Page 30 of Taken By the Fae King

“We will be staying in the Fortress this night,” he says, and a small shiver runs through me.

I’m terrified of the Wraith, and I never thought I’d be this close to the Wall. But I also know that the Fae have powerful magic, and if anyone can counter the dark powers of the Wraith, it is them. Without Kyven and his warriors, Florin would have surely fallen.

Several Fae fly back and forth throughout the city, while some of them walk along the intricate network of bridges made of branches and vines. As we approach, they watch silently, their gazes fixed intently upon their king and his strange human queen.

The guards bring their closed fists to their chest in salute while the rest of the people bow low in respect. My heart hammers under the weight of their stares. As if sensing my nerves, Kyven tightens his arms around me and leans close, whispering in my ear. “They are merely curious,” he says. “It has been many years since our kingdom had a queen.”

“I’m not a queen yet,” I tell him. “We have not had our Fae ceremony.”

“It matters not.” His eyes meet mine. “We are bound according to the ways of your people. The Fae ceremony is merely a formality for the nobility and the court.”

I had no idea they already considered me their queen. I glance down at my borrowed outfit, wincing inwardly. Mother always ingrained in us the importance of our appearance. She would never have appeared before her people dressed like this. “Oh, Kyven,” I murmur. “I should have changed before we arrived.”

“Why?”

“I’m wearing your clothes. What will they think of me?”

“Because you are dressed in my clothing, you carry my scent. And scent-marking is very important between mates. This is more important than what you are wearing, because it means that you are mine.” His violet eyes stare deep into my own, full of possession. “None will question that you are my mate and my queen.”

Warmth pools deep within at his heated gaze, and I force myself to look away, lest my body betray my inner desire. Kyven is the most handsome man I’ve ever seen, and it would be so easy to lose myself in his eyes, if I would only let myself.

The massive fortress that stands guard along the wall. It is a daunting sight, with high, thick walls and numerous towers. Several guards are perched atop the towers, ready to defend the kingdom from any threat.

Kyven lands just outside the massive doors at the entrance. Carefully, he sets me down on my feet, keeping his hands on my waist until he is sure I am steady. I lift my gaze to the massive doors guarding the entrance. They are made of wood so dark it is almost black, and when I touch it, it is as cold as stone and just as hard.

Unlike the city before it, the fortress is neither beautiful nor inviting, but I suppose that is to be expected. This place is the first line of defense against the Wraith that live beyond the Great Wall. A sense of fear and dread moves through me, as I ponder the dangers that lurk just beyond the safety of the kingdom.

Looping my arm through Kyven’s, I push down my fear and straighten my shoulders, holding my chin up high. I want his warriors to see that although I am human, I am not afraid. My people are proud, and they are brave.

Two Fae guards open the doors and Kyven leads me inside. Warriors are lined up on either side of us. They thump their closed fists to their chests and bow low as we walk inside. Their curious eyes track me as we pass, some with open fascination and others with looks that I cannot quite discern.

Our footsteps echo as we walk through the entryway and into a wide, cavernous space. A rather narrow set of stairs along the right wall leads up to another three levels consisting of surrounding balconies that look down upon the first floor.

Everyone here can fly, and I wonder why there are even any stairs at all, but when a Fae warrior walks up, dressed in full armor, and bows low, I notice the bandage on his left wing joint where it attaches to his back.

His hair is gold, his eyes are gray, like the clouds during a storm. Only the fine lines in the corners of his eyes betray that he is any older than my new husband. I wonder how old he is, since the Fae age much slower than humans.

“My king,” he says. “It is good to have you among us again.”

“It is good to see you as well, Commander Graedyn.” He gestures to me. “This is my mate. The Princess Grayce of Florin, now Queen of Anlora.”

Several gasps echo throughout the fortress, and the commander’s eyes widen as he studies me. “I—” He starts but stops, and then bows even lower. “It is an honor to meet you, my queen.”

The soft fluttering of wings draws my attention, and I lift my gaze to find at least double the number of warriors now staring down at us from the upper balconies, all of their eyes on me with various expressions from awe and wonder to shocked disbelief.

“Tell me, Commander,” Kyven says, and Graedyn’s eyes snap to him. “Is there anything new to report? Your last message said that it had been rather quiet along the Wall.”

“I received your letter about feral Wraith being found further south of here,” he says. “But if there are any breaches along this section of the Wall, we’ve yet to find them.”

Kyven darts a glance at me. “Now that we have a permanent alliance with Florin, I’d like you to send a messenger to their stronghold along the Wall to discuss the possibility of shared patrols.”

“I’ll send someone immediately.” He dips his chin. “We have last meal already prepared in the main hall,” he says. “And after dinner, we could give the queen a tour of the fortress. Unless you would prefer to eat in your rooms.”

“What would you like to do?” Kyven asks, and I love that he asks me before just giving an answer.

“Dinner in the main hall.” I smile. “Then, a tour before we retire for the evening.”

The commander’s eyes light up, obviously pleased by my answer, and a smile tugs at Kyven’s lips as he offers me his arm again. “Shall we?”

---