Page 60 of Kingdom of Faewood

“Why stop here if it’s not where you want to go?”

“You need clothes, and we need to rest. Besides, Fosterton is one of the smallest and poorest villages of Stonewild. I usually check in with the fae here. And I also have this to give to them.” He pulled several heavy bags from the sacks draped over Phillen.

“What are in those?”

“Rulibs. Courtesy of Lordling Neeble.” His eyes crinkled in the corners, and I had a feeling he was grinning.

I huffed a soft laugh, and he held his hands up to help me down. I took them without a moment’s hesitation, and when his strong fingers and large palms closed around me, my attention fixated on the roughness of his callouses and the strength of his grip.

A flush worked up my neck, and my magic spiked inside me. Collar vibrating, I took a few deep breaths and swung my leg over Phillen.

Jax held onto me until I regained my footing, then he went to my guardian and hauled him off Trivan.

Guardian Alleron grunted when he landed on the sandy soil. He was still bound at his wrists, and his knees buckled slightly, but with stiff movements he straightened, his pride no doubt ensuring that. He had to be sore from the long day’s ride, but I knew he would never admit it.

Magic stirred in the air around the stags, heating and pulsing. In a swell of power, the remaining five shifters all transformed back to their fae forms. As before, the five of them stood clad in black attire and concealing masks. Packs were slung over their shoulders that had been draped over their haunches.

“Finally, we’re here.” Trivan huffed. The blond wiped at his shoulders, as though dispelling whatever feeling remained from hauling my guardian around all day.

“Go okay?” Phillen clapped him on the shoulder. “You didn’t buck him off. I’m surprised.”

“I thought about it.” Grumbling, Trivan shoved Phillen’s hand off. “I’d rather carry the two of them than that arsehole again.” He sneered at Guardian Alleron, but my guardian’s gaze only found mine.

He cast me a veiled look, as though he was trying to communicate something with his eyes, but a simmer of betrayal bubbled up inside me, and I quickly looked away.

“This way.” Jax indicated for me to walk at his side, so I joined him.

At my back, Guardian Alleron followed. With every step he took, I felt his silent demands digging into me. Pleading with me to address him.

I stiffened and kept my attention forward. If my guardian thought I was in a position to assist him or that Iwouldhelp him escape, he was sorely wrong. I was still so angry at him for his total and complete betrayal.Hewas the reason I never knew my mother, and it wasn’t like I could help him escape even if I wanted to. Bowan’s magical bands still bound him.

Bustle from the small village carried to us on the wind. Fae milled about, walking along the dusty streets, standing in small yards, or selling goods from their canopied shops. Poverty was evident in the simple, tattered clothing most wore, but they weren’t entirely without.

The sounds of children laughing rang through the streets, and fragrant scents from eating establishments wafted throughthe air, making my stomach growl again. With every step that took me closer to the tiny city, my stomach howled louder.

Jax chuckled. “We’ll get food soon. I promise.”

I slapped a hand to my stomach, casting him a sheepish smile, but soon the wonders of the foreign city overtook me.

“The south side is where the markets are.” Jax gestured for me to follow him into a labyrinth of twisting streets and narrow alleys filled with canvas tents and wobbly tables. Every which way I looked were ramshackle shops, simple eating establishments, and small entertainment venues.

Jax handed the sacks of rulibs to his friends, and they all doled out coins to every fairy who approached. Murmurs of thanks and blessings from the stars poured out of everyone’s mouths, and for the first time, I was seeing thegooddeeds that Jax did for the fae of our kingdom.

“Care for a flower, my lady?” A male stepped into my path and held up a blood-red rose. Thorns poked up from its stem, but the bud was large and velvet soft. A part of me wondered how in the realm he grew that here.

“I don’t have any rulibs,” I replied with a regretful shrug. “But it’s a beautiful rose.”

“Nonsense.” He placed the rose carefully in my hand. “Any friend of the Dark Raider is a friend of mine.” He bowed and stepped back as he cast Jax and his friends reverent looks and whispers of thanks.

Other fae stepped forward as we wove deeper into the market, holding out their hands eagerly as Jax and his band offriends filled them with coins. They kept it up until all the rulibs were gone, and it wasn’t lost on me that they didn’t keep any for themselves.

In return, every fairy we encountered offered their goods and wares at no charge even though it was obvious these fae didn’t have much. Deferent glances at Jax and the other five all filled their expressions, but Jax and his friends declined their offers.

Puzzled, I frowned. “I don’t understand. I mean, I know that you provide for them, but why don’t they fear you? I thought everyone was afraid of you to some extent.”

Jax shrugged. “Not here. Stonewild Kingdom is our home, and these are fae who we strive to protect. They know we would never hurt them.”

“Is that why none of you are wearing glamours?”

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