Page 98 of The Forbidden Fae King

The fact that I only have a finite time here comes crashing down on me.

The look Caitlin gives me is one of pure understanding, because she knows what I have to go back to. I finger my moonstone bracelet. It still glows brightly enough. I have at least another month before the portals close.

We set up camp on those cliffs that overlook the ocean, within a natural depression that shields us from the unforgiving wind but doesn’t steal the view.

A small cooking fire crackles in the center of our ring of tents, and we sit around it eating shellfish and drinking.

Silvan pulls out a set of windpipes and plays a fast-paced tune. Drake adds to the music by clapping his hands against his thighs and beating his feet on the ground, while Lilly sings a high-pitched, wordless song that weaves in and out of the music.

Fae pair up and dance, swapping partners every few heartbeats. It is raw and chaotic compared to the stiff, structured waltzes of my home.

My eyes are only for the lone man who walks upon the beach, themoonlight shining off his naked body. Aldrin’s muscles ripple with each step he takes into the waves. My attention is attuned to the flex of each tight butt cheek and the specks of water that glitter on his huge biceps and across his broad back.

When the waves reach his waist, Aldrin dives into the water and disappears.

The people revel around me, but all I can think of is the growing dread for the day I must return home.

Aldrin returns as most of his band retire for the night, talking to a few of them in hushed whispers outside of the firelight. When they leave, he sits alone within the grassy field dotted with closed blooms and stares out to the ocean, far away enough that I can hardly make out his profile in the shadows.

Something pulls me toward him, unable to leave him alone in his struggles.

I grab a canteen of wine and make my way over. There is a deep scowl on his face and every chiseled muscle of his neck and shoulders are taut, slightly exposed through the half-unbuttoned neckline of his tunic.

I sit in the soft grass beside him, but I don’t say a thing, I just stare out to that same view. I hand him the canteen of wine. Aldrin looks at me for a long moment, then relaxes marginally and takes a swig of the wine.

“It is easy to lose hope. Seeing the gravity of the situation,” he says softly, letting out a long breath. “I have been so blind. For years of my exile, I believed the high councilor would do a better job at ruling these lands than I did. That because the people voted her in, I must respect their choice.”

“I thought I could still achieve my aims in the background, convincing the lords to invest in their lands, but very few would even grant me an audience. When I realized my error, most of my influence had whittled away, and now I am far too powerless to stop what is happening.”

He falls into silence.

I take his hand in mine and squeeze it. “You are not powerless, Aldrin. Far from it. You will open the people’s eyes; I am sure of it.”

“I don’t have a choice. My people need me,” he murmurs. “But regaining my throne will be the first challenge of many.”

“I will help you negotiate with my people,” I say. “My family will have the connections you need to open the portals between our realms. We could have trade and migration flowing freely again. It could save both our realms.”.

A cool breeze whips off the ocean, ruffling my hair and making a shiver run down my spine. Aldrin frowns as he notices, then he puts his arm around my shoulders, pulling me in until my head rests on his chest. His warmth and scent immediately envelop me.

“No mention of your prince this time,” Aldrin murmurs. “Or of you becoming his queen.”

I shudder and Aldrin’s grip tightens. “I don’t want to be his queen. I know we should use every resource at our fingertips, but I don’t want to spend my life in an unhappy marriage. Is that selfish of me?”

Aldrin stares into my face, his expression searching. “I don’t want you to marry him either.” I swear there is hope within his amber eyes. I pull away from him.

The heavy guilt of my duty threatens to suffocate me. In the end, I will do what is required of me.

I force a smile on my face. “I would love to import your spices into my realm. I don't think I can go back to human food.”

“Hmmm. Humans are known for having terrible food.” Aldrin rumbles.

I elbow him in the ribs playfully.

“What?” He grins at me. “You pretty much said the same thing.”

“You have never tried our food.” I protest. “There is so much to gain from combining our cultures, for both sides. Maybe my people will become as liberal and progressive as yours. Our women will be free to choose their own destinies.” I glance over my shoulder, to where Klara, Lilly and Caitlin share battle stories.

Aldrin lays back in the grass, gazing at the stars. “Those are a lot of pretty thoughts, but there will be great upheaval and battles betweenhere and there. We may not get to live in those golden times. Great social change can take generations.”

---