Page 30 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

Normally, I enjoyed riding on Ghost’s back. Between the wind in my face and the power beneath me, I felt free. However, I knew the truth. Even when I was only the crown prince of the Seelie throne, freedom was a luxury I couldn’t afford. My father drilled duty into me with the vigilance of any good father. Yet, he had done more than teach me responsibility; he had crushed any hope I had of a choice about many aspects of my life.

Now that I was king, my life was ruled by traditions.

However, the small mortal I held in the circle of my arms changed that. No amount of foresight on my father’s or forefathers’ parts could’ve prepared me for her, or for the magic now binding us together. The very existence of the connectionundermined the foundations of my life as I knew it. However overwhelming the ordeal, I was duty-bound to protect her. If I didn’t, my court would destroy her.

Apprehension tightened my shoulders. My chest still burned from the smoke and coughing. Even now, the curse clawed at my back despite the fact the moon had passed its zenith. How was I going to balance protecting her, ruling my kingdom, and researching how to end the curse completely? Fae were brutal and manipulative. How could I warn them off without remaining beside her constantly? It was impossible. The first moment my back turned, they would pounce.

My workload would demand almost all my time from the moment I set foot on the ground. Just as it had every other cycle of this wretched curse, the burden of duties would overwhelm any hope I had of discovering a solution to the curse. I would be buried in tasks until the curse dragged me—dragged the pair of us—back into the Unseelie king’s twisted torture.

Ghost began his descent with a slow turn. Calypso tensed, digging her small nails into the forearm I had wrapped around her waist and arching back against me. I tightened my arm around her waist slightly. She was so physically fragile I feared breaking her. But at the same time, I already knew she was mentally and emotionally stronger than she appeared.

Amusement eased my fears when I recalled the way she had challenged me from the first moment I rescued her. Perhaps if I gave her a chance, she might surprise me.

Ghost’s wings rose as he prepared for the final approach. Beneath us, the royal palace sprawled across the highest point on the eastern end of the Arista Peaks. Dotted by lanterns and fae lights, the white marble walls and turrets glowed in the moonlight. Only a century old, the fortress lacked the patina my father’s fortress possessed before it had been destroyed over two centuries ago.

As we banked again and began the steep descent into the inner courtyard of the keep, Calypso gasped. Pushing back, pressing into my chest, she squeaked.

“We’re almost there,” I assured her. I pulled her closer, anchoring her to me.

She turned her face to the side and squeezed her eyes closed.

“Don’t shift,” I warned. “I doubt I would be able to keep a good grasp on you.”

Ghost roared at the gathered fae on the ground, and they scattered. We came into the courtyard at a sharp angle, and he landed hard. Using a familiar sticking spell, I kept the two of us in place. Only once Ghost had settled his wings and lowered himself so his chest brushed the courtyard pavers, did I release the spell and slide us off the dragon’s back.

“Sire.” Soren, my secretary, greeted me with a bow the moment my feet touched the ground. “The household has been in an uproar since word came that you had crossed the border. Is the curse broken?”

“Not quite.” I steadied Calypso with my unmarked hand before releasing her. Thankfully, she had taken my admonishment about hiding our vine markings. She wrapped her marked arm in its ripped sleeve and held it across her body.

Once confident she could stand on her own, I turned to address my secretary. “As you can see, I have a guest.” My voice caught in my throat, causing a coughing fit that ripped through my chest. Once it finished, I groaned at the alarmed expression on my secretary’s face. “And yes, I need a healer.”

“At once, sire.” Soren turned and motioned to a servant, who strode off yelling for a page. “Shall I see to preparing a guest room for the…” He hesitated, eyeing Calypso with a critical gaze. “Lady?”

Ghost, having completed his transformation, approached Calypso from behind, glaring at Soren over her shoulder. WhenGhost met my gaze, I signaled he was to guard her before turning back to my secretary.

“Yes. Lady Anon will stay for a time. Prepare a room in my tower.” I started walking toward the entrance of the main hall, hoping to draw his attention away from Calypso. “What has happened in my absence?”

“A delegation arrived from Eldarlan. King Emrys wishes to propose an alliance. A party of mountain trolls crossed the northern border to harass a woodwose village. Commander Brinner sent out an armed party to restore order and deal with the trolls. Your brother sent word that your presence is required at the winter palace at your convenience. And a messenger from the dragon alliance arrived to speak with Ghost.”

“Not interested,” Ghost commented from behind me.

Soren continued talking as though Ghost had never spoken. “Apparently, they are offended that he has debased himself by serving you.”

“It isn’t service.” I glanced behind me to find Ghost carrying a limp Calypso. Instant concern threaded through me.

“Exhaustion,” the dragon offered as an explanation, but his expression did nothing to calm my disquiet.

“My chambers, then.” I took the most direct route to my apartments in the north tower.

“I must protest.” Soren grunted as Ghost pushed past him. “She is a woman. It is most improper.”

Ghost snorted in amusement. He wove past me, still carrying Calypso, and took the steps two at a time.

“But your father…”

Soren fell far enough behind us that I didn’t catch what he thought my father would have said if he knew. Not that it mattered. Father was in his dotage brought on by mental illness, a curse worse than mine, and foolish choices on his part. His mind was so far gone now I doubted my father truly cared whatI did with the kingdom, court, or reputation he had handed me when he abdicated the throne over a century ago. If I chose to change the male-only traditions of the Seelie court for the first time in three generations, I could. And with Calypso and I joined, those traditions would have to change.

My lungs burned as I labored up the stairs, struggling to keep up with Ghost’s long strides. The dragon fire and smoke had done more damage than I had thought. I groaned as I paused on a landing. Why had I chosen to place my haven so high above the rest of the castle?

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