Page 107 of Taken By the Fae King

She nods, and I carefully lift her into my arms and walk her over to the tarp. I smile down at her. “Do you remember the first time we flew through the forest? After our human ceremony?”

A faint smile crests her lips. “I imagine it must be an easier flight for you this time, without having to carry a burden.”

“On the contrary.” I grin. “It made the journey much more enjoyable.”

She laughs as a blush steals across her cheeks. “You enjoyed carrying me even when we were new to each other?”

“I was new to you,” I remind her gently. “But you… I had dreamed of having you in my arms for months before then.”

Gently, I lower us both onto the tarp. She settles in front of me, my legs bracketing hers with one arm wrapped solidly around her waist. Grayce leans back against me, resting her head on my collarbone as I carefully unpack our lunch.

“What do you think happened to Lord Torien?” she asks. “Do you think he fled Anlora?”

“Possibly. But he is a resourceful male. I doubt he would have aided the Mages and the Wraith without some sort of plan for if things went wrong.”

“Like what?”

“I am not sure, and that is what worries me,” I admit the fear in my heart. “He was willing to put all of Anlora—all of his own people—in danger, just to get to you. But why?”

“Could it be the prophecy?”

“What would he have to gain from breaking it?” I shake my head. “The only ones that would benefit are the Mages and the Wraith.”

“Maybe they promised him power.”

“If they did, I doubt they would keep their end of the bargain.”

“I agree.”

“Maybe he knows who my mother’s killer is as well.”

Sadness and pain seep through our bond as she speaks of her mother’s death. Gently, I nuzzle her temple and press a tender kiss to her shoulder. “If he does, we will find out. I tear his mind apart for answers if he refuses to speak.”

“Kyven?” she twists back to me, alarmed. “Could that not harm you? Searching someone else’s mind?”

“No,” I reply honestly. I watch her expression, waiting to see the fear in her eyes that I saw even in my own parents when they discovered what I could do. “That is why those with my ability are so feared.”

Relief flits across her face instead. She settles back against me, snuggling into my chest. “Just promise me you’ll be careful, anyway.”

My heart swells at her easy acceptance of me. “I will.”

“Why do I sense you are surprised by my reaction?” she asks.

“Most would be afraid of what I can do.”

“Not me.” She shakes her head. “I know what it is to have an ability that others shun. I had to hide my visions almost my entire life. I will never judge you for what you can do, Kyven.”

She turns and reaches her arm to cup the back of my neck and guides my lips to hers in a tender kiss. “I love every part of who you are,” she whispers. “Always.”

When we reach Corduin Fortress,I’m not surprised by the warm welcome we receive. This place was my home, and these warriors were my friends and my family for five years. Bonds forged on the Wall are never forgotten.

When Grayce dismounts from Greywind, one of the warriors moves to take him to the rookery, but I stop him. “I’d prefer that he stay close to us in case the queen needs him.”

His brow furrows slightly in confusion, but he dips his chin. “Of course, my king.”

Grayce turns to the male. “Could you lead him to our rooms? And I’ll need extra bedding for him to sleep on the floor.”

“Yes, my queen.”

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