Page 27 of Heir of the Autumn Queen

The other man recovers from my kick enough to stand up, but before he can lunge for me again, his eyes shift to something behind me and grow wide with fear. “Faide take me.”

I look over my shoulder to see a dark silhouette of a huge male—or rather, an aengel—standing right behind me with his wings spread wide. From what I know of aengels, which consists of the limited information I’ve read in books and exactly zero first-hand experience, they’re some of the most well-trained warriors in the Four Kingdoms; theSkysworn. Oftentimes recruited from birth, they're highly skilled in both hand-to-hand combat and swordsmanship.

Before I can determine which is the greater threat, the two men from the card table help each other up and stagger away, cursing under their breath.

I turn around to face the mystery winged-male, unable to make out his face in the dark. I take a step back from him and maintain my fighting stance, hand hovering above my dagger at my thigh as I’m unsure if he chased the men off just so he could rob me himself.

He huffs an impressed laugh.“You reallycanhold your own, Trouble.” He steps into the light of the torch, and I exhale shakily, inexplicably relieved to see the handsome stranger from earlier tonight standing there.

I relax, somehow feeling inherently safe in his presence, even though I know I shouldn’t, considering I don’t know anything about him. I don’t respond to his quip, but instead, head back into the barn to check on Shadow. She snorts and shakes her head, and I step into her stall to examine her, looking her over for any damage. She’s understandably spooked, but I don’t find any physical injuries. I stroke her neck for a few minutes to calm her, and myself down, as Finn, who followed me into the barn, stands outside the stall, his powerful wings now tucked in tight to his body.

“Are you alright?” he asks, watching me with that same concerned expression from earlier tonight.

“I’m fine.” My voice is clipped as my hands shake from the adrenaline leaving my system.“And don’t even think about saying ‘I told you so.’”

“Wouldn’t dream of it.” He walks over to the stall and holds his hand out for Shadow to smell. She tosses her head a few times but lets him pet her.

“Why didn’t you have your wings out earlier?” I ask him, more curious than anything. Notably, there are no aengels in Staghorn, and his wings fascinate me. I thought their wings were feathered, and maybe some are, but Finn’s appear to be more like bat wings, smooth and thin and veined.

He shrugs, but a wry smile tugs at his mouth.“They tend to attract attention.”

I laugh dryly, but understand why he keeps them hidden in more crowded spaces. Besides the stares I’m sure he would receive, they take up a lot of space, even in a relaxed state, and I wonder if it’s uncomfortable for him to keep them hidden under clothing.

Satisfied that Shadow has calmed down enough to get some sleep tonight, I exit her stall and turn back to Finn.

“Thank you,” I tell him. I probably would’ve been fine if he hadn’t shown up, but his presence clearly de-escalated the situation.

“Why exactly were you brawling in the street with two men twice your size in the middle of the night?” He takes a step toward me and quirks a brow when he notices my lack of footwear.“Barefoot, I might add.”

“I woke up and heard Shadow freaking out, so I ran down to check on her. Those two sore losers were trying to take her, and I wasn’t about to let that happen.” I suppress a yawn, suddenly feeling very tired.

He nods his head considerately before saying,“If she’s bonded to you, she never would’ve gone with them.”

“Up until a few days ago, I’d never evenseena pegasus, let alone been bonded to one. I just wanted to protect her.” I look at her fondly and she nickers.

“A pegasus’ loyalty is second to none. She would’ve died before parting with you.” He watches Shadow, a hint of sadness in his voice.

“Sounds like you have experience with them,” I say, baiting him for more information.

He shrugs, not revealing anything. I slide down against Shadow’s stall door to sit on the ground, exhaustion threatening to overtake me after yet another stress-inducing experience. I’ve been away from home for less than a week, and I’ve already been attacked by both ancient magic and bitter, middle-aged men; not exactly a great introduction to life on this side of the mountains.

“You can’t sleep out here.” Finn squats down in front of me.

“I’m not sleeping,” I say, struggling to keep my eyes open.

“Hazel,” he says, his voice stern but warm. It takes me a second to realize he’s talking to me.

“I don’t want to leave her… What if they come back?”

“They won’t,” he says, arrogance lacing his quick response.

“What makes you so sure?” I question him with narrowed eyes.

“Because I’ll stay with her until dawn.”

My eyes snap open, though I hadn’t even realized they had drifted close. My gaze finds his indigo eyes, and he seems genuine enough.“I can’t let you do that. I don’t even know you.”

He stands up from his squat and offers me his hand.“I do my best thinking at night, anyway.”

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