She returned her attention to Shandon’s smug expression, fighting the urge to slap it off his face. “Do not taunt me, cousin. I do not disrespect my mother as you do. I’m only looking at things more logically.” When he did not reply, she added, “Why do you challenge my mother, especially where I am concerned?”

  “As I said earlier, you have much wisdom.” He clicked to his steed and snapped the reins to urge it over a root jutting in the path. “And you remind me much of my father. He was practical and logical as well, but you still have much to learn and now is not the time to explain it.” As he guided his steed through another passageway, Honey’s horse followed. Shandon glanced over his shoulder at her, his charming smile instantly melting her irritation with him. “Forgive me, Li’l One. It was not my intention to wound your feelings.”

  “I know, it’s just that your bold way of speaking sometimes shocks me.”

  He shrugged. “I grow weary of being the man of your mother’s house. It is time that I choose a wife and make my own home.”

  It felt as if the bottom fell out of Honey’s heart. “Are you smitten with someone?”

  “Yes, there is one who has won my heart.” He sat straight, looking forward, his hands tugging this way and that on the reins as he directed his steed around several enormous stumps.

  They entered The Clearing, an area where the villagers had felled trees for lumber. A few stumps had fire pits in their centers to warm weary travelers or for those working in the forest to rest and prepare meals.

  Shandon’s announcement made Honey feel like The Clearing looked—empty and stripped of all life. “Who has captured your heart?” she asked.

  “I will reveal who she is at the right moment,” Shandon replied over his shoulder. “I must first help Zoirah with Nero before I stir up the household with my news.”

  Although it didn’t make any sense to Honey, she felt as though Shandon belonged to her. A cold, hard lump wedged in Honey’s throat. When Shandon married, who would tease her and make her laugh in the garden when the fireflies twirled upon the evening breeze? Who would defend her when her older sisters tormented her for being the unique daughter? Most of all—Honey sighed, fighting tears—who would she talk to and share her dreams with? Shandon understood her when no one else did, and without him, she would feel lost, alone.

  And she hated the thought of giving him up.

  The aroma of blooming honeysuckle permeated the damp air. Honey tried to peer ahead through the gloom. They were near the place where the silver-white blooms trailed up and down the tree trunks and hung almost to the ground in thick perfumed curtains. Her attention returned to her cousin. She studied Shandon’s broad shoulders, the way the lantern light gave his pale hair a silver sheen, and how his body moved with his steed’s, as if they were one creature instead of two.

  Gulping, she gripped the reins tighter. She understood Shandon needed to find a wife and start his own family. She wasn’t blind to his charms and handsome body either, or how the womenfolk fawned all over him, vying to become his future wife. Could she be...?

  No! Shandon doesn’t feel that way about me... Pain seared her heart.

  If she truly loved Shandon and wanted the best for him, she needed to be happy for him. Instead, she wished she could chase away the woman who had finally won his heart.

  Honeysuckle vines hung like curly tresses throughout the trees. Staring up into the darkness above them, Honey tried to see how far she could trace the aromatic blooms before losing them in the canopy above. The sweet scent of blossoms wrapped around her. She breathed deeply, reveling in the intoxicating odor.

  Shandon dismounted and stretched, groaning. He reached up and helped Honey down from her steed. Placing his hand on her shoulder, he looked deeply into her eyes and said, “I will always be here for you, Li’l One.”

  How did he always seem to know her thoughts, she wondered? She offered him a weak smile and quickly looked away so he wouldn’t see the tears pricking her eyes.

  “Stay close to my side,” he said, withdrawing a dagger from the sheath at his belt. “If you stray too far, the Green Man might capture you and carry you away.”

  Honey retrieved a small knife from out of her boot and began cutting long streamers of the fragrant blossoms. She sent him an irritated look over one shoulder.

  “I do not care for your teasing.”

  “You are right.” Shandon winked at her. “The Green Man would probably think you are too scrawny and mouthy to keep for long!”

  When he turned his back to her, Honey swung the bundle of vines she had just cut at his back. The honeysuckle slapped across his tunic, cracking like a whip, but Shandon jumped away, laughing.

  “All right, Li’l One, all right!” He dropped his dagger and held his hands up. “I surrender!”

  “Today I come of age,” she whispered, her throat tight.

  It was then that she realized Shandon’s opinion of her meant more than she ever realized. She was in love with Shandon.

  Stunned by the emotion, she turned away so he wouldn’t see the emotion on her face. She began cutting long strips of her namesake pregnant with silvery, sweet-smelling blooms. After placing them in bundles, Honey returned to her horse, rummaged in a saddlebag and withdrew braided strands of hair fashioned from their mount’s tails and cascading manes. She tied the vine bundles together with the horsehair braids. As she worked, she glanced up, frowning at her cousin, who watched her from where he leaned against his steed’s withers.

  He wiped dirt from the handle of his dagger. “I seem to have a talent for hurting your feelings today. Again, I apologize, Li’l One. This is your day to celebrate. You are officially a woman, and I should respect and treat you as such. Forgive me.”

  “Keep your apologies.” Honey blinked tears away, furious at herself for being so emotional. “I think we have gathered enough honeysuckle for Mother.”

  “Yes, let us be on our way. The fog is rolling in, and these are treacherous woods when the fog and gloom mix.” His deep, melodious voice drifted oddly upon the air currents. The damp breeze swirled through the trees, bringing with it wisps of glittering mist.

  Glancing around their honeysuckle bower, Honey shivered. She noted how the gloom and gyrating mist seemed to cut them off from the rest of the world. If there truly was other races of Fae out there somewhere, she wondered, what magical things were watching them from the darkness?

  ***

  They rode slowly, the fog reflecting the lantern’s illumination. Honey felt as if she were cocooned within a moist, cottony womb where sounds were distorted and feelings intensified. Although the faerie steeds had extraordinary eyesight, they snorted and fidgeted as if unsure of the way and shied at anything that loomed in the well-worn trail. The horse’s hoof beats sounded hollow, and as Honey passed an enormous oak, a tree frog shrieked, startling her so that she nearly fell from her steed. Shandon caught her by the arm and righted her in the saddle. Furious with herself for being frightened by a mere frog, she straightened, squaring her shoulders.

  “We must find a place where we can wait out this fog,” Shandon said gravely. “Aunt Amberon will be wroth with me, but she will be happier knowing I kept you from riding into a deep pit or falling prey to the hungry kiss of a lurking Leanan-Sidhe.” He took her reins. “After all, everyone believes the Great Woods are infested by dangerous Fae.”

  Shandon led them off the path. Their short trek to discover a safe haven became a series of twists through the trees silently spewing from the earth’s soft flesh. A mass of bushes and vines erupted from out of the whirling white blanket. The moist fragrance of various forest blossoms spun lazily on the shimmering moisture. Honey caught a faint whiff of spices. She inhaled until it was almost painful, but the curious aroma eluded her.

  “It looks like there is a sheltered spot in those bushes over there.” Shandon’s voice rumbled in the muffled quiet. Honey jumped when his strong, sure hands grasped her waist, lifting her from her horse. “Calm down,” he soothed. “I will not let anything happen to you, Li’l One.”

  He led her by the hand and ducked through the leaves. Inside, a cavern of foliage concealed them and provided a quiet resting place. Lavender roses glowed softly overhead and along the haven’s leafy sides. Shandon doused the lantern, saving the remainder of their oil. Scattered on the ground, nearly as thick as a fur rug, lay soft fern fronds mixed with flower petals.

  “Oh, how lovely,” Honey whispered in awe. “Where did this place come from?”

  Shandon shrugged. “Perhaps Raya has provided it. Maybe it is meant for those who lose their way.” He sat down in the plush greenery. “Many believe the Fae favor weary travelers. We may as well rest. We will not be going anywhere until the mist clears.”

  Oddly enough, it felt warm and snug inside the leafy cave. Honey let her shawl spill around her feet and snuggled down next to her cousin.

  “I am a little weary,” she mumbled sleepily, “but I do not want to miss my party.”

  Shandon drew her next to him and placed her head upon his chest. She lay still and listened intently to the steady beat of his heart.

  “Forgive me for ruining your birthday, Li’l One.”

  “You did no such thing.” She patted his chest. “You did not ruin it. As long as I am with you, it is a wonderful birthday.”

  “I must say I’m honored.”

  Honey giggled and teased back. “You know what I mean, silly. I am closer to you than to my sisters.”

  The steady thumping of his heart lulled her to the edge of sleep. The scent of spices assailed her nose. She licked her lips and thought she tasted cloves.

  “Do you smell spices?” Honey murmured against Shandon’s side.

  “No, Li’l One. I smell only your sweet scent.”

  Chapter Six

  It felt like she had been asleep for an eternity. Slowly, Honey roused, becoming acutely aware of the inebriating scent of spices. Sensing something amiss, alarm flashed through her. She knew those wonderful aromas, she had smelled them in her dreams and upon awakening, had found them lingering upon her bedclothes. With a soft cry, Honey sat up straight, her only thought to flee, but steely arms snaked around her, pulling her tight against a very warm body.

  “What is wrong?” Shandon asked.

  Honey realized her cousin still had her in his arms while the two of them had slept. Once again, her dreams had overtaken her subconscious.

  “I am sorry,” she said. “I must have been dreaming again.”

  Shandon let out a big sigh. “By the gods, Li’l One! You scared me when you sat up like that!”

  Scrambling to her feet, Honey picked up her shawl and said, “The hour grows late! Mother will skin us!”

  “We cannot go yet.” Shandon sat up, watching her carefully.

  Unease seeped into Honey’s bones. “Why not?”

  “Remember when I told you I would figure out a way so to keep you from marrying Kaedric?”

  She nodded.

  “I know of a way, but you may balk at the idea.”

  “What is it?”

  He sighed and stood up. “I am—I am not sure how to explain it.”

  A bright light flared at the mouth of their leafy hideaway, followed by a firm, melodious voice that said, “Time is of the essence, King Roahre. I shall help you in revealing the truth to her.”

  Honey snapped her head toward the sudden illumination and voice. Her eyes widened, and with a cry of dismay, she fell to the ground and kneeled, facedown, her forehead pressed against the ferns and flower petals, arms flat at the sides of her head.

  “Forgive me, Raya,” Shandon said. “I love her so.”

  “Yes,” amusement filled the goddess’ voice, “it is obvious.”

  Quivering with fear, Honey sensed something close to her head. Hesitantly, she opened her eyes and lifted her gaze just enough to see a large pair of embroidered boots mere inches from her nose.

  “Rise, Honey,” Raya said above her. “We have much to talk about, and I am not one for quivering subjects prostrate before me. Rise, look upon me. Show me that you are worthy of your destiny.”

  Shandon took Honey’s hand and, gently, he tugged her to her feet to stand at his side. She stared at the goddess, her mind denying the image before her. Somehow, the foliage had expanded, creating a larger room. Two enormous blue-black cats lay near the entrance, their golden gazes ever watchful of their mistress. One flicked its thick, powerful tail, while the other yawned in a bored manner, revealing sharp, gleaming teeth.

  Honey’s frightened gaze darted back to Raya, who stood well above her head. Looking up, she marveled at the goddess’s size and height. The ballads and tales of Raya’s beauty failed miserably at conveying the truth. She regarded Honey with amusement in her blazing blue eyes. Her golden skin possessed an ethereal glow, and hair the color of new gold coins tumbled in waves around her shoulders, falling gently to her hips. Wearing men’s trousers, Raya wore their cuffs tucked into soft leather boots tooled and embroidered brightly with her goddess symbols, an image of a black cat wrapping around each calf. Runes and jewels covered her tunic, and a wide belt of glimmering fabric cinched her waist. Gold and silver armbands adorned each of her forearms.

  With a smile, Raya stepped forward. Using two fingers, she placed them under Honey’s chin. Her gentle touch felt cool, and the heady aroma of citrus swirled into Honey’s senses. She felt her lips meet as Raya closed her mouth for her.

  The goddess’ smile grew wider and she glanced over at Shandon. “She is very young and innocent. However, she will make a most excellent queen.”

  “What?” To Honey, her voice sounded far away, as if she was hearing her faint echo.

  “I was about to tell you my plan—and the truth—when Raya appeared,” Shandon said.

  Turning, Honey looked up into his eyes and sensed a horrible revelation about to descend upon her. He smiled reassuringly, but somehow the expression only inspired fear within her heart.

  Shandon closed his eyes for a moment, drew in a deep breath, and then as he released it he opened his eyes again. “I am not who you think I am.”

  Honey looked first at the goddess, followed by meeting her cousin’s green gaze. In that instant and from deep within her, recognition stirred like a newborn in its mother’s womb. Flashes of images filled her mind. She saw scenes of green embers alighting on Shandon’s boots and in the grass toblink out like dying sparks. And she often awoke from her disturbingly erotic dreams to find Shandon nearby, checking on her because she had fussed in her sleep...

  Could it be that he...? No! It wasn’t possible...or was it?

  Her gaze flew up to meet Raya’s. The goddess looked back with compassion, sympathy. Fear clenched Honey’s heart so tightly she struggled to draw a breath. So many things came crashing in on her. The countless stormy looks Shandon had given to her mother, their arguments, his anger toward Kaedric, his protectiveness...

  “Please,” she whispered feebly. “Tell me it is not so.”

  With compassion, Raya said, “Keep an open mind, child—as well as an open heart.”

  “Fear not and look upon me,” Shandon whispered.

  Slowly, her insides quivering, heart galloping painfully, Honey faced Shandon. Although the voice belonged to her cousin, it sounded strange, different. A bright emerald hue replaced the leaf green color of his eyes.

  It couldn’t be him!

  “Shandon?” Her mind reeled. She froze, too terrified to move, trying to comprehend who—or what—she was seeing. How could this be? “What has happened to you?”

  “I am not really your cousin,” he said softly. “Look upon me and know my true identity.” Although he whispered his command, it exuded raw power.

  Bright green sparkles shimmered in the air around him. The green embers danced across his embroidered tunic, in his platinum hair, along his trousers and down to his boots. Wide, commanding eyes, alive with intense sexuality, looked back at Honey. His were emerald windows to a soul she recognized instantly. She studied Shandon’s face framed with long pale hair, the high angular cheekbones and slender, slightly pointed ears, his skin tinged a pale green. He looked leaner, taller, but his eyes revealed the hunger growing inside him. His need for her both frightened and excited Honey. As the last traces of his human façade fell away, Honey knew him for the one who touched her dreams, leaving her confused and craving the union of their bodies, their hearts.

  “I know you,” she breathed.

  “I’ve been waiting such a long time for you,” he said. “Raya told me you had been born, but I did not believe it until I saw you with my own eyes. For years, I watched you from afar, and finally, when you were about five seasons old, I captured the boy your mother adopted, taking his place so I could watch you grow into the woman you are now.”

  “Raya told you?” Honey echoed, confusion washing over her. She shook her head. “I thought Shandon had been returned to Mother?”

  “Your mother only thought I returned Shandon to her. Shandon lives with the Green People. He is part of them now, one of them. I took his place.”

  “But how is this possible?”

  “Show her, King Roahre,” Raya said. She moved to stand behind Honey and placed her hands upon her shoulders. Warmth and strength flowed into Honey’s body, invigorating her and calming her thundering heart and suffocating fear. “Showing her is the only way to convince her.”

  “King?” Honey looked up at the goddess.

  “Hush, child. Your naivety is both endearing and irritating. Be silent, listen, watch, and all shall be revealed.” Squeezing gently, Raya forced Honey to face Shandon.

  She could have sworn she had merely blinked, but in Shandon’s place sat a young boy who looked just as she remembered her cousin when he was very young. The adolescent moved over to stand next to a wall glowing brightly with faerie roses. He faded into it, blending with the flowers and vines. Peering closely, she saw him blink.

  Honey pointed at him and said, “There.”

 

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