Page 66 of Chosen By the Fae King

That was, until his hands were on me. In those moments I gave in wantonly. I could be brave enough to admit I desired him, but did I really know what I was getting myself into?

King Orson's death, Nox, the attacks, the blasted trials–everything coalesced into a mix of foreboding until it was one corpulent glob of shit I didn't want to wade through.

Too exhausted to think any longer, I drifted back to sleep.

Sometime later, I awoke to the mouthwatering scent of bread and savory, incense-like spices. My stomach rumbled.

Out of habit, rolled to my back and stretched, immediately wincing. I curled into the fetal position and memories came flooding back.

The bed, the one in my quarters this time, depressed near where my hands were wrapped around my knees. Hands picked up strands of my hair, pushing it back to reveal Nox searching my face.

“Sage told me you were nearly done healing,” he said gruffly, “but newly knitted flesh and bone can be uncomfortable until the job is complete.”

“Wonderful. I'll be back to irritating you in no time,” I grumbled.

The corner of Nox's mouth quirked. “I look forward to it.” He ran his knuckles along my cheek, drawing my focus to his touch and away from the pain.

Something unreadable was in his eyes. “After the wraiths, I took extra precautions. No living fae, other than those bound by the magic of the trials, should have been able to get anywhere near the hunting grounds.”

“Lorne is bound, too?”

“Yes.”

I opened my mouth and his bent finger closed it. “It's not to be discussed.”

“Of course it isn't. How silly of me to think otherwise.”

Nox smirked and kept talking like I hadn't just sassed the King of Falcondale. “As you probably guessed that thing was a pieced-together corpse, animated by dark magic. It wasn't alive and was able to slip right through the protective spell. You shouldn't have been able to kill something that wasn't alive.”

No, I shouldn't have. “That's why I stabbed it in the eye.”

Nox slanted his head.

“The eyes were the only part of it that didn't appear to be dead. They were glowing, not like magic, but like eyes reflecting light from a live animal.”

Or fae, I didn't add. “The rest of it looked like something risen from the dead, but the eyes held some semblance of life. I guess just not enough for the wards to detect. Something tiny like an insect wouldn't have been much of a threat.”

His posture curved, head looking down. “I thought Lorne would be sufficient protection for you.”

“You thought I couldn't handle myself.” I arched a brow. “You were wrong.”

“Aeryn, you don't have access to your well-store,” Nox said. “That doesn't mean I don't think you are incapable. It just means you are at a disadvantage. I have a small degree of control over the trials, in terms of everyone's safety. These attacks …” he trailed off, rubbing my hair between his fingers.

“Nox?”

“Yes?”

“Who's behind this?”

He exhaled slowly, then shook his head. Another thing to not be discussed.

“Can I at least have the dagger back?”

“It's under your pillow.”

“So sure I wouldn't wake up and stab you with it?”

“I was willing to risk it, despite being extremely pissed at you for your recklessness.”

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