Page 35 of Faking with the Fae King

Hannah jerks as if startled, planting her palms on my chest as if ready to push away. Tension thrums through hermuscles, her body rigid against mine. I brush my thumb down her cheek, slip it under her chin to tilt her head up.

She gasps, her heartbeat thundering in my ears as it picks up speed. Her beautiful brown eyes brim with a million questions, her lips parting as if to ask what I’m doing. I can’t let her speak—it’s not a question a real couple would need asked.

I cover her mouth with mine, swallowing the first soft sound of her confusion before it can escape. Her body remains stiff, her lips unresponsive. Seconds tick by like hours while she stands frozen in shock. Goddess, this kiss will fool no one! My hold on her tightens, pulling her closer to make the embrace appear more passionate.

Then Hannah makes this breathy little moan, her lips moving against mine as her body melts into my embrace.

Goddess, that sound! Hunger races through me, and I tease her lips apart, my tongue plunging forward to taste, to feast. I crush her close, my shadows leaping from my skin, coiling around her and holding her as tightly as my arms.

Hannah’s hands fist the open collar of my shirt, pulling her even closer, and she makes that little noise again, the one that goes straight to my cock.

I growl, sliding my lips to the edge of her jaw, right below her ear. Goddess, she smells delicious, like sunshine and flowers, sweet enough to eat. I nip at her with my fangs until she squirms.

A throat clears rather loudly behind me. I ignore it. Someone calls my name. It means nothing compared to the woman in my arms and whatever I need to do to get her to make that bewitching sound again.

“Severin, enough!” The sharp snap of Meloria’s voice slices the air.

My head whips around, and I scowl. “You dare!”

“I’m not the one showing a lack of decorum. Instead of watching any more ofthis, I’m taking my leave.” With one last sneer, Meloria and her representative leap into the air, their shadow wings unfurling as they speed toward the waterfall and the waiting door to Faerie.

Thank the goddess. With any luck, she’ll stay away until the next trial. My anger might have cooled by then. Perhaps, although doubtful. As a shadow fae, I know how to hold a grudge, and the wrong she did to my betrothed…

Another realization strikes. If Meloriadoesn’tstay away from Ferndale Falls over the coming weeks, Hannah’s not safe.

The gnomes and wood nymphs make their own noises about leaving, yet linger. I grind my teeth and make forced small-talk, which is admittedly nothing more than a series of grunts on my part.

Finally, I’m alone with Hannah, Varyn, and Naomi.

“Meloria cheated,” I growl. “She tripped Hannah during the trial.”

“I knew something was off!” Hannah snaps her fingers, and Finn gives an angry bark.

“Find me a bodyguard for Hannah.” I meet Varyn’s eyes. “Not a shadow fae.”

He raises an eyebrow as if to ask if I’m sure.

I give a small nod. I am. Besides him and Daigan, there aren’t many other fae I can be completely certain Meloria can’t undermine, and I need both of them to continue theircurrent duties.

“There are cu sith in Alarria,” I say. The wolf shifters make the best bodyguards, fearsome fighters in their werewolf forms. Better yet, once they accept a job, their loyalty cannot be bought, no matter the bribe offered.

“On my way.” His silver shadow wings spread wide, carrying him up into the air.

“I need to get back to the shop,” Naomi says to Hannah. “You want to come with?”

Hannah meets my eyes and shakes her head. “Severin and I need to talk.”

“I’ll fly her back to town,” I say

The fox barks.

“And you as well.”

Another bark.

Hannah shakes her head. “He wants to go with Naomi.”

The fox gives me one last warning glare, baring impressive fangs.

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