Page 40 of Wrath of the Fae

‘I asked you a fucking question!’ I warn, pressing the dagger in deeper.

‘I dreamt of you,’ he answers. ‘Of you flying over the rivers of my home. I felt the wind over my skin. Heard the waterfalls. Saw the mountains. Felt your joy and exhilaration as you soared so brilliantly through the air. I felt the cold water of the stream rush over your feet and saw the jewels shimmering below. I grew up here. This is my home. I would recognise it anywhere, so I knew you were here. I came without hesitation.’

‘You dreamt of me? That was only a few hours ago.’

‘I travel quickly when motivated,’ he answers. ‘And by a stroke of luck, I was close, resting in a village not too far from here.’

‘Resting? Yeah, I bet. Killing innocent Fae must be exhausting. I saw the last village you visited. Or what you left of it.’

His eye twitches and that smirk falters.

‘How did you get past the shield?’ I demand. ‘If anyone attempts to pass through who intends to harm those within, they die instantly. How have you and your soldiers broken through it?’ I look around, half expecting to see men in white emerge all around us. ‘Are you attacking us? Because we will burn you to the fucking ground if you even try it.’

‘No. I’m alone. And I flew through the shield.’

‘Impossible. You would have died.’

‘I’ll let you consider why I’m not a puddle of blood mist at its border then.’

I sense no lies in his words. None.

‘How did you conjure a shield like that?’ he asks. When I don’t answer, his eyes flick briefly to my wings before returning their focus to me. ‘You have ancient wings. Feathered wings from ancient stories and legend.’

I sneer as I look at him beneath me. ‘How’s the wife, Reid?’

‘So you heard about that…’

‘I’ve heard a lot, son of the king. Lackey and murderer. I have also seen a lot. The bodies of children. Men and women. The sheer devastation you leave in your wake.’

His smile is now gone completely.

‘Where’s my sister?’

‘First Kingdom.’

‘Withherhusband?’

‘Jealousy really doesn’t suit you.’

‘And being betrayed, manipulated and lied to does?’

‘You as you are right now definitely suits you. The dress of dragon scales. The bloody dagger. Me beneath you at your mercy. The picture of a perfect woman.’

‘And you in chains, my prisoner, before I execute you will suit you too,Sir.’ I press the dagger’s tip in harder, finally making him wince. ‘I’m taking you to Wolf. He’ll look after you.’

He shows me his first hint of unease.

‘I'm glad you are here. Safe and protected. I hear the Hitcher girl I sent your people got you inside.’

His words are true. They make me stutter inside, my thoughts tripping over themselves as I attempt to figure them out.

‘Hitcher you sent?’

‘The little girl. The one I triggered and sent to Lucca. I had to give him an advantage. A way to stay safe.’

‘You will tell me everything. Now!’

‘Let me up, and I will.’

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