Page 178 of The Fae Girl 1

“How old is he?” Somehow in my head I’d imagined a teenager. Or even a young adult.

“Nine.” Nela replied.

“Oh.”

“Come on. Let’s get back to the room. Mira will no doubt be overjoyed that Ridley’s returned.” Nela stated.

“Yes she will be.” I said wincing slightly. I’d half hoped the absence might do her good but instead she’d moped worse than ever.

“Not that you’re not delighted at Prince Fain being back.” She added with a grin.

“Stop it.”

We both started laughing as we made our way back.

Isat watching the fire dwindle, wondering if I should go to him or wait until he gave some sort of sign.

And then I mentally slapped myself for being so ridiculous. So pathetic too. He’d made it more than clear that I could use the passageway as I saw fit, I was obviously overthinking this.

I got up, gave some excuse about wanting an early night and deliberately did not look at Nela for fear my face would then give the game away.

But I knew she knew what my real intention was. Where I was really going.

I walked into my bedroom, changed out of my leathers into a simply enough dress and took a quick glance at myself in the mirror. My hair was down, still covering the evidence from my last night spent in Fain’s bed. As usual my skin was glowing. But as I looked at myself I realised I was shaking a tiny bit.

What if he rejected me now? What if his words had been just that, words. That there’d been no meaning behind them. No intent.

I guess there was only one way to find out.

I snuck into the passageway making sure to close it from inside. The floor looked cleaner. As if someone had swept it. All the cobwebs I remembered were gone. Was that a sign or was I reading too much into it?

I eased the bookcase open on the other side before quietly shutting it. And for a moment I marvelled at how well-hidden it was. That even though it was right in the middle of the wall you couldn’t tell it was a door at all.

“Alice?”

I gulped spinning around. Coming face to face, not with Fain but with Ridley.

He frowned staring at me. “What are you doing here?” He asked.

“I…”

As Fain appeared, I fell silent. He crossed the room walking right up to me, searching my face as if reminding himself of what I looked like.

I could feel my cheeks flush as he stared at me.

“I wasn’t sure whether to come or not. Whether you’d be busy.” I mumbled.

“I told you it was an open invitation.” He replied.

I bit my lip trying to fight the grin that threatened to spread across my face.

“Fain.” Ridley said quietly.

Fain turned to look at him. “What?”

“Please tell me this isn’t what I think this is.” Ridley began.

Fain narrowed his eyes.

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