Page 131 of A Bargain with the Fae King

“Stay with me. Please.” His eyes beg right along with his words.

“I’m not going anywhere.”

“My Ciela.” The words float across me like a caress before his lips claim mine again. Soft. Delicate. A promise more than anything else.

“What does that mean?”

“I don’t know the human translation, but it’s our word for chosen mate. Your destined one.”

My breath hitches. “Soulmate.”

“Soulmate,” His smile is broad as he tests the words. “Yes, that sounds perfect.”

We cling together until exhaustion pulls into slumber once more.

This night holds everything we need.

Acceptance of truth. Forgiveness of sins. Recognition of the fate we almost destroyed.

Chapter 40

“So,areyoumysister’s boyfriend?”

I gape at May where she sits on the foot of Riven’s bed, staring over at him where we’ve propped him up with pillows behind his back. Leave it to her to skip introductions and go straight for the jugular.

Riven chuckles and looks to me, his eyebrows raised.

“He is,” I confirm.

“Does he get to come over to our house to play then?”

I rub the edge of the sheets between my fingers. May knows nothing of my bargain. I’ve avoided that, the magic, and the fact that we’re in a different world. Basically everything I can in an attempt not to frighten her. Oddly enough, she hasn’t asked any of the questions I expected. Nothing about the pointed ears, the clothing that doesn’t resemble anything we normally wear, or even the odd foods.

May fits in Faery like a fish in water, much more than me, and even more than I expected.

“We’ll have to see,” I say.

She frowns. “When do I get to play with the bear again?”

So quickly her attention shifts. She’s been asking for him all morning, having no idea that Ambrose, who’s been no more than twenty-five feet from her the entire time, is her bear friend.

“You might have worn him out.” I wink at her.

Her shoulders drop. “I did ride him a lot.”

Riven lets out a bellow of laughter, throwing back his head in mirth. “I missed all the fun.”

Voices tease my ears from the other room, but I can’t quite make them out.

Riven’s smile dims as he wraps his hand around mine and squeezes.

“What—” I begin, but just then, Ambrose steps into the room.

“Lia,” he says then pauses. “There’s someone to see you at the door.Thatdoor.”

My hand squeezes Riven’s in return. Joy lights me up from the inside out.

Dad.He’s come after all.

---