Page 154 of The Forbidden Fae King

My father breaks from his trance and rushes over, collecting me in a massive bear hug and lifting my feet from the ground as though I were still a little child.

He holds me tight against his chest, the side of his head pressed against mine. The tension I have been carrying all night melts from my body and I want to sob.

“You are safe now, Keira. I will kill the princeling. I don’t care if Ihave to march my army to his doorstep.” My father places me back on my feet and peers into my face. “How badly has Finan hurt you?”

My breath catches. “I did worse to him, father. I made quite a mess of things.”

Warm hands wrap around my shoulders and lead me to an armchair before the desk. My mother kneels in front of me, holding my hands. “Tell us what happened, Keira.”

I take in both of their worried glances and then I tell them everything.

The scowl on my father’s face deepens with every word and my mother stares at me, nodding every so often.

“I told Finan I would not marry him. That I will devote my life to being a priestess. It is not the life I envisioned, but it is better than being his wife.” I fall into silence.

I don’t tell them about my secret hope, that by giving my life to the temple, I might be able to cross again at the next alignment event in seven years.

Where would Aldrin be in twenty-one of his years? Would he have a fae queen at his side?

I would deserve as much. I need to at least try to find my way back to him. He holds half of my soul and I cannot function without him.

My father grips the edge of his desk so hard it is a wonder it doesn’t splinter beneath his fingers. “That stupid bastard. That soft, weakling should have known he couldn’t take on one ofmydaughters.”

“How did you get home, Keira?” My mother leans forward, placing her hands on my knees. There is fierceness on her delicate features. “Neither of you are dressed for travel and the guard said you didn’t have horses with you.”

Diarmuid takes a long swig from a cup of wine. “Oh, it was no great feat. We simply used the portal in the palace’s library to travel here, to the portal in the Old Fae Garden.”

“You did what?” My father’s eyes dart between us, pride flicking within them.

“I did not think it was still possible.” My mother murmurs.

My father motions toward the guard hovering by the door. “Get my personal guard ready to leave in the morning. I will travel to Sunbright City in the morning to clear this up.

“Is that wise, Edmund?” My mother rises, blocking his path to the door. “Think of the political ramifications.”

“It’s too dangerous, father,” I urge him. “There is another side to Finan that we never saw. Even his brother Niall fears violence from him. King Willard might order you to send me back to Finan or face war. Appleshield cannot claim responsibility for me or harbor me.”

“Keira must move to the Sanctuary of Magic,” Diarmuid chimes in. “The crown cannot wage war on the Mothers of Magic. The people would not tolerate it.”

My mother takes another step closer to my father. “Naomi must negotiate for Keira, as her high priestess. You know your mother will fight to the darkest realm and back for her.”

My father’s gaze slides over to me. “Are you sure this is what you want?”

I let out a long breath.

Is this what I want?

No. I want Aldrin. I need him. Every fiber of my being screams at me to find a way back to him. This is my only chance.

“Yes.” Fatigue crashes down on me.

“Send a messenger to the Sanctuary of Magic immediately. Prepare the priestesses, especially my mother,” my father says over my head to the waiting guard.

“It can wait for the morning, Edmund. Nothing is going to happen before sunrise.” My mother chimes in.

I am led to my chambers, but sleep eludes me, no matter how hard I try. The thoughts whirl through my head like a swarm of angry bees. Hot tears run down my face at my sheer stupidity, because I thought I could make a difference. That I would be a queen with power and influence, achieved merely by the gravity of my personality and willpower.

Not even my grandmother, high priestess and the strongest woman I know, could have had a scrap of authority in that court.

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