Page 35 of Taken By the Fae King

“Did you like it here?”

“I loved it,” I tell her, and she blinks several times. “Aside from the constant threat of the Wraith, it was very”—I stop short, searching for the right word before finally deciding upon—“freeing.”

“You must miss it then,” she says.

Sighing heavily, I glance out the window. “Here, I was not the son of the king, I was just… Kyven. Another warrior, like everyone else, and they are like family to me. Commander Graedyn was my mentor. He taught me how to be a warrior.”

“I used to dream of becoming a warrior.” A timid smile curls her mouth. “My grandmother was a shield-maiden of Ruhaen, and I always wanted to be like her. Fierce and brave.”

“But Ruhaen is a human kingdom.” I frown. “I’ve always heard that your people do not train your females to fight or wield weapons.”

“Ruhaen is a bit more forward thinking compared to most of the other human kingdoms,” she says. “In Florin, however, it was considered improper for Inara or me to train.” She lowers her gaze. “But that does not mean that we actually listened. Not that it did me any good, when we were attacked…” Her voice trails off.

“When?” I ask, concerned. “Are you referring to the battle with Kolstrad and the Mages? I thought the castle had remained untouched. I—”

“Not then.” Her gaze drifts to the opposite wall with a faraway look. “I meant when my mother was… attacked.”

“You were there?”

My heart clenches as she nods. I can only imagine how terrible that was to have seen her mother killed by an assassin.

“It all happened so fast,” she says. “There were three of them. One of them stabbed my mother, and he came next for me.” She tugs at the collar of her sleep gown, revealing a scar below her left collarbone, dangerously close to her heart, and I inhale sharply. “I nearly died that day.”

It is hard to look at her injury, knowing that this wound could have easily been fatal. She could have been taken from this world before I ever met her. The thought is nearly unbearable.

She continues. “I pulled the knife from my chest and turned it on him.” Tears brighten her eyes. “But he was so quick, I only managed to slice his face, ruining his left eye before he escaped.”

From what I know, they never caught the men who attacked and killed her mother. “Do you remember what he looked like?”

“No. But I would know the mark I gave him if I saw it.” She swallows hard. “Whoever he was, he was not human.”

“How do you know?”

“His blood was black instead of red.”

“That’s why your father thought they were Fae,” I murmur more to myself than to her.

“Yes.” Her eyes search mine. “Edmynd said you swore that you know nothing of any Fae involvement in our mother’s death.”

“I do not,” I repeat solemnly. “My vow.”

“My father was not exactly a peaceful ruler. He had many enemies, so I suppose it could have been anyone.” She draws in a deep breath. “But my brother is not like him. Edmynd is a good king, I believe.”

“I agree,” I tell her. “And it is easy to see that he cares greatly for his family.”

“If you only knew how many times he asked me if I was sure about marrying you.” She laughs. “He nearly went mad with worry after Inara married Varys as well. So, we must be sure to send him a raven straight away when we reach Sylari, and let him know it’s going well.”

“Is it?” I arch a teasing brow. “I mean… we’ve only been wed a few days and you’ve been forced to sleep sitting up in a tree, and now I’ve brought you to the Great Wall, which many could argue is the most dangerous place to take one’s new bride and—”

She bursts out laughing, and it is such a lovely sound, I want only to hear more of it. So, I continue. “Once they hear of all this, I wager it will be less than a fortnight before your brothers and Lukas show up at the castle, ready to make good on the threats they made to kill me if I did not take care of you.”

She covers her face with her hands. “Oh, Kyven, I’m so sorry,” she says, practically wheezing with laughter. “Truly, I was so embarrassed when I saw them corner you.”

Crossing my arms over my chest, I narrow my eyes in mock irritation. “Your laughter suggests you were more amused than embarrassed.” I arch a teasing brow. “It is rather troubling to know that my mate finds threats of violence against her new husband so hilarious.”

Her bright laughter rings throughout the room. “Do not be so put out,” she teases. “They did the same thing to Varys when he married Inara, and now they practically adore him.”

“Truly?” I am shocked to hear this. I thought her brothers, especially Raiden, were still a bit upset that Inara had married the Dark Elf King.

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