Ariana lies back against his muscular chest, held tightly in the Shadow Kings arms, she thinks how good and right it feels. “If I have to die then let it be like this, held safely in his arms.”
As the pack begins to chant. Reese pulls her tightly against his chest and whispers in her ear, “You will not escape me that easily, my Queen.” Ariana smiles as the hot water ripples and bubbles over her and soothes the pain, and the leader of the Forest Fairies chants:
“I call forth light in the dark of the night,
Seize the shadow lurking deep
Send her to a healing sleep
Judge the dark and sear his soul
Give him back his gift of ole!”
Ariana coughs as the pain strikes again, stronger and she feels her throat start to close. A tear slips free as she thinks, “What a cruel fate is this, to find my mate and die in his arms?” Ariana falls into a healing sleep.
Reese stares at her in wonder, Mate? He holds her tight as a scream breaks loose. The demon roars as a clawed hand of holy light sinks into the wound on Ariana’s chest. It fights to keep its grasp, as it is ripped free. A flash of white light leaps across the heavens dragging the demon spirit back to its dark master. Far away, the spirit wails in agony as it is slammed into its creator. Fury has him burning the demon because of his failure to kill the Queen.
Ariana is free.
“What now?” Reese asks looking up at the forest fairies. They drop back to the earth, wolves once more, and the leader speaks to his mind. “Stay in the healing water until the sun breaks and your mate will be free.”
“Fae are fated to have only one mate. How can I have another?” He asks in wonder.
“There has never been another like you, Shadow King. Reese your gift of faith in those who could not defend themselves, has been rewarded. Those who are innocent will find their mate within or outside of the vale.” She drops back to the ground and they run back into the woods.
“Mate?!” Reese calls out shocked. “Mate,” he whispers in wonder holding her tightly.
Reese pulls Ariana back against his chest, holding her body tight to his. He can think of worse ways to watch the sunrise. She fits against his body as if she was custom made for him. He leans his head back on the rocks and holds her against his hard body. He thinks of his wife, for a moment, Wynn. They were childhood sweethearts and he loved her. Five hundred years is a long time to be alone, and he knows she would want him to be happy. He is strongly attracted to Ariana. “It is good to feel alive again.” He smiles as he feels her stir at the sound of his voice.
The first thing Ariana notices is the hot water. The stars glitter and when she takes a deep breath the pain is gone! Strong muscular arms are wrapped around her naked body, her hand traces the arms reveling in the texture and feel. When she looks down at her chest, the scar is gone. She sits up slowly and touches the healed wound and tears of joy begin to flow.
“How did this happen?” she whispers.
“The Fairies of the Forest healed you,” Reese says releasing her. She spins around and realizes he never left her. Standing in the moonlight, waist high in the water, his eyes trace the beads of water as they roll off her beautiful body. Surely, she is a Goddess, he thinks.
Ariana stares at him in shock, with her hand over her wound, “I’m Free? I’m free! I’m finally free,” she says sinking into the water, sobbing. Reese pulls her close and holds her tight.
“Don’t cry, Ariana,” he says enjoying the feeling of her body close to his.
She pushes back and looks into his blue eyes, “Can it really be true?” Her tear stained face calls to him, and he can resist no longer.
He leans in and catches her gasp of shock with his mouth. Softly he traces her face with his fingertips, sinking a hand deep into her flaming hair. “Breath Ariana,” he whispers in her mind.
At the touch of his mouth, all thought stops. Ariana kisses him back, sliding her hands up his chest and into his long blonde hair. The haunting aching loneliness that marred her every moment is gone! Replaced by a hunger and a need for her twin soul. Reese groans in pleasure as her tongue dives into his mouth, stealing his breath away. His hands slide downward, skimming the sides of her breasts and his strong hands grasp her waist pulling her closer. The feel of her naked breast pressed into his chest makes his blood boil. He kisses her deeper as he lets the hunger build inside. She pulls back, out of breath and smiles with no shame. Her violet eyes glow with passion for him.
Reese stares at her swollen mouth and fights his instinct to take. He takes a step back from her and has to ball his fists up at his side to resist the urge. “My Queen, you have been through….” her hand covers his mouth.
“Don’t cheapen the moment, Reese. I have wanted you since the moment I first saw you. I have not felt anything but pain in more years than I care to remember, finding you now, is a gift.” Ariana climbs from the spring on weak legs. She is shaky from his touch, and from the ordeal, she has been through. Reese dries and clothes them with a thought and smiles at her look of surprise.
“I don’t understand any of this Reese, we have much to discuss,” she says softly as
