Page 26 of Taken By the Fae King

“There are some Clans that are relatively peaceful,”I tell him.“Edmynd negotiated a treaty with one of them.”

“All the Orcs I’ve ever dealt with would sooner slit your throat if given the chance. Or take you prisoner to sell at one of their auctions.”

A small shiver runs through me. He’s right that there are some that are bloodthirsty and cruel. I’ve seen several people who were liberated from Orc slavers.

He tightens his grip around me.“I would die before I let anyone hurt you, Grayce.”

We fly for what feels like forever. The clouds thin overhead, allowing soft moonlight to filter through. When I look up, I can make out Kyven’s entire face instead of just a vague shape like before.

“I’m going to set us down on that branch,” he says, pointing to a large tree up ahead. “We should be safe to stay here for the night.”

The rest of his warriors gather around, each of them taking a different spot on the same large tree.

The branch is at least the width of three people. Even so, when my feet touch the bark a flash of panic arcs through me, afraid I might slip and fall. I grip Kyven’s arm, clinging to him as he guides me toward the trunk. “I suppose now is a good time to tell you that I’ve never been particularly fond of heights,” I tease lightly, trying to mask my nerves.

He stills, and his head snaps to mine. “Why did you not say anything? We could have taken a carriage, Grayce.”

I shrug. “I’ve always considered myself to be a very practical person—the kind of person who prefers to face things head on. This is my new life, so I may as well start getting used to it now.”

His brow furrows. “I do not want you to be uncomfortable, Grayce. I—”

“Is it safer up here?” I ask, cutting him off. “Or down on the ground?”

“Up here.”

“Then, that decides it,” I state firmly. “Safety is much more important than comfort. I will be fine.”

He lowers his head. “Forgive me, Grayce. I am a terrible mate to you. We’ve not even been wed a full day and this”—he gestures to the branch and the tree—“is where I’ve taken you.”

I’m shocked by not only the sadness in his eyes but the true regret in his words. “You’ve kept your promise.” I cup his cheek, tipping his face back up to mine. “You protected me from danger. You still are. That means you are not as terrible a husband as you think, Kyven.”

“Truly?”

“Truly.” I grin.

A handsome smile curves his mouth. “I shall make all of this up to you on ourm’eala. My vow.”

“What is that?”

He frowns. “Do human bonded pairs not go away with each other after the ceremony for a few days?”

“I’ve heard that some do,” I reply as my cheeks heat thinking of all the stories I’ve heard from the palace staff about such things. “But not all.”

A flash of light catches my eye, and I turn to find a small glowing, golden orb floating toward us. As I study it, I realize it’s a tiny woman with golden skin and hair with wings. “Is that a pixie?”

“Yes,” Kyven replies in a low voice.

I’ve heard of them, but never seen one up close. She gives me a close-lipped smile and extends her small hand out to me as she flies closer. “You’re so beautiful,” I murmur as I lift my arm to reach for her in return. “You—”

Lightning fast, Kyven grips my wrist, pulling it back and away from her.

“What are you—” I start, but my jaw goes slack as her lips curl back, revealing two rows of tiny razor-sharp fangs.

“She is a night pixie,” he growls and waves his hand at her, shooing her away. “They have a nasty bite.”

She snaps her dagger-like teeth as if to emphasize his point and I lean further into him. “Thank you,” I reply a bit shaken, unable to tear my eyes away from her as she flies away. “I had no idea.” I swallow hard and then turn my head to face him. “Is there anything else I need to know?”

He opens his mouth to speak but stops as another pixie approaches. This one with golden skin and silver streaked through her gilded hair. She bows low and holds out a tiny purse. He places his hand just below it, and she drops it into his palm. “Apology accepted,” he says, a hard edge to his voice. “Alert us if anything approaches this tree and I will consider us even.”

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