds of beings coming up the stairs. Two wolves bound into the room, noses to the floor. One darted toward the bathroom, the other toward the bed. Two men walked in behind them. Erin resisted the urge to gasp when she realized the smaller man was the guy that spoke to her outside the motel. Her fear had been founded after all. Continuing to gaze at Luka and thinking only about him was harder than Erin expected as the men and wolves investigated the room. When the one in the flannel shirt leaned over the bed, taking a big whiff at the covers, she had to force herself to remain still. "Reeks of sex," he said matter-of-factly, "Riahn's gonna be pissed." "Let her! It's Riahn's fault the girl got away," the bigger man groused, "if she hadn't let everything get out of hand, the girl would still be locked up tight in her cell. I told her we couldn't trust that group!" Out of the corner of her eye, Erin saw a ghost enter the room. She'd never believed in ghosts, but then she never believed in fairies either, so why seeing a ghost would send chills through her body, she didn't know. What scared her even more was the look of stress that came to Luka's eyes as the ghost moved into his line of sight. "They aren't here," the ghost stated in a flat, far-away voice. "Nah. They were. They consummated the mating, but then they must have left with that bitch, Sophie," the big guy answered. "You need to follow their trail," ordered the ghost, again with no emotion. The men followed the wolves out of the room as the ghost walked through the bed, staring directly at Luka, but saying nothing. He followed the others out of the room. Erin was shaking, but remained quiet until they heard a vehicle peal out of the gravel driveway. "What..." she began, but Luka held a finger up to his lips as he closed his eyes. "They're gone," he sighed. "I don't know why Caruso didn't take us. He is an elemental, and I was sure he was on Riahn's side." Luka shook his head as he pushed the blankets back. "That was an elemental?" Erin asked, "Because I thought it looked like a ghost, and I was having problems wrapping my mind around that." "Now you know how those stories came about," Luka smiled. "He looked right at us," Erin said with a shiver. "He knew we were here, whether he could see us or sense us, doesn't matter. I just don't know what he's playing at," Luka put his hand out to help Erin out of the bed, pulling her into his arms and kissing her softly. "We need to go. Your clothes are in the drawer there, he said, pointing to a chest of drawers. Erin moved to the drawer lost in thought. "What will Riahn do, now that we're mated?" "What can she do?" Luka grinned, "We're both stronger now, and she already played her trump card with Miko. She is desperate to recapture you, but we're going to go straight to the council. She may be strong, but she's not that strong." Erin suddenly looked horrified and dropped to the bench at the end of the bed. "What's wrong?" Luka implored, "Sweetheart, what's wrong?" kneeling in front of her, cupping her cheek and lifting her face to him. "I'm a terrible person! How could I be so self-centered?" "What, Erin? You're not a terrible person. Tell me what's wrong." "Franco..." she replied, eyes far-away. "What about him?" Luka asked, a hard edge coming into his tone. "He's her prisoner. I promised I wouldn't leave without him, and I never even thought of him until now," crumbling forward onto Luka's shoulder, Erin sobbed, "I forgot about him. He's beaten and ill and I just left him there." Luka rubbed her back, shushing her gently. "Franco is her prisoner? How do you know?" "I saw him, Luka! He's been beaten so badly! I just left him there!" "It's all right. Shh, shh. We'll think of something. You can't blame yourself. We didn't plan for an escape for anyone but you. There was nothing you could have done," Luka murmured to her, lifting her face and wiping her tears, "Come on, now. We have to go. We'll find a way to get Franco out, I promise." Erin wiped her tears and looked into Luka's eyes, "There's just so much I don't understand, and so much happening! I'm losing control," she paused and rolled her eyes, "Who am I kidding? I never had control. Everything I was is gone. Everything I am is a confused mess." "Erin, pull it together. We need to go. Now," Luka said again, pulling her up as he grabbed her few items of clothing out of the drawer. "Put something on." Erin wasn't used to falling apart. She had always been the one in her family, and then at her workplace, who kept it together when everyone else was losing it. Suddenly she felt as if the earth had crumbled beneath her feet and left her tumbling down a long slope, gathering speed as she went. She felt battered and used, and had no one to blame because the whole mess started so long ago, and was orchestrated by so many forces. Forcing herself to concentrate on the here and now, Erin dressed and followed Luka down to the garage to another non-descript SUV. She climbed in the passenger seat and sat staring out the windshield as Luka took her who knows where. In a few short days Erin's world had shifted. What was real and what was fantasy had all been redefined. Somewhere along the way she had forfeited her strength, her self-reliance. She needed to find herself in this new reality. She was not weak, and she was not a pawn to be moved on the table by the will of others. After ten minutes or so, Erin suddenly turned to Luka and asked, "So explain the history of this whole mess. How did it start? Who were the main players, and how did the current circumstances come about?" "Wow! You want that in one hundred words or less?" Luka said, smiling over at her. When Erin just stared back at him, mouth set in a grim line, he cleared his throat and began, "Your father was the umpteenth ruler in his line to enforce a caste system on the supernaturals, claiming that certain characteristics required the subjugation of certain groups to the wisdom of the Upper Fae. "It was believed that Weres, because of their tempers and their innate threat to humans, were fit only to live as a servant class to Higher Fae, so that they could be controlled. They became like pets to many of the richest families. "Woods Spirits were considered Lesser Fae because their magic tended to be weak, and they could take only one form, that of an animal. "Elementals have always been greatly feared because of the destruction they are capable of, so a millennia ago a powerful ruler put them under a curse that holds them bound to the ruling family, unable to use 80% of their powers unless directed by the ruler. "While most human rulers had learned that subjugating a class of people is a misuse of resources, and will inevitably lead to revolt, our rulers failed to learn that and continued to retain power amongst a small ruling class. Many of the ills that befell the human ruling class because of their refusal to expand the gene pool began to be seen in our upper class, mutations that frequently displayed as a lack of magical power or the inability to control one's powers. "Unrest was rampant, yet your father and his supporters refused to make changes. Many on the council, my father included, pushed to give the Lesser Fae a more equal standing in our government, as well as remove some of the restrictions on Weres. "A writ of secession was delivered to the council. The Weres, the Spirits and the Elementals were going to remove themselves from Fairy society, move north, and be self-governing. Your father and his supporters were furious and were debating ways to punish the secessionists and bring them back under the power of the council. They discussed using force, but the risk that humans would become aware of our people was too great. They decided to use economic pressure, as well as incentives, like some increased representation on the council, to close the rift. Negotiations were slow and certain factions among the rebels weren't happy with where those negotiations were heading. "Riahn gathered support amongst a large group of Weres. She put together a violent and volatile force that wrested power from the intellectuals who were negotiating with the council. Her demands were for a complete reversal of the system of the past. She demanded all Fae be under the rule of Weres, basically creating another system that would subjugate one group to the will of another. "Formal negotiations ceased. The moderates on both sides continued to try to bring a peaceful end to the discord, but Riahn never wanted peace. She staged a coup that succeeded in killing all of your family except you, as well as three councilmen and their families. Her success hinged on the element of surprise, and when her forces were unable to wipe out the entire council in the first several hours of her coup, they were quickly overcome. Many of her original force were killed in the ensuing battle, the remainder jailed. "The council over-reacted. They declared war on the entire secessionist population. Weres, Spirits and Elementals fled to protect themselves from a judgment of death or imprisonment on sight. All economic ties were cut and the rebels were on their own." "That's how they ended up in the camp in Canada?" Erin asked, interjecting for the first time and startling Luka out of his recitation. "Eventually, yes. They scattered for a while, but they found one another again and joined together for safety and socialization. Weres, at least the wolves, are pack-dependent. They had not been allowed to act as packs for many years, so they were grateful to be able to congregate again." "How did you come to be in contact with the rebels?" she asked, eyeing Luka critically. "Because the moderates from both sides had been trying to work a compromise even after Riahn came to power, they remained in contact after the schism. My father and a few other council members tried to help the rebels both overtly, by trying to get the punishment order rescinded, and covertly by providing resources and helping them find a place that was safe to build their compound. While Riahn and her goons have stayed in power through force and fear, the real leadership of the majority of rebels has remained in negotiations with us all these years, and we are ready to strike strategically against Riahn, while reintegrating the rest of our people." "And the people the rebels planted in my life. Did you know about them?" Erin importuned. "Yes," Luka said, glancing toward Erin and seeing the flicker of irritation in her eyes, "We thought it was a good idea, another layer of security. You had been raised by good people, but we hadn't had any opportunity to influence your education or ascertain your politics. It seemed like a good idea to plant people in your life who could nudge you toward an enlightened outlook. They really didn't influence you much. You were already a very modern thinker, very sympathetic to the causes we hoped to lean you toward..." "And you chose not to tell me all of this at the cabin because..." Erin asked. "Because I'm an idiot," Luka replied with a lopsided smile. "I thought I could protect you. I thought we would have time for you to learn to use your powers and to fall in love with me. I thought you could learn all of this from the council members who have been at the center of it all for the last twenty years. I thought I had it all under control." Erin sat back and stared out the windshield again. When she didn't say anything for a few minutes, Luka probed, "Well, do you want to deny my idiocy, maybe? I mean, I did get Garrett planning your escape before you even arrived at their compound. And we got you out before you even spent the night there. And..." "I want to know all the plans from now on. I want to know what contacts we have in the rebel camp. I want to know what our numbers are, here and there. I want to know everything from here on out," Erin stipulated, looking intently at Luka, "and if you can't do that, then I'm out. I feel like the plan was to use me, to wave me in front of both sides and pretend I was making decisions when I was really just a face to put on plans made without my input. I will either be a real leader, or I won't be anything." Luka looked back and forth several times between Erin's face and the highway he was driving before he smiled. "I knew you were ready to be our Queen. We're on our way to the council now. Show them what you just showed me and I think everything is going to work out just fine." * * * * * To Erin's complete surprise, the council occupied five stories at the top of a medium rise building in a major metropolitan area. It immediately occurred to her that this arrangement served to perpetuate the segregation of the Fae that were not humanoid in appearance. That was only the first thing she found that would need to change. A wizened little man stopped her in the hallway and pulled her into a small room, Luka nodding encouragingly. "This is Faulk," Luka explained, "He is the best there is at removing enchantments. I assume you'd like to have the ability to use your powers again," he motioned to her wrists, still wrapped in the black iron bands Miko had placed there at the compound. "Yes, I would," erin replied, "though I didn't miss them as much as I suspect someone who had them all their life might have." Faulk said a few words over the bands and removed them as if they were ordinary jewelry. Erin thanked him as Luka pulled her out of the room and toward a conference room. After meeting seventeen council members Erin was barraged with information from all sides until she finally just stood up and walked out of the conference room without a word. Luka and a secretary ran after her as she walked calmly down the hall toward an employee lounge she had seen on the tour. "Where are you going?" Luka cried out as he hurried to catch up. "I thought you wanted to know everything. These are the people who can tell you everything about our history and the current situation." "No, Luka," Erin stated firmly, turning to look at him, "These are the blathering idiots that can't stop arguing long enough to get the facts straight. Every time one councilman reports a fact or figure, three others contradict him. I can't gain anything useful from that group." "Then how are you going to get the information you want?" he asked, feeling desperate. "Melanie, right?" Erin asked, looking at the secretary trailing Luka, "How many secretaries are there for the councilmen?" "Three, ma'am," Melanie replied quickly, "Myself, Veronica and Geri." "I want the councilmen who are considered the experts on the current situation in the rebel camp to go with one secretary and create a succinct report about the strengths and weaknesses of Riahn's forces and of those we can count on as moderates amongst the rebels. I want to know five recommendations for action to end this war." Erin continued as Melanie pulled out her steno pad and wrote everything she said. "I want the councilmen who have been opposed to integration to meet with a different secretary and create a report that outlines the historical as well as the current reasons for segregation amongst the Fae. I want five recommendations for how to decrease the discrepancies in treatment among the Fae. "And the last secretary is to come with me and no more than two historians. I want to hear the history of the Fae with emphasis on powers, training, and race relations. These meetings will last no more than ninety minutes and the reports need to be typed and handed to me tomorrow at noon. "If there are councilmen who are not experts in these areas, and I certainly hope most of them are not considered experts, they are to write a personal position statement concerning bringing this war to an end and reintegrating the rebels who are not guilty of actual crimes. The statement is to be no more than two double-spaced pages typed. "Have you got all that?" Erin looked between the two people staring wide-eyed at her. "Yes, ma'am!" Melanie said as she rushed off the find the other secretaries. Luka continued to stare, so Erin turned and continued toward the lounge. Luka grabbed Erin's arm and spun her back to look at him, "You're going to make some of the council livid," he said flatly. Erin shrugged, keeping her gaze even. "They are going to call for a resolution to operate separate from the monarchy, citing the years they functioned independently," he continued with a hint of warning. "Then take it before our people for a general vote. The council has proven itself woefully inept at dealing with a war that never should have been fought, and certainly should not still be lingering after nearly twenty years. I expect the council to answer for that, as well as redress the situation." Luka stared at Erin for a moment, then swept her up in his arms and kissed her thoroughly. "You are glorious when you are justifiably outraged!" he exclaimed, kissing her again, lingering until someone cleared their throat nearby. "Mmm, yes," Luka spoke, refusing to let Erin free from his enclosing arms, but turning to look at the interloper, "Melanie. What can we do for you?" "Sir, Ma'am, the secretaries are ready, and I've delivered the edict to the council, but they are fighting over who should be allowed in which group, and some want to be in more than one." Erin looked at Luka with a tight-lipped smile, "Are we surprised?" Luka let Erin go and turned back toward chambers. Erin put her hand on his shoulder to stop him. "Peter is one of the eldest and seemed a thoughtful, deliberate sort. I think he and your father should choose who belongs in each group," Erin suggested. "Agreed," He replied, smiling. Looking at Melanie's stricken expression, he continued, "I'll tell them." Melanie smiled and trotted back down the hall. "I'll meet you in your office in ten minutes to get started with the historians," Luka said, taking a step away, then turning back for one more kiss before following Melanie back to chambers. * * * * Exhausted and overwhelmed, Erin was led to an apartment set up on the top floor of the council space. She had heard nearly two hours of history, thanks to the questions she interjected, and received two resignations and a call for impeachment before she declared the day over. She accepted the resignations immediately, to the outrage of the councilmen who had submitted them, after learning that council seats were inherited, and there had never been a popular vote for any position in the Fae government. Once those two councilmen's votes were negated, the impeachment request was nullified for lack of support. Overall it had been a good day. Fae War Ch. 10 After relaxing in the spa tub for half an hour, Erin wrapped herself in a fluffy robe and poured herself a glass of wine. She sat on the couch facing the wall of windows looking out over a river and the remainder of downtown on the opposite shore. If she hadn't been so tired, she might have felt outrage at the council keeping a place like this when half their people were living hand-to-mouth in a compound north of the border. Instead, Erin watched the pretty lights flicker in the wavelets on the water until she must have dosed off. The next thing she was aware of were warm hands gently massaging her shoulders. Her eyes fluttered open to see a candle on the table in front of her, and no other lights in the room. As she started to turn her head, the hands gently held her face forward and a soft tutting sound came from their owner. She relaxed forward slightly, allowing the hands better access to her tight muscles. After a few minutes of working the knots from her shoulders, the hands slid up into her hair and caressed her scalp in tiny circles, then dragged through her hair, tugging it just enough to feel relaxing. Once her scalp was thoroughly massaged the hands slid back down her neck and continued their journey forward and down toward her breasts. A soft whisper at her ear almost made Erin jump, "How much would you let these faceless hands do to you before you found out who they belonged to?" "Mmmm, if they kept feeling as good as they have so far, maybe forever," she replied, turning to graze her lips across Luka's as the hands in question continued their journey to cup her breasts. His thumbs grazed her nipples as he lifted her breasts, massaging them lightly as well. Her light kiss was returned with gentle licks of her lips to which she opened and flicked her own tongue. The kiss deepened, Luka gliding his tongue along her gums in a continuation of the gentle massage he had given her scalp. Erin hummed a moan into his mouth and shifted, turning and kneeling on the sofa to face him. He slid the robe from her shoulders then kneaded her upper arms and down to her hands. He removed his lips from hers to suck each of her fingers into his mouth, swirling them with his tongue as he rubbed his thumbs into the meat of her palms. The attention he paid to each of her digits had her panting lightly in need as he looked up at her with an intensity that made her shiver. When he finished with her fingers, he kissed up her arm to her neck, nibbling up it to her earlobe which he treated to a similar fate. Erin began opening the buttons on his shirt as he dipped down to kiss the tip of one, then the other nipple. He laved his tongue over the areola before sucking the nipple into his warm mouth and massaging it thoroughly. The other nipple he treated similarly using his fingers. Erin arched into him, her fingers in his hair pulling him into her breast. When his mouth left her nipple, she grabbed his waistband and pulled him over the back of the sofa and down as she leaned back to cradle her head on the armrest. Luka finished climbing over the piece of furniture and came to rest on top of her, his tongue locked with hers. Her hands fumbled at his belt and he pulled back, grinning at her. Slowly and carefully, just as he had massaged her, he opened his belt, his fly, and pulled his pants down, all to an eager gleam in her eyes. After standing to shed his clothes, Luka looked down on Erin. She lay there disheveled, her robe off her shoulders but still belted at her waist, her hair wildly splayed around her face, a look of hunger in her eyes, and he whispered, "Glorious!" before spreading her thighs with his knee. After so long being gentle, paying careful homage to much of her body, Luka changed tactics and speared her in a single thrust. Erin gasped, arching and meeting his body with equal strength. The hunger in her eyes changed to raw desire and Luka met her gaze with hard edged need. They moved together in a primal coupling, pulling each into the other, nipping and scratching in a wild desire to break down the barriers of one body from the other. They met with a slap that bordered on pain, but the grind brought incredible pleasure. Their fevered pace built to a peak beyond either's imagination, washing over them in a roar of equal parts possession and surrender. They lay there panting, coming slowly back to themselves. Luka kissed Erin's shoulder softly, saying, "I'm sorry." Erin looked at him strangely. "Why would you say sorry? That was amazing!" Luka chuckled, "I'm not apologizing for that. It was absolutely amazing! No, I'm apologizing for this bite on your shoulder. The bruise is going to be there a little while." Erin laughed as well, "I don't think I want to see what I did to your back. Maybe we have a touch of Were in our backgrounds after all." "Wouldn't that cause an uproar among the traditionalists," Luka laughed, but Erin had turned thoughtful. "What are you thinking?" "That mixing up the gene-pool might be exactly what this society needs. I know the Upper Fae have always had arranged marriages, which means they were always married to other Upper Fae. What if that system is abolished, and young people were actually given the chance to socialize with, even marry, with other Fae," Erin began, hesitating, then finishing, "or even humans." Luka looked serious, even judgmental, "I'm not sure that's a good idea. I mean, it's always been this way, and it works." "It works because Fae find no shame in extramarital affairs." "Now, I know I made it sound that way, but it really isn't as accepted as..." "Don't try to deny it now. I asked the historians, and they said that while affairs are undertaken in secret, they are very common and seldom if ever destroy marriages," Erin interrupted. "If marriages were the decision of the partners, I think it could bring a certain level of stability that is lacking in a society that accepts affairs as inevitable." Luka seemed to be thinking over what Erin proposed, but by the set of his jaw, she suspected he wasn't quite ready to accept her argument. Instead of letting it turn into a disagreement, Erin suggested they get some sleep before another exhausting day began. * * * * * First thing in the morning, Erin requested one of the historians return to her office. She had gotten the feeling that there was quite a bit of history he was not telling her, and she wanted to know why. While Nigel had been quite eager to tell Erin everything he could think of about the history of the Fae, Rupert had seemed reticent to discuss certain things, and frowned frequently at what Nigel said. Erin needed to know what Rupert held back. "Good Moring, my Queen," an elderly man of below average height said formally, stepping just inside the door enough to close it, but not moving any farther into the room. "You requested my attendance?" "Yes, Rupert, I want you to tell me the history that you held back last night." "I'm sorry?" Rupert questioned, with almost believable innocence, "I don't know what you mean." "You know exactly what I mean, Rupert. I mean to know what secrets exist in the history of the Fae that cause you to frown when others speak of it. I mean to know why you would hold your tongue about a subject that the glint in your eyes says is important to you." Erin pointed to a chair in front of her desk, and as he sat in it, she quickly came around the desk to sit immediately in front of him, leaning in and fixing her gaze on him steadfastly. "Your Majesty..." Erin cut him off, "Erin." Rupert hesitated, then letting out a soft sigh, he leaned forward as well, "Erin. There are things in the Fae history that have been forgotten by most, either by chance or by intent . Some of the oldest history is more myth and legend than true history, but I believe there is much to be learned from that which is whispered on the wind." Erin saw the light in Rupert's eyes and realized he knew things that could change the outcome of this war, if only he would share them with her. "You don't trust me," she said simply. He flinched back, abashed, and looked at the floor. "I do not know you." "Rupert, I am committed to bringing this war to an end, of reintegrating the magical peoples, and giving everyone the rights and freedoms they deserve. I can only do that if I know how the rift happened and what it will take to mend it. I think you know those things." He looked up at Erin, hope glistening in his pale grey eyes as he searched her. She felt a nudge, not with her physical body, but in her thoughts, similar to the feeling when Garrett first spoke into her mind. Erin opened her mind, expecting to hear Rupert's voice, but instead she felt a cool breeze. Her eyes widened and Rupert smiled shyly. "I am impressed, Your... Erin. You felt my magic and you didn't resist it. You are so open." "I have nothing to hide, Rupert, and everything to gain by keeping an open mind. Can you tell me now?" Rupert proceeded to explain that the earliest Fae were at one with nature and all of creation. He told how those beings could tap the power of the physical world to perform magic beyond the capabilities of all the current Fae combined, but that competition and the seeking of power over others led to a breaking down of that connection, and to the segregation of gifts into roughly the categories now represented among the Fae. He told of the occasional births of beings that could still tap into the power of All, and how those beings were either venerated or feared, and sometimes destroyed, because they threatened the status quo. Erin listened, thinking it sounded impossible, but considering all she had learned of late, was likely true. As she concentrated on the ideas Rupert expressed, she felt a buzzing in her fingertips, and heard the rush of waves against her eardrums. The sun became blindingly bright, and she could smell her coffee from across the room. Suddenly, she was on the floor looking up into Rupert's concerned face. "Erin? Are you all right?" "What happened?" she asked blearily. "You stood suddenly, then crumpled to the floor." Rupert helped Erin back to her chair and continued to peer at her with worry. Erin could still feel a residual energy in her fingertips and lifted her hands to look at them. At first they looked normal, but then a spark leapt from her left thumb to her index finger. A similar spark arced across the space between her right ring-finger and her pinky. She turned her hands in fascination, watching the energy leap and arc between fingers, and between her two hands. "Dear Gaia!" Rupert exclaimed, "You are one of them!" Erin didn't understand at first, but as the energy in her hands dissipated, she realized she could still hear the ocean faintly, and seemed to sense every living thing around her with something beyond her eyes. "I can tap the power of All?" Erin asked, in disbelief, but didn't need an answer from Rupert as the very Earth breathed "Yes". * * * * * Please take a moment to vote and comment. I really love reading your comments! Fae War Ch. 11 They travelled in a limousine, windows dark and bullet-proof, bodyguards nearby. Rupert had quickly made arrangements and shepherded Erin out of the council building with a promise that there was someone she had to meet immediately. He had refused to talk after that. The city had dropped away and the houses were few and far between when the driver looked back at Rupert and asked in disbelief, "Here?" Rupert nodded and pointed up a poorly maintained gravel drive into a stand of trees, bare of leaves but still dense enough to hide what was beyond the bend. As the car bumped and jolted along the drive, Erin sensed the power that she had come to recognize as shields. She could also feel along the forest floor and sense the presence of animals watching the car progress along the drive in a way that didn't feel natural. Then she felt the tingle of a powerful being unlike anything she had felt before. Where was Rupert taking her? Erin looked at Rupert almost fearfully, but his smile was one of delight, not triumph or menace. Whoever he was bringing her to meet, he was truly convinced the person was good. Erin reigned in her fear and tried to keep an open mind. The car pulled to a stop before a small, well-maintained farmhouse. Rupert jumped from the car excitedly, holding the door for Erin. A small, black woman of indeterminate age came out on the porch, looking critically at them all. "Alma!" Rupert called out as he bounded up the three porch stairs, pulling Erin along behind him, "This is Erin, our Queen!" Erin wondered if this level of excitement was good for a man of Rupert's age, and she worried at the severity of the look Alma was giving them both. Alma did not appear happy to see them, regardless of Rupert's obvious excitement. "Why are you here?" Alma asked in a low, quiet voice, staring angrily at Rupert. "Be polite, Alma," Rupert enjoined, "Take your Queen's hand." Alma reached out slowly, her petite hand covered in thin, delicate skin the color of weak coffee. Erin touched her hand gently, feeling the hum of Alma's shields ratchet up, and a tingle begin in her fingers that swiftly turn to an electric current. Erin pulled her hand back with a jerk. Alma faced Rupert, her piercing dark eyes pinning him in place, his smile slipping away. "Is this some kind of trick, Rupert? You know I don't want to be part of your council, never have, never will. Who is this girl?" Alma said, her low voice menacing. Rupert faltered, trying to smile, but only managing a grimace. "She's our Queen, Erina, only she goes by Erin now. I swear Alma, she's a channeler." Alma's gaze turned toward Erin, looking her up and down. Alma slowly paced around Erin, surprising the queen when she touched her at the nape of her neck. The flow of energy was palpable, but not uncomfortable. Alma continued to move around until she again faced Erin. "When did you know?" Alma asked, those dark eyes never leaving Erin's face. "Not until this morning, when Rupert told me about those who could channel the power of, well, everything." Erin stammered. Alma turned her eyes to Rupert and he nodded, a smile again starting to lift the corners of his mouth. "Then come inside, girl. There is much you need to learn," Alma said, turning and heading into her home. Rupert waved Erin ahead of him into the small sitting room through the front door. The room was neatly done in a style consistent with an earlier era, but quaint and comfortable. Erin followed Alma to a love seat where they both sat, turned slightly to face each other. "Your power is far greater than anyone thought. The ability to tap into the energies of the Earth, and of people around you, makes you a formidable fairy. You are the first channeler in the royal family in centuries, and this ability is probably what saved you when the rest of your family was killed," Alma explained. Erin sat quietly, letting this information sink in. She was different. It had been a shock to find out she wasn't human, but at least she had been a fairy, and had people like her with whom to associate. Now she was different from them as well, and from what Rupert had told her, she would be feared by the very people who she sought to bring together and rebuild a peaceful society with. She shuddered at the prospect. Alma spoke again, but this time her voice was soothing, gentle, "You are in a position to change things for all fairies, regardless of their shape or powers. You are poised to create the society many of us have dreamed of for hundreds of years. You need to learn how to use this power to bring about a new order, to end rivalries, and reduce fears. Is that what you want?" Erin simply nodded, her eyes tearing up at the sheer magnitude of what faced her. Alma turned again to Rupert, "I just put on some water for tea. I'll bring that in for the two of you while I go pack a bag. I guess my statement about never joining your council may have been a bit overblown after all." She shrugged and left for the kitchen while Rupert reached out and took Erin's hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "It will be all right. You'll see," he said, smiling at Erin. ******** The days passed in a blur while Erin learned about Fairy society, the current state of affairs, and her own powers. Nights were a little quieter, held in Luka's reassuring arms. He had only smiled broadly at the revelation of her abilities, showing no sign of the fear Erin had dreaded. Many others had not accepted it so easily. The councilmen that Erin had released from service were trying to raise support to oust her from power, and with the discovery of her new powers, several other councilmen had joined them, some even calling for her to be placed in a special jail to reduce her threat. Luckily, most of the council remained committed to Erin and to the effort to integrate everyone back into one society. A meeting with Riahn and her congress, as she called it, was announced. It was to be held at a conference center that had been built in the middle of nowhere and abandoned by the humans, a perfect venue for the new government. The Fairy council purchased the building along with close to a thousand surrounding acres, thereby assuring that fairies of any shape could attend council meetings. The meeting was still three weeks off, but Erin was nervous and wanted to be on-site as the new government center was arranged. Security was increased at the new site so Erin could remain there. Just a few days after arriving at the new government headquarters, Erin heard a ruckus from outside her window and turned to see what had her normally quiet security detail yelling and arguing. What she saw caused her to jump from her seat and run down the sweeping staircase and out the front doors. "Garrett!" Erin screamed, "And Sophie! I'm so happy to see you! I hadn't heard from you all since the rescue, and no one seemed to know where you had gone." The guards stepped away from the wolf pack they had been trying to displace from the front gates at the sound of their Queen's voice. Garrett and his crew entered the property, looking it over appraisingly. "Nice digs," Garrett said, waving his hand to take in the building. "It's a super idea to have the council out here," he pulled Erin into a hug, "I knew you would do the right thing." Erin hugged him back, then hugged the rest of the pack as well. "Where have you been?" "Evading Riahn, mostly," Sophie answered. "Her goons followed me for days, and she had teams after Garrett and Ron, too. We led them on a merry chase cross country before dropping out of site for a week or so until they gave up. But how about you? There's something different, a glow about you." "Well..." Erin hesitated, "a lot has happened." "Hello!" Luka called out from the doorway of the council building. "How about you all come in from the cold?" The group moved inside for more handshakes and hugs as they joined Luka, as well as Luka's father and Nigel. After settling into one of the conference rooms, Garrett gave a full report of their evasion of Riahn, and Erin brought them up to date on the changes in the council. "But I really want to know about you," Garrett probed, looking intently at Erin, 'Something is different, and I don't just mean the mating. For one thing, your eyes are even more striking than before: A Caribbean blue laced with glittering silver." Erin blushed, still not used to the bluntness of the Weres. "I found I had a bit more power than we originally thought," Erin admitted, "but I thought I was keeping it under wraps pretty well. I guess I'll have to work on that some more before the meeting." "A bit more!" Garrett exclaimed, "it smells like a volcano-more, not a puddle-more." Erin looked confused and Luka explained, "Children coming into their powers are considered puddle-jumpers, meaning they have a little power that they aren't very good at controlling. From that term, some people have expanded to refer to powers as levels of natural power, with volcanoes being the highest amount of controlled power, while tsunamis are tremendous power out of control. Channelers are often feared as tsunamis." "You're a channeler?" Sophie asked in awe. "It would seem," Erin answered with a shrug. Everyone just stared at Erin for a few moments before Luka broke the silence. "We have a meeting with Riahn's people scheduled for a little over two weeks from now. With you here, we can start really working on the plan. So far we have a number of the rebels in agreement with our reintegration plans, but a lot of them won't commit until they hear from you. I think they suspect we have you in captivity, but now that your whereabouts are clear, we can move forward." Shaking his head as if to clear it, but still unable to remove his eyes from Erin, Garrett agreed, "certainly. Let's get these alliances built, because we know Riahn isn't going to agree. The only way to bring our people back together is to go behind her back. Do you really think she'll come to the scheduled meeting?" "No," Luka replied, "but we have a plan for what we do expect. Let's order some lunch and we'll get you up to speed." ******** That evening the Council held a banquet to thank the pack for their roles in helping Erin escape the rebel camp. Erin expressed her gratefulness, and her regret that the Spirits of the Woods who had initiated the escape had been captured, and vowed they would be released as swiftly as possible. After the banquet, most of the council members departed and many of the pack went to get some rest in real beds for a change. Garrett and Sophie remained with Erin and Luka, just talking and enjoying one another's company. Luka began to notice that Sophie touched Erin more often than she touched either him or Garrett, and since Weres were known to be heavy touchers, it was quite a bit. As they all sipped wine in front of the fire, Sophie's touches seemed to last longer, turning into strokes and caresses. Luka was surprised to find it made him a little hot to watch Sophie seduce Erin, and to watch Erin's muted, but still present, responses. Erin leaned into Sophie's touches, occasionally reaching out to touch or stroke her in return, and smiled a sexy, languorous smile at her over time. "I'm beginning to think there might be some details about the escape that I never heard about," Luka stated when they were all well lubricated on the wine. Erin blushed, so Luka knew he had guessed correctly. He pinned Erin with his vivid green eyes and found hers were nearly silver, with dark blue outlining the irises. Interesting! Sophie leaned in to Erin and whispered something in her ear. Erin turned and the two women began to kiss, first lightly, then with more passion. Luka found his jaw dropped and his cock hard. Garrett softly cleared his throat, drawing Luka's attention, but the women continued their making out. "You know Weres use scent and taste to recognize and evaluate one another," Garrett stated by way of explanation. "We all got to know Erin during our escape," he continued, putting up a hand in mild defense as Luka's face turned stormy, "but only Sophie became intimate..." he hesitated, "well, intimate by Were standards," he finished sheepishly. Luka still looked angry, but he couldn't maintain the feeling when he turned back to Sophie and Erin locked together, hands exploring. Erin looked up from nibbling Sophie's neck and raised her eyebrows questioningly at Luka. He gave a slight nod and moved to sit behind her where he slipped his hands around her to begin to unbutton her blouse. Garrett watched as Luka lifted Erin's blouse from her shoulders and unhooked her bra before asking, "Do I get to play as well?" Sophie smiled and crooked her finger to draw Garrett to the area behind her. He sat and began the same moves on her. As Sophie descended to take one of Erin's nipples into her mouth, Erin threw her head back onto Luka's shoulder. He nibbled her neck, then whispered in her ear with a grin, "I never would have suspected you of having such sexual appetites." Letting out a breathy moan as Sophie sucked her nipple deep into her mouth, Erin responded, "I guess my many years of enforced sexual repression are to blame," before turning and capturing Luka's mouth in a deep, sensual kiss. Keeping his eyes open, he watched as Sophie sucked and nibbled Erin's breast, finally reaching up to cup the other breast and twirl the nipple between his finger and thumb. Sophie trailed licks and kisses down Erin's ribs, across her stomach and to the edge of her slacks while Garrett caressed Sophie's back, running his fingers lightly down her spine and just inside her waistband. Sophie deftly opened Erin's pants letting one finger trace down her lower abdomen to her lacy panties before turning and starting to open the buttons on Garrett's shirt. Luka gently tugged Erin to a stand and slipped her slacks over her hips to puddle at her feet. As he began to pull her toward the bedroom, Erin leaned down to brush her fingers under Sophie's hand, motioning her to follow them. Once in the bedroom, Erin disrobed Luka before pushing him playfully to sprawl on the bed. She wiggled out of her panties before climbing over him. She felt a hand stroke over her butt and down the back of her thigh, sending a shiver through her. Luka quickly flipped her onto her back and began licking the shell of her right ear, lightly flicking his tongue across the sensitive skin. Warm hands began to massage Erin's left foot as cooler fingers drifted up the inside of that leg. Those teasing fingers would reach her upper thigh only to turn and caress down the top of her leg. Each stroke came a little closer to her aching center, but never actually reached it. All the while, Luka's silken tongue found the spots on her ear and neck that would make her moan and gasp, revisiting each one until she was ready to scream. The drifting fingers coasted smoothly over Erin's lower lips and onto her belly, making a circle that brushed the underside of her breasts, then returned to the skin over her pubic bone. Erin thrust toward the fingers, trying to encourage them to touch her hot center, but they continued a path down her right thigh. Luka continued his teasing licks across Erin's collar bone, then around her right breast, finally lapping at her nipple in short, inflaming flicks. Erin grabbed the hand currently caressing her belly and pulled Sophie to her lips for a deep kiss. Luka's hand trailed down to between Erin's thighs, lightly stroking her silky soft labia, then dipping into her wet center to swirl the slickness up and down her slit. Garrett was the first to notice, being behind Sophie, nibbling her back and flicking her nipple with one hand. The air seemed to buzz with energy, and he could feel a tingle like a low-amperage current wherever he was in contact with Sophie. The current stopped when Sophie pulled away from Erin briefly to look back at Garrett. "What's wrong?" Sophie asked quietly, placing a hand on the side of his confused face. "Touch Erin," he ordered gently, with no further explanation. Still watching Garrett's face, Sophie laid a hand on Erin's upper chest, stroking lightly toward her breast, and quickly jerked back. "What is that?" she asked, reaching again to stroke Erin's arm and again pulling back. Luka lifted his head from Erin's chest, smiling slyly, "Since Erin connected to her Earth powers, she hums with energy when she feels pleasure. It's quite stimulating." Seeing the pleasure on both Luka's and Erin's faces, Sophie leaned in for another kiss, and Garrett waited only an instant longer before pressing up behind Sophie to become part of the circuit. Sophie growled softly, deep in her throat as Garrett's hard shaft rubbed along her butt. She arched her back making the angle easier to access, but Garrett wanted something a little less sedate than laying on their sides, and he shifted, pulling Sophie's ass into the air and entered her from behind. The sound of wet friction was too much for Luka. He moved over Erin's hips, spreading her thighs, but leaving her kissing Sophie. He hesitated long enough to really take in the erotic site of Garrett taking Sophie from behind while she continued to kiss Erin with relish. He felt the pulse of energy in the air, as well as the soft zing wherever his skin contacted Erin's. Brushing his cock up and down Erin's slit, Luka hummed with the energy she emitted. Sliding deep within her, he had to concentrate not to embarrass himself as he had the first time he experienced this new power. It was amazing, to be sheathed in silky heat and to feel every cell vibrate with the energy Erin channeled! Luka began to move, slowly at first, gaining speed as her ground against Erin's luscious body. Erin met Luka's thrusts with abandon, simultaneously dueling tongues with Sophie. This experience, of having another couple in her bed, and of sharing her experience with another woman, was wildly erotic and she felt her orgasm building the moment Luka entered her. Within a minute her first release pounded through her body, spreading to the others as waves of pleasure. Gritting his teeth, Luka pressed deep into Erin, moving very little, until the force of her orgasm gentled and he was in control of himself again. Judging by the collapsed couple beside them, the power of Erin's release had been too much for Sophie and Garrett and they lay panting and spent. Erin began to respond again to Luka's insistent rhythm, her hands playing over his chest, swirling his tiny nipples and tracing his ribs. With a moan he lowered himself to capture her mouth, nipping her lips and caressing her tongue. Her nails down his back made him rear up, only to return to her neck intent on laving every sensitive spot. Erin panted, mewling softly as Luka sucked her earlobe into his mouth, rolling it with his tongue. The electricity between them was increasing. Luka increased his thrusts as he whispered his love into Erin's ear. When he suddenly sucked a nipple into his mouth, it put Erin over the top, and with a deep moan her tight channel convulsed around him, dragging him over the precipice and together they cried out their pleasure. ************************* Erin loved to run in the early morning. Now that full security was finally in place, she could indulge herself on the many acres surrounding the new Council Chambers. Her pedometer showed she had jogged almost three miles when she stopped at a small lake to watch the sun crest over the trees at the horizon. It was a cold morning, the grass crisp with frost, and the forest floor eminating the rich aroma of pine needles: a perfect time and place to clear her head from all the mess of the last six weeks. Unfortunately, Erin could feel the presence of intruders and knew the calm beauty of the morning was soon to be shattered. Fae War Ch. 11 Swallowing down the bile of anger and fear that threatened to rise into her mouth, Erin turned from the rising sun and watched the still dark forest around her. She liked having the lake at her back. It gave her a sense of security knowing that her enemies couldn't easily come at her from behind. She bit back a smile that threatened to give too much away as she grounded her feet solidly and felt her fingers twitch with the energy of the land. 'Bring it!' she thought to herself, 'there's no time like the present.' One by one Weres began to emerge from the trees. Several were large cats, their graceful gait full of contained power, and the rest were wolves, slinking along the tree-line, teeth barred, occasional snarls and low growls emitted from their throats. Once the Weres had her surrounded on the land, other beings began to materialize from the gloom: Spirits of the Woods, Elementals, and Fae. A quick estimate put their numbers at around eighty, significantly more than Erin's security force. She shuddered, but covered it by drawing calm from the placid water behind her. Riahn strode forward, coming to within twenty feet of Erin before stopping. The look on her face was pure malevolence, her smile one of triumph. "You are the stupidest royal in a very long line of stupid royals. Did you really think those shields were strong enough to cover more than a hundred miles of border? We breached them with hardly a twitch," Riahn began, pacing. "And to think it was this easy to track you and find you alone! Have you no sense at all?" Erin remained silent, shielding her mind from those who were trying to breach it for information. "We got your insulting invitation to sit down and negotiate," Riahn continued, "but I much prefer to take what I want by force. I have no interest in equality of representation," she spat out, "Were's and Elementals are the strongest Fae, and we intend on making the rules from now on." "Really? Are you sure about that?" Erin asked, sarcasm slipping in even though she tried to keep it smooth. "My impression is that all Fae have strengths -- and weaknesses. I have come to believe we are only truly strong when we stand together." Riahn covered her ears in exaggerated horror. "Listen to the platitudes! You sound like those weak humans that espouse non-violent protest and equality for everyone. There is no equality! You are only as strong as you are, and will only achieve what you want by taking it!" Erin looked around at Riahn's gathered forces. She felt anger radiating from many, but there were those who seemed to be listening to her, so she addressed them, "Do you all agree? Do you each have enough strength to individually get what you desire for yourselves and your families?" "Don't talk to them!" Riahn demanded. "I am the queen of this people, and you will speak to me only." Erin turned back to Riahn, "But I am finished talking to you." Riahn appeared abashed, then furious. "Who do you think you are to stand here, alone, surrounded by my people, and dismiss me? This war is over and I have won." Erin smiled. As much as she tried she couldn't keep from gloating, "Really?" Riahn glared, turning to the wolves she communicated telepathically and four large beasts moved forward and circled Erin. Riahn looked at a particular Elemental and said, "Now!" The lake began to roil and a water spout formed, arcing and surrounding Erin before stilling and appearing as a glass dome over her with the wolves still pacing the inner perimeter. Erin continued to smile, benevolently now. Riahn let out a snarl before ordering, "Kill her!" The wolves actually looked confused for a moment before two of them turned and started toward Erin. Erin continued to look mildly at Riahn as the first wolf lunged and was deflected without so much as a twitch from Erin. The wolf yelped pitifully as it flew at the wall of water and was deflected back to the ground where it landed with a heavy thud. The second wolf went for Erin's ankles, only to act as if an electric shock sent it flying back toward the water dome. Riahn looked utterly confused, but snarled a new order at the elemental, "Drown her!" The water began to implode toward Erin before she smiled again and the water was suddenly absorbed into the ground. The two wolves that had not attacked her backed away, teeth barred. "I believe some of your so-called congress are interested in an egalitarian society," Erin began casually as she swept her arms out as if to hug the entire group. A buzz of energy surrounded them all, emanating from Erin's outstretched fingers. Riahn looked stupefied. Erin's forces melted out of the forest and stepped casually into the electrical field, raising their arms as if to join hands around the perimeter. They glowed softly as they posed themselves equally along the field. "You had the opportunity, Riahn, to bring this division to a peaceful end and possibly avoid many of the consequences for your actions, You chose to continue to use violence. Anyone who has not committed a crime is welcome to join us now with no retribution. Those guilty of acts of violence against Fairies or humans will stand trial and receive punishment for their crimes. It is time to choose." The beings within the circle looked confused, glancing toward Riahn, then Erin, then the strange energy field surrounding them. An Elemental hovering near Erin moved first, bowing to Erin before stepping backwards into the force-field where he glowed softly like the others. Several others followed his lead and did like-wise. A Were turned abruptly and bound toward a gap between the Fae encircling them. As he leapt to cross the circle a buzzing preceded a sizzling sound as the Were was thrown back into the circle, fur scorched and smoking. He landed in a heap and another Were rushed forward to nose at him, whimpering over his dead body. "The guilty will pay for their crimes," Erin repeated simply. The remaining Fae within the circle sat or lay upon the ground, submitting to the superior power of Erin and her forces. Riahn did not. With a roar and a flash, Riahn turned into a panther and lunged at Erin, claws extended and mouth open in a terrifying scream. A collective gasp went up from everyone present, and, as if in slow motion, they watched as the large cat flew at the Queen. Erin shook her head sadly and closed her eyes just as the panther twisted in agony and plummeted to the ground, broken at her feet. Erin gazed at the once majestic beast, a steely resolve in her continence. When she looked up at the remaining beings within the circle she saw true fear. "You are all under arrest. You will be interrogated and go to trial. Your punishment will be decided by a panel of judges composed of every race of Fae. Do not resist and no one will be harmed." With that the force field dissolved and the security forces gathered the remaining Fae and began to lead them through the forest. Several of the members of Riahn's group who had joined Erin in the circle began to come forward with questions, but Luka discouraged them from approaching the Queen now, telling them there would be a statement released shortly that would answer most of their questions. Erin stepped forward and glided to her knees in front of the broken panther. She reached out a hand and stroked the silky fur. "What a waste," she murmured. "May the glory of the Fae always be protected from the avarice of a few." She continued to pet the dead leader as she cried softly. ************************ Within the week, everyone who wished to be had been evacuated from the rebel camp and situated on Council lands. One Were pack remained in the old camp, choosing to make it their home, and a family of Spirits remained as well. Several of the Were packs that had relocated to Council lands had applied for loans to start their own compounds nearby. Erin was strongly encouraging the very rich Fae to make those loans as a sign of good faith. Franco returned to the Council. He forgave Erin for leaving him behind, even though she continued to feel awful about it. Even after his experience as a captive of Riahn's forces, Franco led the push to reintegrate all of the Fae into one society with equal rights and privileges. He declined a position as a judge for the war crimes tribunal, stating his role as a witness for the prosecution would involve him more than enough in the process. Erin had been surprised by the willingness of the Elementals to come under her rule. She had learned that Elementals have a solitary nature, seldom socializing even with others of their own race. Because of this, their numbers were very low. They seemed pleased that all the new government asked of them is to keep them updated on where they chose to live, and to maintain secrecy from the human world. Beyond that, they had freedom their kind had been denied for centuries. It made some of the Fae nervous, but it made Erin very happy. Elections would be held in June for a new council made up of representatives from each race. Erin hoped that eventually the elections would be truly free and open, not divided by race, but for now, this was a place to start. Erin sat in her desk chair, turned looking out the window at the snow covered forest where the sounds of hammers cut the brisk air as members of her kingdom built homes on the lands nearby. When hands slid down her chest and a warm breath brushed her cheek, she sighed and closed her eyes. "It's time for my Queen to take a vacation," Luka spoke softly beside her ear. "I have our tickets booked. We leave tomorrow for the Caribbean." "Tomorrow?" Erin jumped, "I can't leave now!" Speaking forcefully, Luka replied, "You will never think it is a good time to go. We leave tomorrow." Erin started to argue, but realized Luka was probably right. Shrugging, she stood up and wrapped her arms around her mate, nuzzling into his neck. Nothing about their courtship and mating had been normal, but Luka insisted they take a honeymoon and act like regular people for a week. If she was honest, there was nothing she would rather do. "All right, my love. We leave tomorrow." Amazed at her capitulation, Luka swept her up in his arms and headed for their rooms, ignoring the shocked faces and giggles in the hallway. Closing the door behind him and locking it, he set Erin back on her feet. "What was that all about?" Erin laughed. "As of five minutes ago, you were relieved of your responsibilities to the kingdom," he said with conviction, "Your only responsibility for the next eight days is as my wife." Erin couldn't help but laugh at the stern face Luka was giving her. "So you don't take that responsibilities seriously, huh? We'll see how seriously you take them after I've tied you to the bed and tortured you for a few hours," he continued, scooping her up again and heading for their bedroom. They both knew Erin was stronger, magically, and that keeping her tied up would be her choice entirely, but at this point, neither cared. Finally it was their time, and they didn't plan to waste a minute of it. *************************************** I hope you enjoyed "Fae War". I plan to work on the second book of "Lesser Gods" as well as a few stand-alones I've got rolling around in my head for a while. I really appreciate your comments and encouragement, so please let me know your thoughts. I also wouldn't mind hearing from anyone with story ideas. My muse is sometimes sporadic. Thanks for reading and don't forget to vote!