Page 16 of Hunted By the Fae Warden

Fucking gods. The weight of my responsibilities comes crashing down, and it’s like a rush of cold water. Linnshire. The greshhlins. The regular faefolk who need my protection. My father. I curse inwardly.

“We shouldn’t have kissed.” Mira lifts her chin. “You shouldn’t have come here.”

“I saw you on the edge of the crowd, little nymph. I felt compelled to come make sure you’d returned home safely, and that you were all right.” I’d watched her turn and flee the public square near the castle just as the torches were tossed on the burning platform. I’d watched her rush away and hated that I wasn’t able to leave the balcony and follow her. I’d hated that my duties as warden kept me at the castle until Mr. Marlow’s body was burned to a crisp, as well as King John’s, the fire cooling to embers and the crowd finally departing.

“How many of my people did you kill?” she blurts. “During the battle. How many Trevos soldiers did you kill during the battle?”

I know why she’s asking, and my ire rises at the realization. She wants a tangible reason to dislike me and perhaps even fear me. But maybe it’s for the best. I remind myself that no good could come from our mating union. Linnshire might one day fall to the greshhlins, and I would fail my people. I imagine the look of horror I would glimpse on my father’s face if he saw me fly into Linnshire with a human mate.

A growl builds in my throat, and I fix my sternest glare on Mira. “Over two hundred,” I answer in a boastful tone. “I slaughtered over two hundred Trevos soldiers during the battle, more than any other fae present that day. It’s one of the reasons I was chosen to become the warden of your pitiful city. Because Prince Lucas knows how lethal I can be, and he trusts I’ll keep the citizens of Trevos in line no matter the cost. No matter how many more humans must die. He knows I’m ready to squash any rebellions that might arise with deadly force.”

Her eyes flash. “Get out.” She gestures toward the door. “Get the fuck out of my house and don’t return. Leave me alone.”

Though I can still feel the tether between us, there’s a definite, sudden chill in the room, the summer warmth created by our kiss completely faded. It’s also like the crackling fire inthe hearth is emitting no heat whatsoever. Reason returns in its full force, and I firm my earlier resolve to stay away from Mira.

“Very well.” My tone is bitter. I can’t help it. Though I know it’s for the best, and though I intentionally baited her into loathing me with my little speech about killing over two hundred human soldiers, her rejection stings. “I’ll see myself out. Goodbye, Mira.” I depart in a flash of light and reappear on the street outside her home.

I summon my wings, but before I bolt into the sky, I can’t help but glance through her window. She’s still standing in the center of the living room, and I know she’s watching me. Despite our argument, the prospect of leaving her is painful. My chest tightens and burns to the point that breathing becomes difficult.

It's like there’s an invisible rope around my waist, and I’m being furiously yanked in her direction. The outside world also feels crushing, as though I’m not supposed to be out here in the street. For fuck’s sake, how am I supposed to quell my obsession with this human female?

Yes, obsession. Day and night, she’s all I think about.

She moves out of sight, and the burning in my chest becomes more intense. I release an angry growl and finally take off, but the frigid night winds do nothing to vanquish my desires or dull the intense need to keep her safe. My wings beat furiously as I climb higher in the sky, past the cloud cover until the moon and stars appear in all their splendor.

How I wish I were sharing this view with Mira. That’s my first thought as I behold the glorious night sky. I glance below, noting that the city is barely visible through the clouds. I don’t like it. I don’t like that I can’t see Mira’s house. I don’t like that I’m not standing in her living room anymore while holding her close and kissing her.

Does she miss me too?

Though I loathe the idea of her experiencing any discomfort, I find myself hoping she’s in as much agony as me. I hope she aches and longs for me. I hope she’s struggling to breath as she recovers from my abrupt departure. I shouldn’t want her, and yet I crave her beyond all reason, and I would die a happy male knowing she’s yearned for me with the same ferocity, even for the briefest moment in time.

I remain in the sky treading air until ice starts to weigh my wings down. Then I return to my quarters in the castle. Alone as ever and furious with the gods and whatever or whoever else guides the hands of fate.

CHAPTER 10

MIRA

My throat burnsas I stand in the graveyard next to Yvette and her mother. I’m not becoming emotional because of the particular man who’s about to be put in the ground, but because the last time I was here for a funeral was when I buried my parents and brothers.

I place a hand on Yvette’s back, hoping to bring her comfort. Her father was always a difficult man, and while he’d never laid hands on her or her mother, he’d made their lives plenty painful with his dark moods and constant yelling. But despite the man’s unpleasantness, Yvette appears forlorn and occasionally sniffles. Her mother, likewise, appears distressed and keeps dabbing a handkerchief to her eyes.

It's just the three of us, the gravediggers, and the priest. No one else came to Mr. Harmon’s funeral, but I can’t claim to be surprised. He was known for his bad temper and tendency to cheat people in business deals. It’s very likely that his fraudulent tendencies are what got him killed. Two days ago, he was discovered in an alley with a knife in his back.

The priest reads passages from The Book of the Gods, but I don’t really pay attention. All I can think about is how relieved I am by this outcome. Just recently, I’d hoped Mr. Harmon would choke on a chicken leg, and I’d also offered to hide Yvette and her mother from the awful man. But now they’re free. Yvette and her mother won’t have to walk on eggshells anymore, and I imagine the two of them will be a great deal happier. Once the initial shock wears off.

After the funeral concludes, I invite Yvette and her mother to my house for a late lunch. Typically, friends of the deceased serve a large meal in the temple house after a funeral, but given that Mr. Harmon lacked friends, that’s not an option. Still, I hope my gesture brings them comfort.

It suddenly occurs to me that if I died tomorrow, I would be in the same situation as Mr. Harmon. A small funeral with not enough friends for a meal in the temple house. All because I was spotted with Kaiden, who happens to be the freaking Warden of Trevos.

Two approaching women pause, gesture at me while whispering to one another, then hurry to cross the street. My heart sinks. I recognize them as Mrs. Trey and Mrs. Baker, two of my mother’s dearest friends. Once, they were like aunts to me. Now, they’re acting as though I’m diseased or even cursed.

“We appreciate the meal, Mira,” Mrs. Harmon says as she gives the two women a sharp look. “I suppose Yvette and I have always felt a bit like exiles ourselves. No one wanted to get too close to us on account of Mr. Harmon, may the gods watch over his dark soul.”

“It’s my pleasure,” I say, forcing a smile. But Mrs. Trey and Mrs. Baker’s rejection stings, and my smile quickly falters. I strive to compose myself as Sunflower Lane comes into sight.

“It’s a right shame that fae warden had to bother you,” Mrs. Harmon says, “though you should count yourself fortunate thathe didn’t kidnap you. So many young women have gone missing since the fae’s occupation of our city began. Some young men, too.”

Yvette sighs. “Megan Storm from next door disappeared last week. No one has seen her since. Her parents are devastated.”

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