Page 114 of Wrath of the Fae

‘Why is she signing?’

‘Many of the humans held here…’ Cyrus side glances at Sasha, who is still speaking to El. ‘They have no tongues.’

‘Sorry?’

‘If they are rude or annoy the wrong person, they have their tongues removed.’ Cyrus looks at me, and I see the disgust in his eyes. ‘Never thought I would ever feel sorry for humans, but here I am.’

I think back to the girl The King assaulted in front of everyone yesterday and how he ordered her teeth be removed.

It’s always the same. The weak are brutalised and devastated by those with power. Here, it’s the Fae men who hated not being in charge, reclaiming their rightful place and putting everyone else under their boot. In the human realm, it was the humans who resented our beauty. Our powers. Our strength. They took what they wanted from us. Our dignity and freedom. Our bodies, and when we triggered, they took our powers. Sold them and used them for their gains.

Same shit, even in two different realms.

‘There is a gathering in the courtyard,’ El tells us. ‘You’re both wanted.’

‘You know why?’ Reid asks Sasha, who shakes her head.

‘Sasha heard the order for some soldiers to come and fetch you both,’ El says, knotting her fingers together. ‘Five have gone to our rooms to find you, and five are headed here for Cyrus. They’re a minute or two behind her.’

They all look at me.

‘Can we get to the orchard without going through the courtyard?’ I ask.

‘No,’ Reid replies, lost in thought. He looks at Cyrus. ‘I don’t want those soldiers in here with her.’

‘Agreed.’ Cyrus picks up his coat. ‘And we can’t leave the palace without being seen if they’re heading here now. We’ll meet them. Keep them away from Raven.’

Reid turns to El. ‘If we are not back within the hour, you two make a run for it.’

‘How?’ she scoffs. ‘If the courtyard is full, how will we get through it?’

He scoops up his coat. ‘Figure it out, El. Just get yourselves there.’

Reid stops with his face close to mine.

‘You want us to leave without you?’ I ask.

‘I want you out of here as soon as possible. I want you safe.’ He looks down at my lips. ‘I want you.’

His lips crash onto mine. His hands are in my hair as I not only let him kiss me, but I kiss him back, gliding my tongue over his and nipping his lip as he brings our embrace to an end.

I’m still grinning as I bite his lip harder and draw blood. There’s something I am very much enjoying about their desperation for me. Their hunger.

His fingers run along my jaw, and he takes hold of my chin.

‘I love you.’

‘I’ll let you.’

Another kiss, and he turns, leaving with purposeful strides through the doorway.

Cyrus drags his fingers through his hair and hesitates, refusing to look at me as he fights the urge to come to me. I wonder if he’d kiss me and leave too. Or if he’d be unable to walk away as Reid has. His gaze drifts to mine before he curses under his breath, walks towards me and claims a kiss for himself. When our lips part, he rests his forehead on mine.

‘Please stay safe. I’m begging you.’

‘Hmmm. You begging. I like that. Do it again.’

He goes to stand straight with an indignant scoff, but I pull him back down by the scruff of his shirt so his face is level with me.

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