Page 4 of Claimed By the Fae Lord

Though, I supposed it was both.

The forge was being put to good use as we prepared for what we could only guess was still coming. I prayed we would root out and destroy any remaining conspirators without an all out war.

Striding across the bailey, my boots thudded against the cobblestones. My eyes swept methodically over the area.

"Sir Liam!" called a guard, breathless as he caught up to me, "His Majesty requests your presence in the council chamber."

"Tell him I'm on my way," I responded curtly, not breaking stride.

Glancing over at the training yard, I wrestled with an unwelcome specter. The memory of Raina's gaze, both defiantand desirous, during the bride trials. Then, her completely gutted expression after the attack on Thornewood.

After my harsh accusations.

Traitor…two-facedmukanawho only cares about herself, I'd said.

I knew the slur would slice deep. And it had. I'd experienced a sort of sick pleasure watching my former betrothed’s unflappable facade crumble.

It was becoming an unattractive habit.

I shook my head, as if the motion could dislodge her image from my thoughts. There were bigger concerns to address and the king was waiting.

Loyalty to Nox anchored me, more than any chain could. Perhaps, if kept busy enough, the ghosts of my past would be kept at bay.

"Careful with the scowling, Sir Liam, or your face might get stuck like that permanently," a familiar voice teased, mocking yet warm.

Aeryn, dressed comfortably in soft, dark leathers with her honey-brown hair pulled back, leaned casually against the entryway. That she knew I'd be taking this particular side door was unfortunate, though not surprising.

Her pale green eyes were alight with mirth. "What's got you so tense? The castle isn't under siege, is it?"

"If that's your attempt at a joke, my lady, I am not amused.” My words were edged with a level of irritation she didn’t really deserve.

Aeryn had been on my ass for two days about mysituation, as she called it. She peppered me with questions during every interaction.

The female was getting downright pushy in her need to mend things between Raina and I.

I steadfastly refused to answer any of Aeryn’s inquiries. Catching on, she had switched tactics to giving unsolicited advice. Worse, she often looked at me with something I was beginning to think looked a whole lot like pity.

I detested that look and did my best to avoid it. Still, she continued to be persistent.

Annoyingly, her presence was also a balm, even if I would never admit it. She was like a younger sister I both adored and barely tolerated.

"Whatever it is you need, my lady, I don't have time for it. I am on my way to see the king.”

I kept up formalities while those not in our inner circle were within hearing distance. It was something her new guard would need to remember to do, so I modeled it often.

You never knew where Mirrelle and Astrid were hiding. Speaking of her sentries, the future queen should not be out of their sight.

“Where’s your blight?”

Her pupils shrank, not amused by the nickname I’d assigned to the pair of females, one who was blood fae and the other light fae.

“Must you call them that?”

“I think it’s fitting. It’s also easier to say than their names. Faster, too. Fewer syllables.”

“Well I think you’re trying to change the subject, Sir Liam.”

“There isn’t a subject to change, my lady.”

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