Page 10 of Treasured By the Fae Royal

I refocus my attention on Yvette’s mother, satisfied that her eyelids are already fluttering, an indication that she’s on the verge of consciousness. Her cheeks contain a healthy flush, and her leg is no longer swollen in the slightest. A few more waves of healing magic and I’m certain she’ll wake up.

Yvette steps closer and places a hand on my arm. Tears gleam in her eyes. “This means so much to me, Prince Lucas. Thank you.”

“PrinceLucas?” Aunt Heather groans, though she doesn’t become hysterical as I’d feared she might if she learned my true identity. “Gods, Yvette, did you really drag a Summer Court prince to my house?”

“Oops. Yes, Aunt Heather, I did. But he’s a very nice Summer Court prince. He saved me from flesh traders, remember? I would be on my way to an auction block outside of Sorsston right now if he hadn’t so gallantly rescued me.”

I lean closer to Yvette and whisper, “You think I’m gallant?”

She smirks. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

“Too late,” I whisper. “I think you must be falling in love with me.”

Her face grows red, and she fumbles for a response. Eventually, she says, “You wish,” in an adorably flippant tone. Then an expression of absolute joy breaks across her face, and she reaches for her mother. “Oh, Mama, you’re awake. I’m here, Mama. Don’t be scared. Everything will be all right. Aunt Heather is here too.”

“Carol! Oh, thank gods, you’re awake!” Aunt Heather exclaims.

I step aside, and a joyous reunion ensues. Something warm and tight affects my chest as I watch Yvette and Heather take turns hugging Carol. Suffice it to say, I find myself deeply moved by the display of affection. It brings back memories from centuries ago when my mother occasionally hugged me, a show of fondness she would only perform if my father was out of sight.

When Yvette’s mother suddenly notices me standing along the wall, a quick introduction is made, and I’m relieved she seems more accepting of my presence than her sister.

The women laugh and continue embracing one another while Yvette regales her mother with her experiences on the road. When she describes her rescue from the flesh traders and her subsequent healing at my hands, she aims a few warm glances my way. She also omits any mention of our first encounter, when I mockingly interrogated her on the road and she was forced to produce the letter of protection.

Does she realize the letter is useless when it comes to me?

Does she understand that it’s only out of the kindness in my heart, kindness I didn’t realize I possessed, that’s kept me from absconding with her?

Not for the first time, I wonder why I can’t be as cruel as Axton and Zandorr, my older brothers. One of my first memories involves the two of them skinning an orc alive. The orc’s crime? Accidentally venturing into Summer Court lands.

While I’ve killed plenty of humans and orcs, I’ve only done so during battle or in cases where it was well-deserved. Like the flesh traders who tried to capture Yvette. And yet my father consistently orders me to lead the Summer Court army. During my lifetime, I’ve led the army into battle far more often than either of my brothers.

Perhaps King Haratt hopes the cruelty of the soldiers and other highborn fae who make up the army will one day rub off on me. Still, I believe I’ve proven myself in battle. I’ve never lost a fight, and I kill my fair share of human and orc soldiers whenever I must.

Speaking of the Summer Court army, my soldiers along with General Dalgaard are probably wondering where the fuck I’ve disappeared to. I hope they aren’t searching for me. Considering that I’ve been absent for less than a day and the army is currently occupying the recently defeated city of Sorsston, the very city Yvette intended to visit, I suppose they probably think I’m still off conducting aerial sweeps of the countryside.

But I must return to Sorsston soon. Tribute Day is scheduled for tomorrow in the newly captured city, and I must be present when each household visits the castle to offer their ten pieces of silver. Or a son or a daughter.

I try to push away the sudden guilt that visits me over the knowledge that I’ll soon be responsible for ripping more families apart, and I quickly remind myself that Sorsston’s army attacked my people first. A week ago, they’d nearly decimated a small settlement filled with regular faefolk.

I ignore the growl that’s building in my throat. I’m a highborn fae. I’m a Summer Court Prince. I cannot show leniency when it comes to conquering the human villages and cities that attack us. Ussha, the lifeforce of my people’s magic, will only keep spreading outward from our four courts, prompting more regular faefolk who possess very little magic to resettle in human and orc territories. Regular faefolk count upon highborn fae for protection, and I cannot fail those who depend on me.

Tomorrow, I will preside over yet another Tribute Day in yet another conquered human city, and I will show no mercy. But my resolve falters when I look at Yvette as she beams down at her mother.

I don’t want to leave Yvette alone and unprotected. But how can I take her with me? Her mother just woke up after nearly dying, and I doubt the pretty little human will agree to leave her aunt’s cottage so soon, if ever.

“I must admit, I can’t believe I’m saying this, you know, considering what your army did to my home city,” Carol says as she sits up in bed while looking me over, “but I would like to thank you for all your help. I appreciate you saving my life, but more than anything I appreciate what you did for Yvette. Thank you for saving my daughter from those flesh traders. You’re a good male, Prince Lucas.”

A good male. I nearly laugh aloud. Nearly. Instead, I offer a respectful nod and say, “I was happy to help, and I’m glad we arrived at the cottage in time. Mangga bites are no joke.”

Yvette turns to me with a brilliant smile.

Then she stuns me by throwing her arms around me and hugging me tight.

“Thank you, Prince Lucas,” she murmurs in a grateful tone. Her head rests beneath my chin. “Thank you for saving my mother.”

Too shocked to speak and unaccustomed to being on the receiving end of intimacy, I simply stand still as she hugs me. My arms remain at my sides as I gape down at her. A hug. Yvette, the lovely human I would like to claim, is hugging me.

Slowly, I bring my arms up and wrap them around her, returning the embrace. She tightens her hold on me, and a little shudder passes through her body, making me suspect I’m not the only one being affected by our closeness.

---