Page 54 of Taken By the Fae King

When we reach the end of the path, her eyes widen as she gazes at the back wall. The tangle of vines and branches scale the entire length of the stone barrier, covered in dozens of white buds.

I reach up and touch the closest branch. Closing my eyes briefly, I concentrate my power and infuse the plants with a bit of my magic. Light travels across the branch, spreading out across the vines and leaves.

Slowly, the buds unfurl into glowing purple roses twice the size of the ones in Florin’s palace gardens.

Grayce’s mouth drifts open, and she traces her fingers reverently over the soft petals. “Beautiful,” she whispers.

Her eyes travel over the garden, wide and full of wonder. “Is all of this magic?” she asks.

“It is an exchange of energy.”

“What do you mean?”

“My people strive to live in balance with nature. We draw power from the world around us. It is the source of our magic. In return, we offer some of our energy as well. It is how we shape our homes and our cities in the trees. We do not seek to conquer the land, but to live in harmony with it.”

I gesture to one of the buds. “Would you like to try using your magic?”

Uncertainty flashes behind her eyes, but she nods anyway. Tentatively, she reaches for the bud and cradles it in her hand as though it is made of glass.

Moving closer, I lean in and whisper against the round shell of her delicate ear. “Close your eyes and concentrate.”

Her small brow furrows as she closes her eyes. “How?”

“Imagine the flower opening. Picture it in your mind.”

A soft glow spreads across her palm and to the bud. Slowly, it twists open into a full bloom.

A lovely smile crests her lips. “It worked.” She turns her gaze to mine, and my heart stutters and stops. She is truly enchanting, my human mate, and I am completely in her thrall.

A row of hanging vines trail down from a nearby balcony, swaying in the breeze like living curtains. She wraps her hand around one, closing her eyes and concentrating.

My mouth drifts open as it unfurls, growing longer. Tiny blue flowers spring up along the length. I’m surprised by how quickly she is learning to use her powers as she moves from one plant to another, wielding her magic and causing plants to grow and bloom.

Grayce moves to another, but her hands tremble slightly, and she pulls it away.

Concern fills me. “What is wrong?”

“I suppose I must be tired,” she replies.

It is strange. Most feel invigorated after using their magic, not drained. Then again, she is human, and all of this is new to her. “Would you like to return to our rooms?”

She shakes her head. “Not yet.”

Grayce lifts her gaze to mine and through our bond I can sense a sort of hesitation, but I do not understand why. “Is something wrong?”

“I wanted to speak with you about our Fae bonding ceremony.” Lowering her eyes, she wrings her hands, and suddenly I understand. She is nervous.

My chest tightens. I wonder if perhaps she has changed her mind, and decided she doesn’t want to bond with me after all. Swallowing hard, I brace myself and force the words past my lips. “You have concerns.”

It is not a question for I can read it in her expression and feel the hesitance across our faint connection.

She nods, and my heart begins hammering in my chest. “Have you… changed your mind?”

“No.” Her eyes snap up to me. “It’s not that.”

Relief fills me and I release the breath I had not realized I’d been holding. “What is it then?”

“The painting of the runes,” she says reluctantly. “I’m—” she stops, softly biting her lower lip as if searching for the right words before finally saying. “I’m nervous about being unclothed with you during the ceremony.”

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