Page 76 of Taken By the Fae King

I think of the prophecy of the Great Uniters, wondering if there is any truth to be found in the ancient tomes of the Lythyrian. And if there are, I wonder if it would be better to leave them undiscovered as I remember the Orc King’s words about the ultimate sacrifice required of the Sanishon.

When I reach the castle, I make my way to the gardens. The roses along the back wall remind me so much of Florin. Sadness steals through me as I trace my fingers over the delicate petals. I miss my family and my old home. A tear slips down my cheek as I move my hand over one of the unopened buds and concentrate, filling it with magic so that it spirals open in a beautiful, vibrant bloom.

Strong arms slip around my waist from behind as Kyven pulls me back into the solid warmth of his chest. “Are you all right?” he whispers. “I sensed your sadness through the bond, and I came at once.”

“It’s nothing,” I lie. “I’m fine.”

Kyven curls his wings around me and turns me in his arms to face him. His violet eyes search mine in concern as he cups my chin and gently brushes the tear from my cheek. “You are not fine,” he murmurs. “Why are you troubled, my beautiful Grayce?”

“Scholar Norlyn showed me the story of Queen Ilyra,” I explain. “He warned that it could be discomforting.” I swallow against the lump in my throat. “And he was right. I know it’s strange, but it made me feel so sad.”

“It is meant to be powerful.” He brushes a lock of hair back from my face, tucking it gently behind my ear. “Her daughter made sure the spell on the book was strong. I suspect she wove her own emotions into the enchantment as well.”

A tear slips down my cheek. “It made me think of home and my family.” I cup his cheek. “It made me think of you, guarding the Wall for all those years before we met. And it makes me afraid.”

His brow creases in a frown. “What is it that you fear?”

“Losing the war to the Mages and the Wraith.” I swallow against the lump forming in my throat. “Everyone I love is in danger because of them. The Orc King believes I’m a Sanishon—one of the Great Uniters of the prophecy. If that’s true, then I need to learn as much as I can about my powers and—”

“No.” Kyven pulls me to his chest. “I will not have you in danger.”

“I thought you wanted me to learn how to wield my magic.”

“I do, but only so that you can protect yourself. Not so you can fight in a war.”

“If the prophecy is real, then we may not have a choice,” I tell him.

He places two claw-tipped fingers up under my chin, tipping my face up to his. His violet eyes are ablaze, his expression a strange mixture of panic and devotion as he studies me intensely. “There is always a choice,” he murmurs. “I have already lost too many people I love, and I will not lose another. As long as I draw breath, I will protect you, Grayce.”

My heart swells as I blink up at him. Although he has shown me many times and in several different ways, this is the first time he has spoken the words aloud. “You love me?”

He tightens his arms and wings around me. “More than anything.” He lowers his gaze. “And I know we’ve not known each other long, and I do not expect you to feel the—”

“I love you,” I say quickly, cutting him off.

His eyes snap up to mine. His gaze travels over my face as though I am the most precious thing in the world to him. “Say it again,” he whispers.

I touch his cheek. “I love you, Kyven.”

A devastatingly handsome smile lights his face a moment before he crushes his lips to mine in a searing kiss, stealing the breath from my lungs.

Without warning, he breaks from our kiss and hauls me to his chest, lifting into the air and flying to our balcony. As soon as he lands, he rushes us inside, carrying me to the bed.

Kyven lays me down atop the fur blankets and the quickly crawls over me, capturing my mouth and sweeping his tongue inside to curl around mine.

A low moan escapes my throat as he tugs down the neckline of my dress, freeing my breasts. He cups one soft globe in his palm, rolling the sensitive peak between his thumb and forefinger.

He rips his mouth from mine and closes it over the other breast, laving his tongue across my tender flesh and making me cry out with pleasure.

There are too many clothes between us, and I want to feel his bare skin against my own. I unfasten the ties of his tunic, pushing it back from his shoulders to reveal his muscular chest and abdomen.

I trace my fingers over the hard lines of muscle before fumbling with the fastener of his pants. He groans low in his throat when I finally loosen them, freeing his manhood.

He slices a line down my dress with his claws, careful not to nick my skin, leaving me bare beneath him.

His violet eyes turn raven-black as they travel over me, his fangs extending into sharpened points. Instead of being afraid, it only drives my desire even more, knowing that I have this effect upon him.

“You are perfect,” he murmurs. “My beautiful mate. And you are mine.”

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