Page 28

DRAKE

I watched Ember from the side of my eye as we entered the summer fae Market. She put on a brave front, her head raised, and shoulders rolled back, but a flicker of unease shone in her eyes. She was concerned about being around so many summer fae, being that she was a werewolf.

I simply breezed down the dirt path. I was confident in my abilities; my power clung to her, and my scent overlayed hers—masking it. No one looked twice at Ember, and my being a fae, made me welcome in the sister land.

My thoughts raced back to the kiss I gave her to mingle our scents together. Her soft moan of pleasure sent an electric jolt straight to my cock. Even now, my mouth flooded with moisture in want of her taste. It had taken everything in me to stop kissing her and remember why I needed to kiss her.

I blinked hard, bringing my focus back to the present.

The outdoor market was bustling with shoppers.

Vendors shouted from their booths at passersby, attempting to entice them into viewing their merchandise.

Various goods filled the outdoor mall: pottery and handmade rugs from the carpenters, swords, and weaponry from the blacksmith.

Jewelry and household goods also filled the tabletops.

The scent of warm pastries wafted into my nostrils—a booth up ahead selling Papchika—a sweet bread delicacy known to the summer fae.

“What are we doing here again?” Ember asked, glancing at me.

“We’re asking around if anyone has seen any sign of Melodina,” I replied.

Ember nodded. Her gaze fastened on a blonde-haired summer fae female selling fine jewelry, and she shot straight toward her booth. Alarm shot through my veins as I caught the determined glint in her eyes.

The fae female lifted her head at Ember’s approach and smiled. “Would you care to look at?—”

“Have you seen?—”

I shot forward and wrapped my arm around Ember’s waist. She immediately clamped her hands around my forearm, trying to squirm out of my hold. I smiled at the female fae, who blinked at us in open curiosity.

“Would you excuse us?” I said, slipping an alluring grin on my lips.

The fee’s cheeks flushed scarlet, her eyes glazing over with lust—hell, it cloyed to her skin. She nodded with a dreamy-eyed expression. I dipped my head toward her, then hauled Ember to the side.

“Let go of me,” Ember hissed.

“Stop it, and maybe I will,” I growled .

Ember stilled, and the warmth of her ribcage seeped into my palm. My fingers accidentally brushed the underside of her breast, and I bit down hard on my tongue to stifle a groan.

“Well?”

I raised a brow.

Ember huffed. “Aren’t you going to let me go?”

A slow smirk tugged on the corners of my lips. “I said, ‘Maybe.’”

A low growl rumbled from her lips. I fought back a chuckle.

Stars, it was too easy riling the she-wolf.

The smirk slipped off my face. “You can’t just go up to these vendors and ask about Melodina,” I murmured.

“That’ll raise too much suspicion. You have to appear interested in their goods at first.”

Ember glared up at me before giving a reluctant nod. “Fine.”

I slowly released her, not too confident that she wouldn’t rush back over to the booth and begin her interrogation. But Ember simply strode back and plastered a smile on her face.

“That’s a lovely necklace,” Ember told the female summer fae, pointing to a glimmering crystal necklace that hung on a stand.

The fae female beamed at Ember. “Why thank you,” she said. She lifted the necklace for Ember to inspect further. “Would you care to try it on? I’m certain it will pair splendidly with your dark blue eyes.”

“She’ll try it on,” I answered for Ember.

Ember flashed me a scowl for me speaking on her behalf. The female fae, on the other hand, offered a sultry look my way .

“Of course,” she purred. She circled around her booth with an excessive sway to her hips as she sidled up behind Ember and placed the necklace around her neck.

Ember lifted her hair, allowing the fae to clasp the necklace.

She then grabbed the small mirror off the table and angled it for Ember to view herself and the necklace.

“It looks gorgeous on you,” the fae said.

Ember gave an owlish blink as she observed herself in the mirror. A soft smile touched her lips as her fingers caressed the fine teardrop crystals. “It is beautiful,” she murmured.

I found the breath had caught in my lungs at the simple accessory on Ember.

Her slender neck appeared even more graceful and delicate under the weight of the necklace.

My eyes dropped down to her onyx sleeveless blouse and dark mini skirt.

My heartbeat spiked, the muscle knocking on my ribcage.

I swallowed thickly and tore my gaze away, fighting for clarity.

Whenever I was around Ember, my mind seemed to become muddled—clouded with the image of her, the scent, her very essence coiling around me.

Ember turned to me and gave me an expectant look, which snapped me back to the present.

Turning my attention to the female fae, I asked, “Have you seen a child around five years old—long black hair, blue eyes?”

Her brow wrinkled with contemplation. She slowly shook her head. “Sorry, can’t say that I have.”

Ember deflated beside me, her shoulders sagging. She reached behind her neck and fumbled with the clasp till she unlocked it and promptly handed it back to the female fae.

I slipped a smile onto my face. “Thank you for your time,” I told the fae .

The female blinked, a fissure of panic flashing in her green eyes. “Wait!”

Ember and I paused.

“Don’t you want to at least purchase this necklace?” The fae asked, a hopeful smile curving her lips.

Ember went to shake her head, but I asked, “How much?”

“Five hundred Earo.”

A steep price, but as I eyed the necklace, I saw the care and craftsmanship that went into making the fine jewelry. A quick glance at Ember, and I recalled how stunning she appeared wearing it.

I nodded at the fae and slipped a hand into the pocket of my leather pants, withdrawing the gold coin.

Ember gapped at me. “What are you doing?” She hissed under her breath.

Ignoring her, I dropped the coins in the fae’s outstretched hand. She dipped her head in thanks and then set about wrapping the necklace in fine tissues. Placing the jewelry in a box, she handed it to Ember.

“You’re lucky to have such a doting mate,” she said, winking at the she-wolf.

Ember’s mouth fell open, her eyes widening. “Oh, no,” she said, waving her hands. “We’re not?—”

I slipped my palm into hers and pressed a kiss to her temple, cutting her off. Her mouth snapped closed. “Thank you,” I told the female fae. She giggled, pressing her fingers to her lips.

Still holding Ember’s hand, I led her away from the booth as we continued down the path .

Ember ducked her head. “You didn’t have to purchase this necklace,” she said. “We’re here only to find Melodina, not actually shop like we’re a couple.”

I paused, Ember drawing up beside me. She raised her head, a questioning look etched on her features.

I held her gaze. “I know I didn’t have to purchase it,” I replied. “I don’t have to do anything.” I squeezed her hand. “But I wanted to. So I did.”

Ember blinked slowly, her eyes widening. I peered at her, letting her see the open honesty that shone in my eyes. She stared into me a moment longer before dropping her head. But not before I caught a flush blooming across her cheeks.

I smirked and tugged on her hand. “Come on. We should keep going.”

We went from booth to booth, appearing interested in the products being sold and dropping the subject of Melodina subtly.

Though each vendor said they hadn’t seen a child bearing that description.

With each station we left, I watched Ember become more forlorn.

The last booth bore no results either, and Ember hurried away from the blacksmith with tears brimming in her eyes.

Thanking the male, I hurried after Ember. Grabbing her forearm, I turned her around to face me. Tears spilled down her cheeks, her sapphire eyes like twin pools of shimmering water.

“What if we never find her, Drake? What if she’s—” her voice choked off on a sob.

“Hey, Hey,” I said, wrapping my large hands around her forearms. She slammed her eyelids shut. “Look at me,” I said, my voice tender. “We’ll find our daughter.” My eyes narrowed with determination. “If I have to tear apart every stone building to find her, then that’s what I’ll do.”

Ember’s eyes widened as she stared up at me. I raised a brow. “What?”

“You truly see her as your daughter too…,” she breathed, as if in awe.

Indignation lanced through me. My brows slanted over my eyes. “Of course I do.”

Ember raised her hands. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean anything by that; I just…am surprised, that’s all.” She offered me a small smile. “It’s… well, I can’t believe I’m saying this, but it's nice to hear you say that.”

That one smile outshone the sun above us. I gave a gentle grin in return. Removing my hands, I grabbed hers and said, “Come on, let’s keep asking around.”

Spotting a platinum blonde male in his middle- age selling produce, Ember and I approached his booth.

The male brightened upon sighting us. I didn’t miss the appreciative glint in his eye as his gaze roved the length of Ember, either.

I felt the flame of my power deep inside flicker and quickly quashed down on it before my anger bled over into tangible flames.

“Welcome,” the male said, spreading his eyes wide. He then picked up a plate with cubed-sized speckled fruit. “Care to try a sample of Barmosva?” He waggled his brows. “They’re sweet, and the flesh is tender.”

Ember smiled at him as she plucked a piece from the proffered plate. “Thank you.” She bit into the fruit and hummed with appreciation. “It’s delicious. You have produced a fine crop this year. ”

The man’s ruddy cheeks turned scarlet as he grinned at her. “Much appreciated, my lady.”