Page 26 of The Crowned Fae Queen
“Yes, the witch read her thoughts. Which I thought you could do, too?” Miranda purses his lips, his eyes fluttering between us.
“She is still very guarded,” Bear says hoarsely.
“I didn’t want to be her friend—” I start.
“She’s lonely,” Miranda adds.
“No, I’m not.”
“Apparently, my friendship isn’t fulfilling enough.” Miranda tilts his chin up into the air, looking at me down his nose.
“Would you shut up,” I huff, standing abruptly from my chair.
“Sorry,” The two of them mutter, sharing a mutual look of sarcastic pity.
Disrespectful meatheads.
“It’s just... we are so close. We know Aisha is on this land. We just have to weed out which source she’s been using or pry the words out of her once the guards find her.”
Balling up my hand, I kick at my chair and avoid their stern gazes. With Iri so close, I can feel my cheeks warm and our mate bond strengthen by the nearness. It feels like the embrace of someone you’ve grown up with or that spike of joy when you smell that sugary perfume of your grandmother. It feels like home.
With a pout, I shuffle to my mate. He tosses the paperweight to Miranda and opens his arms, allowing me to place my head against his chest. The sound of his heart fills my ears and echoes inside my mind. Iri wraps both arms around my body. My personal cage of safety.
“We’re gonna fucking fix this,” I growl.
No one responds. But I dare them to even suggest otherwise.
8
Realizing the Truth
Syren
Exhaustion burns my eyes. The chill of the evening wind sweeping from under my sheer blush curtains and into my room sends a shiver down my spine that means to chase me under the covers of my bed.
Bear closes the book propped in his hand. He balances the massive text against his chest. Underneath me, the bed dips beneath his weight, pulling my body against him. Not that I’m fighting the idea.
“Why did you stop reading?” I whisper, looking to his handsome face from where I’m perched against his shoulder.
“Syren, you need to rest. Plus, I’m going to fall asleep if I translate anymore of this damn ledger to you. You know I have a lot more interesting books, right? A whole library of them.” Iri sets the book aside. The warm and rough skin of his thumb strokes against my cheek.
“I’m very entertained.”
“You nearly fell asleep drooling on my shoulder.” He flashes his white teeth in a quick smile.
I swat at his arm. “I did no such thing!”
Sitting up, the white material of my nightgown dips lower on my chest. His honey-dipped eyes dart down then slowly trail back up.
“You really must sleep.” His mouth remains slightly parted, words he wants to say aloud still waiting on his tongue.
“Must I?” With one hand, I pull at the string tying the top of my gown tight over my breasts. “You still haven’t finished your daily tasks. I’m only meaning to help.”
“Don’t tempt me, Syren,” he rasps, sitting up.
I trail my bare foot over his brown socks and up his smooth pant leg. The hem of my gown rising as I do. My pale skin glows under the light like the reflection of the moon.
“I can feel your exhaustion. You can’t fool me.” He gathers my hands in his.
