Page 50 of Kissed By Songs of Lilies

Show me your ugly side, little human, I thought gleefully. Your greed.

"Well, what is it?" I prompted Rosie.

"She asked for gardening implements—a spade, seeds, and wheelbarrow."

I frowned. "You can't be serious?"

I was beginning to believe there was nothing wrong with this human. She wasn’t a witch. She wasn’t greedy. She wasn’t wrathful.

Instead, I couldn’t help but find her beautiful with her blonde sun-kissed hair that she rarely tamed, eyes as blue and deep as the ocean, wide hips and round breasts so unlike my own people, and those adorable freckles scattered across her nose.

I wasn’t sure I had ever seen someone so lovely. The sharp, ethereal beauty of my own people was nothing compared to her warm strength.

And the way she had felt pressed against my body when we kissed. I had wanted so much more.

It wasn’t just her looks. She was honest. She had no trouble putting me in my place when she believed I was wrong. Something I wasn’t used to from any woman in my own court who agreed with my every word. Which meant I never knew whether they truly agreed or not.

Georgia was fiercely stubborn—trekking out into the woods day after day with no escort. Even now, I couldn’t help but admire the hard work she was putting into some ill-fated gardening project, her attempt to pull beauty from the earth. Something I never expected from a human.

She had been kind to Rosie and Harry.

It was at that moment that I caught myself. What was I thinking? Physical attraction was one thing, but was it possible I was beginning to have actual feelings for this human woman?

She was supposed to fall for me. Not the other way around.

CHAPTER 27

The Stolen Bride

The following morning, I woke early and gathered my courage. I hadn’t dared to wander outside on my own since Forrest had saved me from the Unseelie Queen. But today’s mission required stealth. I couldn’t very well ask Harry to accompany me to the old, dilapidated greenhouses without arousing suspicion.

So, I dressed in a plain linen dress and boots and prepared to make my exit. This time, I wanted daylight on my side. I wasn’t foolish enough to wander close to nightfall again. At least, not until I had finished reading Forrest’s entire Book of Iron.

I took a few precautions. I wore my dress inside out and carried a pinch of salt. While salt did not bother the fae of the isle, the Book of Iron said it could be a powerful deterrent against migratory or visiting fae.

First, I wanted to stop and see if I could snag an apple or leftover bread for my walk. I thought, if the weather held up, I might stop for a picnic. I found it often rained on the isle during the afternoon. It’s part of what keeps everything so lush and green.

The dining room was empty and the table completely cleared. It was still an hour or so before breakfast, so it wasn’t a huge surprise. Off to one side, in another room, I heard a loud bang and shuffling feet. Could this be the door to the kitchen?

Hesitantly, I pushed it open and discovered a magnificent tavern-style kitchen complete with wheels of cheese that were bigger than a sea turtle’s back. Pots and pans hung from the ceiling, pristine and gleaming. To my immediate left, I saw a set of ancient stairs descending downward. A wine cellar perhaps?

In the midst of it all were two tiny, stout men frozen in horror. They had ruddy cheeks and whiskers like a cat. I couldn’t decide if they were adorable or hideous, but I did recognize their lineage at once. They were brownies, household fae who keep clean and order. As far as most of the folk go, they seemed almost helpful.

But they didn’t like to be seen, and if they felt unappreciated, they would leave. Sometimes with a frightful trick in their wake. I wasn’t certain how much of that applied to those serving a fae king. Still, I did my best to bumble through the exchange.

"I am so sorry to disturb your work." I gestured around the room. "I’ve never seen such a well-run household. Why, look how the countertops shine. The king is very lucky to have two such wonderful fae in his service."

One of them stroked his whiskers in a demure sort of way, and the other blushed magnificently. "Very kind, madame. You must be the lady of the house."

I stumbled for a moment. "I, er, yes. I am. Newly so."

They nodded, looking as skittish as cats at bath time. I remembered one more bit of wisdom from the folks in my own kingdom. Offer milk in a saucer. So I turned my back on them, found a carafe of fresh milk, and poured it into a small, chipped bowl. Without glancing backward, I set it on the floor.

"Many thanks," one purred.

I smiled and turned to leave, but before I could do so, there was a sudden flurry of movement. Then I felt a tap on my back. The brownies were nowhere to be seen, but waiting for me was a cloth-lined basket filled with fresh bread, cheese, and a calf skin of wine.

"Thank you," I said softly, taking its handle and departing the kitchen.

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