Page 49 of Hidden

It was a corner suite with views of the lake and trees. The stark white walls and plain black furniture were softened by gauzy curtains the shade of new leaves. She’d selected bed clothes and towels to match.

“What do you do when you’re not here?” he asked, setting the pile of linens on the bed.

“Architectural design,” she replied. “I have a job in the city.”

“I thought fae didn’t thrive there.” Whether he liked it or not, his curiosity was piqued.

“Most don’t.” She shook out the bottom sheet, letting it settle over the mattress. “It’s noisy and far from the forest. There’s talk about damage to ancient tradition from too many new ideas, and how human inventions make fae magic less relevant in the modern world.”

“So why leave?” He grabbed the other end of the sheet, helping her pull it tight.

For the first time, she smiled. “I like the new. Humans, especially. They’re tiny explosions of emotion and energy. Everything is so urgent to them.”

“Mortality does that,” he said wryly. So did unexpected kisses.

“It’s honest, even if it’s messy.” She began stuffing the feather pillows into embroidered cases. “Shifters have their own dynamic. So do the Undead. That’s why I love living in a multi-species building—there are so many different ways of being in the world.”

“Not everyone would enjoy that.”

“Their loss. It’s creative, and an opportunity to learn, especially about yourself. It’s hard to see your own blind spots until you get away from the familiar.” She tossed him the first pillow.

Rafe settled it among its fellows. Then he cast her a sidelong look. “I heard a rumor that the Forest Fae are leaving the city.”

Lila frowned. “They are. The court is leaving first.”

“A good Alpha would be the last to leave, but that’s just us,” he said under his breath. He caught the second pillow and patted it in place, wishing the future occupant nightmares.

In the few minutes they’d been talking, the bed had transformed into a cushioned oasis. Lila moved on to the rest of the room, setting out soaps and towels, toiletries and flowers. Though she added little to what was already there, every surface became a perfectly balanced arrangement. The clean scents of candles and fresh linens melded in perfect harmony, adding to a restful atmosphere. Thinking of his bare cell and sleepless nights, Rafe envied the future occupant with fresh savagery.

Lila completed her circuit of the room, rejoining him at the foot of the bed. Her furtive glance at the carefully piled cushions put a thousand inappropriate thoughts in his head. The bed looked so soft. So did she. Lila stood close enough that her scent overlaid everything else.

“If you love the city so much, why not go back?” he asked, talking so the moment wouldn’t end. His head filled with images of what he could do with her on that feather-soft mattress.

She glanced up at him, the gray of her eyes stormy. At first, he thought she wouldn’t answer, but then the corners of her mouth turned down. “I will when this is over. Right now, there will be consequences if I don’t stay.”

Clearly, he’d struck a nerve. And it was just as plain that she needed to talk, even if it was to her captive servant. He wavered a moment, his first instinct to retreat. She was fae, and this was enemy territory. He didn’t owe her a shoulder to cry on.

Except she’d shown him compassion. Believed him. Healed him. Probably saved his life. The very least he could do was listen.

“What consequences?” he asked.

“The king holds my father prisoner.”

“Ah.” That was an obligation he understood. No wonder she’d agreed to play a role she hated.

Lila scrubbed at her face, the gesture angry. “I shouldn’t have said that. It’s not your affair.”

“Who can help?”

“Lord Farras has the power to secure my father’s freedom.”

Rafe put a gentle hand on her shoulder and was startled to see her eyes glittered with tears. She ducked her chin, hiding her emotion until he pulled her close. To his surprise, she leaned in, letting him take her weight. The top of her head fit beneath his chin, the warmth of her hair like silk against his skin. A painful sensation rose in his chest, urging him to wrap her tightly in his arms.

“Lord Farras holds a lot of cards in this game,” he said softly.

She nodded, her body stiff as she fought back her distress.

“What do you want to do about that?” he asked.

---