Page 87 of Taken By the Fae King

Tangled emotions swirl within me: Fear as I wonder if we did the right thing announcing who I am. Sadness that Raiden and Lukas will be leaving now that the ceremony is done. Worry that Kyven may be my betrayer.

I gaze up at him. The thought is insidious and painful, and I decide that it cannot be him. Not Kyven. After everything we have been through, I refuse to believe it.

Pushing down my dark thoughts, I squeeze his hand. The warmth of his touch is a balm to my troubled soul, reminding me that we stand together, united against whatever darkness the future may hold.

CHAPTER46

GRAYCE

It has been a week since Grayce's crowning ceremony, and I cannot help but marvel at the way she has taken to her new role with grace and determination. We have not yet sealed our bond, and although part of me yearns to do so, I am hesitant to press her. My guilt over the truth she does not yet know gnaws at me, making our bond a bittersweet thing.

“Is something wrong?” Aren asks beside me. “You seem rather quiet today.”

We have spent the past several hours reinforcing the wards around the city, ensuring our people are protected against any Wraith that might threaten our safety. He is right. I have barely spoken.

“I am worried,” I admit.

“About what?”

“Losing her.”

“We will protect her, Kyven.” He rests a hand on my shoulder. “Talyn and I will make sure she is safe. I swear it.”

“It’s not just that. There is… something else.” I lower my gaze. “Something I have not told you.”

“What is it?”

“I have lied to her about something, and I fear that when she discovers the truth, I will lose her.”

Concern crinkles his brow as his eyes search mine. “What is it that you have withheld? What have you—”

“If I tell you, you must give me your unbreakable promise that you will speak of this to no one.”

“You do not have to bind my tongue with magic.” He purses his lips. “I am loyal to you. I would never repeat anything you have told me.”

“I ask you to swear it for your own good,” I tell him. “Because I will not have you carry the same guilt that I do in my heart.”

His eyes widen slightly before he dips his chin. “Fine. I swear it.”

I extend my hand and he clasps it in his, sealing his promise with magic.

“When I left Corduin, before Father and Lyrian’s deaths, I went to Florin.”

“Why?”

“My father told me he planned to offer my hand to Princess Inara in exchange for a treaty. I was curious to learn more about her. So, I used a shade stone and disguised my appearance. I took on the glamour of a human.”

“You could have been executed as a spy if they’d caught you. You should have taken me with you. I would have—”

“I saw Grayce then,” I interrupt him. “I knew then what she was to me. And I—” I swallow hard. “I courted her in my human disguise as a man named Joren.”

“You what?” he asks, his voice rising.

“I—I wanted to tell her who I was. And I was going to, but then I received word about Father and Lyrian and I had to return home before I could.” I clench my jaw. “I hurt her, Aren. She thinks Joren rejected her. I broke her heart, and she does not even know it was me.”

“You have to tell her. If she finds out before you do, she will—”

“I want to, but I cannot,” I say grimly. “The spirit of the heart tree says that she must find out the truth on her own or else it risks altering our future.”

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