Page 13 of Kingdom of Faewood

“On the contrary, I believe at the moment you’re the only one.”

I am?For a moment, I couldn’t reply. I knew my kind were rare, but I’d never known an actual count had been done on how many of us were currently alive. Despite Jax’s admission, I drew myself up more. “Regardless, I can’t help you.”

“I doubt that. You just don’t want to.”

“It’s true.” I pointed to my collar. “You would have to removethisfor my magic to work, and you can’t do that.”

Jax’s eyes narrowed, and he leaned closer. A hint of his scent, a spicy fragrance that reminded me of night, pine trees, and darkness, rolled into fire, billowed against my senses. Strangely, his scent was incredibly appealing.

The Dark Raider reached out and ran a fingertip along my collar’s edge. A pulse of magic tingled against my skin, and I knew it hummed along his as well.

His eyes narrowed more. “What is this?”

“It’s how my guardian controls me. But without his adaptor loosening the collar’s ability to suppress my magic, Ican’t access my lorafin powers enough to help you. Truly, I can’t do a calling for you and find whom you seek.”

“You’re telling me this isn’t simply a necklace?”

“No, it’s not. The collar’s magic keeps me caged. Only my guardian’s adaptor can release its hold on me.”

His finger dropped, and his eyebrows drew sharply together. “Where’s the adaptor?”

“My guardian has it. He never parts with it.”

Jax fingered my collar again, running both hands along the top of the smooth metal, then around to the back. His skin felt like fire on mine. Heat emitted from his hands, and my cool skin greedily soaked up his warmth despite also wanting to recoil.

He finally leaned back, taking his blessed warmth with him. “If I cut this off, could you access your magic?”

“Cut it off?” My eyes flashed wide. “You can’t do that. The collar’s magic won’t allow it, and I would need time to prepare for such an event even if you could.” I shuddered, thinking of what I’d done as a child. “It’s not to come off until I’m thirty summers old. And when that day comes, I’ll need to be fully prepared for my magic being entirely loose.”

Jax eyed me again, his carefully assessing gaze growing so intent it was hard to maintain eye contact. “When was the last time your guardian removed this collar from you?”

“It’s never off me.”

“Ever?”

I shook my head, thinking back to my childhood, to the actthat had taken place before this collar had been locked on me. “No. Never. I’ve worn it since I was very young.”

“If your guardian were to remove it now, how would he do so?”

I shrugged. “I don’t know. Truly, I don’t. He’s never taken it off or tried to remove it from me before. I’m telling you. I can’t stress enough that I’m of no use to you. Please, just let me go.”

“I disagree. This is simply a hurdle I didn’t foresee.” The Dark Raider abruptly stood and peered down at me, his azure eyes piercing.

I tilted my head back and back. He was tall, taller than Guardian Alleron and probably taller than his friend, Phillen. Broad shoulders stretched his shirt. Strong thighs filled out his black pants. Yet he was lean, his waist toned. Everything about him preceded his reputation. He looked like a killing weapon harnessed in fae form.

He tapped a finger on his hip. “We’ll ride for the day, and I’ll sort out this slight problem in the interim while you rest and prepare for my calling.”

I cocked my head. “You know that I need to prepare?”

“Of course. You just did three callings yesterday, which means you’ll need several days to recover before you can do one again. Am I wrong?”

Startled, all I could do was stare, but after a moment I shook my head. “Um, no, you’re correct.”

“Then in the meantime, we’ll ride now that word’s no doubt reached your king that I’ve taken you.”

I pushed to a stand, wincing when my entire body ached. But that was the least of my concerns since it didn’t appear he was going to let me go after all. “Where are we going?” I winced again when another slash of pain from yesterday’s callings cut through me.

A groove appeared between his eyes, and he looked me up and down. “Are you hurt?”

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