Page 31

EMBER

“ T his might feel weird but bear with me,” Drake told me.

I stood in front of Drake inside his quarters the next day.

With the mating bond now complete, Drake had acquired the necessary power to cast the spell that would turn me into a summer fae.

I squirmed, not quite sure how I felt about a spell being cast upon me.

Then I felt the slight ache between my thighs at having been taken so thoroughly the previous night.

Guilt burned a hole through my belly that I had willingly lain with Drake that I had enjoyed sleeping with him.

By the way, Drake had taken me, I knew he’d enjoyed it too.

I tried to push away the sweet nothings he had whispered into my ear, into the farthest part of my mind.

It wasn’t important. It didn’t mean anything.

I nodded at Drake, signaling I was ready.

Drake’s eyes glowed with power, his hair whipping about his shoulders in a non-existent wind.

A white ring appeared beneath his feet; ancient runes etched into it.

A mirror image of the ring blazed under my feet.

I gasped, instinctually backing up, but my body couldn’t move.

It was as if my feet were rooted to the floor.

I felt my muscles lock, my tendons pull—the joints throbbing.

I grit my teeth as I felt the raw energy spiral inside me like a hurricane.

Every cell in my body vibrated and contracted, then swelled to near bursting.

I gasped in pain. Stars burst behind my eyelids, and my head became airy.

Just when darkness was rimming my vision, the power funneling through me abated, a calm settling in.

My eyelids fluttered closed as my knees buckled and I crumpled. A strong arm wrapped around my middle, breaking my fall. A hand brushed the stray hair out of my face. My eyelids cracked open to peek up at Drake’s face. Anxiety etched his features, his brow furrowed.

“Are you alright?” He asked.

I nodded my head weakly. “I…am fine.” I managed to get out. I could taste a metallic-like tang in the back of my throat. It must’ve been the aftertaste of magic.

“If you’re certain,” he said, his tone saying otherwise.

I made to stand, and Drake helped me to my feet. Once I was sure my legs would not give out, I asked, “Would you help me into the bathroom so I can see myself?”

Drake nodded, and with a strong arm secured around my waist, he guided me into the adjoining bathroom.

My eyes flitted to my reflection. I gasped softly.

Instead of brilliant auburn locks, my hair shone like the sun, blond locks cascading over my shoulders.

My blue eyes were a lighter shade, more of a baby blue hue.

What was the most startling were the twin points at the tips of my ears that peeked through the curtain of hair.

My stomach pitched, and my mouth filled with saliva .

I stared, slack-jawed, at my reflection. Drake eyed me carefully as if he were waiting for my sanity to fracture. I closed my mouth with an audible snap and swallowed.

“Well…this is different,” I said numbly.

Drake nodded, removing his arm from my waist as I leaned over the counter to get a better look. “This is exactly what we want, right? To get you into the summer palace.”

I gave a hard blink, finding my resolve once more. “Yes,” I said. I faced Drake. “Let’s go save our daughter.”

The two guards stationed at the massive doors stared at me, their severe expressions causing my stomach to drop in trepidation.

“State your business,” said the guard to the right of me.

My gaze flicked upward, taking in the golden palace of the summer fae.

From this close, I could see the bricks were made out of shimmering gold.

The towering spirals stretched so high into the sky I had to crane my head back to glimpse their majestic height.

The summer fae king was in there. I would be going in alone, without the protection of Drake—the shadow fae king.

Whoever had taken my daughter was in there with her. She needed me.

Jutting my chin and scrounging what little courage I had, I said. “I’m here to seek employment inside the summer fae palace.”

The guards exchanged an unreadable look.

My breath hitched inside my lungs .

The first guard who had spoken to me cast his gaze upon me. His brow pinched. “Come with me.”

With that, he turned and opened the large door, slipping inside.

I glanced at the remaining guard. He kept his gaze fixed firmly ahead, ignoring my presence.

My lips thinned, and I stepped inside, across the threshold, and into the palace.

He led me into the inner courtyard. Soldiers walked to and fro, carrying on their duties.

I eyed the broadswords they had sheathed at their hips—the gold plating of their armor.

My thoughts flew back to the golden shards the soldier in the field launched at me.

And here I found myself surrounded by at least fifty guards milling about.

I swallowed and hurried after the guard who entered the palace.

He headed down a large corridor flanked by a row of guards on either side.

Their expressions were fixed ahead, yet a chill crawled down my spine as I felt their eyes on me as I passed.

Turning right, the guard led me into another corridor, this one more narrow than the first. He paused at the door to the left and knocked.

“Enter,” a nasally voice called from behind the door.

The soldier opened the door and stepped aside—allowing me entrance first. Licking my lips, I entered the room. Before me was a long oak desk, and sitting in the chair was a willow-framed summer fae male.

His long pointed ears peeked out from his silver hair that was cut in a short bob. His long fingers held the quill as he wrote on a piece of parchment. He glanced up upon my entrance, his gray eyes dull with disinterest.

He lowered his quill and tapped a finger on the desk as he eyed the guard, who’d entered behind me. “What is it that could be so important enough to waste my time? ”

The guard said, “This female is requesting work.”

The seated male leaned over the desk slightly to peer at me through narrowed eyes. “Requesting work?”

I cleared my throat. “My family and I are poor and in need of money,” I said, my voice small.

The male summer fae lifted an eyebrow as his eyes dragged over my form.

His lips pinched as he took in my shabby layers of clothing—the thin weathered tunic I wore and the buckskin pants with mite holes in them.

All clothing was meticulously chosen by Drake to appear in desperate need of work.

Even my blonde hair was ruffled to make my appearance seem unkempt.

I could tell he was inclined to dismiss me by the way the fae wrinkled his stubby nose.

“I am willing to do any work available,” I said. “Anything.” My heart was in my throat.

Don’t turn me away…please.

“Do you have any skills?”

I shook my head. None that wouldn’t reveal I’m werewolf royalty…

He hummed as he peered at me. After a moment, the fae said, “There is a position open for someone of your nature who has no skills.”

Relief streamed through my veins like cool water. I bowed my head. “Thank you very much, Sir.”

“You shall serve as one of the concubines for the king.” He gave a lecherous smile. “I can tell beneath the tattered clothing that your form will…be greatly pleasing to our majesty. ”

My heart dropped. My skin became chilled. “A…concubine?”

The fae male quirked a brow. “Weren’t you in need of employment? Anything?” He said, his words biting.

I bit down hard on the inside of my cheek as horror sank its claws into me. To have to lay down with another man—treated as no more than an elevated prostitute…

Don’t do it, Ember. Drake’s voice flooded my mind. We’ll find another way .

I gasped softly. Can you read my thoughts? Communicate with me inside my mind?

It is a skill that I have acquired now that we’re fully mated. Only mates share this gift with each other. You can communicate with me as well.

Yes, I can see that. I bit back, anger burning hot inside my gut. I want you out of my head. I don’t wish to communicate with you like this. It's an invasion of my privacy!

We’re mated, Drake said simply. You no longer have privacy.

I gnashed my teeth together. Drake, this is my one shot to save our daughter. I’m taking it.

The summer fae male before me drummed his fingers on the desk, a look of disinterest flitting across his features.

I’m losing him, Drake. I need to give him an answer now!

Ember, don’t do this! Come back to me now, or I’ll ? —

I focused on the cord of the bond that connected me to Drake and imagined myself shutting the door in his face, effectively silencing him.

“I will accept the position,” I told the male, folding my hands in front of myself meekly .

“Good,” the fae said. “He rose to his feet and circled the desk coming to stand before me. “My name is Dannam, Royal Employer for the palace. Your name?

“Emeri,” I said, giving my alias.

He nodded. “I will escort you to the shared chambers.” He turned to the guard beside me and told him to return to his duties.

The guard left without a backward glance.

With that, Dannam turned and slipped out of the room.

I hurried to follow after him, his long legs easily eating up the ground with his lengthy strides.

He led me up a flight of opulent stairs, a brilliant plush white rug rolling down the length of the steps toward the back of a narrow corridor.

He stopped at a set of doors that two summer fae males guarded.

Dannam opened the door and, instead of allowing me entrance first, stepped inside.

I shot him a narrowed glance before turning my attention to the room.