Page 161 of The Forbidden Fae King

The high priestess knows exactly who I am, but I am not quite ready to broach that with Keira. I need a few more moments of her looking at me like I am her whole world, before those revelations change it forever.

I lead her to a throne-like chair and sit her down in it, then kneel before her, so our eyes are level. “Don’t marry that prince, I beg it of you. He doesn’t deserve you. Your husband should worship you every day. You should be valued above all else, including a crown.”

I grab both her small hands in mine. “I want you at my side, Keira. You would be a true partner, my equal. I will value your thoughts, needs, and independence. Bemyqueen, not his. I have little to offer than exile, but I will cherish you above all else. We can carve out a life in this realm in some remote corner, if that will make you happy. Or we can live out the dream we spoke of, uniting the humans and fae together. I will lead whatever life you want, so long as you are at my side.”

Tears run freely down Keira’s face and I reach up to brush them away. “Is the idea so terrible? I can leave now and cross back to my realm if you prefer?”

“No. Gods, no. I don’t want you to leave.” Keira laughs, tightening her grip on the hand she still holds. “But what of your dreams, Aldrin? Your court and your realm? You can’t turn your back on your people.”

“Ah Keira, they don’t want me. That much is clear. I spent enough time in exile that it doesn’t matter anymore. Cyprien can be the steward to sit on my throne. I will only have to return to my realm for brief intervals from time to time, to help muster the lords to him and our cause. None of that is more important to me than you.”

Her eyes sparkle as she takes me in, her fingers tracing the lines of my face. A rosy glow colors her cheeks and her lips part to say something, but the yelling of men’s voices draws both of our attention to the main body of the temple.

“Are the Assassins of Belladonna still hunting you, Aldrin?” Keira stands and spins toward the door. “Could they have followed us here?”

“No,” I say, standing and pulling her nearer. “I can guarantee the assassins will not cross into this realm.” Nervous anticipation rolls through me. “Your father has arrived.”

The color drains from her face. “My father.”

“To give my death sentence, I expect.” I can’t help the bitterness that rolls through me.

“I will not allow it.” The tips of her hair flicker with embers.

She tries to march straight through that door to confront the lord protector himself, but I grab her arm and pull her back. “Keira. The prophecy. There is more I haven’t told you.”

She shoots me an incredulous look. “We don’t have time to talk about prophecies right now, Aldrin. I need to de-escalate this before an outright battle breaks out. You don’t understand my father’s temper when he thinks one of his own is under attack.”

She is right. I have run out of time.

By their laws, they should execute us right where we stand. I will not allow it.

Cold dread washes through me, and not for the army outside. She needs to understand. Hear it from me. Or I will lose her.

“Keira, please. Let me explain. Just a few more moments. This is not the first time?—”

A resounding crash echoes throughout the temple and we race into its main body to find the great doors flung open. Rows of human archers with iron arrows notched and pointed at us are visible beyond the wide doorway.

I pull Keira behind my body as I approach, taking cover from that threat of fire beyond the walls of the temple. My warriors stand ready amongst the pews, airshields rippling before them.

“High fae of the Otherworld. I summon you out of our sacred temple to hear your judgment and sentence for trespassing into this realm.” A deep, masculine voice booms, brought to us upon an amplifying air wield. It bounces off the walls of the temple.

Keira steps out from behind me, straight into the aisle and line of fire. I try to grab her and pull her back to safety, but she simply smiles at me.

“They won’t harm me, Aldrin. I know every one of them.” She points at the dozens of archers. “That’s my father out there. Let me talk to him.”

I hate it.

I absolutely hate the idea of hiding behind her. Of putting her before me, into the line of fire, but she makes sense.

I want to give her everything, to make her happy, and that includes a life with her family in it, so we need to win them over. But I will not allow her to go alone.

“Stay close to me, Keira. I could not bear it if they snatch you away and take you somewhere that I can’t reach you.”

I follow her to the doors, building an air shield before us, layer after layer until it is an inch thick. My people add their magic to my own, fortifying it until neither an arrow or sword could penetrate my defense.

I don’t trust those archers. A single one of them could get spooked, and loosen an arrow that finds its way to Keira instead.

An entire army amasses within the natural bowl of the sanctuary, with hundreds of soldiers behind the archers, all in a uniform of emerald surcoats and brown leather pants. I am sure there are just as many hidden within the trees and do not discount the power of the priestesses and druids.

---