Page 34 of The Iron Fae
"Yes, you're a prince. You have enough money to have whims. Regular people do not."
"So you were a peasant before?" Rowan says, he crinkles his nose, offended at his own statement and the fact that I'm broker than broke.
"I was not a fucking peasant. Don't call people that. Or Fae for that matter. God, how rude."
"Like you said, we're princes... we can call people whatever we please. Comes with the title." He sticks out his tongue. "That means you soon can too."
"I'd rather not." I place my palm against the nearest tree, the bark rough against my skin. It balances me as I step over a small broken tree limb and an overgrown bush. Kai's hands hover near my waist waiting to catch me if need be. "I'm not going to fall." I reassure him.
"Promise?" Kai whispers, his face near enough I'm certain the word could only be caught by the two of us.
"Promise," I say slowly.
"Almost there!" Rowan calls as he grows farther ahead. The space between us continues to multiply and I have to wonder if he is using some Fae superpower to get ahead or if he truly walks that fast.
I huff. Rowan catches the noise and turns on the toe of his boots, breaking a twig in half under foot. "Too fast for you human? It's going to take us a whole damn week to get up this mountain if this is the pace you're going to go."
"Who even asked you to come? I know I didn't."
Kai hums with laughter behind me. At least he's enjoying this. Sweat has already built along my brows and the day isn't even particularly warm. Maybe I've just been too lazy. Maybe I should start going for runs.
But I don't see these Fae sprinting around the castle. It's got to be the magic. How is it going to change me? Will it hurt when it's released? Will it feel good? The naughty part of me has to guess what the odds on it happening to give me some sort of an orgasm. They've hinted at sex helping me be able to release my powers. God, I hope I don't have to have sex with someone to get it. At least not either of these two men hanging out with me now.
"Can you see the carvings in these two trees?" Kai asks. He lifts a hand, pointing over my shoulder, to the trees that Rowan's posed himself in front of.
Between the long trunks nothing appears to be all that different. I expect the black void I'm used to falling into but all I see is the wind rustle some blooms of honeysuckle just yards behind it. Shouldn't it flicker or something? Or maybe look kind of fuzzy?
I try to focus on the trees, like Kai has suggested. Bark... bark... rougher looking tree bark. Green moss... some type of bug. No, no engravings, no markings, no sign or flashing lights that say ‘Hello, you are now leaving the Iron Court, please enjoy your trip to the Ganush Mountain Range.’
"I see… two trees." I finally concede.
"Human eyes," Rowan tsks.
"Why is there no black void to fall into?"
"Oh, there is a void all right. Would you like me to hold you tight as we fall?" Rowan grins and steps toward me.
I shake my head, stepping back into Kai.
"Okay, so my brother isn't very good at backing off. And to amend his previous statement, the void in these types of portals is much smaller and more condensed. You don'tneedto hold onto anyone. You'll just step through and it will feel like you're falling for a moment but don't adjust your step because when it hits the ground you'll be on the other side."
"Why is it different?"
"Made with different intents," Kai suggests. "I'm not sure, really. These are gentler to go through though. Do you trust me?" He steps around me, heading for the trees. Before he reaches them, he offers his hand.
"See you on the other side." Rowan blows me a kiss before dissolving between the trees.
Do you trust me?That was the question Lincoln had asked me before I let him combine our minds. My answer then had been no. Not just no, but heck no. But do I regret letting him invade my thoughts? Not entirely. Though that could change if he ever marries and it isn't me. But I'm not going to think about that.
My answer now is much faster, more easily said. "Yes."
I place my hand in his. Kai's gaze moves from my face to our palms. When he looks back up, his eyes shine with something far too human. It's clear the Fae have a range of emotions but in my experience they're all just muted versions of our own. The glint in his gaze isn't just sadness... It's heartbreak. Nevertheless, he smiles, and blinks away anything remotely questionable.
My intrigue gets swallowed. Kai gives my hand the slightest squeeze pulling me forward as he backs between the trees.
"Remember, don't change your stride. The steps are just a little farther down than you expect. You can do this, Cupcake."
"If you keep calling me that I'm going to have to give you some sort of nickname that's related to a baked good. How do you like Brownie? Or Cookie?" I step forward, letting him guide me.
