Page 24 of Hunted By the Fae Warden

Will I ever forget him? My throat tightens with emotion.

I climb atop the railing just as the vines curl over it. My stomach plummets again when I glance at the drop below, but I don’t let fear get the best of me. I grasp the vines, wrap my legs around them, and start the descent. As I climb down, the large leaves occasionally move close to me, lending support to my body, holding me steady. It’s the oddest thing but I start to feel a kinship with this plant, as though it’s my friend.

Halfway to the bottom, I pause to catch my breath and reach for one of the leaves, then gently run my fingers beneath it. The leaf shudders and moves forward to caress my cheek.

“Well, hello to you too,” I whisper. “Thank you for growing so tall and strong for me. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.Only the gods know how long that brute of a fae planned to keep me locked in his quarters.”

The leaf shudders again before patting me on the shoulder. I smile. I can’t help it. I made a plant grow impossibly huge and now I’m talking to it and I’m pretty sure it understands me.

I continue my descent and soon reach the bottom. After my feet hit the cobblestone walkway, I back up a few steps and behold the incredible growth of the vines. When the sun comes out from behind a cloud, the leaves covering it glitter faintly in the light. How curious. If I weren’t in a hurry to escape before Kaiden notices my absence, I might stay and examine the vines for a while longer.

But there’s no time to waste.

I spin on my heel and search for the nearest exit leading out of the side courtyard. I walk around the castle and stop in my tracks. The exit is guarded by three huge fae males and one female. There’s a steady flow of soldiers and servants coming and going, however, and I decide I’ll blend right in.

I approach the exit while keeping my gaze low, not wanting to make eye contact with any of the fae. The second I make it through the open gates, I exhale with relief and pick up my pace. Once I’m further from the castle, I break into a run and head for Sunflower Lane.

Please don’t let him catch me.

Please let me escape.

CHAPTER 15

KAIDEN

I feign interestas Prince Lucas addresses the soldiers and highborn fae who are gathered in the receiving hall, though my thoughts remain on Mira.

Am I actually holding her prisoner?

I am not certain. All I know is that I cannot bear to let her out of my sight for long. She’s safer at the castle. Not only is the castle warded as a whole, but my quarters contain additional wards. The castle grounds are also patrolled day and night, and soldiers are stationed at the gates at all times.

While her home might be warded, the moment she leaves her property, she’s unprotected. Vulnerable. The need to keep her safe is driving me to madness. I never imagined I might hold a female against her will, yet I am seriously considering keeping Mira. Even if we don’t consummate our mating union, I want to keep her where I know she’ll be safest.

There’s no question about it. She’ll be safest with me. I would die to protect her. But if I keep her prisoner, will she growto hate me? Unless I reveal that we’re mates, she might never understand.

Tristan jabs a discreet elbow in my ribs, and I refocus my attention on Prince Lucas. Apparently, I’d let my gaze wander. I shoot my friend a brief, appreciative look before once again staring at the prince as though he’s delivering the most interesting speech in fae history. Something about the glory of faedom, the inevitable spread of ussha, and the strength of the Summer Court army.

“You look distracted,” Tristan whispers.

I stiffen. Is it that obvious? I ponder how to respond to my oldest friend. The general was fostered in Linnshire and we grew up together. He knows me well enough to realize I haven’t been myself lately.

“Well? Care to tell me who the female is?” he whispers.

I turn to glare at him, but he’s quick to direct my gaze back to the prince. “How did you know?” I ask with a growl.

“The soldiers like to talk. You’ve been spotted in the company of a human woman, and you’ve been spotted standing on rooftops staring down at this same woman. And let’s not forget your odd behavior during the last aerial training exercise.” He chuckles. “Whoever she is, why don’t you just take her and keep her as a pet? Many of the highborn staying in the castle have taken pleasure slaves from among the humans.”

“I’ve never taken a slave, and I don’t plan to start now.” Never mind that I brought Mira to the castle against her will. Never mind that I warded my door to prevent her escape.

At last, Prince Lucas concludes his speech, and the receiving hall erupts in cheerful applause. Tristan and I dutifully join in while continuing our hushed conversation.

“You’ve lived over nine hundred years and still haven’t met your mate,” the general says. “I think you deserve to enjoy yourself. Treat her well. Buy her jewels and pretty dresses andperhaps she’ll grow to adore you. Then, once you find your mate, you can give the human female a bag of silver and set her up in a little cottage somewhere.”

“Lest I remind you that you haven’t met your mate yet either? You’re only a year younger than me.” I give him a dark look.

Before he can respond, Prince Lucas strides over to us. I incline my head slightly and say, “Excellent speech, your majesty. I could feel the morale of the soldiers rising as you spoke about our triumphant battle and the battles to come, as well as the glory of faedom.” I’m giving him the sort of compliment I’ve heard my father offer higher lords and royals who visited Linnshire, though the words feel strange coming from my mouth. I feel like an imposter, and I don’t like it.

Prince Lucas narrows his eyes at me. “Warden Valloc, I thought I could trust you. How can I trust you with the running of Trevos if you won’t be truthful with me?”

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