Velvet Haven

the trees, the moonlight glinting off his onyx wings. Her heart filled with love at the sight of him.
    “Mairi, I must speak with you.”
    The world skidded to a stop. Mairi turned to see Suriel standing behind her.
    “Suriel.” Mairi dropped her arm to her side. “What is it?”
    “You must listen to me.”
    “All right.”
    He paced around her, his gaze never once landing on her. “I need to leave.”
    “Annwyn?”
    “You.”
    She stopped him with a hand gently laid on his arm. “Why?”
    “I am in danger, and because of me, so are you. They will come for me, and if they find you near me, they’ll take you. Stay close to the raven. He will protect you.”
    “Suriel—”
    “I’ve spoken to him already. He knows what this is about. Mairi, I can’t delay here with you any longer. I must . . . you must have something from me. You must keep it safe. Give it to no one. Not even your raven.”
    “All right.”
    He clutched her face in his hands and lowered his mouth till it hovered over hers. “I wish I didn’t have to do this, but you are the only person I trust. This gift, it is all of my power. Everything I am. Everything I know. About the Oracle. And the amulet. Use the knowledge, but be careful. Let no one know. If they come after you, this is what they will want.”
    He kissed her, his mouth opening over hers; then he breathed into her mouth, filling her lungs. He broke away and she gasped, choking as images swirled before her.
    “You will feel me at times. I’ll try to speak to you, to help you on our quest until I can join you. Good-bye, Mairi.” Suriel clutched her face in his hands, his wings spreading wide.
    “Will you come back?” she asked, clutching his hands.
    “If it is His will.”
    “Suriel—”
    “Go to your raven.”
    In a flash of white light, Suriel was gone. She turned, saw her raven hovering above the treetops. He swooped down and landed before her, taking her into his arms.
    “Good eve, muirnin .”
    “Hello, my love.” She reached up on tiptoe and kissed him. “Were you able to get Rowan?”
    “She was with Sayer all along. Morgan never had her; it was a ruse. Now she is ensconced safely at my court. Cailleach will come tomorrow to see her. It is my hope that here in Annwyn her illness will progress more slowly, giving us time to find a treatment for her.”
    “And what did it cost you to bring yet another mortal to live in Annwyn?”
    “Do not worry about that. There is another who is most eager to see you again,” he murmured, kissing her nose. “Clancy. I told the beast that if it ate one thing that was not put before him in a dish, he would be sent back to live at Velvet Haven with my surly cousin. He already attacked a tree sprite when he first entered. Tree sprites are sacred. I can’t have him running amok, hunting as he pleases.”
    Mairi twined her arms around his neck. “I will repay you for your kindness and indulgence, my king.”
    “I know, and I’ve been thinking of how all day.”
    He took her lips hard, then stilled, breaking away. He looked around the grove and sniffed the air as the breeze stirred. “Your Anam Cara was here.”
    “No. Suriel was. You’re my Anam Cara .”
    “Ah, Mairi, you undo me. Your Chosen Fate and your Soul Friend?”
    “Mmm,” she murmured as he kissed her.
    “Is everything all right?” he asked.
    Mairi closed her eyes and felt Suriel’s presence settle deep inside her. He was safe—for now. That much she was certain of. “We can talk later. Now I need you.”
    Bran’s mouth skated softly down her neck, then over her cheek to her mouth. Their lips met, and they kissed, bathed in a shaft of moonlight. Slowly at first, then more eagerly, their tongues touched, stroking.
    “Mairi,” he murmured, “I want a Lanamnas ceremony with you.”
    “And that is?”
    “An eternal vow taken with a Soul Mate. Muirnin ,” he whispered, “you are my heart and soul, and for eternity is how I want you.”
    “Promise?”
    “I want to make this so beautiful for you, muirnin . So perfect that you’ll cry in my arms from the pleasure.”
    “It already is perfect, because it’s with you.”
    He smiled, cupped her face in his palm, and dragged his mouth across her cheek. “Not yet. But it will be. Close your eyes.”
    She did and felt herself being lifted in his arms. “Open them.”
    Her lashes fluttered. Before her was another altar, draped in dark blue and silver velvet, pillows scattered around the makeshift