Page 41 of Bride of the Fae Prince

When I bring myself to look again, Ash stands in the doorway, backlit by brilliant gold light.

Then he vanishes.

Rahk gently moves me forward. When I look up at him, he meets my gaze, and there’s a question there.Do you wish to go before or after me?I point to him with a little wince. He nods and steps forward.

This time, I keep myself from looking away. As Rahk steps into the doorway, as the bright gold casts him in shadow, I suck in a sharp breath.

Behind his silhouette is a great pair of wings.

Then he’s through the door, and it’s my turn. The steward gives me an encouraging nod that juxtaposes his unsettlingly bright, slitted eyes. I grip my skirts as I force myself to take the few steps to the doorstep.

The door itself almost seems a part of the trees winding around it. When I take hold of the cool knob, there’s a rush of sound, of wind, of words.

Fly away, little bird! Fly away—far, far away. Return to your nest before his jaws snap your wings. Fly away, little bird!

I turn the knob and open the door.

The world beyond is not what I am expecting. Rahk catches me with a firm grip on my forearm when I stumble.

We stand on the rocky shore of a crystal sea. The late afternoon sunlight gleams off the water’s surface, refracting intoblinding rays. Before me is a magnificent, white-stone palace set into the edge of a cliff. Its many floors, open windows, and arched doorways array in such elegance that is so unlike the gray strongholds I’m used to. This palace is one of luxury, with no fear of attack. Hanging gardens and gushing waterfalls cascade down the cliff face. A blustery, warm breeze whips around me—far too warm for the furs I wear.

And there is Ash, standing with his back to me, hands clasped behind him. I take a deep breath, then step to his side. He steals a sidelong glance at me and, in that moment, he looks more like the Ash I’ve come to know so far. Then he returns his gaze to the palace cut into the side of the rock.

“Welcome to your new home, Stella.”

Chapter 18

The Prince

Stella’s face is alittle pale, but she bravely sets her shoulders and gives a firm nod.

She has no idea what she is about to face.

“Edvear,” I call, turning away from her as my steward jogs to my side, a little breathless from the portal. “Please see to Princess Stella’s trunks; that they are safely stowed. You may remit compensation to the fae who joined us. I have no need of them in the future. Tell them to lie low until Lulythinar is past if they value their lives.”

Edvear nods, bows, and hurries off. I glance back at Stella, find her rubbing her arm as though she’s cold, despite the fact she must be sweltering in that dress. She catches my attention, a question in those large brown eyes.

A question I don’t want to answer.

My magic flows freely now, filling my blood, my limbs, lungs. But this air is stifling in a completely different way than the human world was. It’s not good to be home.

Rahk watches me expectantly, his arms crossed over his chest, eyebrows lowered. Waiting for me to do right by my wife.

I draw a deep breath. I turn toward her and hold out my hand. She accepts it. It’s almost unsettling how much she trusts me now. Perhaps equally unsettling how much I trust her, too. I draw her closer to me, giving in to this new, inexplicable, and constant desire for her to be near.

“I am going to glamour you,” I say, tilting my head down to hers.

Her brow knits. “Why?”

Because her mortality smells so strongly that anything within the nearby vicinity will scent her blood and mark her as prey. “Because your dress is unsuitable for our next . . . engagement.” It’s not a lie.

She glances down at her travel gown, perhaps a little self-consciously. “I have dresses in my trunks.”

Human clothes, of human fashions. Her humanity will stand out well enough without her wearing them.

“They are not suitable,” is all I say. “I will also glamour the feel of your clothes, not simply the appearance of them. You will be more comfortable.”

She nods. My jaw works, my magic tingling in my fingertips, glad for release. I take a deep breath.

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