Exchanged Read online

  Rather than respond with words, Aubriel grasped his shoulders and pulled him into a slow kiss. His mouth fit to hers, just as it had before. Their kisses were soft but excited. She opened her mouth to him and invited him to taste her again, running her hands through his hair to coax him deeper. His hands covered her back, her sides, her hips, showing her with each trace how much he wanted to feel all of her.

  Aubriel ran her hands down from Callannon’s silver hair to the front of his doublet and pulled him against her. They fell back against the soft tree, and she arched as he pressed against her completely, his hard prominence against her. The kiss was broken, and she gasped as she met his darkened eyes. Even through his desire, he gave her a questioning look. He was so considerate of her feelings, so careful not to bring her harm. It was difficult to believe she had ever been suspicious of him.

  His fingers traced down her back, and she felt the fabric split behind his fingertips until it fell away from her. She mimicked the action along the back of his doublet to no effect. “That's not fair.”

  Further teasing was cut short as he nuzzled her jaw and neck. “I suppose you're right.”

  Aubriel couldn't suppress a shudder at the huskiness in his voice, nor the way he was kissing her sensitive skin. She glanced down at herself and saw the pale undergarments and corset that did nothing to cover her legs or the gentle swells of her breasts. His hands went to the ties along the front of the corset.

  Not wanting to be the only one undressed, Aubriel pushed past Callannon’s hands, reached for the hem of his doublet, and tugged it over his head. It hadn't been her intention to pull his undershirt with it, but it too tumbled to the floor. She smiled as she took in his form. The silvery tone of his skin was greater. He was thin, but not scrawny, with lean muscles. What he lacked in stock he made up for in height. Even more now than before, she noticed just how much longer and more pointed his ears were than hers.

  She smiled. “That's better, even if you still have on more clothing.”

  Callannon laughed softly, his eyes drinking her in. “I'm glad you find it an improvement.”

  “Of course. We’re nearly equals now, with nothing but our tokens to show for who we are, Lord Callannon.”

  “We are always equals, my exchanged.” He took up the ties to her corset. “I will quite enjoy the sight of you in nothing but your token.”

  Aubriel’s breath caught as he untied the knot and slowly undid the laces. It had only taken him a moment to cast aside the layers of beautiful gown, but he took his time removing the corset. The more skin that was exposed, the more Callannon’s excitement against her grew, and the more she ached to feel him unrestrained. Finally, he pulled free the last lace and gently pushed the corset open.

  He stopped. Bree was by no means ashamed of her body, but he froze in place, staring down at her for so long that she shifted nervously against the plush tree. She followed his gaze. Being a huntress meant that she was more fit than most but not so muscular that she appeared masculine. The newly revealed skin was a few shades more pale than the rest of her.

  His thumb trailed her side, just next to her right breast, but his expression was still blank, hiding his thoughts from her. It was not as if her clothing had hidden the subtle curves his fingers were almost touching. Then again, she couldn’t remember his eyes trailing over her until today. Perhaps she should turn around to show off her curvier hips. If he would only give her some clue. “Are you pleased?”

  “Pleased?” he asked with a jolt. “I've imagined what you might look like, but you are so much more. You're exactly what I want: you.” He gave her sides a small squeeze.

  Before Aubriel could respond, Callannon pressed himself against her and kissed her. She reveled in the press of his skin, running her hands along his back, arching her chest against his. Their kisses were slow but eager. She ached for him but didn’t want to rush. His warm, drawing kisses returned to her neck and moved down past her collarbone over her soft, supple flesh. Her hands dug into his hair.

  The magic in her blood stirred as each of Callannon’s touches sent pleasurable tingles across her skin. His mouth kept dipping, pausing to delicately kiss a sensitive, taught nipple. She inhaled sharply and grasped fistfuls of silver hair. He kept his kisses light, then moved to her other breast and did much the same.

  The pleasure built, and Aubriel’s need ached until she worried that Callannon would push her over the edge too soon. “Callannon.”

  He responded by taking her nipple in his mouth and gently drawing on it. Fresh waves of pleasure washed over her, and it became more difficult to control herself. She didn’t plan on having things end quite yet, and since he was too involved to listen to her, she would need to try something else to get his attention. Quickly, she reached between their bodies and grasped him.

  Callannon broke contact with her nipple and moaned. Aubriel gave a self-satisfied smirk, glad she could make him feel as good as he did her. Fumbling with the ties of his trousers, she managed to open them and tug them down, freeing his cock. She stared at it, unable to help herself. Well, he is tall.

  Her admirations were halted as he closed the distance between them once more. Starting slowly and grasping firmly, she pumped him. He buried his face in her neck as she kept up her pace, his hands running over her.

  “Aubriel,” he gasped. “W-wait.”

  It was enjoyable watching his face flush with the pleasure she brought him, but his hand found her wrist and gently tugged it away from his cock. She kissed his jaw. “I wasn’t done, you know.”

  Callannon pinned her captured wrist above her head. “I’m not either, but we can always come back to that later.”

  She gently tugged against his hand but couldn’t budge his hold. The tingling rushed through her anew. “Later,” she agreed, adjusting to meet his gaze. “Callannon...”

  He didn’t answer her. He didn’t need to. The look he gave her told her everything. It was time. He released her wrist and placed his hands on her hips as she raised them and guided his member to her entrance. Even just the tip of him pressing against her felt like it might undo her. “I can’t wait, Callannon. Not anymore.”

  With a nod, he gently pressed into her, filling her slowly. Bree’s hands clutched at his shoulders as he kept pressing onward. The feeling was slightly uncomfortable as she adjusted to him, but as he sunk into her completely, there was a satisfied feeling as well, and a burning desire building in her depths.

  “Bree,” Callannon breathed into her hair. He kissed her face, moving from her temples, to her jaw, up to the corner of her mouth, and finally her lips. It was a joyful, passionate kiss, unlike any they shared before. She dipped her tongue into his mouth before quickly pulling it back out. With a laugh, he pressed his hips forward. “Is this what you want?”

  The deep tone of his voice made her shudder nearly as much as his cock did. When he moved, the desire in her was stoked, coaxed back up through the core of her. She couldn’t take it any longer, and moved against him. “You want it too.”

  Callannon needed no further encouragement. He met her hips, thrusting in time with her, holding her gaze as long as he could. Aubriel’s sight blurred as each thrust brought her that much closer to becoming undone. He adjusted his grip on her hips and angled them slightly forward, just enough to heighten the pleasure.

  “There,” she whispered.

  He complied, holding the angle, thrusting against her over and over again. Waves of warmth surged inside of her. Each time his member filled her, the pleasure swelled until it peaked, and with it, her grip on him tightened. She whispered his name, choking on a moan as she crested into blissful oblivion. She wrapped a leg around him, as if that could keep her anchored to the moment.

  The force of her pleasure took him with her. He groaned her name in her hair and pulsed inside of her, releasing himself, keeping her snugly pressed against the tree. Their labored breathing evened and slowed to a normal pace as they remained against the tree for many long moments. Aubr
iel pulled her face away from Callannon’s shoulder, inhaling deeply.

  “You, my darling,” Callannon said, brushing a stray bit of hair away from her face, “look absolutely euphoric.”

  Aubriel laughed softly. “You look much the same.” He tilted his head, looking her over thoughtfully. “What is it?”

  “I meant to do this earlier.”

  Before she could ask, he plucked the comb from her hair and let the pink tresses fall loose against the tree and over her arms. His eyes lidded and she felt a gentle pulse from inside her. She raised an eyebrow. “I take it you approve?”

  “I’ve been wanting to do that. So much so that I was caught daydreaming in court.”

  “You what?” she gasped in surprise.

  He chuckled and nuzzled her hair, running his hands through it. “It's alright, it gave me time to work on something.” His tone became serious. “Unfortunately, Oberon has become aware of our exchange and wishes to meet you.”

  Aubriel looked up at him curiously from where she comfortably nestled against him. “Why is it unfortunate? If he wishes to meet me, I imagine he must not disapprove.”

  “He doesn’t know you are mortal. I took some...creative liberties when detailing your past to him.”

  “You lied to him. You didn't need to do that for me.”

  Callannon tightened his arms around her. “It's the only way to keep you safe. Oberon expects to meet you, which means I need to find a new gateway between our realms and bring you through it.”

  “And the assassins?” Aubriel asked, a hint of worry seeping in her voice.

  “They would be marking their own deaths if they tried to bring harm to you.” His voice was low with warning. “I will do everything in my power, use all of the magic at my disposal, to keep you safe.”

  His conviction banished the fatigue and worry from her. “You really mean to bring me to you. We could be together outside of dreams.” A spark of hope lit in her chest.

  “Only if you wish it,” Callannon said, brushing her hair behind her pointed ear. “There are dangers. We would need to be careful. I think I have an illusion powerful enough to disguise you. My life is full of finery, but to be with me would not be easy. You have already left your people, but would you be willing to leave your world as well?”

  Aubriel had left Viget, but the choice not to return had only been made after reaching the artifact, when the people she knew were far from her. This was different. Rather than circumstances leaving her little choice, she stood with two pathways clearly before her. Did she want to leave what little she had left to be with Callannon, or did she want to find a new place in her own world?

  Everything Callannon had told her about the fey realm made it seem a dangerous place where no one could be trusted. Did she feel any differently about the people of her own world after Elston betrayed her? If a paladin couldn't be trusted, then who could be? She enjoyed hunting and living off the forest, but it felt empty without the companionship of people. It felt empty without Callannon beside her. “I would be willing, even if I don’t particularly like the idea of hiding my mortality. Take me to you, Callannon. And don't forget Acorn.”

  Callannon laughed. “Of course not. Although, I think we may have shown her more than she ever wished to see of us.”

  A giggle escaped Aubriel’s lips, but her choice to go with Callannon left her pensive. “How close are you to finding a gateway?”

  “I'm not sure. I only just seriously began researching them today. I closed the gateway to the copse, and that one I inherited from my parents. I've had no reason to learn more about them until now.”

  “I didn't realize such things could be inherited.”

  “I inherited access to it. We can discuss this more later. I feel the spell is to end soon.”

  Aubriel looped her arms around Callannon’s neck and pulled him into a long kiss. “Will I see you again tomorrow?”

  “You would, except I'm short my rarest component.” He pressed his forehead to hers. “The spell cannot be cast without it.”

  She tightened her hold on him. Now that she had chosen to stay with Callannon, she ached at the thought of having to go days without seeing him. “What is it you need?”

  “Iron.”

  He must have misspoken. “Iron? I can find that easily.”

  Callannon’s grip on her tightened. “If that’s true, in order to activate the spell, you need to place it—”

  “Place it where, Callannon?”

  Aubriel found herself back in her bedroll, addressing a confused Acorn and her otherwise empty campsite. The dream was over.

  Chapter 6

  “Well?”

  Callannon looked across the table. “What is it, Oberon?”

  The king barely managed to keep in his seat as his eyes sparked with excitement and curiosity. Callannon knew exactly why his friend was fidgeting like a novice at court. Luncheons were rarely free from discussions of political problems or plans, and he knew the purpose of this one. Oberon orchestrated this quiet meal to gain information, but it wouldn’t be easily given. The less Oberon knew about Aubriel, the better.

  Oberon took a sip of wine, his tension easily visible beneath his indifferent facade. He slammed the goblet down on the table, sloshing the contents across the dark wood. “Don’t do your exchanged the injustice, Callannon!”

  “Injustice? How do I do her an injustice?”

  “I’ve noticed the glint in your eyes, the spring in your step. If she’s managed to hold your attention, I know there’s something special about her that you’re keeping from me. More than half of the Summer Court has tried and failed to hold your interest, even when they easily hold mine! What is it about this woman that satisfies you?”

  “It sounds more like I’m doing you an injustice by not telling you anything else.” Callannon shook his head, then thought about the women of the court who attempted to woo him. “The members of the Summer Court are interested only in my position and its prestige.” Gesturing to the partially spilled goblet, he changed the subject. “I would be more careful if I were you. Titania shares this study with you, doesn’t she? I don’t expect you would want her to overhear and investigate.”

  Callannon wasn’t above invoking the threat of Titania’s presence to avoid a topic. It was common knowledge in the court that Oberon and Titania’s marriage was a shambling mess. Oberon had moved on from regret to acceptance long ago, but Callannon still felt a twinge of guilt when he thought about the relationship. Unlike Oberon, Callannon worked well with the queen, though he certainly wouldn’t want to be married to her.

  Oberon shrugged. “She’ll find out sooner or later, the little harlot, but I’ll thoroughly enjoy the satisfaction of knowing first in the meantime.”

  “Are you certain that’s the only thing you would enjoy?” Callannon crossed his arms and raised an eyebrow. “I heard you two in a meeting room the other day after court. You thought no one was in that wing of the building. You were calling her something quite different from ‘harlot’ then.” Just because their marriage was in shambles didn’t make them incapable of deriving some pleasure from it now and again.

  “You’re supposed to be on my side.” Oberon narrowed his eyes. “Besides, you shouldn’t stand up for her. I’m certain she knew something of Venta, and she never offered a word of help.”

  The air thickened, leaving Callannon without a trace of humor. “That, Oberon, is a dangerous accusation.”

  The friendly smile quickly faded from Oberon’s face, replaced by shame and self-reproaching frustration. “I’m sorry.”

  Callannon kept quiet, his gaze breaking from Oberon’s. He had much humbler beginnings than most of the fey who populated the court, and he’d never been particularly open with or trusting of the glamorous nobles. Venta heavily contributed in turning that distrust into what was nearly contempt. There may have been some truth to Oberon’s words, but Titania had an upbringing similar to Callannon’s own. Despite her and Oberon’s fractured ma
rriage, Callannon wanted to believe that she was better than his friend suspected. She would go to great lengths to get what she wanted, but even she had her limits.

  Oberon continued, “I shouldn’t have brought it up like that, but I still haven’t forgiven Titania. You should be angrier with her than I am, yet you still talk and work with her as if nothing ever happened.”

  Callannon took a generous gulp of wine, then held up a finger. “First, neither of us knows the extent of Titania’s involvement concerning Venta.” He extended another finger. “Second, I’m your advisor. It’s my job to work efficiently and with minimal conflict. Lastly, and most importantly,” he said while raising a third finger, “I’m now exchanged with Aubriel of the Forgotten Mists and am exceedingly happy to say such.”

  “Ha!” Oberon clapped his hands. “Now we reach the heart of the matter.”

  “Will you never be satisfied?” Callannon asked with a sigh.

  “How can I be when your descriptions are so meager? No, I think I will simply have to meet her.” Callannon didn’t like the gleam in Oberon’s eyes. “The Summer’s Dawn Ball will be held at your manor in three week’s time, correct?”

  “Unwillingly, as always.”

  “Then I expect to meet her there.” Callannon opened his mouth to protest, but Oberon cut him off. “That’s a decree.” Oberon smiled triumphantly.

  A decree! And only three weeks? A gate may not even open by then!

  Callannon gripped the stem of his goblet so hard his knuckles turned white. “You’re acting like a spoiled child, Oberon.”

  “I don’t get to do that nearly enough.” Oberon stretched in his chair, looking like a cat that caught a mouse. Callannon didn’t like being this mouse. “Is it really that bad? If I didn’t know better, I might think you were ashamed of me. Besides, if this exchange is going so well, she’ll be moving into Sagma House with you soon enough, won’t she? Best to have her meet everyone at once and get it over with.”