Chapter 21- Fallen and Found

Clear Heads and Moonshine

Kate’s POV

When I woke, the sun had set, and I found myself practically molded to Liam’s chest, his arm tightly wrapped around my shoulder. His heartbeat was a slow, steady drum against my ear, a sudden reminder of the intimacy of our position. He was already awake, those emerald eyes sparkling with amusement. “You slept like a baby,” he murmured, his eyes twinkling.

Yeah, a baby who just fought a horde of demon hunters and got dragged through a portal to fairyland. Though, to be fair, he’s not a bad body pillow… if you like the scent of pine and questionable life choices, I thought, prying myself out of his embrace with the grace of a newborn giraffe. The warmth of his body and the scent of pine and something uniquely Liam clung to me like a second skin.

Two Iele appeared, thankfully sparing me from further embarrassment and havingto respond. They gestured for me to follow them, carrying the sheer dress they had brought earlier. I rose, feeling the cool night air kiss my flushed skin as we walked back to the cave. Bioluminescent plants lined the path, casting an eerie glow that made me feel like I was in a low-budget sci-fi movie. Fantastic, I thought. Just what I need after a day of demon fighting and dimension hopping.

The entrance to the cavern shimmered with a faint, ethereal light. Inside, several Iele were already in the lake, naked, their lithe forms moving gracefully through the water. It glowed an unnatural blue, the light from the surrounding crystals making it look like something out of a fever dream.

I hesitated at the edge, embarrassed and acutely aware of the dirt and sweat still clinging to my skin. “I can’t go in like this,” I muttered, feeling like a street urchin invited to a royal ball.

One of the Iele, a tall woman with hair like spun gold, approached me with a serene smile. “Not worry,” she said, her voice as smooth as honey despite her thick accent. “We help you.”

She handed me a basin filled with warm water and a soft towel. Oh, the luxury, I thought, sarcasm dripping from my mental voice. The water felt heavenly as I rinsed off the worst of the grime, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that I was being pampered as a ritual sacrifice.

The Iele coaxed me into the lake, and to my surprise, the water was incredibly warm. It felt like sinking into a giant cup of tea, and I couldn’t help but let out a sigh of relief. Okay, maybe this isn’t so bad after all, I conceded to myself.

“This is… thermal spring,” one of them explained. “Water is very good for beauty and… fun.”

They gathered around me, their gentle hands washing my hair and lathering my skin with fragrant oils. The scents of jasmine and lavender filled the air, calming my frayed nerves. If this is what being a sacrifice feels like, sign me up, I thought, a flicker of amusement crossing my face.

I closed my eyes, trying to imagine what it would be like to have a group of incredibly beautiful older sisters. Their laughter and chatter were oddly soothing, despite the fact that I couldn’t understand a word they were saying.

After the bath, they helped me into the sheer gown, their touch surprisingly gentle. I felt a pang of self-consciousness as I realized there were no undergarments involved, but the Iele seemed unfazed. “In our world, we not confine ourselves,” one of them explained.

Right, I thought. Because who needs modesty when you’re glowing like a radioactive jellyfish?

They used magic to dry my hair, and I couldn’t help but marvel at their abilities. Maybe they could teach me a spell to keep my hair from frizzing in this humidity, I mused.

With deft fingers, they braided flowers into my hair, their touch light and skillful. When they finished, I looked at my reflection in the still water. I barely recognized myself. I looked… ethereal. Beautiful.

Well, I’ll be damned, I thought. Maybe fairy magic is better than a salon day after all. My skin and hair were glowing, my eyes looked brighter than ever before, and even my teeth seemed whiter and straighter than before. I wondered whether my physical upgrade was due to the Iele’s effort and magic or related to my saintly powers.

Just then, Liam appeared at the entrance of the cave, his sheer white tunic clinging to his damp skin, accentuating every lean muscle and curve. “Gods above,” he breathed, his voice hushed with reverence. “You’re radiant, my love. A vision of pure starlight.” His words, spoken low and soft, sent a wave of warmth through me, chasing away the chill of the night.

I looked at the floor, a blush creeping up my neck. “Oh, stop it,” I mumbled, fiddling with the edge of my sheer gown. “You’re making me blush.”

He offered me his arm, his emerald eyes sparkling with a dark smile that made my knees weak. “Good,” he murmured, his voice a husky whisper. “It means my words are having the desired effect.”

We walked through the forest to a flowery meadow, the air heavy with the scent of night-blooming blossoms. It was like something out of a fairy tale, and despite myself, I found myself caught up in the magic of it all. In the center of the meadow, a fire blazed, casting long, dancing shadows around the other Iele, who were already there, singing and playing instruments.

They took my hands, leading me to the fire. One of them handed me a silver cup filled with a sweet-smelling liquid. I sniffed it cautiously, my nose wrinkling at the overpowering sweetness. “What is this?” I asked, looking to Liam for an answer.

“It’s nectar,” he explained, a playful glint in his eyes. “A magical drink with… exhilarating effects.”

I tilted my head, feigning offense. “Exhilarating, huh? Is that your way of saying it’s Fae moonshine?”

Liam chuckled, a low vibration that once again made my knees weak. “Perhaps,” he said, his voice dropping to a whisper. “But I assure you, it’s much more pleasant than anything you’ll find in the mortal realm.”

He took the cup from me and brought it to his lips, taking a slow, deliberate sip while his eyes locked onto mine. As he lowered the cup, he ran his finger along the rim, lingering at the spot where he had just sipped, and then turned it so that part was now facing me. It was such a blatant, flirty move that I couldn’t help but pause, a warmth spreading through my cheeks.

You’re not the only one who can flirt, Fae, I thought with a smirk, accepting his silent challenge. I met his gaze, a playful smile tugging at my lips. Without breaking eye contact, I brought the cup to my lips, pausing for a moment to savor the anticipation.

Slowly, I sipped from the same spot he had, letting the sweet nectar linger on my tongue. The taste was intoxicating, a mix of honey and wildflowers, with an underlying hint of something otherworldly.

I let the moment stretch, my eyes still locked on his, and then deliberately licked my lips, savoring the remnants of the drink and the sensation of our indirect kiss. “You’re incorrigible,” I murmured, my voice barely above a whisper.

I relished the feeling as the sweet, potent nectar ran down my throat. It warmed me from the inside out, like a strong liquor, but without the unpleasant burn, a pleasant buzz replacing the exhaustion I’d been feeling. “Okay, I’ll admit it,” I said, taking another sip. “This is actually quite good.”

A slow smile spread across his face, revealing a hint of sharp teeth. He leaned closer, his breath warm against my skin. “I do love a woman who can keep up.”

The Iele took my hands again, and I handed the cup back to Liam as they pulled me into a dance around the fire. Their movements were graceful and fluid, and I stumbled at first, feeling like an awkward human trying to keep up with a group of ethereal beings. But soon, the music caught hold of me, and I found myself moving in rhythm with them, the enchanting melody filling my head.

I glanced at Liam, who was watching me with an intensity that once again made my cheeks heat up. How the hell does he do that. He raised the cup in a silent toast, his eyes full of desire that made my heart flutter. Maybe this night won’t be so bad after all, I thought, a shy smile gracing my lips.

After a while, the spinning world and the sweet nectar combined to make my head feel pleasantly light. My steps faltered, a giggle escaping my lips. Liam, ever attentive, steadied me with a hand on my waist.

“Easy there, little dove,” he murmured, his voice a comforting warmth against my ear. “Perhaps you’ve had enough excitement for one night.” He offered me a plump, juicy berry from one of the platters, a playful glint in his eyes. “Need to keep up your energy, you know. For… later.”

I took the berry, savoring the sweet burst of flavor. He fed me another, then another, his fingers lingering on my lips for a moment too long. He then licked his own fingers, a slow, deliberate motion that made my breath catch in my throat.

Gods above, I thought, my heart pounding. He’s doing that on purpose.

I felt a surge of happiness, a giddy warmth that spread through my entire being. Was it the magic of the Iele? The nectar? Or was it the fact that Liam, with his infuriating charm and undeniable bravery, had swooped in and rescued me when I needed it most? I couldn’t be sure, but at that moment, it didn’t matter.

Cyrus had rescued me before, but the situation had been different. The demon hunters had only shown their true face once they thought I was stuck with them, but with Liam I knew exactly what he wanted from me. The message had been loud and clear.

As the night went on, Liam found a way to slip away with me, leading me back to the forest. The air was cooler here, the scent of pine needles replacing the sweetness of the meadow. He stopped in a secluded clearing, the moonlight casting a soft glow on his face.

“You’re beautiful,” he said simply, his voice a husky whisper. “More beautiful than you know.”

My heart hammered in my chest. “Liam…” I began, but the words caught in my throat.

“Have you decided yet, my love?” he asked, his eyes searching mine with an intensity that was both alluring and disarming. “How harmless will this night be?”

I hesitated, my mind a jumble of conflicting thoughts. “I… I’m not sure,” I admitted, my voice barely a whisper. The nectar, the magic… it’s all a bit overwhelming.”

Liam raised a hand, a soft light emanating from his fingertips. “Let me help you clear your head,” he said, his voice gentle, surprisingly sincere and devoid of its usual playful lilt for once.

He reached out, his touch feather-light as he brushed a stray lock of hair from my face, his fingers lingering with a tenderness that made my heart skip a beat. His eyes, usually sparkling with mischief, were now filled with genuine concern, his gaze unwavering as he sought to reassure me. This simple move was hotter than any of his previous advances.

“Take your time,” he murmured, his voice soft and soothing. “I want you to make this decision with a clear mind, free from any influence.”

The light washed over me, and suddenly, the world snapped into focus. The haze of the nectar lifted, leaving me feeling clear-headed but oddly cold. I shivered, both from the sudden change and the intensity of Liam’s gaze.

“Better?” he asked, a hint of concern in his eyes.

I nodded slowly, my eyes adjusting to the darkness. He looked even more striking in the moonlight now, his features sharp and defined. My heart pounded in my chest, a mixture of anticipation and trepidation.

“So?” he asked again, his voice barely a whisper. “What’s your answer?”

I took a deep breath, weighing my options. On one hand, I wasn’t exactly inexperienced. I’d had my fair share of relationships in the human world. But this was different. This was a Fae, a creature of magic and mystery. And I had no idea what accepting his advances would mean in the long run.

On the other hand… I couldn’t deny the pull I felt towards him. The way his eyes sparkled with mischief, the way his touch sent shivers down my spine. And after everything, all his teasing statements, a part of me desperately wanted to know if he was truly as amazing as he claimed.

“I…” I began, but the words caught in my throat. Let’s hope my IUD also works on Fae.

“Yes,” I whispered, the word barely audible, but the conviction in my eyes was unwavering. I met his gaze, a newfound boldness settling over me. “Yes, Liam.”

A thrill shot through me, like an electric current, as if by saying that single word, I had sealed some kind of magical pact. The forest around us seemed to hold its breath, the moonlight suddenly brighter, the air thick with unspoken promises.

His smile was slow and predatory, a hint of sharp teeth flashing in the moonlight. “Excellent choice, my love,” he responded, his voice a low purr that vibrated through my core, sending a wave of heat through my body. “I promise you won’t regret it.”