Chapter 4
FINN
As luck would have it, I wasn’t dead.
I made it through the portal alive and have managed to speak to their Queen about my desires. Relief at being able to make my offer rivaled my happiness at dealing with someone other than the male fairy who looks ready to gut me.
He is terribly unpleasant.
Their Queen is so much nicer. To speak to and look at.
If she is shocked by my request, it doesn't show on her beautiful face. Gods, she is beautiful. The most beautiful female—human or fairy—I've ever seen.
Her green skin looks softer than silk. As do the pink curls that match the glowing freckles on her round cheeks. Full lips beg me to taste them. My hands itch to touch her, hells, to feel the bite of her sharp teeth. To trace the delicate wings at her back with my lips.
I strangle the rising desire. I should've fucked someone before coming through the portal. I'm restless from my lack of release.
Even as I think it, I know it’s not entirely true. If I had spent months in debauchery with Merigold and the other beauties of the Silk Pillow, I would be just as overcome by the sight of her.
The beast in my stomach hasn't been able to look away from her.
Queen Arden is all fluid grace and natural loveliness. It beams from her green eyes as if she is lit from within. Those eyes trace over my face. Completely made of shimmering green with no pupils or whites. She is ethereal.
Fear is the last thing I feel the longer I look at her. Her power flows over me in a gentle wave, pulling me deep into her presence.
Fucking the Queen is not an option. I’m certain it would be enjoyable, but unwise. The dark-haired male—Elwood, she calls him—would run me through. I didn't come all this way to be cut down by a disgruntled lover.
My original plan solidifies.
There is surely some task she needs my aid with. One that could easily be done naked if she were to request it. I'll secure my fairy wish and be on my way.
Simple.
"Well?" I prompt. "What do you think? Can you help me?"
While Arden may be considering my proposal, Elwood has his thoughts on the matter. I grunt as he hooks me around the forearm and yanks me forward. I'm surprised my arm is still attached as he snarls down into my face.
"How dare you speak of such things! Where did you hear of this?" His lip curls in disgust. "This is some dark trickery, brought forth by the—"
"Let him go, Elwood." Her airy voice cuts through the tension like a blade.
With one final snarl, the male releases his hold. I fall forward but catch myself in time. Rising to my full height, I turn towards the goddess sitting atop her blooming throne. Sunlight bathes her in radiant light, making her watchful green eyes glimmer.
The longer she stares, the more aware I become of my racing heartbeat. Of the painful state in my trousers. I need to get a grip if I am going to endure being here. She is a beauty but one I can’t indulge in.
My resolve nearly snaps as she rises from the throne.
Her dress is a scrap of green silk, thin enough for me to make out the slight curves beneath.
The neckline drapes, exposing the inner swells of her small breasts.
Green toes curl atop the floorboards, and I wonder what they would feel like between my lips.
Gods help me, I may go mad before claiming my wish.
"How have you come to know of such magic?"
Stopping a few steps away, I'm awash in her floral scent. It is a heady combination of rose water and fresh grass.
The throne room blurs. White stones and wood floors morph together to frame the glowing figure standing before me. Sharp teeth poke from between her pink lips. Color creeps along her chest, and I long to trace her blush with my tongue.
Clearing my throat, I steady my feet.
"I have my ways."
To answer her question completely would require digging into something I'd rather leave buried. I'll reveal my truth to her soon enough, but only as a means to an end. Until then, she doesn't need to know all my secrets.
Mercifully, she doesn't pry, merely blinks verdant eyes at me.
"Can you bestow one on me?" I ask.
Inclining her head, I'm stuck once more by how much strength radiates from her small frame.
Her face is eye-level with my chest, and yet I can't help but feel I'm at a disadvantage. If she ordered me to my knees, I would do so happily. I'd crawl after her for eternity if only for the chance to taste one of her smooth calves.
"It is primal magic," the Queen breathes, "one that will require us to strike a bargain in blood. You will have to complete my demands in full."
"Whatever you want, Queenie. It'll be done."
Arden's lips tip upwards. Her small smile makes her even lovelier and pisses Elwood off even more. I'll have to ensure that whatever tasks she entrusts me with are not hindered by outside interference.
An idea sparks, and I let it flicker.
"You're too confident."
"Confidence is my most appealing quality." I smirk. "I'm quite adept at anything I put my mind to."
Arden's eyes widen, but she quickly shakes off my tease. A somber expression washes over her face.
"There is a blight sweeping over my land.
The Void, we call it, has decimated our neighboring kingdom.
The Deadlands have risen where it once stood and now seek to spread into Meadowmist." Her wings flutter at her back.
"My terms are simple: discover a way to kill the Void and a fairy wish will be yours. Fail and—"
"I'll die," I finish. "That goes without saying, Queenie."
Arden swallows thickly.
"All that have tried before you have perished. The Void has claimed thousands of fairy lives. Do you still wish to make the bargain?"
I'm as good as dead without the wish. My confidence overshadows my apprehension. I should be treating the threat as real, but with the thing I've sought for so long finally in reach, it is hard to find a reason not to agree.
I have sailed on dangerous waters and fought pirates and other treasure hunters. I should've died as an orphan, but I didn't.
What is one more impossible odd to best?
"Without a doubt."
Her eyes brighten. I like the way she's looking at me. As if I am the thing she's been searching for. If I can help save her kingdom, then perhaps I am.
A fairy wish is a worthy reward for my bravery. I wouldn't mind if she threw in a kiss too.
Just one, so I can take her taste with me back to the human world. Sampling anything more than her lips, and I would start considering something far more dangerous.
"Very well." She turns towards Elwood. "Your dagger, please."
"My Queen, please, consider what you do. We cannot trust this human. He could be working for the Void."
"Prowling, rambling, and now insinuating I'm a spy for a murderous entity? You must really not like me," I grumble, shooting him a glare.
The male fairy returns my hostile stare.
"I beg of you. Please—"
The Fairy Queen silences the male with a raised hand.
"You forget your place with me, Elwood. My word is law. This is the best chance my kingdom has at survival. I will not waste it over misplaced male pride."
"Arden, please—"
"Enough, son," says an older fairy male. His gray hair curls around his pointed ears. "The Queen has spoken."
"Thank you, Fren.” Queen Arden bestows a grateful smile while extending her palm. “The dagger, please."
"Here, Queenie."
Reaching for the small knife sheathed at my hip, I try not to take offense over the fairies not removing my weapons. I'm sure a blade seems a paltry weapon when you possess magic, but I'm just as deadly with a blade as I am with my charms.
I extend the knife towards her hilt first. The brush of our fingers makes all the burning blood in my body travel south. Pink dots her cheeks as she presses the blade to her palm. A soft gasp leaves her lips as golden blood pools from the slice.
She hands the weapon back to me, and I do the same to my hand.
"Press your cut against mine," she instructs.
I don't have to be told twice to touch her. The delicate skin of her palm is warm and just as soft as I thought it would be. Our bodies drift closer. The top of her dress gapes in the breeze, and I avert my gaze.
The beast smashes against me.
Its fangs pierce my stomach and lacerate my flesh with its claws. It roars, not to be let out but in hunger for the Queen before us. There are many reasons I force him back down. Paramount is that if he were unleashed, I doubt very much Arden would like to make his acquaintance.
He lacks the delicate charms a female of her beauty needs.
The warm tendril of her magic curls around our pressing hands. Green light encases us as metal floods my mouth. The magic enlivens my beast. My knees nearly buckle at the overwhelming sensation of Arden and the force it requires to keep my curse back.
My wound sizzles as the magic takes hold. A bargain struck. I feel its permanent ties in my blood.
"It is done," she whispers.
Reluctantly, I remove my palm from hers. Different emotions flicker over her face. There is worry in her eyes and gratitude. Whatever danger awaits me scares her.
I shake off the lingering traces of dread at her palpable fear.
Clearing an invasive, murderous creature isn't something I've come across before, but I'm a competent man and can rise to the occasion. I have a Queen to impress and a wish to claim.
All I need is for the fairies to hold up their end of the deal. Their Queen certainly will, but the others—especially the one I can feel glaring at me—can't be trusted. My earlier idea solidifies as I stare into Arden's eyes.
She'll hate me, but it must be done.
"Get some rest. A room in the east wing will be prepared for you. At dawn, you will be sent into Meadowmist."
The two other fairy scouts take my arms. Pulling me away from Queen Arden, my beast roars in protest. I can't help but glance at her again, knowing I'll have plenty of time to enjoy her beauty if my plan is successful.
"I'll dream of you, Queenie!" I shout.
Elwood blocks her from my view, but I caught her curious smile all the same. This trip into the Deadlands just got a lot more exciting.