Chapter Forty-Four

 

 

Fairy weddings were performed in the forest. It was something about being closer to their source of magic; Nature. So, Drostan and I rode out to the forest on a pair of snow-white horses; his a stallion and mine a mare. All of the Unseelie followed behind us; waving banners and throwing flowers into the air. We came to a clearing where an altar had been prepared. Percival waited for us behind the altar with a welcoming smile on his face. The scent of burning resin competed with that of blossoming flowers as we approached. The wood altar had a white cloth laid over it, and two items were on the cloth: a knife and a cup.

Drostan dismounted and then helped me from my horse. I was dressed in a flowing gown of white silk; another nod to my human blood. Drostan was dressed in black and looked magnificent. He had a sable cloak fastened over his wide shoulders and a dress sword strapped to his hips. My cloak was white fox to match my gown, and my dainty slippers were white leather. A band of pale flowers circled my head; holding a white veil in place. The veil didn't cover my face but flowed out behind me with my train.

Drostan and I stepped up to the altar together, but the Unseelie hung back at a respectful distance. Percival nodded and smiled at us before he said a few words of greeting to the Unseelie; a declaration of the importance of the event about to transpire. Then he began the ceremony. The words were similar to vows humans made, but had connections to magic and Nature. When it came to his part, Drostan stated his vows clearly—his stare confidently on mine—and slid a black band upon my finger.

Then it was my turn. I repeated the words that Percival prompted me with, and then placed a black ring on Drostan's finger. Percival presented us with the chalice, and Drostan took it from him. First, Drostan offered it to me, and I drank spicy wine from it before taking the cup and offering it to Drostan. Once the sacred wine had been drunk, it was time for the final act that would magically bind us forever; the Blooding.

Percival lifted the knife just as the sound of hundreds of hoof beats echoed through the forest. We turned in shock to see Trenton and Conall leading a Seelie army into the clearing. I gaped at the men as they reined in before us. Drostan snarled and pulled his sword as Conall leapt off his horse and did the same.

“Care to try this again under fair conditions, King Drostan?” Conall growled as he settled into a fighting stance.

“Get behind me, Riley,” Drostan said as he started for Conall.

“No!” Prince Trenton shouted. “Come to me, Riley. We know the Understanding has been broken, and we've come to take you home to Seelie.”

“What?” I gaped back and forth between the men.

“My sister has finally given me her support,” Trenton said with a triumphant smile. “If this brings war between us, King Drostan, then so be it; I will face you on the battlefield. But I cannot live without Riley.”

“Nor can I,” Conall added as he lifted his sword. “She belongs with us.”

“We're nearly married, you fools!” Drostan hissed. “One more step and Riley will be mine forever.”

“Then our timing is fortunate,” Trenton declared. “Riley, hurry!” He reached a hand out to me.

I looked from that strong hand to Trenton's anxious face; his beloved face. I started to move toward him automatically.

“Riley!” Drostan grabbed my arm. “You said that you love me. We've already spoken vows to each other.”

I looked from him, to Trenton, and then to Conall.

“I'm about to make you Queen of Unseelie!” Drostan roared. “Do not betray me now, Riley.”

“You were cruel to me, Drostan,” I whispered. “Don't you remember?”

Drostan's face fell, and his grip loosened. “I... I'm sorry. I  was a different man then.”

“And you made me a different woman,” I said sadly. “A woman who had to deceive to survive. I'm sorry, Drostan, but I don't love you. I said what I had to say so that you would be kinder to me.”

“Riley,” Drostan whispered in horror. “Please don't do this.”

“How could I love a man who deceived me and tormented me?” I was easing away from Drostan as I spoke; moving slowly toward Trenton. “There was only one man in my heart, and then I made room for another, but it's not you. I love Prince Trenton and Sir Conall. Goodbye, Drostan.”

I made a leap for Trenton, and he grabbed my forearm to swing me up and drape me across his lap. I gathered up my train and as soon as I was secure, Trenton's horse reared, and we turned about in a circle. I saw Conall mount up—brandishing his sword in Drostan's direction as he did so—and then race after us. I clung to Trenton and laid my head on his chest as we dashed out of the clearing. My veil was torn away by the wind and trampled by the horses behind us, and it felt somehow appropriate. The Seelie knights scattered the startled Unseelie, and we galloped out toward the main road unhindered. Within minutes, we were on our way to the Seelie Kingdom.

“Dear Goddess!” Trenton exclaimed. “I can't believe that I have you in my arms again.”

I lifted my face to his and kissed him sweetly. “I can hardly believe it either.”

“Nor can I,” Conall said crisply. “But let's not celebrate just yet. We need to get into Seelie as fast as possible. The Unseelie may not have had their horses with them, but it won't take long to fetch the beasts. They'll be on our trail soon enough.”

“You're right, Sir Conall,” Trenton said as he set his stare ahead of us and tightened his hold on me. “We need to get our lady to safety.”

“Are you really willing to share me with Conall?” I asked Trenton.

“If he makes you happy, then I'm happy... as long as I have you too,” Trenton said with a soft smile. “I know that Conall's the reason you came to Tirne, and I can hardly take you from him and keep my honor.”

“You fairies are so strange,” I said teasingly.

“But you love us anyway,” Trenton said.

“Well; two of you, at least.”

“We love you too,” Conall declared. “And we will finish that ceremony you started with Drostan; except it shall be the two of us you share blood with.”

“We will?” I asked in surprise.

“Unless you don't wish to,” Trenton said gently. “No one is pressuring you, Riley.”

“No; I wish to.” I smiled brilliantly and then laid back into Trenton's embrace. “I very much wish to.”

“Then hold on tightly, my love,” Trenton said as he spurred his horse on, “and I shall give you all you desire.”