Page 79 of The Forbidden Fae King

“The idea of having humans here was that repulsive to your people that they exiled you?” Her eyebrows shoot up.

“Humans have their prejudices and we have ours,” I grumble. “I think the bigger outrage was suggesting they move to the forests where they would initially lead a more primitive existence.”

By the time we return to the Frozen River Fortress, the cold has thoroughly seeped into my bones and I don’t know if I will ever feel warm again. We drop the air shields as the icy claws of the wind are cut off by the high walls.

I turn to Cyprien. “Are you ready to talk? I think you have had enough time to mull over what you have seen here.”

“I am ready to talk.”

“Lilly?” I ask. A shadow of a smile curls her lips, and she dips her head in agreement.

I lead the party to the great hall, stalking with built up frustration.

The hearths rage with crackling fires and a wall of warmth hits me upon entering, making my frozen skin sting with a thousand prickles. A banquet table is set with hot, spiced wine and a spread of nuts and dried fruits, but I ignore them, rounding on Cyprien.

“Do you stand with me?” I demand. “Or do you stand against me?”

I have had enough of uncertainty.

Cyprien kneels. “I stand with you, my king. My loyalty is to you and my soldiers are yours. I will help you dispose of the high chancellor and gain your throne again.”

There is a blaze of passion within his eyes, and he is going to need it to do half of what he pledges.

Lilly kneels beside him, an arm crossed over her chest, fist clenched. “I stand with you, my king.”

“Good.” I reach down an arm to each of them, and pull them up.

I grasp Cyprien by the shoulders, and he places his arms on mine. “I have needed you. The gods know I have Ineededyou.”

He gives me a curt nod.

I hide the wave of relief that crashes through me. This man doesn’t know it, but he had the power to break me. I never want to be that weak and vulnerable again.

Chapter 22

Keira

My heart hammers violently in my chest as Cyprien kneels before Aldrin, then is helped to his feet. A monumental shift in power has just occurred. Events have spiraled faster than I can keep up with over the last handful of days and I am in over my head.

I never anticipated talks of rebellion and of a king being reinstated on his throne during my pilgrimage.

Caitlin clutches my arm, her fingernails digging into my flesh. She feels it too. The urge that screams: run, run, RUN. Get away before we become embroiled in a civil war.

“Do you yield your prisoner to me?” Aldrin asks Cyprien and my stomach tumbles.

The man throws a quick glance at Caitlin, then back. “Yes. I had no plans for her, besides tossing her through a portal as soon as I got the chance.”

Aldrin’s gaze turns to Caitlin. “You are free.”

Magic brims within me, swelling in my chest until the pressure feels like I will explode. The sound of trilling bells fills my ears, as the skin beneath the tattoo tingles. He has completed his side of the bargain.

Aldrin beckons me forward with a single finger, and I move as though through water. My feet take one step at a time on their own accord, my mind too dazed to be in control.

He puts an arm around my shoulders and leads me to a chair, depositing me in it. One of the thrones. He takes the other, leaning forward so his elbows are on top of his knees, gazing into my face intently. Our legs touch at the knees.

“Keira. Tell me your story.” White tendrils of magic curl away from his lips with his breath.

My mind becomes groggy. It moves so slowly, like I am intoxicated and have no mastery over it. There was something I was supposed to remember.

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