Page 51 of Taken By the Fae King

“Yes.” She releases a wistful sigh. “I’ve heard it’s the most romantic part of the entire ceremony.”

I listen in stunned silence as she begins to explain exactly what that entails.

CHAPTER29

KYVEN

Ihate having to leave Grayce after she has only just awakened, but I also know Aren would never not have interrupted us without a very good reason. Wordlessly, I follow him down the hallway until we are far enough away that I’m sure my sister and Grayce would be unable to hear our conversation. “What is it?”

“We’ve received a raven from Corduin.” He hands me the scroll. “They discovered a few… strange creatures in the forest, matching the descriptions given by the Orc.”

Quickly, I scan the message, trying to appear calm when I am anything but. This is disturbing news. When I finish reading, I turn to Aren. “Double the guards around the perimeter of the city. We must strengthen the wards around the castle as well.” I pause. “I need you to draw up a list of our best warriors—candidates for a queen’s guard. I want my mate to be well-protected at all times.”

He nods, and then motions for one of the guards to come to him, and relays my message. When he turns back to me, dread floods my veins, because I already know what he is going to say.

“When did you know she was your A’lyra?”

Aren is not just my personal guard, he was my brother in arms when we were stationed at Corduin together. Guilt fills me. If anyone, besides my sister, I should have told him. “I felt the bond the moment I saw her.”

A deep frown mars his brow as he lowers his head and nods subtly.

“I regret not telling you,” I admit. “If that means anything now.”

“It is not my place to judge you, my king.”

My king.Heisupset. He never addresses me so formally when we are alone.

“Isn’t it?” A half grin forms on my lips. “We trained together back in Corduin. We fought side by side and—”

“Different times,” he says solemnly. “Back when we were nearly equal… or as equal as a spare prince sent to guard the wall, and a common warrior can be, I suppose.”

“You know I trust you, Aren. I simply—” the words escape me. How do I describe the feeling of terror that claws at my chest when I think of Grayce in danger? How do I tell him that the primitive instinct to hide her away from everyone, including him, is so overwhelming it threatens to swallow me whole?

“I cannot explain it,” I finally admit. “I only know that the need to protect my mate is stronger than anything I’ve ever felt before. And the need to claim her is even greater.”

“It is because you have not fully sealed your bond,” he replies. “If you were wise, you would do so as soon as possible.”

“I cannot push her into something she is not ready for,” I counter. “She is my mate. I will not take her until she asks.”

“What if she never asks?” He arches a brow. “What if she never feels for you what you do for her? What then?” he challenges. “She could have died at the barrier to Nyllthar because you have not sealed her to you. Our magic will not recognize her as one of us until you seal your bond.”

He is right. It is dangerous the longer we wait to complete our bonding, but I refuse to rush her into it.

“On the Great Wall, there can be no secrets between you and your fellow warriors,” he reminds me. “You know this. They ingrain in us during training. It is how we live, how we fight, how we survive.” He studies me a moment before continuing. “Each member of your personal guard was with you on the Great Wall. You chose us because the relationships we forged at Corduin were bonds forged in battle and blood.”

Shame fills me. His words are spikes through my very soul. I chose him as my personal guard because I knew that he would not only protect me with his life, but he would also not hesitate to tell me the truth… even if it were something a guard might never tell his superior. Especially a king.

“You believe I should tell them she is my Fated One.”

“Not just them,” he says firmly. “The entire kingdom should know what she is to you.”

I’m shocked. Aren knows I have enemies at court. “Why? It would only put her in danger.”

“She is already in danger,” he counters. “She is a human living in the Fae kingdom of Anlora. Our people have been enemies for centuries. Even if she were Fae, she would still be a target for anyone who hates the crown or its king.” He meets my gaze evenly. “But if you tell the people that she is your A’lyra, more of our people would accept her.”

“Why?”

“Do you not understand what she is?” He meets my gaze evenly, and I stare back at him unflinching.

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