Page 26 of Hunted By the Fae Warden

I hastily pack a bag,tossing in my warmest clothes. I dress in a pair of my father’s hunting pants that have built-in sheaths for knives, arm myself as best I can, and put on two thick sweaters and a fur-lined cloak.

I pause in my bedroom and glance out the window. There’s so much I wish I could do before my hasty departure from Trevos. Like say farewell to Yvette and Mrs. Harmon, perhaps ask them to keep an eye on my homestead or even feel free to move in. I would also like to visit the gravesites of my parents and brothers. Maybe even take one last walk around Trevos. But I can’t waste a single second.

After grabbing my bag, I hurry to the kitchen and pack enough food for several days. I also fill a canteen with water.

I step onto the porch and my gaze catches on the massive amount of firewood Kaiden left for me the other day. An ache resounds in my chest.

Despite our differences and our most recent disagreement, during which he held me against my will and insinuated hewanted me as a pleasure slave, the prospect of never seeing him again is a knife to my heart.

The frigid wind stings my ears, and I withdraw a hat my mother knitted for me years ago. Gods, I miss her more than ever right now. I tug the hat down low enough to cover my ears and set off, heading for the secret passageway in the stone wall. Even if Kaiden had it sealed, I don’t believe it will stop me.

Because I can make plants grow unusually large.

My pulse skitters every time I remember my powers, mymagic, and though I’m saddened I must flee Trevos, the truth is I’m a little excited to test out my full powers in the forest.

Perhaps I’ll run into a friendly forest nymph who will teach me a thing or two.

I’m not certain whether I should seek refuge in another human kingdom, try my luck in an orc village, or simply hide out in the forest.

All I know is that I must put as much distance between myself and Trevos as possible. I need to travel as far as I can before nightfall.

There’s no doubt in my mind that Kaiden will come looking for me, though I hope to evade capture.

Sure enough, I discover the secret passage was recently sealed. The freshly laid stones are easy to spot, but my spirits lift when I glimpse the same vines that once covered the passage are still growing along the wall.

I glance around but spot no one. Fae guards patrol the wall in the distance, but they aren’t close enough to notice me. At least I hope not. I plan to be quick. As for fellow humans, the nearest houses were heavily damaged during the battle, some of them reduced to ashes. Thus far, it doesn’t look like anyone has started rebuilding, though that’s probably because the former occupants are dead, I realize with a sinking heart.

Over two hundred human soldiers, I remind myself. That’s how many of my people Kaiden slaughtered during the battle, and I’m fairly certain he’s proud of that number.

I can’t help but wonder how many faefolk the Trevos soldiers managed to kill in the new settlement near Allostus. I doubt it came close to the number of dead in my city.

And now Trevos will remain under fae rule indefinitely.

I turn and concentrate on the vines, summoning them to grow long and thick so I might easily climb over the wall.

It works. It works more quickly and even better than when I stood on the balcony of Kaiden’s quarters. Within moments, the vines have not only thickened, but they’ve formed a makeshift ladder that will make my climb rather easy.

I spare one last glance over my shoulder and take in the sights of Trevos. The home I’ll likely never see again. I readjust my pack, hurry up the vines, and scramble over the wall. When my feet touch the ground on the other side, I exhale with relief.

But I soon remember that the majority of the fae army is marching out today. That’s why Prince Lucas was giving a farewell speech. Fear clogs my throat as I hold my breath and peer through the trees, but I don’t see any signs of fae soldiers.

I only hope I don’t take off in the same direction in which they’re headed. Getting captured by Kaiden would be bad enough, but if I were caught in the woods by the fae army, they would assume I was a runner. Nearly three weeks have passed since the fall of Trevos, and our new overlords still haven’t permitted anyone to leave the city walls.

Gods, I can’t help but wonder if Kaiden will start allowing hunters, trappers, and traveling merchants out, or if he’ll reign over a starving city.

Guilt flows through me.

If I stayed, even to be his whore, perhaps he would listen to my suggestions. Perhaps I could convince him to show my people leniency from time to time.

My stomach drops. I already escaped, and I shudder to imagine the look on his face when he discovers I’m missing from his quarters.

What will he think when he sees the vines? Will he believe I’m responsible or blame it on one of his people?

I take off running through the trees, heading southwest. There’s a series of small villages this way, or so I’ve heard, and if I go far enough, I’ll reach the Clarrsian Sea. If I’m remembering my geography studies from school correctly, there aren’t any large cities in this direction.

It stands to reason that large cities, and the soldiers within, would be the most likely to attack one of the new fae settlements. Small villages just don’t have the resources. I pray I’m right. I pray I’m not overrun by the Summer Court army later in the day.

I run and run until my sides ache, but I’m pleased when I don’t require more than a few seconds to recover my stamina, and I soon take off again at full speed. The trees and undergrowth become a blur of green. Occasionally, I cross creeks and even rivers, hopping from rock to rock with ease.

---