Page 28 of Chosen By the Fae King

Or the harsh treatment from Liam and Lorne, but I let that observation go.

A wan smile touched Raina's lips. “You're the first person here who's thought so. I'm not exactly well-received in Thornewood, you see. Not like I used to be. I used to be a welcomed sight. Until I wasn't and no one wanted anything to do with me.”

“Do you want to share why that is?”

Her gaze flicked up to meet mine. “Not today.”

“Of course.”

We stood silently for a long moment. “Was there something else on your mind, Raina?”

“Well, I thought you should know there's more going on here, more to King Nox than he presents to the world.”

“As in something bad?”

“It depends on how you look at it.”

“I'm sorry, Raina, but I don't understand what you're trying to get at.”

The petite female sighed. “I know. I'm sorry.”

Hesitantly, she came up to me and took my hands, her purplish eyes serious. “Be careful around Nox, Aeryn, especially in front of others. Thornewood isn't always a safe place to be, trials aside.”

My brows knitted at the warning in her tone. “What do you mean?”

Raina shook her head. “Just trust me on this.” Her eyes gleamed with something like fear. “Promise you'll be cautious.”

“I'll be cautious,” I assured.

“In front of others, no matter who it is,” she insisted.

“Yes, I understand you want me to use caution around the king no matter who is nearby. I promise.”

Raina's posture relaxed and she offered me a grateful smile. “Thank you. I should go. They'll come for us soon.”

Shit. Right.

Raina slipped out the door with a parting nod. I stared after her, wondering how a female who was obviously so lonely could still show such kindness.

As I undressed and put on the robe, I ruminated on what Raina was hinting at—and on what else I would come across in this godsforsaken castle.

When my memory tried to push the feel of Nox's body on mine, I slammed it back to the recesses of my mind. I had more pressing problems to worry about.

Wadding up the note and tossing it aside, I wondered who I'd have to argue with over keeping my underwear on under the robe.

Seeing where the wad of paper landed, I wondered where I could get my hands on a saw.

Six

Aeryn

The heavy velvet robe brushed my ankles as I walked, my slippers whispering against the tiled floor. Massive arched windows let in streams of golden sunlight, dappling the ancient stone walls.

Lorne strode ahead of us, shoulders stiff as a board, leading our motley crew of contestants to the healer's tower for our mandatory checkups. I glanced at the others, a mix of at least eight different sects of fae, all vying for the dubious honor of marrying the enigmatic King of Falcondale.

When Lorne stopped before an ornate wooden door, we clustered around him. “You'll each meet with a healer to determine your fitness for the trials.”

His unsympathetic gaze settled on me. “If any are found lacking, you'll undergo treatment to remedy the situation. But don’t expect an advantage to be granted.”

---