Page 42 of Taken By the Fae King

This I understand. “It was the same in my brother’s court,” I offer. “So many claim to be loyal, but are not.”

“Is there anyone in particular that I should be cautious of?”

Sighing heavily, he lowers his eyes. “Unfortunately, I believe there may be many.”

“What do you mean?”

“You are human,” he replies. “I turned down several of the Fae nobility when they approached me about bonding, including Lord Torien’s daughter,” he explains, referring to his advisor. “And then there are those who still hold anger toward your kind for the battles and wars we’ve fought with each other over the past few hundred years.”

I nod, understanding. “It will take time for those wounds to heal.”

“Which is why you will have a guard at all times,” he says.

Panic spears through me. “You think someone would try to harm me?”

“I will not risk your safety. You are too important.”

Thoughts of my potential demise flood my mind. My brothers and Lukas thought it would be dangerous for me to marry the Fae King, but to hear Kyven voice concern for my safety as well, is unsettling.

He must read the unease in my features, because he quickly adds. “I will protect you, Grayce. I vow I will keep you safe.”

“You cannot promise this, Kyven,” I reply as dark memories creep in. Despite my mother’s guards, she was still assassinated in her own kingdom, and now I go to a foreign one, where I am even more vulnerable to an attempt upon my life. “No one can.”

He opens his mouth to protest, but I put a finger to his lips. “My father swore to keep my mother safe, but he could not. And I have seen what that broken promise did to his soul.” I swallow against the lump in my throat. “It is the reason he went mad and declared war upon your kingdom without any proof the Fae were responsible.” I frown. “I know we are new to each other, but I would not see you destroyed over a promise you could not keep.”

“It was not madness that drove your father to seek revenge. It was love, Grayce.”

He tightens his hold on me. Heat scalds my cheeks at the intense look on his face, and I wonder, not for the first time, if his feelings for me run deeper than I thought.

I force my gaze from his as my entire body flushes with warmth. It worries me how strongly I already feel toward him after such a small amount of time. Despite my attempts to guard my heart, I am already halfway in love with my new husband.

But I have been hurt before. I only pray that I am right and that my feelings are not one-sided as I fear they could be.

CHAPTER25

KYVEN

As we approach the village, a soft glow radiates around it. Grayce notices it at the same time I do. She points to the barrier. “Is that magic?”

“Yes.”

“Is that… normal?” she asks, her tone wary.

“No.” Worry tightens my chest, but I force my expression to remain impassive, not wanting her to know I am alarmed.

Aren flies up beside me, and the rest of our guards gather in a protective formation around us, each of them scanning the forest for any signs of danger.

A barrier like this is strong, but also difficult to maintain. It is only used when the threat to a town or a village is high.

“Harpies?” Aren murmurs beside me.

“Or Griffins,” another of the guards says.

Grayce goes tense in my arms, the scent of her fear flooding my nostrils. I glare at Aren and the guard—a silent warning for them to be quiet. My gaze travels over the woods, searching for any unusual movement, but the tree canopy is thick. Anything could be hiding in the branches, and we would not know it until we were nearly upon the village.

We pick up our pace. My wings beat furiously behind me as I race toward the barrier. Once we’re inside, we should be safe from whatever it has been erected to keep out.

“Kyven!” Grayce releases a pain-filled cry before she curls into my arms, gritting her teeth in agony as tears stream down her cheek. “Something’s wrong!”

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