Page 56 of Taken By the Fae King

“Did he receive a vision?”

“If he did, the spirit of the heart tree must have told him not to share it.”

“Why?”

“It is believed that some visions of the future may be altered if they are spoken aloud.”

She studies me a moment. “Have you received any visions?”

I wish so much that I could tell her the truth, but I cannot. The spirit of the heart tree said it would alter my fate.

Before I can conjure a lie, a slight smirk pulls at her mouth as her eyes sparkle with curiosity. “You did, but you cannot tell anyone. Am I right?”

I nod.

“I understand.”

Guilt floods my system. If she only knew, I doubt she would be so understanding.

She yawns, covering her mouth.

“Perhaps we should return to our rooms,” I offer.

I love that she does not hesitate to step into the circle of my arms so I may lift her to my chest and carry her, flying us back to the balcony.

I’m surprised when I land and notice her eyes are closed, her head resting against my chest. She is already asleep. She must have been more exhausted than she admitted. Quietly, I walk to the bed and gently lay her down. I carefully slip her shoes off her feet and then tuck her in beneath the blankets.

As much as I wish to join her, I cannot. She fell asleep in my arms at Corduin, but that was different. She asked me to stay with her. Now, she is not awake for me to ask what she prefers, and I will not simply assume that she wishes to share a bed with me just yet. Even if it is only to sleep.

Despite the blankets, Grayce shivers slightly and I move to the hearth and add a few more l’sair crystals for heat. I settle into the chair across the way and lean back. It is not the most comfortable way to sleep, but I would rather remain near her than return to my rooms.

Closing my eyes, I try to relax, but my body remains tense. Something within me is unsettled, but I do not understand why. Sadness and fear wash over me like a giant wave, and I realize it is not coming from me. It is Grayce.

“No,” she murmurs, writhing beneath the sheets, in the full throes of a nightmare. “No!”

I rush to her side. “Grayce, wake up,” I call gently. “You’re having a nightmare.”

“No,” she whimpers. “Please.”

“Grayce.” I touch her shoulder, and her eyes snap open full of fear.

She blinks several times as if coming back to herself. “Kyven?”

“You were having a nightmare. I could feel your fear through our bond.” I wrap my arms around her, holding her close. A low trilling hum vibrates in my chest as my body instinctively responds to her fear by offering comfort. I smooth a hand through her hair and across her shoulders. “You are safe.”

“I dreamed of my mother.” She draws in a shaking breath. “The man who took her life… he was standing over me with a dagger. He—” her voice hitches. “I dreamed he found me, Kyven. That he’d come back to make sure I was dead.”

My heart clenches. I can only imagine her fear at being attacked and the horror of watching an assassin take the life of someone I loved.

Anger tightens my chest as I think of the thick, pink scar just below her collarbone. She could have so easily died from this wound and been taken from this world before I ever even met her.

“I think my dream was a warning,” she whispers. “Whoever killed my mother, wants to take my life as well.”

A long tendril of fear unfurls from deep within, and I curl my wings tightly around her, holding her close to my chest.

My father swore he had nothing to do with the assassination of Grayce’s mother, but that does not entirely absolve my kind from this heinous crime. There are many who harbor hatred toward humans and the kingdom of Florin. Any of them could have acted on their own.

“Promise me that you will go nowhere without one of the guards,” I tell her.

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