Page 8

Lonan

M y hand hesitates, turns, cupping the maid Allie’s cheek without my conscious decision.

I cannot lie, I have always enjoyed chasing tail. Even in the midst of a war.

But the pull I feel for Allie is not the same. I want her yes, but it’s more than that. The energy I feel when I’m near her. Gods, to wake up next to her, her face lax and peaceful in sleep.

Normally, I don’t dally with the help; as I generally am a one and done kind of man. I don’t like the mess of having to see a former bed partner in my home.

Allie though... it all feels so different. I’m befuddled by her. I don’t even know her!

And that is what aggravates me at all hours of the day and night.

“My lord,” she pauses as if out of breath. Can she feel it too? “I could never. It would be... improper.”

Her gorgeous, unusual eyes drop to her hands, holding the knife and herbs.

“Why improper, Allie? Do you not trust me?” I stare at her as if I could see into her flesh, see her secrets. I want to know her.

“I trust no one, Sire.”

The words drop like stones into still water. My stomach drops. What has happened to her in her past?

The door is thrown open.

Kai.

I sigh inwardly. I’ve told him a bit of my obsession. Not the true depths.

“ Commander ,” his voice is ice, which is quite hard for a fire Fae.

My eyes dart to Allie. She is frozen, barely breathing. A protectiveness I’ve never felt wells up inside me and I turn to my best friend and lover of decades. He doesn’t mean her any harm, he’d never hurt an innocent.

Except maybe he doesn’t consider her innocent.

“Yes, General ?” I arch an eyebrow.

“You’re needed.” His glare brokers no argument.

I turn, blocking Allie from his view. Something burbles in my stomach at the idea of his anger directed at her.

“By whom?” I ask, arching my eyebrows.

His ire is clear in his face. “By the Ordained.” He leans his head so he can see Allie, “Why not bring the maid? Let her proclaim herself to the soothsayer.”

I glower. “She’s busy.” I turn, eyes trying to meet hers but she won’t look at me, won’t look up. “Think on my offer, Allie Landsend.”

I turn on my heel, taking Kai’s elbow and guiding him out the door.

It shuts behind us and he immediately turns to me.

“We talked about this.” His dark red eyebrows are drawn and I can tell he’s attempting to repress his temper.

I raise an eyebrow. “No. You spoke of this. I listened. And, matter-of-fact, did not agree to anything, Kai.”

We stride down the hallway, side by side.

I can feel his anger and I’m confused about it. Aside from his valid point on a power-imbalance, given she’s kind of my prisoner.

Kai has never begrudged me my extra-curricular activities, so long as they are women. He knows his place in my heart is safe. So his reaction to Allie is confusing. Perhaps he can tell that I’m as obsessed as I feel. That would explain his reactions. Or mayhap he’s just convinced she’s a spy. That would make sense too. But I know she’s not. I just can’t explain it.

I consider that idea as I yank open the door to the war room.

“Ordained Achlys,” I greet, trying to even my tone. We need the Monkswick family. I can’t act like a cunt to one of them and expect to get it. I’m already sick of this one though.

“Just Achlys, please, in private,” they answer quietly. They are sitting in one of the large chairs at the table. I take a seat opposite of them and Kai perches on my right.

I nod, “Achlys.” Did you settle in fine today? My steward told me you arrived very late last night.”

They nod, black, silky looking hair swinging forward. “Indeed. I can fly during the day but it expends more energy so in a non-urgent situations such as this...” They spread their hands.

I can feel Kai’s annoyance; “a non-urgent situation,” I suppose so, given we’ve been leading the rebellion against Alder for nearing thirty years. And we’re finally getting somewhere too.

I nod though I’m clenching my jaw.

“And did the Mother and Father give you leave to come to an agreement with us?” I ask, standing and striding to my sideboard. “And would you care for a glass of something?” I add.

Achlys nods, “Yes, thank you. The darkest red wine you have, please.”

I spare a moment to wonder what type of bat they shift into as I uncork and pour three glasses.

They continue, “Mother and Father indeed granted me power to come to terms. Given the terms were acceptable, of course.”

I bring them their glass. Though I run with Fae of all varieties, many that keep to half-shifted or morphed forms, something about Achlys puts me on edge. The no whites in their eyes maybe , I decide, as I grab the wine for me and Kai and sit back down.

“And what terms would you find agreeable?” I ask.

They down half their wine in one gulp. “Now, now, Commander, surely you know that’s not how this works?” They let out something akin to a giggle, but higher pitched. “Come now,” they say, leaning back in their chair, “Tell me something interesting. How are things here at Thistle Grove? Have you been backed by Guivre yet?”

I exchange a glance with Kai. Great, it’s gonna be a long chat , I think, silently picking up my wine.

“LONG CHAT” WAS AN UNDERSTATEMENT . Round and round in circles we went, until Achlys begged off to have a nap.

I stood, frustrated and Kai tugged my elbow. “C’mon. My rooms. You need it.”

He’s not wrong. I need to get some frustration out. I follow him silently from the room and down the hall. His rooms are right next to the stairs for my apartments on the top floor of the keep. He says it's for assassins, I tease him it’s so no one else sneaks up to my bed.

I shut the door behind us and Kai is shedding his blades. I unhook my sword sheath and he turns to me.

I raise an eyebrow and drop into a fighting stance. Kai grins and mirrors me. His rooms are mostly open space for this reason. We circle each other. Kai feints and I counter-feint. He chuckles; ignoring it. Wily bastard.

We go around the invisible circle again and when he next moves, it’s for real. I lurch inward and we lock, hands at each other’s necks, trying to gain advantage. Kai drops his shoulder and I lose my balance. He grabs my thigh and we slam to the floor. I scrabble, trying to end up on top.

Unfortunately, Kai has always been better at wrestling than me; I think it’s his broad stature, he’s kind of a big beast, even for a Fae. Kai’s stunning face is triumphant. I spit, “You haven’t won yet.”

“About to, Lo,” he grunts as he grabs my upper arm, using his chest to keep me down, he slides his hand from the back of my thigh to my hip and using both, he throws me over onto my stomach.

His knees shift, pinning my legs and he places one hand between my shoulder blades.

“Ass up,” he crows as he tugs down my pants roughly.

My cock is hard and I shift my hips to help Kai get my pants far enough down that my dick springs free.

I feel liquid dripped down my crack and I shiver. “Kai–”

“I’m chasing mine, then I’ll take care of you, Lo. Like I always do .”

I smile into the floor. Kai and I might be rough, but we always respect a ‘no’; have since we started playing together as young men.

But I can tell he’s frustrated with me. I have a couple guesses why, as is usual.

I groan as I feel his cock line up against my ass. “Fuck, Kai,” I moan.

He presses forward and there’s the pressure that his thick cock always brings. I lean back onto him and he chuckles. It cuts off as he finally gains entry and he gasps, freezing.

“Fuck, love, you take me so good.”

I look over my shoulder; he’s watching his cock go into my body, and he’s mesmerized, as always. Kai has a rough exterior, but he’s a big softy. A romantic.

I moan and drop my face.

“Fuck, flame, you’re so big,” I gasp.

I hear the smile in his voice at my nickname for him, “And you’ll take every last inch.” Just then his body presses to mine and I push up into him again.

He stays buried in me, cock twitching, before leaning down and kissing my neck. I turn my face and his tongue presses into my mouth as we kiss. I feel him start to fuck me, slow strokes, which is good with that monstrous cock of his. He gets faster and rougher.

I’m crying out with each slap of his body against mine. “Oh fuck Kai, don’t stop,” I groan.

“You want it harder, Lo?” His hips slam into my ass with each word.

“Fuck, yes,” I gasp, raising my hips up.

“You always did like it hard,” he teases, his tempo increasing. “Do it, Lonan, squirt all over the floor for your General.”

“Oh Gods,” I gasp just as he asks, “Ready for it?”

“Yes,” I yell, just as my orgasm hits me, I feel my cock jump as my seed spurts out, all over the floor and my shirt. I rock my hips back onto Kai as he curses and cums inside me.

After, we’re both left spent and panting. Kai kisses the back of my head and I smile. He slowly pulls out of me and I shiver, feeling empty and bereft.

“Stay,” he orders.

I hear him slip into his bathroom and the sink running. He comes back and a warm, damp towel slides down my ass crack as he cleans me. I make a content sound at his attention. He wraps an arm around my chest and tugs me up, handing me another towel to clean my mess. I tug my shirt off over my head and toss it aside before wiping down. I turn, still on my knees, and Kai is watching me. I smile at him and his hand slips out, running his fingers in my gill slits. He knows just how much pressure feels good. Kai understands my body better than I do at this point. I lean into his touch.

“What’s the matter, Kai?” I stand and hold out my hand to him, which he takes. I tug us to his bed.

We lay down, and I pull his body into mine. He yields, all soft and sweet now that he’s taken his frustration out on my ass.

“I could ask the same of you, Lonan. I told you that no good would come of that maid. Why do you insist on seeing her alone?”

I blow out a breath. “I don’t know, Kai, I just feel like I need to. Something... something is making me itchy.”

He leans up on an elbow. “You think she’s a spy?”

I shake my head. “No. Maybe. I don’t know. Fuck. Kai, just trust me?” I meet his deep green eyes. I raise a hand to cup his cheek. “Trust this . Trust us. No need to be jealous.”

His head shakes and he frowns. “It’s not jealousy Lo.”

I tug him down for a kiss. “I don’t believe you, Kai.”

I AM HEADED TO WALK the ramparts when an brilliant blue dragonfly zooms up and lands on my shoulder gracefully. I alter my path, taking flight of stairs down instead.

“Afternoon, Tazi,” I say softly.

She zips her wings together, annoyed with my change of path.

“‘S too cold out for you, like this. Don’t be daft.”

Another zip.

I grin, “Glad I’m not the only one annoyed anymore.”

We walk together in silence as I check the hidden exits under the keep. None of the traps are thrown; no one has been through them. It takes longer to check under the keep than to walk the ramparts, so when we get to the main floor again, it’s damn near dinner.

“Off with ya,” I mutter at Tazi. She manages to make a questioning sound.

“I’m not headed to the main hall, that’s why, ya bug. Now go.”

She hovers in front of my face for a moment, and I see the rueful look in her compound eyes; she turns and flies off down the hall.

I turn towards the kitchen, my heart beating fast.

Since when did I get worked up about a woman? I should not be this... drawn to her. Yet I am. I sigh.

I push open the door firmly, shoulders back, and feeling as if Tazi was zipping around in my belly.

There she is.

Allie looks up and a tiny smile crosses her face hesitantly. She’s looking much healthier than when I first saw her. Her skin isn’t so sallow and she’s curving in the right places. Her ashy-white hair is piled artfully upon her head, the green streaks peeking out here and there, a few strands hanging down. She’s wearing a new-looking dress, in a rich maroon shade, that dips off her shoulders. She has an apron on and she’s scooping cooked, thinly sliced potatoes onto an array of plates.

“Evening, Allie,” I say, softer than I’d have liked.

“Good evening, my lord,” she answers, pink spreading across her olive cheeks.

Cook clears her throat from where her and Lu are carving the roast.

I turn to her. “Cook, dear, I must apologize. I asked Allie if she could meet to discuss RedWater at this time and forgot to clear it with you first. Do you mind if I steal her?”

“Nay, it’s fine, Lo. We’re almost finished up here, and Allie already has all of tomorrow’s bread rising.” Cook nods, “Off you go then, child. I’ll send Lu up with some food.”

Allie puts the serving spoon down and comes around, grabbing a towel to wipe her hands. I watch, mesmerized, as her hand reaches behind her and tugs, and her apron loosens. I can only imagine her undoing her bra in a similar manner and I struggle for control.

She lifts the apron over her head, hanging it on a hook and revealing that she has a simple but pretty plum colored corset over her dress.

I step back as she approaches, opening the door for her. Her eyes are firmly on the ground and all I can think of is how much I wish they were upon me.

I place a hand on her back and again, I feel tingles. Is she a fire Fae? Those eyes would make sense.

“Come, Allie, my rooms are on the top floor,” I say softly, guiding her gently towards the main staircase.

She keeps a fast pace, as if she’s trying to make sure I don’t touch her too often or firmly and for some reason, that causes an odd sorrow rise in me. On the second floor, I turn us to the north wing, where I stop and use my magic to unlock the double doors leading to my third floor apartment.

I pull the heavy doors open, and gesture for her to head up. She meets my eyes and I could thank the Lady for it. A small smile plays upon her luscious lips. But she pauses, “My lord, I...”

I stop her with a raised hand, “I merely want to ask you some questions, Allie. Coming up is no agreement to anything more.”

Even before I led Misery’s Militia, women’s affections were easy to come by. I’ve always been considered conventionally attractive and I can hold a conversation. Add that I flirt as naturally as breathing and my bed has never been cold.

Kai doesn’t even count. He was my first everything; he’ll be my last everything. Nothing could shake the bond between us, even if he’s oddly pissy about this maid.

“All... alright,” she replies quietly and turns to mount the stairs. Hopefully not the only thing she mounts tonight.

I follow her up, my gaze on the sway of her now plush hips. Fucking gorgeous. She fills out that corset amazingly too.

She gasps as she comes to the top of the stairs, where either side opens to my rooms. We’re in the center of my reception room, as I call it. I realize this is a bit much for a rebel leader, but, fuck it. It was built this way and I’d be a fool not to use it.

I hurry up behind her, placing my hand gently upon her lower back. She turns her head, taking in my space.

The room’s one wall is covered in bookshelves, minus the stone fireplace and the door leading to my bedroom. The books upon them... well, I’d feel like a heel if I had saved or even purchased them myself. However, they came from Fae across our realm, in fear that they would be taken and burned if found in their homes. Or from Fae who saved a precious few books in their terrified flee from their own home when it was under attack. They trusted me, us , to keep them safe. And that thought filled me with tenderness and drive.

I will do this. I will end this tyrant’s rule.

Both opposite walls are mostly window, the bottom ones large and rectangular, above which are narrow, slender ones. One wall faces the village but the other, has a small balcony overlooking the forest. Allie slowly steps forwards, to look out at the village.

She stands silently a long while. I stay back, letting her look as I stare at her frame limned in evening light, taking a furtive joy at seeing her in my space.

“Wow,” she finally says as she turns to look at me, “I didn’t realize Thistle Grove was this large.”

I smile at her, ecstatic yet again to meet her eyes, “We’ve grown into a reasonable sized settlement. Most of the folks who live within our walls are related to my Guards, in some way or form. That means we have plenty of Fae with varying skills: a smithy, a tavern with a brewer, multiple tailors, and so on.”

I am proud of what we’ve become. I am slow to trust, slow to take on a new guard and their family, so my trust in our townsfolk is solid. I suppose such is the benefits of a decades-long overthrow. Misery’s Militia is strong, and the soldiers I keep at Thistle Grove are tight knit.

Allie’s wide eyes are now scanning my shelves. She quickly crosses to the wall, and her hand raises, finger entended along the spines of the books, though, I notice with a proud satisfaction, not touching the often-delicate texts.

“Commander, these are incredible!” She paces quickly down the wall, eyes darting from one shelf to the next, trying to take in all the books.

I grin at her joy. “Most were gifted into my safe keeping.”

She pauses and turns. “Safe-keeping?”

Nodding, I answer, “The war. King Alder loves to burn books. Rather indiscriminately.”

A sorrowful look crosses her sweet face and I take several steps towards her. And as though she senses it, I can see her body tense. Tighten, almost as if in fear.

The idea that she is afraid of me hurts enough that I barely suppress a groan. I cough, forcing myself straight.

“Come, let’s have a drink. I have some questions for you, Allie.”

She turns away, eyes back on the books. I pace towards a lower shelf that holds a small dry bar.

“I have Cook’s hard cider from last harvest, or wine from the South,” I offer.

Allie’s head jerks towards me and I see something in her eyes before it quickly disappears.

“Cook’s brew sounds amazing,” she says quietly. She lets out a little laugh, “I’m inclined to trust anything Cook has been involved in.”

I process that statement slowly as there seem to be a few layers to it. “I’m glad you are settling in, Allie. Do you enjoy kitchen work?” I cross to her, glass extended.

Her body stiffens again though she accepts the drink with a polite nod. “I enjoy Cook and Lu’s company. I don’t mind working. I suppose I’d say enjoy kitchen work.”

Again, I see something flare in those sparkling off-pink eyes of hers, though I cannot put my finger on what. I’m half tempted to drag Achlys here to tell me when Allie lies. Probably not the best way to win over a lover.

The fourth wall of my reception room is the angled roof and I have tucked two plush couches covered artfully with pillows and blankets. It’s my favorite place to read. And fuck Kai. I head that direction, placing my cider on the low table between the couches. I sit on one, hoping that she’ll come join me. I let her take her time as she walks the shelves.

“May... may I borrow some of these, my lord?” She looks over her shoulder, hand extended towards a book.

“Of course, Allie.”

She smiles at me, a genuine one and my heart sings. She gently removes the book and floats over, sitting on the other couch and placing the book in her lap.

“Thank you,” she says, one hand on the book as she leans forward to put her cider down. “What questions did you have for me, my lord?”

I struggle with disappointment. Straight to business ?

I parry. “What book is that?”

She looks down, pretty cheeks pinking a bit. “A Wizard of Earthsea, by that human Ursula. I have read the second one, but I’ve never seen the first.”

I smile at her, “I have the third as well. It’s a bit... frustrating as there are some plot lines not tied up. I wonder if she wrote more after the Veil Stones stopped working.”

Allie perks up, intrigued. “What a morose thought; that there are books out there, endings of ones we’ve read, that we’ll never get.” She lets out a little chuckle. “I guess that’s how life is, when any of us die, we will leave someone behind and we’ll never know the end of their story.”

I blink. “I suppose so, Allie. Are you planning on dying anytime soon? I don’t want to miss the end of your story.”

Why did I say that? That was... oddly romantic.

Her coral eyes blaze and she looks at me hard. “Absolutely not. I have much to do.”

I cock my head. “Interesting. I feel the same.”

Something crosses her face, something that makes her look more real , almost.

She grabs her glass, crossing her legs slowly and leaning in. “And what do you have to do, Commander Lonan?”

I take her in slowly. It’s almost as if she’s a different person, her posture, her energy, the look upon her face. When her eyes meet mine, however, it disappears. It’s gone; she folds in on herself, taking up less space, eyes dropping, leaning back into the cushions.

“Where did you go?” I whisper without thinking.

“I asked what you have to do, Sire,” she says softly, ignoring me.

I sigh, frustrated that I lost that glimpse of her. Or maybe the her she was before whoever abused her got to her.

“Kill Alder, of course,” I answer flippantly.

She holds her glass with both hands, looking down at it. “And then what, Sire? Would you... take the throne?”

I snort on a sip of cider. “No, of course not. Not me. Never me. I don’t have the... constitution for that.”

She looks up at me with a tiny smile. “Is that so?” She stands, book slipping onto the couch and for one glorious moment, I think she’s coming to sit next to me. But she crosses to the shelves again.

I stand and go to build a fire. “Bit chilly in here, don’t you think?” I ask her. I stack wood from the basket and drop tinder into the center. “Would you like to?” I offer.

“Beg pardon?” She asks softly, not looking up from the book she has open in her hands.

“Would you like to light the fire?” I shrug, suddenly feeling silly, “You being a fire Fae and all.”

She turns and grins at me, and again I see her . “What makes you think that?” She arches a white eyebrow.

I pause a moment, eyes raking over her. Fuck, I love this sass from her.

“Your eyes.”

“They are rather similar to yours, I noticed, my lord.” The look she tosses me is heated but she quickly turns away before continuing, “Are you a fire Fae then?”

It’s fairly well known in the keep but yet this feels... dangerous.

“You first, little one.”

She blinks. I wait a moment but when she’s silent, I grab the matches and strike one, eyes upon her as I drop it onto the tinder. I stand slowly, as she stares, frozen. I approach her cautiously, studying her for fear or anxiety as I close in, but I see none. My heart lightens at that.

I gently take the book from her hands and close it, placing it back upon the shelf. I stand in her space, but neither of us close it.

Her gaze is upon my hands. I am a head taller than her; she is indeed little. Her hair appears indescribably soft this close and I notice that she is using two pens to hold it up on top of her head.

“Allie...” I start, but I see her tense again. Fuck .

She looks up, then down and whispers, “Earth,” before she turns and flees, dress flying behind her as she takes the stairs out of my rooms without a look backward.

“Wait–” I cry, but it’s too late.

She’s gone.