Page 91 of Taken By the Fae

I push away from the table and stand. “I’m done talking about this. When you let your people kill his, you started the war. You want to destroy Tristan and make your queen happy so she’ll see you as more than a pathetic toy she can play with? You’re on your own. Good fucking luck.” I storm toward the door to get away from him.

Halfway across the room, Jules grabs my wrist and spins me around. “Stop.”

“Go to hell,” I snap.

His lips curl into a twisted grin. “Your fear and anger are intoxicating,” he murmurs. “Such strong, genuine emotions.”

My heart races at the intention behind his words. “It’s called beinghuman. You’ve tried it, remember?”

Amusement glitters in his eyes. “It’s a shame that didn’t work out, but college can be so dull.”

“Then you know what it’s like to spend time with you,” I remark dryly.

He sucks in a breath that almost sounds like a laugh. “Maybe you need more time to think about my offer.” I barely catch sight of his fist before the sickening sight of him goes black.

I blink a few times, my head already pounding, and my ears ringing. I spit out a mouthful of blood before I gag on it and groan.

“You hit her?” Evan says, and his voice sounds far away.

Jules grumbles. “Put her back in the other room. I have shit to deal with.”

I watch his shoes as he walks out, and I barely see Evan approach before my eyes shut on their own.

* * *

When I pry open my eyes this time, I recognize the space around me. I’m in Tristan’s bedroom. I struggle to keep my eyes open long enough to see him sitting on the end of the bed, watching me with a dark expression. His hair is a mess, as if he hasn’t brushed it in days.

“What…” I stop. My head is spinning so fast I have to squeeze my eyes shut, or I’m going to throw up.

Tristan shifts closer and lays his hand across my forehead. The dizziness recedes enough for me to open my eyes again and look at him. He brushes the hair away from my face and assesses my appearance.

“Am I dreaming? How did I get here?” I ask, trying to figure it out in my head. There’s a chunk of time missing, but I can’t fill in the blanks.

His jaw clenches, and I wish I hadn’t asked. “You don’t remember?” he murmurs, his eyes on me. “This isn’t a dream. Evan brought you back to us a few hours ago.”

I shake my head, confused and unsure whether I’m able to speak anymore.Evan brought me back?

“I’m so sorry,” he murmurs, putting his arm around my shoulders.

I lean against him, taking a deep breath. “How do I knowthisis real?”

His fingers slide along my cheek, making my skin warm and tingle. “The day we met—the moment you slammed into me when I stepped off the elevator—the determination in your eyes to overcome, tosurvive, it stirred something in me I haven’t felt in a very long time. Part of me knew, even then, you would be important to me. I needed to know you. I wantedyouto knowme.”

His words send my heart racing, memories from our time together since the moment we met filling my head. My internship interview, the gala, being there for me with Elijah in the hospital.

When the images morph to my time with the unseelie knight, I squeeze my eyes shut; attacking Evan, Jules feeding off me—the scenes play over in my head like a twisted movie, and a whimper escapes my lips.

“Shh,” he soothes. “Listen to me, Rory. Listen to my voice. You’re okay. Just keep breathing.” He runs his hand up and down my arm, trying to help me through the montage from hell.

The pictures stop, and all I want to do is kill Jules for what he did to me. Some things are still blurry, like how I got here. I remember being in the back of a car and someone carrying me into the service entrance of the hotel. I don’t understand why Evan brought me back…

“It’s all right.” Tristan grazes my cheek with the back of his hand. “You’re safe. We’ll figure this out, and then I’ll deal with that bastard.” He lifts my chin until our eyes meet. “For now, you need to rest and eat.”

My stomach churns, and bile rises in my throat at the idea of trying to put food in my body, but after a moment, I nod.

Tristan kisses the side of my head and stands. “I’ll be right back.”

I watch him walk out of the bedroom and replay his words.

---