Riley's Sparrow

By Mary Winter

Exiled into the mortal world with one condition—not to use magic—Cheri Aerchere, fairy princess, knows she can’t live on the run forever. She’d used magic, broken the terms of her exile, and now, she has.

In order to redeem himself for a night of passion he spent with Cheri, Riley Hawk knows what he has to do—bring her back to the Fae realms to face her punishment, then forget about her. In the world of Fae politics, his feelings are of no consequence.

But once he sees her again, their sexual attraction cannot be denied, and neither can their feelings for one another. Because Cheri has always belonged to Riley, and once he marks her as his mate, nothing, not even the Fae Court, can separate them. Now that he’s found her, it’s up to him to teach her how good it can be to fly...together.

Note: This is an edited and updated version of the previously released work of the same title. This work has been updated and more accurately reflects the author’s vision for the story.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Mary Winter
• Release date: May 30, 2016

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Riley’s Sparrow

By Mary Winter

Copyright 2012 by Mary Winter

ISBN# 978-1-938257-30-8

Smashwords edition published by Pink Petal Books at Smashwords

Smashwords Edition, License Notes

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This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously. Any resemblance to actual events, places, organizations, or persons, living or dead, is entirely coincidental.

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Spellbound Treasure

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http://spellboundtreasure.com

An online auction house based out of Crossroads, a place that is nowhere, and yet is the nexus of several worlds. Etienne and her partner Robin sell magical artifacts from every world imaginable. With powers untold, these artifacts make their way into their buyer's hands. And sometimes, a few of them even bring love.

Meet the people of Spellbound Treasure, discover the artifacts, and explore the worlds at our website.

Other Spellbound Treasure Books

Fairytale by Mary Winter

Unbreak Me by Lex Valentine

Birthday Shift by Jasmine Aherne

Outfoxed by Jasmine Aherne

Reflected Love by Karenna Colcroft

Prologue

A cold shiver darted down Etienne’s spine as she stared at the golden bird cage sitting on the floor next to her desk. Small enough to be easily carried, she almost couldn’t bring herself to lift the cage so she could better examine and catalog it. This item had to go up on the website tonight. Already the perfect buyer awaited, and though she knew not what he would do with it, she had her hopes that it would end well.

This one had to end well. The ruling of a realm was at stake. She’d sold treasures to kings and queens, royalty from all manner of realms before. But this one…somehow it was different.

I can handle that for you, if you wish. Robin’s deep baritone filled her cold heart with warmth. I know how you dislike cages.

She smiled at him. I can take care of it. There’s only a few more things left.

Are you sure? Concern showed in Robin’s voice, and she appreciated his care. He took such good care of her; she wondered if there’d ever be any way to repay him.

I’m sure. The delivery will be ready tomorrow. I have no doubts.

Well if you’re sure… He let his words trail off, most likely to give her time to ask his assistance, should she want. She didn’t want, not right now, and not with this artifact. Even angels without wings had to face their demons sometime. Hers was in miniature, sitting on the floor.

She watched him leave her office, then steeled herself for this artifact. She’d be happy when this one found its home. She just wondered if the recipient would be happy, too.

~* * *~

This item would just have to be shipped. Robin knew he wouldn’t leave Etienne’s side, or Crossroads, for a while. Something had happened in her past, and he feared it had involved cages. Just the way she looked at the beautiful gilded cage told him the truth. Someone had imprisoned Etienne.

Anger, white-hot and powerful, roared through him. He’d left the main building and now strode along the edges of Crossroads, right at the veil which connected, yet separated it, from the other realms. He couldn’t scream, couldn’t roar or do anything to release the burning anger in him towards whomever had imprisoned beautiful Etienne. She knew everything that happened in Crossroads. His anger would be too telling.

He took a deep breath and calmed himself. This item would be delivered. Provided all went well—and it had to go well—the Realms would be settled once more. Until then, all his baser instincts craved the chaos now rippling through the realms, with one of them out of balance. And it was vital he keep everything in check. Etienne had overlooked his nature once; she wouldn’t do it again.

Chapter One

You can’t run forever, you know. Why don’t you try this? Menelik pushed a drink across the bar.

Cheri stared at the amber-colored liquid wondering if she really wanted to take a sip. Alcohol affected fairies a lot more strongly than it did humans. Too bad it tasted so damn good, and numbed the pain so well. She closed her eyes and drew in the scents of bar, smoke, and the mishmash of paranormal patrons. Thanks. What is it? She lifted the glass to her lips.

A Riley’s Sparrow. Menelik winked at her.

Cheri nearly choked. She sputtered, swallowing hard to get the burn down her throat. You could have warned me. In spite of her discomfort, a grin spread across her face. The liquor seared heat all the way down to hit her stomach with a burst of warmth. She felt a flush creeping over her cheeks, partially from the drink, and partially from Menelik ferreting out her secret. How he knew that she’d spent five years imprisoned in the body of a sparrow, she’d never know. Thanks.

The door to Sparkle & Moondust opened as another patron entered.

The back of Cheri’s neck tingled. She looked up from her drink to find Menelik watching her intently as heavy footfalls grew closer to the bar. Tell me that whoever just entered is tall, willowy and female. Please. She struggled not to whimper.

You can’t run forever, Cheri. I’ve got to get some things out of the back. Don’t go anywhere.

Don’t go anywhere? How could he say that? Without turning around she had a picture of the man who had just walked in the door in her mind. Or more accurately, the fairy who had just entered. Riley stood nearly six feet tall, with broad shoulders that could make a gentle Fae girl weep with the need to bury her head against them. His body was composed of rock hard muscle, and when he shifted, his other form matched his name. Hawk. Riley Hawk. Her parole officer.

Cheri traced her finger along the unmarred rim of the glass. She didn’t need lipstick to make her lips ruby colored; it was a trait of her people. As were the slanted cat-like green eyes, the ears that almost came to a point, and her long white-blonde hair. Since it fell past her butt, it made her look shorter than her inch over five feet. She stretched her thin fingers over the rim of her glass, noting the translucence of her skin, and bony-bird like structure. A sparrow. She couldn’t go back to a life of picking seeds and hoping some brave soul had ventured out in subzero weather to fill their feeder. Sure, it didn’t get that cold here, but with warmer weather came different dangers. And hawks, always the hawks.

She stiffened as the newcomer sat on the barstool beside her. Menelik, come back! She had no idea if he could hear a fairy’s mental summons, but if he could, she hoped he wouldn’t ignore her. No one ignored Cheri Aerchere, fairy princess. No one.

A strong hand clamped over her bare arm, preventing her from sliding from the bench and going after Menelik. I believe he told you to stay here. Riley’s warm voice flooded her senses like a shot of bourbon.

Cheri’s heart fluttered. Her stomach dropped, and for a moment, the world spun on its axis. The drink. She shouldn’t have had the drink. Riley’s sparrow.

Her jaw dropped in an expression completely unbecoming of fairy royalty. Menelik’s in on this, isn’t he? Under her breath, in a frequency too high for human ears, she