Page 68 of Wolf Caged
Here was the true fae king, and he was commanding.Breathtaking. The epitome of power as he barked orders at the males on his heels and his sister.
And then he noticed me.
I couldn’t breathe.
Every inch of me locked up tight as awareness of him battered me like a storm, his silver eyes holding me immobile, deep under his spell. Heat poured through me, hunger rising rapidly as he strode towards me, the distance between us narrowing until I couldn’t bear it, wanted to claw my way out of my skin to reach him.
Something inside me aching in response to the sight of him.
Tugging me towards him.
Before I realised what I was doing, I was standing at the front of the castle, near the main entrance.
I couldn’t ignore the gravity of him as he disappeared into the castle, the guards halting at the grand archway, only his sisterfollowing him inside. That gravity pulled me towards him, had me following him too, moving swiftly and silently for fear he might hear me and stop me, my lungs still feeling too tight and my belly warmed in an unsettling way.
I tracked his scent into the gloom of his castle, steps light on the black marble floor of the broad entrance corridor. It led me to a cathedral-like room that I had discovered only a day ago was the great hall—Kaeleron’s receiving room. The great black arched wooden doors were ajar, but rather than slipping inside the expansive room, I pressed my hands to the beautiful carvings of nature on them and stilled right down to my breathing.
“Do not start on me, Vyr,” Kaeleron growled and the pressure of his presence increased, but not enough that I couldn’t breathe and felt as if I was about to be squashed into the elegant marble floor.
Either he constantly tempered his power now or I was growing more used to it.
I peeked around the door, gaze seeking him. He stood on the dais near his throne at the far end of the room, the two rows of ornate black columns carved with vines, leaves and stags that supported the ribs of the high vaulted ceiling filling the space between us.
The sight of him struck me hard again, a vision of power and strength, and darkness as he loomed at the top of the steps to his throne. A male ready to do battle, or perhaps one who had already fought one.
He looked weary.
Exhausted almost.
As if his mask had slipped and this was his true appearance, without all the false smirks and fierce shadows designed to disarm or strike fear into others.
He sank onto his throne. “Spare me the lecture.”
Jenavyr planted her hands on her hips. “I will not, brother. Had I realised you intended to go to Ereborne dressed for war, I might have stopped you. What a wonderful impression you must have made!”
Kaeleron snarled, “I know my duty. Do you remember yours?”
That verbal barb I didn’t understand seemed to hit its mark as Jenavyr fell quiet and lowered her head, but then she rallied and lifted it, looking right at her brother.
“I remember,” she bit out. “How could I ever forget? I am constantly reminded of it with every suitor Ereborne sends my way. It does not mean I have to like it.”
“And I remember mine, and it does not mean I have to like it either. We both have our burdens to bear, sister. I cannot forget mine, and you should not forget yours.” Kaeleron’s expression slowly darkened, shadows rising like a collar around his shoulders, snaking from the gaps between the metal plates of his armour. “I did as expected of me. The visit is done and our continued support ensured. Do not think I enjoy this any more than you do.”
Jenavyr lingered a moment longer, her back to me so I couldn’t read her expression, and then she stormed away, exiting through the side door.
Had they been arguing about Jenavyr’s future marriage? It was wrong that she had to wed someone she didn’t love, and I wanted to find her and tell her that, to comfort her when she had to feel she was on the verge of losing everything she loved in her life—her freedom, her position, and her brother.
And perhaps a certain vampire she claimed to hate.
Kaeleron sighed and then his gaze slid towards the door where I hid.
His tone was pure amusement as his voice traversed the one-hundred-and-fifty feet between us. “Hiding in shadows from ashadow king was not your brightest idea. What does my little lamb want from me?”
I stepped out from behind the door and huffed. “Nothing like you’re thinking, that’s for sure. I want my shadows gone.”
His smile was feline. “I could lift your shadows for you, blast them away from the corners of your soul and make you forget things for a while.”
“That was a poor attempt to seduce me.” I rolled my eyes as I approached him. “My guards. I meant my guards.”
