Page 23 of The Forbidden Fae King

Nervous anticipation rolls through me, making my stomach churn.

I have watched the Mothers of Magic make their grand entrance through Appleshield Fortress countless times before, but today it is different. This time, I have a role to play.

Music fills the air, bleeding in from the band positioned where the orchards meet the bridge that leads to the guardhouse. Slow and harmonious, as instruments are plucked, strummed and blown, with wields of air amplifying the melody to reach my ears. The scent of roasting, sugared nuts looms in the air, hinting at the festivities to come. It fills my heart with the warmth of fond memories, with excitement and hope.

I duck my head into the clearing, and an excellent view opens before me through the gates. I can see the entire length of the roadthat winds up from the outer wall and through the orchards to Castle Appleshield. Crowds of villagers wait on either side of the road, waiting to pay their respects and offer their daughters to the pilgrimage.

A brooding presence materializes at my side, and I glance at the slender form of Prince Niall, then away, not acknowledging him.

“I heard what happened,” he murmurs.

“And what was that, exactly?” I don’t look at him.

Niall doesn’t take my bait. “Our father is a vicious man, and a bully. He can tear down those with the strongest of wills, and we both know that is not one of Finan’s characteristics. My brother does fight for you, in his own way. He tries.”

I turn on the prince and whisper harshly. “It is beneath you to make excuses for their bad behavior.”

Niall’s lips press into a thin line, and a muscle feathers in his jaw. “We had an arrangement, Keira. We were going to work together to make sure Finan reign isn’t a complete disaster. This kingdom needs you. Is that nothing to you?”

“Don’t speak to me of duty. Speak to your brother.” I hiss, but the heat has fizzles out of me. Damn. Prince Niall knows exactly how to tap into my guilt.

There is a desperation in his eyes. “You know I try every single day.”

“Give me time to cool off, Niall,” I snap. “Let me go on my pilgrimage. You and the rest of the kingdom will have your answer when I return.” I can no longer look him in the eye, but from my periphery, I register his long, scrutinizing stare, then he nods and leaves.

Twin brass horns sound from the top of the watchtowers, causing me to startle. At the far end of the road, a long column of women in white robes becomes visible before the outer gate, trailing off down the countryside as far as my eye can see. Mothers of Magic.

I will become one of them, if no one stops my pilgrimage.

Any woman who crosses into the Otherworld returns as a priestess. A Mothers of Magic. She is entitled to all of their privileges, no matter what she does with the rest of her life. The order does notrequire a woman to dedicate herself to the temple. She could be a mother and a wife. A queen. A warrior. Or she could live in one of the Priestesses’ Sanctuaries and work as a teacher of magic, a specialized wielder or healer.

The breath leaves me at the sight of those powerful women parading into our fortress. I am filled with awe at their presence, even at this distance. These Mothers of Magic are truly independent women.

There is a disturbance in the crowd to my left. A shuffling of bodies as someone pushes through. I stiffen at the familiar perfume of sandalwood and citrus.

“Keira. Please talk to me.” Finan doesn’t even bother to whisper.

“Have you no respect?” I hiss.

“This is important. You are important,” he retorts. “And you haven’t let me come near you in days. Not since…”

I whip around to him. “Not since you betrayed my trust, Finan. Not since you made it clear you don’t care which sister you marry, as long as you get a bit of magic in your heir.” My fists clenched tight at my sides. He visibly flinches. I am so tired of letting this man walk all over me.

“No. No. I never meant it. I’ve only ever wanted you, Keira. You have no idea what my father is like. The consequences of saying no to him. So, I tell him things I don’t mean, and fight the battle on the day they matter. Can you really hold a single moment of weakness against me?” He looks so vulnerable I almost believe him.

“Yes,” I snap. “I can hold it against you. A husband should fight for meevery day. I’ll need you to have my back, if I move to the palace.”

Finan places his hands on either side of my face, caressing my cheek with his thumb. “We will make it work, Keira, I am sure of it. You will see that in time.”

I struggle to breathe. To think. “I need to work out what I want, Finan.”

“By going on this pilgrimage?” He drops his hands.

“Yes.”

“Please, Keira, don’t go. I couldn’t stand not knowing if you aresafe that whole time. Youknowwhat high fae do to our women if they get their hands on them. It would crush me if you never came back. Please. I will give you anything else. I will announce right here, to all these people, that I choose you as my bride.Just don’t go.” His voice breaks.

“I am taking the pilgrimage, Finan,” I grind out.

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