Page 106 of The Forbidden Fae King

He searches my face for so long that I wonder what he sees. If he pities me. I could become lost in those amber eyes, so vulnerable and open in this single moment.

I can’t help tracing a hand down his face, the light stubble catching against my skin. His huge biceps bulge as he wraps his arms tightlyaround me and rolls us so he is suddenly on his back and I am sprawled across him. He pulls me into his chest and I bury my cheek into those perfect pectorals.

Aldrin kisses the top of my head.

“You have awoken something within me I thought died a long time ago,” Aldrin murmurs. His pulse accelerates beneath my ear, as he clearly searches for words and is lost. I don’t care as long as his arms remain around me.

“I care for you, Keira.”He finally manages, his fingers tangled in my hair. “And it terrifies me because I don’t know where this is going, but I will take whatever you are willing to give.”

Both joy and pain twist in my chest. I want to give him everything. I could love this man, if I allowed myself to fall. It would be as easy as breathing.

But I have my duties to my realm and he has his.

“I care for you, too.” I say, knowing I can never take it back. It could change everything, and nothing at all.

Chapter 28

Aldrin

There was a time when I thought I would never step foot into my city again. When I dreamt of this moment. We walk the wide promenade of the capitol’s main entrance, a long bridge that spans the granite roots of the city. Streams run through the channels on either side of the road, cascading in thin waterfalls over the edge into the deep valley below.

Overhead, a series of immense golden gates arch over the road, dwarfing us with pillars as wide as an ancient tree, colonized by blooming vines. Between each gate stand larger-than-life statues of every king and queen who has ruled this court, facing their consorts on the opposite side. My ancestors.

Keira sucks in a sharp breath as she passes my likeliness in the last colossus, then turns wide eyes to me, as though she didn’t quite believe I am a king. The space for my queen remains empty.

All I can do is shrug.

It takes all my willpower not to pull her in by the waist and sink my lips into her neck. To whisk her away to the nearest place of privacy and have all of her.

The city opens up before us as we pass under the last golden gate, and my companions audibly sigh. Silvan wipes a tear from his eye.Drake laughs, a huge smile on his face. Klara looks up to the sky, ignoring the layers upon layers of buildings, to the golden palace at the apex of the city that we grew up in.

Only my original band travel with me, as well as Keira and Caitlin. Cyprien has already smuggled in my lower fae followers.

As I breathe in the amalgamation of scents of my city, spice, pollen, and coffee, a weight lifts from my shoulders.

Many of the streets of the City of Vertical Gardens are flanked by lazy streams, dotted with lily pads. Dozens of bridges arch away from each main road, crossing over each other and chaotically leading to clusters of shops, restaurants, bars or apartments.

There must be a hundred pools of water that break up the city blocks, and as many waterfalls trickling down the buildings, hydrating the thick canopies of blooms that occupy any available space on roofs and walls.

Clusters of buildings rise as tall as mountains, always with a base of shops, and a patchwork of apartments above, in different shapes and sizes. Walkways with arched railings hug every level and bridges or great staircases span the air between the mega structures, giving the illusion of webs between mountains.

A person can travel from one side of the city to the other, without ever having to descend to the lower platforms.

All manner of domes, spires, and towers grace the capital, jutting out of the sides and hanging in the air in many places. Every inch of the golden stone is adorned with engravings of flowers, leaves or runes.

An intense wave of pride rolls through me at not only the beauty of my city, but the pure ingenuity of it. The feat of magic and engineering to create such a wonder. My ancestors, along with the Tuatha Dé Danann gods, pulled the bedrock up from the ground to form its base.

Keira gravitates toward me, her rosebud lips parted as her doe eyes drink in the sight. Immediately, another image of her face flashes within my mind, flushed prettily and moaning as I pound into her.

“Aldrin, I had no idea a city could be so enchanting.” She gasps.

I give her a sidelong glance. “Would you like a quick tour?”

I need to be seen by enough people that they whisper about my return. It is my assurance that will keep the high chancellor’s hand in check. Word will spread while the Senate enters its session, still allowing me my element of surprise.

I want Keira to fall in love with my home. To bask in her wonderment as she takes in all its glory.

Her entire face lights up at my suggestion. “Oh, Aldrin, I would love that!”

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