Page 11 of Taken By the Fae King

Kyven stops talking as I stare at him in confusion. He cocks his head to one side. “Is that not how it is done among humans?”

“Most married couples share a bed,” I tell him. “My parents did. At least… until my father’s infidelity. After that, my mother kept her own chambers.”

“So, it was his punishment then,” he murmurs. “Your mother sleeping away from him.”

“Yes, but it was also more than that. It was broken trust.” My mother still loved my father, but it was a distant sort of love. A tempered love meant to protect her heart from any further pain.

“If you have changed your mind about bonding with me, I understand,” he says, his voice hesitant. “My ability is… a curse that I cannot find a cure for, no matter how hard I have tried.”

A Curse. His words resonate deep within. Is that not what I have always thought of my visions? Perhaps we have more in common than I thought.

All the fear and uncertainty that has trailed me all my life because of my own curse comes crashing to the forefront of my mind. Swallowing hard, I meet his gaze evenly. “I understand what it is to live with such a secret, Kyven,” I whisper. “I know what it is to be considered an outsider, even among your own people.”

“I should have told you before now.” His violet eyes search mine. “And for that, I am truly sorry, Grayce. Can you forgive me?”

He is asking forgiveness for withholding things from me. And yet, have I not done the same to him as well? If Kyven were to ever link with my mind accidentally, he could discover my past. I would rather tell him about it first. Sighing heavily, I clench my jaw. I had not wanted to ever speak of Joren to anyone, ever again. But now, it seems that I must.

“There is something I need to tell you, Kyven. Something that I—” I pause, unsure how to begin, wondering if it is wise to bring up another man to the one I am to marry.

Worry flickers across his expression. “What is it?”

I thought I was in love with Joren, and although nothing ever happened between us, I am not sure how Kyven will take this. But I want no secrets between us. Not now. Not ever. I draw in a steeling breath. “I was involved with someone before you.”

His eyes widen slightly, whether in shock or anger I do not know.

CHAPTER6

KYVEN

Worry twists deep within. I am certain she is speaking of Joren. I want so much to tell her the truth, but I also know the dangers of ignoring the guidance of the gods.

“His name was Joren.” Her voice quavers. “Nothing ever happened between us. In fact, we never touched. We simply talked. But I—” her voice catches. “I had strong feelings for him.” She shakes her head. “Part of me even thinks I may have loved him, but I have nothing to compare it to, so I do not know for sure.”

Guilt and sadness unfurl deep within. Knowing that I am the cause of her pain is almost more than I can bear.

Sadness mars her expression as she blinks back tears. “All I know for sure is that he did not return these feelings.”

My heart stops. Nothing could be further than the truth. “Why do you believe this?”

Surely, she knew that she was everything to me. Tohim, I think bitterly.

“Because he left me.” She clenches her jaw. “He did not give a reason or any warning before he disappeared.”

I hurt her. Deeply. I hate that she believes she was simply cast aside as if she were nothing to me. “Perhaps, he had no choice,” I offer. “Maybe something happened.”

Her brow furrows deeply. “You would defend another man to the woman you are to marry?”

I reach forward and gently cup her cheek, the sadness in her eyes threatening to tear my soul in two. “I would not see you so… hurt by the past.”

Grayce studies me a moment before speaking. “You are not upset?”

“Only that you were hurt,” I reply. “That is my only concern.”

A faint smile curves her mouth, but it falls away as she lowers her gaze. “I must admit something else to you, but I’m afraid.”

I brace myself, wondering what it might be; worried she may have changed her mind about our marriage. “What is it?”

“I am not one to trust so quickly, Kyven. And yet, I find myself already trusting you.” A smile crests my lips. She continues. “It worries me how easily you disarm me with a smile or a few gentle words.” She swallows hard. “I trusted Joren, and he—”

---