Her Dark Defenders: Breath of Air (The Darkness of Light Book 1) Read online

  How boring.

  “I am surprised you haven’t spent more time with angels before,” he commented.

  I shrugged. “I’ve spent more time either with my people or away from everyone. There hasn’t been much in between.”

  “No? Do be careful when you are alone,” Sabrael said, his tone severely serious.

  “Oh? And why is that?”

  “Angels are not the only ones lurking about,” he said stiffly.

  “Oh, my,” I said dramatically. “Are you speaking of monsters? Threats that lurk in the shadows?”

  “I speak of demons.”

  I laughed, unable to contain my mirth. “Demons have not ventured into the land of the fairies in so long they have forgotten the way.”

  “Do not be so certain.” Sabrael scowled.

  My back straightened at a sudden chill. “What is it that you know?” I demanded.

  “The war has renewed.”

  I swallowed hard. Suddenly, I did not wish for more food, although I had just been contemplating trying a fruit tart.

  “Angels and demons have fought—”

  “I do know the history,” I said, but he would not be denied.

  “—for millennia, for eons. Neither side can win. Neither side will win. All that ever happens is more fighting, more death, more carnage.”

  “Why bother to continue to fight then?”

  “We will have lulls, but there is never a truce, never a peace, only ever a standstill.”

  “What sparked this new upheaval?” I asked.

  He grinned at me for only a moment. “And you think you will not make a good queen.”

  My cheeks grew hot, and I was certain they were as red as parts of my skirt. “Can you read my thoughts?” I asked boldly.

  “I would not do so intentionally, but when one feels something strongly, it can be almost impossible to ignore.”

  “Will you answer my question?” I asked, unwilling to allow him to change the subject.

  He hesitated. “Demons doing what they do best—provoking, antagonizing, goading.”

  “Ignore them.”

  “Would you be willing to ignore two of your own being killed? Would you allow that to rest without repercussions?”

  I lowered my head. Speaking with the angel has all but soured my good mood.

  “I am not yet queen, so I do not have to worry about that. Stay safe, Sabrael.” I nodded to him and floated away, light on my feet, doing my very best to regain my earlier happiness.

  What good was a ball if one was miserable?

  Chapter 3

  Now that I had wandered away from the food tables, more men approached me to dance with them, and I did not turn one of them down. The light, airy tunes, the gliding steps, the twirls and dips had me soon reclaiming my joy.

  I also took notice of those four handsome men. They were keeping to themselves, not dancing, merely talking and laughing with one another. The four of them were enjoying themselves.

  Once my fourth goblet of wine was drained, I selected another from an abandoned tray. None of the serving maids were near this corner of the room.

  Just then, I sensed someone behind me, and I turned to see one of the four, the same one who had licked his lips, and, my, what full and pouty lips they were. I lifted my gaze to take in his piercing gray eyes, and he swept a hand through his longish blond hair.

  “Would you like some wine?” I asked him.

  His grin was positively devilish as he bowed. “Why, thank you, Princess.”

  Imagine my shock when he took the goblet from my hand and took a long swallow.

  I gaped at him.

  The man merely lifted his eyebrows, his smile that much wider now. His gaze shifted to the tray, and I, likewise, glanced over. Not one of the other goblets were filled with wine.

  No matter. He waved his fingers, and a maid approached, and he took two more goblets, handing the one to me.

  “I thought you were offering yours, but I see by your shock you did not.”

  “I…”

  He was already locking arms with me and sipping his. “Delicious. Do try yours.”

  We were standing far too close to drink with our arms locked, but I lifted and drank, and he did the same, his eyes intently focused on me. A delicious thrill ran through me. I was not a virgin, a fact my mother did not know, nor did she need to know, but this man was not like the fairies I had been with.

  “Who are you?” I whispered.

  The man threw back his head and laughed, the sound deep and low. “I do not think you have had enough to drink to know that detail.”

  “You know my name.”

  “I do.”

  For the first time, his gaze wandered over my body. He stood more than half a foot taller than me, and when I glanced down, I realized one truly could see my nipples, and he was blatantly staring.

  I should turn aside, unlock arms, step back, leave his side, but I did not. If anything, I leaned closer toward him.

  “I would have your name if you wish to continue to enjoy the view,” I whispered.

  He licked his lips again, and I watched his tongue as it moved, wishing mine was touching his.

  An arm draped over his shoulder. The friend with scruffy-looking, messy brown hair that would be perfect for running fingers through and deep hazel eyes smiled at me, his even more devilish than the first.

  "Is Aman here bothering you?" the newcomer drawled. "I can handle him for you. If you aren't too tired from all the dancing earlier, I would love to dance with you now."

  “You want to dance with me,” I said dryly. “Why do I not think that’s the case?”

  He chuckled. “I would dance with you anywhere, anytime, anyplace.”

  “Hmm. I supposed the place you would like most of all is the bedroom?” I asked.

  "I do a mean horizontal mambo." He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

  I couldn’t help giggling.

  “So, is that a yes?” he asked.

  Aman huffed. “No, I’m not bothering her,” he said pointedly.

  The newcomer smirked at him. “I meant the other question.”

  “Technically speaking, you did not ask me to dance,” I pointed out.

  “Allow me to rectify my mistake.” He dramatically got down onto one knee. “Please, Violet, would you honor me by—”

  “What is this clown doing?” another one of the quartet asked. He slid around me, placing his hand on the small of my back.

  “He’s asking me to—”

  “Not to marry you, is he?” The newest newcomer touched the bottom of my chin. He was the redhead, and his eyes were as dark brown as mine.

  I wanted to giggle, but his gaze was so deep that I couldn’t look away, talk, or even think.

  “Won’t you honor me with a dance?” the other finished.

  I turned my face slightly toward him. The newcomer still held my chin. "How can I possibly when I do not know your name?"

  “My name is Solo.” He beamed. He was such the charmer that I had to smile back. “Unhand her, Baxon.”

  “She did not say yes,” Baxon said. He brushed a strand of hair behind my pointed ear and cupped the side of my face.

  I didn’t know what was going on, but I wanted to turn my head to the side into his palm and kiss his hand. A thrill washed over me at these handsome strangers all vying for my attention. The other fairies I had danced with I had known all my life. Dancing with them had been familiar and simple enough, without any hint of a lasting romance. My parents had not yet spoken to me about whom I should possibly consider for marriage as I would most likely not wed until much closer to when I would assume the gilded floral crown.

  “Solo, Aman, Baxon, what is going on?” the last man asked. His green eyes matched his suit, which fit him perfectly. All of them wore suits, Solo’s brown, Aman’s white, Baxon’s a turquoise color.

  The only one of the four whose name I did not know squeezed between Baxon and me. “Do you need more wine?”
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  “Please, good sir.” I handed him my goblets, not even certain when I had finished drinking them.

  “Please. Call me Marlo, and believe me, the pleasure is mine.”

  Marlo bowed and strode away. His pants hugged his ass, and I wanted to slap it.

  I hadn’t dared slapped the asses of any of the fairy lovers I had had.

  “Why aren’t you like the other angels?” I asked the trio as I waited for Marlo to return.

  Solo just smiled wide, and I could tell he was wondering if angels would dare to claim they could dance the horizontal mambo as he had.

  “Are you all not angels? I asked. My breathing hitched, and I backed away from them all. “Are you demons?”

  Chapter 4

  Aman smirked. “If you want us to be angels, we can be angels.”

  “So you aren’t angels,” I said slowly, glancing at them warily.

  “We aren’t demons either,” Marlo said.

  He was one smooth talker, and I wanted to hear him say something else, which had me shaking my head. I shouldn’t be reacting this way to the lot of them, but something was drawing me to them. Why? I wasn’t desperate for attention, but there was something otherworldly about them.

  “You aren’t demons,” I repeat in disbelief. “But—”

  “Do you see horns?” Solo asked with a charming grin.

  “Do you feel horns?" Baxton asked, taking my hand and rubbing it through his red hair, drawing me close, so close that there was no space between us. There were no horns on his head, but I felt something else all right, and I gasped as he pressed against me. Despite the layers of my skirt, I could feel every inch of his cock, and it was not a small cock either.

  “Then what are you?” I asked.

  “Two ‘H’ words,” Baxon said.

  I frowned. “Humans and…”

  “No.” Baxon gripped my shoulders and rubbed harder against me.

  I didn’t mean to, but a moan slipped out.

  “What ‘H’ word am I talking about?” he whispered in my ear.

  I closed my eyes and enjoyed the heat of his breath against my tender skin. "Horny," I said as I opened my eyes.

  “Horny and happy,” he said with a wink.

  I shook my head and eased out of his grasp. They couldn't be human, could they? I hadn't met many humans. None actually. Fairy and human interaction weren't exactly forbidden, but it was merely frowned upon. For me, though, it would be completely unacceptable.

  They weren’t angels and claimed they weren’t demons. Maybe they were lying. Demons would lie, after all.

  But why would I be so drawn to demons? I had never met a demon before, never wanted to. They were supposed to be evil, violent creatures with tails and horns. They loved fire and destruction. They had no regard for life.

  Even if these men were demons, they seemed to have regard for one life—mine. Or most likely merely my body or perhaps my body and my status. They did not know me. They did not love me. Lust only.

  And what was so wrong with lust, by the by? Why not give into it? Fairies were descendants of angels, yes, but our human side allowed us to rebel and to do as we wished. We did not share the heavy burden of the moral compass an angel must adhere to.

  So I granted Solo his dance. Aman tried to cut in early, but Solo would have none of that and stole a second dance. Marlo was next, and then Aman, and when Baxon swept me off my feet, he guided me to a corner of the room where we might be unobserved. His gaze fell on my lips, and I closed my eyes to accept his kiss, only he drew me close and pressed his mouth against the hollow of my neck. It was so erotic that I curled my toes as I wrapped my arms around his neck.

  “You like?” he murmured before grazing his teeth there.

  I had never been more turned on. Dazed, I could only respond by nodding.

  A slight commotion—startled whispers and the musicians skipping a few measures before playing once more—broke the reverie. Baxon did not wish to let me go, but he did move to the side once I patted his cheek.

  The crowd glanced toward the thrones, and I rushed over there to check on my parents. My mother was paler than I had ever seen her before. She looked as if she were about to fall over. A sheen covered her eyes, making them glazed and unnatural.

  My father was in no better shape. Somehow, he had lost a significant amount of muscular weight since the start of the ball. His skin was not so much pale as gray.

  Before their thrones, I sank to my knees and grasped one of their hands.

  “What is the matter?” I asked them. “Something is terribly wrong.”

  Father did not even look at me, his gaze stuck on a particular spot on the floor.

  My mother opened her mouth, but nothing came out.

  Even more worrisome was that neither parent held my hand in return. Their hands were far too limp for a normal handshake.

  The art of healing magic was one that I had mastered at a young age, younger than most. Considering how often I would run away so that I might do as I wished with my magical studies, it was no small wonder that I also would not merely study magic while away. I would climb trees and befriend all sorts of wildlife creatures, but not all of those wildlife creatures liked me back. A few attacked me, and I might have fallen out of a tree, a few trees to be exact. When I was younger, my mother wanted me to be prim and proper. Since I would not take care of my clothes, I was not allowed to have slits in the back for my wings. I couldn't fly, so when I fell out of clothes, I fell hard. I had cuts and bruises and even broke an arm once. Out of necessity, I had to learn how to heal.

  After a few deep breaths, I reached inside myself for my magic and twisted it to be as bright and white as possible. Healing laid not only with the body but also the soul. The more one was hurt, the closer they were to death, and death was all darkness and shadows.

  I infused the healing lights into my hands. Radiant light burst out from my palms and blasted my parents. To my horror, their insides were all twisted and dark. They had fallen ill somehow, the both of them. How could this have happened so quickly?

  Just then, a man cried out. I did not turn aside from my parents, but I could overhear that his wife had fallen down. Were others sick too? What was going on? Fairies did not tend to get sick much at all. Flu, cancer, viruses, the ailments of the humans did not affect us. The few sicknesses we could acquire affected our magic more than our overall health, but this was something I had never seen before.

  By now, other fairies known specifically for the strength of their healing rushed to the thrones. I tried to explain what I could sense, what I had tried, but my words hardly came out of my mouth. I was so very distressed, utterly beside myself.

  One of the female healers gave me a sympathetic look. “Please, Princess, if you would please…”

  My lips tugged downward. “I am not leaving.”

  “We wish to bring them to another room so we can better access them.”

  “Then I will follow.”

  She shook her head. “The ball, Princess, it is for you.”

  “My parents…” I glanced at my mother. She would wish for me to stay, to try to be strong, to not show any weakness. I was to be queen one day. “I… Yes. Do whatever you can for them. Have some of the maids wait outside so you can send me updates every ten minutes.”

  The healer nodded. I knew her name, but I could not think of it at the moment.

  Shocked and almost paralyzed by fear, I could not move out of the way. Someone wrapped his arm around me and pulled me to the side. Instantly, without even glancing over my shoulder, I knew he was Baxon. As much as I enjoyed the warmth of his body against the coldness I now felt so deeply that I was shivering, I could not bring myself to stop fretting. A large part of me wished to follow the healers as they assisted my parents out of the ballroom. Many guests had also fallen ill, too, so hopefully none realized that my parents were nearly carried out. Neither of them was moving their legs, and it seemed to me that they might not be wholly conscious either.r />
  “They will be all right,” I mouthed.

  “They will be all right,” Marlo said.

  I glanced over at him and hugged Baxon's arms close to me. "I hope you are right."

  “I am never wrong.”

  “Is that so?” I twisted around and gently pushed Baxon aside so that I could stand without leaning against him. In a few moments, once I was right within my head, I would need to address the people.

  “I know you are stunning and wonderful,” Marlo said.

  I smirked. “What a sweet talker you are,” I teased, trying to return to the easy flirting from earlier.

  “What do you mean?” he asked, sounding hurt.

  “I mean you do not know me well enough to determine if I am wonderful. What if I have flaws?”

  “You have none,” Marlo claimed.

  “As you say I’m stunning, that means you’re basing that solely on my looks.”

  “You are a stunner,” Solo said, coming up from around Marlo.

  “But you are more than your looks,” Aman said.

  “Oh? And you know this how?”

  “Because you are willing to try to calm your people,” Aman said easily.

  I inhaled deeply and nodded. That was the only reason why I had not followed my parents, and I would not fail my parents.

  My gaze darted from one to the others, and I sighed again. “Yes. I will calm them.”

  And for the first time, I would have to address the fairies as if I were their ruler.

  Chapter 5

  My heart raced, and my palms sweated. The musicians were not playing, and no one was dancing. The fairies were too busy tending to their fallen loved ones and friends. What words of comfort could I offer them?

  I clapped my hands three times, although most everyone was hushed already and the entire ballroom was silent after the first clap.

  “I know you are all frightened and scared. The Fairy King and Queen are ill. So are many others. The best healers in the realm are tending to them. Believe me when I say that we will determine what ailment has taken over our loved ones, and they will be healed.”