Page 28 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

Ghost’s eyes widened. “How?”

Azulin shook his head. “It matters not. What is vital, though, is that it remains secret.”

The two men regarded each other evenly for a moment before Ghost abruptly bowed. “As you command, sire.”

“Lady Anon, this is Ghost, my enforcer, chief bodyguard, and food taster. You may trust him with your life. He owes me mine and will defend it until death.”

I frowned up at Azulin. “Why does that mean I can trust him with my life?”

“Because your life forces are entwined now,” the pooka said.

Irritation tightened Azulin’s mouth. “Pooka, are you a resident of my realm?”

“I am.” The pooka smirked with an air of knowing what was coming next.

“Then hush yourself. You’ve done quite enough for the moment.” Azulin turned back to me. The flame above us cast strange shadows, but I didn’t miss the concern in his features. “Do you have any questions?”

“More than I can count.” But a single question burned in my mind. “Can I go home to my village now?”

“Yes, but only briefly.”

“How long must I remain with you?”

The pooka made a muttering sound. Azulin’s attention snapped up, and he glared at the pooka. “Not another word. This is not the time or place.”

“We might wish to move to a more secure location,” Ghost suggested. “We are accumulating some unwelcome attention.” He nodded toward the shadows beyond our circle.

Azulin nodded. “Where exactly is your village?”

After a brief conversation about landmarks, all three males appeared confident they knew where my village was. However, there was still the problem of transportation.

“If we return to the castle, we can collect horses and reinforcements,” Ghost suggested.

“Not a good idea,” the pooka protested. “It’s a tiny human village. Approaching like a fae war party will send them into a panic. They’ll go to ground.” Ignoring Ghost’s glare, the pooka grinned at me. “It would be memorable at the very least. You will go down in village history as the woman who brought the fae to town.”

“No, thank you,” I replied. “I would rather not go home at all if that is your intention.” I turned to Azulin to find him studying me intently.

“Don’t you wish to show them you are well and explain that you will be safe with me?” he asked.

“I don’t wish for my sister and family to worry, but I also don’t want to panic the village.”

“Why don’t the two of you go and leave me and the brooding dragon behind?” The pooka elbowed the dragon shifter.

Ghost tensed. “Sire?”

Movement in the bushes behind us made Azulin turn. He twisted me about so that I was behind him as he turned to face the threat.

A towering figure emerged from the brush. Her movements were smooth and graceful despite her great height, and if she hadn’t been moving, I would’ve taken her for a tree.

“My king,” she rumbled. “Beg pardon, but might I be of assistance?”

“Identify yourself,” Ghost demanded.

The huge fae bowed, offering us a view of her great shaggy head atop her tall, spindly body. “Pardon again, I am Legioda of the Longlank Donderies. I was napping in yonder groveand overheard your arrival. As an Ettin, a species friendly to humans, my appearance rarely causes concern among those who populate the borders of the Wild Woods. Might I be able to deliver a message to the lady’s home village on your behalf?”

“What are your orders, sire?” Ghost asked.

Azulin turned to me. “We can visit your village later. After we have assessed the constraints of our current situation.”

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