Page 35 of Sigils & Spells

“So she’s out in the world somewhere, living like a normal human being?”

I can’t believe I’m talking about the faerie queen as if she’s real. My logical mind tells me all this Otherworldly stuff is pure fantasy, but something niggles at me and I can’t help wanting to know more.

“Yes, but with each new life, her memories grow more distant. Her connection to the Otherworld is weakening over time.”

“So she has no idea who she is?”

“Oh, sweetie.” Val puts her arm around my shoulder. “I’m sure, deep down, she knows exactly who she is.”

CHAPTER6

Fionn

She’s beginningto piece things together. She’ll soon remember who she is, who she belongs to. Being back here, at her spiritual home, is bringing long-forgotten memories to the fore.

As I emerge from the warm waters of my favorite pool, set within a small, intimate cave deep inside my palace, Breanna enters. Slipping my arms into my velvet robe, I watch her sink to her knees before me. She’s become so graceful over the years, she could almost be Fae.

“Please, allow me to be of service to you, sire.”

I put a finger beneath her chin and drag her gaze up to meet mine. Desire glitters within the verdant pools of her eyes. My little human pet wasn’t always so eager to please me. Much patient training was required to mold her into the perfect pet. She’s so attuned to my needs now, she seems to anticipate them before I do. Breanna is a beautiful girl, with flame-colored hair not seen among my people. I’ve enjoyed her body in many ways over the years, but now my queen is within reach, I’ll have no more use for her. Perhaps she senses this, as she shuffles forward on her knees and touches her forehead to my foot. “Please, sire.”

When she asks with such sweet desperation, I can’t deny her this last opportunity to serve me. “Very well, Breanna. Open your mouth wide and place your hands behind your back.”

She obeys immediately, knowing that even the slightest hesitation will result in punishment. When I want something, I don’t like to wait. Anticipating the day when my queen will return to me has been sheer torment. Patience is required for a short while longer, but for now, I will make do with Breanna. She’s kneeling up, with her hands behind her back, which pushes her small, pert breasts up. I’ll miss playing with those, but once I have Cait back in my bed, there won’t be room in my life for another woman.

As I curve a hand around the back of Breanna’s head, I realize I can’t do this, not with Cait so close. Though I haven’t been celibate during the long years of our separation, now that my queen is within my grasp, I can’t be with another woman. Frustrated, I shove Breanna away. I don’t care that she falls to the floor, tears pooling in her eyes.

“You have pleased me over the years, Breanna,” I say, “but it is time for me to let you go.”

“As you wish, sire,” she whispers. “What will happen to me now?”

I could release her back into the human world, but she would find it so changed after being down here for such a long time, she really wouldn’t know how to cope. Setting her free would be a cruelty. “I will allow you to remain here, in Laidir. At the palace, in fact.”

“Oh, thank you, sire.”

Poor, foolish girl. “Do not thank me too soon.”

Her face falls, no doubt as she wonders what I have in store for her.

“Guards!” Two of my bodyguards run into the room. “Take her away. She is a gift for the Imperial Guard to do with what they will.”

“No, sire, please.” She tries to hold onto my leg, to stop me moving away. She knows my guards will be hard taskmasters, perhaps even more than I was. Where I am just one man, there are so many of them to keep happy. I shrug her off and she falls, sobbing, to the floor. Her cries follow me out into the hall and along the corridor to my chambers. I need to rest and replenish my energy. This has been a good day. Tonight will be even better.

CHAPTER7

Cait

By the timeVal and I get back to the house, the rest of our party has finally arrived. Rowan tells us they’re gathered in the library, waiting for our return. It’s a relief to have them here. It was weird being alone with our professor. Don’t get me wrong. I like Val, but she’s a teacher and I’m her student. We’re not supposed to be friends. Perhaps now that the others are here, we can get on with the writing workshops she promised us and I can put my apparently overactive imagination to better use.

When we walk into the library, I can’t help but gasp. The room is magnificent, with floor to ceiling shelves crammed full of books. They’re mainly old, leather-bound volumes, but there are some paperbacks in there too. A large wooden desk sits at the front of the room with a shabby red leather chair behind it. The pattern of wear and tear tells me it gets a lot of use. Several comfortable chairs are dotted around the room and there’s a Chesterfield sofa. It’s the perfect place for a writing class and my fellow students have already made themselves at home.

The three men, Alex, Danny and Connor, occupy the armchairs dotted around the room. I’m surprised they came on this trip. Though they take English literature alongside me, they’ve never really shown much interest in the topic. I got the impression it was a filler subject for them. The three of them are really into sports, from what I can tell. Alex and Danny are both tall and muscular. They’re the type of blond-haired, blue-eyed gods other women fawn over. Connor is built like a tank. To be honest, he scares me a little. His dark hair and eyes give him a sinister vibe. I don’t think I’ve ever seen him smile.

Ella, Lucy and Yuliya are squashed together on one of the sofas. They always travel as a pack. Lucy, the prettiest of the three, is the queen bee. The icy blonde looks like a supermodel and wears the most incredible clothes, none of which scream ‘college student’. Yuliya and Ella both have darker hair. Though both pretty by anyone’s standards, they’re not in the same league as their friend.

Since all the other seats are taken, the only option for me is the armchair by the bay window at the back of the room. I don’t mind being apart from the rest of the group. It looks like the perfect spot to get some writing done.

“Where’s Rachel?” Val asks and I feel a twinge of guilt for not even noticing she wasn’t here. “She had a panic attack.” Danny rolls his eyes in despair.

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