Page 61 of Kingdom of Faewood

He nodded. “They know us. They would never turn us into the kingsfae. Here, we don’t need to hide.”

I nibbled on my lip and thought back to all of the tales I’d heard of the Dark Raider. Stories stretched throughout the kingdoms, speaking of his violence, malicious attacks, and unforgiving nature, but those acts had all been done against nobles or rich fae who wielded their wealth and status like a weapon. But he never hurt the poor, and he provided for the less fortunate in all four kingdoms.

“A silk shawl for your beautiful mistress?” A middle-aged fae female held out an array of colorful scarves and bits of silk when we passed her shop. She bowed low to Jax, her expressionsimilar to what one would see when a fairy worshiped the gods.

A blush heated my cheeks that she thought I was his mistress, but Jax fingered the material and nodded. “Better yet, do you have any clothing that would suit her? We still have another day of travel ahead.”

Only another day?That implied we were almost to our final destination. My throat worked when the female bobbed her head and gestured to the inside of her shop. “You know I do, Dark Raider. This way, if you would. I have several gowns and dresses that would suit her perfectly.”

The next hourpassed in a blur of trying on dress after dress. Each one was bolder, more extravagant, and more constricting than the one before. I couldn’t help but wonder where the shop owner had obtained her supplies or who she sold them to. Nobody I’d seen here wore anything this grand, yet after sneaking peeks at the other racks and shelves in her humble shop, I saw that the majority of her clothing was simple. Cottonum pants, long-sleeved tops, home-spun dresses.

But that wasn’t what she chose for me.

I was reminded of my many seasons under Guardian Alleron’s care. Once again, I became a doll to dress up and admire versus a female fairy with a beating heart and a mind of her own.

Dutifully, I fell into the role I’d been conditioned to play since I was a child. Turning. Holding my arms out. Stepping into gown after gown when asked.

The entire time, the shopkeeper clucked and fussed, having me turn every which way so she could smooth the skirt, fluff the tulle, or clasp bobbles to my throat and ears.

And with each dress I wore, I stepped out of the fitting room to parade before Jax as the shopkeeper gushed and gazed at him with adoring eyes while asking if he liked it.

By the time an hour had gone by, my smiles had turned wooden, and my gaze fixated on nothing in particular.

“Well, Dark Raider, what do you think of this beautiful material?” The shopkeeper beamed at him as I gave a slow twirl. “It’s made of silk from the Nolus continent, over ten thousand stitches that are so fine you can barely see them, and the jewels at the neckline were mined in Ironcrest. It’s a true work of art.”

Jax leaned back on the sofa and cocked his head. “Is this dress from my raid the other month?”

She bobbed her head. “It is, Dark Raider.”

I perked up for the first time in the past hour, understanding hitting me thatJaxwas the reason the shopkeeper had such grand goods.

And she indeed had many fine items. The dark-green gown I currently wore clung to my curves, hugged my breasts, and draped down my body like liquid silk.

“I agree that it’s beautiful.” Jax nodded.

I wouldn’t have been surprised if a sun lived within the shopkeeper since she glowed so much from his praise.

Jax cocked his head at me. “Elowen? Do you agree?”

“Yes, Dark Raider,” I replied automatically.

Jax’s brow tightened, pinching together as the shopkeeper continued to gush about the gown’s pattern and cut. Her hands fluttered around me, picking up and smoothing the dress until it lay at just the right angle. “I have several more similar to this if it suits you. You can have whatever you like, obviously at no cost?—”

“Can you give us a minute?” Jax interrupted her.

The shopkeeper immediately bowed. “Yes, of course.” She stepped away, heading outside to the lane to join Jax’s friends and Guardian Alleron, who stood watch at the front door, leaving me alone with the Dark Raider.

Jax rose to his feet, his head nearly brushing the top of the shop’s low stall. I stayed rooted to the spot, even though my collar hummed.

The energy strumming from Jax turned visceral, pulsing through the room in soft waves. He prowled toward me and only stopped when he towered above me, his chest less than a foot away. Clearly defined pecs were visible through his black shirt, and I wondered if they were as hard as they looked.

“What’s wrong?” he asked quietly.

I quickly averted my gaze. “Nothing’s wrong. Everything’s fine.”

“That’s a lie.” He growled low in his throat. “You’vebecome more silent and despondent with every dress you’ve tried on.” He reached for my hip, as though he was going to touch me, but he stopped himself at the last moment and shoved his arm behind his back. “I thought you wanted new clothes?”

“I do.” I licked my lips. “I’m sorry. I don’t mean to seem ungrateful. I honestly would like something else to wear besides that blue gown.”

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