39. Magic in Moonbeams
R ose didn’t notice twilight falling until it became too dark to see what she was reading. She’d been adrift in Constalaysia, riding the waves of the sparkling sea—geography was so exciting!—but it left her with a crick in her neck and tension in her lower back. Stretching her arms above her head and twisting her head, she tried to work both out, sensing the guards close by.
“Timothy, would you help me carry these books to my chambers, please?”
There was a low chuckle as the vampire stepped out of the dark to take half the stack. The moon was on the rise, but the shadows cast by the oaks were deep. Declan, leaning against a different tree, took the rest.
“Thank you, gentlemen. Has dinner started?”
“Yes, Miss Rose,” Timothy answered. “His Highness ordered you left alone to your reading.”
“Alpha Aldric too,” Declan said. “They did not want you bothered. ”
Rose nodded, joking, “Amazing they agreed on something.” Both males made sounds of agreement as they started toward the Keep.
“You should head to the bonfire before the food’s gone. We will take your books upstairs and be out shortly.” Declan looked to Timothy, who nodded in agreement. Their amity was refreshing.
“Thank you both.”
As the males continued toward the Keep, Rose went around the side. She wasn’t prepared for the huge crowd. Aldric’s pack was indeed huge because there were many, many werewolves gathered. Some stood in groups chatting as they ate, especially near the food and beverage tables. Others wandered. More sat in the grass or on the straw bales set around. Laughter and the joyful sounds of the children running wild filled the air.
Passing open pits where embers still burned, she made her way toward the bonfire at the center of the lawn. The smell of the smoky food made her stomach rumble, reminding her it had been a long time since she’d eaten.
She nodded and smiled, saying good evening to those who acknowledged her. The ever-watchful eyes of guards, both vampire and werewolf, carefully observed everything.
Some distance away, on the other side of the bonfire, she spotted Adrian sitting on a long bench surrounded by his entourage. None of the werewolves approached the Prince, leaving a large perimeter.
Another example of the lack of trust between the groups.
Ciel lay near one of the long tables in his lion form, catching bits of food tossed to him by the same boys as the day before. He’d napped earlier with Adrian and now appeared comfortable, lazily relaxed as he played his little game.
She should go to her Prince and show deference but found her feet taking her to the food tables instead. Her stomach rumbled so loudly she feared those around her would hear it. As she filled her plate with fruit, roasted vegetables, and some crackers and cheese, she popped a few stray pieces in her mouth, unable to wait. Pouring herself a cup of the ale, Adrian snaked an arm around her waist and kissed her shoulder. A weight lifted as his presence surrounded her, his sweetness a balm. Sighing back into him, she was grateful he’d made the first move.
“I’ve missed you.” Adrian brushed aside her hair to kiss her neck. “I feel as if we are entrenched in enemy territory and any wrong move could have our heads.” Glancing around them, he took in all the watching eyes as she had. “And I don’t like the way they look at you, especially that mutt, Aldric.”
Rose giggled high and slightly hysterical before biting it back. If only he knew . . . Guilt swamped her, but she forced it down. Nothing had happened and she’d turned down the alpha’s advances.
“You can’t think like that. You are trying to make allies, no? Treat them like it.”
“That’s easier said than done, love.”
The endearment lit her up, but she tried to remain cool and not like a fluttering fool. Sweet Adrian was hard to resist.
“That may be so, but you’ve already taken the first step and that is the hardest. Let’s go sit and you and the boys can tell me what you’ve been up to while I was lost in books.”
“I was thinking of you.” His cool whisper fanned her ear, making her shiver, and his hand on her hip moved to splay across her belly, holding her to him. “I was imagining all the ways I want to make up for being an ass.” He nipped her ear, and she closed her eyes. “I’m going to worship you when I get you alone. Tell me, love, are you wet for me? I’m hard as stone for you.” He gave the tiniest of thrusts into her backside, letting her feel the rigid length of him.
“You’re so crude.” But her words were breathless and wispy.
“You like it.” He licked her ear, and her belly flared with heat. “I need to be inside you. I need it like I need air. Can’t you feel it?”
Good heavens, she could. The pull to him, the need to let him sink inside her and become one made her ache. But . . .
“I can’t drink the detestable tea, Adrian,” she said, looking at him over her shoulder. “I won’t.”
“Forget the fucking tea. I don’t care if you ever take the damn stuff. Just promise me you’re mine .” The last word was almost a growl, and with it his expression darkened with possession, his arms tightening around her.
Turning to face him, the need she felt rising in him also rose in her, reciprocated. Their bond that beat so powerfully urged her to take him to her room and make good on those words right now and damn the consequences.
But . . . if she didn’t take the contraceptive, pregnancy was possible. Did he want her to have his child? What of his duty? Her heart raced and her mind spun.
And then anger set in because how dare he, how dare he , say something so impactful so flippantly.
“This is not the time or the place for this, Your Highness,” she said coolly, though she felt anything but. “I think you’ve had too much to drink.”
“You’re upset.” He searched her face. “Why are you upset? You want it just as badly as I do. I can’t think about anything else. It makes me crazy, you walking around incomplete, me walking around incomplete. We need—”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
But maybe she did because she felt that incompleteness only he could fix.
He cupped her face. “Promise me you are only mine. Say it.”
She leaned up until their noses were almost touching. “And are you only mine ? Or is this another royal double standard I’m supposed to be happy with? You can say these things here where the wolves make you uncomfortable, but what happens when we return to Crimson City and everyone caters to your every whim and the females fall at your feet and you have duties to fulfill? What happens to me then, Adrian? Will I still be only yours?”
His jaw clenched. “I don’t know why you push me like this. I’m trying to offer you—”
“No. Don’t pull that manipulative shit. You’re only trying to please yourself and thinking nothing of me. Well, I have news for you, love. I am not one of your simpering easy-to-handle whores. I look after myself. And myself says that maybe staying here is a better option than settling for second place on a shared dick.”
Not waiting for a response, she stalked off. Anger radiated off her and she felt his eyes staring long after she’d settled on a bale of straw by herself. The wolves, realizing just how pissed she was, kept a healthy distance.
As her temper cooled, she realized how idiotic her words had been. Myself says staying here is a better option. That wasn’t even proper language! Sun God above, that male had her so worked up. She was dizzy with his hot and cold.
Neither of them could give in fully. There was too much hanging in the balance. Their lives could end up ruined if she didn’t keep her head and retain reason.
One of the females who’d helped deliver bath water approached with a smile, holding a plate of pie. “May I sit?”
“Of course.” Rose scooted to make room.
“I’m Brynn. I don’t know if you remember me from yesterday.”
“I do. Thank you for being nice to me.”
Surprise crossed Brynn’s face. “You are a guest here. I would never insult Alpha, or you, by being rude. None of us would.” She glanced to where the vampires sat, all laughing along together. Adrian brooded as he sipped from a cup, his ruby irises on her. “The vamps on the other hand . . .” She shivered. “I might make their bathing water a bit hotter than I’m sure they like.”
Rose laughed. “They deserve it.”
Brynn’s brown eyes sparkled, and Rose sensed her inner wolf’s mirth. “But I thought you and the Prince . . .” Her lilting voice trailed off as her eyes darted to Adrian again, and then to the other side of the fire where Aldric watched them as well, drinking deeply from a larger cup. Leaning closer to Rose, she asked, “Or is there something between you and Alpha? Is that why you and the Prince are at odds?”
Rose couldn’t stop a nervous giggle from bubbling up. Oh, the gossip was the same wherever she went.
“Your alpha is a friend.” She smiled at Aldric, not caring that it made Adrian’s scowl turn murderous across the fire. She was playing a dangerous game, but she didn’t currently care. Maybe it was the ale she was drinking, but she was so stinking angry at his manipulation.
“Oh, he fancies you, Lady Rose.”
Rose looked back to Brynn, tearing her eyes from Aldric’s smolder. If it were any hotter, it would throw sparks.
“Please, it’s just Rose.” Finishing her ale, she got up for more. Brynn joined her. Lingering around the libation table, she looked back to the four males across the way. Aldric still had the smolder going but the other three looked more wary.
“They don’t like me, do they?” Rose asked.
“Bah.” Brynn waved a hand. “Don’t worry about them. They take their roles as protectors very seriously, a bit too seriously, if I’m honest. Even now with this jolly respite”—she waved her cup around and Rose was afraid she’d spill it—“they stand there like hunky lumps.”
Rose laughed out loud. “Hunky lumps?” Laughing harder, Brynn joined her. Another female joined too, filling her cup.
“What’re you about, Brynn?”
“Our fearless leaders standing like bumps on a log.”
“Very hot bumps,” the newcomer noted, making them all giggle more. “They only relax after a good fight or a good feck.” Her eyes then went wide, and she slapped a hand over her mouth, making Brynn roll with laughter again.
“You’d know,” she said, still laughing, and elbowed Rose. “Nessa here was rolling with Brandon not too long ago. What happened with that, anyway?”
Face red, the brunette downed her drink and then mumbled, “Nothing.”
“Who’s Brandon?” Rose asked.
Brynn nodded to a table where food had been shoved aside to make room for arm wrestling. Two males were currently battling. “He’s a bit of a hothead, but a good warrior. Been climbing the ranks.” Her eyes slid to Nessa. “In addition to—”
Nessa cut off her words with a shove, making them both laugh more.
“We should dance!” Brynn called out suddenly. “Where’s the bloody music?”
They finished their drinks as a band set up beside the fire. A lively song began on a fiddle. Rose watched the male’s fingers and his handling of the bow on the strings. Her heart thrummed in time to the cheery notes, and her toe tapped.
“Come on!” Taking all their empty cups, Brynn set them down and dragged Rose and Nessa to where a group of females had started a step dance. “We’ll get those males to loosen up. Wolves love a lively jig! ”
Holding their skirts, the females’ feet moved in quick time to the music. Rose laughed as she tried to follow Brynn’s steps. It was so fast it was hard to keep up. Rhythmic clapping started, and a high and melodious wind instrument joined the fiddle. The step dance grew faster, accompanied by cheering from the crowd, and Rose laughed as she stumbled through a fast spin. Brynn laughed with her, cheerful and bright.
The next song wasn’t as fast but was accompanied by a male singing about going on a journey away from his love. Rose giggled her way through that one as well, merry in good company.
When the song was over, she felt a bit breathless and dizzy and was tempted to sit back down. But then a slower song started, one from her childhood, and she met the eyes of Aldric, who approached, offering his hand.
“Do you know this one, Rose?”
“Yes.” She swallowed nervously, feeling vulnerable as she let him pull her in, setting a hand on his warm shoulder. Adrian’s burning gaze threatened punishment, but she ignored him.
Dancing with Aldric, heavy nostalgia filled her chest and stung her eyes. Unable to resist, the words poured out of her, the song of missing home and longing to be back among the open fields of childhood. Everything else faded away as she envisioned the meadow and happier days.
When the song ended, the only sound was the crackling fire, everything else still and silent. Aldric motioned around them, where the air glittered with tiny sparkles.
“The starfall,” Rose whispered. Closing her eyes, she pulled on more of her power. Ciel landed on her shoulder as the tanager, and she raised her hands. With his magic combining with hers, they made the sparkles bigger.
“Elves are creatures of day,” she said as she backed away from Aldric, “but there is power in the night. ”
She looked up at the dark sky, at the stars and the bright moon rising above the trees, and began a sinuous dance. Her arms flowed like water above her head as her body bowed and she spun a slow circle. Dipping low, she extended a leg to sweep out on the turn, and she sang about the magic in moonbeams.
The starfall grew finer, falling from high down to just above the ground, where it disappeared. It didn’t touch anyone, and though it was pretty, it scared many in attendance, who shrunk back from the unknown or pulled their children away. The children, however, loved the sparkles and the way the bonfire grew larger, throwing sparks and hissing. They laughed, dancing around Rose, and tried to catch the magic that couldn’t be contained.
Their joy lightened Rose’s heart, and her luminescence brightened. Ciel fluttered around her, chirping cheerfully, adding to her song. A ray of moonlight focused on Rose, growing in intensity as she held the final note until Ciel dropped to the ground as the leopard, digging his paws into the dirt. The moonbeam slowly faded, but Rose’s glow was almost blinding.
“And then,” she said as she lifted her skirts and sank to her knees beside Ciel, “we give it back.” Working her fingers into the hard-packed soil beside Ciel’s paws, she closed her eyes and focused on the earth around her. She reached out with her magic to the roots of the trees, all the flowers waiting to show their vibrant beauty, and the nearby fields of grain and hay. Her magic washed out in a slow wave, nourishing the earth and feeding those roots in all directions until her glow faded.
When she opened her eyes, she was pleasantly drained. Regaining her feet, she brushed the dirt from her hands. Ciel curled around her neck as the mink and sighed deeply, ready to nap.
“Your crops will do very well this year,” Rose told Aldric, “and the rest of the bloom will be amazing. You’re welcome. ”
“What was that, Miss Rose?” Evan the human knight asked. “It was sure pretty, but what did you do?”
“The moon ritual. Where I grew up, we did that on the first full moon every spring. The Moon Goddess blesses us with power to help the earth grow, which we give to the land. There is another we do on the summer solstice for the Sun God.”
She wouldn’t say aloud, but that particular ritual was dangerous, as the strength of the midday sun on the longest day of the year was a great deal more powerful than the moon even at its fullest. Overzealous elves had caused wildfires, if she remembered correctly. She had never been old enough to participate but had attended the ceremony and watched with the other children.
In recent years, since being sold to slavery, she hadn’t believed much in the Gods and Goddesses. Her faith had faltered, wondering why they let such bad things happen in the world, such cruelty reign.
But as a child, things had been different.
And it made her wonder if the Gods didn’t have a plan after all.
Even if she didn’t know what it was.
Pulling her from her thoughts, Aldric leaned close to say below his breath, “The princeling approaches. Should I protect you?”
Rose elbowed him. “You goad him on purpose.”
“Aye, because he’s a right git.”
“Yes, but there is much for us to discuss.”
Turning away from Aldric, she watched her Prince approach, folding her arms and schooling her expression to remain aloof. His dark glare still made her heart race.
Aldric leaned in. “It looks like the only discussing he’s going to be doing is with his hand on your arse. ”
Rose snorted, a very unladylike sound, and Aldric laughed. “Just saying. Unless that’s what you want, best let me step in.”
She rolled her eyes as Adrian stopped in front of them. “If you’re quite done, I think it is time we retire.”
“’Tis early yet,” Aldric said. “Aren’t leeches nocturnal?”
“There is much Rose and I do in the night. And it is not suitable for company.” With a superior look, he held his arm out, expecting Rose to take it and leave with him. She was tempted to ignore him.
But she did want to clear the air, so she let herself be led away, making sure to call good night to Brynn and Nessa, both dancing around the fire with the music started back up.