Page 38 of Hunted By the Fae Warden

They can’t hear.

I make a strangled groaning noise in my mind that I’m certain he hears because a second later, I sense his deep chuckle.

Feeling the eyes of the newcomers upon me, I turn my attention to the remaining greshhlin. I wonder how many more of these creatures roam the Linnshire area, but I suppose itdoesn’t matter. Because destroying them is so… easy. As long as Kaiden’s with me. Together, the dark creatures won’t stand a chance against us.

I work my magic, and the greshhlin starts decomposing, shrinking and fading into the soil, it’s rotting flesh the perfect nourishment for the life growing all around it.

While I watch the creature disappear, I consider how my purpose in life has drastically changed. Or rather, I finallyhavea purpose. A real one.

A few weeks ago, I was in survival mode. All I cared about was making it through the winter, paying off my debts, and keeping my family’s homestead.

In the long term, I’d hoped to live a quiet life in Trevos. I never planned to marry or have children. I just wanted a quiet life where I could keep to myself and avoid the pain of additional loss.

But now that I know what I’m capable of, and now that I’ve experienced Kaiden’s love, I can’t return to that quiet life. Even if it means taking risks.

Not only will I be able to help the people of Trevos, and other lands, by making crops flourish both in and out of season, but I can destroy powerful creatures like the greshhlins. I can protect not just humans, but faefolk. And with my position as the warden’s mate, I have no doubt I’ll be able to influence his decisions for the city. I’ll be able to help my people in more ways than I ever imagined.

My heart grows warm as I glance at Kaiden. I’m not sure I ever would’ve realized my true calling if I hadn’t met him. If I hadn’t resisted and tried to escape him. In fighting him, I discovered my powers. My magic.

I love him. I really do.

My soul dances with joy as I return my gaze to the final warded area, where dozens of yellow tulips have just bloomed.Gasps sound in the clearing, and I can’t deny that I like their surprise. I might not be able to summon wings, but I possess just enough highborn blood, from the Spring Court it would seem, to influence plant growth and nourish the soil with greshhlins until nothing is left of the dark creatures.

Kaiden grasps my hand and gazes down at me with a look of pride that makes my throat burn. He guides me toward the gathered fae who are staring at me in wonderment.

“Father, I would like to introduce you to my beloved mate, Mira Ambrose from the Kingdom of Trevos. Mira, my love, meet my father, Lord Linnshire.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Lord Linnshire.”

“Please, call me Venn, and I am so very pleased to meet you, Mira.” He gapes at me for several seconds, but eventually, he gives me a deep nod, then steps forward and stares at me with wide eyes. “You’re part-fae.”

“Yes, Venn, it would appear so. Kaiden believes a great great-grandfather of mine likely hailed from the Spring Court, hence my abilities to influence plant growth and nourish the soil using…creativemethods.” I suddenly realize he didn’t actually witness me summon any plant growth, so I send a few wishful thoughts to the willow tree behind us, beckoning the ushha-glowing branches to become longer and thicker.

“Creative methods, indeed. Thank the gods for your skill. We were trying to round up these four greshhlins when they shocked us by leaving Linnshire lands, and as you can see, we gave chase. I think perhaps having too many highborn fae in close proximity prompted them to leave their territory for the first time ever.” Lord Linnshire smiles. “Welcome to the family, Mira.”

CHAPTER 24

KAIDEN

Though I’d plannedto return to Trevos as soon as possible, now that I’ve encountered my father and uncles, I can’t forgo bringing Mira to Linnshire for a brief visit. Especially when she insists she wants to help destroy the remaining greshhlins that plague our lands.

I send one of my uncles to Trevos to inform the soldiers under my command that I’ll be delayed a bit longer than expected, though I have faith the human city will remain tightly controlled. I left Commander Linz, a fierce but wise Linnshire soldier, in charge during my absence, and I trust him to keep the humans in check.

The visit to Linnshire is quick but successful. Mira easily destroys the twenty-one remaining greshhlins, all of which were currently trapped in the caves thanks to the skill of the prince’s highborn guards. We stay for one night before departing for Trevos, and upon our arrival I’m pleased to find all is well.

It’s late evening, and I call for a meal to be served in my quarters, though I can’t help but notice Mira frowning as a trembling human servant sets our trays on a table.

“You don’t need to be afraid,” Mira tells the young woman. “We won’t hurt you.” She gives me a strange look before returning her gaze to the servant. “Are you a paid servant at the castle? Or were you taken as a slave?”

The young woman pales and dips into a low curtsy. “I’m a paid servant, milady. But so was my sister, and she disappeared two weeks ago. Forgive me, but I can’t help being afraid.”

“Disappeared?” Mira glances at me sharply, and my ears burn just knowing the tongue lashing I’ll receive after the servant leaves. We’ve only been back in Trevos for a few hours and already she’s made numerous demands on behalf of her people, including that I track down an acquaintance of hers named Megan Storm who recently went missing.

“Yes,” the servant says with another deep curtsy. “Her name is Harriet.”

I step forward, careful to keep my expression neutral. “What is your name?”

“Gretchen,” she whispers in a trembling voice.

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