Page 72 of Finding Love with the Fae King

While in the dream, Melina’s eyes were often clasped shut, her hands fisting at the sheets as she tried to sleep peacefully. The hallucination I had created in her mind felt real to me as I moved the hair from her face. Touch was hard to create while in a dream, but the strong pull I felt to her even now, it was easy to feel.

When she woke up in the dream, she was magnificent. It wasn’t just the hallucination that I had willed for both of us. Her own body was beautiful without magic. Her eyes looked into mine, and they were as blue as the Eastern Sea. I was drowning as I fell into her soul.

We couldn’t help but touch each other as we rolled around in the bed, feeling, sucking, and nipping. Gods, she was perfect. The night ended all too quickly, but both her and my mind were at ease where we stood together. Peace, longing, trust, patience.

This battle was about to be over, and she would be in my arms again. We would mate and rule over a new kingdom that she would help rebuild.

I let out a large growl at the thought she may be out a few days after our initial mating. It had been a mere thirty-six hours without her, and it had been dreadful. My mood soured, and my vengeance on those who hurt our kingdom's subjects went without mercy.

“Osirus,” Alaneo spoke as he entered my private tent. I sat up, staring at his army regalia. Being my right-hand and adviser, he was one of the high-ranking officials that could call major plays during battle. “We have caught an intruder that was heading straight to your tent. I suggest you come for questioning.” Alaneo’s eyes were fierce at the thought of someone coming to harm me. I stood up, throwing my braided hair behind me, and shoved on my trousers.

“Give me a briefing,” I ordered as I put on my armor.

“It’s Daphne. She had no weapons but was determined to talk to you, saying it would swing the way of the war. It’s urgent, and she surrendered.” I scoffed.That woman won’t take no for an answer. Daphne is bartering with her life and her father’s. He’s the main reason for this battle, and here she is, doing his bidding again.

I flung the tent flap open and headed to the general’s tent. Shifters sparred while fairies in full form were putting on their armor. They could only last a few hours at a time in full form, so they had been working in shifts through the night.

“Your Majesty,” General Storm bowed. “We have caught the intruder, Daphne, Cosmo’s daughter, head of the Fae Court.” Daphne was tied to a chair, unmoving. Her eyes were watering, yet she was not letting a tear fall.

“She came willing, Your Majesty. In fact, she had no weapons and held a white cloth waving over her head as she entered the camp.”A sign of surrender.I grunted in acknowledgment.

“What do you want, Daphne?” I crossed my arms over my chest, my armor making a clanging as each bicep met my breastplate.

“I’ve come to bargain,” she breathed. Raising my brow in question, her face was unmoving. “I know we haven’t gotten along the past few hundred years, Osirus.”

Alaneo growled out, “You do not disrespect your King!” Soldiers came forward and stiffened as I put my hand up to halt them.

“I’m sorry, Your Majesty.” She lowered her head. “I mean no disrespect.” Daphne had been a tough woman the past few hundred years, trying to be a seductress and get back into my bed. In fact, she had been relentless, but now I saw the meek and mild Daphne I grew up with. The one that looked to please others with her hard exterior broken. Her aura was oozing regret as she sat in the chair with her head lowered.

“You may speak freely, Daphne. However, I suggest you choose your words wisely and not let a lie leave your lips.” My words were harsh. She had still caused much pain to my mate just a few days ago, and her father was the one I was fighting against. He had hidden away like a coward with some of his high-ranking officers, having my own armies fighting blindly in their stead.

The fae army believed they were fighting for Cosmo because I became unfit to be King. The lie was helped along by magical charms of deceit through the witch coven. They would certainly pay later.

“My mother.” She sniffed. “I’ve been this way because of my mother.” Her eyes looked up at me. I didn’t break my hardened looked as I nodded for her to continue. “Father wants the power; he wants control over the armies and to create the perfect race of fae, and when I was born, he thought I could win you over and be Queen. All the while, he could use me to go behind your back and mold the kingdom the way he wanted it. I didn’t want to do it, but he has my mother locked away at the mateless institution. If I ever wanted to see her again, I had to become Queen. He’s threatened to even shut it down and let her die alone,” Daphne sobbed. “She can barely care for herself. She’s never met her mate. That’s all she ever wanted!”

I knew of Cosmo and his marriage to Elaine. After his marriage, I had forbidden chosen mates to be brought into the Court. It was a tough law to pass, but luckily my parents were still available to sway some Court members because of their long-standing history.

“I did those things for her. I had to listen to him. I’ve been playing his side letting him think I was working for him, I swear!” Tears ran down her face and Alaneo looked to me for a decision. Her emotions were genuine, but I still couldn’t trust her.

“What are you wanting in return, and what do you want to give me?”

“I want my mother safe. I want her protected so I can take care of her and find her true mate,” she breathed harshly.

“What will you give me, Daphne? Because right now I only want one thing.” I took a few steps forward, standing in front of her.

“I’ll give you my father’s hiding place, and his nobles. However, I do have information about someone that says they are your friend but works for my father.” Few gasps in the room. Someone among us was a traitor.

“You better not be lying, Daphne,” I growled. She continued to shake her head, “No, on my mother’s life I swear to you!”

“Name the traitor!” General Storm spoke as he banged his fists against the stone table.

“Peoni, Melina’s fairy attendant,” Daphne spoke quickly.

“You fucking liar!” Alaneo roared. “She would never do such a thing! Where is your proof!” Alaneo began pacing in the tent, angered that his current fling would do such a thing. I often wondered if it was a fling or something more. They weren’t mates, but they had grown close the past year. Many fae had steady relationships until they found their mate. Fae didn’t fare well being alone. Thank the Gods I had Melina.

“Bring her in for questioning,” I ordered one soldier. A swift nod from him and a few minutes later, Peoni came prancing in, wearing her armor.

“Alaneo!” she whispered while she seductively waved at him. Alaneo’s body went rigid and looked at her in longing. One of the soldiers told her to sit next to Daphne and Peoni froze.

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