Page 64 of Faking with the Fae King

Yet I find her teetering on top of a too-short stepladder, her entire body straining upward toward a light fixture.

My shadows snap out, coiling around her and steadying her. “Why are you doing this yourself?” I frown at Rune.

He stares back, completely unperturbed. “If I focus on that, it means I’m not focused on protecting her.”

I scowl but can’t disagree.

“It’s just a light bulb,” Hannah says. “I do this all the time.”

“You should have people for this.”

“I will.” She gives the bulb a couple last turns, and whispers under her breath, “Hopefully.”

Ah, the town’s money issues. Fortunately, I have good news.

“I’ve found another business for you.” Technically, Shadow found it, but he only did so because I paid him to, so I’m taking the credit. If there’s one thing being king taught me, it’salwaystake the credit. “A pub.”

My prevarication is well worth it. Hannah’s face lights up as she jumps off the stepstool. “Oh, that’s wonderful news! The town hasn’t had a bar in years.”

Her good humor warms me. After the disappointment of the second trial, she’s done nothing but work and practice magic. It’s rather nice to have this chance to please her.

I escort her out to the town green, where the werepanther and orc wait. Although the orc has the same long flowing hair, pointed ears, and sharp features as shadow fae, he’s seven-feet tall and more heavily muscled, with green skin and tusks instead of fangs.

“This is Thorvinn, son of the pubkeeper in Moon Blade Village.” Shadow grins widely as he makes introductions. “This is King Severin and Mayor Wylde.”

Before we make it across the grassy expanse, both herds of walking tulips race over to us.

“I wish I could talk to them like I can animals,” Hannah says.

“I can make my wishes known.” Leaning over, I brush my fingers across their soft flower heads and send little pulses of healing plant magic into each of them. “You need to restmore. You’re not supposed to run around so much. From now on, I want you to spend all night, every night, rooted in your beds.” I straighten up and point. “Now, go and take a nap.”

Heads drooping like scolded children, the tulips scurry off to their original flower beds, little root feet sinking into the soil.

“I thought you were supposed to be a warmonger.” Thorvinn frowns.

“Oh, I was,” I admit freely, which makes Hannah turn her concerned eyes on me. “But I’m reformed now, and those flowers are my creation.” What I don’t say aloud is it does no good to wage war against plants. They’re too easily hurt and can’t fight back. Where’s the satisfaction in that?

My betrothed soon smiles again as we meet my best conjurers outside of the largest empty building on Main Street. A wave of magic flows outward, rejuvenating the siding until it’s the rich green of orc skin. A new sign forms, decorated with a tankard and the pub’s name, The Thirsty Tusk.

The transformation continues inside, rushing across the wide room and leaving behind gleaming hardwood floors, paneled walls, and a long wooden bar that spans the back of the room. With further instructions from Thorvinn, wood tables and chairs pop into being, pewter tankards and taps fill the bar, and the entire place becomes the perfect re-creation of a Faerie orc pub.

The others go upstairs to turn the apartments into places orcs will find comfortable, but I catch Hannah’s arm to keep her with me.

“The initial rent for the pub, with a bit more since the orcs want to live in the apartments.” I press two gold coins into Hannah’s hand, and she beams up at me, radiating joy like the sun appearing from behind a cloud.

I step closer, pulled to her light, eager to kiss her again. Lukendevener has given me no answers about whether entangling our magic caused us to have sex.

But it doesn’t matter. Our magic isn’t mingling in this instant, and it’s clear she wants me, desire flaring in her eyes.

Goddess, how I crave her.

CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

Hannah

How did Severin know getting more new businesses, and their extra rent payments, isexactlythe pick-me-up I needed after losing the second trial two days ago? With the money he just pressed into my hand, I can finally buy the replacement hoses the volunteer fire department has been asking about for the last two years. Those hoses will keep everyone in town safer.

And it’s all thanks to Severin, my fake fiancé, who I’m totally staying super far away from starting right now. Yep, any second now, my body will respond to the SOS my brain is sending and move away from him. Any. Second. Now.

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