Page 8 of Hunted By the Fae Warden

“You arehuman.” His voice thrums with displeasure, and I’m not sure why he’s hurling the word ‘human’ at me like an accusation.

“Of course I’m human.” I cross my arms over my chest and lift my chin. “I’ve never claimed to be otherwise.”

“You’re human,” he says, briefly touching the ends of my hair, “but you look like a little forest nymph.” He brings his hands higher and tucks my hair behind my ears, then traces the tips of my ears as though to make sure they aren’t in fact pointed like his.

His touch is everything. It sizzles through me, inducing heated quakes and delicious shivers that leave me breathless.

“Sorry to disappoint, but I’m no forest nymph.” I swallow hard. “Why have you been glamouring and following me around? And your name… I’d like to know your name as well.”

A smirk plays over his lips as he continues stroking my plain, curved human ears. “Demanding little thing, aren’t we?”

I release a quick breath and roll my eyes. “Just answer my questions. Please.”

He pauses caressing my ears, drops his hands to his sides, and stares at me in visible shock. “Did you just… roll your eyes at me?”

“I suppose I did.” I keep my chin lifted high, refusing to cower before him. Is he planning to eat my heart? Whatabout throw me off a mountain? All the scary stories from my childhood come rushing back. Not that I need the stories. During the battle and the days following it, I witnessed and heard plenty of brutal acts against my people. I think of the soldiers’ heads rotting on the parapet and fight a shudder.

The fae tilts his head to the side, studying me with growing curiosity reflecting in his dark eyes. “I’m highborn. No one, and I meanno one, not a single fucking soul, human, fae or otherwise, has ever rolled their eyes at me.” Rather than fury, astonishment laces his tone. He’s truly shocked by my behavior, and well, I’m a little shocked too.

What in the fires was I thinking?

My stomach drops to my feet, and I strongly consider running. I’m starting to regret leaving the safety of my house.

Not that he couldn’t just punch the door open and come inside…

Gods, I still don’t know his name, nor do I know the answers to my other two questions—why he’s glamouring me and why he’s following me around.

Does he really think I resemble a forest nymph? My face heats. Though I’ve never encountered a forest nymph, I’ve heard they are beautiful creatures. Does that mean he thinksI’mbeautiful? A shaky breath escapes me.

“Well?” he says in an expectant tone.

“Well what?”

He scoffs. “Aren’t you going to apologize for rolling your eyes at me? Offer me a nice, heartfelt apology, and perhaps I’ll let you live.”

He’s toying with me. He must be. There’s a glimmer of amusement in his eyes, and though I can’t be sure, I think he’s trying not to smile. Well, two can play at this game. If it’s not a game, I suppose I’ll find out when my head is added to the parapet.

“Given how much you’ve vexed me during the last week,” I say carefully as I watch for his reaction, “I don’t believe I will apologize.”

At last, he breaks into a smile, and oh it’s as glorious as the sun emerging after a full week of rain. The way his face lights up breathes life into my soul. I find myself smiling back, and before I realize what’s happening, he’s taken my hands in his, squeezing ever so gently. My pulse quickens.

Though it’s winter, I swear I hear a chorus of insects reminiscent of a sultry summer night. I also think I feel a warm breeze, maybe for a second or two, and I catch the scent of honeysuckle in the air.

“Mira.” He says my name with such longing, it makes my eyes burn, and I can’t help but feel flattered that he recalls my name from Tribute Day.

“Please,” I whisper. “What’s your name?”

“I am Lord Kaiden Valloc of Linnshire in the Summer Court, but you may call me Kaiden.”

Though my mouth has gone dry, I somehow manage to utter his name. “Kaiden.” Again, I hear the chorus of locusts, crickets, and other insects, as well as the steady trilling of tree frogs, and a warm breeze caresses my face. Summer Court, indeed. I feel the pulses of magic coming from Kaiden, a buzz of heat that permeates my senses and makes the back of my neck prickle with awareness.

“I have followed you a few times this week, little nymph,” he says. “I will admit to that. Yes, I’ve even visited your home and spied on you through the windows. I suppose if I’m to be fully honest, I should also admit to flashing into your living room very briefly too. But I haven’t glamoured you. Not once.”

My mind reels. If he hasn’t glamoured me, then from where is the warmth and the heartbreaking tenderness coming? I’ve heard of love at first sight, as well as lust at first sight, but eventhose phrases can’t explain the fierceness of my attraction to Kaiden.

I’ve always feared the fae, and he is very much my enemy. His people conquered mine and they aren’t leaving Trevos anytime soon. I shouldn’t want anything to do with him, yet I cannot tear my hands from his. Nor can I look away or stop leaning closer in hopes of inhaling more of his enticing masculine scent or the hints of summer that continually waft off him.

“Is it true that fae cannot lie?” I ask.

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