Page 75 of Kingdom of Faewood

“Elowen, are you dressed, lovely?”Phillen’s booming voice carried into my chambers through the door not long later.

“Coming!” I called.

My cheeks still burned from what I’d done the second Jax had left the room, but it wasn’t like he had any idea that his corded muscles had taken center stage in my fantasies.

I smoothed the black slacks and ebony top I wore. A quick glance in the mirror revealed my chestnut hair swaying down my back in gentle waves. My bright-green eyes were still alive with evidence of desire, but other than that, I looked normal. With any luck, my outfit choice today would take all their attention away from any lingering traces of my arousal.

When I reached the door, I unlocked it. With a frown, I realized Jax hadn’t spelled it on his way out, since it’d just unlocked like any other door. Even though he knew I could eventually undo his spells with a counterspell, he hadn’t even tried to keep me caged.Weird. It was almost as if he’d been in a hurry to leave and had forgotten.

I opened the door with a flourish and flashed Phillen a wide smile.

The large, brawny male took one look at me and burst outlaughing, his mask puffing from his face with each exhale. “Are you taking the piss, lovely?”

I glanced down innocently at my black leggings, black tunic, and then smoothed the black bandana that concealed the top of my head and was tied with a knot at the nape of my neck—all newly acquired clothing thanks to the shopkeeper yesterday.

A spark of glee ran through me. Indeed, with this outfit, nobody would question what I’d been doing in the privacy of these chambers. They would be too busy laughing or shaking their head at my style choice.

But even though the bandana hid the top of my head, my hair was still mostly visible, and I wasn’t wearing a mask so my identity wasn’t concealed like Jax and his friends. Still, I definitely looked like one of them now.

I couldn’t help my playful response. “What makes you say that?”

He chuckled. “So you have a sense of humor, do you, Newole? I knew I liked you.” He gestured down the hall. “If you’re ready, we’re heading out.”

I started at the sound of his new nickname for me.Newole?It was a strange thing to call me, but despite wondering how he’d come up with that, a smile spread across my lips. I’d never had a nickname before.

Phillen lumbered ahead. He didn’t check to see if I was following him, so I figured he either trusted me to do so, or his stag shifter magic allowed him to hear myfootsteps even though they were nearly silent.

I hitched my bag over my shoulder and kept pace behind him. We hopped down the stairs and passed through the salopas until we stood outside under a blazing morning sky. Dusty wind flew around us. In the distance, beige clouds swirled that were growing darker with every second that passed.

“Is that a storm?” I shaded my eyes, trying to see better.

“Dust cloud’s coming. We best be far from here when that arrives.” Lander waved toward it, his voice its usual monotone.

Lars dipped his head in agreement but didn’t say anything.

Jax stood by the door, his arms flexing. Piercing blue eyes found mine, and a flash of heat consumed me. A sharp inhale came from him, then his gaze raked over me, but instead of showing amusement or appreciation, he sharply looked away.

A moment of disappointment hit me, but the other males began to laugh and pat me on the shoulder, all of them either smirking or trying not to smile, given the twitching movements beneath their masks.

My tensed shoulders relaxed, even more so when Trivan whistled and said, “Goddess, Elowen...these outfits look better on you than they do on us.”

“I was thinking the same,” Bowan agreed, not even trying to hide his ogling.

I arched an eyebrow at all of them. Their tunics and leggings did little to hide their powerful physiques. “That’s debatable.”

Bowen chuckled, and Lander made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a snicker.

But Guardian Alleron was a different story. His spiteful stare hit me. He was still bound, dried blood visible beneath the bands restraining him, and his glare told me how much he hated all of this.

I glanced away, anything to avoid my former guardian’s accusing glowers, and in doing so, I became aware of the other activity in the street.

Shopkeepers and local fae were busy securing outdoor items with ropes or magic bands. Shutters were getting locked over windows, and dozens of fae were casting spells over doors and window frames.

“What are they doing?”

Jax nodded toward the clouds in the distance. “Sealing the crevices to keep that storm out. When that dust begins to fly, it’s toxic.”

My eyes bulged. “And we’re leaving when it’s about to hit?”

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