Page 70 of Taken By the Fae King

“Once you decide upon a new advisor, they could help you decide upon the crowning ceremony to include the public instead of just the nobility. They could—”

“You,” I cut him off, and his brow furrows in confusion. “You will be my advisor.”

“I am not from one of the noble houses.” He blinks several times. “I am a commoner. I know little of politics beyond what I’ve seen as your personal guard, and—”

“If I am to rely upon the people to help protect my mate, would it not be wise to choose an advisor from among them?” I arch a brow. “A hero from the Great Wall?”

Aren lowers his eyes to the floor. “I am a warrior. Not a hero.”

“You are an honest and honorable male,” I correct. “You would have sacrificed your entire life on the Wall to protect our people. An advisor’s job is to consider the needs of the kingdom when serving the crown. I have no doubt you will do this.”

“Are you certain?” he asks.

“I am.” I clap a hand on his shoulder. “It is good that you are a warrior.” I arch a teasing brow. “For you will find that many of the skills needed to assess a battlefield are the same ones you will need to navigate the royal court.”

Aren huffs out a laugh before his expression sobers. “The Dark Elf King’s personal guard is also his advisor.” He bows low. “I ask to be allowed to do the same.”

I dip my chin in agreement. “As advisor, your first duty will be to send a raven to Florin, inviting the queen’s brothers to attend her crowning. It will be a public affair witnessed by the people, the nobility and our new allies.”

Aren leaves to do as I’ve asked, and I head back to my chambers.Ourchambers, I remind myself. A hint of a smile crests my lips as I think of my mate, waiting for me in the room.

Guilt dampens my mood as I remember the secret that lies between us. The one that could destroy Grayce’s trust in me. Tomorrow, I will take her to the heart tree.

The official crowning ceremony has always been for show. A tradition done for the sake of tradition. As far back as history remembers, the mate of the king or queen is automatically accepted as joint ruler upon their bonding ceremony.

But Grayce is human, and I know there will be some who doubt her status as my equal. Just as Lord Torien did. Turning her crowning ceremony into a public event where it will be revealed to all that she is my A’lyra, it will not take much for the people to draw a line straight to the prophecy of the Sanishon from there. It will send a message that she is the queen and not simply a figurehead to satisfy the terms of an alliance.

Taking her to the heart tree, as is the right of every ruler, will not only legitimize her standing among our people, it will hopefully provide clarity to guide our paths. I only pray that the heart tree spirit guides me as well.

I have never questioned the will of the gods, but in this I cannot help it. How can it be better to hide the truth from my mate, instead of revealing it to her?

Closing my eyes briefly, I send a silent prayer to the gods, praying that Grayce will forgive me once she learns the truth.

When I reach our chambers, Grayce is already in bed. I gaze down at her sleeping form. Her long chestnut hair is spread out on the pillow beneath her like a lovely halo. Her long, dark lashes fan across her cheeks.

Careful not to wake her, I undress and change into soft knit pants before carefully slipping into the bed. I love how she instinctively moves toward me. I wrap my arm and wing around her, tugging her the rest of the way. She snuggles against me, and my heart is so full it feels as if it will burst.

Grayce is everything to me. I want so much to tell her the truth, but I also dread it in equal measure. She said she wanted only honesty between us, and I have already lied. And although it was a lie of omission, it is still a deception.

As she lies in my arms, guilt threatens to overwhelm me. She trusts me. Completely. And I am so undeserving of it. I want to seal her to me, but I am not worthy of her love and devotion. Not while I harbor this secret.

CHAPTER38

GRAYCE

When I awakened this morning, I was wrapped up in Kyven’s arms and wings. I would think it strange how close I feel to him since we’ve not known each other long, but for some reason it feels as if I’ve known him forever. I’m comfortable with him. I trust him. And I can no longer deny my feelings. I am madly in love.

A smile crests my lips and Kyven whispers in my ear. “Have you already guessed at your surprise?”

“I have no idea what you’ve planned.” I tip my head up as if that will somehow help me see past the blindfold over my eyes, but it does not. I only know that wherever he is taking me, it requires flight. “Care to offer me a hint?”

The wind whips through my hair as his wings flutter furiously behind him. He curls his arms tighter around my form as we glide through the air. To where, I am uncertain. I only know that my fear of heights has been diminishing every day since we left Florin. Perhaps it’s because I know for certain that Kyven would never let me fall.

“It is something you wished for.”

I frown, trying to think of what I may have told him I wanted, but nothing comes to mind.

Before I can ask anything else, he presses a quick kiss to the tip of my nose. “That is the only hint you will receive, my beautiful mate. If I say anything else, it might give it away.”

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