Page 74 of The Fae King's Labyrinth

Calypso hid her fear well. Her expression was calm and her motions unhurried as she crossed the room to retrieve her shoesfrom next to the bed.

However, thanks to our mate bond, I was acutely aware of the fear coursing through her.

“You’re not alone, Calypso,” I said. “Oran, Ghost, and I will protect you until we find her.”

“I know.” She bent to slip on her shoes. Her hair fell over her shoulder in a curtain of curls, hiding her face. “But what then?”

“Pardon? What happens when we catch my mother?”

She lifted her head and pinned me with a frown. “No, what happens when the next fae comes along and tries to enslave me?”

“They won’t be able to. You’ll be protected.” Moving closer, I reached out to brush back a curl that had fallen against her cheek, but she stepped back, moisture filling her silvery-gray eyes.

“How? You said yourself that she got through the protection spell on my ring.” She studied my features intently.

“There are ways—stronger enchantments, tighter security, a bodyguard—so many ways you can be protected.” I was more concerned about her withdrawal than protecting her at the moment. “I will do everything in my power to make you safe.”

“What about you?”

“What about me?” I frowned at her in confusion. “I’m not the one at risk here.”

She closed her eyes briefly with a sad smile. “Azulin, she tried to control you through me. I wasn’t the aim of her plot. You were.” She gazed up at me.

“Oh, dear heart, don’t worry about me. I can defend myself.”

“But you can’t—not completely. I’m a weakness.”

“No.” Everything in me ached to reach for her, but she was the one who had moved away. “Don’t say that.”

“But it’s true.” The moisture in her beautiful eyes grew.

“No. It isn’t. You make me stronger.”

That made her pause. Confusion flickered across her features. Her lovely brows drew together. “How?”

Pressing my advantage, I inched closer. “You freed me. While I was cursed, my magic wasn’t my own. Portals?” I formed one behind me without breaking my attention from her face. “They wouldn’t form, or they would open to unexpected places. And my ability to cast basic spells would come and go. Sometimes in the middle of the spell, it would explode in my face.” I snapped the portal closed.

“With each moon cycle, I grew weaker and more dangerous as my magic raged out of control or snuffed out completely. Before the labyrinth, I was contemplating isolating myself completely just to protect those around me from the effects.”

Taking a step closer, I gazed down at her, praying she wouldn’t back up again. “Then I met you.”

“A helpless human needing saving?” Calypso didn’t move except to lift her chin further so we could maintain eye contact.

“No, a reason to keep fighting.” Brushing my hand down her back, I let it settle on her waist, not restraining or confining. If she resisted, I would release her. My magic warmed at the connection, my mating mark rippling pleasantly. “I was ready to give in,” I admitted. “Sunk under a never-ending avalanche of work and expectations, drowning in responsibilities and a battle with untamable forces from both within and without. I was ready to give up.” My chest ached at the memory of my struggle with despair. “If Grizzlemunch had suggested I step down in favor of my brother, I would’ve handed everything over just to have peace. But it wouldn’t have helped. The curse still reigned.”

Calypso leaned toward me, her right hand coming to rest against my chest, over my heart. “I’m so sorry.” Her silver eyes glowed as her magic answered mine’s call, offering comfort and reassurance.

“That was then. Now, you’ve freed me from my curse, which is a debt I cannot repay.” I lowered my head to press my lips to her smooth forehead. “Your sacrifice returned power and control to me.” I breathed in the delicate scent of her skin, warm and familiar. “And most precious of all, you have offered me friendship and companionship. Two things I have sorely lacked.”

“You had Ghost,” she protested softly as she leaned into me.

“It isn’t the same.” I nuzzled her ear through her hair. “He isn’t as lovely as you are, wife.”

“I’m hardly beautiful by fae standards.”

Despite Calypso’s softness as she relaxed in my arms, I heard the insecurity in those words. “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, love, and physical beauty can be deceptive.” Straightening so I could caress her jaw, I guided her head up so our gazes met once more. “Your beauty comes from within.”

A delicate flush darkened Calyspo’s cheeks as she searched my features. “I have been told fae tend to lie.”

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