Page 20 of Taken By the Fae King

Freyja hugs me tight and Aurdyn dips his chin in parting.

Edmynd, Raiden, and Lukas take turns giving me great bear hugs. When they finally pull away, Edmynd turns to Kyven, his expression full of concern. “You are sure you do not wish for any carriages?”

He shakes his head. “It’s faster and safer to fly, I believe.”

Fly?My head whips to him, my eyes wide. I had just assumed we’d be traveling back to Anlora by carriage.

“My sister cannot make the journey like that,” Raiden snaps. “She is—”

“It’s all right, Raiden,” I cut him off.

I’m sure he was about to reveal that I’m terrified of heights. I give him a warning look. I do not want to appear weak in front of my new husband and his warriors.

“A carriage is more vulnerable to attack by the Wraith,” Kyven explains. “With all the recent sightings along our borders, flying is the safest choice.”

Raiden still has a stern expression on his face, but he remains silent, probably weighing the options in his mind, like me. If given the choice between fear of heights or fear of Wraith, I would rather risk the heights. I comfort myself with the thought that perhaps it will not be so bad. After all, Kyven did fly me up to my balcony the other night and it was fine. Drawing in a deep breath, I steady my nerves and push down my fear, forcing myself to focus on something else.

I’m glad I packed light, but now even the one trunk with my belongings seems like a burden.

Reading the concern in my expression, Kyven tells me. “I will carry you, my queen.”

My queen.It is strange to hear my new title. I knew this is what I would be once we were married, but to hear it aloud is a stark reminder of all the changes ahead. My life will never be the same and I’m still not sure if that is a good thing or not.

As I glance once more at my sister and Varys, I can only hope that Kyven and I can have a marriage like theirs someday.

Two of Kyven’s guards take my trunk, and Edmynd frowns. “Is that all you are taking?”

“I hadn’t wanted to burden the carriages or the horses.” I glance at Kyven and his guards. “But perhaps this works out better anyway. I wouldn’t want to ask anyone to carry anything else. Besides, I do not need so many clothes. I’m sure the fashions in Anlora are much different than here.”

He gives me a pitying expression. “If you wish for anything else, send word and I will have it brought with me when we come visit.”

Sadness tears at my heart and I step forward and wrap my arms around his neck, hugging him close as I blink back tears. He loops his arms around me in return.

“I’ll miss you,” he whispers.

“And I will miss you.”

Swallowing against the lump in my throat, I finally manage to pull myself away and return to Kyven’s side.

Kyven turns to me and then carefully places one arm behind my back and the other up under my knees as he lifts me to his chest. “You’re sure you can carry me the entire way?” I ask, concerned that I’ll be too heavy, and he might lose his grip.

“My people are stronger than yours, Grayce,” he reassures me. “You are very light in my arms. Are you ready?”

Swallowing back my fear, I nod. With a final wave goodbye to my family and friends, we lift into the air.

His wings flutter behind him and the ground falls away beneath us as we ascend toward the clouds. The last time he carried me like this, we were only a few feet off the earth. As I look below me, my stomach begins to churn with nerves.

“Are you all right?” he asks.

Swallowing against the bile rising in my throat, I wrap my arms tighter around him, burying my head against the curve of his neck and shoulder. His masculine scent fills my nostrils, and it’s oddly reassuring. “Just a bit… nervous,” I somehow manage. “I’ve never been so high up before.”

He tightens his grip on me, curling me into his chest. “I will not let you fall, Grayce. My vow.”

His words calm my racing heart as I focus on my breathing. “How long is it until we reach Anlora like this?”

“We will stop for the night to rest, but we should be there before midday tomorrow.”

A low groan escapes me.

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