Page 102 of The Forbidden Fae King

My blood races at the look in his eyes as he approaches, then stands over me. “Can we talk for a few moments?”

I take the hand he holds out for me and stand. “Can we go for a walk?” The Watchtower Tree and the emotion clogging it suddenly feels suffocating.

Aldrin runs his thumb over the top of my hand as he stares into my eyes. “I know a trek near here that you might like.” Shivers run down my spine as I hope for undercurrents in his words.

Drake glances from me to Aldrin and back, a huge smile growing on his face, but I ignore him, along with the scowl deepening on Caitlin’s features.

We are only a few steps out of the Watchtower Tree when Aldrin rounds on me, his expression guarded and unreadable. “You are free to leave this realm whenever you want to,” he says so gently.

“S-sorry?” I stumble on the word.

“Your obligation to the Lake Maiden was completed two days ago. You can collect your seeds and leave this realm. That was your mission, wasn’t it?” His voice is emotionless. Dead.

“Would you stop me?” It feels like a wild animal claws its way out of me.

“If Odiane is okay with it, who am I to stop you?”

“That’s not what I meant, Aldrin.” I toss my head. “Do you want me to go?”

“Gods, Keira, it's not about what I want.” He closes the space between us and grips my arms. “Things may get incredibly dangerous once we enter the city. Neither you or Caitlin need to risk that. So if you plan to leave in the next few days anyway?—”

I suddenly understand the fear flashing in his eyes. I cut him off. “Iwantto stay longer with you, Aldrin. I can testify before your Senate and tell them who I am and what I can do with my family connections.”

“They are treacherous and may try to harm you.” That simmering gaze bores into my soul. “And you will leave eventually.”

“The wild hunt themselves couldn’t prevent me from seeing your city. Afae city. It would be a dream come true for me. And my offer to speak with the Senate isn’t completely selfless. Your people are not the only ones who need this alliance,” I say.

Aldrin lets out a ragged breath. He looks away from me, but his eyes are dragged back like he can’t help himself. “Keira, there is something I haven’t told you. Please, by the darkest realm, please try to understand why and forgive me.” He takes a step back from me.

Fear shudders through my entire body because I have no idea what to expect. “Tell me, Aldrin.”

“My sister was a seer, and she prophesied a fate for me. Lorrella said a woman would come from the human realm with hair of fire,” Aldrin takes a lock of mine and lets it slowly drop through his fingers, spreading out the red and gold strands glittering in the sun. “This woman is to stand by my side to return the magic to this realm. At first I thought she meant - well, that doesn’t matter. She spoke of you Keira. How you will help me. Whether you will do it in your realm or mine, I’m not sure yet.”

I step away from him as icy claws grip into my chest. It feels like a mad beast is trying to tear its way out.

“Why didn’t you tell me Aldrin? How long have you thought it was me?” I am almost yelling, as hot tears form at the corners of my eyes as he gives me a pained look. Then the true reason for my explosive reaction slips from my lips. “This means Imustgo home and marry Finan.”

“Not necessarily,” Aldrin cuts in. “Seers speak in riddles. Who knows what they truly mean?”

A tear slips down my cheek and a tortured frown pinches Aldrin’s brow as he watches me with caution.

I pound his chest with my hand. “Why didn’t you tell me earlier?” I growl, all that fear, all the bitter disappointment in my fate being forced, it bubbles out of me.

Aldrin runs a hand through his hair. “I didn’t know how to tell you, Keira. I didn’t realize it was you, until you told me your story andI had lost your trust by that point. I’ve tried a dozen times since then, but I was scared it would push you away.”

The self-righteous anger fizzles out of me at the vulnerability in his expression. “I don’t want to think of my duty right now. There is a month before the portals close and I have to return home. I want to enjoy my time here.”

He gives me a curt nod. “Shall we go for that walk?”

I follow Aldrin down a narrow path that cuts through the rainforest, alive with the sounds of chittering puka and dripping water. Ferns colonize the ground and grow within the nooks of trees. Huge butterflies with colorful wings the size of my hands flutter around us.

Massive purple blooms hang from vines and red mushrooms poke through the grass. It is beautiful, but I don’t care for any of it.

Nothing exists except for the man before me.

We pass a narrow creek gurgling over rocks and Aldrin wraps his hands around my waist and lifts me over the water with an excuse about not getting my boots wet. He does it with such ease, as though I weighed nothing at all.

Aldrin stops at a fork in the path and examines it for a long moment, then glances over his shoulder at me.

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