Mythology 1. Chapter 1

Gods Eternal and the Forever Damned

There is said to be nine planes of existence but only four have been witnessed. This is a narrative of the fall of those gods and goddesses known as the ekimmu who dwelt in the north on several large islands, the fae kingdoms of Leth`Evana; mortal enemies of ekimmu and deadly creatures this physical plane calls elf. The Shadow realm has many names and is said to be the home of creatures that have no form but feed from all life in all planes; the wraiths.

The last realm was made known after the fall; Terre de Brume, an endless nothing and prison for fallen gods. Death would have been better; if truth was known, but then most of what shall be relayed has been lost in time where the names have only become myth and suggestion.

In the Isles of Briton and Eire lived the pantheon of the ekimmu; Arianrhod and her ilk. Arianrhod was the Moon-Mother ekimmu Goddess who was known throughout the land for her stunning beauty. She was ruler of Caer Sidi, a magical realm in the north. She was worshiped as priestess of the moon. The benevolent silver sky-lady came down from her pale white chariot in the heavens to watch more closely over the tides she ruled. Arianrhod was also called the Silver Wheel because the dead were carried on her Oar Wheel to Emania (the Moon-land or land of death), which belonged to her as a deity of reincarnation. Arianrhod was the daughter of the Goddess Don and the sister of Gwydion. Gwydion was counselor to his sister as they grew from their childhood. Their sire was the God Taranis, who only ever left his own contemplation; it seems was to beget more offspring. Don was of Leth`Evana, Don was fae.

"Gwydion!" she laughed softly as her womb-mate and twin froze a messenger as he tried to run from the throne room.

"Yes sister?" he asked innocently.

Their blue eyes mirrored the other but where her hair was white-silver, his was a golden blonde color that shone like the sun itself. He wore only leather skin pants and a thick fur around his pale shoulders as he lay lazily upon a dais next to her throne. A natural mark wrought its way from his right shoulder across his sculpted pectorals to his navel. It appeared like ice and a long finger traced the mark and Arianrhod stared into her twin's eyes.

"You are positively evil." She chirped playfully.

Arianrhod was wearing only a silk binding around her breasts and a low slung wrap skirt with platinum chains making tinkling sounds as she stood up. Upon her head she wore a wreath of flowers that signaled the final coming of spring and neither twin wore their reed sandals at the moment, why should they in their own personal throne room of Caer Sidi?

"The messenger did bring some rather disturbing news though." Arianrhod said seriously for a moment as she sat upon Gwydion's dais.

"Oh Sister please stop fretting and being all ruler on me. Come and lay with me for a moment." Gwydion commanded.

She looked at the angel of a man who really and truly co-ruled with her and she smiled. He was a trickster; bad tempered, controlled snow and ice itself (the Sky dragons did not worship him for nothing), powerful, lied as easily as he spoke, and had an unexplainable hatred for their half-brother Fionn Hammel.

She sighed and lay beside him and they stared deeply into the other's eyes. The threat was one they had not had to face in a very long time. When she was much younger, by almost a millennium, she had waged war against the enemy for things done against HER personally. Personal memories assaulted her and Arianrhod had to look away.

"Why are you still contemplating that?" Gwydion said suddenly in a bad temper.

"We were young and it was I who declared war against the Undine if you remember Gwydion. Did they or did they not kill Nwyvre?" The Moon goddess demanded.

"You know they did." He snapped with a petulant pout.

The memories assaulted Arianrhod of her holding the broken and dead body of her very first love. Don; supposedly her mother, was the undisputed ruler of all Undine fae in Leth`Evana but she had not cared. Hate unlike anything had overcome her and there had been a storm of hurricane like proportions on the isles that day. Gwydion and Fionn had had to drag her away and calm her lest she destroy parts of Briton and Eire. Yes, that particular day had been hideous on so many levels. She had learned to not weep over it but the war she had started was one that had cost many ekimmu their very existence and many fae had been slain as the rivers of crimson had run through the veils.

"Come we shall talk no more of it, but I must meet with Fionn on the morrow." Her voice softened to calm her very sullen twin.

"Must you?" he complained.

"Yes Gwydion, I must for the heaven's sake! One of us actually must rule you know." Arianrhod chided him.

"I can think of so many other wonderful things I would rather be doing sister." Gwydion hinted at.

"Of course you can but then you always do. Now I must go and see to the lands." Her reply came and it obviously displeased him.

"I do not give a fig about the fae anymore sister and frankly neither should you. Let Fionn or even Bilae handle the elven mess. Better yet contact Arawn!" He demanded.

"This discussion is over Gwydion. Play or whatever, but war is again on the horizon." Arianrhod said with rising temper.

He watched his beloved sister walk out of their throne room and he sat up petrified. If she knew, if she knew the truth then not only would he loose his place by her place, but Fionn would have his way to waltz any direction he chose. The disgusting elves could not stay in Leth`Evana, where they belonged, they had to return to this plane, where ekimmu were the masters over all the underling daemons and the emerging mortals. Gwydion stood up and the brown fur fell to his dais and he too quickly left the throne room. In his rising temper, his skin was slowing taking on a blue caste to it and anyone who saw him, they would know that the "trickster" of Caer Sidi was in fact the god of snow and ice; that was the element that he commanded. Arianrhod had inherited the control of the very air itself and the ability to manipulate that particular element could be deadly. When the twins joined their elements; they were nigh unstoppable. The price they paid for commanding the very weather and elements was that they required the stuff of life itself; founts of the claret essence. The throne room stood empty except for the lone messenger waiting for the ice to melt on his foot.

Arianrhod watched Fionn Hammel wield his hammer against the shield of one of his soldiers and he barked orders.

"Anticipate me boy! I am your enemy this moment, think as if you are me!" Fionn growled at the younger ekimmu.

Fionn was aware of HER presence, but then he was always aware of her presence. He could never forgive himself for the sin he had committed nor the aftermath of that sin. The only good thing that had come from that time was his beloved niece, Nemain. She was Gwydion's daughter but she was a warrior like Arianrhod and him. He was training this very talented young man named Gavin Tremin; Fionn always had need of loyal and discrete warriors.

"Bravo Fionn! Who are you dear boy?" Arianrhod asked watching her warrior half-brother and leader of warriors.

"Gavin milady!" The dark haired ekimmu bowed and stopped the spar for a moment.

"Well Gavin we have need of you and very soon." His queen stated as she neared Fionn.

"Arianrhod? What do you go on about?" Fionn demanded.

"Fionn there have been not only Undine seen on the Isles but also the Woodlawn fae." She murmured softly.

"Because they have been seen does not mean they are here for battle Sister." The ekimmu of Thunder stated flatly.

"One fae steps foot into my kingdom and this plane and I shall rip open their throats and drink them dry as I leave their corpses to dry into mummified husks!" came her angry cry.

"I understand you anger…" Fionn tried to say.

"THIS IS NOT ABOUT NWYVRE!" Arianrhod actually snarled and slapped her chief warrior across his strong and sculpted cheek.

"I suppose Sister that I shall find you in a bit." He said stiffly and without emotion.

She started to stop him but held in the pain. After Nwyvre's death, Fionn had gotten terribly drunk on fae blood and spirits and the man that was truly Fionn was bared. Arianrhod loved him deeply but he shut her out of his mind and heart after that night and she had done something wretched; she allowed Gwydion to claim and raise Nemain as his own daughter. Neither man knew any different, nor did she have no intention of changing it. Gwydion was her consort/co-ruler and Fionn was their lead warrior, it was all as it should be. She felt the eyes of the young warrior on her and she looked at him sharply.

"Yes young Gavin?" She demanded coldly.

"Hitting Fionn milady?" he boldly asked.

"Never question who has the rule here boy. Fionn knows this as I am the very air in which you breathe." Arianrhod said closing the space between him and the arrogant boy.

Gavin only wore a navy blue tunic that skimmed his ankles and it was belted with a thick braided leather belt. He wore woven leather sandals and held a round bronze colored shield. His eyes narrowed and she noticed they were hazel. His skimmed his shoulders in all one length.

"Kneel." Her voice rang throughout the practice arena that was comprised of sand and in the shape of the stones.

Gavin actually grew afraid and Arianrhod stood over him as her eyes began to take on a turbulent and stormy blue that would glow in the dark. Her white-silver was down and came to above her backside. She ripped the flower diadem from her head and threw them away.

"Give me your wrist." She demanded.

He did as he was told and she viciously bit into his forearm and began to drink forcefully. There was no pleasure in this act, it was a lesson to be given and Gavin was horrified to be fed from as if he was one of the mortals or lesser daemons. Arianrhod drained much of his life force and raised her bare foot and shoved him backwards with much force.

"Next time you question me on anything Gavin Tremin, you will not be reborn, and you will only be dead." She stated as she walked away with blood stained lips.

He could only lie upon the sand floor of the sparring arena and he found that he hated the queen of all ekimmu.

Fionn was furious at finding his newest prodigy nearly bled dry in the arena and he had gone to the palace directly.

"Piuthar was that QUITE necessary of you?" he demanded of his queen and half-sister.

"Yes." She said sitting on her granite throne.

She was now wearing a black filmy gauze dress that tied around her neck and her eyes took on that haunting look as she stared at Fionn. Her nails dug into the granite and her eyes were getting stormy.

"Arianrhod stop! You are going to cause a tornado or something for the love of your father!" He swore at her.

He was one of the few who dared speak to her impertinently and she allowed it because not only did she love him more than she should but she respected him. Fionn stood taller than most ekimmu and had the fairest of blonde hair. He wore a beard but it was kept immaculately groomed and his mane came to just past his shoulders and he usually wore it down. For the moment he was wearing a loose green tunic with Celtic symbols embroidered in gold along its edges and belted at his waist with a thick leather belt. He wore his deer hide boots and his hammer and shield were not on him at the moment but he always wore his iron gauntlets except when he slept; which was seldom.

"Fine but he dared to speak against me as if he were someone I should listen to, please Fionn control your underlings better." Arianrhod commanded.

"Piuthar, he is young and he used his tongue ill." The thunder ekimmu admitted.

"How would this ekimmu before me, use his tongue?" She asked leaning forward.

"We have fae to discuss Piuthar and not suggestive comments." Fionn snapped at her.

Gwydion was nearby the entrance to the throne room and he smirked at Fionn's indifference and that made him giddy. His twin had never forgotten her feelings for the half ekimmu and Gwydion had never forgotten his hatred either.

"There has been Undine seen in Eire and Wales. I want them eradicated and spread to all my winds as an example to my mother that her creatures are not welcome in my kingdom." Came her cold retort.

"Do you intend to lead the battle yourself?" He asked.

"When have I not?" Arianrhod snorted.

"Very good, when should I ready our warriors?" The incarnate Thunder asked.

"Tomorrow will suffice. The sooner the better." She stated as she stood.

"It shall be done as you wish." He murmured and he turned on his heel and left her presence.

Fionn passed by Gwydion on the way out and his scowl was enough to make the ice prince grin with glee.

"You really are an ass Gwydion. She will see through you someday." Fionn hissed under his breath.

"Before or after she knows who killed her precious Nwyvre?" The golden haired ekimmu said sweetly.

"Fuck you Gwydion!" Thunder roared and it was heard all about the palace.

Fionn stormed away and Gwydion entered his twin's presence. She looked at him oddly and he gave her the warmest smile that he could.

"Why do you torment him so?" She demanded.

"Because he is a half blood and unworthy of you in any way, I am your twin and your equal." He shrugged with arrogance.

The Silver Wheel rolled her magnificent eyes and sat back on her throne. Anger coursed through her on many levels. Fae were in HER lands and old feelings were rearing their ugly head. Gwydion could see much on the face of his goddess and he straddled her hips. He wore only kidskin leggings that had been dyed black and nothing else and she looked up at him.

"Whatever happens we shall face together. Whatever threat happens across this land we shall eradicate; TOGETHER Piuthar. You are me and I am you. We shall always be two halves of a whole. Remember that." Gwydion said softly.

He gently tilted her chin up and lowered his lips to hers. He claimed her mouth and dominated her as he always did. She could not stop herself nor did she want to because she knew Gwydion was right on this topic. His queen reached up and buried one hand in his golden hair and wrapped the other around his neck to get him closer. Their tongues clashed and traced the other's fangs as the heat between them was immense. Her eyes glowed again but this time in passion as her consort took his pleasure and she took. Arianrhod lifted her mouth from Gwydion's lips and suddenly bit into his chest and he threw back his head and began to moan obscenely as she took from him.

"Yes Piuthar! Yes take all of me. Make us whole." He cried out as his skin was starting to get dusky blue.

"I always shall bràthair. I always will." Arianrhod managed as she ripped his leggings from him.

Her face was painted blue as was Fionn's and every other ekimmu warrior. They had entered the homeland of the fae; Leth`Evana. Arianrhod wore a white breast plate, matching gauntlets, and a white helmet. Gwydion was near her and he wore only a loose tunic top and leather breeches in white and blue; his signature colors. Under her armor she wore a thicker stolla dress in white. The warrior maiden looked as if a ghost with a blue face and she was astride a mount. Before them was a large contingent of Undine and it looked a sea of white. The Undine fae were "water"elves and that was their element. Most of the Undine had white hair except the rare exception of the occasional black haired ones; Nwyvre having been one of those.

"Tell me why you enter my land and our plane and you may escape this battle." She yelled out from her demonic horse.

"We do not answer to you filthy ekimmu whore!" One tall Undine called out and Arianrhod turned her attention to him.

"He is mine. Fionn, converge upon the left flank and give them everything we have." Came her command as she spurred her animal into action.

Fionn gave the call of their kind and it was unmistakable, it sounded close to an eagle's cry as the ekimmu surged forward. Arianrhod was already ahead and had slipped from her mount and she held out her hand, a white-silver blade materialized with an ivory hilt. The tall Undine went on the defensive as she slashed at him with overhead strikes with the strength of many men. The fae man did manage to get his great spear into her upper arm but it only served to further anger her and she whirled in a full arc to avoid his deadly weapon again.

"Meet my starrfhiacail elf!" The ekimmu queen yelled.

"You who are of Don and you fight us?" the Undine demanded as he ducked her deadly swing.

"That insipid wench is only a vessel, your kind should know better and we ekimmu are here to give that lesson. Your lot is murderers!" She snarled as she slashed straight through his chainmail.

The Undine grunted in pain as his russet colored life force dripped from the gaping wound. Arianrhod imagined laying the fae upon the field and drinking him till he was a husk and the high that would follow would indeed be sweet. Her weapon and his met over and over as they were checking the other. She was glorying in the physicalness of the battle and she could hear the death cry of many Undine. Arianrhod jumped left and arced around fully and delivered a surprise blow to the fae's middle. The pale eyes of her nemesis were clouded in pain and hers had taken on the haunting look when she called upon her elemental abilities.

"Choose your manner of death elf; shall I behead you or drink you?" Her voice demanded as the winds whipped and roared around her.

"You will do whatever you please bitch, I know I did my duty to my people." He whispered in a fractured voice.

"Your kind killed my first love! Why should I show ANY of you mercy? Tell me why?" Arianrhod hissed in his face and a bit of her blue war paint smeared his flawless skin.

"I know not of what you speak ekimmu. I am only one Undine in service to my Lady Don. Do your worst!" Her enemy said bowing his head ready for the afterlife.

Arianrhod's eyes narrowed and she whirled around and took off the head of another Undine. The one who was bleeding before her eyes was sickened as the head rolled in front of him and the eyes were still looking around.

"No, I shall not give you death Undine. You will return to Caer Sidi as my slave. You will serve the ekimmu. Now tell me, am I not merciful?" She demanded.

The Undine refused to speak as death surrounded him on all sides. The Abhainn Undine had been the ones foraying into the ekimmu kingdoms but it was Don who was paying the price. He lifted his weakened head and he could only feel hate for the blood drinking elementals.

Blood smeared Arianrhod's hair and armor as she approached Gwydion and Fionn after the battle. Her prisoner was in mithril chains and both of her siblings were gawking at her brazen move.

"You are taking the lead warrior hostage?" Gwydion asked surprised.

"Yes." She shrugged and she looked at Fionn challengingly.

"I do not believe this is wise Piuthar." Her thunder replied.

"I do not remember asking for your permission Fionn Hammel. He comes back to Caer Sidi and that is my wish." Arianrhod shrugged as she strode to her steed.

"For what reason Piuthar?" Her twin demanded coldly.

"He was not afraid of me. All fae should fear me and all ekimmu and I shall put the fear of us into him." She smiled with malice.

Gwydion smirked at her hatred and he looked at Fionn. Their secret was safe and the lead ekimmu wanted to be sick. He hated fae just like any ekimmu but he had committed a horrible sin with his putrid half-brother. Fionn wanted no part of the depravity and he just walked away and Arianrhod was puzzled but shrugged. All she cared about was avenging Nwyvre's memory and teaching the fae that it was HER realm and not theirs. She turned her mount back towards Caer Sidi and Gwydion mounted behind her; her captured Undine was lead in his chains silently back into the fold of his enemies lair.


	2. Chapter 2

Disclaimer: This is a work of fiction. This is a fictional story. Any resemblance to person(s) living or dead is purely coincidental.

A/n: Kitathas- "Wind of Spirit Fury" ande Leire- "she who stands at the border of dawn". Chapter is steeped in sexual content leading up to major drama and explanations of The Four Branches.

Kitathas Leire

Arianrhod lay upon many furs of ermine and the white bears of the very furthest north as she watched the Undine sitting on his knees and his head lowered as if in prayer. She required it of him every day since his capture; he was to lift his wrist and allow her to feed from him. No one was allowed to touch him but her and no one would dare break her rule.

"Do you tire Undine?" She demanded twirling a lock of her silvery-white hair.

"I care not! It is my only wish you would kill me and slip me into the water." the fae whispered as his voice almost broke.

"What is your name fae?" The silver wheel asked arching her brow.

All of her mane was down this day and she only wore silk wrapped around her hips in white. She was on her side as she watched her slave lift his pale head and stare at her with his incredibly light blue eyes.

"Ailduin Ludok." He stated in a defeated voice.

Her long hair covered her nakedness and she stared at eyes that should make her sick. The fae were beautiful creatures to behold but they were as deadly; if not more so than an ekimmu. Arianrhod suddenly stood up and came in front of him and jerked his chin up and made him look at her. Anger filled her but she was also filled with something else that she could not place.

"The water? So you could be reborn? That is within my power as well." She whispered severely.

"I am fae and an Undine; my Lady Don controls my soul." Ailduin said stubbornly.

"She is my mother you know." Arianrhod sneered.

"I thought it myth." He said trying not to look at her.

"Do I not favor her fae? I was given my sire's power and he swore I have her face. He told me I should destroy her." She said inhaling sharply as she tightened her grip on his chin.

"Who is Nwyvre?" he dared to speak.

Arianrhod's other hand shook and she widened her eyes as he dared to speak without being spoken to.

"He was fae." She snapped as her eyes darkened.

"You have whispered that name in your sleep." He said daring to stare her in the eyes.

Arianrhod's ire was raised but his brazenness was doing something to her. She jerked him up and made him stare her in the face. He was slightly taller and his white hair fell to his middle back undone. He bore some old scars from a sword across his chest and his face. It did not detract from his looks, in her opinion it enhanced them.

"You will fight me for your freedom." She said huskily suddenly.

"I will what?" Ailduin answered with complete and utter shock.

She grabbed his mithril chains and actually snapped them as if they were twigs. His eyes widened and she suddenly smirked at him.

"You wish to fight the ekimmu daughter of Don? You wish your freedom Undine? I shall give it to you but you shall earn it." The Silver Wheel said mischievously.

He wore only a white tunic that came to his knees with a simple twine belt. Ailduin had no weapon and the ekimmu queen only wore a silk wrap around her hips. The situation was beyond ridiculous until he felt fangs at his throat.

"I can make you go to your knees and beg me." She whispered as she dragged her fangs along his jugular.

Arianrhod did not sink her fangs but began nips and a gentle sucking upon the tightened tendons. The fae was getting flushed very quickly and was utterly confused as to his situation. When her tongue began to trace where the tiny nips had been'; he groaned out as shocks of pleasure raced down his spine.

"If you wish to kill me, then do so! I know our blood is a drug to you ekimmu!" He mustered through a hazy lust beginning in his gut.

"If I wanted you dead, then you would be dead already weeks past. You dare defy me even now." The ekimmuess said in a husky whisper.

She stepped back and undid her white silk wrapped skirt and it fell to her feet in a pool of material at her feet. Ailduin stared at her as she moved her hair so he had an excellent view of his enemy.

"Ailduin?" She demanded.

His eyes were glued to her body as he took in the contours of her white breasts tipped with pink that were slightly more than one of his hands. She stood almost as if in a warrior stance and the slight bit of silver that beckoned him.

"I am married in Leth`Evana." He managed.

"You fae are so droll with your sense of morality." She said coldly as she walked to a pitcher of crystal.

She poured a chalice full of blood and sipped as she watched him watch her. She knew her backside was pert and she had Celtic symbols tattooed on her lower back and down her cheeks.

"What do they mean?" The Undine managed to ask.

"They are my many names and my roles as a goddess." Arianrhod shrugged and sipped her blood wine.

"Where do you get your sustenance?" He demanded.

"Why do you care? It is not your blood that drugs me Undine." Her voice snapped.

She quite suddenly lost her temper and threw the crystal chalice against a wall and the red ran down staining her beautiful marble. Ailduin looked at the mess and then back at her. What he was not prepared for was the ekimmu queen in front of him. Her lips seared his and he suddenly groaned as she controlled and stole his breath as her arms wrapped around him and her clawed fingers massaged his scalp as his enemy made his fae blood boil. Slowly she took one hand and touched his fingers as she guided them to cup her left breast.

"Should not, this is sin." Ailduin moaned as she made sure to touch his hardness beneath his tunic.

"I am surprised you do not know the name Nwyvre, Ailduin Ludok. He was an Undine fae in the Welsh veil of Leth`Evana." Arianrhod husked in his delicate ear.

"I shan't do this. I cannot." He tried to say but again was silenced by her lips.

Arianrhod could not get out of her head how Nwyvre never put up with her temper and defied her. She remembered how she could not get enough of him. They looked nothing alike but this side of a man made her lose her head. Her mind made a current of air so powerful against the door that no one could break through or phase in. The Silver Wheel stepped back and she lay upon her back on her dais and she widened her legs to allow him to view her sex.

"Most ekimmu love both sides of the coin you know. I included but I am most attracted to the hardened planes of a man that can pin me down and to feel the very thing that makes him male deep within. You wish your freedom Ailduin? Conquer me!" She whispered as she dipped her fingers into her scorching center.

"This Undine…tell me…" He started to say.

"Nwyvre was the first creature to touch me and he made me a woman." She finished for him.

Ailduin was already defeated and he knew it. He had tasted her lips and without waiting he stripped his tunic and crawled over her. He bore more scars and Arianrhod marveled at the beauty of his warrior body. She threw her head back as he sheathed himself in one thrust.

"Fuck." He cursed softly as his arms shook and the ekimmuess was sweltering.

"You decide this battle Ailduin, I claim you. You are mine." Arianrhod gasped hard as he thrust harshly.

"I am Undine." Ailduin moaned but she claimed his mouth in a soul shattering kiss.

She moved under him and met every thrust as the heat was growing.

-You hear me? - She thought in his mind.

-You have that ability? - He returned shocked.

-Take me in as you reach the height. - Arianrhod commanded.

Ailduin had no idea what he was in for but his body was tightening up too quickly. The mental intimacy was not helping and he heard a scream. Pleasure so acute erupted in his mind and body that he thought perhaps he had died. His eyes were shut tightly and he felt her lips wrapped around his flat nipple. She was feeding from him and he had climaxed. She pulled back and lay back as her legs shook violently.

"You did not kill me?" He asked stupidly.

"Contrary to popular belief, ekimmu can feed and not kill." She managed still having shocks of pleasure course her body.

"The yellow haired ekimmu is your mate is he not?" Ailduin asked refusing to unsheathe himself just yet.

"Gwydion? Yes he is. He is also not my master; that my darling is me. You have my mark now." She stated almost blasé in tone.

"I do not understand." The Undine said slowly sliding from her delicious body.

"You are mine. I claim you and you go back to your life, but if I decide I want you, then you will know." The ekimmu queen stated shrugging.

"You have made me a male whore?" Ailduin demanded.

"No Ailduin. You made me want you and I am a predator. You are mine and I will kill for you." Arianrhod answered flatly.

"I did nothing! I told you that I am married in Leth`Evana." He said with rising anger.

It hit him as his temper flared and she wanted him because he had defied her. He had turned the queen of all ekimmu onto him because of his fearlessness.

"Touch her again and she will die." Arianrhod warned.

"My wife? You threaten an innocent woman over my sin?" He snarled.

She stood up and got in his face and he saw anger, lust, and more on her face.

"Keep it up Undine. I assure you that it makes me more furious." She snapped her fangs.

"My name is Ailduin _ekimmu._" He snapped back.

"My name is Arianrhod _fae." _The Silver Wheel actually growled.

It happened in a blur and he had no idea how or why but he slammed her against the stone wall of her palace. He used his body to batter her and possess her wildly. How her comrades did not hear, he had no clue because the woman beneath him became a moaning and screaming mass of female flesh. His mind was being stroked and he lost it. Ailduin was behind her and his hands were crushing her breasts in his hands.

"Mine!" He hissed into her ear.

Arianrhod was beyond comprehension as uniting in flesh with a fae was glorious but with someone she could respect; it was more than that. The ekimmu queen already knew she was falling in love and that did not bode well for him. No she would have to hide her affections for him from Gwydion and her screams came one on top of the other. Arianrhod allowed herself to be just a woman and it was perfection.

Gwydion's anger was visible to all as he could not even enter his own throne room and Fionn had a hardy chuckle over that one. Arianrhod sealed it with her element when she wanted peace and the idea that she wanted peace from Gwydion was too hilarious.

"I should kill you and be done with it!" He snarled at his younger half-brother.

"Explain how you would fight your battles Gwydion? You can hardly be bothered to get off your ass except to TAKE an ass." Fionn retorted as he chuckled with no mirth.

Gwydion grew an ice spear and threw it at Fionn and it landed in his right shoulder blade. He wore an emerald green tunic so his blood was not seen to soak the garment.

"You really wish to fight inside the palace big brother? I will wipe the floor with your girl face!" The thunder ekimmu warned.

"Neither of you will do anything of the kind!" Arianrhod snapped as she stood in the doorway of her throne room.

"Piuthar! Why did you lock ME of all people out of our throne room?" Gwydion demanded as his skin was dusky.

"Bràthair, what I do in MY throne room is up to me. I give you a place at my side as my twin otherwise occupy yourself." She said with clenched teeth.

Gwydion could not believe his ears and Fionn had a raised eyebrow. He loved it when she put the self- important brat in his place.

"You will pay for this!" Gwydion hissed as he passed thunder incarnate.

Arianrhod stared at Fionn and smiled softly as he came nearer. She hugged him tightly and patted his back as he stepped away from her. She wore a stolla like dress in silver and she looked magnificent. What he did notice was that the fae was missing from her throne room.

"I let him go." She shrugged.

"You let him go? I do not understand that statement." Fionn asked almost stupidly.

"I grew bored with him and I let him go. You were right and I should never have taken him prisoner. Besides it is Don I would prefer to destroy!" Arianrhod smiled as she cuffed him lightly on the chin.

"You are different Piuthar. Is all well?" Her commander brother asked.

"I am very well Fionn. I am just focusing." She shrugged.

"No. I know you Arianrhod. I know the Silver Wheel and I know when she bestows her heart. What trickery did the fae use?" He demanded suddenly angry.

"You touch him and I will kill you." Arianrhod threatened with navy blue eyes.

"You fell in love with _another fae_?" Fionn asked in fury.

"Gwydion has his lovers and I will have him. You do not touch him or you will not live a day." She hissed as she feared for her newest conquest.

"I will not touch your toy Arianrhod. Our parents in the heavens know you will tire of him soon enough!" He scoffed.

She could not believe her ears and she slapped him as hard as she could. She stalked away from her beloved half-brother. She and he both knew her threats were empty, as if she would ever harm Fionn Hammel. No, she loved him too well for that. She also refused to have her Undine touched by any fae or ekimmu.

"Bràthair promise me that you will not touch him or allow Gwydion to either." Arianrhod said from the hall.

"Of course Arianrhod, I am always at your command, no matter how stupid they are. I adore my sister and queen too well to betray her." He sighed.

"I am falling in love with that creature." She admitted.

"Then Taranis help us. You will bear him a child?" Fionn asked almost jealously.

"If I so wish to, then I will." She stated lifting her head.

"What of the war?" Came his next question.

"What war?" Arianrhod asked almost coldly.

"As I thought. Arianrhod please take care." He sighed as he bowed and left her presence.

Arianrhod stared out at the sea and in one day she had completely changed towards the water fae. She had a weakness for them and she knew it but she also knew she could not help it.

"Oh mother Don; you will pay for entering my lands but not through your sweet man. No. I will take that man as mine. You will lose your commander of your army." She whispered.

Gwydion waited in their shared bed chambers and he was furious. Her insipid little remarks had embarrassed and humiliated him in front of Fionn of all ekimmu and he would not stand for it. He was her other half and it was unseemly that _his_ mate and twin would turn HIM away.

"Where have you been?" He demanded as she entered.

"Since when do I answer to you Gwydion?" She sneered as she stormed past him in her silver stolla.

He lost his temper and her twin slapped her with such fierceness that she hit the ground. Arianrhod stared up at him seething in anger as blood trickled from her busted lip.

"How dare you touch me other than to worship!" His twin snarled

"Get over yourself Arianrhod; I am not some minor courtier! You and I shared that bitch's womb and I know your mind Piuthar, I know it as no other. You let the Undine go. Did he fuck you well?" Gwydion raged as his skin took on a chill.

"Yes Gwydion! He did so gloriously! He made me feel things you have not in over a century! I daresay he even knows how to bring _me_ pleasure instead of himself!" Arianrhod retorted as she stood and struck back.

Gwydion hit a pillar and it cracked a little. His skin was a bit on the blue side and as his eyes darkened. His twin was looking frightening in her anger and he was flat out jealous.

"Go and find us something to amuse us both this night, I have some messengers from the outlying provenances to see." She commanded.

"Male or female?" Gwydion said calming his angered blood.

"Male, I do believe." Arianrhod stated looking thoughtful.

"As you command." He purred almost excited.

She knew how to work her twin and allowing him to find them playthings to entertain them in their beds made him much more compliant. Gwydion enjoyed playing with his food and achieving orgasm before he fed, it always made him much more agreeable. The Silver-Wheel had enough time to get into Leth`Evana and back before the fall of night and she was taking a huge risk; but then she was known to be a risk taker.

Her white horse was walking along a dense path along a wide river in the fae plane. Ailduin was not a salt-water fae but a fresh water one. She could tell when she tasted him and she knew he was high ranking as his place as a commander in Don's army. The fresh water Undine and salt water kind were different as the night and day. There could be differences in their coloring as well; as Nwyvre had been a salt-water Undine and he had born black hair, but that was unusual completely. Most undine had white to pale yellow hair. Their eyes would be any shade of the water they came from; emerald green to turquois of the deepest shade. Her instincts were correct and Ailduin Ludok found her before she went any further along the river.

"Why have you come here?" he hissed in shock.

"I told you, if I wanted you, than I would take you." Arianrhod replied as she slipped from her horse.

She wore a silver chest plate over a simple silver tunic dress. Leather sandals laced up her feet and Ailduin was trying to forget what had happened just earlier that day but the fact that she was here so soon only confirmed the fact that he would never be free of her.

"No you shall not." She said coldly at his thought.

"Stay out of my head Arianrhod!" Ailduin said in sudden anger.

"You use my name, so you have accepted your status?" Arianrhod demanded.

"I accept that you give me no choice in the matter. You will kill my wife if I do not." He retorted.

She grabbed his throat and slammed him against a beautiful oak tree and stared at him in anger for mentioning another wench. Everything in this plane was lusher; greener and generally more vivid. He wore a dark blue tunic top embroidered with runic symbols and white leggings.

"I am yours, remember? You spoke it as you took me and drove home your seed." She whispered breathlessly.

"You remind me of my shame and sin!" Ailduin actually growled.

"I am the Queen of all Ekimmu and heir of Taranis. I am not some common whore Ailduin." The Silver-Wheel replied getting angry all over again.

Memories of what occurred only that morning assaulted his elfish brain and he reached up and grabbed her hand from his throat and forced it to intertwine with his. His mouth smashed against hers and blood spilled from the brutal kiss. How and why he was doing this, he could not answer but he worked her breast plate off and ripped the silk of her tunic gown off to expose her flesh. The waters were warm in the forests of his homeland and he laid her beside the river as his hips drove his organ deeper and deeper into her folds. Her silver hair haloed on the ground around her head and her cries could not be silenced. Arianrhod's knees were bent and her legs open wide, leaving her fully exposed to his onslaught. Ailduin was not gentle but nor was he brutal; he took his time to brand her and make her weep and he was shocked to see blood leak from her eyes.

"What are you doing to me?" The ekimmu goddess whispered in an agonizing groan.

"If I am yours Arianrhod; then you will know what it is to fully be loved by a fae." Ailduin murmured as his mouth claimed hers.

A hand crushed a breast but it was not pain but exhilaration that drove them both. He could not stop nor would he stop. Ailduin Ludok was head of a noble fae line and this would cause terrible repercussions but he did not care suddenly. He did not care that she was ekimmu and all he cared about was making the Silver Wheel as weak and low as she climbed her high. Her walls clenched him almost painfully over and over as she could not speak as her climaxes hit her. Her whole body tightened and began shaking and breaking out into a cold sweat.

-You hear me Silver Wheel? - He demanded in her mind.

-Ailduin, I cannot! No more. I have to return. - Arianrhod begged.

He delved deeper into her mind than she had ever allowed anyone; even Nwyvre had never been so bold. Arianrhod's final climax milked him of his siol and his arms shook violently as his eyes shut tightly as their shuttered screams left them without breath. Ailduin collapsed against her and Arianrhod's hand rested upon his sweaty back.

"You will renounce your wife." She stated with closed eyes.

"Aye." Her fae lover responded.

"I will give you a son." Arianrhod continued.

"Why would you give me an heir?" He asked softly.

"Because I can foretell these things." She spoke with authority.

"So our bastard child would be what?" Ailduin said suddenly sitting up.

"Raised by me of course." She replied as if he was stupid.

"Oh of course, and I would never see him! You madam are insane." Her fae love snapped.

"What is one child to a warrior?" The Silver-Wheel demanded.

"My child would have part fae abilities; my child would be an outcast and a temptation in your world!" He challenged her.

"What do you suppose I give birth and allow your _wife_ to raise our son?" Arianrhod said seething.

"Safer he would be." Ailduin snapped.

"I am to be his mother and no other!" She snarled at him and she gathered what was left of her clothing and pride.

"How do you plan to explain this?" He asked suddenly.

"I do not plan to explain anything. I am Arianrhod. I am the Silver-Wheel and I will have Don's head on a platter." Came her reply as she looked for her horse.

"We will see what happens before our child comes to term." Her fae said with measured words.

"Never keep yourself from me." The ekimmu queen commanded.

"Nor you, for if I have to renounce my wife, I shall have need to take you mercilessly." Her fae stated matter-of-factly.

Ailduin did not wait nor were there any pretty words. He left her standing there and her body still shook from the many splendid aftershocks. She was playing with danger of epic proportions but yet; she felt alive again, she felt whole again. Arianrhod felt as one.

She lay exhausted next to Gwydion and the younger ekimmu man was almost dead, if it had not been for her, Gwydion would have drank him dry. The queen gently fed him from her neck so he would gain some strength and the young man was beautiful to behold.

"I will have your name." Arianrhod whispered.

"Efnisien." He choked out.

"Chaos?" She asked stunned.

"Aye my queen." Efnisien whispered.

"You have a twin, Nisien is tranquility? You two are cousins of mine." She stated in a soft voice.

"Aye majesty. Your brother was persuasive." He said looking down.

"Fucking Gwydion." His queen muttered softly.

"I live to serve only my mistress." Chaos incarnate replied gently.

"Arawn adores you." She smiled with mirth.

"Where the master of the afterlife goes; chaos shall follow." He said smirking.

"You will stay at court from now on and away from my brother's whims. He can be too trying a lover." Arianrhod commanded as she allowed Efnisien up.

"As you command my lady." Efnisien smiled and bowed as he began to pull on a black silken tunic.

Gwydion was passed out and Arianrhod was annoyed with him. He had taken her first as he always did and used her juices to ease himself into the passage of their shared lover. She would feast upon the testes and cock before slipping the hardened length into herself and their shared lover did not always make it. If it was a mortal; it was a meal but the mortal would die a most pleasant death and receive a very good burial. The family of the mortal would also be recompensed. It was a good way and the mortals worshipped them and at times they would be given offerings for this purpose. Arianrhod would take those offerings in public and in the circle and allow the mortals her divinity and her blood at the sacred holidays. Certain mortal priests of the Druids would also come upon her as she lay on the alters as they took their knives and cut her flesh to get her sacred blood. In return she expected blood sacrifices as well but always the mortals were never to feel pain and always to die in utter pleasure. Their deaths were to be the ultimate way into Annwyn and they would die amidst mind blowing gratification and orgasmic frenzy. Beltane was not far away and she would have to be at the Henge of Stones. She looked back at her twin and dissatisfaction with him and his ways ate her more and more.

Ailduin wondered how in the name of all the fae gods and goddesses he had come under the sway of the queen of the ekimmu but he had. When he had faced her on that battle field and she had painted her face blue; he had truly feared but felt awe as well. Now he was again in a forbidden moment and their actions reckless. He had shamed the Ludok name and dismissed his wife and his clan was horrified and anger ate at him as he slammed his hips against his lover. She screamed out each time his thrusts hit her womb and he could not stop but go harder. Making love to an ekimmu was different than a fae but he found he craved this way; this whole body and mind way of taking his love. Ailduin Ludok forced Arianrhod Hammel to her knees and held her hips in an iron grip as he the pace he set was making her scream harder and harder.

"You will soak my legs ekimmu. Soak the earth beneath you. Come for me damn you!" He growled harshly.

"Are you my master?" she managed to breathe out.

"Aye! I am your master as I drive my cock into your sweet channel goddess. You require sacrifices? I give you sacrifices but I command you to soak everything like the river floods." He spoke lewdly.

She felt him angle himself differently and his fingers began in tandem to work with his body and she lost her mind. Whatever he meant; she gave the ekimmu eagle cry and she felt a flood of wetness between her thighs. He kept going and every time more gushing until her body spasmed with no control was to be had.

"Aye! Aye! That is my good lady! Aye take my seed. Take it! Oh heaven, aye!" Her fae shouted as her soaking channel quivered around him as he filled her full.

The both fell to the blanket she had brought and she still twitched unable to stop the spasms that rolled through her body.

"We will be caught if you keep coming into Leth`Evana. I have quit my wife as you commanded but I want more." Ailduin stated with his eyes closed.

"What do you want?" Arianrhod asked finally able to speak.

"You will come to me or I come to you at least every day." He said staring up at the bluest sky.

"You are insane Undine." She whispered.

"Am I? Is it not insane that you take a creature beholden to your direst enemy? I want you as you want me. I will have you as you will have me. Your womb as is your cunny is mine. I shall feast on the latter." He murmured as he opened her legs wide and began to lick and suck.

"We are reckless but I need you. I cannot live without you Ailduin. I will kill everything and everyone for you." She moaned out of control.

The Undine was feasting upon their juices as he suddenly lifted his mouth and found hers. He held her jaw with one hand as he kissed her hard and tangled his tongue to hers so she could taste their mingled fluids. Neither of the two was aware that they were being spied upon by Fionn Hammel and his anger was shrouded by his powerful ability to mask his presence.

His sister's reckless list of lovers was great but this was by far one the greatest risks of all. An Undine man who obviously had great sway over her; they were short of declaring love for one another. Fionn slipped deeper into the forest and he decided that a raid into Leth`Evana upon the

Undine would teach this bastard a lesson and make him think it came from Arianrhod herself. If Arianrhod could not keep her passions under control; then the head of her warriors would do it for her.


	3. Chapter 3

Disclaimer: is a work of fiction. This is a fictional story. Any resemblance to person(s) living or dead is purely coincidental.

Temptations without Shame

A/n: Plots within the court as love affairs and secrets that are best kept lie below the surface ready to explode. The Silver Wheel calls off battle for the sake of one but the enemy sees only a chance to plunder. Queen and consort fall as memories of younger days are seen.

Reports were coming in from scouts all over Éireann Leth`Evana of attacks of ekimmu warriors that were slaughtering villages and taking the fae women as slaves. Ailduin was furious but he knew in his heart of hearts that this was. He had been within her mind and it was either her half-brother; Fionn Hammel, he controlled thunder and lightning or Gwydion who was her male identical twin. He controlled ice and snow to such a degree; it could be harnessed as personal weapons of great strength.

Ailduin hated to leave Leth`Evana at such times but he was aching for her. They had said every day and it had been more than two months. He had done what his clan had asked and had said his mind had gone insane from his capture. He felt betrayed and hatred and he had news for the temptress; no one played the leader of Clan Ludok for a fool.

He ordered his warriors to especially be on the lookout for certain warriors and to kill without mercy or care. Ailduin contemplated every moment and finding her and snarling what a lying, conniving whore she was.

Arianrhod was not doing well at all. Not that anyone could tell. She viciously put down a small rebellion of infants in the north of Gaul and Fionn was gone often. She had a good idea she knew what he was up to and she was going to catch him in the act of breaking his oath to her. Nemain and Macha came forward and bowed low to her and she nodded for her beautiful daughters to rise.

"Mother! You know of us all you can tell us anything." Macha cried softly.

Macha was one Arawn's daughters and she was a deadly woman indeed. She was feared and worshiped. She had a few names in the isles and Moragan was her other; Nemain was always Nemain. Arianrhod almost broke down from her sins but she kept tight control.

"There is a fae man; I believe him in danger because I have played with him. Fionn thinks I love this creature but he gives me immense pleasure as I drink deeply." Arianrhod said as if bored.

Macha knew better but Nemain took her mother's words at face value. Nemain could always reach her uncle and Macha was just a mighty warrior.

"I will find a back door through the veils further south my great mother. Nemain will keep Fionn busy. She must tell him that Gavin Tremin has made his moves upon her." Macha said slyly.

Nemain blushed prettily and Arianrhod leaned forward at that bit of news. Gavin was not openly hostile towards his queen but his temperament cooled immediately when she was speaking to Fionn. She could see the look of true adoration on the young ekimmu's face and he was in love with her half-brother/lead warrior then she had another comeuppance for him; especially if he also had touched Nemain. Gwydion came into the throne room and Macha bowed before the Bratling Prince and Nemain bowed and went to kiss the cheek of the man who had raised her as his child.

"That will be all Macha and please do as you have suggested." Arianrhod said softly.

Macha nodded and her eyes turned silver. She walked away in a black body hugging dress of shimmering silk that left her back exposed and her tattoos visible.

"Nemain, I want you to explain to me what Macha meant when she said Tremin had made moves upon you." Her mother spoke quite loudly and in front of Gwydion.

Gwydion's pale blue eyes widened a little at the mention of the lower House of Tremin but for one of them to think they were worthy to touch one of the House of Hammel was simply ridiculous.

"I find him pleasing to gaze upon Mother and Father! Please! I am a warrior and he is one as well. I am a grown woman and need not account for my lovers must I?" Nemain asked embarrassed.

"When a lover is beneath your station and your rank; I very much have need you to account for them!" Gwydion actually snarled.

"Father you sound like a snob!" His child said in a soft tone of defiance.

Arianrhod smirked to herself and Nemain truly was Fionn's daughter. She may not have his outright way of showing his fury, but her level of stubbornness matched his. Gwydion was ranting and raving over his beloved child fucking some worthless nobody and Arianrhod stood up.

"Where are you going?" Her twin and consort demanded.

"To deal with this matter in my way." His wife admitted.

Gwydion barely smiled and Nemain looked horrified. Gwydion stood and restrained his child and Arianrhod phased out to the training grounds of the ekimmu elite warriors. Fionn was there and as normal he had a small enclave of his elite band. She knew without a doubt he had been plundering fae lands. She saw Gavin and her eyes darkened and glowed demonically as she used her element to quickly and without warning lift him and slam him against a wall of the training arena. Bones broke and Fionn whirled around in fury at his sister and the other warriors just fell to their knees as the queen stood there in a green dress that was the color of grass in early spring and wrapped around her and tied at her neck as a halter. She wore a fur of soft white around her shoulders and her silvery white hair flowed down.

"What in the name of Annwyn was that for Piuthar?" Fionn roared.

"Ask Nemain and your boy Gavin. Gwydion will not allow such a taint upon his beloved child. Keep his dick away from her. He would rather it was you anyway." Arianrhod said in a sarcastic snit.

Fionn was beyond incensed and horrified. He had had no idea that Gavin would have touched his beloved niece. He knew the younger man looked at him in adoration but in anything but some sort of hero worship?

"How dare you Piuthar!" Her brother who controlled Thunder itself roared.

"How dare I? How dare you! You made an oath; a solemn promise and you break it every day." She said as her blue eyes turned green when she was especially cold.

Fionn roared for the arena to be emptied and his warriors tended Gavin. Arianrhod stared at Fionn and he stared at her. The current of fury and more was building between them. His own elements were near his surface as static and the skies were darkening suddenly.

"I admit; I have been hunting this fae down. His passion for you is unacceptable. I cannot allow it again." Fionn said bluntly meaning how she had loved Nwyvre.

"You cannot allow it again? Who are you to dictate my heart little brother? You who left me that beautiful night! You who deny what is truth but cannot give me an inch!" She screamed at him.

"I would be like everything else Arianrhod. I choose to serve you out of my love and devotion as your warrior. I show you my love and true devotion by removing enemies in your wake whether you recognize them or not!" He snarled at her.

Her current shoved him against the wall of his training grounds and she was furious. He was furious but two lone bloody tears fell down her face. She should have left but she stormed up to him and ripped his homespun black tunic and bared his sculpted white chest.

"Your mother Halldora asked me to foster you in this court because she knew you preferred your ekimmu side. I love your mother as I love you." Arianrhod spoke hoarsely.

"Then release me!" Fionn growled.

"No." She growled back.

Her lips pressed against his and he could not move. Fionn had forgotten what her lips tasted like and she was not stopping the maddening kiss. She was the only person ever who could make him weak. Fionn wanted to slip to the ground and just die in this second. Arianrhod released him and his powerfully built body crushed her as he lifted her and his brain was screaming this was all wrong. She grew angrier and she smacked him. His own growls were terrifying and she phased them. They were near the ocean and Fionn pushed her back and he ripped her green wrap dress from her. She pulled herself up by his ripped tunic and with one hand undid his thick leather belt. Arianrhod fell back on the sand and began tearing at the lacings of his leggings and his thoughts were gone.

"You coward! You my mightiest man! My most powerful warrior and you deny me yourself. Well not this moment Bràthair! You are jealous of Ailduin because he will do what you want. You will do what WE want!" His beloved queen hissed in his face.

Arianrhod was crushed under him and Fionn was not drunk under fae blood; hell, he was not even close to needing blood at this moment but she was right. He was hunting the fae man out of pure green envy. His queen/love held his maleness and she actually used her other hand to help guide him in. Fionn's arms shook violently as she stared up at his emerald eyes that matched hers for the moment. His eyes were an odd hazel; walnut brown and pewter like grey mixed to produce a haunting effect. Arianrhod loved his beautiful eyes and his perfect white-blonde hair. His mother Halldora had sent him to Arianrhod's court early as a small child and she would play with his long whitish hair. Her child-self had adored this half- brother for his stoic loyalty but Arianrhod knew deeply he felt and when he would allow himself to feel; it was a momentously exquisite thing.

"Arianrhod, I swore to myself…" Fionn tried to say but it came out a whimper.

"You never swore to me about this! Coward! You coward!" She continued to hurl her insults at him.

Fury hit him and thrust hard inside of her and she came up. His anger and yes, even guilt was eating him alive as he began to harshly pummel her sweet center. Her breathless screams were music to him and the Lord of Thunder was lost in how their own bodies met over and over. Arianrhod ended up clawing his down his pristine back and he cried out in that unusual sound their kind made. Blood oozed from the wounds in his back and his relentless pounding was reaching annihilation. She kissed _him_ and it undid him on every level. He tried to jerk himself from her body but Arianrhod wrapped her legs around him tightly and he was shaking forcefully through his completely rigid body. The sounds of painful pleasure left his throat and he felt her body shaking too. She refused to release him and he stared at her eyes. They were blue again but she sat up and moved his hair. Her fangs sank into his juncture and the crushing lust/love was unreal. Arianrhod drank from him and she fell back. She turned her head to bear her throat and his chest was heaving. He hesitated for several minutes then he sank his own teeth into her soft, silk like throat. He drank and drank until he actually slowly passed out. He was exhausted and she had brought them to a private sanctuary all of her own.

Arianrhod had been pining for Fionn for hundreds of years and she was tired. She was sick and tired of his; I am holier than thou art. She loved him well as she loved Gwydion but if truth was told, she loved Fionn more. She also loved her fae man; Ailduin and she would have him too!

Macha was all too aware of love and what it could do. Her father loved her mother passionately but what could the keeper of Annwyn do when he loved the Moon goddess? He could leave his domain for short times and be with his love and his children all were free of Annwyn but OF Annwyn. She knew of her distant cousin Efnisien; Chaos personified, but he was very timid when it came to her. Macha had her mother's silvery-white hair that was streaked with thin strips of black soot. Her eyes would change from a deep brown-red to silver when she was angry or using her elements. Macha was in Wales and she was searching for a way to get into Leth`Evana without being noticed. Such veils were known as hind cracks.

Efnisien watched from afar and his master's child was epitome of beauty in his mind. He had stayed away from Arianrhod and Gwydion since the night Gwydion had almost drank him dry. Gwydion needed a payback and he had told Arawn. His master had been quite put out and only tolerated the "Golden boy" as he was mockingly called. Efnisien had dark sable brown locks and teal colored eyes that entranced most ekimmu. His heart was already stolen and he stared at the thief.

Macha felt herself being stared at and she had a feeling of who it was. She could feel fae very close by; so she knew she had found a hind crack and she quickly moved away. She walked through what appeared a cloud of black smoke and appeared right next to the ekimmu man leaning against an oak tree. Efnisien startled and Macha full lips widened into a beautiful smile.

"Hello Chaos. Come to play with a little bit of Annwyn?" She asked raising a brow.

"Oh you know how my master is. He prefers I keep an eye over his children topside." Efnisien shrugged.

"Liar. Papa knows I can melt male parts with my claws alone. So what brings you my extended cousin?" She asked in a sultry tone.

"I always protect Arawn's interests Lady Macha. You should know that!" He said indignantly.

"Did you know that Bilae Hammel has asked to pay me court? Can you imagine? Bilae?" She said in disgust.

"He is too filthy for such an angel." Chaos said without thinking.

"We are really not gods Efnisien. The mortals and infants just believe we are. I am not complaining; it is a good system and most times, we do not need to kill to sustain our thirsts." Macha stated looking him up and down.

"I serve Arawn and through him, I serve you." He mumbled.

His dark sable hair would look almost black in certain light and his teal colored eyes were entrancing. She pressed him to the tree in the thick forest of the Welsh countryside and stared into eyes like mythical oceans.

"Kiss your master's daughter. Kiss her and sweeten her lips with your taste." She commanded in a throaty tone.

Efnisien looked horrified and panicked because; although he was madly in love with Macha, he never had any intentions of acting upon it. It was the great daughter of the Silver Wheel who pulled him down and pressed her lips to his and he moaned in a wounded sound. He opened his lips and Macha attacked as her tongue teased and titillated Chaos. She only kissed him deeply and she nibbled his bottom lip for good measure.

"I sleep at my mother's castle. You should bring Chaos once in a while." Macha whispered.

"Lady Macha. I…I am not worthy of you." He spat out.

"Really? We shall see." She sauntered off and her long hair waved and came to her bottom.

Efnisien was breathing shallowly and the kiss had burned his brain in ways he could not explain. This female was the only one he wished for and he would die for her. He worshipped her from afar and in his mind; loving her as such was perfect. Chaos noticed his hardened flesh underneath his sturdy linen black tunic and leggings. He always wore black and he sighed as he leaned back against the tree. He would wait before he spoke to Arawn.

Orders came from Lady Don herself that there was to be another incursion into Briton into the realm of the ekimmu. It was found out that two sons of Don were killed in the last major battle and this was revenge. She had Khatar as her eldest now and he was a beautiful man. Ailduin thought the royal Undine a bit too effeminate but he kept his mind silent as Khatar spoke to the Fionnuisce Undine and the Sáile clans that did not directly belong to his family. The Fionnuisce were led by the family Ludok and their clan master was quite a warrior and had escaped Arianrhod. Don had sent Khatar to find out how.

"My mother demands to know how you escaped that wretched beast that took you in mithril chains." Prince Khatar demanded.

"She decided that I would fight for my freedom and I won." Ailduin shrugged.

"She let you fight for your freedom?" The Sáile fae said in disbelief.

"It struck me as odd too but I came to understood she had strange moods and fancies. She expected that she would best me but she keeps her word once given; that much I ascertained. She is however a spoiled, overindulged, wretched bitch! She says our lady Don is her mother but I do not think so." The Fionnuisce man stated with a raised chin.

"Simyth and Don have a younger sister named Dan. She is the actual mother to the ekimmu people through Taranis. Because their names are so similar; my mother is blamed for creating those monsters!" Khatar spit upon the ground.

"What is it you want from me and my clan your majesty?" Ailduin demanded.

"We want strategic strikes in Briton but we do not want full on engagements. Strike and kill and then disappear. I know it goes against whom we are and our honor as Undine but the ekimmu will pick us off. Mother believes this will be effective. If you can get close to Arianrhod again; sink any sort of blade into her heart." The prince stated.

Ailduin nodded and he could do what they wanted but kill Arianrhod was not one of them. His anger was supreme but he could not stick a blade into her chest in an attempt to end her life. He intended to do a strike very close to Caer Sidi. He would personally kill many ekimmu warriors and he would make her see him and make her seek him out.

Arianrhod was in her massive iron bed that she shared with Gwydion most nights and a shared lover. Gwydion was not back yet this night and her stomach was not settled well. She stared at the ceiling of her bedroom and it was painted as if the night sky with all the constellations and a depiction of her in a chariot riding across the sky as the Silver Wheel. Her keen hearing heard shouts far in the distance and it sounded as if metal was hitting metal. She rose and put on a battle stolla and her chest plate. She quickly painted a mask of blue around her eyes and she left the sanctuary of her solace and private chambers. She could see the cliffs around Caer Sidi were filled with both Fionnuisce and Sáile Undine that were striking her warriors. What shocked her was the small band of Welsh Sáile Undine who had brown/black raven hair and the deepest blue eyes. Nwyvre popped into her mind and anguish was eating at her heart.

"_What are you doing outside of your veil fae?" The young ekimmuess asked in a haughty manner._

"_I go where I like when I like brat. Go back to your mommy's tit little girl." The fae youth taunted the young ekimmu woman._

"_How dare you! Do you even have any idea who I am you fucking water fae?" Arianrhod snarled at the brat._

"_A pretty ekimmu but such a nasty mouth! Here let me show you what to do with such a filthy mouth." The dark haired fae had said._

_He moved with incredible speed and he was in front of her; it startled the almost adult Arianrhod and she had to look up at the lean, muscled form of this creature. He was obviously well built but it was subtle. It was so incredibly subtle as she craned her neck to see into his eyes. When the bastard's hand cupped the back of her head in a very gentle manner; the fae man held her firmly but gently, and he leaned down and his black hair fell around them as his lips teased hers and she made a surprised noise. The fae made a point of tracing her lips with his tongue and she was gently shaking as her mouth yielded to his questing. The fae placed a thought in her head and it was his name; Nwyvre. This fae man kissed her silly for who knew how long and he gently pulled back. He had a merry look in his eyes as she was stunned at how amazing this creature could kiss._

"_See you around Lady Arianrhod." Nwyvre smirked and he was suddenly gone._

_She stood there in complete shock and complete adoration of such a man. She could not believe he had the gumption to do as he had done. Arianrhod was quite suddenly looking forward to catching the strange young fae in the near future._

She cleared her mind of her first meeting with the Welsh Undine and pushed away her pain. Nwyvre Ancalímon had been striking with his hair so black it had a blue sheen and his dark sapphire blue eyes. He had a thin elongated diamond shape between his dark brows that was just a part of him. The cunning fae man would come looking for her to taunt and when the passion had become too great; way beyond his teasing, and she had seen his whole body trembling in absolute want and need. Arianrhod had given herself to him. The act had not hurt but it had in fact been glorious. Nwyvre was also careful not to impregnate her and that made her angry but she understood. Mahtan Ancalímon had killed his own son for loving an ekimmu.

Arianrhod's mood was dangerous and her warriors looked up at the sky. The winds began to pick up and most ducked under and ran for cover. The Mistress of Air was definitely in a foul mood as winds began to gather around faster. Rain began to pelt the area around her grand castle with many windows. She stalked further away from Caer Sidi and held out her hand as her sword; Starrfhiacail appeared. Her eyes were glowing darker blue and she saw an Undine. She moved forward with incredible speed and struck him in the back so her sword would pierce his heart.

"Filthy fucking fae! How dare you show yourself so near my castle!" She snarled to the dying elf.

"Don's orders." The youngish male gasped and his head fell forward.

Arianrhod kicked him in the back with her sandaled foot and she worked her way higher up into the cliffs. There was an isolated spot and she intended to draw a few more fae to her. It took nearly ten minutes of waiting for a fae to show up and it was Ailduin. Arianrhod was shocked and she dropped her sword. Her chest heaved and she stared at his pale blue eyes that reminded her of the pretty little buds called, Forget Me Nots. Ailduin looked angry. He looked betrayed and he also looked very much undecided.

"You start a ridiculous craving in my soul for you and then you abandon me?" He snarled at her.

"No! I did not abandon you. I knew Fionn was acting against his oath he had made to me because he was jealous. Ailduin, I never allow a male that much power over me." Arianrhod admitted honestly.

The rains kept pouring and the clouds kept swirling. He would have asked her to stop but her little temper tantrum was affording them privacy. The powerfully built Undine fae was in front of her and his sculpted arm reached for her neck with his large but graceful hand. It was a gentle touch and Ailduin pulled her to his body.

"You said you would conceive. You did not did you?" Ailduin asked in a low tone.

"No. I wished I had. I have not been allowing Gwydion his due. He is furious with me right now and I remembered Nwyvre. I only remembered him because of the passion I felt for him. Then I met you on that battle field; unafraid of me or death." The ekimmu queen admitted.

"You have kept none of your word to me! You kidnap me and lied to me. You have me divorce my wife as you sit upon your throne or lye upon your dais and make commands. I am not your subject bitch! I am a Fionnuisce Undine fae. I have no need to supplicate to an ekimmu whore!" He stated coldly.

"Then let this ekimmu whore out of your arms fae so that she may slay you as she should have done!" She snarled at him.

Arianrhod's hair was soaked from the downpour and Ailduin's thick white hair was done in a tight braid. She heard his mind, he wanted privacy. She without thought phased them to her small estate in Wales when she came there for the Welsh to pay homage to her. It was a small keep compared to Caer Sidi but it was warm and dry. Ailduin dragged her inside and Arianrhod could not believe how he was treating her. She kept a small number of servants and pathed to them to keep quiet and they said nothing. Ailduin was dragging a struggling Arianrhod until he found the most posh bed chambers. She could have freed herself but in fact; this fae was no slouch and she realized that without a doubt he was an incredible warrior. Ailduin whirled around and his blue leather tunic was ruined but it was stitched in gold lettering on two strips; one on each side of his chest. It spoke of his rank as a prince to his people and as a general for the Lady Don. He jerked her armor off of her and threw it from them. Her fae warrior was being none too gentle as he ripped her white battle stolla from her and he did not shove her back, but forced her to sit and he deftly undid her sandals.

"What do you want Undine?" Arianrhod hissed at him.

"To get the chill from my body bitch." Ailduin answered just as nastily.

He soon stripped and she again gulped at seeing his ripped and etched muscles outlined as if a statue. There was no loose muscle anywhere and Arianrhod was very much in a state of near madness by the time he jerked his boots off. Ailduin was fully naked and bore many scars from his time as a warrior and he sat his knee on the bed and pushed her back. For many minutes; he actually only did hold her to gain her body heat.

"Why do you think I have not pursued you?" Arianrhod asked in a shaky voice.

"Because you are ekimmu and it lies when it serves your purpose." He retorted.

"Ailduin, I refused to lead Fionn straight to you. I realized that he saw our last time together. I did not take your life on the battle field and I sure as hell was not going to cause your death!" She hissed out.

"I would have rather died and felt you than this emptiness that has been making me mad. My clan thinks I had a temporary episode of insanity; I think perhaps I did. I begged my wife to come back to me as your spell had worn off!" Ailduin said with such cold hatred.

Bloody tears pricked her eyes and she could see in his mind that his wife was now pregnant. She was furious and she screamed in hatred and he did not smile but he did not comfort either way.

"There was no spell you insipid elf! I wanted you as you wanted me. I cared more for your wellbeing than you apparently cared for mine. Fae are self-centered, cruel people!" Arianrhod gulped down her tears and said in a scathing tone.

"I had no care? You spout that excrement? Really Arianrhod? Truly?" He demanded haughtily.

"I will spout anything I wish whenever I wish. I am the Silver Wheel…I am Arian…" She began to say.

Ailduin silenced her by smashing his lips to hers and the response was ardent and just as wild as he felt. His left hand brazenly moved up her side and cupped her breast. The heat that his people radiated was making her fevered and he finally let her lips go and he bent his head to latch onto her tit to suckle it.

"Ailduin what do you want from me!" She yelped out.

He was especially wicked with his tongue and teeth as he let her nipple go and his blue eyes met her slowly changing to green.

"I want; no DESERVE, what you promised me. I want some assurance from you that we are each other's. Not just talk but something to link us." He said frowning.

"What was it I promised you?" Arianrhod demanded.

"You for starters offered me this body. Second, you said you would give me a child, and third," Ailduin ground out.

Arianrhod was actually nervous and groaned as his lips found her neck and kissed, sucked hard just the way she needed. She became unable to protest as every small thing was making her insane. Soon the elf had two fingers sheathed within her and carefully he sucked upon her pearl of nerves, Arianrhod's sweat soaked forehead was beaded with moisture and she shook it side to side.

-Release your ambrosia! - Ailduin thought in her mind.

-Cannot.- Her mind spoke.

He sucked harder and moved faster. Ailduin was still angry for the separation and her insipid relations hunting his people. He could not say he was not mad; in fact he figured he was, but somewhere in a short span of time, he loved this wench. The fae man got his reward as the queen of the ekimmu peoples arched her back painfully as her eruption led to a beautiful culmination in Ailduin's opinion and he suckled of and drank from her shrouded parts; her trickling honey.

Arianrhod was near weeping and her fae lover lifted his head and stared at her with his petal colored pale blue eyes. Hers had a glow to them to make them appear a darker blue hue and Ailduin moved so that their lips mashed and their tongues tangled. His wounded sound made her tremble badly and she foolishly thought she could be away from him. One powerful hand ran through her hair, he suddenly jerked her head back to expose her throat.

"Such beautiful skin ekimmu. Such a delicious taste I have been given, you swore that I was yours and you were mine." He said as he wrapped his blunt teeth around her tendon and worked the muscle.

Arianrhod gasped in the incomprehensible pleasure and she was panting to stay above it.

"Take me Ailduin. Take me now. I know I will conceive. We will be tied through our child." The queen moaned.

"Not good enough." He roared.

Arianrhod felt her forearm sliced open and he repeated the same to himself. He pressed their arms together and he spoke his elvish tongue. She somehow knew to repeat it and the heat in her limb felt like it was burning. When Ailduin moved his own limb; an Undine elvish symbol was apparent on her left forearm. The same symbol was on his right limb and he stared at her in defiance. She could not feel anger and she pulled him to her again and their lips met urgently. Ailduin was mad but then so was she. Their bodies began the old dance and he needed this creature. He had come to know the woman behind the legend in his captivity and he had come to respect her in his crazed love of her.

Their bodies met over and over as the sweat glistened on the white flesh. Ailduin intended to have what he wanted and he was insane but he wanted a child from her womb. Said child would be as much of his love as his woman. He kept her legs widely open as he pummeled her sweet center. Ailduin was branding Arianrhod Hammel so she would never leave him for so long again. When their culminations washed through them simultaneously; his passion blacked out from the acute love. The Fionnuisce Undine prince undid his white hair and he spooned her form. His hand was pressed to her stomach and his eyes shut. These battles and the war were against her brothers but never her. Arianrhod slowly came to and she felt the hard planes of her Fionnuisce fae and a look of peace passed over her features.

"You made me love you Arianrhod. You made me need you as much as I need the waters and air." Her lover said into her silvery-white hair.

Bloody tears gleamed in her now green eyes and she shut them.

"Your fearlessness and bravery made me love you. Your grace and honor too Ailduin. I would rather die than see harm come to you." Arianrhod spoke as she kissed his elegant fingers.

"Never shut me away again woman. I will go mad. I feel my seed has begotten you. You will make certain I see our child born?" Ailduin demanded.

"Why do you ask such dangerous things?" She asked in a tinge of fear.

"Because I am _not_ afraid and you are the ekimmu queen. Get your half twit brother under your control again. Make certain I do not miss the birth of our babe Arianrhod. I am fae and we always witness our children born. Do not take that from me!" He demanded.

"No, I will not take it from you. I will have our babe here. Ailduin, I will get Fionn under control but get Don's warriors out of my lands!" She demanded.

"I will find a way my love. I swear this to you. I will lie, cheat, or whatever it takes. I must return but I will see you more often." Her fae love commanded.

"Yes. I swear it. I only stayed away to keep you alive." She said as the tears managed to slip down her face.

"I was dead. Good eve for now my wife and my love. I will see you soon and earnestly." He said with such passion.

His kiss made her crazed and his hand held her belly. It was a glaringly obvious Ailduin did not wish to leave nor did Arianrhod want him to. His looks spoke of the forbidden feelings that she knew had been brewing and she scrambled to the edge of the bed.

"Ailduin!" She cried out and her tone caught him in his gut.

The Undine man turned and the usually fierce and deadly ekimmu goddess that was Arianrhod Hammel was now just a woman and she was just calling for her man and it was in need and love. Ailduin knew he could not leave her like this and he gently shut her estate's door and he moved back to her bed. He had put back on his ruined blue leather, Arianrhod stood naked on her knees at the edge of her bed. He pressed his forehead to hers and his eyes were closed.

"Tha mo ghion ort!" He whispered softly.

"Mae fy nghalon yw eich un chi!" She whispered in her native Welsh.

Auilduin understood the ekimmu tongue and that her heart was his. She of course too knew he had spoken deeply for a fae; to say, I love you for all time. That was tremendous coming from such a creature as he. She pressed his hand to her belly and his possessive growl that he made; it caused her heart to stutter in ways it had not in centuries. Arianrhod kissed him this time and it was with tender, heart wrenching passion. Auilduin had won, he had conquered Arianrhod Hammel and he clasped his fingers in hers over her belly. Their love was forbidden but neither was afraid.

Macha was on her way to the Welsh castle on the other side of the country. She smiled to herself and Nemain had managed to get Fionn to stop the raids into Leth`Evana. Macha knew what it felt like to love and deeply. The idiot she loved was afraid of her shadow. The ekimmu princess was so much like her beloved mother and men pursued her almost as much as they paid court to the ekimmu queen. Macha had seen the fae man and he had been quite delicious but her mother knew and sensed something more to him. She saw it ridiculous that their species should not mingle considering quite a number of ekimmu made eyes at fae and vice versa. She sighed as she carried a seriously wicked looking sword on her back. The hilt was short and well-worn brass as well as the guard. There was no engraving or scroll work but the blade had a slight curve on one side. It was also beveled for her particular use. She would use her miasma or blood to infuse the blade to cause horrific damage. Her wavy silver hair was stuck to her forehead and temples because of her exercise and she felt his presence again. A smile played upon her lips but she also felt something else. She felt a Sistern but they were mercenaries; while of Annwyn, their loyalty went to the highest bidder. Her father hated them.

"Hello Chaos. I feel Sistern. Do you feel up to a little sport?" She asked in her evocative voice.

Efnisien had a shudder go down his spine but it was of a kind that made one a slave to hormones.

"I always feel up for sport when it comes to those worthless creatures!" Chaos sneered his handsome visage.

The Sistern had a ghastly, death like tone to its skin and had darker grey hair. Their eyes were typically black or white. This particular one was male and bore black eyes. His sinister grin was nauseating. He wore a ragged, thin black long tunic that seemed it could be made of webbing if webbing was black. His bottoms were just as ragged and filthy looking as boots of the costliest leather adorned his feet. That got Macha's attention fast; this was no ordinary Sistern.

"Lady Macha Hammel! Efnisien as Chaos! What do I owe this pleasure to?" The mean looking ekimmu with haggard dark grey hair that was shaggy.

"Who are you sir to even address the child of your master?" Macha demanded in a snide tone.

"Cenwyn Wynn your majesty." The creature smirked.

The Wynn name was not unknown to either Macha or Efnisien. She put her blade back in place and Cenwyn bowed low.

"I was actually looking for you my lady when I found out you were topside. Did you know there was Undine near Caer Sidi?" He asked as if he cared.

"Yes, yes and my mother can handle any insipid fae. Now what do you want Sistern?" She said with that nasty edge to her voice.

"My lord Bilae begs you read his letter. That is all." Cenwyn grinned showing triangular and sharp teeth that were blackened and grey.

Give it to me and go on." Macha hissed.

Cenwyn reached into a pocket of his filthy leggings and produced a letter with a white wax seal. Macha wanted to roll her eyes but she grabbed it and shooed the Sistern back to Annwyn. Cenwyn smirked and he slipped away; this princess was powerful but he had time.

Efnisien looked disgusted and Macha just deposited the letter into a small bag for such things and she stared at teal seas that were Chaos's eyes. She always got lost staring at him and she mentally calculated how far her mother's estate was. Macha grabbed Efnisien and phased them to her rooms in Whitehaven Citadel. Her very distant relation looked shocked and his black wool and linen clothing was both costly and beautiful on him.

"My Lady Macha, I really have situations that must be observed. I do do a function you realize." He stated pursing his lips.

"You do realize I am one of the older princesses in the kingdom and yet I could have anyone. Bilae wants me; deluded fucking idiot. Your twin has paid homage to me and you? Well you avoid me like the plague!" His mistress said in anger.

"I am a loyal unto death vassal to your father." Efnisien snapped in return.

"Why did you allow that putrid brat Gwydion to touch you and share you as if you were a meal?" She demanded.

Efnisien cursed her sources at court and he sighed. It suddenly dawned on her and she narrowed her eyes.

"You wanted to stay at court. You wanted rooms in Caer Sidi for a reason! Did my father put you up to it?" The ranting ekimmuess demanded.

"No! Arawn would never allow those of us who serve him faithfully, to prostitute ourselves. Your father is as a father to me in many ways. He finished raising me Lady Macha after my own parents died. I realize it was at first because of my element but he has grown fond of me truly!" He actually admitted.

"Is that why you cannot see yourself touching me? Because my father is Arawn; do you?" Macha demanded as she stood nose to nose to him.

Efnisien could not breathe and he had allowed Gwydion to use him so that Arianrhod would give him rooms in Caer Sidi. He wanted to be near her as often as possible. His love was consuming him but he had promised himself to devote himself fully to his master.

"Please step away my lady." He gasped out.

Macha took all of him in and he wore a fine spun onyx colored tunic that came mid-thigh and looser leggings in coal black wool. He also wore a coat of heavy wool in the same color as his bottoms. His dark brunette hair was loose and flowed past his shoulders and she knew he wore a thick leather belt around his waist. Efnisien also wore hardened leather boots that cost a fortune; but one could afford such things being the adopted child of the Master of Annwyn. Macha's body hugging ebony silk dress clung to every curve she had and she was not in her battle mode. She had jewel encrusted slippers made of silk on her feet and she reached up behind her neck and undid the clasp that held her halter style dress in place.

The silk slid down her tattooed body and pooled at her feet. She stepped out of her slippers and she had started a roaring fire in the fire place in her sleeping chambers. Efnisien found he had a cold chill and he gulped.

Macha's figure was in the shape of an hour glass. She had full breasts that more than filled hands and her waist was tiny. Her hips were wide enough to balance her body to perfection. She had tattoos in Celt, Gaelic, and Welsh all over her back, down her arms, and on her neck. Efnisien too had tattoos but his were not as many and only in Welsh.

"Macha, I beg you. Do not tempt me beyond endure." He said in a harsh whisper.

"Some days I hate you! I hate the man I know who loves me and I love him! Tell me that is not insanity?" She swore at him.

"I have explained my reasons and they are mine…" Efnisien began but Macha silenced him.

Her mouth was open and Efnisien responded why he did not know. The intense, gut wrenching kiss was getting out of control. Blood spilled from the corner and he was groaning in such a way as to make her lose her mind. Macha guided him to her lavish bed made of iron and laid him back as she climbed onto his waist. She broke the kiss and stared down at him with silver eyes.

"Why would you choose Chaos over Tranquility?" the man under her asked in a stupefied voice.

"Because Chaos has been my life! I am going to lie down next to you. I beg of you to remove your fine things and hold me." Macha asked in a breathless way.

Efnisien's dumbed down brain figured he could hold her. That was no issue. She did as she said she would and he stood up. He removed his outer coat, his tunic, belt, boots, and then leggings. Macha held in her gasps as she stared at his perfect body and the symbols inked on his back and upper arms. He moved slowly and he climbed into the iron bed with a soft mattress and he intended to hold her. She rolled to her side to face him and her silver orbs met his darkened teal color.

"Macha. Why can I not love you in my way?" He asked in a wounded tone.

"Efnisien, why can I not love you in MY way?" She turned his question on him.

"Evil temptress. You are evil!" He tried to tease but her lips met his again.

Chaos would not stop her this time and her lips found a spot below his ear that made him moan out of his skull. She shut her eyes as the urge to take him in totally hit her and she reached back to gently and reverently brush his maleness. The intake of air made her tremble and she stared with her silver eyes at his and he looked terrified.

"I need you. I do not just want you Efnisien. This is love for me. I need you." She bore her heart.

"Gods in heaven Macha." He whined and he sat up.

He held the back of her neck and the lips met as did their tongues so they could taste. Efnisien was gone in need. Her clawed hands were moving up and down his muscled back and running through his dark hair. The ekimmu of chaos called out in the eagles' cry as her fangs buried in his shoulder but she sheathed him at the same time. The turbulent shaking that ensued was felt from both male and female ekimmu.

Macha laid him back and slowly ground her pelvis into his and Chaos was in chaos. She was moaning words in their native Welsh and he heard her heart. His mind could not comprehend that such a high born woman was spilling words such as love, need, desire, you are my passion, and you have become my heart. He sat up and rolled them and he slowly pulled back and snapped his hips hard. Macha screamed in blissful agony and Efnisien did it again and again.

"I love you. Efnisien, I love you. Taranis in heaven! Yes! I love you." She actually wept.

"Macha. Fuck Macha, I cannot stop. Macha release me." Efnisien panicked.

Macha was too into the precious act and she felt his hot essence as his body shook from a splendid release of joy after her own spasms had triggered his. Her eyes were closed and she was breathing deep and Efnisien was panicked.

"Macha, you did not allow me to pull back." He said in a shaky voice.

"Why would I want you to?" She asked in a dreamy voice.

"Not worthy of this. Macha, if I get you pregnant…it would be a stain upon your family." He said in a low voice.

Her eyes flashed demonic red then silver as she stared at him. She was angry too much too fast and she willed a dagger into her hand. She sliced open his chest and he cried out in pain; it was a blade of Annwyn and she sliced her own arm. Macha pressed their wounds together and spoke the ancient words.

"Waed fy ngwaed . Soul at fy enaid. Rhwymwch ni yn awr , ein rhwymo ni i gyd!" Macha snarled out each word.

She spoke it over and over and Efnisien realized a half bind would be no good. He began the chant with her and the searing, burning pain finally stopped. On his chest was a Celtic knot burned into his skin by blood magic. She had the same mark on her right forearm and she stared at him defiantly.

"I only pray to Taranis harder now that I bear you a child!" Macha spat out.

Efnisien was shaking and he stared at his now technically wife. He looked away and blood tears fell down his face.

"Loving me gives you such sorrow?" She asked in terrible hurt.

"Macha no, I have so much in my past. You do not know me like you think." Efnisien raged suddenly.

"Get out Efnisien. I will not have you shed tears for having made me the happiest woman of all the ekimmu." She screamed.

He was hurt and he quickly dressed himself and he phased out in a hurry. She lay there and shut her eyes and wept. Why being the daughter of Arawn had to take away happiness; she had no idea but she felt her heart was ripping.

Fionn Hammel was shaken up still by what had happened between himself and Arianrhod. Gwydion had sauntered through _his_ training arena and had made snide comments about his person. Thunder incarnate had lost his damn head and had punched the ever loving brat into the next century. It was said that Arianrhod had taken on fae on her own; dead elf bodies outside of Caer Sidi would say that was a likely scenario. He had sent Nemain to find her mother and he was terrified of what had occurred.

"You frown every time you think of the queen." Gavin commented from behind him.

"She is not THE queen Gavin; she is ALL of our queen. Is it true you have lain with Nemain?" His commander demanded.

"I would never lie to you my prince; she and I had taken out some fae and had partaken of their blood. Her kiss is sin." His underling blushed.

"You ever so much as look at Nemain in any other manner than as a fellow warrior than you should not worry over much of Gwydion killing you; it will be me! Nemain is off limits!" Fionn said in a deadly cold voice.

"I meant no harm or ill will my prince. My deepest and humblest apologies." Tremin said bowing.

"You are an excellent warrior Gavin; do not give me any reason to dismiss you." His lord stated in a stony voice.

"I will not my prince. I adore serving you and I would be aimless without it. Good day." Gavin said in a soft voice but he was hurt.

Gavin loved Fionn but anyone with any sense would love such a prince. Nemain as well was something amazing but the ruling house kept their own isolated and out of reach. He saw Arianrhod in a shimmering see through dress with wide sleeves and a hood. Her gauzy silk literally shone in the light like many tiny diamonds and she wore flesh colored bindings under her gown. Emblazoned on the whole of the front was a star with the many tiny diamonds. Gavin noticed the queen barefoot and he quickly looked at her eyes that were burning darker blue.

"Have your bones healed Tremin?" Arianrhod's voice asked.

"I am well your majesty." He said tightly.

"Do not displease me again." She commanded and she walked away from him.

Gavin tightened his clawed left hand into a fist and blood dripped in the sand. He hated the woman with a growing passion and if she died; he would celebrate!

"Bràthair we need to talk. Why have you not come to Caer Sidi?" Arianrhod asked from behind him.

"Piuthar, I have nothing to say is all. Why speak and make moronic speech when one has nothing to say?" He asked looking back at her.

She had pulled the hood part of her insanely beautiful ensemble and her hair was still partially under her hood.

"We made love Fionn! We did what we both have wanted!" She actually cried out.

"I am a warrior Piuthar; not some ridiculous courtier who pines away for his liege to give him attention!" Fionn snapped looking at her in the eyes.

Her eyes were a deeper blue. Arianrhod was agitated and one single bloody tear fell from her left eye. She whirled on her heel to leave and he sprung up to stop her. With her next to his body; he had a hard time contemplating anything.

"Why do you cry?" He demanded.

"I love you Bràthair! I love you and you stay angry. I cannot keep doing this to myself. You are jealous and yet, I want there to be an us!" Arianrhod actually began to weep.

Arianrhod never wept except when her emotions were high as when she was newly with child or suffered the loss of one. Fionn cringed and he forced himself to look at her.

"Piuthar are you with child?" He asked suddenly.

Arianrhod did not answer and she was looking out his window of his room in the training grounds where he devised drills and battle plans.

"Arianrhod answer me!" Fionn shook her harshly.

"So what if I am? What does it matter?" She asked dully.

"That fucking fae? He gave you his seed? Is that it?" He raved in a sudden and horrendous jealous snit.

"Tristan Mattocks. You know him correct?" She asked her beloved Fionn.

"Yes, yes of course! He is your personal physician." Her Bràthair stated waving his hand in the air.

"Fine Fionn. Yes, I am giving Ailduin Ludok a son. There I said it." She stated and she began to walk out.

"That fucking elf has put his son in your belly and I am supposed to be thrilled Piuthar? Because if you expect it; I am not! If you think I will stop my slaying of his insipid people, think again!" He snarled.

"You gave me your son as well!" She blurted out.

Fionn was stunned silent and he stepped back. First he processed that he had begotten the love of his life and then he had to process that the fae's brat shared her womb with HIS child.

"Oh Arianrhod only you would be so bold." Fionn snapped at her.

"I hate you! I hate you Fionn Hammel. I wanted this news to be joyous for us. You kill me. You destroy me unlike so many of my enemies!" She said again weeping and she tried to flee.

What she was saying really took hold in his brain; and he grabbed her. He had to use all of his abilities to stop her from phasing.

"Piuthar stop! Stop now! Tell me truthfully, do you want my son?" He demanded.

"Yes! Yes! A million times yes! I do not even care if Gwydion throws a fit. I want our child. Tell me you will stop the attacks on the Undine." She clutched at his blood red tunic.

"How are you going to explain the babes Arianrhod?" Fionn asked sighing.

"I do not fucking care. I am mated to Gwydion as he is my consort but I have other spouses and such. Do this for me Fionn because you love me. Love me and our son!" She pleaded.

"Aye. Piuthar. Aye. Do not tell Gwydion that my son is my son. We shall deal with his temper tantrums later. You do not need the stress. Your last pregnancy was a nightmare." He said haunted.

Arianrhod had been in labor for days and the babe had died in the process. Fionn had never seen his Piuthar so white and devoid of blood. He grabbed her hand and she felt his body shake a little with silent sobs. She knew the news of their own child would affect him deeply.

"You have been a fool all these years to think I loved Gwydion more. He is my twin but my not first in my heart. Ailduin is not even first." She whispered.

Fionn looked up and met truth in her green eyes. Bloody trails ran down both of their faces for the first time ever and he just pulled her against him and it felt good. It in fact, it felt right. Fionn shut out the nagging worries and focused on what she needed now. He knew she wanted these babes and she wanted the battles with the Undine stopped. She was a warrior and she would always fight. So Fionn had to stop the fighting; as much as it galled him, he wanted his child and the woman he loved more.

Gwydion was noticing his wife was being distant and her color was not well. She was sitting on the throne and stared dully out. He narrowed his eyes and he felt Macha enter the throne room. He rolled his eyes at Arawn's daughter but NOBODY fucked with Arawn; least of all him. His barely older brother was terrifying.

"Gwydion! How are you?" Macha asked in a nauseating voice.

"I am well Macha. Tell your father; my brother that I hope his realm is just as kept." Gwydion wanted to roll his eyes.

"Oh I shall dear Gwydion. I need speak to my mother please, alone." The older princess said almost in command.

If the damned brat was not of Arawn; he would flay her alive. Arianrhod was not exactly there mentally and he sighed in anger. He stood and bowed in his silvery-white long sleeved tunic and matching bottoms with a short cape of ermine. His angelic blonde hair in a messy style; barely over his collar as always, Macha watched him leave and she turned to her mother when the brat consort was gone.

"Mother?" She asked softly.

"Yes my beloved child?" Arianrhod murmured.

"When father last came upon you; he said you were not yourself. He has sent me to see what is wrong." She said sitting on the steps to the throne.

"I bear in my belly an ekimmu and a fae. I wish for both very much but I know how much havoc it will create." The Silver Wheel spoke honestly with her beloved daughter.

"Father does not wish your unhappiness mother. You have but to ask him anything and he will do it for you! You know this!" Macha said gently.

"Fionn is the sire of my ekimmu babe. I have desired this for so long but Fionn wavers like trees in a storm. Ailduin has begun to terrify me in his intensity." She admitted.

"When you say intensity; you mean that he loves you so greatly?" Her daughter asked surprised.

"Yes, I am very much intent as he is when I am near him. When I am away from him; I become gripped with reality. Fionn has only stopped the conflict because I carry his son." She said cupping her chin.

Arianrhod felt black and she wore a gossamer black gown that bore long sleeves, a dropped waist, and hood. Celtic symbols were stitched in silver thread all over the bodice of the beautiful cloth.

With suddenness, the throne room doors were thrown open and a bloodied messenger came forward. He was closest to Macha and his Welsh broken. He spoke for just moments before he died. Macha looked horrified and Arianrhod had not heard the man's entire plea.

"His village was attacked by Undine riding upon hippocampi! They came from the sea up the River Hafren." Her older daughter said with rage and spittle on her lips.

"I must make a statement. Come Macha and gather my warriors I trust. We will avenge this poor mortal's village." The Silver Wheel spoke in anger that was _too _quiet.

Macha bowed deeply and Arianrhod sent instructions for the brave mortal to be cremated and his ashes to be interred in a beautiful vessel for the family. She also decided that she would give the family some extra land. While Macha was gathering warriors loyal ONLY to Arianrhod; she painted around her eyes and into her hairline a blue mask. Arianrhod wore a black battle stolla with her chest plate, gauntlets, and shin guards. Her black sandals provided decent protection on her feet and tied all the way up her calves. She looked totally different and she looked colder. There were fifty warriors that would follow any command unto death and The Silver Wheel explained how this group of Undine had come into their lands and had killed their people. Her warriors became incensed and she ordered them to their horses. Macha followed her mother and they mounted their demon horses which were actually longma.

The group started out in a quick walk but soon the group of longma horses was galloping full speed toward the River Hafren and the village of Shephae. It was noticed that a large group of ekimmu were riding the demonic beasts and Fionn had heard the galloping. He looked around for Nemain and she was gone. He saw Gavin and he walked up to him and he was angry.

"Where is my niece?" Fionn demanded.

"The queen called on warriors that only answer to her; Nemain being her daughter decided to go. I heard the longma leave not long ago." The younger ekimmu admitted.

"Why did you not come and tell me?" He raged.

"I did not wish to displease the queen again or insert myself in family matters my lord. May I go now my lord?" Tremin asked unemotionally.

Fionn waved him on and he was sick to his stomach. Arianrhod was going to fight in her condition!

The fae that had used the River Hafren were Welsh Sáile Undine. Many of these had dark hair and she felt punched. King Ancalímon had been decimated by her because she had been told that he had found out about her and Nwyvre's love affair. He had cowered in fear as she had suffocated the air right out of him. None of these men were Nwyvre and addressed her followers; she wanted blood for the blood spilled at Shephae. Arianrhod, Macha, and Nemain were all fighting and it was indeed an impressive sight to see the queen and two princesses deliver justice. The Welsh Undine had been arrogant and this had been an unexpected reaction on the ekimmu's part they thought.

"What does one mortal settlement matter to you ekimmu anyway?" The lead fae spoke in arrogant and in Welsh.

"Those mortals worship me and are my people! How dare you filthy elves kill what is mine!" Arianrhod screamed as she lost her mind.

"Oh poor moon goddess; she loses her worshipers and…" The Undine was saying but his head was suddenly struck off and the Silver Wheel gasped.

"Arawn?" She called her dark mate from Annwyn.

"Yes my lovely goddess?" The keeper of Annwyn grinned.

His hair was inky black on the darkest of nights with no moon; his skin was alabaster and as smooth as any statue. His eyes could be a light brown that would change into a hell fire red in instant when he was angry; which was not as often as ekimmu would think.

"I have felt your ire beloved one. As one of your actually treasured loves; I feel it my duty to see and check upon you." He said as he elbowed a Welsh Undine and whirled with his serrated blade to cut horribly into the elf's belly.

Arianrhod ducked a pike and she stabbed a tall Undine through the heart. Blood covered her and she kicked the body of the elf harshly away.

"You feel my predicament?" Arianrhod asked softly.

"Not every elf is terrible; just eighty five percent of them. Fionn? I like him but I cannot stand the constant self-castigation and suffering he puts himself through. I had something sent topside to keep Gwydion's interest for quite some time darling. Give them their due! You are more powerful than any creature like Halldora; you need many lovers. Now just die you pitiful fool!" Her dark mate actually used his miasma flow to ruin the fae features.

Around Arianrhod and Arawn were seven dead fae and he walked up to her. His kiss was domineering as always. He made her legs quiver like always; he was dangerous, he was powerful, and she loved him mightily. He bit her neck but she felt him release something and she was confused. He let her go and she looked at him in askance.

"Only making you what they truly need. Call upon my warriors my beloved if you need to protect this Ludok fellow. I like his style. Fionn is on his way and he is pissed off. I will clear out the rabble." Her naughty mate smirked sensually.

Arianrhod was checking the dead bodies for weapons of great power or trinkets and Fionn saw her victorious. She was covered in splattered blood and she looked back at him. Her mask of blue only covered around her eyes and he felt as though he had been gutted.

"Why did you leave me behind? Am I not trustworthy to you?" Fionn spat out in anger.

"In all honesty Bràthair; I was certain you would stop me from fighting because I carry your babe." She answered bluntly.

"So you left me out because for once I want something so fucking much; I would have begged my Queen Piuthar not to go! I would go against all we are; who you are and who I am because I want the babe in your belly more than I have wanted to live!" Thunder incarnate shouted in semi-rage.

"I knew that Fionn. These Undine are of the exact same clan as Nwyvre's was. They have not made moves in over five hundred years in this plane. I found it odd and they slaughtered my mortal worshipers!" Arianrhod cried.

"What of the human?" He asked calmer and his arms were crossed across his sculpted chest.

"I ordered him cremated lavishly and given a holy vessel in which to hold his remains. I have also extended his family's farm so that they will raise in rank in their village." She spoke with her chin up.

"Quick thinking. We warriors will finish cleaning this up. Please go to Whitich Hold." He asked his ruler.

"Of course Bràthair." The Silver Wheel sighed.

Arianrhod stepped back and she saw into his mind the small keep that was all his and she phased there. It was some time and as she stared at the tall grass in the fields. She remembered playing here as a child and her beloved Fionn coming to court only the year before. She was eight and he had been six but Arianrhod was already a queen but she had regents at the time. Gwydion was with her half the time and they tried to keep the twins separated sometimes because they were either best friends or tearing each other up. Arianrhod was the elder born by a full day and she laid the side of her head on the brick window casing. She sat looking and remembering.

"_Tag! You are it Fionn Hammel. Come find me!" Her girlish voice sang over the fields._

"_You are stupid Arianrhod Hammel!" The little boy with white blonde hair said in Faroese and Gaelic jumbled, staring at her with a nasty look on his cherub face._

_She laughed softly and came out covered in mud. She threw a small ball of it with her air and it splattered all over Fionn. He looked up at her with a furious glint in his dark, hazel eyes._

"_You may be a queen but I am a prince! Say you are sorry brat!" Little Fionn glared at his older sister._

_Her smirk was genuine and he wanted an apology? She told him in his mind to make her give him one. The little Scandinavian half ekimmu ran after her and whaled on her ass but she adored him. They slept in the same bed and he did not understand why he had to be with "her" as he put it._

"_The Little Queen always sleeps with a sibling; a sister or brother; strange child." An elder ekimmu told him. _

_Arianrhod had on her night clothes and Fionn refused to look at the mean girl. She was playing with his white hair and he began to actually growl._

"_What is wrong?" She demanded._

"_Sorry my hair is white. I know it should be gold or silver." He sputtered barely understandable Gaelic, as if in anger._

"_Why would you want to look like us when you look like you? Your hair is beautiful bràthair Fionn! You are very beautiful." The young girl giggled._

"_You are stupid and you are supposed to be queen?" He demanded; in his Faroese, not looking at her._

"_I am not stupid, stupid!" She growled at him._

_Little Fionn had wounded her pride and he rolled over and the sight he saw actually made him feel terrible. His full lips pouted and he was still learning their language. He spoke Faroese and They spoke the languages of Briton. He missed his mother; Halldora Fardahl and she had told him that she was sending him to his sister's court. He had not understood._

"_Þú ert systir mín."Fionn said blinking his dark hazel eyes at her._

"_Yes, I am your Piuthar. Can you say that?" The tiny Silver Wheel asked drying her darker blue eyes._

"_Piuthar." He repeated._

"_Mo ghaol ort annsa bràthair. Teas-ghràdhaichte." The young Arianrhod whispered._

_She laid her head down and stared at the scared and frightened child. She began to run her fingers through his white hair and he stared at her at first with coldness that slowly changed over that summer; before Taranis ripped his heir away from a younger sibling. _

Arianrhod had to shut out the screams of little Fionn out of her mind as her father had returned and pulled her up on horseback and left with her. She moved between all of his bastard children but all knew she was the queen. She was his voice and his might. Arianrhod was the most beloved of Taranis; even over her quadling trio of brothers.

"Do you remember calling me stupid in that very bed over there?" She asked in a soft tone as she heard Fionn come in.

"I was a small child Piuthar! Do not hold that against me." Fionn said thinking she was angry.

"You could only speak Faroese then, remember?" She asked not looking at him.

"Yes Piuthar, I remember. I remember how for the first ten years; I moved between my mother's capital in Danemark and here." He said standing by stoically.

His long white blonde hair was braided once on each side and pulled back in leather. Arianrhod still wore her battle clothing and she looked back at Fionn with bloody tears falling from her eyes.

"When he came and took me away; you ran after us. You kept screaming Piuthar. I had to let you go every winter and I would scream bràthair and cry myself to sleep." The Silver Wheel kept remembering and her remembering was bothering Fionn.

"Piuthar, I am not going away anymore. I see my mother every so often but what and who I love is here." He said unemotionally.

"Can you ever show me your heart Fionn? You showed me when were children. You let me twirl my fingers in your white hair and let me sing to you in Gaelic. You used to openly love me Bràthair and without shame!" She wept at seeing him show nothing.

"What is it I am supposed to show Arianrhod? I devote myself to maintain your army not out of command but out of love and duty to my queen! Am I supposed to be a louse like Gwydion? Must I be an enemy to truly show you my love?" He nearly spat out in anger.

She remembered Arawn's words and Fionn wanted the babe more than her. Her eyes slowly went to normal and her blue face paint was almost navy colored.

"The bleeding started this past noon. No worries Fionn. I do not want or need sympathy or emotions. You confirmed my already known assumptions." She said in a dead voice.

"You said nothing before…" He stammered.

"I had just fought a battle. Was I supposed to talk about my mating habits with my people?" Arianrhod asked cocking her head to the side.

Fionn was actually trembling and for a moment deep anguish showed over his face. She rarely saw his feelings and he wanted the child. She walked past him and opened the door.

"Good bye Fionn. I will call on you when I need the warriors." Her voice was devoid of anything.

Fionn was just stunned and her coldness and everything made sense. He had to splash water on his face to help keep his emotions from breaking loose but he failed. Fionn Hammel fell to his knees and bloody tears fell down his face.

The recent battles with the fae and within her own house were keeping her in a deep depression. She wondered if it was time to go adventuring on the mainland again and meet some more exotic daemons. She was sitting at a simple vanity that held a highly polished bronze mirror and she checking her image. She had only come back from Beltane and the people had been honored and excited that their goddess was with child and that she had avenged their village. She had bled heavily and Gwydion had been gone often and that suited her fine but she heard her door wide open.

"I am assuming the masses at the Henge were massive?" Gwydion asked in a calm voice.

"It was Beltane. What do you suppose?" His twin tried to smile at him.

He had seen her as they had cut her; she always wore white on feast days and her belly could not be missed. Gwydion was furious and wanted to kill her.

"How long did you think I would not know?" He asked and she felt the chill in the air.

"Know what? Know that I am pregnant? Are you a moronic idiot?" Arianrhod asked him in her anger.

Her angelic consort had his hand around her throat and he was strangling her as fury took him over. She grabbed his arms and she literally blew him away and he slammed into their bedroom wall made of marble.

"Who did you fuck this time Arianrhod? Please tell me you at least killed the bastard or I will." He hissed as he turned blue in his ultimate fury.

"You are raving mad Gwydion! Remember yourself; you are only on that throne by the grace of ME!" She screamed in rage as her eyes became demonic blue.

"Virtue of my birth order bitch. I am your twin." He snapped and he stood up and flicked blood off of him.

"Macha has the regency. I am leaving the Isles." She snapped as she walked around him to her corridor.

"Do not come back with a gaggle of brats Arianrhod or I will kill you. I will kill them and make you watch!" He snarled at her.

"Such love and affection Gwydion. Go to fucking Annwyn. Wait a minute! Arawn said he was expecting you." She snorted.

Arawn summoning him was not a good thing and Gwydion always worked hard to stay on his brother's good side.

"What reason would he have of me?" The golden haired man asked nervously.

"Seems he does not like how you slap me around as of late. He could send the Sistern but I am certain you will calm yourself before you get an extended stay." Arianrhod spoke so smoothly with her threat.

Gwydion said nothing more and she turned on her bare heel and walked away. All of her silver hair was down and she wore a loose fitting halter dress of silk crepe. It left very little to the imagination and hatred mixed with insanity showed in the consort's face.

She sent a tear filled note to Ailduin and begged him to forgive her but she had lost her babe in battle with the Welsh Undine. She told him that her ideas had been foolish and she wanted him to stay with his wife and soon to be born child. Arianrhod made sure her salty blood tears smeared the page. She folded the note up and she clasped her hands over it and spoke in an even more archaic form of Gaelic. The note flared up in a silver flame and she sat back. She was in the South of Gaul at the moment and she was enjoying respite from everything. Away from her court; her belly grew heavy with her sons. She wore only a low slung skirt that was long and linen/silk blend in red and her hair covered her breasts. Her pregnant belly was quite evident and she smiled as she saw local tribes of empusae wraiths. They were actually a group of infants she loved to be around. A young chieftain had introduced himself as Ruval de Laurel. He had black hair the color of midnight and eyes that were darker blue more like Halldora's were. Arianrhod smiled and went by another of her names; Morgause. She had no intentions of being found at the moment and she was happily away from death, court, and overly possessive brother/consort. She was sleepily watching young empusae play and she remembered Fionn was half. She shut her eyes to it all and she dreamed. She allowed herself to dream of days gone by and happier times. Times when Gwydion was her most important love and she had ended a dynasty of the Welsh Undine; and she had lost her innocence. Nwyvre had a secret but she had not figured it out until much later. He had given up his immortality for a chance at rebirth; a chance to be with her again. The pain of his death and the pain of Fionn made her cry silently and cry she did; no one would ever weep for her she was sure. She was a powerful woman and too many males in the world did not like powerful women.

Arianrhod knew for a fact a younger brother resented her deeply. He did not know that she kept him watched eternally. It had been quiet at court from Bilae for more than a century but she knew her younger sibling. Being a minor noble was not his style. She pressed her hands to her belly and felt the kicks of both fae and ekimmu boys.

"This will be my gift to you my sweets. You will never know the trials of my kingdom or the hatred of other races. I will give you up and I will watch from afar." She said softly.

Her babies kicked and Ruval watched the stranger sitting on granite settee with plenty of pillows and a tent over her. He was certain she was more than she said; but he never pried. He was a leader but he was shy. She was crying blood and he found that odd. He only watched as she cried herself to sleep and he was left to wonder what was tearing her apart.


End file.
