Page 69 of Faking with the Fae King

“I knew you’d be here.” He casts a simple illusion, hiding himself from human sight as he settles onto the tree branch beside me. “Why exactly are you here, perched in this tree like some giant raptor?”

I grunt. “I’m protecting Hannah.”

“You hired people for that.” He points toward Luna, who’s just stepped out from behind the cottage after doing another walk of the perimeter. “If they’re not competent, hire someone else.”

“They’re competent, but Meloria’s relentless. She’ll stop at nothing to win the bride trials. She attacked at the pub yesterday evening and again here at the cottage in the middle of the night.” I used my shadows to keep Meloria from reaching the cottage, while Luna, in her werewolf form, fought off the minion.

“Go get some rest,” he says. “I’ll watch over Hannah today.”

“Thank you.” I clap him on the shoulder and launch from the tree. But I head toward town instead of the palace, off to find Shadow.

I flew Hannah home last night and refused her inebriated invitation to come in, offering her a date tonight to make up for it.

And make up for it, I shall. I’m going to give her the best date of her life, prove once and for all that our attraction to one another, no matter how it began, is something real.

When she looked at me with those big brown eyes and told me she trusted me, it unlocked something within me, a place I’ve held guarded for my entire life. No one’s ever trusted me before, never looked at me with such faith in my actions and character.

Hannah makes me want to be the man she already thinks I am. A good man. One worthy of her trust.

Seduction is no longer enough. I want to earn her adoration.

And I want far more than adoration from my enchanting little witch. I need her to agree to be with me—fully in my life and in my bed—for our year of marriage.

Sunlight warms my face, streams across the tops of the trees until they blaze green and alive. Earth has brought me to life too, bathed me in the light of Hannah’s smile.

Ferndale Falls comes into view. The town I will make anew. I no longer act for myself—though I will, of course, also reap the rewards—I do it for her. Hannah loves this town, and I will do anything to make her happy.

When I land on the town green, some of the tulips are resting, rooted in their beds, but the remainder race up to me. They bob and weave, their little root feet clumsy, their leaf arms flapping more than usual.

“Have you been in the cider?” My lips quirk. “Was it the pixies?”

Flower heads nod all around me, and a few spin in place, clearly still having fun.

“Go and sleep it off.” I wave them toward their flower beds. “You need to eat.”

The tipsy tulips stagger away, settling into the dirt in uneven lines, little heads drooping as they immediately fall asleep.

I find the werepanther standing in line outside Slice of Life, which is still the only breakfast café in town. Goddess, this only proves how much we need a bakery.

“Severin.” He grins his wide cat sith grin. “I was going to look for you right after breakfast. I have good news.”

My heart skips with hope. There’s only one thing I’ve continuously ordered him to do…

“I found a brownie who’s willing to come to Earth to open a bakery.”

Yes! Thank the goddess. “Perfect. Bring them to town today. Tell them I’ll pay them double if they’ll make dinner for two this evening.”

Then I fly straight for the palace to find the royal seamstresses. I have a special job for them.

It really will be the most excellent date.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Hannah

“Nooo,” I moan as the fluffy cloud slips away from the sun, allowing it to flood my backyard with brightness. “Come back, little buddy!”

“I thoughtIwas your little buddy.” Finn wiggles on my lap, reminding me I’m supposed to be giving him scratchies.

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