Page 30 of Hunted By the Fae Warden

“Your lifespan will likely match mine.”

Her eyes go wide. “What? How?”

“As long as we consummate our mating bond and stay together, you will absorb enough of my magic that you likely won’t leave this realm until after I do. Full-blooded fae can live for thousands of years. But with you being part-fae, I suspect youwon’t have any difficulty outliving me.” As long as I protect her, I silently add. Illness and even old age rarely claim the lives of fae. It’s violence, war, and injury that usually takes us at the end. But I vow that I’ll do whatever I must to ensure Mira’s safety.

“So, you’re saying that if we mate, I will probably live for thousands of years?” She pales a bit, and her chest stops rising and falling for a few seconds. Then she abruptly takes a huge breath and her color returns, though she still looks shocked by the news. I suppose I can’t blame her. Until now, she likely believed she wouldn’t live beyond a century.

“Yes, little nymph. If we mate, and I very much hope you will agree to become my mate, then you will likely live for thousands of years. We will enjoy thousands of yearstogether.” Warmth fills me at the prospect of spending the rest of my days with Mira at my side. If only she’ll have me. If only she’ll agree to become mine.

Dark, possessive thoughts steal through me. I tighten my hold on the pretty female, not certain if there’s enough good inside me to let her go.

Mine, mine, mine.

She’s mine.

“You look angry all of a sudden.” She stiffens in my arms.

“Forgive me, but I’m trying to decide how I’ll react if you refuse to become my mate. How far I’ll go to…” My voice trails off. A vision of her locked in a castle tower comes to mind, with every door and window warded tenfold just to keep her from escaping.

Her breath hitches. “How far would you go to keep me?” Despite the slight glimmer of fear in her eyes, the scent of her arousal thickens in the air. She likes it. She might not admit it aloud, but there’s a part of her that likes my possessiveness. The certainty that I will always come for her, always save her, and never stop wanting her.

My fingers dig into her arms. “I would decimate entire kingdoms just to keep you. I would burn the fucking realm down in my quest to have you as mine.”

She displays the faintest smirk. “That’s rather dramatic. You know, you could just ask me and see what I’ll say.”

“Ask you?” Haven’t I already asked her? I replay our conversation but can’t quite pinpoint the moment I said the words.

“Yes, you big, proud, arrogant fae. Ask me to become your mate.”

I cup her face and stare at her intently. “Mira Ambrose, will you agree to become my mate?”

“Yes. Yes, I will.” She smiles and the whole realm lights up.

“Thank the gods.” I press my lips to hers.

CHAPTER 19

MIRA

Anticipation quickensin my core as Kaiden flies toward the edge of the Summer Court. Mates. We’re about to become mates.

His arms tighten around me, and I chance a look down. My stomach flips when I spot a small town far below. From way up here, the houses appear so tiny.

“Relax, little nymph. I won’t drop you.” He nuzzles his face in my hair briefly, tightens his hold yet again, and soars above the clouds. The steady beating of his great white wings drowns out the wind.

I nestle my face in his chest and take a deep breath.

Safe. I’m safe.

I’m with Kaiden, the huge fae male I haven’t been able to stop thinking about. The handsome lord who hails from Linnshire in the Summer Court who also happens to be the Warden of Trevos.

I can scarcely wrap my mind around recent events. Not only is a fae lord my fated mate, but I’m part-fae myself. I’ll likely livefor thousands of years. My head swims as I consider how many human lifespans that will equal.

When will he claim me? I can’t help but wonder. Will he wait until we’re back in Trevos, or will he ravish me somewhere along the way? He says we’ll reach Trevos late tomorrow. Tonight, we’ll stay on the edge of Summer Court lands, though not close enough to Linnshire for a visit.

My mouth goes dry as I consider how massive he’d felt as I sat on his lap in the cottage. I still can’t believe he’s been stalking me these last few days. Stalking me and watching as I used my fae powers.

I peek out from Kaiden’s chest just as the sun sets over the mountains, and I realize he’s flying much lower now. He’s preparing to land, and my heart races as I consider the intimacies that we’ll probably share tonight. The more I think about it, the more I suspect he’ll claim me within the next few hours. I don’t think he’ll manage to wait until we reach Trevos tomorrow. The pulsating ache between my thighs becomes stronger. I don’t think I’ll manage to wait either.

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