Page 33 of Kingdom of Faewood

The male stood and began to weave his hands through the air while mumbling beneath his breath. A hazy dome appeared around us, visible for only a second before it disappeared.

My eyes widened at the precaution. Guardian Alleron had wards around his estate, but he’d never commissioned one before when traveling.

When the spellcaster finished, my guardian inclined his head. “Let’s go.”

All of the guards positioned themselves on the carpets around us, weapons raised, postures ready.

The carpets, hovering an arm’s length above the sleepy street, lurched forward and then picked up speed.

Wind blew across my cheeks. In the east, the horizon began to glow as the sun crested it. Withevery second that passed, the eastern sky lit up more, carrying with it a pulse of magic that bathed our realm in the rich essence of a new day.

Normally, I loved sunrises. I loved the feel of our realm billowing around me as the galaxy blessed us with a sprinkling of her magic. The feel of it called to my lorafin abilities, igniting that spark of power within me each day.

But today, all of my concentration lay on the disappearing buildings flying past us.

Within seconds, we careened out of the town and left the swaying wheat fields behind us as we flew up the hill and back into the Wood.

The carpets quickly set on a glided path, hovering above the road and heading south. We were safely on our way back to familiar territory, and we would soon be far away from Jax and his band of raiders.

“Make yourself comfortable. It’ll be a long day.” Guardian Alleron sat beside me, his injured arm cradled in his lap.

The strongly flowing breeze continued to brush against my cheeks, and the scent of the Wood filled my senses. We traveled swiftly, but the carpet abruptly banked left to avoid a group of fae also heading south.

I pushed the stray strands of hair from my eyes as I peered behind us. “Are those...”

“Half-breeds?” Guardian Alleron arched a perfectly plucked eyebrow. “They are. The Centennial Matches are allowing their kind to compete this time around.” He made a disgusted noise under his breath. “Those competitors are likely on their way to thecapital now in hopes of passing the preliminary tests to compete. I’ve seen more half-breeds this week than I care to share.”

Another group of half-breeds. Just like yesterday. I snuck a second glance over my shoulder at the quickly disappearing group. Several of them sported tails, hooves, and other animalistic features, but they also had the builds of siltenites, pointed ears, and features that were distinctly high fae.

Turning back around, I settled into a seated position once more. “I think it’s a positive change that they’re being accepted and welcomed into the Matches, don’t you think? Some have magic like siltenites, and just because they’re part wildling doesn’t mean they’re any less intelligent. What’s the harm in letting them join?”

“You know how quickly they can breed. Any acceptance is repugnant.”

“I know they breed faster than us, but is that truly something to fear?”

My guardian eyed me coolly. “The fact that you think they should be accepted tells me you’re both ignorant and uneducated. Really, Elowen...that’s quite disappointing.”

A rush of shame crept up my neck, and I ducked my head, not commenting on it further.

We careened around another corner, and the Wood grew denser. The trees’ canopy spread over us, blocking out the early morning sun as the dawn’s spread of magic slowly receded.

I cleared my throat. “How’s Lillivel?”

“Anxious to see you. She’s been worried.”

“And—” I swallowed, my throat bobbing. “Mushil, Zale, and the other two guards who died, are their families?—”

“The guards didn’t die.”

I blinked, then blinked again. “What?” Surely, I’d misheard him. Isawthem die.

“They still live.”

“But they . . . I mean, I saw them . . .Howare they still alive?” I sputtered.

“I’m unsure, but all four of them showed up at Emerson Estate right before I left. Each complained of a fierce headache and a bruised chest, but they were all alive.”

It felt as though the wind got knocked from me. Slumping back, I tried to understand how that was possible. “Mushil’s fine?”

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