Page 100 of The Forbidden Fae King

Aldrin’s gaze flicks up to mine to read my face for a mere moment, then he loops his fingers into my panties and drags them down my legs.

I help him by lifting my hips.

By the time he tosses them aside, my hands are at the waistband of his pants, fumbling with the laces. My whole body shivers with need for him. I so desperately want to join our bodies. There is awe on his face as he looks down at my legs parted around him and my core bared and ready to take him.

I don’t get the first loop undone on his trousers when the voices reach us. They are so damned close. Panic flares within me. It is thenthat I notice the sky has turned a silvery blue with dawn and the sounds of the camp waking nearby registers. And there are ruffled footfalls approaching our direction.

Aldrin groans, then rolls off me. I quickly thrust down my skirts over my bare body.

A handful of moments later, Drake and Hawthorne pass by in the long grass, swinging pots to fill with water from the river to boil with breakfast. They almost pass us completely, when Drake happens to glance over the distance and notices us laying in the long grass. A slow smile fills his face, but he says nothing.

I turn onto my side and face Aldrin, my lips parted as I pant. He presses his forehead to mine.

“Fuuuck, Keira.” His voice is low and hoarse, his breaths as ragged as mine. There is so much emotion threaded into those two words. “The next time I get you like this, I’m not letting you go.”

Shivers run across my flesh with anticipation.

When his eyes open, they are filled with such raw need and tenderness, as though I am the most precious thing in his world. That look sends liquid fire through me, warming my very soul. It is so much more than desire for my body. His gentle fingers brush away the hair from my face and trace my cheek.

In this moment, I know I am in trouble. If I give this man up, it will not only destroy me. It will kill him also.

Chapter 27

Keira

The most magnificent city I have ever seen sprawls across the horizon. At first glance it appears to be built into a small mountain, but then I realize the cityisthe mountain, with structures reaching higher than I thought possible.

Each cluster of buildings has spires and domes and towers at every level, with arching bridges reaching between them, and immense, external flights of stairs scaling the structures. Multiple streams run through the layers of buildings, ending in dainty waterfalls, and great trees rise alongside the buildings.

It puts to shame the boxy, lifeless structure of Appleshield Castle.

There are many roads leading to the City of Vertical Gardens, and they are all brimming with people. All, except for the one that takes a traveler through the wilds of the forest. The path we have been using.

We watch that far-off city from the height of its closest Watchtower Tree, our party of high and low fae hidden within its gates.

It is far smaller than the one we had stayed in near the border, not designed to hold an army but to receive messages from across the court. The only place to camp is on the platform of the canopy.

Aldrin stands stiff backed on the balcony facing the view of his home, the one that betrayed him. I sit with Drake, Klara and Silvan,but they are in a somber mood, sharpening their weapons and staying very little.

This isn’t the homecoming they wanted.

Caitlin brings me a cup of tea, infusing her minor fire magic straight into the water to boil it, and sits down beside me on the carpet of moss. She picks up a weapon from the sharpened pile and silently oils the blade with expert hands.

Cyprien joins Aldrin’s side on the balcony, and I strain my ears to hear their conversation.

“Are you sure you are ready to do this?” Cyprien asks.

“What choice do I have?” Aldrin practically growls. “My eyes have been opened since you came to me. I will not turn my back on my people.”

“There will be significant risks,” Cyprien states softly.

“The risks are greater if I don’t return to the Senate.” Aldrin runs a hand across his hair and looks over his people. “It is my head the high chancellor wants, and I don’t think she would be ruthless enough to take it when the Senate and the entire city are aware I am in the capitol to petition them.”

The starkness of the threat to him and his acceptance of it, makes my blood freeze. Caitlin shoots me a startled look, as she too realizes the gravity of Aldrin’s situation. Of the risk we put ourselves in by staying with him.

But I can’t walk away.

Not yet. Maybe I could help him before we leave.

---