Page 82 of The Forbidden Fae King

“He has probably had hundreds of years to learn how to manipulate and get what he wants,” Caitlin offers.

I sit up on the bed. “We need a plan.”

Caitlin smiles wickedly. “We will learn theirs. If high fae open the portals, the Appleshield Protectorate must be prepared for them.”

Surely it won’t come to war.

Chapter 23

Aldrin

Irun my hands through my hair, then down my face and collapse into my chair. I watch those doors, as though I expect Keira to return.

“I made a mistake, didn’t I?” I utter. “In the way I handled that.”

“It would seem that way.” Cyprien takes the smaller throne next to mine. “She is the one Lorrella prophesied about, isn’t she? The second daughter of the Lord Protector of Appleshield, who will help you bring our two cultures together.”

I close my eyes for a long moment. “Yes. Yes, she is. I thought at the time—that maybe - who knows what seers mean with the riddles they give?”

Cyprien’s lips press into a thin line. “Are you going to tell her?”

“Yes. No. I honestly have no idea. You know what happened the last time I spoke of that prophecy.”

“She has a right to know.” Cyprien’s tone is low.

I look at him, then look away. “I will scare her away entirely. Let me get the timing right.”

A frown pinches his brow. “It appears she will help you through this Prince Finan. You can’t keep seducing the future wife of a king you want as an ally.”

“Can’t I?” I raise an eyebrow at him. “It sounds like the man is a fool, and Keira as queen would be my ally.”

“Regardless. Casual sex will complicate an alliance. This is more important than yoururges,Aldrin.”

I slump back into my chair. “Maybe you should have someurgesof your own and lighten up,” I grumble. “Maybe that’s why there is a stick up your ass, you just need a good f?—”

“Aldrin. Careful.” Cyprien gives me a hard look, but a quirk to his lips that hints at a smile. For Cyprien, he might as well be beaming.

I’ve been spending too much time with Drake and his horrible humor is rubbing off on me.

I cannot get the smell of Keira out of my head. The taste of her.

How her hands ran over my body like she wanted every inch of me and the way her fingers curled around my cock. The memory of her stroking and pumping my length is enough to drive me insane. I need more of her. To try everything with her.

Something deep within my soul calls to hers, but Cyprien is right.

I have to tread carefully with my next steps. The fate of this entire realm could depend on her. For all I know, Keira has taken her sister and left.

I rub my eyes. “For years, I have been trying to work out a path to the humans. When Keira was compelled by the bargain, I couldn’t stop myself from asking every question that has plagued me since I was exiled. The answers to all my problems were offered up on a silver platter, and all I had to do was reach out and take them. I didn’t mean to hurt her, or abuse her trust, but I did it anyway.” Shame slices through me.

“Why are you telling me?” Cyprien barks. “Take a jug of wine and a platter of food to her chambers, and tellheryou are sorry.”

Cyprien points to the banquet tables laid out with hot meats, spiced vegetables on skewers and wine. I didn’t notice the servants enter. I do as he tells me, balancing a tray and jug as I leave the hall and descend through the fortress.

I try to practice what I am going to say in my head, but the words won’t come.

Cold sweat trickles down my back as I reach the door to her chamber. I cannot hear sobbing through it, and a wave of relief rushes through me. Muffled voices drift through as I juggle the items in my hands and knock on the door. A silence falls in the room, then footsteps approach. I swallow nervously.

Keira opens the door, her expression masked. She doesn’t frown or scold or show signs of tears. Behind her, Caitlin sits on the floor cross-legged, sharpening a blade with a whetstone.

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