Page 32 of Kingdom of Faewood

“I mean,” I said over my shoulder. “I’m fairly certain it was him. He claimed to be the Dark Raider, and he looked like he was. Not to mention he’d been seen in our kingdom the day prior, but I guess”—I nibbled my lip—“I guess I don’t know for certain he’s who he claimed to be.”

Guardian Alleron scoffed. “I highly doubt it was him. The Dark Raider would never be this easy to trick, and I’m startingto wonder if the three-dozen hired hands I brought along were even necessary. I turned back to retrieve them after that dillemsill found me, but now I’m thinking that was also unnecessary and only delayed me further. Not to mention, the cost of so many is extraordinary.”

I bit my lip harder as he finished securing the last ribbon. “I’m sorry. He said he was the Dark Raider, so I thought it best to?—”

“It’s fine. You can do a few extra callings this month to recoup the cost. Now, get moving. We’re going home.”

More callings?Fatigue hit me at just the thought, but then I recalled what else he promised.Home. We were going back to Emerson Estate. I finally had a home, and all of the fantastical stories I’d read as a child had instilled the belief in me that home meant safety.

Soon, I would be back in my bedroom chambers, enjoying my large soft bed, and I would finally be able to relax and soak in my new huge tub. The wardrobe would be filled with silky gowns and endless tulle—even if I hated those types of dresses—but Lillivel would fuss over me the second I arrived, which made up for the clothing I was expected to wear.

For the first time in two days, anxiety didn’t coil my stomach, even if the thought of doing extra callings to fund my rescue made me want to weep. But at least now, I wouldn’t have to fear death.

I was goinghome.

I followed Guardian Alleron to the door, but when hereached for the door handle, he hissed, and his hand shot to his upper arm.

I laid my palm gently on his forearm, but he jerked back so quickly that my hands fluttered awkwardly before I forced them back to my sides. “I’m sorry. I was just concerned. How’s your shoulder?”

His nostrils flared. “It’s healing. Slowly.”

I made a noncommittal noise just as Guardian Alleron swung the door open and ushered me out. He’d obviously already dismantled Jax’s locking spell from how easily it opened.

I was about to follow him, but I stopped short.

Down the hall, four guards stood in the dark, like malevolent sentries in their black attire. All were large and heavily armed. I didn’t recognize any of them, but they weren’t kingsfae. None of them wore the king’s seal on their arm or had uniforms of brown, turquoise, and white.

Guardian Alleron huffed. “They’re mine. Don’t be concerned.Move, Elowen.”

Hired hands then.

The four males all peered down at me. One of them took in my haphazardly dressed form and gave me a sultry smile.

I quickly hurried past them to follow my guardian, and all of them stalked behind us, their armor clanking softly.

Nobody was in the salopas when we drifted through it downstairs. Neither was anyone at the front door’s desk. The female who’d been reading the book and occasionally checkingin guests was long gone. It seemed everyone had retired for the night.

Within minutes, we were outside on the quiet street. Fresh air filled the breeze, and the scent of juniper blossoms carried on the wind. If I inhaled long enough, the sweet smell of wheat also permeated my senses.

Only a few wildlings and one siltenite were walking by on the sleepy lane, yet the second they caught sight of us, they scurried the other way or dipped into alleyways between buildings.

I had a feeling that six enchanted carpets and over thirty armed males outside of the Lemosilly Inn had something to do with that.

“On the carpet, Elowen, the one in the middle,” Guardian Alleron barked.

I hurriedly did as he demanded but couldn’t help but peer around. Confusion filled me when, once again, I didn’t spot Jax or his friends anywhere.

Galaxy and Stars, they left me.

That realization struck me so suddenly that I paused mid-step. Whoever Jax was, he’d probably decided that I wasn’t worth the trouble after all. Perhaps he accepted that since he couldn’t remove my collar, I truly was of no use to him, so he abandoned me in the inn’s chamber and fled.

A wash of hurt filled me, which was ridiculous, but anytime anyone left me, it ripped open the old scar of what mymother had done. Once again, I’d been discarded without a second thought.

Irritation filled me that I was allowing such a male to affect me.He abducted you, murdering innocents in the process, and then left you. Why are you upset by that? Leaving you is a good thing.

Simmering at my stupid reaction, I settled myself onto the center carpet, dismissing the rumbling of my empty stomach while I prepared myself for the long, full-day journey back to Emerson Estate.

Guardian Alleron hopped onto the carpet I rode and nodded toward a male I’d never seen before, then snapped his fingers. “I need a ward. Now.”

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