Page 24

KAIDEN

Though I’d planned to return to Trevos as soon as possible, now that I’ve encountered my father and uncles, I can’t forgo bringing Mira to Linnshire for a brief visit. Especially when she insists she wants to help destroy the remaining greshhlins that plague our lands.

I send one of my uncles to Trevos to inform the soldiers under my command that I’ll be delayed a bit longer than expected, though I have faith the human city will remain tightly controlled. I left Commander Linz, a fierce but wise Linnshire soldier, in charge during my absence, and I trust him to keep the humans in check.

The visit to Linnshire is quick but successful. Mira easily destroys the twenty-one remaining greshhlins, all of which were currently trapped in the caves thanks to the skill of the prince’s highborn guards. We stay for one night before departing for Trevos, and upon our arrival I’m pleased to find all is well.

It’s late evening, and I call for a meal to be served in my quarters, though I can’t help but notice Mira frowning as a trembling human servant sets our trays on a table.

“You don’t need to be afraid,” Mira tells the young woman. “We won’t hurt you.” She gives me a strange look before returning her gaze to the servant. “Are you a paid servant at the castle? Or were you taken as a slave?”

The young woman pales and dips into a low curtsy. “I’m a paid servant, milady. But so was my sister, and she disappeared two weeks ago. Forgive me, but I can’t help being afraid.”

“Disappeared?” Mira glances at me sharply, and my ears burn just knowing the tongue lashing I’ll receive after the servant leaves. We’ve only been back in Trevos for a few hours and already she’s made numerous demands on behalf of her people, including that I track down an acquaintance of hers named Megan Storm who recently went missing.

“Yes,” the servant says with another deep curtsy. “Her name is Harriet.”

I step forward, careful to keep my expression neutral. “What is your name?”

“Gretchen,” she whispers in a trembling voice.

“I will personally look into what happened to your sister, Gretchen. If she’s been taken as a mate, I can’t promise to return her to you, but I will verify her wellbeing and see that you’re at least briefly reunited. I give you my word.”

There. Does that make you happy, little nymph? I send the thought to Mira.

It helps. However, if her sister is being held as a pleasure slave, I expect you to do something about it. Just as I expect you to allow hunters back into the forests and traveling merchants to come and go. I know fae like to rule over human cities using fear and cruelty, but I think you’ll encounter fewer uprisings if you are a benevolent ruler. Lucky for you, I’m here to help.

“Thank you, Warden Valloc,” the girl says as she turns to curtsy yet again. Keeping one eye on me, clearly not trusting me yet, she retreats to the door. “Will there be anything else?”

“We have everything we need,” Mira says with a smile. “Thank you, Gretchen.”

The servant can’t escape fast enough, and she quickly darts into the corridor and pulls the door shut behind her, leaving me alone with my sweet but opinionated little mate.

I approach Mira and take her in my arms. She smirks up at me, and I love how at ease she’s become in my presence. However, I suspect she’ll display a bit of shyness when I take her to my bed tonight.

Just as she did last night in Linnshire after I brought her to my quarters at my family’s estate.

My pants become tight as I recall how profusely she’d blushed as I’d instructed her to strip off her clothing so I might ravish her.

I lean down, preparing to kiss her, only for her stomach to growl. We share a brief laugh. “Perhaps I ought to feed you first, little nymph. After all, you’re going to need your strength for tonight.” I place my lips at her ear. “I intend to claim you over and over.”

She gasps and displays the deep blush I was hoping to see. I guide her to the table and help her into her seat, then I take my place across from her. She gazes at me with devotion, and gods how it warms my heart.

We finish our meal quickly, both of us ravenous after the long day of travel. But despite my fatigue from the extended flight, all I can think about is getting Mira into bed and having my way with her. My pulse quickens as I carry her to the large plush bed.

But I don’t place her upon the mattress. Not yet. I stand her beside the bed and make quick work of removing her shoes and every last stitch of her clothing. As I undress her, the scent of her arousal hits me like a beckoning wave. My cock stiffens and I can’t get my own pants off fast enough. In a matter of seconds, I have us both naked.

I gather her close and kiss her forehead. I love the way she sighs whenever I kiss her there, and she doesn’t disappoint. She emits the sweetest, softest sigh, then peers up at me with a look of hopeful longing that steals my breath.

The ambiance of summer swells around us as I finally kiss her, pressing my lips to hers and delving my tongue into her mouth with a lusty growl. A warm fragrant breeze swirls through the room, and nighttime insects buzz alongside the trilling of the tree frogs.

But I also hear the gentle pattering of rainfall in the distance, and the freshly bloomed aroma of daffodils, tulips, and more flowers I can’t name.

Spring Court, I realize.

Whether Mira realizes what she’s doing, I’m not certain, but she’s called forth the atmosphere of the fae ancestral lands she’s never visited.

Gods, I adore her.

What other surprises will she reveal in the coming years?

My heart quickens with affection, and I place a second kiss to her forehead. She rewards me with another soft sigh.

“Come to bed, little nymph, and let me love you.”

“I’m all yours.”