Chapter Seven

With a sharp gasp, Raidh jolted awake. His heart drummed furiously, his body covered in a cold sweat as he frantically clawed at his neck. "No!"

He felt like he was still trapped in that nightmare, his vision blurry with tears and terror. The memory of the vampire descending on him was still etched in his mind, along with the searing pain of those sharp fangs plunging into his skin.

The sound of that greedy slurping echoed in his ears as he screamed out into the empty bedroom.

He could still feel the coldness spreading through his body as he lay dying on the ground. Looking up at the dark sky littered with millions of bright stars, he'd prayed that Jaytee would be okay after he was gone. The raw ache inside him throbbed painfully, causing him to scream in terror, unable to shake off the horror gripping him.

The bedroom door burst open, and Jaytee rushed to his side, pulling him into a tight embrace before sitting down and rocking him gently. "I've got you, Moonbeam. You're safe now, baby."

His mate's strong arms nearly crushed him, but it was exactly what he needed to feel safe and protected again. Jaytee continued to murmur soothing words as Raidh glanced over and saw Damon, Jax, and Kalen standing in the doorway with worried expressions. Before he could look away, Damon slowly closed the door with a soft click, deep pain in his eyes.

But right now, all that mattered was Jaytee holding him close.

"It's all right, sweetie. You're safe now," he whispered against Raidh's temple, kissing it softly. "I'm right here."

Slowly, Raidh melted into his mate's warm chest, feeling his trembling start to subside.

"Are you hurt?" Jaytee asked gently.

"Physically, no," he replied shakily, taking slow breaths to try and calm himself down.

"I failed to keep you safe," Jaytee murmured sorrowfully against his temple, his thick beard scraping over Raidh's skin. "I should have grabbed you and taken off on my bike instead of waiting for danger to come to us."

"It wasn't your fault." The trembles began to subside. Jaytee's strong and comforting embrace slowly calmed him, eroding the fear and bringing back a sense of safety.

"I still feel so guilty over what happened. I could have lost you, Moonbeam." Jaytee's voice was tight with emotion.

"How...how am I still alive?" Raidh looked up at him, hating to see the unshed tears in his beautiful eyes.

"I licked your wound until it stopped bleeding." He ran his knuckles over Raidh's neck, causing goose bumps to surface.

Raidh never thought he would feel his mate's touch again.

"You…licked me?" He scrunched his face when the words finally registered. "Like, actually lapped at my neck?"

Jaytee chuckled softly. "You can't get grossed out, Moonbeam. I'm a wolf. Plus, it saved your life, so I think I have been granted lifetime privileges of licking any part of you I want."

The suggestive tone of Jaytee's voice made him shiver.

Jaytee grazed Raidh's ear with his soft lips, causing him to gasp. "If we'd sealed our bond, you would have healed much faster, sweetheart."

"How long was I out?" Raidh swallowed.

"Three days."

His jaw went slack. "Three days?"

Jaytee nodded solemnly. "Had all of us worried sick. I never want to see you so pale again."

Tilting his head, Raidh gestured at his body. "Why am I naked?"

It wasn't until he'd calmed down that he realized his clothes were gone. Thankfully he had a blanket over his lap or the entire Frost family would have seen his groin.

"I gave you a sponge bath," Jaytee said matter-of-factly. "I wanted those bloody clothes off you." His jaw clenched. "And that bastard's scent erased from your delicate skin."

"Thank you." Raidh leaned into his mate, feeling a surge of emotions he wasn't sure how to deal with.

"For what?" Jaytee asked, holding him tighter.

"Saving my life. Taking care of me while I healed." He grinned at Jaytee. "Are you sure you didn't have ulterior motives while you were sliding that sponge over my ‘delicate' skin?"

Jaytee smirked. "I remained a true professional. Even after I saw your beautiful wings." He leaned his forehead against Raidh's. "You really are a true fairy."

Raidh narrowed his eyes.

"Fae." Jaytee grinned. "Can I see them fully extended?" His mate's eyes lit up like he was a child about to receive a gift.

Raidh pulled from Jaytee's arms, stood, and freed them. God, it felt so good to let them out. He fluttered them like he was stretching a limb.

"They're even more amazing now that I have a full view of them." Jaytee bit his bottom lip. "Can I touch them?"

Laughing, Raidh took flight, hovering near the ceiling. "If you can reach them, gorgeous."

Jaytee narrowed his eyes and growled. "Get back down here."

Raidh zipped around the room, feeling freer than he had in a very long time. He did flips, wishing he had more room to have fun.

"Baby, you're flying around with your cock exposed to my hungry gaze." Jaytee started undressing. "If you don't want me naked, get your cute butt down here now and cover that temptation."

"Can I show you something cool?" Raidh asked excitedly.

Now completely naked, Jaytee crossed his muscled arms, his smile breathtaking. "I'm already looking at the coolest thing I've ever seen, Moonbeam."

He was definitely good for Raidh's self-esteem. "Seriously."

With a sigh, Jaytee dropped his arms. "Okay, show me this cool thing of yours."

"First, you have to promise me you're not going to freak out." Raidh wanted to share everything with his mate, but he never wanted the wolf shifter to see him in a bad light. There wasn't an evil bone in Raidh's body, even though Galamir had tried to turn him dark.

With a nod, Jaytee said. "I promise not to freak out."

Raidh let his powers flow through him, engulfing not only him but his surroundings. It was a simple illusion, but one that made him smile when the four walls faded, giving way to the sparkling forest of the dark fae realm.

* * * *

Jaytee could feel his mate's pulsating energy washing over him like a gentle touch brushing against his skin. The room seemed to fade away, replaced by the lushness of a forest with towering trees reaching toward the sky and the sound of birds in the distance.

His wolf whimpered to get out and run free.

"How did you create this?" Jaytee's amazement was palpable. The vibrant grass beneath his feet was soft and springy, the leaves on the trees rustled gently in the breeze, and glimmering flecks of gold floated through sunbeams that filtered through the canopy above.

The air tasted clean and crisp, with a hint of sweetness from the nearby flowers. It was like breathing in pure, untainted nature.

This forest felt enchanted, mystical even, one that Jaytee could get lost in if he allowed himself to fully succumb to whatever this was.

It had to be an illusion.

He entwined his large hand with Raidh's delicate one, their bodies so close that Jaytee could see the contrast between his muscular frame and Raidh's delicate fairy form.

It would be so easy to lose himself in this magical world.

Raidh smiled mischievously, looking almost magical himself.

Jaytee let out a low growl. "Are you using dark magic, Raidh?"

As much as he wanted to give his mate everything he desired—to see him smile and hear him laugh—Jaytee refused to let him use dark magic. One spell could lead to another, until it became too late and Raidh would be consumed by its power. Jaytee couldn't allow that to happen.

Raidh was walking a slippery slope, and it was Jaytee's responsibility to keep his mate on the right path. He thought about what the vampire had said. They are dark fairies, after all. They were born evil.

No. Jaytee was determined not to let his mate succumb to that darkness.

"It's not dark magic." Raidh placed his hands on his tiny waist and pouted at Jaytee with those big, doe-like eyes. God, he was adorable and sexy all at once. "You promised you weren't going to freak out."

The thought of kissing Raidh's lips lingered in Jaytee's mind. He was captivated by Raidh's power and beauty, and the illusion of the forest made it feel like they were the only two creatures in existence.

"I'm standing in a forest with my naked mate while my cock is out. I'm not freaked out. I'm turned on," Jaytee replied with a smirk.

Raidh's laughter was light and carefree, dancing through the air as it stirred something deep inside Jaytee. He wanted nothing more than to keep his mate safe in his arms forever, protecting him from anything that could steal that gorgeous smile away.

As Raidh stood before him, his golden hair seemed to catch the sunlight, cascading down his shoulders all the way to his waist, and framing his stunning face—the tips of his ears peeking out on either side of his head. His naked figure was slight and delicate but utterly breathtaking.

Jaytee couldn't help but think that he was truly lucky to have this beautiful creature as his mate.

And then, in a move that took his breath away, Raidh spread his wings. They were unlike any other wings Jaytee had ever seen—delicate and translucent like butterfly wings, yet bursting with vibrant colors that seemed to shift and change with every movement. He hadn't gotten a good look at them in his bedroom, but out in the full sunlight, he was mesmerized by them.

"They're so beautiful," Jaytee breathed in awe. "Would it be okay if I touched them?"

Raidh bit his lip, a hint of nervousness crossing his expression. "You can touch them, but please be careful. Just one small rip would kill me."

Jaytee felt a surge of relief knowing the vampire who'd attacked Raidh hadn't damaged his wings.

Thank god they'd been tucked away at the time. But now that he knew their fatal weakness, how they were connected to Raidh's very life, he would do everything in his power to keep those delicate wings protected at all costs.

Raidh's lavender-gray eyes glistened with an unfamiliar sadness, causing Jaytee to furrow his brow in concern. He couldn't fathom why someone so beautiful would have such a forlorn expression. "I have something to tell you that might paint me in a negative light."

Jaytee reached for his hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "There's nothing you could say that would make me see you as anything other than my little Moonbeam."

Raidh stepped closer, tilting his head up to meet Jaytee's gaze. "But do you truly believe I am not capable of evil?"

As Raidh circled around him, Jaytee's gaze followed the hypnotic sway of his mate's small hips, almost as if he was being held spellbound by their graceful movements. Each step was like a dance, like waves in the ocean, drawing him deeper and deeper into a trance-like state.

"There's something I need to confess to you before we bind our souls together."

With a graceful movement, Raidh sank down into a patch of purple flowers, giving off an ethereal aura.

Without hesitation, Jaytee joined him on the flower-covered ground and plucked one from its place, gently tucking it into Raidh's wavy hair. Despite his hair being tangled from days of sleep, his mate still looked breathtakingly handsome. Raidh's fingers caressed the flower as a burst of red ignited over his face, causing his lavender- gray eyes to sparkle like fairy dust.

"I've already mentioned that not all Unseelies are inherently bad."

Jaytee nodded, wondering where this was going. He trusted Raidh entirely and never doubted his goodness.

"And you know my father forced me to learn dark magic, even though I'm very careful using it, and refuse to use it around him." Raidh grimaced.

"Babe, please get to the point." Jaytee wanted to hear what his mate had to say, but his focus was split between the conversation—which was important to Jaytee—and gazing at his naked body. The guy was one hell of a temptation, and Jaytee was having a hard time concentrating.

Raidh caressed the flower in his hair once more. "I might not be the incompetent student I've been pretending to be," he admitted.

Understanding began to dawn on Jaytee. "So you're saying that even though you limit your use of dark magic, you're still pretty skilled at it?"

"What if I told you I'm better than just ‘pretty skilled'? That my father hates me because he failed to mold me into what he wanted me to be, since he thinks I'm a lousy student?" Raidh looked down. "I don't even need a spell book. They just come naturally to me."

"I'm still waiting for you to tell me what could possibly make me see you differently." Jaytee wanted to hear what his mate had to say, but his focus was split between the conversation—which was important to Jaytee—and his naked mate sitting beside him, their first kiss still pending.

The guy was one hell of a temptation.

Raidh sighed deeply.

"My father pushed me so hard because his ultimate goal was for me to become the most powerful Unseelie of our kind."

Jaytee slowly sat up. "So all this time, your father thought you were incompetent, but in reality, you actually fulfilled his goal."

What a clever little fairy. That had to have taken great dedication and discipline to constantly hide his true skills and pretend to be inept. And for over a millennium? Jaytee wasn't sure he could have pulled that off.

Slowly, Raidh nodded. "But I swear, Jaytee, I'm very careful with dark magic. I've seen too many fae fall victim to its allure and lose themselves completely. I won't let myself go down that path." He sighed once again. "I just wanted to be honest with you about who I truly am."

Raidh's confession solidified Jaytee's opinion of his mate. He reached out and cupped his cheek tenderly. "Who you truly are is a little fairy with a heart of pure gold."

"You have to promise me you won't tell anyone." Raidh stared at Jaytee with pleading eyes. "If he discovers I've been deceiving him all this time—" His voice was thick with fear and desperation.

Jaytee's heart hammered. He already had a feeling he knew the answer to the question he was about to ask. "What would happen if he found out?"

"He would forget about his threat to eliminate me and find a way to bind me into his servitude for the rest of my life...which is eternity, in case you didn't know," Raidh replied grimly. "He would turn me into his own personal weapon."

That wasn't what Jaytee had been expecting. "I can guarantee he hasn't found out."

Raidh furrowed his brow. "Why do you say that?"

This was one hell of a dilemma. Raidh had no idea his own father was behind the vampire attack, hiring them to kill his own son. Jaytee felt torn and conflicted. On one hand, he wanted to protect Raidh from the truth and spare him any more pain. But on the other hand, he refused to keep secrets from his mate, especially one of such importance.

Gently gripping his mate's arm, Jaytee stared at the wound made by casting the spell. "Are you sure you used a clean blade?" He was worried about how it looked. When he had first bandaged it, the cut was neat and precise. It should have been healed by now.

But now, instead of showing signs of recovery, it appeared red and irritated and felt warm to the touch.

"I used a clean blade," Raidh assured him.

"Do you still feel any pain, hon?" Jaytee asked with concern, glancing at his mate.

"It's more uncomfortable than painful," Raidh admitted. "It's taking longer to heal than usual."

Jaytee hoped that was actually the case, but something told him there was more going on beneath the surface of this seemingly simple wound. "We should head back…" He looked around. "How do you get out of this place?"

"Not yet." Raidh bit his lip.

Ever since Raidh created the illusion, a burning hunger had been brewing between them. The primal ache for his mate was like a searing fire, igniting every inch of Jaytee's body.

With a deep growl, Jaytee pulled his mate close, careful not to harm his delicate wings. He gazed into Raidh's beautiful lavender-gray eyes filled with yearning and desire. "What do you mean, not yet?" Jaytee traced his thumb over Raidh's plush bottom lip, feeling the warmth and softness of it beneath his touch. "Do you want something from me, baby?"

A deep flush tinted Raidh's cheeks, causing Jaytee's cock to throb even harder between them. He took his mate's hand in his and guided it to his aching erection, reveling in the warmth of their skin against each other.

"Do you want to touch me, sweetheart? Is that what you want?" His voice was rough with need.

Jaytee hissed as delicate fingers wrapped around his throbbing cock. Unable to resist, he grabbed a handful of Raidh's soft hair and began to fuck the tight grip. His mate looked down at their joined hands, as if fascinated by the sight. Then Raidh began to slowly stroke him.

Every movement sent shivers of pleasure through Jaytee's body, intensifying the already overwhelming desire he felt for this beautiful creature.

But it wasn't just physical pleasure that drove Jaytee. It was the emotional connection between mates. God, he was so damn tired of being alone. All he wanted was someone he could love and someone who loved him back just as fiercely. He just wanted that one special person in his corner, and Raidh made falling for him so easy.

Honestly, Jaytee didn't care that he was a dark fairy. Fate paired people for a reason. He was determined to show his mate what a real family was all about. Loyalty. Love. Someone who would lay down their life for you.

And the night that vampire attacked his fairy, Jaytee honestly thought he'd lost his mate. It was a pain so deep he never wanted to feel it again.

When Raidh sank to his knees, Jaytee nearly came undone.

With a slow, seductive smirk, his mate parted his soft, silky lips, letting Jaytee slide his throbbing cock inside the warm, wet heat. "Shit." He hissed.

Raidh sucked and licked his way down to the base then pulled back and lapped at the head.

Muscles taut and breath coming in short gasps, Jaytee groaned as his toes curled into the grass beneath them, still gripping his mate's hair as he slowly fucked Raidh's mouth.

"So beautiful," he growled, marveling at the sight before him. Raidh's tongue traced along the length of his shaft, teasing and tantalizing.

The fairy's mouth was a playground of pleasure, his lips and tongue working together to drive Jaytee wild with desire. Raidh's fingers expertly massaged Jaytee's taut balls while his tongue rimmed the flared head, coaxing every drop of pre-cum from the slit as his mate moaned.

"You like the taste, baby?" With Jaytee's cock still deep in his mouth, Raidh grinned up at him.

Jaytee softly chuckled then hissed. "I guess you do. Fuck, Moonbeam."

Lost to the sensations, suspended in pure bliss as Raidh worshipped his cock, Jaytee felt his canines lengthening as his arousal intensified. His little fairy reduced him to nothing more than an animal driven by pure instinct.

"Look what you do to me, sweetheart."

His cock reached the back of Raidh's throat, and then he waited for the reflexive swallow that would squeeze his sensitive tip before pulling back and then thrusting in again. Shit. Jaytee's hands tightened in the strands of hair he held captive, watching in awe as Raidh took him deeper with each thrust, marveling at the way his mate's saliva coated his erection.

"Close, baby," Jaytee groaned. He couldn't believe how good it felt, how perfectly Raidh knew exactly how to drive him wild. His hips arched uncontrollably as he felt his release building, the pleasure becoming too much to handle.

Every inch of Jaytee was desperate for release.

But it was Raidh who drove him to the edge.

"Raidh!" Jaytee cried out as he felt himself reaching the peak of ecstasy.

Lightning shot throughout his entire body as each pulse of his seed spilled into Raidh's waiting mouth.

"Take it all," he begged breathlessly.

Raidh swallowed his seed greedily, continuing to work his tongue over the pulsating tip until Jaytee was completely spent.

And even after he climaxed, he was still hard and wanting more.