Page 6 of The Barbaric Fae's Soul

The word felt dirty, but what we’d done hadn’t felt that way. It had just felt good, and right.

The huge, sticky, now-soaked shirt I was wearing did not, though.

Every male and female fae in the massive kitchen and eating area stared at us as we approached. There was a massive wooden canopy stretching over the entire space, keeping everyone dry.

My face was probably bright red, but once again, there were bigger problems.

“Is the ice intact?” one of the men demanded, striding out to meet Aev. I recognized him as Korrik, one of the old unseelie generals, who had become a part of their new council. He had dark skin and thick, curly hair. He almost always looked angry, and was never cheerful, but also never cruel.

Everyone else behind him was deadly quiet.

We all knew there was a possibility that Aev would lose control when Naomi broke the bond—no one was under the impression that breaking it would be easy on him.

“I lost my grip on the ice covering the stone that blocks the entrance,” Aev told the man, his voice low and his body tense. “If it’s still in place, I can no longer feel it.”

Korrik swore and raked a hand through his hair.

“I’ll go check the prison to see if it’s intact,” Aev said. “For now, prepare to fight. Keep the skies clear, and the basilisks ready. Has Vuvim returned?”

Korrik shook his head. “Not yet. He and Summer are still retrieving the journals, but they should be back any time now.”

Aev dipped his head. “Send scouts out in all directions. Watch for the beasts’ shadows. I won’t be able to return until I’ve checked the cave completely, so I can seal it shut if any of them haven’t made it out.”

“Goddess be with you,” Korrik rumbled, clasping Aev on the shoulder.

“And you as well.” Aev shifted and streaked off into the forest, without so much as a glance back at me.

I didn’t expect him to look my way.

Ishouldn’thave expected it.

I knew that.

But my cheeks still flushed redder, and hotter.

Korrik inhaled, and went still for a moment before he looked at me.

I ignored my instincts, which screamed at me to step away from him.

Men were dangerous.

They were the enemy.

At least, my instincts seemed to think so.

I knew better, though. I’d even befriended some men, and my fear of them had calmed.

“Aev hasn’t been himself since Naomi. Did he force you?” Korrik asked me, his voice barely audible.

My whole damn body was probably blushing. That always happened when I got really self-conscious, for some annoying reason. “Of course not,” I said. “The desire was mutual.”

Korrik let out a slow breath, and I don’t think I imagined the relief behind it. “Use your fire to clean yourself. Aev doesn’t need any more rumors circulating.”

He turned, striding back to the group and calling out orders.

I… hadn’t even considered my fire.

Of course I should’ve considered it.

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