Chapter Two: Shadows of Obligation
Elowen shifted on the leather pad, her thighs still aching from the exertions of the night before. She was an accomplished rider—of horses. But her mount today challenged that skill. She rode a stag with a coat the color of the night sky. An animal that Thalion called a skydancer. Antlers as dark as Elowen's hair twisted up from the proud head, each tip adorned with a bright point of light that shone even in the midmorning sun.
Thalion had left the bulk of his army in Aurelian under command of a cousin, while he and his bride returned to the fae realm and his palace, Pyreheart Citadel. Only the priest, Diarmuid, and five of the house guard accompanied them.
Elowen's eyes flickered to Diarmuid. Thalion had left her in the priest's care while he rode a scouting mission with one of the guards.
Diarmuid had offered her a choice in the wedding. Truly, it was no choice at all, but at least he had tried. She shifted in the saddle, rump stinging from Thalion's slaps.
She had to find out more about her husband and his people. If she did not, she'd end up like her father, hollowed out and alone. Her gaze turned to the priest again. "Why is Thalion so eager to return home?"
Diarmuid's silver eyebrows climbed up his black forehead. "Lord Thalion."
Elowen chewed on the inside of her cheeks. "Lord Thalion."
The priest patted her shoulder. "Titles matter, even among family. In time, that may change, but until he gives you leave, he is Lord Thalion." He waited until Elowen conceded a nod, and then continued. "Under Brehon law, you are wed, but under Queen Mab's law, the wedding of an eirnacht must be consummated in the heart of his power. So, he must bed you in Pyreheart."
A sudden hope lit in Elowen's belly.
Is there a way out of this?
"What happens if he doesn't?"
Diarmuid's silver eyes held a grave light as they searched hers. "Queen Mab declared your lands open for conquest to any who can hold them. If Thalion does not claim you, war will return to Aurelian."
Elowen wrapped her arms around her torso, a chill shivering through her. The roadside vanished in her mind's eye. The orange leaves of the trees became red, like the blood of common folk watering the land as the armies of sidhe lords tore apart peaceful farms.
Lysander wouldn't survive a second loss. Nor would their people. Her guts knotted together as hope died.
"Will—" Elowen gulped the crisp fall air down, rubbing her palms on her green dress. "Will Lord Thalion protect Aurelian from others?"
Diarmuid searched her gaze. "You know he will. Do you need to hear me say it? He must under Brehon Law—he has accepted Lysander's fealty and your hand in marriage."
If she submitted, everyone back home lived. Elowen stared at her hands.
But will there be anything left of me after he teaches me his desires?
"Why... Why does he have to bed me in Pyreheart?" The heat of a blush scalded her cheeks, and she fiddled with the reins. "Isn't our marriage enough?"
Diarmuid traced over his cauldron pendant with a dark finger. "Our magic is much tied up with sex and blood. It is the nature of fae." He spoke in a calm, scholarly tone. "Despite the Brehon Law that binds both our people, despite the Gods that watch over us both, we are not human, my lady, and you would do well to remember that. Did Lord Thalion glow for you?"
Elowen blushed harder, the heat of a furnace blazing on her cheeks. "Yes."
"Then you know." He spread his hands, comfortable on the thin saddle. "And you did very well. Not all humans, or even half-humans such as you, can bring an eirnacht's light to the surface."
Her gaze flickered away from him, tendons in her throat standing taut
. 'They'll suck the life from you.'
Had it started already?
She gulped, thrusting the fear away, and focused on Diarmuid. "How did you know about our mother?"
"Your eyes give you away." He patted her leg. "Don't fret. Fairy will not hold a mixed heritage against you."
Skydancer hooves interrupted further talk as Thalion and Fergus returned. The words of the priest lingered with Elowen throughout the long ride to their campsite.
###
That evening, Thalion helped Elowen off the skydancer with gentle hands while his guards set up tents. Despite the cruelties of the night before, he took every care for her on the road, ensuring her comfort.
His behavior left Elowen confused, especially when he commanded two tents pitched, one for him and one for her.
She ate the food Fergus, the scout and cook, set in front of her while Bran, Eamon and Celia played dice to determine the order of the watch. The two male guards won and Celia rolled her starry eyes as she accepted the middle watch. They laughed, their liquid blue irises shining in the firelight.
Throughout supper, Elowen's eyes strayed to the canvas shelters. Thalion had chosen to spend last night with her. And now, he chose not to. She braided her fingers together, peering into the flames.
Their marriage wasn't truly sealed until he bedded her in Pyreheart. He was Aurelian's conqueror, but also her protector. Lysander and all the people of the town depended on Elowen to make sure the bargain remained sealed.
Aurelian could not afford for her to gamble this alliance if Queen Mab had truly declared them fair game.
Elowen drew little maps with a twig in the sand, tension spanning across her shoulders as she ran through Lysander's options.
No human king would ride to their aid. They were too close to the unseelie realm border, and all their neighbors had cordially disliked her father. Not enough time had passed since his death to change that.
Thalion would levy a tax, but his men would keep their people safe.
And I want to feel his touch again.
A shudder wracked her then, the memory of the cresting wave of pleasure rippling through her groin.
Will there be anything left of me if I learn his desires? He has my body already...
But they had lost the war. She closed her eyes and gathered her courage, even as fear played a fast tattoo on her heart.
As her husband rose to retire, she walked to him, heat burning up her neck and onto her cheeks. "Please, my lord... May I share your tent?"
His starlight gaze captured hers. "You spent half of last night awake and near tears and here you are volunteering for more?"
Elowen raised her chin. "I am your wife."
"Indeed you are." A predatory smile graced his face, and he opened the flap of the tent, waving her through.
Swallowing down a ball of nervous tension, she walked in, stopping just before the bedroll spread beneath a fur blanket. Her shoulders drew toward her ears.
What am I doing? This is madness...
"Don't tell me you have cold feet now." Thalion's hands closed hard on her waist.
With a deep breath, she turned and wound her arms around his neck. "No, my lord."
A darkness passed over him, a hawkish gleam in his eyes. "Good."
Every part of her trembled as his grip shifted to her head. The shameful desire shivered over her skin and her breath caught in her throat. His mouth captured hers, hot and demanding. Elowen clung to him, her treacherous body singing under his harsh caress.
This time, he loosened the laces of her corset. The traveling gown slithered off her, tumbling unheeded to the floor. He drew the chemise over her head, silken cloth sparking goosebumps with every touch. She shivered, naked in the cool air of the tent, the iridescent glow of a single fairy lantern shining on her pale skin.
Thalion pointed at the bedroll. "Lie down and spread."
Pulse surging in her veins, Elowen covered herself, staring at him.
Is he just going to take me this time?
He slapped her hands away, exposing every part of her to his hungry gaze. "Do you think you will feel less shame if I take you outside and spear you under the evening sky? My guards would thank me for the show. Maybe I'll let Celia take part. She likes women."
"N-No, my lord." Tears gathered in Elowen's eyes. The considerate husband of the road was gone, replaced by the cruel master of the bedroom. Her treacherous body thrummed, breasts perking up.
He shoved her toward the bedroll. "Then down and spread or we'll put on quite a show."
Shivering, Elowen obeyed him. The furs itched against her naked back, overly sensitive skin crawling between her shoulder blades. She had come to him. He could do anything. And she had invited him.
He could suck the life from me.
Her husband stripped off his clothing, leaving only the ogham rune dangling around his neck. She closed her eyes, preparing to be plundered. But nothing happened, and she peeked through her lashes.
He knelt between her legs, stroking along the length of his rigid cock as his gaze devoured her.
What is he waiting for?
Bird wings fluttered in her throat as she struggled to imagine what he might do.
Placing moonflower pale fingers on her knee, he walked the digits down her thigh toward her womanhood. A light tip brushed against her nether lips. She caught her breath, a pulse of desire shooting through her as her body betrayed her once more. Shame curdled in her belly, and she tried to lift her legs, but he forced them flat.
"Did anyone ever touch you here before me?" He ran his fingers through the pale hair above her slit.
Elowen bit her lip.
What is he going to do?
The cold tendrils of fear coiled through her, mingling with the pulse of desire. "No, my lord."
"Did you touch yourself?" He laughed as she blushed, a scalding heat of embarrassment staining her cheeks. "I see you did. But if no one else touched you, then you have a lot to learn about pleasure."
Elowen crimped back as he leaned forward, but she had nowhere to go. His mouth closed on her breast, fingers twisting in a pinch on the other nipple. Her skin tingled with every touch. He dug his nails under her small globes, leaving red half-moons against her white skin. She writhed as his breath tickled down her ribs, hating him for playing her so well.
