Page 1064 of One More Kiss

The guard said something back, inclining his head towards me. Clearly I wasn’t far enough out of sight. I’d have given anything to have known what they were saying.

Fin’s back tensed, most likely unseen by the guard but I could tell he wasn’t happy about the way the conversation was going. He nodded, then turned to me. “Sorry about this.”

There was something in his eyes that spoke volumes. Unfortunately I wasn’t any more fluent in Fin’s facial expressions than I was in the beautiful language and I didn’t have a clue what he was trying to communicate.

He took hold of my arm and pulled me to stand beside him, then marched us forward. One of the guards opened the doors and we stepped into an underground cavern.

I stopped just across the threshold to take it all in as the doors swung shut behind us.

This cavern was dimly lit. It was huge, with an echoey feeling similar to the cathedral room. The centerpiece, taking up most of the space, was a huge rock pool. Steam rose from the water and the air was filled with the scent of something fresh, lemon grass or eucalyptus oils. Several smaller baths came off the main pool.

To one side were what looked like sun loungers, although the sun would never shine this far below ground. Sitting in the largest pool, lounging against the edge and watching us closely, was a man.

Fin grabbed my arm and pulled me forward. He stopped a few meters from the man and bowed deeply. He pressed down on my back, forcing me to do the same.

“Your Majesty,” said Fin. He spoke English, and I guessed it was for my benefit. He stood upright and tugged me to do the same. He made a sweeping gesture from me towards the man. “I present Liandra.”

He turned and reversed the gesture, back towards me. “Liandra, this is the Midnight Prince.”

This was bad. This was Clara’s baby daddy.

The Prince hadn’t taken his eyes off me, assessing me. He waved his hand, gesturing for me to come closer. Fin nudged my side, urging me forward.

I took a step and stopped. I was drawn to the man in a way I didn’t understand. I took another step, and another.

There was a buzz in my head, a fuzzy feeling, and the Prince’s eyes glowed. They were a brilliant dark blue, matching the gem that opened the Midnight Gate. Or maybe the gem matched his eyes.

I dropped to my knees at the edge of the pool. I tilted forward, mesmerized by his eyes.

He reached out his hand and touched my cheek, wonder on his face. “Liandra.”

I smiled, I couldn’t help it. His musical voice was honey to my ears, and the love he sent me in that one word was epic. There was no doubt that I was precious to him, this man I’d only just met.

He spoke once more, and I wasn’t sure if he was speaking English or I could somehow understand him now. Despite the love and good intentions emanating from him, his words sent a chill down my spine. “Daughter. You’ve come home.”

He lifted his other hand so he was cupping my face and leaned forward, pressing his lips to my forehead. The buzzing in my head intensified, then popped with a burst of color.

He released me and I almost face planted into the pool. Fin’s hand on my shoulder was the only thing that stopped me. I hadn’t seen or felt him move. “What was that?” I asked.

The Prince smiled. “For your homecoming I’ve gifted you with our language. From my thoughts to yours, and sealed with my kiss. It is yours for your life. Spoken and Heard.”

“You are honoured.” Fin sounded amazed. “This is a rare boon.”

The Midnight Prince turned to Fin. “Fin, my First, I thank you. You’ve brought me a treasure I never thought to find. A lost child, returned home. You bring great honour to your house.”

Fin bowed low but did not reply.

“There will be a ball to celebrate your homecoming, Daughter.” The Prince’s smile grew bigger. “Fin will show you to the guest rooms until we can have your own prepared.”

My head was spinning. How could this beautiful, light filled man be the dirty Faery scum bag who was my father? Who had stolen my sister? There must be some mis-understanding. Some details, some fine print, that would explain it all.

The rest of his words penetrated my thick skull and my heart sank. It didn’t sound like I’d be allowed to leave any time soon.

I wasn’t sure whether or not Fin had brought me here intentionally. When we first arrived at the door to these mineral baths he’d appeared surprised by the guards presence and he’d tried to hide me. Maybe my sister was supposed to meet us here but the Prince had come instead?

But could I trust Fin? Instead of walking away and trying later we’d entered the baths and he introduced me to the Midnight Prince. My father.

Despite everything I smiled. I’d just met my father, and he was amazing. Even more surprising, he seemed to like me. He’d done something that let me understand the Fae language, maybe even speak it.

Of course, I might not ever see my home or loved ones again.

The truth of the matter was that this was a trap, one that I might not be able to escape from.

And I still hadn’t seen my sister.

I didn’t even know for sure if she was still alive.

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