Page 54 of A Bargain with the Fae King

I haven’t told him what I learned this afternoon, not about the magic or that disastrous revelation in the closet. I’m not really sure what to make of any of it.

I stare at his smooth skin, the delicate point of his ears through his thick hair, and the strong planes of his face. He doesn’t look old. Not at all. But fae can’t lie. If they could, they certainly would have lied to me earlier today, to calm my near hysteria if nothing else.

Ambrose pokes his head into the bedroom where we stand. “I’m shifting Karin to Arbrean.”

The sudden comment causes me to jolt and stiffen.

Riven drops his hand from my cheek.

Perfect timing, Ambrose.A soft sigh slips from my lips as I relax. At least his interruption gives me more time to think.

“Where do you want to meet before we go to the border?” Ambrose continues.

“The honing point in the outer yard of Arbrean. Make sure the horses and supplies are ready to go.”

“They will be. See you soon.” Ambrose winks at me before retreating from the room.

Karin has already gathered a trunk of clothing and supplies they’d be taking there for Riven and me.

“Shouldn’t we go as well?” I’m eager to avoid the conversation we started only moments ago.

“Repairing the wards will take some time, even with Sigurd’s help. I thought we might have a moment alone together.” His voice turns silken and seductive.

Heat blazes to my cheeks. I wring my hands together in front of me, fingers slipping over the green stones around my wrist.

Riven’s brows draw together as he reaches out to finger the bracelet.

“Solona gave it to me. It’s to prevent anyone from shifting me away so that I can come with you to the border.”

He drops his hand. “So she was able to find it after all. That’s quite the treasure. But taking you to the border—” His words break off at my scowl.

“Don’t leave me behind again. I know you’re worried, that the territory needs me, Solona made that crystal clear, but please…”

His chest heaves in a sigh. “You can come to the border.”

My heart leaps. Finally!

“But,” he adds in a hurry, “if things go wrong or Sigurd does even the slightest thing suspicious…”

One sign of trouble, and he’ll send me back to safety.

Fine. Baby steps. I’ll take it.

His fingers trail fire in their wake as they drift up my arm. His head dips toward mine, sending my heart thundering despite the thick cord of unease, marked with the number eighty-two, coiled around it.

I step back.

“Lia?” His brows wrinkle as his head cocks to the side.

I can’t meet this gaze. Instead, my attention flitters around the room, searching desperately for an excuse, an escape.

“Something happened,” he says. This time, he pulls away from me. A flash of pain mars his features before he turns his back to me.

Shoot. This isn’t what I wanted. “I…”

Where do I even start?

I cross the space between us and wrap my hands around the rich green cloth of his sleeve. “I learned something today. And I just need a little time to digest it.”

---