Here's a new story on Wicked Lovely!
DISCLAIMER! All rights belong to Melissa Marr, the author of the Wicked Lovely Series!
Couple: Aislinn and Keenan
Summary: Alternate ending to Darkest Mercy. Set when Keenan told Aislinn to chose between him and Seth before the battle with Bananach, Aislinn chose Keenan instead of Seth. I love Aislinn X Keenan. I wish they had ended up together instead.
Please review!
Truly Mine
"Do you want to be near me?" He didn't approach her. Unlike his aggressiveness, since he'd returned—and when she'd first met him—he was almost reserved now.
Aislinn blinked at him, uncertain of how to respond. She wanted to be near him. Ever since she had become his Queen, there was a constant pull she felt towards him. It made her second-guess their relationship time and time again and it also made her question her feelings for Seth. Seth or Keenan, Seth or Keenan. The question of who she wanted to be with was constantly on her mind. It made her restless and unable to sleep at night.
She also knew that she had missed Keenan terribly when he had been away, even if she fought to not show it to him. She had missed him. But he had come back and was now suddenly asking her all these questions. She wanted to answer right away but still, she had to pause for several breaths before she could answer: "I do."
"Why?" Keenan asked, looking at her with intense green eyes as if trying to look into her very soul.
"You're my king. Something inside of me insists that I reach out. I can't even stay mad at you when I know I should be." She wiped the soil from her hands onto her jeans and paced farther away. "Never mind. . . . I want to know what you learned while you were out. Now is not the time for this." She wanted to change the conversation, something deep down told her that she would not like how this conversation ended and it made her sick. What were all these questions about? She had never seen such a look on Keenan's face before and she didn't like it. The look on his face made her heartache.
"Actually, it is." Keenan watched her with an intensity that made her want to run. She was always running from him, wasn't she? Ever since they had met. "The time for waiting has ended."
"You can't mean . . ." She shook her head. "You just got back." It was suddenly hard to breathe. She couldn't do this now. Not when everything else was happening. Not when they could be at war at any moment. Why was he suddenly asking her this?! She didn't want to choose. Not yet. Not when her heart was still torn.
Keenan stayed out of her reach as he spoke. "Will you let yourself love me, Aislinn?" His voice was neutral as he looked at her.
"You're my king, but . . . I love Seth." Even as Aislinn spoke those words, she couldn't deny that there was a falseness to them. Did she love Seth? She couldn't say anymore. But when she looked at the Summer King in front of her, gleaming copper hair, and green eyes, she felt light. He made her feel whole... but... he had left her alone and that had hurt her more than anything.
"I need to belong to one person, who belongs only to me. I have done as I must for centuries, but there is a part of me that is not as fickle as Summer can be," Keenan said. "I need all or nothing. Either we are truly together, or we are truly apart."
Aislinn took another step back from him, her deep sky blue eyes going wide. He needed all or nothing. She couldn't detect any trace of a lie coming from him, all she sensed was the truth and she had never heard him sound or look any more serious; maybe that was why he looked so strange to her. Truth be told, she wanted all or nothing too, she just wasn't sure who she wanted it with. Both Seth and Keenan had left her for months at different points in time, they hadn't made it easy for her to choose. Didn't they know how hard it was for her? How by not having them both with her at the same time made it impossible to choose?
She shook her head. She didn't want to answer. She wanted more time. "You're really asking me to choose now?"
"I am." He reached out but didn't touch her. His hand was in the air next to her face, but he didn't close the distance. "I need you to decide. Now. The court needs to be as strong as possible."
"Whatever you learned . . . Talk to me," she pleaded. She had a feeling she was going to lose him and it killed her. "Maybe there's another way, maybe . . ."
"Aislinn," he said evenly. "I need you to decide. Do we go away together or do I go alone?" His green eyes were set firmly on her face, taking in every detail. His eyes softened for a brief moment before hardening once more. "Choose."
She felt warm tears trickle down her cheeks. "Yesterday, you told me I had a week. You told me yesterday." She was desperately trying to stall him. Seth or Keenan. Seth or Keenan. The question spun in her mind and made more tears trail down her cheeks.
"Would your answer change if we waited?" Even as Keenan asked, it was clear that he knew the answer. They both did. Her answer wouldn't change even if they had all the time in the world.
Aislinn hated the understanding in his voice as much as she had hated it when Seth offered it to her. They were both wonderful, both good, both people any girl would be lucky to know—but she only loved one of them. That much was clear now. The more she was forced to choose, the clearer her choice was becoming and it shocked her. If she could save her court and keep Seth in her life, that's what she would do... but as a friend. She didn't know when it happened or how she hadn't realized it earlier, but her feelings for Seth romantically had faded. Maybe it had happened in the months when he'd been kept at the High Court and Keenan was at her side. Maybe her feelings for Seth faded when he was at her side and Keenan wasn't and the pain it had caused her. In the time Keenan was gone, she had missed him, almost unbearably.
At first, if Keenan wasn't near her, she wouldn't feel the pull to be with him. At first, she had been glad because it meant she could be with Seth and the pull had annoyed her to no end. But now, Aislinn was coming to realize how much she loved the pull she felt to Keenan and understood that it wasn't a curse. It was true attraction and affection. Possibly love. Aislinn had missed Keenan to the point of death when he was away. She needed him, his warmth and his sunlight as much as mortals needed air. She was the Summer Queen and she needed her King. But...
"Would you want it to change?" she asked. She held her breath, she knew that Keenan didn't know about her changed feelings. And what about his feelings? What if he chose Donia over her? What would she do then? Donia was her friend, no matter what had happened between them. She wanted them both to be happy. If Keenan chose Donia, what then?
"I want to be loved; I want to be consumed by it." Keenan traced her jaw with the barest touch of his fingertips, pulling her from her thoughts, "I've loved Donia for decades, but I've lived for my court for centuries. I need more than an 'I think' this time, Aislinn. Do you want me enough to be mine? Do you care enough to try to love me? Do we become truly together for our court? Claim me as your king, or set me free to try to be with the faery I love."
There was a longing in his voice and Aislinn felt dizzy. How was she supposed to answer? Keenan had just confirmed that he still loved Donia. Should she let him be with the faery he loved while she just realized she loved him?
"I do want you," Aislinn admitted. "Not just because of the court. You're my friend and . . ." Aislinn choked on her words, I love you, it's what she wanted to say but she couldn't. "...I do care for you. I can't imagine never seeing you again." That part was true. If she never saw him again, she was sure it would kill her.
The Summer King stroked her cheek with his thumb. "Can you offer me your fidelity? Your heart and your body and your companionship for eternity? Do you want my fidelity? Either love me or kiss me good-bye, my Summer Queen."
Love him or kiss him goodbye? She felt tears slip down her cheeks. He'd looked for her for almost a millennium, but she couldn't tell him what he wanted to hear What she wanted to say. She'd returned strength to their court, she loved the Summer Court but she still couldn't tell the Summer King that she loved him. She leaned into his caress. Oh, how she wanted to embrace him and kiss him. "Why do I think that what happens next is going to be . . ."
"To be?" he prompted softly, he didn't look away from her, but there was a knowing look in his eyes that chilled her. He seemed to know exactly what was going to happen next.
"Something I'm not ready for," she finished. Her earlier fears of ruling the court without him crashed around her. He'd been their King for centuries, and she had only been fey for a bit more than a year. How do we rule from separate areas? Split the court? Can we even do that? She bit her lip. There were also questions spinning in her mind? He had asked for her fidelity, her body, and her heart and asked her if she wanted his. But could he keep his fidelity? What if she said yes to him and he came to regret it? She needed answers herself.
"How is this going to strengthen the court? I'm not sure—" Aislinn began, starting with the easier question. She didn't want to reveal her heart yet.
"Ash," he interrupted. Without looking away from her face, he reached out with his other hand and entwined her fingers with his. "Tell me you're truly mine or tell me good-bye." He repeated seriously.
"You're really leaving for good if I say no?" Aislinn asked, feeling small, terror filling her. Her heart was breaking. He was going to leave?
Mutely, he nodded.
"I can't be only yours. You'll always—" Aislinn blurted out the first thing that came to mind stupidly.
The rest of her words were swallowed as the Summer King leaned forward and sealed his lips to hers. Sunlight filled her mouth. It covered her skin and trickled over her like a million tiny hands. Her eyes were open. The blinding brightness of the Summer King as he pressed against her was too beautiful to look away from. Again, stupidly, she had been too stunned to kiss back.
He pulled away briefly, and she realized that they weren't touching the ground anymore. The air burned, crackling with heat lightning. She also noticed that there was a slight disappointment in his green eyes.
"Are you sure?" He asked.
Aislinn shook her head, "I-I need to know something too." She said softly, meeting his eyes hesitantly. "Can you offer me your fidelity? What if we decide now that we should be together but in a decade or century you resent me because you can't be with Donia?"
A look of shock flickered across Keenan's face, "I would be truthful to you. No matter what. If you choose me, then I am yours for eternity."
"You would? Heart and body?" Aislinn stared up at him and now she was the one that was searching his face. Her eyes going over his tanned skin, strong jaw and his tousled copper hair and green eyes. "I-I mean, we've been so invested in others that I..." She swallowed. "I'm not sure if we should try this... you've always desired your Summer Queen for centuries and I am her, but... can you love me? As much as you love Donia? Will you regret not being with her?"
In response, Keenan smiled, a look of joy in his eyes and before she could blink, Keenan kissed her. He pulled her close against him. Sunlight pulsed inside her body as she kissed him back. Their kiss was everything like summer; the warm breeze of summer, the warmth of the sun and the fresh smell of fresh flowers.
Aislinn closed her eyes and kissed him back, enjoying how warm and solid he felt against her. He was like a warm breeze wrapping around her, making her feel safe, protected and loved. He tasted of summer rain and liquid sunlight.
When she pulled away from him, the park looked more green and golden sunlight circled around them. Aislinn bit her lip and looked away from him, "Keenan I-" He cut her off before she could finish.
"If you choose me, I am yours, My Queen." Keenan interrupted, green eyes intensely focused on her face, joy radiating off him. "There's no question, I would love you with everything I am without question. Now I ask you again, will you be truly mine? In body, heart, and soul for all of eternity?"
Now it was her turn. Aislinn smiled up at him, "I am yours, Keenan." Aislinn said firmly, meeting his green eyes with her own. I am your Queen... and you are my King."
Keenan smiled at her kissing her again with much more ferocity. He kissed her like no tomorrow and she returned his kiss with the same fervor. For all she knew, maybe there wouldn't be tomorrow. "My Queen..." His eyes were dazed and there was such a joyous look on his face. "Finally."
Aislinn smiled back at him and that's when she heard the joyful giggles. Since they were floating in the middle of the park, Aislinn looked down and saw the entirety of the Summer Court around them and the Summer girls looked so happy and Tavish looked pleased.
When he noticed the eyes of his King and Queen on him he cleared his throat, looking embarrassed. "We could feel your joy and couldn't help but come see." He said in way of explaining.
Keenan smiled and Aislinn held on tighter to him when she felt them float down. When their feet touched the ground of the park. Aislinn started to pull away but Keenan pulled her back to him. "I have to talk to Donia."
Aislinn felt her heart break a bit at that but she nodded, "Of course." She said softly.
Keenan held tight as she once again tried to pull away. "I meant it, I am yours. But I have to talk to Donia to explain and plan an offensive against Bananach. Can I leave preparations of the Summer Court to you?" He asked softly.
Aislinn nodded, fear starting to settle on her. After all the frantic thoughts about choosing between Keenan and Seth and realizing that she did love Keenan, she had forgotten that they still had a battle to fight. "Go." She held onto him for a moment longer, "I'll see you soon."
Keenan kissed her one more time, his lips moving against hers as if they were meant to be together, his kisses were like fire. "Be safe." He whispered he gave her a smile before pulling away.
Aislinn watched him as he stopped to talk to Tavish before disappearing from sight. She then watched as he walked away and didn't pull her eyes away until he was out of sight. "Tavish?" She asked.
"Yes, my Queen?" Tavish asked, immediately appearing at her side and she couldn't miss how pleased he sounded.
"Help me ready our guards and formulate a battle tactic," Aislinn said.
"Yes, my Queen," Tavish said immediately, becoming the serious advisor she knew once more.
Aislinn nodded and started to walk away from the park, a new determination building in her. They would win this war with Bananach and she would protect her court and after that... she'd be with Keenan for true.
Aislinn sighed, the battle was over. Bananach was dead and the Dark Court was under Niall's control again. They had won. However, their victory had not come without any loses, numerous faeries from the Dark, Winter, and Summer courts had died and even worse, Donia had been hurt and Keenan had taken her to be healed. She had spoken to Far Dorcha to have him save Donia's life and now neither of them had returned.
It unsettled her that Keenan and Donia hadn't returned and she couldn't help but wonder what they were doing. Had Keenan changed his mind? Had he chosen Donia after all? These thoughts plagued her as she waited for her court to gather themselves so they could go home.
"My Queen, " Tavish appeared beside her, pulling out her out of her dark thoughts. "He will return."
"I know," Aislinn said softly, the only question was whether or not he would be reappearing at the Winter Queen's side as a lover or as a friend. "They both will."
"Aislinn." Her eyes shot to the side to see Seth walking over to her, looking worn down but uninjured. "Are you okay?" He reached out for her and she stepped out of his reach.
Seth's brows raised in confusion and Aislinn shook her head. "Seth, I am fine. Yourself?" She looked at the Man who held her heart for the longest time. She may not love him the same way as before but she hoped he would stay her friend; even though she knew he wouldn't be pleased with her choice.
"I was in a cage for the battle. I'm fine." Seth smiled at her but he could clearly see that something was different between them. "There's something that you aren't telling me."
Aislinn looked at Tavish who stood at attention at her side, this was not a conversation she wanted to have with an audience. "Tavish? Can you see that everyone gets home safely? And if you see Keenan, tell him I'll be back shortly."
Tavish looked between her and Seth, frowning, but he didn't protest, he probably knew what she was going to tell him after all. "Yes, my Queen." He led the remaining Summer girls and guards away from her and Seth and Aislinn walked the other way.
"Did you have to talk to anyone else?" Aislinn asked as they walked away from the battle Seth at her side. They had no clear destination in mind as they walked.
"No. I already spoke with Niall." Seth said, he studied her closely, blue eyes narrowed on her face. "You can tell me, Ash. I already know."
"What?" Aislinn jerked to a holt and saw Seth give her a wistful and sad smile. "What are you talking about?"
Seth paused, looking anywhere but her, "I was going to tell you, there just wasn't any time... but once I became a faerie I was able to see the future."
"Future?" Aislinn choked out, that was not what she was expecting to hear from him. "About what?"
"Everything. Anything. I can't control it, it just shows me moments, nothing concrete and surprisingly... things I don't want to see." Seth gave her another sad smile, head down.
Oh. Aislinn had a feeling she knew exactly what he had seen. "I didn't figure it out myself until literally a day or two ago."
"You love him," Seth said plainly. "It's okay Ash- I mean it's not okay but I can live with it. I wanted to see us in the future but what I did see was you being completely happy. With Keenan." The last part came out bitter and defeated.
"I'm sorry Seth," Aislinn said, truly meaning it. "I never meant for this to happen. Never meant to hurt you."
"That's why I can't find it in myself to be that mad at you. I still love you Ash and I will always be here for you." Seth said.
Aislinn nodded, "I'll always be there for you too." She reached out for him and hugged him, holding him tightly and he returned her embrace just as eagerly. She didn't know how long they stood like that but Seth pulled away and took a step back, a smile on his face.
"What is it?" Aislinn asked, glad to see a smile after all that had happened to them.
"Nothing. I just... there's a bright future ahead Ash. I can see it." There was an eagerness to his voice that warmed Aislinn.
She felt her smile widen and turned back the way they came. "Do you want to stay at the Summer Court for now? There's plenty of room there."
"You don't think your King will mind?" Seth asked, brows raising.
At the mention of Keenan Aislinn frowned. "I haven't seen him since he left to save Donia. He'll just have to live with it. I don't expect him to give up his friendship with Donia so he shouldn't expect me to give up you."
"Friends. Is that what they are?" Seth snorted with a roll of his eyes. "Whatever you say Aislinn."
He laughed as if it was some joke but Aislinn didn't laugh with him. What he said made all her doubts come back. What if Keenan really was with Donia? What if they were doing something? Don't think about it. She urged herself. She couldn't think about it. She trusted Keenan to be true to his word.
In the end, Seth ended up going back to the Loft with Aislinn and he celebrated their victory with her court. He laughed with her faeries and danced with the Summer girls. There was so much warmth and joy and the relish of being victorious that Aislinn almost forgot that Keenan was absent. Almost.
His absence was at the back of her mind for the entire dance, no matter how much Aislinn happily danced with Seth and her fey into the late hours of the night to distract herself. When the party ended around three in the morning, Seth crashed in a guest room and Tavish accompanied Aislinn to her quarters.
"Tavish?" Aislinn asked, looking up at him. "Where is Keenan?"
"Safe," Tavish said, giving her a small smile. "He will return my Queen. Just show patience. There is a bright future ahead for us." With that, he left Aislinn at her door.
Aislinn watched Tavish disappear around the corner before crossing the hall and entered Keenan's room. If she couldn't have him that night, then she would settle for being in his room. Suddenly exhausted, Aislinn threw herself on Keenan's bed, burying her face in the covers. His bed smelled just like him; like liquid sunlight, the sea breeze and pure warmth. Encompassed in his warm sheets, Aislinn easily fell to sleep, all while wishing her Summer King was lying next to her.
Aislinn mumbled when she felt something brush against her face, sending a shock of warmth through her. She sighed and leaned against that warmth, feeling something solid against her, causing her to curl into it. She would have gone back to a deeper sleep if a chuckle hadn't sounded above her head.
Immediately, Aislinn blinked open her eyes and stared right at a tanned chest. Looking up, she saw Keenan watching her, a fond look on his face. "You're back..." She said softly.
Keenan laughed, "You should see how you sleep-" He was cut off when Aislinn threw herself at him, wrapping her arms around his neck as she pulled him in for a hug.
"You're back!" She said joyous, burying her face against his neck. Without thinking she leaned up and kissed him, pressing him down on the bed.
At first, Keenan was completely caught off guard but soon he was kissing her back, pulling her fully on top of him, arms going around her waist. The two of them stayed pressed together for what seemed like hours, their kisses getting deeper and more desperate the longer they carried on. Warm light wrapped around their bodies as they pressed even closer.
Finally, when they pulled away, both of them were gasping. "I am back." Keenan finally said, a smile on his face. "I came back to you."
"I knew you would," Aislinn said, feeling foolish for thinking he'd stay with Donia. This was her Summer King. The one she was meant to be with. The staff had chosen her. "I love you."
Keenan laughed, "I love you too. My Summer Queen." He kissed her again, sending shocks of pleasure through her entire body by pushing sunlight into her and she pushed back. They were still entangled with each other when the sun started to rise.
"Keenan?" Aislinn asked softly, genuinely tired as she rolled off him, her voice soft as she tried to catch her breath.
"Yes?" Keenan asked, holding her close to him.
"Thank you for finding me." She said softly, she had often wondered what her life would have been like if Keenan never came into her life, but now she couldn't imagine her life without him.
"Thank you for saying yes," Keenan said back, kissing her again, green eyes gleaming. "The chase was a long one, but in the end, I finally caught you."
Aislinn laughed, "More like I stopped running."
Keenan smiled, "That too."
The Summer King and Queen continued to talk, knowing that the dawn was finally upon them and a new start for their court and all of faerie was here. And they would start it as they were meant to. Together.
End of the first one-shot! Hope you enjoyed and please review!
The next One-shot is set to be called the Summer Queen and the Winter King