Page 56 of Beyond the Faerie Gate

I’m growing to adore the pink that so regularly stains Rose’s cheeks whenever we reference sex around her. That doesn’t mean I don’t think the redcap is overstepping his bounds.

“It wasn’t that,” she insists. “He was bruised and starving.”

“And he’s in the south?” I ask. “You’re sure?”

She nods. “It was a beautiful room, with a huge window that showed the sea. And there were these huge, trumpet-shaped flowers all over the balcony, in so many different colours. I’d never seen anything like them.”

“Siabetha,” Drystan growls. “She’s talking about Siabethan nightshade.”

Shit. I groan, my head falling back even as Lorcan claps.

“Oh, I do love the city of whores!”

So did I as a randy youth. So did most fae males. That was the problem. Nearly every fae in existence spent a few days of their life lost in the lust-fogged streets of the coastal capital of the Summer Court.

I do not want Rose anywhere near even one of my old flames. No matter that I’ve not fucked any of them for twenty-five years. Fae have long memories.

“It’s Eero’s city,” I growl. “If he learns the Nicnevin is on his turf…”

Of all the royals, I dislike the slimy king of summer the most. Cressida is a cruel bitch, but at least the queen of Autumn is open about it. Cedwyn is notorious for not giving a shit about anything beyond his own ice cold borders, and Aiyana, the queen of Spring, is mad but still a fair ruler in her own way.

Eero is a manipulative asshole.

Diana kept him in line because her foresight allowed her to pre-empt his moves, but Rose doesn’t even know what her powers are.

“My lady,” I begin. “Allow me to go alone. I’ll return with your final Guard and then we can turn our attention to breaking the siege of Elfhame.”

“Absolutely not,” Drystan growls. “Your magic is best suited to guarding her. I’ll go.”

“You’re unseelie,” I point out. “You’ll attract too much attention.”

“Like anyone cares about that shit in Siabetha.”

He’s right. The only thing most of the residents of the Summer capital care about is their next fuck.

I wait for the redcap to give some excuse, but he just grins, flashing teeth as he wraps an arm around our queen and tugs her into his body.

“I’m not going to fight to leave our pretty Rose,” he states. “Where she goes, I go.”

I watch Rose carefully, looking for any signs of discomfort, but she seems to be used to the redcap’s overly easy familiarity. She’s leaning into him slightly—though I doubt she’s aware of it—letting him stroke the skin behind her ear with his thumb.

If she can handle that much from him, would she be averse to casual touches from me? I let my leg stray to one side until it touches hers, studying her face carefully for any sign of discomfort.

She shows none, and that relaxes me enough that I take her hand.

“I don’t want anyone to go alone,” she whispers. “It could be dangerous.”

Both Drystan and Lorcan scoff.

“Oh, pet,” the redcap groans. “Danger and fun are the same thing.”

Rose shakes her head, rolling her eyes. “You sound like someone else I know.” I’m about to ask her who, when she continues. “I want to go with you. I can help find him when we get close.”

“Absolutely not,” Drystan growls, and I have to resist the urge to shoot him a grateful glance.

Better he’s the one to piss her off than me.

“You were killed after just four days without adequate protection,” he continues, blithely unaware of how Rose is stiffening with every word. “You’re supposed to be keeping your return secret until we can get you to safety. Instead, you’ve brought the entire world back to life, basically announcing your existence to everyone with eyes. You won’t last three hours in Siabetha before someone figures out who you are.”

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