Page 45 of The Shadow Fae Rhapsody
“Go. But be careful,” he whispers in my ear.
He holds me tighter, nearly confiscating the air out of my lungs. If I linger longer, he may never let me go. I pull away slowly. “Watch over Coral for me.”
The houseon top of the hill has no sentries manning its gate, not even a single ward. I suppose there is no need for guards when you have hundreds of wyverns on your lawn.
This level of arrogance and confidence is something only a fae possesses. It’s not too late to go back. There’s a high probability that the person who lives next to the wyvern’s dwelling is someone dangerous. They’ll kill me if I am caught.
My stomach clenches at the thought, but I force myself to go through with this. I take several measured breaths before entering the property.
I am silent.
I am nothing.
It’s easy to navigate the interior of the house because the house plan is similar to most fae mansions I’ve been to. I am silently thankful to Dream Svenn for bringing me to strange places across the continent in my dreams. He likes finding new hunting ground to chase me and appease his primal instincts. I shake my head from thoughts of him and focus on the current task at hand.
Every hall is surprisingly empty, from the library to the kitchen and dining room. I was hoping to follow one of the helpers so they can take me to the fae lord’s room. The place is surprisingly clean for a castle without a single servant or maid.
After reaching the third floor without meeting a single soul, I give up. I am so done—
Footsteps resound from down the hall, and I quickly hide. A broad-shouldered fae strides into the room in his black leather suit. Power roils from him as he walks by with a duffel bag behind his back and a mask over his head. His muscular built and height reminds me of Svenn. Once again, I’m filled with longing and an ache for my husband. I shake my head to focus. It will be all right. I just have to gather information and come home to him soon.
This fae must be someone important, a warrior. I have to follow him. There’s no other choice. He’s the only person I’ve met in this house so far. I wait until he disappears down the hall before trailing behind him silently towards the watchtower.
I pause at the absence of stairs on the spiral staircase. That can’t be right… I am certain the fae went up there. Did he step on air? Does he have wings? Does the house have a ward?
It takes several beats for me to realize that the floor in the watchtower is made from transparent glass. Only the fae could design something so terrifying and beautiful at the same time.
I hear the thudding sound of the duffel bag being dumped in the room and then the sound of running water. Once the coast is clear, I tiptoe into the room, careful not to make a noise.
The watchtower has a large space with the furniture on one side and another side made solely of glass. Even half of the ceiling is transparent. I marvel at the enchanting architecture, at the full view of the blue sky and the distant mountains through the glass.
It’s utterly breathtaking, almost magical. I want to live in a house like this with Svenn. I blush at my stupid dream. We could live in a cottage in the woods and I would still be happy.
I keep glancing back at the washroom door despite the sound of running water. I’d be more at ease if the fae does something normal like singing or humming while showering. But he is completely silent and practical while he bathes.
A full set black armor lies on the table along with a matching helmet. I trace my fingers on the wyvern carved helm, marveling at the delicate dwarven crafts.
No way…
Terror grasps my heart, clenching it like a fist. This can’t be true… I move closer to read the fae runes carved on the shoulder plate.
Master of the Hunt.
My hand trembles when I slowly open the bag on the table. I glimpse the hair on beheaded heads and frantically snap it shut again.
This wyvern helm and the long spear on the table... could it be?
Dear gods. The Black Rose on the regalia confirms my worst nightmare. This is not just any ordinary fae lord. It’s Eirik Bloodhound’s best bounty hunter.
I just entered the Shadow Fae’s house.
The real one.
The room quickly falls to silence when the faucet from the washroom turns off. My head snaps to the door in panic.
That was quick… too quick.
There’s not enough time to make it to the entrance. I look left and right for a place to hide. The only choice I have is the furniture in the room. I climb into the wardrobe and go perfectly still.
