This is the second chapter in the second story about Elowen and Thalion. It should stand alone, but if you're interested in what came before, here are the links to the previous Elowen and Thalion story: One: A Forced Union:
https://www.literotica.com/s/a-forced-union
, Two: Shadows of Obligation:
https://www.literotica.com/s/shadows-of-obligation
, Three: A Moonlit Pact:
https://literotica.com/s/a-moonlit-pact-elowen-and-thalion-3
Four: A Lover's Dance:
https://literotica.com/s/a-lovers-dance-elowen-and-thalion
First chapter of this story:
https://literotica.com/s/elowen-and-thalion-pt-02-ch-01
Chapter Two: A Passionate Hunt
Elowen sat at the long wooden table in the great hall of Pyreheart castle, its obsidian arches reflecting the early morning light. A fire blazed in the hearth, echoing the harsh beauty of the red stone of the castle. Despite the months spent between these walls, she still sometimes startled at the crimson color.
Banners and tapestries softened the unrelenting shade--Thalion's silver lily, scenes of Gods, and a giant rendering of the fortress itself, looming on the cliffs of the western sea. So it had been in her girlhood home of Aurelian, though colors and scenes had been markedly different. A gentle pang of homesickness brushed across her, and she looked away from the fire.
Aurelian also lacked the muffled roar of the ocean, the briny scent intertwined with the aroma of baking from the kitchen below.
I wonder how Lysander is. Elowen smiled at the thought of her brother in his castle, probably eating breakfast as well. She tore a hunk of bread from a rye loaf and smothered it in berry jam, the sweet aroma making her mouth water.
She had lived in Pyreheart all winter, her marriage sealed by Brehon Law and Fairy Power. And somehow, it had become home. Though she missed her brother, she doubted he would understand her life and desires now.
Opposite her, Thalion picked out slices of smoked fish, and offered the platter to Diarmuid, the sidhe priest who broke his fast with them this morning. His midnight black skin absorbed the surrounding light, lending him an otherworldly aura. Crystalline blue eyes reflected a kindly wisdom older than stones of the castle. He'd given Elowen good advice more than once, and she smiled at him across the table. The blue glow of his gaze mirrored the shiny silver cauldron necklace that dangled from his neck--a symbol of his devotion to Cerridwen. He declined the fish, returning Elowen's smile and sipping at his mead cup instead.
Thalion swallowed a bite of breakfast. "Is everything in the village in order?"
"Yes, my lord." Diarmuid inclined his head in a seated bow. "Whatever Lord Ferin is here for, he'll find nothing amiss and no hint of weakness among our people."
"Good." Thalion tapped his mug, and a servant poured mead.
Elowen gasped as a swirl of color burst into the room, interrupting further conversation. Bloomfae--the tiny fairies that lived among the wildflowers--swarmed around the table. Their iridescent wings caught the morning light and refracted sunbeams that danced around the room in agitated rainbows.
Thalion exchanged a startled glance with Diarmuid, their eyes stretching wide.
Barely larger than a hummingbird, the tiny fairies' bodies resembled the sidhe in miniature--though suspended between giant dragonfly wings.
Fairy dust scattered from them and turned the air dense with power.
Elowen folded her hands together, nails biting into her palms. The substance was a physical manifestation of bloomfay lust and they never wasted it. Her shoulders drew a tense line.
An older fairy with wings like tarnished silver flittered towards Thalion. He bowed in midair, his voice like the jingling of tiny bells. "My lord Thalion Moonsong of Pyreheart, I am Kernow."
Thalion held out his hand. "Good morrow to you, Kernow. What is the meaning of this?"
The little bloomfay alighted on Thalion's palm. "My lord, we are from Foxglove Meadow." The hollow in his throat deepened, and he bowed again, a jerky motion that lacked the grace normal to bloomfae. "A dark fire has arisen from the earth, my lord. It consumes our grove, and despite our efforts, we've not been able to stop it."
Elowen gasped, covering her mouth. The bloomfae made fairy dust. Without their bowers, magic would not be possible. Without their presence, the life of fairyland would fade.
Kernow's gaze flickered to her, his fear reflecting her own.
Thalion held up a finger. "Is the fire growing even now?"
"No, my lord." Kernow held out tiny hands, palms outward. "We've drawn a circle around the incursion using fairy dust. It is contained, but still it burns the earth, leaching all that brings life." The swirling colors in his eyes darkened and he stared at his bare feet, toes scrunching on Thalion's hand. "The circle consumed all our tribute, my lord."
Elowen's breath caught, and her gaze flickered to her husband. The bloomfae owed him tribute in fairy dust for living under his protection. If they could not pay... She leaned forward and touched his hand. "My lord, surely it is not--"
His fingers closed hard on hers, grinding the little bones together, and she bit her lip to keep from crying out. "We shall see. Kernow, you will guide us to Foxglove Meadow."
The bloomfay's eyes flickered to Elowen, but he bowed in submission. "Yes, my lord."
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Elowen shifted on the slight leather pad of her skydancer as Kernow led them to Foxglove Meadow. Beside her, Thalion rode in silence, his expression stern and set. Elowen half turned to meet Diarmuid's eyes. The priest gave her a reassuring smile, but Thalion's silence since the breakfast table offset that scant comfort. She stared ahead, ignoring the guards who trailed behind them.
The road curved through a long finger of wild forest, and Kernow beckoned. "Just around here, my lord, my lady."
