Shadows of Fate Read online

  A Total-E-Bound Publication

  www.total-e-bound.com

  Shadows of Fate

  ISBN #978-0-85715-186-5

  ©Copyright Jessica Jarman 2010

  Cover Art by Natalie Winters ©Copyright July 2010

  Edited by Christine Allen-Riley

  Total-E-Bound Publishing

  This is a work of fiction. All characters, places and events are from the author’s imagination and should not be confused with fact. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events or places is purely coincidental.

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any material form, whether by printing, photocopying, scanning or otherwise without the written permission of the publisher, Total-E-Bound Publishing.

  Applications should be addressed in the first instance, in writing, to Total-E-Bound Publishing. Unauthorised or restricted acts in relation to this publication may result in civil proceedings and/or criminal prosecution.

  The author and illustrator have asserted their respective rights under the Copyright Designs and Patents Acts 1988 (as amended) to be identified as the author of this book and illustrator of the artwork.

  Published in 2010 by Total-E-Bound Publishing, Think Tank, Ruston Way

  , Lincoln, LN6 7FL, United Kingdom.

  Warning: This book contains sexually explicit content which is only suitable for mature readers. This story has been rated Total-e-burning.

  Sultry Solstice

  The Fey

  SHADOWS OF FATE

  Jessica Jarman

  Dedication

  This one is for Stacey and Chris and Gwen—you kept me going with this one. Without you, Ciarra, Finley and Leilen would still be waiting for their happily ever after.

  You know I love ya!

  Chapter One

  Ciarra walked through the shadows of the forest, running her hand along the rough bark of trees, over shrubs that tickled her palm. Everything was still, silent, around her. She stopped, closed her eyes and inhaled deeply, enjoying the sweet scent of galama blossoms. She sighed happily and started moving again.

  Suddenly, hands gripped her arms, and she was spun around until her back was against the solid trunk of a tree. And a body, a very male body, pressed against her front. Her heart raced. Not from fear, but from excitement as the man lowered his head to suck on the sensitive skin of her neck. Her stomach clenched as pleasure zipped though her body, centring between her legs. She tried to move, but he slid his hands down her arms and held her wrists tightly. Another wave of excitement and anticipation rolled through Ciarra.

  Yes, yes, yes. Closing her eyes, she tilted her head back. She was rewarded with a sharp nip of teeth on her flesh followed by the heated glide of his tongue over the small hurt. A shudder racked her body and moisture flooded her pussy.

  By the Blessed Lady, she wanted more. A cry welled up in her throat as he pushed a hard thigh between hers and her clit pressed against his taut muscles. She rocked her hips, and the cry escaped—a desperate sound ringing through the trees. Pleasure swirled through her, blissfully hot and tight.

  He released her wrists and shifted his hold to her hips, stilling her movements. Frustration bubbled up, and she seized the moment to reach for the laces at the front of his trousers. Her fingers fumbled in her haste to free his cock. Her pussy clenched at the thought of him inside her, stretching her, filling her.

  Just as she was about to slide her fingers into the tight confines, he lifted her. Startled, she braced her hands on his shoulders. He held her close and turned, lowering until she lay on her back in the lush grass. Kneeling beside her, he slid his hand from her hip, over her belly and down, then cupped her heat. Ciarra lifted into the touch and ground against his palm.

  He bent forward and captured her mouth in a brutal kiss. She parted instantly for him, welcoming his slick tongue inside. He pressed hard circles against her clit and, with his other hand, lowered the straps of her gown until he could push the bodice beneath her breasts. Ciarra grumbled slightly as the thin strips of fabric held her arms at her side, but was rewarded with only a low chuckle.

  Ciarra gasped as wet heat surrounded her pert nipple, followed by a stinging bite. Desire arrowed down between her thighs and she circled her hips, adding more pressure against his hand.

  He released her breast, stretched out beside her and grasped her around the waist. In a fluid motion, he rolled on to his back and pulled her atop him. Ciarra freed her arms from the constricting straps and straddled him, the skirt of the gown riding up her thigh. Her heat nestled against his hard length. She pulled back, wanting to see his face, but the shadows hid him. She opened her mouth to say something, question him, but the words didn’t come. Shock replaced the curiosity she’d felt.

  Hands rested on her shoulders, fingers caressing the bare skin. Her mind whirled—the man beneath her had his hands on her hips. She turned her head, but all she could see was more shadows. But she felt another body behind her, the heat from it seeped into her skin.

  The hands on her shoulders slid down her arms, fingers tantalising and tickling. The man beneath her pulled up on her skirt until it was bunched around her waist. Ciarra gasped as the cool night air teased her bare ass. A low, gravelly hum of approval sounded behind her—definitely another man. To be taken by two men… Her excitement escalated. The fact she couldn’t see their faces didn’t cause fear, rather it heightened everything. Her heart thundered, her breathing quickened as both sets of hands caressed her.

  She jolted as a kiss was pressed just above the curve of her ass. The man behind her grasped her cheeks and spread them, opening her. Could he see her, or was she as hidden from him as they were to her?

  She reached down to free the cock beneath her. She sighed happily when she wrapped her hand around it. Hard and smooth, it pulsed against her palm. She raised herself up on her knees, then slowly filled her pussy with the steely length. It stretched her inner walls and her muscles clenched uncontrollably as a hot, sleek glide of tongue teased her rear entrance, then speared inside.

  Ciarra moved up and down on the cock filling her—once, twice—before her movements were halted by a tight grip on her hips, whose grip she couldn’t tell. She wiggled slightly and was answered with a gentle bite on her ass. A thick finger circled her anus, then dipped inside, filling her further. Her eyes slid closed and she wondered how it’d feel to take both cocks at once. The fullness now was overwhelming…and oh so delicious.

  They held her still as the finger in her ass pumped in and out, then another was added, stretching her. The cock inside her jerked as the pressure increased. Ciarra made a sound of protest when the fingers slid out of her, but immediately, a cock teased her tender opening. Ciarra tried to push back against it, take it inside, but the hands on her hips held fast.

  Goddess, she couldn’t take much more of this. She wanted both of them inside her, possessing her with abandon. She squeezed her eyes shut and soaked in the sensations bombarding her body. Even the slight wind on her sweat-dampened skin tantalised her more than she’d dreamt possible.

  Suddenly, the body behind her was gone. Had he pulled away? She opened her eyes and twisted around, but saw nothing. The hands on her hips squeezed tightly, then she was alone. Kneeling in the grass, excitement slicking the insides of her thighs. She was alone.

  Ciarra jolted awake, heart pounding, breathing laboured. Great Goddess Above! A dream? The exquisite experience—however unfinished—had been a dream? She let out a shaky sigh and draped an arm over her eyes, shutting out her dark, and lonely, bedchamber.

  It had felt so real, unlike any dream she had ever had. She could still feel their hands on her skin, a whisper of sensation. She shifted and moaned. The scent of her arousal filled her
nostrils. No, it wasn’t like a normal dream. Something was different. Could it be…? Her breath caught in her throat. No. It couldn’t have been a shared dream. Only true mates shared dreams—two halves of a whole coming together in slumber. She’d never heard of three people sharing a dream. Three true mates? Unheard of. At least she’d never heard of such a thing. But what else could explain what she’d experienced?

  Ciarra tried to force all the questions from her mind. Morning would come all too soon, and she needed to be rested. Gradually, her body relaxed, but it felt an eternity before she finally drifted to sleep—and dreamt alone.

  * * * *

  Ciarra stifled a yawn. Although she had slept after the odd and arousing dream, she didn’t feel rested in the least. Now, she had to attend breakfast—something she’d rather do alone, but as Master Guardian of the Dark Realm, her father insisted on having the morning meal with his children and others in his life. Who was she to argue that? She flashed into the large dining hall and scanned the faces. Most everyone was already there—her sister and brother, her father’s second-in-command and several who sat on his Council. Many of the men nodded at her as she made her way to her seat. She ignored them. Rude, yes, but she wasn’t in the mood for socialising. She wanted to eat and get on with her day.

  “Good morn, beautiful.”

  Ciarra jolted as large hands settled on her shoulders. She knew the voice, of course, recognised it immediately. She smiled up at Finley, her best friend and lover.

  “Good morn,” she murmured.

  He sat in the seat beside her. Lifting her hand, he pressed a kiss to the palm. Ciarra’s stomach clenched in pleasure. One would think after all the time they’d been together—decades—the effect he had on her would diminish, yet every touch from him, every word thrilled her completely.

  “Are you all right?” He leaned towards her to whisper the question in her ear. “You look tired.”

  Ciarra raised a brow. “I went from beautiful to tired rather quickly, there,” she said.

  His chuckle vibrated against her cheek as he slid his lips back and forth. “Both, love. Beautiful, always. Is something wrong? Something I can help with? ‘

  She shook her head. “No, nothing is wrong. I didn’t sleep well.”

  “Ah, but I could have helped with that.” He nibbled on her ear lobe. “I missed you last night. I’m certain I could have tired you enough to sleep.”

  “Hmmm.” She leaned into his touch as warmth spread through her body. “I missed you too, but I think if we’d been together, I’d have slept even less.”

  “That’s probably true, but it would have been worth it.”

  Ciarra looked into his grey eyes and wet her lips. “It would,” she agreed.

  Finley winked at her and began to pile fruits and breads on the plate in front of her. She bit her lip to stop her grin. Every morning, he made sure she had plenty to eat before taking care of his own needs. Not that she needed him to, but it was nice to have someone caring for her, even in such a small way.

  As she ate, she half-listened to the conversation around her. Much of the discussion revolved around the recent events involving the King of Fey and his family. Nearly a week ago, one of the King’s closest advisors, Leilen of Fey, had come to the Dark Realm to check on a prisoner, but had been called away almost immediately when the Queen and Princess had been abducted. There had been word since that the two women had been recovered, alive and well. Rumours flew rampant, though, about who was behind the crime.

  Ciarra jolted slightly as Finley’s hand settled on her leg. He tugged on her skirt, pulling gently until he met the bare skin of her thigh. His warm, rough fingers against her had Ciarra suppressing a shiver and fighting to keep her eyes open.

  Arousal kindled in her middle, and her breathing quickened. Finley chuckled quietly and continued to eat…and caress her, his fingers coming closer and closer to the junction of her thighs.

  Unbidden, thoughts of her dream invaded Ciarra’s mind. She glanced at Finley’s handsome profile, framed by his shoulder-length black hair. Could he have been one of the men in her dream? Could they be meant for each other as true mates? Even as hope swelled inside her, doubts quickly squashed it. Surely she would have recognised his touch. It was beyond comprehension that she wouldn’t—she knew his body as well as her own. She frowned and blinked burning eyes.

  “Are you all right, Ciarra?” Her father’s voice interrupted her musings, and she lifted his gaze to meet his.

  “Of course, Father. I was just thinking.” She hoped that was convincing. Glancing around the table, she saw every eye was on her. She sighed. Maybe she should just ask the question that was really gnawing at her. After all, some of the greatest minds in the realm were gathered here. Surely, if such a thing as three true mates had occurred in the past, they would know. How should she word her question? With an inward shrug, she decided just to ask bluntly.

  “I wondered,” she cleared her suddenly dry throat, “if there has ever been a time when three people mated?”

  Silence fell over the room. Finley withdrew his hand, but Ciarra didn’t dare look at him. Not now. Not yet.

  Benet, her father’s second, was the first to speak. “Well, there have been those who have chosen to live with more than one person, but it’s rare. In fact—”

  “No,” Ciarra interrupted. “Not mated by choice. What I meant was true mates. Has Fate ever joined three people?”

  Before anyone else could respond, a loud scoffing noise sounded across from Ciarra. She looked at her sister, Dienne, who glared at her.

  “How could you even ask such a ridiculous thing?” She tossed her dark hair over her shoulder. “No one in this realm has been true mated in centuries. You know as well as I do that the Goddess had forsaken all in this realm. Yet, you ignore that fact and dream of not one, but two true mates. Stupid, stupid girl.”

  Ciarra ignored her father’s gasp and held up a hand when he began to rise. “That isn’t what I was asking. I only wanted to know if it had ever happened.”

  “And you just happened to be wondering that? I don’t think so. Accept the fact that you don’t have a true mate. None of us do. Is that why you haven’t had the mating ceremony with your lover?” Dienne smirked in Finley’s direction, then focused back on Ciarra. “You’re hoping for a true mate? Take my advice, little sister. Be grateful for what you have, because he is all you can hope for in this Goddess-forsaken place.”

  “Why do you keep saying that?” Ciarra snapped. “The Goddess has not forsaken anything, certainly not those who guard this realm.”

  Her sister didn’t say anything. Ciarra was the one who broke their locked gazes. She looked over at her father. He sat, gaping at his eldest daughter, seemingly struck dumb. Benet cleared his throat and, again, broke the silence.

  “Ciarra, to answer your question, I personally don’t know if there have ever been three true mates. However,” he threw a hard look in Dienne’s direction, “that means nothing. It is in the Goddess’s hands, is it not? If she and Fate deem fit for someone to have two mates, then that is how it will be. How it should be.”

  Dienne shook her head and opened her mouth, but with a look at their father, closed it with a snap.

  “Thank you,” Ciarra said, nodding towards Benet. She turned to Finley and froze. He stared at her, eyes intense. He didn’t look upset, but clearly something wasn’t right. She smiled at him, but instead of returning it, he looked away and focused his attention to the food before him.

  Appetite lost, Ciarra was about to excuse herself from the table, when the air began to shimmer. Blues and greens swirled, growing brighter and brighter. Power vibrated against Ciarra’s skin. Everyone sat a bit straighter, knowing someone was about to flash into the room.

  And there he was. Leilen of Fey. As always, Ciarra’s breath caught in her throat at the sight of him. He was… Well, almost pretty. His light blond hair was pulled back from his face, twisted at the temples, and fell down his back. His eyes,
a clear green, scanned the room. They rested on her briefly and she felt her face heat.

  “Master Guardian.” Leilen bowed his head to Ciarra’s father. “The King sends his greetings and thanks you for your continued hospitality.”

  The older man stood and reached out to clasp Leilen’s hand. “Welcome back. I trust the Queen and Princess are doing well.”

  A brief scowl crossed his handsome face before he answered. “Yes. They are doing remarkably well, all things considered.”

  “What can we do for you, for the King?”

  “I need to see Darrick of Fey.”

  Ciarra heard the gasps of the others and rolled her eyes. Most of them had never travelled into the Captive Lands—where those banished from the Fey Realm were imprisoned. She, on the other hand, had for various reasons. While not a pleasant experience, it was hardly the horror most imagined—as long as one didn’t linger longer than necessary in the magick-held land.

  “I’m sorry I don’t understand,” her father stammered. “You were able to sense his presence during your last visit.”

  “I did,” Leilen said brusquely, “but that isn’t enough. Those who took the women claimed to do so on Darrick’s behalf. They had access to strong, ancient magicks. I need to see Darrick with my own eyes, see that he is where he belongs, and be able to question him.”

  “Of course.” The older man looked around the table. “Ciarra will lead you there.”

  “Father,” Dienne stood, “I’d be more than happy to guide Leilen into the Captive Lands.”

  Ciarra laughed inwardly. Dienne was desperate to spend time with Leilen—had been every time the man came to the realm. While Ciarra could understand her sister being enamoured with him, she had a feeling any man from the Fey Realm would do. Dienne wanted nothing more than to leave the Dark Realm, and attaching herself to a man was the key, in her eyes.