Page 24 of Treasured By the Fae Royal
“Thank you, I appreciate it,” Aunt Heather says. “As you might imagine, out here it’s important to stay on good terms with your neighbors.” She leans against the counter. “I’m sorry you didn’t like him. But don’t worry. There are a few more young men who will be stopping by soon to meet you. I made a schedule.”
I rub my temple. “I’m sorry. Did you just say you made aschedule?”
“Well of course she did, darling,” Mama says. “You can’t have two gentlemen callers arriving at the same time. That would be awkward.”
“Awkward. Right.” I struggle to take a breath.
The cottage suddenly feels too small. Or maybe it’s too hot inside. All I know is that I need to get out of here. Gods, I hope Cody has vacated the premises.
“I’m going to go pick more pears, but I’ll be back in time for dinner.” I grab another basket and head outside. A few deep inhales of the cool afternoon air helps calm my senses.
I proceed in the opposite direction from where I encountered Cody, having no wish to meet the man again. I’m sure Aunt Heather means well, and Mama too, but I can’t fathom marrying a man with whom I don’t share an emotional connection.
Prince Lucas’s handsome face appears in my mind.
There’s no denying that there’s a spark between us. He also happens to need a wife. Not just any wife, but a human one.
But a full week has passed since I last saw him, and I snubbed him the last time he wanted to meet me. I know he showed that night. I’d cracked my window and felt the warmth of summer on the breeze. Yet I didn’t sneak out my window to meet him again.
What if he’s already moved on and found another human woman to take as his wife? As I consider the possibility, my heart sinks. Despite what he did in Trevos, I don’t like that we parted on bad terms.
He saved me. He saved me from being sold on the auction block, never to see Mama or Aunt Heather again. Then he flew me back to the cottage and saved Mama’s life, only to ask for nothing in return. No deal, no compensation whatsoever.
Will I ever see him again?
I peer around the forest, wishing he would emerge from the trees. I also glance upward, wishing he would descend from the sky.
How can I miss him so much? It doesn’t make sense.
He’s a Summer Court prince, and his court is in the process of conquering the entire realm. All four fae courts are, or so I’ve heard. Given the size and strength of the fae armies, it won’t take long for the task to be accomplished.
Maybe Ishouldmarry someone like Cody. A farmer who lives far from any large settlements the fae will be keen to conquer. Maybe the more rural areas will be safer.
Despite my friendship with Mira and my tolerance for Warden Valloc, I can’t imagine returning to Trevos and living directly under fae rule again. The constant patrol of fae soldiers on the streets is enough to put me on edge. Assuming I have children one day, I don’t want them growing up in such a repressive environment.
I walk deeper into the forest than intended, and I soon realize I’ve veered off the path. I clutch the empty basket and turn around and around, trying to discern which way leads back to the cottage. Have I been walking in circles?
Panic ripples through me. The forest is dense and lush in all directions, and I don’t see an opening anywhere ahead in the trees.
The familiar hissing noise of a mangga reaches me, and I withdraw the knife from my belt.
A second hiss joins the first one, and it’s not long before it becomes a whole fucking symphony. I don’t see any of the creatures yet, but it sounds like over a dozen of them. Maybe more.
I inch closer to the nearest tree, place the knife between my teeth, and start to climb.
CHAPTER12
LUCAS
I landin the cottage garden as quietly as possible and vanish my wings. My gaze goes to Yvette’s window. It’s dark and I suppose she’s fast asleep. How will she react if I tap on her window? What about if I flash into her bedroom? She hasn’t seen me appear or disappear in a flash of light yet, and I’m not certain if she’s aware it’s a skill all highborn fae possess.
As I approach the window, voices at the front of the cottage reach me, and I slip from shadow to shadow until I’m able to see who’s outside. It’s Carol and Heather, and they both look worried.
Carol cups her hands around her mouth and yells, “Yvette!” in a voice that echoes over the countryside.
Alarm grasps me. “Where is Yvette?” My question thunders through the night, and both women gasp and spin around to face me.
I stride out of the shadows.
