Page 117 of Chosen By the Fae King

“Aeryn, stop,” Raina shook her head, eyes shadowed. “It's fine.”

“It is not fine!” Angry tears threatened to spill.

Nox slid his arm around my waist. Yes, my mate would fix this.

He studied Raina as she stood there, eyes down, her posture resigned. Then, “Take her to the nullifying room.”

I pivoted away, out of his hold, gaping up at his stoic face. “Nox,” I whispered. “Don't do this. Please don't.”

I'd read her mind. I didn't say it here, in the courtyard where anyone close by could hear. I'd agreed to not speak openly of it. It felt like a betrayal to have read my friends' minds and I hadn't had an opportunity to explain to them.

I'd been so focused on clearing names or finding evidence of guilt in someone that I hadn't thought about how it would feel on the other side of it.

“She was already cleared,” I bit out. “She knew nothing of her parents' machinations.”

“It is best to be thorough in this,” Nox said gently.

I started to protest but Nox squeezed my hand, shaking his head.

“His Majesty is in the right, Aeryn,” Raina stated without emotion. “If our roles were reversed I would have you in a cell already, even if only temporarily.”

“Yeah, because you're a two-faced mukana who only cares about herself.”

“Liam,” I breathed, as shocked as I was appalled.

Raina inhaled, lower lip quivering, yet raising her chin in quiet dignity. “Your Majesty, I beg you to have someone else—anyone else—escort me to my cell.”

Nox's gaze softened. “I can do that, Lady Raina. Lorne?”

The male took a step in Raina's direction but Nox lifted his palm to halt him. “Take her up to Saxon.”

“Saxon? No, not him,” Liam rebuked.

“Do not test me right now,” Nox warned, cutting him with a cold glare that would have cowered a lesser being.

Turning back to Lorne, he continued. “Tell him to take her to the nullifying room and make sure it's secured. Only you and Saxon can speak to her. Do not let anyone else in there unless I give the say so.”

Lorne nodded, sparing Raina a quick look, the corners of his mouth turned down.

I ached for her, for the sorrow and betrayal she must feel. To have her own parents revealed as despicable traitors in such a violent way, and then to be on the receiving end of her former betrothed's cruel words. It was almost too much to bear.

Anger simmered in my gut. I stared hard at Liam. “If you harm her or continue to speak with such callousness about her in my presence, I will make your life a living hell.”

Liam's eyes met mine, flickering with surprise then hardening right back. “With all due respect, Lady Aeryn, I answer to the king.”

A guttural sound vibrated from Nox's chest. Gold rolled across his eyes. “Leave my sight before I decide to do something we'll both regret.”

Liam's Adam’s apple bobbed but the indignant tension in his face remained. “As you wish, My Liege.” He bowed quickly and strode away.

Raina blinked back tears, eyes on the ground. I stepped forward and embraced her. She reluctantly brought her arms around me, silently accepting the only comfort I could give at the moment.

Over her head, I met Nox's gaze. He motioned to the stairs. “Saxon is waiting at the main door. Why don't you escort her inside and he'll walk her the rest of the way.”

I hooked my arm through Raina's and led her up the stairs. A handsome male I'd never seen before stood there casually, with his hands in his pockets.

His physique was lean, yet strong and athletic. One eye was a shade of sparkling ocean blue, while the other eye glowed with a vibrant and intense green.

Unlike the other guards, his attire perfectly blended the natural world with a touch of fae elegance. Earthy tones of moss green and deep blues, adorned with intricate leaf patterns and delicate silver filigree, gave off a sense of him being one with nature.

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