Page 30 of Tempting the Fae Lord
“Of course alone.”
“But you could be hurt. Killed even. You need backup.” As much as I’d like to be that backup, I’m well aware I’d be useless in a fight.
“I have no backup, nor do I have need of backup.”
“What about the new queen? You’ve said you approve of her. You could ask her for help.”
He shakes his head. “Time is of the essence. But fear not. I won’t be harmed.”
I gesture to his knee. “You were literally just harmed.”
“Well, I won’t be harmed again. I know what to expect from them now, and there will be no babe to protect next time.”
“But, Ez—I mean, sir,” I stutter as his gaze narrows. “What about everyone who needs you here?” Like Eulie and Marissa and Jack.
Like me.
“It shouldn’t take long. I’ll only be gone a few nights. You lot can manage without me. You do fine all day, every day as it is.”
I don’t like the idea of him leaving. Of him rushing headlong into danger. Of not knowing what’s happening while he’s gone. “What if it’s a trap?”
“Fear not. I won’t be caught.”
Such arrogance. What must it be like to possess the confidence of the Gatekeeper? Perhaps if I were a vampire, I’denjoy such self-conviction too. I’ll never be fae, but it’s possible to make a vampire…
He slaps his hands on his thighs and rises. “It’s time we should retire. Dawn is nigh upon us, and you’ve been awake all day and then all night. Go to bed. You may tell Eulayla and Chester what I’ve shared, but not the others.”
“I wouldn’t tell them anyway. They’re too young, and I don’t want them to be afraid.”
He approaches. I hold my breath as he strokes one hand over my hair and cups my neck. “There’s nothing to fear. Sleep well, Mooncalf.”
“And you, sir.”
He holds my gaze so long I squirm. What is he thinking? Then he pats my shoulder and leaves me alone in his study with only the swirling images of sorcerers, bone callers, corpses, and vampires in my mind for company.
There will be no sweet dreams tonight.
Chapter Nine
Gale
“Stand up straight.”Marissa squares my shoulders with confident hands, then steps back and observes me. “Yes, like that. Chin up.” With a piece of string, she measures the length of my back from shoulder to shoulder.
We’re outside on one of the many balconies looking over the hillside. The lighting is good here, sunny and crisp. The breeze is cool on my cheeks.
I feel guilty about not telling Marissa what’s actually going on. Even though it’s only an omission of information and not an outright lie, it stillfeelslike a lie. She thinks Ezra’s second trip through the gate in so many nights will be a routine meeting with the guardians on the other side. She doesn’t know the danger.
So I fight to appear calm, keep a neutral expression, and chat with her as though I’m not worried sick about him crossing tonight.
“New clothes will be so exciting.” She marks the string and wraps it around my waist. “I’m going to ask for blue. And maybe yellow. What about you?”
“I don’t know.” New clothes are the last thing on my mind. To be honest, I’d forgotten all about them until Marissa came to fetch me to collect these measurements.
“Green suits you.” She hums and looks me over from head to toe. “Black too, I think. He dotes on you. Seeing you in his favorite color will please him.”
I hadn’t thought of that. My cheeks heat. “Good idea.” Though I haven’t exactly admitted my crush to Marissa—not in so many words—she knows. And I know that she knows. And she knows I know that she knows. And so on.
“That’s me, full of good ideas.” She boops me on the nose.
