Celtic Love Knots Volume 7 Read online

  Melea was built like a goddess, her body firm and well rounded, her skin only slightly darker than Eustace's own and wholly appealing. Her hair, black as midnight, hung long down her back, her dark eyes sparkling in the dim light. She was the epitome of womanhood and all that he had ever desired. Eustace thought of that long-ago night in the forest when he had watched a lovely dark elven princess and her consort, thinking at the time he had never seen anything sexier.

  Melea was more arousing by far. Eustace pulled her into his arms, stroking his hands over her body as she closed her eyes in building pleasure. With a secret smile, Eustace leaned forward to stroke his stubbly cheek over her rounded breasts, licking the pointed tips, then taking as much as he could inside the warm recesses of his mouth, sucking deeply. Melea moaned and Eustace purred. After a few delicious moments, she whimpered in delight. A more lovely sound he'd never heard.

  "I never knew a high court boy could be so ... feral."

  Eustace drew back with smile. “You haven't seen anything yet, Dark One."

  Melea sighed as Eustace placed one knee on the bed between her spread knees and pushed forward, forcing her back to lie flat under him. Melea's long, black hair made a blanket of darkness that enchanted him. His hands filtered through the silky strands, marveling at their softness and hue.

  "I want to give you pleasure, Melea. Let's not rush this. I've waited centuries to find you.” Eustace stroked his tongue down the side of her neck, savoring his way to her lips. “I've dreamed of this. I've dreamed of you, though I didn't realize it was you at the time. Still, I've seen this raven hair, these dark eyes, loving me, in my dreams.” He nipped her lower lip sharply. “I want to savor this forbidden time with you."

  Melea breathed harshly, her chest rising and falling rapidly. “Me too. I've dreamed of this too. Of you. My golden lover."

  They stared into each other's eyes for a long moment before Eustace moved down to tangle his tongue with hers, driving deep and being driven in return. Arms tangled and stroked, reaching for each other with a deep-seated need neither had ever experienced before.

  Chapter 4

  Eustace's kiss was hot and primitive in a way that fired Melea's long-denied senses. She'd had her share of lovers over the centuries, but no one in recent decades, hidden away up here in the north. Truth to tell, she had little interest in sex and didn't miss it all that much—not when she had her dream lover to keep her warm at night.

  But this was so much better than even her dreams. Eustace was warm and giving, his hands masterful as he roamed her body with a knowledge they should not rightly possess. How did he know each of the special places that made her squirm? How did he play her body like a master musician playing a beloved instrument? How did he touch that place deep inside that only her dream lover had ever managed to find?

  There could be only one explanation, though Melea knew it was impossible.

  There was no way a high court elf and she could be true mates. Never in the history of their warring peoples had it been so, and Melea seriously doubted she would be the first to break the insurmountable barrier erected by the fey queens so long ago.

  But then why did this feel so right? So pure? So loving?

  Melea wanted to think it through, but Eustace distracted her with his talented tongue. He licked her folds, pleasuring her as no male—fey or mortal—had ever done. He kissed her nether lips as he'd kissed her mouth. Deep, commanding and possessive strokes of his tongue had her arching off the soft bed, crying out at the intensity of his caress.

  Oh yes, Eustace knew just how to touch her to make her come like the northern lights. Her release shimmered through her, the excess energy bathing the bedchamber in a golden green glow, the result of her mage power blending with and feeding off his.

  Eustace had more magic than he knew, and it was a pure, simple magic that took her breath away. His magic was of the green, growing things, and it was blessed among her kind as a true gift of the Lady they all served.

  The amount of power they generated together was like nothing she'd ever experienced before. And the pleasure was greater than anything she'd ever known. Eustace was the master of her pleasure and his satisfied smile as he rose above her, told her he knew it well.

  "Come here, lover.” She beckoned him with one crooked finger and his eyes smoldered as he complied. Melea took his lips in a deep kiss as she rose, twisting their bodies so he lay on his back, and she rose over him. When she came up for air, she licked her smiling lips. “My turn."

  His eyes widened as she moved down the large bed to take him in her mouth. His taste was salty-sweet, his cock long and thick, just the way she liked them. She knew his hard body from her dreams. She knew the way to excite him beyond reason, though they'd never joined in the flesh before. Still, as she suckled him, she recognized his flavor, his scent, his muscled hardness. This was her dream lover made real, impossible as it seemed.

  She sucked harder, wanting to give him pleasure, but all too soon, Eustace urged her to stop with one gentle hand tangled in her hair. She lifted her head, licking her lips as she met his eyes with a question in her own.

  "Don't you want to come in my mouth?"

  Eustace groaned and tugged her upward so she lay next to him on the wide bed.

  "Tempting as that is, this first time, I want to be inside you, Melea. Though I'll gladly take you up on the offer later."

  She laughed and let him position her as he wished. He stroked his wide palms over her body so softly, each individual, baby-fine hair on her flesh rose and quivered in excitement, not to mention what the tender caresses were doing to her insides.

  "All right then, Sir Knight, I'll owe you one,” she teased as he rose above her, settling into the warm groove of her thighs.

  * * * *

  His hot gaze teased back. “You're a considerate elf, for a darkling.” The pejorative term sounded like an endearment from his lips. “I'm sorry, Melea, but I need you now. I need you so damned much!"

  Melea groaned as Eustace surged forward, imbedding himself deeply inside her. It was heaven. It was what he'd been looking for all his long life.

  But it was forbidden.

  Oh, elves took lovers all the time, but never did a high court elf take a dark lover. It just was not done. It could cause chaos in both courts and rip the fabric of their realms asunder. Or at least, that's what the doomsayers all said. But really, who knew?

  What could be so wrong about this magnificent feeling? What could it hurt to be with this spectacularly gifted elf this way?

  Eustace put all those lingering doubts from his mind as he found his release—the most satisfying release of his long life—in the depths of his new, dark elven lover. He shouted Melea's name as he came, spurting long and hard within her tight core.

  He panted as he came down from the highest high he had ever reached. Rolling to the side, he settled next to Melea, keeping one arm around her, unwilling to let her go completely. When he could breathe again, he found her gaze trained on him.

  "Well?” he couldn't resist teasing her as a sexy smile lit her dark eyes.

  "Not bad, for a high court fop."

  "Fop?” Eustace leaned up and reached out one hand to play with her nipple, stroking seductively as he watched the fire leap in her eyes. “I object to the term fop. I'm a warrior of the high court, highly trained in the use of weaponry and tactics. And right now,” he whispered, leaning in to lick the aroused bud, delighting in her shivers, “my plan of attack is to conquer your lovely body."

  "Mmm.” She shimmied closer. “You're succeeding, warrior.” She emphasized the last word with a detectable purr in her voice as he fondled her, moving his hands lower.

  "Good.” He swept his tongue around her belly button. “But I will not rest until victory is declared."

  "It could be a long battle.” She giggled when his tongue tickled over her ribs. Eustace loved the bright light shining from her dark eyes as she watched him teasing her luscious body.

  "I'm
prepared for a prolonged engagement, milady."

  He spread her legs and touched her, moving into a rhythm as her hips undulated slightly against his hand. She was eager for more, he could plainly see, and her delectable scent was making his own passions rise.

  When she tugged on his leg, he paused momentarily to meet her dark gaze.

  "If you shift over here,” she said, gesturing for him to rest his legs up near her head, “I can deliver on that promise I owe you."

  His cock jumped at the thought of her hot mouth sucking him down while he played with her pussy. “You'd do that for me?"

  Her gaze softened. “I'd do anything for you."

  His breath caught. Here it was then. The truth of her feelings, meshing so perfectly with his own. The woman of his dreams was real. He'd loved her for years, and now here she was, in the flesh. The certainty of his feelings was unquestioned.

  "I'd give my life for you, Melea."

  She smiled, breaking the tension in the air. “Right now, all I want is your body.” She tugged on his leg once more and he argued no further, scooting around so his aching cock was positioned closer to her questing hands and talented mouth.

  They pleasured each other with fingers and tongues, teasing touches and lingering licks, until they came once more to rest replete in each other's arms.

  * * * *

  Melea turned to Eustace a while later, sifting one hand through his shaggy blonde hair. She sought and held Eustace's gaze, speaking of the profound things that had occurred between them. Words were not necessary to express all the doubts, the fears, the joy and the love they were feeling. Melea's magic touched Eustace's and twined firmly together, never to part.

  "We'll both be banished, you know."

  Eustace shrugged. “I've already washed my hands of the high court. Their strictures hold no appeal for me."

  "And I've been living up here for decades. They're not happy I chose to leave them, but they leave me be."

  "They're probably afraid of your magic, Melea. You're one powerful mage."

  Melea chuckled. “Maybe so, but still, they won't miss me that much. I haven't been part of the dark court in a very long time and I was never happy there."

  "Then where do we go? What do we do? Can we stay here?"

  Melea shook her head. “I don't know. For now, I guess we can live here, but eventually, we'll have to find a place with others of our kind, or at least some other magical race that will accept us. If we could only find the entrance to the ancient one's home. He might know of a place for us."

  Eustace took Melea in his arms, hugging her close. “It will all work out. The most important thing is that we've found each other. The rest will fall into place."

  "I wish I had your optimism, but I've been up here for decades and have never had even a glimmer of where the ancient one might be hiding."

  "Then we'll just wait him out. I think I know a few things we can do to keep ourselves busy.” His leering grin caught Melea off-guard as did the swooping dive he made to claim her lips in a hard, fast kiss.

  Chapter 5

  Both elves found completion several more times that night, each time dozing only to wake and start the loving all over again. Melea conjured a warm bath for them both to share in the wee hours. This time the tub was big enough for two and the water was scented with spice and soothing herbs as they cared for each other's well-loved bodies.

  They were each smiling more than they had in the past several years combined, giddy in their newfound love and frolicking like the elven children they'd once been. Joy found its way into the tiny magical home, seeping in through the cracks in Eustace and Melea's armor—the walls they'd built around their hearts.

  * * * *

  "I dreamed of you.” Melea's voice was soft in the darkened bedroom as she stroked her fingers through Eustace's soft blonde hair. “Every night, I looked forward to the time when I could fall asleep and have you with me in my dreams. I never saw your face clearly, but I'd know this body anywhere, and this pure heart that beats within. I've loved both for so long."

  Eustace felt his throat tighten. “I dreamed too.” He cleared his throat before he could continue. “I wasn't kidding when I said that. Since I was caught spying on your kin, each evening my dark-haired lover has come to me."

  "Not my cousin, Bara?” Her voice was teasing.

  "Cousin?"

  She stroked Eustace's stubbly cheek. “That princess you spied on was my cousin, Bara of Black Downs. She's the one who told me about you, though she's not told another soul to my knowledge. She described you so perfectly, I knew it was you the moment you took off your coat. I was only teasing when I said my kin were talking about you. Forgive me?"

  Eustace growled and rolled, pinning Melea beneath him. Her dark eyes sparkled up at Eustace and any annoyance with her teasing was easily forgotten.

  "I love you, Melea."

  All teasing ceased.

  "As I love you, Eustace."

  They loved each other slow and solemnly then, each knowing that they had found the mate of their dreams, the one who would complete them, make them whole and happy. Finally. The two elves from different realms felt joy blossom in their hearts for the first time in centuries. Together. Forever.

  * * * *

  The next morning, the day of the Winter Solstice, a strange light shone on the horizon just before dawn, just beyond the huge piles of fluffy white snow that had drifted in the night. It looked like the glow of the aurora borealis, but it was much too low to the ground.

  "What is that?"

  Melea tilted her head, considering the phenomenon. “I've never seen the like in all my years up here. I think we should go take a look."

  After gearing up for the cold, the two elves set out on foot and found before them the very thing they had both been seeking. It was the entrance to the ancient elf's home. Tall, golden gates stood open to welcome them and the glow was the light of a thousand balls of magical light, floating everywhere to light their path. A bearded elf dressed all in red came out to greet them, looking unsurprised to find them at his gate.

  "Are you the ancient one we've been seeking?"

  "I am."

  The old elf's smile lit his face from ear to ear.

  "Do you know how long I've been looking for this gate? Do you know how hard I've tried to find you?” Melea's voice shook with emotion, finding herself unexpectedly at the end of her quest.

  The ancient elf nodded, his blue eyes twinkling. “I do."

  "They why could I never see it before? I was so close, all this time. What's suddenly changed to make us able to see the entrance to your realm? What new magic is in the air?"

  "Love.” The plump elf chuckled, setting his abnormally large belly to rolling. “Those without love in their hearts will never find me, but where there is love, there is joy, and where there is joy ... there is me."

  CONNLA AND

  THE FAIRY PRINCESS

  by

  Barri Bryan

  Once upon a time in a land that is lost now in the cosmic vastness of time and space, there lived a flame-haired prince who was fair of face, strong of body and graceful in his every movement. Prince Connla was not only pleasing to look upon, he also possessed an inward beauty that reflected his kind nature, his noble spirit and his brave heart.

  His father, King Conn Cetchathach, who was also called Conn-of-a-Hundred-Battles, was a man of strength and power. His one weakness, if indeed, it can be considered a weakness, was his love for his son. He took great comfort in having the young man always at his side.

  One evening, as was their custom, Connla and his father walked in the cool of the evening. After traveling some distance across the Plain of Arcomin, they paused to rest. The entourage of guards and tribal elders, who always accompanied them, stepped back and left the two men standing alone on the slope that overlooked the wide circle of round houses nestling in the green glen below. Conn looked across the verdant valley as he lifted his arms with his palms upward i
n an all-encompassing gesture. “My dear Connla, some day you shall be king and leader of the stalwart tribes who inhabit this green glen."

  Connla's heart swelled with pride as his gaze traveled from the round houses with a fire burning in the center of the circle they created, to the sea that washed the shores of the plain. From there his eyes wandered to the far horizon and came to rest at last, on the path that led from the glen to the top of the slope. He opened his mouth to speak and could not—his every thought took flight as he saw coming toward them, a beautiful maiden dressed in a purple tunic and wearing a finely wrought necklace of silver around her neck. He pointed as he asked his father, “W-Who is this vision of loveliness who approaches us?"

  Conn saw nothing at all, even though he strained his eyes against the gathering darkness and stared in the direction Connla pointed. “I see no one."

  But Connla could see her and he watched entranced as the maiden continued her ascent up the slope. Her fine spun garment clung to her swaying breasts. A wide silver belt was fastened around her middle, accentuating her tiny waist and causing the tunic to fall in folds around her voluptuous hips. Never before had Connla beheld a form more divine or a face more exquisite. His body stiffened with sudden and unexpected desire as his heart beat in rapid anticipation. “You must see her!” Once more he pointed. “For I not only see her fair figure and lovely face, I hear her footsteps as she approaches, I taste her honeyed essence, and breathe deeply of the heady female aura that surrounds her."

  "Nonsense,” Conn replied, but in his heart he was afraid. Only a witch or a fairy maiden could so completely invade his son's senses. He spoke with a calmness that belied the fear that grabbed him. “Come, Connla. It is time to return to our home for night approaches even as we speak.” He motioned for his entourage to follow as he began his descent down the slope.

  They obeyed. Only Connla remained behind, standing as still and as straight as a tall tree.