Page 12 of Taken By the Fae King

“He hurt you.” The words are like bitter acid on my tongue. I take her hand, wishing to offer some sort of comfort. “I am sorry,” I whisper. “Truly, Grayce.”

Her eyes snap to mine as if she cannot believe what I am saying. If only she knew the guilt I carry in my heart. I hate that I hurt her like this, and if I could, I would take it all back. But I cannot.

“My mother always said that people who come into your life are either a blessing or a lesson.” She draws in a deep breath, tipping up her chin. “I have accepted it as a painful lesson, and I have moved on.”

I want to promise that I will never hurt her, but I cannot ignore my lies. So, instead I will offer what I can. Cupping her cheek, I stare deep into her luminous eyes. “I vow that if you marry me, I will never forsake you, Grayce.”

“Are you offering me a Fae bargain?” she asks tentatively.

I wasn’t, but if this is what she wants, I will promise it. I am completely and utterly hers, but she does not know this yet. And as such, I have no issue devoting myself to her entirely. “Will you accept it if I am?”

She extends her hand out to me, and my gaze drops to the plush bow of her lips. “Fae bargains are not made with a handshake, they are sealed with a kiss.”

A crimson flush blooms across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose, highlighting the small dusting of pigmented spots across her skin. I swallow hard as she moves closer to me. How many times have I dreamed of the taste of her lips?

CHAPTER7

GRAYCE

My heart pounds as Kyven curls one arm around my waist and pulls me to him. I rest my palms against his chest, acutely aware of the solid layer of muscle beneath his tunic. He cups my cheek with his other hand. “Are you certain you want this?”

I’m surprised by how much I do as his violet eyes stare deep into mine, and I nod.

His masculine scent of fresh rain and forest fills the air around us. His hand slides to the back of my head, and his fingers thread through my hair as he leans in, brushing his lips against mine.

A soft sigh escapes me, and I melt against him. I’ve never been kissed before. His mouth is soft and warm and as his tongue strokes lightly against mine, a spark of desire ignites deep within, ready to consume me if I let it.

My heart pounds, and I fist my hands into his tunic, holding onto him.

When he finally pulls away, I’m breathless and slightly dizzy. Gently, he drops his forehead to my own, his violet eyes piercing mine. I’m surprised by not only my response to his kiss, but by how easily I could lose myself in his gaze. I must be cautious. I cannot allow myself to fall so easily. Not after what happened before. I do not think my heart could take it if—

I force myself to cut off this line of thought, attempting to fortify the walls around my heart. “I do not know what came over me,” I tell him. “I should not have—”

“You do not have to apologize for kissing your betrothed,” he says, a faint smile playing on those soft, perfect lips that were only a moment ago claiming mine in a tender kiss.

Muffled voices draw our attention. We both stand, but I can see nothing. Kyven scans the area. “Two guards,” he murmurs. “They are coming this way.”

Alarm spikes through me. “We need to hide.”

“Why?”

I don’t have time to explain the fact that the Fae were our enemies only a handful of days ago and the Florin guards still carry some hostility toward Kyven and his people. “There will be too many questions,” I whisper urgently.

Thankfully, instead of questioning me further, he nods. “What if I hide us both?”

“You can do that?”

He nods, and then steps closer, lifting his open arms out to me. “May I?”

I step into the circle of his arms, and Kyven tugs me to his chest. The wind shifts around us in a rush of air before settling. I blink as my gaze travels over the strange shimmering barrier that surrounds us. It reminds me of a soap bubble, and as the guards approach, I hold my breath, worried they will discover us.

“It is all right,” His voice is warm in my ear. “They cannot see us in here.”

My palms are pressed against Kyven’s chest, and I’m acutely aware of the hard planes of muscle under my fingers and the strong and steady beating of his heart beneath my left ear. He tightens one arm around my waist, while the other cups the back of my head, holding me close, my body molded to his.

He smells like fresh rain and forest, a captivating scent that makes my pulse race. The Fae are rumored to have exceptional hearing. My heart is pounding so loudly surely Kyven can hear it.

We remain silent and still while the guards walk past us, completely oblivious to the fact that we are here. When they finally leave the gardens, Kyven removes the concealment barrier, and his gaze drops to mine. “Is there anything else you wish to ask me?”

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